NEW YORK CITY, March 28, 2019 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- (via Blockchain Wire) -- SportsCastr, the live-streaming company that lets anyone become a live color commentator, today announced a partnership with Play by Play, the nation’s top sports broadcasting camp, to support the next generation of on-air talent. Through this partnership, Play by Play campers will use SportsCastr’s real-time video streaming platform to call, recap, and predict games while strengthening their broadcasting skills and building their audiences. SportsCastr’s dedicated Play by Play channel is now live.
With backing from SeventySix Capital, a premier sports tech venture capital firm led by World Series Champion Ryan Howard, Play by Play Sports Broadcasting Camps are building the national pipeline of broadcasters for the next generation of sports. The camps teach young people how to become professional sports broadcasters with interactive sessions, on-air training, and celebrity guests. Play by Play campers have gone on to become broadcasters at ESPN, MLB Network, NHL Network, ABC, NBC, and CBS. The company hosts camps throughout the summer in Atlanta, Baltimore, Boston, Chicago, Dallas, Los Angeles, North Jersey, Philadelphia, and South Florida. Along with summer camps for 10-18 year olds, Play by Play hosts advanced workshops for aspiring broadcasters in the 15-25 age range. Campers and alumni will be invited to use the SportsCastr app to practice their craft.
“Our mission at Play by Play is to arm young people with the tools they need to become successful sports broadcasters, and that means taking a digital-first approach,” said Jena Polyak, Director of Digital Marketing at Play by Play. “SportsCastr provides an incredible opportunity for up-and-coming broadcasters to develop their skills, get real-time feedback, and start building an audience -- all online, and with devices they already have access to.”
“Play by Play excels at training the next generation of sports broadcasting talent, and SportsCastr provides a digital platform that makes it easier than ever for aspiring broadcasters to learn the ropes just like the pros do," said Kevin April, CEO. "We view this partnership as a natural fit, and we’re excited to empower Play By Play campers with new tools for success."
SportsCastr’s Play by Play channel aggregates all of the campers’ streams, ranking them on a leaderboard by views. All SportsCastr users, including Play by Play participants, are invited to compete for a VIP trip to the NFLPA Rookie Premiere in Los Angeles by accumulating the most views to their streams through the month of April 2019. For more information or to enter the contest, visit SportsCastr.com/RookiePremier or download SportsCastr in the App Store.
SportsCastr recently announced Super Bowl Champion and Four-Time NFL Pro Bowler Richard Sherman has joined the company as its first brand ambassador. The company is advised by some of the industry’s most recognizable names, including David Stern, NBA Commissioner Emeritus; Jim Boeheim, Syracuse University Head Basketball Coach; Vernon Davis, two-time NFL Pro Bowler and Redskins tight end; Steve Smith, NBA All-Star and NBA TV Analyst; Donald Schupak, former Managing Partner of the ABA’s Spirits of St. Louis; Andrew Schupak, SGI MB CEO; and Eric Bechtel, IdeaQuest Founder. In the summer of 2018, the NFL Players Association acquired a minority stake in the company.
About SportsCastr
SportsCastr develops a suite of products designed to connect the global sports industry and increase fan engagement. These include SportsCastr Live, a live-video platform that allows viewers to personalize their commentator (or be the commentator), an upcoming enterprise-grade SDK that allows its technology to be integrated into existing OTT platforms, and FanChain, a blockchain solution for the sports industry. The company is backed by some of the biggest names in sports including the the NFL Players Association (NFLPA), NBA Commissioner Emeritus David Stern and Super Bowl Champion Vernon Davis. For more information, visit https://SportsCastr.com
SportsCastr Media Contact: Transform Group, sportscastr@transformgroup.com
About Play by Play
Launched in 2002, Play by Play Sports Broadcasting Camps (SBC) is a venture-backed network that teaches young sports fanatics how to become professional sports broadcasters with interactive sessions, on-air training, and celebrity guests. Play by Play SBC campers have gone on to become professional sports broadcasters at ESPN, MLB Network, NHL Network, ABC, NBC, and CBS. The company hosts camps throughout the summer in cities like Atlanta, Baltimore, Boston, Chicago, Dallas, Los Angeles, North Jersey, Philadelphia, and South Florida. With backing from SeventySix Capital, a premier sports tech venture capital firm led by World Series Champion Ryan Howard, Play by Play SBC is building the national pipeline of broadcasters for the next generation of sports.