As first reported by Sports Business Journal, the National Lacrosse League has launched a new streaming service called NLL+.
This direct-to-consumer (DTC) service will make it easier for box lacrosse fans around the globe to watch their favourite players and teams live or on-demand – access to live games will be geo-restricted by territory (more on that below). Those who sign up will also have access to NLL featured video content and highlight/highlight packages from the 2023-24 and 2024-25 seasons.
As per the NLL’s official press release, “fans will have access to all 126 live regular season games and every playoff matchup. Canadian fans will also have the opportunity to view every regular season matchup, excluding those broadcast on TSN’s linear network. Subscribers to NLL+ in the United States will have access to highlights, full game replays, and additional League content for free on the platform.”
European company Infront Lab is providing the live-streaming engine, while Champion Data scheduling and data feeds, BitFire will be used for cloud-based transmission, and WSC Sports will create AI-automated highlights.
“We’ve got this massive inertia within our home markets where we know we have an extremely passionate and connected fan base for our sport,” NLL Commissioner Brett Frood said to the SBJ. “But ultimately to achieve our short- and long-term growth objectives, it’s imperative that we’re able to transcend those core markets and achieve meaningful consumption across North America and certainly with eyes on the international markets as well.”
Signing up for NLL+ is quick and easy. All you need to do is input your name and email, and then create a password. At least for the 2024-25 NLL Season, the service will be free. However, when viewing your profile, there is a “Payment Methods” option, as well as a section for “Purchases”.
One of the most significant positive outcomes of having NLL+ will be the ability to watch game replays whenever and wherever you are on the planet. Fans have already taken to social media to applaud this feature on the service.
Best part of NLL+ will be game replays, assuming they keep them for at least the full season.
— Hutton Jackson (@HuttonJackson) November 19, 2024
A major drawback of ESPN+ is they remove games once they hit a month old. Rewatching games ahead of rematches will be impactful for me as a bettor who factors eye test into my handicap. pic.twitter.com/WIWJhPjEJJ
The site looks great to me. It’s easy to use and there’s lots more access to games. This is a big win for the @nll
— Scott Fox (@ScottFoxonair) November 19, 2024
Great news! 🇸🇪🇸🇪🇸🇪
— John Eriksson (@hajp97) November 19, 2024
The six-figure investment is yet another push from the NLL to become a more global brand. Box lacrosse fans in Europe and Asia will now be able to watch full games on demand, while the streaming company Infront is based in Switzerland. That’s in addition to the deal the league signed with Manchester, England based Castore to become the new performance apparel supplier.
The 2024-25 NLL Season begins on November 29th. The addition of NLL+ has come just in time for a season that is sure to be like no other.