Peloton is teaming up with another retailer for the first time, announcing an agreement with Amazon to sell a selection of its equipment and accessories.

Beginning Wednesday, Amazon will sell Peloton’s original Bike for $1,445, the Peloton Guide for $295, apparel, and accessories including cycling shoes, bike mats, and its heart rate armband. 

• The Bike+ and Tread treadmill — whose prices recently increased by a respective $500 and $800 — will not be available on Amazon, but Peloton CCO Kevin Cornils told CNBC its Amazon-sold products could vary over time.
• In-home delivery and expert assembly for the Bike is available at no additional cost.

Cornils highlighted the possibility that the company will look for other similar deals, calling the agreement “a really good start for us, with a digital retailer, to test the waters.” 

Physical retail remains important to the company’s strategy, according to Cornils, and the Amazon deal is “more of a reflection of us trying to match the consumer.”

Cycling in New Strategies

The agreement is Peloton’s latest effort to turn its business around. In February, Peloton publicized efforts to cut roughly $800 million in annual costs.

In August, Peloton CEO Barry McCarthy revealed the company would soon offer a bike that doesn’t require professional delivery or setup. Days before, McCarthy wrote to employees that Peloton would eliminate 784 jobs, reduce its retail locations, and increase prices for the Bike+ and Tread. 

In July, Peloton announced it would stop its in-house bike production.

Ted Leonsis could add to his Washington sports empire — with what could be the biggest piece yet.

The founder, chairman, and CEO of Monumental Sports & Entertainment was granted access to the Washington Nationals’ financial data. The Lerner family, which owns the team, said they would explore a sale in April. Forbes valued the team at $2 billion in March — 12th in MLB. 

Monumental already holds controlling stakes in the:

• Washington Wizards 
• Washington Capitals
• Washington Mystics
• Capital City Go-Go (NBA G League)
• Wizards District Gaming (NBA 2K League)

Leonsis, of course, will face competition for the club. At least five other interested parties have met with Nats officials, including private equity billionaire Michael B. Kim and Freedom Mortgage founder Stanley Middleman.

Monumental Acquisition

On Tuesday, Monumental announced that it had agreed to acquire the media home of the Wizards and Capitals by purchasing Comcast’s stake in NBC Sports Washington. 

On completion of the deal, Monumental will own all of the regional sports network, which in addition to the nation’s capital broadcasts in Maryland, Virginia, and parts of Pennsylvania. It purchased a 33% stake in NBCSW in 2016.

Big changes are coming to the PGA Tour, led by two of its top stars.

As the Tour faces competition from LIV Golf, commissioner Jay Monahan announced a host of changes to ramp up excitement for fans and add incentives for players in a letter obtained by Front Office Sports

• A set of players have committed to playing in 12 headline events in the FedEx Cup regular season, plus The Players Championship, the Masters, the PGA Championship, the U.S. Open, and The Open Championship.
• Four events have been elevated within the FedEx Cup, in addition to another four announced in June. The events will have an average purse of $20 million.
• The Tour’s Player Impact Program, which rewards players who draw attention to the game, will double its total payout to $100 million per season and reward 20 players. Criteria will be altered, including the removal of a social media component.
• Fully exempt members will be guaranteed $500,000 per year, starting in 2023, and earn against that minimum until it is reached. Rookies will be paid upfront.

The Tiger and Rory Tournament

In addition to those changes, the Tour is working with Tiger Woods and Rory McIlroy on a new type of golf competition. The two co-founded TMRW Sports Group with CEO Mike McCarley, which is launching The TGL golf league – a stadium-based competition with virtual courses.

The tournament has promised six teams of three golfers each, which will play 18 holes over two hours in 15 Monday night matches, beginning in January 2024. Networks are already showing interest in media rights for The TGL.