Big Ten Challenges Amazon-Duke Streaming Deal Over Michigan Game Rights

Mon, 04 May 2026 23:44:00 +0200

Amazon’s newly announced partnership with Duke University to stream select non-conference basketball games has quickly encountered complications, highlighting the complexity of college sports media rights. The agreement, which includes matchups against UConn, Michigan, and Gonzaga, was intended to mark Amazon’s deeper entry into live college athletics through its Prime Video platform. However, the inclusion of Michigan has triggered a dispute with the Big Ten Conference.

The core issue revolves around existing television rights agreements. Michigan, as a member of the Big Ten, is subject to the conference’s media contracts, which currently involve networks such as FOX. The Big Ten believes that the Michigan-Duke game falls under its jurisdiction due to a rotating rights structure. Last season, ESPN aired a similar matchup, but this year the rights are expected to shift to FOX under the conference’s agreement.

To enable Amazon’s involvement, Duke had to secure approval from ESPN, the