NEBRASKA ANNOUNCES RECORD-BREAKING MULTIMEDIA RIGHTS DEAL:
The University of Nebraska – Lincoln and Playfly Sports, the emerging leader in sports marketing, media and technology, announced today a new 15-year multimedia rights agreement. The deal makes Playfly Nebraska’s exclusive MMR rights holder and sponsorship arm effective October 1, 2022.
Nebraska’s partnership with Playfly will leverage the company’s multimedia rights expertise and tap into its expansive suite of marketing and media solutions to further grow the Huskers brand regionally, nationally and globally. Together, Nebraska and Playfly will work to maximize traditional MMR assets, such as in-venue signage and broadcast feature elements, in addition to leveraging Playfly’s full capabilities set to enhance Nebraska’s digital footprint and fan experience.
The addition of Nebraska to Playfly’s growing portfolio marks its third Big Ten program within its growing college property portfolio, joining Michigan State University and the University of Maryland, in addition to the company’s partnership with the Big Ten Network. In total, Playfly now oversees more than 35 collegiate and high school state association properties.
The new MMR agreement between Nebraska and Playfly Sports is pending approval from the University of Nebraska Board of Regents. The item is on the agenda for the Board’s Sept. 30 meeting.
STORM SET TO OPEN REGULAR SEASON TONIGHT:
The Tri-City Storm is set to open the 2022-2023 regular season tonight against the Madison Capitols in the 2022 DICK’S Sporting Goods USHL Fall Classic at the UPMC Lemieux Sports Complex.
Tonight’s opening game of the season will be played on FedEx Rink 1 at the two-sheet facility. The UPMC Lemieux Sports Complex is the primary practice and training facility of the Pittsburgh Penguins as well as a comprehensive outpatient facility for UPMC Sports Medicine.
Puck drop for tonight’s game is scheduled for 7:30pm CT.
KEARNEY HIGH ADMINISTRATION APOLOGIZES FOR STUDENT CONDUCT DURING BEARCAT VOLLEYBALL:
An investigation is underway following reported inappropriate behavior in the Kearney High student section of Tuesday night’s varsity volleyball game against Lincoln High.
Complaints from Lincoln High parents and players include people in the Kearney student section yelling derogatory comments and reaching out to touch players while trying to serve.
Lincoln Public Schools sent an email to volleyball parents that they are working with LPS Athletics and Kearney High to fully investigate reports of inappropriate comments and actions from the spectators during the volleyball game at Kearney High School.
In an email to media Wednesday afternoon, KPS Activities Director/KHS Assistant Principal Ryan Hogue said they are aware of allegations of irresponsible behavior from their students at the volleyball game and are investigating it to the fullest extent.
BOARD OF REGENTS TO CONSIDER BEER SALES AND MULTIMEDIA DEALS:
The Nebraska Board of Regents is expected to consider a number of athletics-related proposals at its Sept. 30 meeting.
Among the proposals will be the sale of beer at Pinnacle Bank Arena, approval of Nebraska’s new multimedia rights partner and potential improvements to Memorial Stadium.
Nebraska will seek approval to begin selling beer at Pinnacle Bank Arena this coming season. Beer sales at Memorial Stadium are not part of the agenda for Sept. 30, though Nebraska sought one-time approval for beer sales at Memorial Stadium for the Garth Brooks concert in Aug. 2021. Regents also approved beer sales at Pinnacle Bank Arena for the Big Ten wrestling championships last March.
Sources also confirmed that Nebraska plans to seek approval for its new multimedia rights partner. Nebraska brought its multimedia rights in-house in the summer of 2021, then reached an agreement with JMI in the spring on a 12-year deal for $215 million before that deal fell through a month later.
This time around, industry and University sources expect Nebraska to partner with Playfly Sports. It’s expected that the new deal will eclipse the previous contract with JMI in both length and the financial guarantee, and be among the largest ever signed by a college athletic program.
