“Facebook’s innovative Watch Party experience is the perfect place for Major League Soccer fans around the world to exchange views and share their passion for our clubs and players,” said MLS SVP, Media Chris Schlosser in a statement. “We’re proud to collaborate with Facebook to deliver exciting game recaps and engage globally with MLS fans.”

“Major League Soccer is one of the fastest growing leagues in the U.S., and we’re excited to help it continue to reach new fans through this partnership,” said Rob Shaw, Facebook Director of League and Media Sports Partnerships. “This content will bring people together to celebrate wins, commiserate over losses and share the top plays with their friends, making it a fantastic fit for Facebook Watch.”

PROGRAMMING

Jac Collinsworth is heading to NBC Sports, where the former ESPN host and features reporter will work across a wide range of NBC Sports properties, including the Olympics, NFL, and Notre Dame Football, on linear and digital platforms. Specific assignments will be announced in the coming weeks. Collinsworth, the son of NBC Sunday Night Football analyst Cris Collinsworth, rejoins NBC Sports Group, where he previously worked on Notre Dame Football in on- and off-camera capacities. He also served as NBC Olympics’ first-ever social media correspondent at the 2016 Rio Olympics.

In other talent news, GOLF Channel’s Golf Central Live From news program is getting a familiar face with the addition of Michelle Wie West joining as a contributing analyst. The show outlined its plans for the 2020 golf season, beginning next week at TPC Sawgrass’ Stadium Course with Golf Central Live From THE PLAYERS. Additionally, GOLF Channel analyst Justin Leonard will transition to show’s primetime telecasts, beginning at THE PLAYERS.

Speaking of which, NBC Sports Group announced its coverage plans surrounding THE PLAYERS Championship (March 9-15) with more than 800 hours of live programming scheduled on deck throughout the week. NBC Sports will dedicate 22 hours of live tournament coverage across GOLF Channel and NBC, which will be complemented by more than 60 live hours of comprehensive news, analysis and features within Golf Central Live From THE PLAYERS and Morning Drive. For the first time, NBC Sports will collaborate with the PGA TOUR to live stream every single shot of THE PLAYERS Championship, allowing fans to follow any player in the field across all four rounds. Production enhancements include:
· Eight high-definition cameras covering every conceivable angle of the par-3, 17th hole, including a microscopic lens embedded in the lip of the tiny bunker fronting the green.
· The cable-suspended “FlyCam” system, providing unique vantage points through an ability to fly over the body of water between the par-5, 16th and 17th hole greens.
· A camera crane positioned 150 feet in the air offering aerial views of Holes 16-18, and a camera on the island adjacent to the 17th green, capturing reactions of players on No. 17.
· Toptracer technology capability on all 18 holes.
· Golf Central Live From THE PLAYERS and Morning Drive also will make use of Toptracer technology on TPC Sawgrass’ practice range, tracking the ball flight of those in the field ahead of their round.

On the ratings front, ESPN reports that its 2020 MLS on ESPN season-opening doubleheader — Seattle Sounders/Chicago Fire and LAFC/Inter Miami CF – averaged 503,000 viewers across ESPN and ESPN Deportes, according to Nielsen, for a combined uptick of 14% over the two season-opening games on both networks in 2019. The late game in ESPN’s week 1 MLS doubleheader averaged 653,000 viewers across ESPN and ESPN Deportes to rank as the most-viewed MLS opening match on the ESPN networks since 2011. The early game averaged 350,000 viewers.

In celebration of International Women’s Day on March 8, Telemundo Deportes will deliver special multiplatform coverage highlighting women who have made their mark in sports, starting today. Programming will feature stories around female athletes and special segments celebrating women in sports during Premier League coverage, Boxeo Telemundo, Titulares y Más and across Telemundo Deportes digital platforms. Telemundo Deportes’ specials are part of Telemundo’s “Mujeres Imparables” (Unstoppable Women) initiative dedicated to “celebrating the achievement of women in all aspects of life and championing their advancement at every level.”

Daytona International Speedway announced that the Busch Clash At DAYTONA will move to the speedway’s 3.56-mile road course and be held under the lights on Feb. 9 next year. The 2021 Busch Clash at DAYTONA, an exhibition-style event, will be held on the same course as the Rolex 24 At DAYTONA and the DAYTONA 200. “The famed road course at Daytona has a long and storied history with sports cars and motorcycles, and now we can write a new chapter on it with stock cars,” NASCAR Vice President of Racing Development Ben Kennedy said. “Fans coming to the track will get to see six consecutive days of exciting NASCAR action, with no two days being the same.”

ESPN released details to its new digital show The Replay available exclusively on Quibi when the platform launches tomorrow. As the exclusive U.S. multi-sport content provider for Quibi’s Daily Essentials, ESPN’s The Replay will feature daily episodes and breaking news covering the biggest stories in sports. Nabil Karim hosts, and will be joined by Ashley Brewer, who joins ESPN from ABC7 Los Angeles, along with ESPN’s Sebastian Salazar. The trio will each host alternating episodes, produced from ESPN’s newly renovated Studio E in Bristol. At launch, daily 5-7 minute episodes will be available each morning.

