MLS is debuting its first-ever All-Star Skills Challenge tonight in Orlando, and it will do so through an unprecedented digital-first distribution strategy. The event will be streamed by the league’s five domestic media partners: ESPN, Fox and TUDN.com in the U.S., and TSN and TVA Sports in Canada. Fans will also be able to tune in on the league’s website or app and stream live on Twitter and Twitch. “We have the youngest fan base in sports,” MLS Senior VP/Media Seth Bacon said. “We’ve been focused for many, many years on developing relationships with our fans, but also with these digital distribution platforms, because we know it’s hugely important to our fans and this is the way they want to consume content.”
On top of giving fans easy access to tonight’s event, Bacon said he hopes the Skills Challenge will emphasize fan engagement. The skills challenge will feature POV cameras and mic’d up players, and fans following along on Twitter and Twitch will be able to vote for their favorite players from each challenge to help sway the event’s outcome. “What we’re going to do with this this year is learn and evolve and improve and create something even more kickass for the future,” Bacon said.
Meanwhile, MLS today held its second Innovation Showcase, at which global experts discussed the role technology and innovation play in the future of soccer. The event was held in collaboration with R/GA Ventures. The league also announced the creation of the MLS Greats Network, an official alumni group that provides resources for former players.
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