Jon Scheyer’s Duke are reportedly set to face Dan Hurley’s UConn next season in November. After the Elite Eight disappointment last season vs the Huskies, the Blue Devils must be seeking revenge. The exit from the NCAA tournament for Duke was heartbreaking for Jon Scheyer, Cameron Boozer and co. So a rematch next season is going to be one of the biggest games.
Not only UConn, Duke is also set to meet last year’s national champions, Dusty May’s Michigan and Mark Few’s Gonzaga. Duke’s game are reportedly set on November 25 vs UConn, December 21 vs Michigan and February 20 vs Gonzaga. All three games are set to have neutral venues. Duke vs UConn is planned in Las Vegas, Duke vs Michigan at MSG and Duke vs Gonzaga in Detroit.
Apart from the scheduling, there’s another interesting lens for these games.
Duke is set to have a “first-of-its-kind” partnership with Amazon. This includes exclusive rights to the three games. The deal is set to include extensive NIL opportunities for Duke and will most probably become a broader retail partnership.
It is possible that starting next season, Amazon Prime Video would broadcast at least three games per season for Jon Scheyer’s Duke. Amazon is also going to pay Duke players to promote the games as a NIL fee. This will bring more advertisement opportunities and more earning benefits.
Fans react to Duke’s new NIL deal with Amazon
Fans were skeptical and on the fence with Amazon taking over the marquee games.
“Duke vs. Gonzaga in Detroit???” One fan expressed surprise.
“Now we know how they were able to assemble one of the greatest teams on paper of all time. Their NIL this year is like 30 mil,” another fan speculated about Duke’s NIL budget.
“Duke will come to Detroit but won’t play Michigan in the state of Michigan,” another wondered.
“Scheyer is as afraid to play a true road game as K was,” one fan claimed.
“How does Duke have the rights to these games? What’s keeping UConn/Mich/Zaga from going out and making a deal with someone else to broadcast these games? What gives Duke the rights to these games? They’re neutral site games, so not like it’s at Duke to give them the right,” another questioned.
“Out of curiosity, how does 1 team dictate the TV rights for a neutral site game?” One fan asked.
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