Netflix stuck the landing on a star-studded exhibition match between tennis superstars Rafael Nadal and Carlos Alcaraz this weekend. Stakes were high on the court, but the Las Vegas showdown was most effective as a lush advertisement for the streamer as a fledgling live sports destination.
Taking over the Mandalay Bay’s Michelob Ultra Arena, the inaugural Netflix Slam pit legend Nadal against 20-year-old Alcaraz. Rafa, as Nadal is affectionately known to millions of global fans, had not played since a hip injury flared up in 2023. Nadal has only faced Alcaraz a handful of times in his career and wound up losing to the prodigy in a nail-biting tie break.
No one really lost, though. Least of all Netflix. Branding was so pervasive in the hotel and casino that pedestrians lined up 100 deep to take photos in front of a “Netflix Slam” sign, installed on a massive wall of tennis balls. The service attracted in-house talent like Charlize Theron (star of Netflix’s “The Old Guard,” who just wrapped production on a sequel), Catherine Zeta-Jones (of the massive hit “Wednesday”) with husband Michael Douglas and Colin Kaepernick (Ava DuVernay’s “Colin in Black & White”) to sit courtside.
Skydance CEO David Ellison and Charlize Theron attend The Netflix Slam in Las Vegas.
Worldwide Netflix viewers were treated to a format-busting televised match. With no advertising breaks and conventional b-roll packages, a group of game veterans including Andre Agassi and Andy Roddick served live commentary panel-style. A few promos for upcoming Netflix projects were slotted in over the three-hour broadcast.
In the bowels of the arena, Netflix built a talent lounge with a merchandising booth handing out half-zip sweaters that read “Netflix Sports Club,” mini duffel bags, Nike visors and chic sweat towels. La Roche-Posay, a cult favorite skincare line from French pharmacies that’s recently made a big American push and become the “official sunscreen” of the U.S. Open, passed out product freely.
Many of the streamer’s executive team showed, despite gale force winds cancelling or delaying incoming flights from Las Angeles to Vegas (Skydance CEO David Ellison was also spotted, producer of Theron’s “Old Guard). Co-CEO Greg Peters, chief content officer Bela Bajaria, chief marketing officer Marian Lee and vice president of nonfiction sports Gabe Spitzer all came to shake hands.
This is the second-ever live sporting event to air on Netflix, following a golf classic last year. When asked how many of these splashy live events Netflix was looking to do each year in the sports category, Spitzer said there was “no set volume.” He views live programming as an extension of his division’s filmed sports content.
“Look at a traditional sports network that has a ton of live games, and maybe they’ll put on a documentary after and hope people watch it. This is almost the inverse. We’ve built some great momentum and great viewership for our sports documentaries and [live] is an extension of that,” he said.
Spitzer added that the Netflix engineering team is becoming nimbler – which could mean more spontaneous live programming.
“We’re flexible. If we found out there was a great live production happening next month, we can figure it out. If it’s nine months from now, obviously, you have more time and you can hopefully make it slightly better. Knowing that we have this capability at Netflix allows us to do that,” he said.
The Slam was also a boon for the Mandalay Bay. The venue sold out its nearly 10,000 arena seats, with many Spanish-speaking devotees of national heroes Nadal and Alcaraz (cat calls of “Vamos, Rafa!” and “Carlito!” were so frequent that the crowd often shushed them en masse). While the event aired live in the afternoon in America, it was primetime in Spain. Netflix leaned heavily into the global-facing nature of the match and held press conferences and courtside commentary in both English and Spanish.
Nadal seemed preoccupied with upcoming competitive matches like the forthcoming Indian Wells tournament, where he’ll potentially face off against Alcaraz again. We couldn’t help but ask him, while sitting against a “Netflix Slam” step and repeat, if he would ever consider getting into the content production game. So many athletes of his caliber, including Tom Brady and LeBron James, have opened production companies and dabbled in acting post-retirement.
“It’s not in my life plan,” Nadal told Variety. “Let’s see. My mind Is always open for what can happen, with a motivation to learn and improve. My life after tennis is well prepared, but I’m always open to new things.”
