Netflix didn’t waste much time lining up its second live sports broadcast after its debut in the space with last month’s Netflix Cup golf event.

Next up for the streamer will be the Netflix Slam, a tennis event featuring Rafael Nadal and Carlos Alcaraz battling in Las Vegas on March 3. Other tennis matches will be included, with participants to be announced at a later date.

As the biggest streamer without a live sports broadcast package, Netflix has repeatedly pushed back on the idea that it will be a regular bidder for future media rights, but it’s becoming increasingly clear that Netflix wants more live sports — in its own way.

The Netflix Slam will be produced by the same company that helmed last month’s golf broadcast and it will feature a similar strategy of utilizing the streamer’s existing partnerships. Nadal and Alcaraz were each briefly featured during Season 1 of Netflix’s Break Point docuseries, which followed the ATP and WTA tours. The Netflix Cup featured several athletes from Formula 1’s Drive to Survive and the PGA Tour’s Full Swing shows. Don’t be surprised if more Break Point stars, such as Taylor Fritz or Frances Tiafoe, end up competing in Las Vegas, too.

“We are investing heavily in increasing our live capabilities so that as the demand grows for that and we find different ways, the liveness can be part of the creative storytelling,” Netflix co-CEO Ted Sarandos said during the company’s most recent earnings call.

A recent report also linked Netflix to a potential boxing broadcast featuring Jake Paul, who has a documentary on the streaming service, as well as Premier Boxing Champions, which just signed a new media rights deal with rival steamer Amazon Prime Video. Additionally, there have been conflicting reports about Netflix’s interest in exploring bidding on future editions of the NBA In-Season Tournament.

Two NBA teams with roots firmly planted at longstanding downtown arenas have been linked to new venue projects outside their urban homes.

The Utah Jazz’s ownership group has reportedly explored building an arena outside Salt Lake City. Behind-closed-door conversations have taken place with the Point of the Mountain State Land Authority, according to the Salt Lake Tribune. 

A new Jazz arena could be built nearly 20 miles south of Delta Center, where the team has played since 1991. The venue would be suited for an NHL team, too, should Salt Lake City get an expansion franchise or relocate a team to Utah.

The Jazz would not comment on the Tribune story.

Meanwhile, the Washington Wizards could soon be offered a new arena in Northern Virginia. A group of state lawmakers is said to be mulling a deal to lure the Wizards and the NHL’s Capitals away from their current home, Washington, D.C.’s Capital One Arena. A pact would also include a practice facility and mixed-use development, according to The Washington Post.

Monumental Sports & Entertainment, which owns both teams, hasn’t commented on the matter.

Full Court Press

Either move would add to similar recent efforts across the NBA.

Next season, the Los Angeles Clippers will move out of Crypto.com Arena and into the $2 billion Intuit Dome in Inglewood, California.

The Philadelphia 76ers are trying to secure plans to move out of Wells Fargo Center and a new downtown arena that they wouldn’t have to share with the NHL’s Flyers.

Saudi Arabia has been crystal clear in its intentions to buy into as many pro sports outfits as possible — but sealing lucrative deals isn’t as easy as it looks.

Several British media outlets recently reported that the 2024 WTA Finals will be held in the Middle East nation as part of a major deal surrounding the season-ending event of tennis’ top women’s tour. 

However, the WTA tells Reuters that no decision has been made about a venue or location for next November’s tournament. “We are in discussions with various groups surrounding the 2024 WTA Finals and beyond,” a WTA spokesperson said.

The interest from Saudi Arabia isn’t surprising: In 2022, the Saudi Public Investment Fund tried to invest in the WTA before the tour accepted a $150 million deal with CVC Capital Partners. The PIF has also backed Formula 1, LIV Golf, Newcastle United, and the Saudi Pro League. Saudi Arabia will host the 2034 FIFA World Cup, all while the country deals with continued criticisms around sportswashing given its poor human rights record.

Right now, the WTA Finals are the only event on the tour’s 2024 calendar without a set location. The finals have been searching for a long-term host since a 10-year deal with the Chinese city of Shenzhen fell through after the pandemic and the Peng Shuai saga. This year’s finals were held in Cancun.

Money Talks?

Saudi Arabia’s efforts to partner with the PGA Tour and the DP World Tour continue to move at a slow pace, but the PIF keeps pouring money into LIV Golf, which just signed Jon Rahm to a contract believed to be worth more than $500 million.

However, a recent report from Sports Illustrated indicates that the PIF was willing to fund a $1 billion equalization pool for PGA Tour players that had turned down LIV offers. That money would have been added to the $1 billion-plus investment PIF is trying to make in the PGA Tour.