NCAA President Mark Emmert told the AP that – following the recent slate of recruiting scandals – he expects a commission to reform college basketball with proposals to modernize NCAA rules governing player-agent relationships, as well as suggest new ways to handle high-profile enforcement cases as well as take on the NBA’s one-and-done rule. In addition, Emmert said that a proposal to allow athletes to earn money for things such as endorsements from outside sources, similar to Olympic athletes, is another tactic that would be considered.
The Winter Olympics saw 63% of Hulu’s subscription base watch NBCU’s coverage from PyeongChang, either live or on-demand, according to Multichannel News. The company said that the event averaged 15 hours per viewer, and that Hulu live TV subscribers streamed a total of 6.5 million hours of Olympics coverage and content during the 18 days of the Games.
With the MLS season underway, the league locked in multiple streaming deals for its slate of content overseas. One deal will see the league partner with U.K.-based live-streaming service DAZN in a three-year deal to bring its direct-to-fans streaming service — MLS Live —to DAZN platforms. A minimum of 262 regular season games will be available on the platform.
In China, MLS announced that it would see live streaming of select league games for the first time in China courtesy of a two-year partnership with China Sports Media, a leading sports marketing agency, that will see games made available on K-Ball and PPTV. K-Ball will stream a minimum of three MLS regular season games every week, while PPTV will air one regular season game per week, plus the MLS All-Star Game, Decision Day, the Audi MLS Cup Playoffs and MLS Cup.
Statewide, MLS announced that MLS LIVE, its direct-to-consumer streaming service, and MLS Direct Kick, MLS’ cable and satellite out-of-market package, will return for 2018. MLS fans in the U.S. will enjoy free access to MLS out-of-market streaming games via MLS LIVE until the launch this spring of ESPN+, the direct-to-consumer streaming product from ESPN and BAMTECH Media. Following the spring launch, MLS LIVE will be available to fans exclusively on ESPN+ as part of the $4.99 monthly subscription.
Overwatch Legaue’s London Spitfire are partnering with Logitech G for a one-year deal that will see the PC and console gaming gear brand serve as the official gear provider for the team. This marks the first major sponsorship for London Spitfire. The deal adds the Logitech G logo imprinted on the London Spitfire jersey. “We’re proud to begin a partnership with the Overwatch League’s London Spitfire. As major Overwatch fans, we’re excited to supply the gear to help them win big,” said Ujesh Desai, vice president and general manager of Logitech Gaming.
The National Association of Collegiate Esports is teaming up with gaming furniture maker Respawn Products to serve as the official gaming furniture provider for the 71 collegiate institutions with varsity esports programs across the United States that NACE supports. “Our partnership is the first step for us in providing a whole end to end ecosystem with trusted partners who our member institutions can rely upon to provide top-notch equipment,” said Michael Brooks, NACE Executive Director. “Just like traditional athletics, your facility is an important component for recruitment. More so, as students and administrators on campus continue to push for greater recognition of competitive gaming as a varsity sport, your arena is where your legitimacy begins.”
Poland’s soccer league Ekstraklasa is teaming with Lagardere Sports Poland to launch an esports presence for the organization. “We see a huge potential in esports, that’s why we want to approach this topic professionally, and maximize the promotion of the league through virtual competitions,” said Ekstraklasa President Marcin Animucki. That’s why we chose to partner with one of the main world players in terms of eSports, and one with extensive experience. Together we want to create an attractive product for clubs, fans, but also for sponsors, advertisers, and broadcasters.”
WWE named Brian Flinn as Chief Marketing & Communications Officer for the company. Flinn will now oversee all marketing and corporate communications functions, including global consumer marketing, WWE Network marketing, creative services, special events, publicity, media relations and corporate communications. He will continue to report directly to WWE Co-President Michelle Wilson.
New season of Feherty tees off on Golf Channel at 9p.
