The National Lacrosse League and Twitter announced on Wednesday a two-year exclusive live streaming partnership where Twitter will broadcast NLL “Games of the Week” during the 2017 and 2018 seasons.
Additionally, playoffs, highlight footage and Champion’s Cup games will be delivered for free on Twitter.com for fans in the United States and Canada. Games live streamed on Twitter will also be shown on the NLL’s new paid video hub, NLLTV.com.
The 2017 season “Game of the Week” broadcasts will begin March 17 as the Toronto Rock host the Colorado Mammoth at 7 p.m. EST.
“This is a historic broadcast relationship that will unlock the great game and we are honored to partner with Twitter. The future of the sports viewing experience is digital, and this partnership will not only elevate the fan experience by making the game more accessible to audiences, but enable simultaneous real-time conversations and connections with other fans on the same platform,” NLL commissioner Nick Sakiewicz said in a statement. “Another critical step in the League’s transformation, this collaboration is a pivotal opportunity to enhance the NLL’s digital presence in North America.”
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Added Anthony Noto, COO at Twitter in a statement: “We are thrilled to partner with the NLL as Lacrosse is one of the fastest growing sports in North America. Our collaboration will allow the highly passionate lacrosse community to watch live NLL games and join the conversation all on Twitter.”
In recent weeks, the flood gates have opened as niche properties like the NLL and World Surf League — which recently secured a partnership with Facebook Live — look to increase their digital footprint and grow a bigger audience via live streaming. Other more well-known leagues like the MLS have also found live streaming distribution partners, with the U.S. soccer league last week announcing it would broadcast the 2017 regular season through the Univision Deportes Facebook page.