-Official Channels to Stream Eight Live Matches Worldwide Across Multiple Platforms and Enhance Virtual Fan Experience-
-Streaming Outlets Join CBS Sports Network and FOX Sports to Provide Unprecedented Coverage of Women’s Professional Volleyball-
-For First Time Ever, Live Volleyball Games will be Available in 2D in the Venues App on Oculus Quest HeadsetsNew York, NY January 27, 2021 –
Building on recent television broadcast agreements with CBS Sports Network and FOX Sports, Athletes Unlimited today announced it will use its channels on Facebook, YouTube, Twitter, Dailymotion and Twitch to stream worldwide eight live matches from its inaugural volleyball league, featuring 44 of the best players in the world and starting February 27 at Fair Park Coliseum in Dallas, Texas.
In addition to streaming the eight live matches globally, the Athletes Unlimited Facebook page (https://www.facebook.com/AUProSports/) will host a weekly draft show where each week’s teams will be unveiled. The live streams will also be available on the "Sports on Facebook" page, which boasts more than 15 million followers, and in 2D in the Venues app on Oculus Quest headsets – a first for the sport of volleyball.
In each streaming broadcast, Athletes Unlimited will heighten fan engagement by spotlighting fan social posts, conducting live polls and using on-court cameras where fans can go inside the huddle with the team. The telecasts will also feature a roving analyst who will change locations throughout the match, bench microphones to capture player and coach interactions, and non-traditional graphic elements like emojis and filters.
"Today’s announcement reflects the fact that we are committed to continue breaking new ground and providing the widest possible media platforms for our leagues and athletes," said Jon Patricof, CEO and Co-Founder of Athletes Unlimited. "All 30 volleyball matches will be seen globally through our broadcast and streaming partnerships, and what we’re doing with our weekly draft show on Facebook shows our next level thinking and goal of bringing fans the latest and greatest technology through sports."
Global video streaming platform Dailymotion will deliver the eight live matches and supporting VOD content worldwide via Athletes Unlimited’s new official channel (https://www.dailymotion.com/athletesunlimitedofficial). Athletes Unlimited will utilize Dailymotion’s Video Player Solution on www.auprosports.com, embedding Dailymotion’s video player technology to distribute their content throughout the season. Dailymotion will also promote AU Volleyball content on-site Dailymotion.com.
"At Dailymotion, our mission is to provide our audiences with quality content, and our sports vertical boasts some of the most engaged and loyal fans throughout the platform," said Jolie Roberts, Head of U.S. Sports Partnerships and Content Development at Dailymotion. "Audiences are hungry for new content experiences, and we are excited to work with Athletes Unlimited to distribute their content worldwide through Dailymotion’s state-of-the-art video player technology."
The Athletes Unlimited Twitch channel (https://www.twitch.tv/auprosports) will showcase the eight live matches worldwide with a split-screen presentation incorporating viewer chats which will be hosted by Savanna Collins.
Fans can also view matches via The Athletes Unlimited YouTube Channel (https://www.youtube.com/c/AthletesUnlimited) and The Athletes Unlimited Twitter account (https://twitter.com/AUProSports).
"We're excited to be one of the places for sports fans to watch many of the world's best volleyball players compete at the highest level -- in the inaugural season of Athletes Unlimited Volleyball, said TJ Adeshola, Head of US Sports Partnerships, Twitter. "Twitter is a global, virtual sports bar of sorts. It's THE home to conversation around live
sports more than ever before, making it the perfect fit for the league's global fan base."
The full streaming schedule will be as follows:
Day Date Start Time ET Visiting Team Home Team
Saturday February 27 5:00 PM Purple Orange
Saturday March 6 6:00 PM Purple Orange
Saturday March 6 8:30 PM Blue Gold
Sunday March 7 9:00 PM Purple Blue
Saturday March 20 8:30 PM Blue Gold
Sunday March 21 8:30 PM Gold Purple
Saturday March 27 6:00 PM Purple Orange
With the announcement of these eight streaming broadcasts, Athletes Unlimited has now announced that all 30 of the season’s volleyball matches will be made available free to fans worldwide from February 27 through March 29. Live television broadcasts will air on CBS Sports Network and FOX Sports, with streaming being offered on Facebook, YouTube, Twitter, Dailymotion and Twitch.
Athletes Unlimited Volleyball is officially sanctioned by USA Volleyball and will feature 44 of the world’s best players including seven Olympians from five different countries, accomplished professional players and recent NCAA graduates during its 30-game season. In addition to Jordan Larson (Two-Time Olympic Medalist, University of Nebraska) and Karsta Lowe (Olympic Medalist, UCLA), Sheilla Castro (Two-time Olympic Champion), Bethania de la Cruz (Olympian and Two-time Pan American Games Champion), Ozge Kirdar (Turkish National Team member, 2016-17 Challenge Cup Champion and MVP), Ciara Michel (British National Team member, University of Miami), Aury Cruz (Named Best Server at Olympic Qualifications Tournament for Puerto Rico, University of Florida) join confirmed players which include Sherridan Atkinson (International Star, Purdue University), Katie Carter (International Star, UCLA), Tiffany Clark (All American Honorable Mention, Wisconsin), Nia Grant (International Star, Penn State), Sareea Freeman (3x ACC Champion, Florida), Erin Fairs (2015 ACC Champion, Louisville), Erica Handley (2020 Czech Republic Cup Winner, Minnesota), Kristen Tupac-Hahn (International Star, Iowa State), Cassidy Lichtman (Two-Time Pan American Gold Medalist with Team USA, Stanford ), Molly Lohman (2016 Global Challenge MVP, University of Minnesota), Valerie Nichol (German Super Cup Winner, Purdue University), Deja McClendon (Unanimous All Big Ten, Penn State), Molly McCage (All-American, University of Texas), Samantha Middleborn (International Star, Cal State), Amanda Peterson (Sports Impact Classic MVP, Ohio State) and Paige Tapp (Two-time Pan Am Games Gold Medalist with Team USA, University of Minnesota).
Athletes Unlimited leagues feature a range of innovations to bring athletes and fans a unique and intense version of the sport. Individual athletes earn points based on team wins and individual performance and become the champions in team sports. Points can be earned on every play and the leaderboard changes constantly. Teams will change each week, with the top four athletes in the standings serving as captains and drafting their teams.
In addition to an innovative new approach to sports, Athletes Unlimited offers professional development resources to help players expand their career opportunities, as well as engage in civic leadership initiatives and support a number of non-profit partners through the Athletes Causes program.
Athletes Unlimited was co-founded by Jon Patricof and Jonathan Soros and issupported by its Advisory Board comprised of high-profile contributors from sports, business and entertainment. Members include U.S. Women’s National Soccer Team icon Abby Wambach; two-time NBA champion and entrepreneur Kevin Durant; Grand Slam champion and former world number one tennis star Caroline Wozniacki; ESPN broadcaster and four-time first-team All-American softball standout Jessica Mendoza; two-time Olympic medalist and captain of the USA Women’s National Volleyball team Jordan Larson; Thirty Five Ventures co-founder Rich Kleiman; USA Volleyball Women’s National Team head coach Karch Kiraly; International Olympic Committee member and four-time hockey Olympian Angela Ruggiero; Bleacher Report journalist Taylor Rooks and former player and past President of the United States Tennis Association Katrina Adams. The Athletes Unlimited Advisory Board will offer strategic advice and help the organization maintain best practices as the property grows.
For more information about Athletes Unlimited, our volleyball, lacrosse or softball leagues and additional announcements, please sign up at www.auprosports.com or follow us @auprosports on Instagram, Facebook and Twitter.
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