The Netflix Slam Gave Great Live Tennis
- Advertisment - 
Recent Comments
on Iowa State starting RB Jirehl Brock among latest college football players charged in gambling probe
on The Rev. Al Sharpton to lead protest after Florida governor’s ban of African American studies course
on Sports World Hails ‘Superwoman’ Lindsey Vonn for Her Grand Comeback Despite Career-Changing Injury
on San Mateo County Community College District sues five companies over role in ‘pay to play’ scandal
on Saipan, placid island setting for Assange’s last battle, is briefly mobbed – and bemused by the fuss
on ‘Pokémon Scarlet’ and ‘Violet’ Fan Theories Suggest Legendary Time Travel, Alternate Dimension Plot
on Joe Manchin and Tommy Tuberville introduce bill on name, image and likeness rules for college sports
on Inside the Michael Jordan ‘Air’ movie, plus why NFL, others are buying into the sports film industry
on If you’re a frequent traveler, these wrap tops from Aday will revolutionize your on-the-go wardrobe
on How Does Jack Nicklaus Travel? Exploring the Private Jets Owned by the ‘Golden Bear’ Over the Years
on Hollywood Reporter: Tom Cruise negotiated with movie studios over AI before the actors strike began
on Ford Blue Cruise: US regulators investigate fatal crashes involving hands-free driving technology
on Dozens of boats cruise the Seine in a rehearsal for the Paris Olympics’ opening ceremony on July 26
on Devout athletes find strength in their faith. But practicing it and elite sports can pose hurdles
on Despite strong Lunar New Year holiday data, consumer spending in China isn’t roaring back just yet
on David and Victoria Beckham so ‘Charmed’ by Tom Cruise They Have His Photos on Display at Their Home
on CONCEPT ART: New Details Revealed for Disney Cruise Line Lookout Cay at Lighthouse Point Destination
on CBS Sports announces Matt Ryan will join NFL studio show. Longtime analysts Simms and Esiason depart
on Boston College vs. Army live stream, how to watch online, CBS Sports Network channel finder, odds
on Boise State vs. Air Force live stream, odds, channel, prediction, how to watch on CBS Sports Network
on Biden to tout bill’s prescription drug prices, energy provisions in pitch to Americans, aide says
on After UFC Fallout, Conor McGregor Offers a Valuable Piece of Advice to Free Agent Francis Ngannou
on 2024 Super Bowl: CBS Sports Network and CBS Sports HQ to combine for 115 hours of weeklong coverage
on ‘Best Intention’: Chris Kirk Has Absolute Trust in Jay Monahan and PGA Tour’s Widely Debated Model
on 2023 NFL All-Rookie Team: CBS Sports draft expert, former GM unveil league’s best first-year players
on “Completely Knocked Me Out”: Rob Lowe Recalls Boxing Match With Tom Cruise On 1983 Brat Pack Classic
on CONCEPT ART: New Details Revealed for Disney Cruise Line Lookout Cay at Lighthouse Point Destination
on “Completely Knocked Me Out”: Rob Lowe Recalls Boxing Match With Tom Cruise On 1983 Brat Pack Classic
on CBS Sports announces Matt Ryan will join NFL studio show. Longtime analysts Simms and Esiason depart
on Carlos Sainz’s Soccer Fanboy Emerges as Spaniard Shares Defining Moment With This Real Madrid Legend
on Biden: ‘At this point I’m not’ planning to visit East Palestine, Ohio, after toxic train derailment
on ‘Best Intention’: Chris Kirk Has Absolute Trust in Jay Monahan and PGA Tour’s Widely Debated Model
on Ahead of big sports weekend, dispute with Disney leaves millions of cable subscribers in the dark
on A heavy wave of Russian missile attacks pounds areas across Ukraine, killing at least 4 civilians
on 2024 Super Bowl: CBS Sports Network and CBS Sports HQ to combine for 115 hours of weeklong coverage
on 2023 NFL All-Rookie Team: CBS Sports draft expert, former GM unveil league’s best first-year players
on Army vs. Coastal Carolina live stream, how to watch online, CBS Sports Network channel finder, odds
on AL Rookie of the Year Julio Rodriguez Spreads Joy and Sportsmanship to the Youth of Loma de Cabrera
on After UFC Fallout, Conor McGregor Offers a Valuable Piece of Advice to Free Agent Francis Ngannou
on Dubai International Airport sees 41.6 million passengers in first half of year, more than in 2019
on Devout athletes find strength in their faith. But practicing it and elite sports can pose hurdles
on Despite strong Lunar New Year holiday data, consumer spending in China isn’t roaring back just yet
on Dave Portnoy: Taylor Swift’s security should ‘drag Kim Kardashian to jail’ if she attends Eras Tour
on CONCEPT ART: New Details Revealed for Disney Cruise Line Lookout Cay at Lighthouse Point Destination
on “Completely Knocked Me Out”: Rob Lowe Recalls Boxing Match With Tom Cruise On 1983 Brat Pack Classic
on CBS Sports, Serie A announce new TV rights deal; Paramount+ to air over 400 Italian soccer matches
on Cam Newton’s Violent Public Incident Draws Hilarious Reaction From 3x All-Star: “Where Do I Sign Up
on Boston College vs. Army live stream, how to watch online, CBS Sports Network channel finder, odds
on Angel Reese Launches Foundation Dedicated To Empowering Women Through Sports & Financial Literacy
on A weaker dollar, skyrocketing prices and ‘record’ visitor numbers: Good luck in Europe this summer