Clemson, which reached last year’s NCAA tournament Sweet 16, headlines the Cayman Islands Classic. (Photo by Sean M. Haffey/Getty Images)
Multi-platform sports network Stadium will produce all 12 games of November’s Cayman Islands Classic college basketball tournament, airing exclusively on Facebook Watch.
The early season tournament features four 2018 NCAA tournament teams (Clemson, Creighton, Georgia State, and St. Bonaventure) among its eight-school field, with games taking place Nov. 19-21 in George Town. Boise State, Illinois State, Akron, and Georgia make up the rest of the teams. All games will be available at Facebook.com/StadiumCollegeBasketball.
Stadium launched as a digital network before later adding a linear option. During last year’s regular season, the channel broadcast 47 men’s college basketball games. This fall, Stadium is carrying 32 college football games with 14 exclusively available on Facebook.
“This was huge for us to be able to get the Cayman Islands Classic,” said Stadium basketball insider Jeff Goodman in a news release. “I would be surprised if at least four or five teams don’t wind up playing in the NCAA tourney. You have a great mix of high-major programs and proven mid-majors who will have a chance to win their leagues. Great field and the Cayman Islands. Doesn’t get much better than that.”
The Cayman Islands Classic debuted last year. That tournament was available via subscription streaming services FloHoops and CBS’s College Sports Live.
“We’re incredibly excited to partner with Stadium and expand our global reach on Facebook’s streaming platform,” Caymax Sports, Ltd. chief strategy officer Jill Turk said in the release. “Our tournament’s key objective was to increase our exposure to a massive global audience and provide the opportunity for sports fans to watch our premier event, while showcasing our tournament sponsors and the beautiful Cayman Islands. To have the chance to share this exciting sports experience in just our tournament’s second year with billions of fans globally is an incredible opportunity.”
SportTechie Takeaway
Stadium has done well to humanize its broadcasts of lower-profile college sports through Facebook’s social platform. This arrangement offers the fledgling tournament widespread distribution while continuing to bolster Facebook’s sports credentials.
