Netflix is being sued over its Jake Paul vs. Mike Tyson broadcast, and it’s not because the fight sucked

At first, you might think Netflix is being sued over some shady business like match-fixing related to the Jake Paul vs. Mike Tyson boxing match, but the truth is a lot simpler. The lawsuit actually stems from technical difficulties during the live broadcast of the event, which left many fans frustrated.

On November 15, 2024, boxing icon Mike Tyson, at 58 years old, faced off against Jake Paul, the young up-and-comer, in what was billed as a major event. However, for some viewers, the fight turned into one of the most frustrating experiences they’ve had with streaming. Netflix’s broadcast was plagued with buffering issues and streaming glitches that made it impossible for fans to watch the fight, and now, the streaming giant is being sued over it.

A class-action lawsuit was filed in Florida on November 18, 2024, after fans who had paid for access to the live stream were left unable to watch the fight properly. The lawsuit accuses Netflix of providing “legendary problems” like no access, glitchy streaming, and constant buffering. The plaintiffs are seeking unspecified damages for the inconvenience.

Netflix hasn’t responded to the lawsuit directly, but they did release a statement acknowledging the technical issues and assuring users they are working on improving their streaming service for future live events. Despite these problems, the platform claimed that the Paul vs. Tyson fight was still a massive success, with the event being labeled as the most-streamed sporting event in history, attracting a staggering 108 million live viewers.

However, while the event may have broken streaming records, the fight itself was largely considered a letdown. Tyson, while still showing flashes of his former self, clearly wasn’t the powerhouse he once was. Paul seemed to hold back during the fight, and in the end, it became a one-sided decision that didn’t live up to the hype. Still, the undercard fights were thrilling and kept the boxing fans entertained, even if the main event didn’t deliver.

As for the lawsuit, it’s unclear how it will play out, but one thing’s for sure—Netflix will likely need to work out its streaming kinks before its next big sports event. The NFL Christmas Gameday event, scheduled for December 25, is set to be another major live-streaming test for the platform, so hopefully, they’ll have their technical issues sorted out by then.