March means that CBS Sports will showcase conference tournament championship coverage with 12 automatic bids across both CBS and CBS Sports Network, highlighted by seven automatic bids awarded to the 2020 NCAA Division I Men’s Basketball Championship and five automatic bids to the Women’s Basketball Championship. In total, CBS Sports will air 34 games across 12 conference tournaments over the next two weeks. Conference crowns will be awarded to the men’s champions in the Big Ten, Mountain West, Missouri Valley and Atlantic 10 on the CBS Television Network. CBS Sports Network will televise the men’s championship games for the Colonial Athletic, Conference USA and Patriot League during the 12-day “Bracket Week Presented by Kubota.”

ABC Audio and ESPN Audio announced a new internal sales relationship. Starting immediately, ABC Audio’s podcast network will be represented by ESPN Audio’s Ad Sales team. ESPN Audio already handles ad sales for podcasts produced by FiveThirtyEight, National Geographic and its own network. With the addition of ABC Audio, ESPN will now offer buyers and advertisers media investment opportunities for ABC Audio’s existing hits including The Dropout, Ten Percent Happier, daily news show Start Here, Have You Seen This Man?, Truth and Lies: Jeffrey Epstein and all forthcoming podcasts.

California swim and activewear brand JOLYN announced the sponsorship of Olympic Gold Medalist Ashleigh Johnson. “JOLYN has been the swimsuit I’ve worn before I can remember. They have always been my go-to company not only because of the swimsuits, but also because of the message JOLYN preaches,” said Johnson. “As athletes we are here to inspire with our athleticism, with our hard work, and with our passions. When the discussion turns to our bodies it takes away from everything we’re doing. I love female empowerment. I love body positivity. I am proud to share these values with and represent JOLYN.”

Special Olympics and Gallagher, a global insurance brokerage, risk management and consulting services firm, announced a partnership to help scale Special Olympics sports around the world. The multi-year partnership designates Gallagher as a Platinum Partner of Special Olympics International, serving as the official sponsor of Special Olympics sport and coach programming. “We are thrilled to partner with Gallagher and are grateful for their support for Special Olympics coaches around the globe as they prepare athletes with intellectual disabilities to compete at their best on and off the playing field,” said Mary Davis, CEO of Special Olympics. “Their generous investment comes with an affinity for our mission of inclusion and an opportunity for our two organisations to learn from each other.”

DIGITAL, DATA & TECH

Verizon Media announced the expansion of Yahoo Sportsbook powered by BetMGM, allowing users of legal age in the state of Indiana to view betting odds and click through the odds to place bets on BetMGM across a variety of sports. The move marks the third state in which fans can place bets and transact through Yahoo Sportsbook powered by BetMGM.

PRIMESPORT is offering fans direct access through its Official NCAA Final Four Ticket, Hospitality and Travel packages. The Official NCAA Experience, PRIMESPORT’s pre-game hospitality offering, will have exclusive appearances by legendary Atlanta Hawks player, Dominque Wilkins, NCAA, and NBA champion coach, Larry Brown, and ESPN commentator, Fran Fraschilla. Musical entertainment will feature country music artist Karen Walrup, Seed & Feed Marching Abominable, and DJ Mal-Ski.

ESPORTS

In this week’s edition of Cynopsis Esports…
· ESL and DHL double down on Dota
· Empty IEM Katowice draws big numbers
· ONE Esports plots road to Indonesia
· Stream Hatchet’s 2019 Game Streaming Report
· Twitter’s March movers
· VERITAS launches LVL
· Riot sets up Valorant

INDUSTRY & ROSTER MOVES

The Basketball Africa League postponed the league’s inaugural season, which had been scheduled to tip off March 13 in Dakar, Senegal. “Following the recommendation of the Senegalese government regarding the escalating health concerns related to the coronavirus, the BAL’s inaugural season will be postponed. I am disappointed we are not able to tip off this historic league as scheduled but look forward to the highly-anticipated launch of the BAL at a later date.”

THE MAIN EVENT

Clippers/Rockets on TNT at 8p.

In the Know
What number did the Pacers retire to honor Reggie Miller? (Email [email protected] with your answer and be sure to include your name, company and city).

Answer to Our Last Sports Trivia Question
What is the oldest (active) Division I collegiate athletic conference in the US? Answer: Most popular answer by far was the Ivy League, which actually wasn’t officially formed until 1954. The correct answer if the Big Ten, formed in 1896. Kudos: Michael Dittelman-Dedicated Sports Marketing/NY; Roger Furman-Sports Marketing Communications/Greentown; Stephanie Ann-Freelance Sports Director/Baltimore; Tom Moore-Kalt Productions/LA; David Westberg-SAG•AFTRA Credit Union/Burbank