LaLiga North America, the Women's Int'l Champions Cup and Uninterrupted are working together to broadcast a "FIFA 20" tournament April 25-26 to raise money for Feeding America and provide some form of entertainment while the collective sports world is shut down. "We wanted to find unique ways to connect with soccer fans globally despite the circumstances," said Relevent Sports Group CEO Daniel Sillman. "We felt like as our mission is growing soccer in North America and Asia, specifically, we had to find a way to engage." Sillman added that he didn't think the event would've happened if there wasn't the current coronavirus pandemic, saying that "Kick COVID" -- as this weekend's programming is being referred to -- wasn't in the company's plans. The tournament will include eight, two-person teams, with players from the European soccer leagues and one player from the NBA, NFL or NWSL on a team. Some of the participants include former NFLer Chad Johnson, Cardinals WR DeAndre Hopkins, Hawks C Clint Capela, Atlético Madrid F Álvaro Morata and Villareal CF D Pau Torres, among others. Each of the teams will compete in two matches, and the aggregate score will determine who advances.
BROADCAST BREAKDOWN: A total of 14 matches will be broadcast over a three-round knockout competition. Fans can tune into LaLiga's Twitch channel, Uninterrupted’s social media platform and others to watch the event. Thirty broadcasters have secured international distribution rights, as well as beIN Sports in the U.S. Broadcasters will include former USMNT player and current LaLiga host Jimmy Conrad, Colombia women's national team member Melissa Ortiz, who will moderate the matches, and Phil Schoen, who appears on ABC/ESPN, Fox Sports and other platforms. LaLiga North America CEO Boris Gartner said, "This initiative was a mix of taking the best from Uninterrupted, leveraging the Relevent relationships and the platform we have developed at the league."
