What Happened to Yahoo Sports?

Yahoo Sports, initially launched on December 8, 1997, quickly established itself as a leading online destination for sports news and information. A pivotal moment in its early growth was making its fantasy football product free in 1999, which significantly boosted its user base and cemented its position as a powerhouse in fantasy sports. Over the years, it expanded its offerings, acquiring Rivals.com in 2007 to bolster its college sports coverage and venturing into live streaming with exclusive NFL game broadcasts in 2015.

The broader Yahoo corporate entity faced challenges, leading to its acquisition by Verizon Communications in June 2017 for $4.48 billion, with Yahoo Sports becoming part of the newly formed Oath Inc. (later Verizon Media). Verizon's strategy to compete in digital media ultimately shifted, and in September 2021, Verizon sold its media assets, including Yahoo Sports, to private equity firm Apollo Global Management for $5 billion. Verizon retained a 10% stake in the rebranded Yahoo. This acquisition marked a new era, with Apollo aiming to invest in growth across Yahoo's businesses, including accelerating its customer-first offerings and commerce capabilities.

Under Apollo's ownership, Yahoo Sports has aggressively pursued content expansion and strategic partnerships. In May 2025, it announced a significant content partnership with Boardroom, co-founded by Kevin Durant, to explore the business and culture of sports, alongside expanding its original video content to approximately 50 hours weekly. The platform also sold Rivals to the On3 ownership group in May 2025, while retaining an ownership stake in the new aggregate group and launching an On3 & Rivals hub for enhanced college sports and recruiting coverage. In August 2025, Yahoo Sports announced the launch of the Yahoo Sports Network, a free, ad-supported streaming TV (FAST) channel featuring original programming and live shows. This was further bolstered by an expanded partnership with the Indoor Football League (IFL) in March 2026 to broadcast 64 live games exclusively on the network.

Yahoo Sports has also deepened its engagement in sports betting, having launched Yahoo Sportsbook powered by BetMGM in 2019, allowing nationwide odds viewing and direct betting in New Jersey, with plans for expansion. In December 2025, Gametime became its official ticketing partner, integrating offers across its platform. As of June 2026, Yahoo Sports continues to innovate, partnering with FOX One for 2026 Soccer Pick 'Em fantasy games for the FIFA World Cup and launching new AI tools for NBA fans and investors, powered by its Yahoo Scout engine. While the company underwent some layoffs in May 2026 as part of a content strategy restructure, it simultaneously plans to add talent, indicating a strategic realignment rather than a cost-cutting measure, focusing on targeted content hubs.