NEBRASKA FOOTBALL – MICKEY JOSEPH COMMENTS:
JOSEPH – CHINANDER DECISION:
Interim Head Coach for Nebraska Football Mickey Joseph spoke during his bye week press conference Tuesday and shared his thoughts on why defensive coordinator Erik Chinander was let go…
Chinander’s defense after four games currently ranks 128th out of 131 teams in total defense across college football including giving up a school record for yards in a contest against Georgia Southern.
JOSEPH – DEFENSE MUST GET BACK FUNDAMENTALS:
Interim Head Coach Mickey Joseph spoke to the media on Tuesday and discussed what the defense needs to work on during the bye week to have better success in conference play…
Joseph continued in saying that the mentality is that it is “Nebraska against Nebraska” during the bye week practices.
JOSEPH – CHALLENGE FOR BYE WEEK:
Interim Head Coach Mickey Joseph addressed the media on Tuesday and began his press conference giving the goals for the Huskers bye week after a 1-3 start…
Joseph added that his team practiced Tuesday and Wednesday and has a scheduled practice on Thursday, with the team off on Friday and Saturday.
JOSEPH – LSU PRACTICES TAUGHT ME A LOT:
Interim Head Coach Mickey Joseph arrived from LSU this offseason before coming back to his alma mater at Nebraska. During his tenure as wide receivers coach for the Tigers, LSU won the 2020 National Championship. Joseph added at his Tuesday press conference he often reflects back on that team and what can apply to this Nebraska roster…
Joseph also had a hand in churning out four NFL draft picks, three of which went in the first round while at LSU.
JOSEPH – OFFENSE WILL BEGIN TO SLOW TEMPO:
Mickey Joseph, interim Head Coach for Husker Football, spoke on what changes may be coming to the Big Red offense – especially in regards to aiding the defense…
Nebraska was gashed by Oklahoma early and often last Saturday and Joseph added in his Tuesday presser that he should have slowed the tempo down early in the game to limit possessions.
JOSEPH – RECRUITING HARD IS THE RIGHT THING TO DO FOR NEBRASKA:
Interim Head Coach for Nebraska Football Mickey Joseph continues to preach the right mottos across Big Red Football, as he was asked at his Tuesday press conference what his plan for recruiting throughout the rest of the season will be…
Nebraska has already lost one commitment after the firing of defensive coordinator Erik Chinander. However, several other Husker commits have re-pledged their verbal commitments on social media and to the Nebraska staff.
MOORE LET GO BY ROYALS:
Kansas City Royals chairman and CEO John Sherman today announced the departure of Dayton Moore, the organization’s President of Baseball Operations and leader of that department since 2006. Sherman also announced that J.J. Picollo has been named Executive Vice President and General Manager overseeing baseball operations, effective immediately.
Moore was General Manager as the Royals won the 2014 American League pennant and the 2015 World Series. Under his leadership, the Royals’ record improved over seven consecutive years from 2009 to 2015, matching a Major League Baseball record.
SARVER PREPARED TO SELL SUNS, MERCURY:
Robert Sarver says he has started the process of selling the Phoenix Suns and Phoenix Mercury, a move that came barely a week after he was suspended by the NBA over workplace misconduct that included racist speech and hostile behavior toward employees.
The decision was quickly applauded by many — among them, NBA Commissioner Adam Silver, the National Basketball Players Association and even Sarver’s partners in the ownership group that operates the Suns and Mercury.
Sarver made the announcement Wednesday, saying selling “is the best course of action,” although he initially hoped he would be able to keep control of the franchises — pointing to his record that, he claims, paints a dramatically different picture of who he is and what he stands for.
Local Results & Schedules:
THIS WEEK IN LOCAL SPORTS:
THURSDAY:
- KEARNEY HIGH:
- Girls Golf: Lincoln East Invite – 9:30 AM @ Highlands Golf Course
- Boys Tennis: Dual v. Alliance @ Harmon Park – 4 PM
- Softball: @ GISH (Doubleheader) – 5 PM @ Veterans Field Softball Complex
- Pregame on KGFW at 4:45 PM w/ Alex Hammeke
- KEARNEY CATHOLIC:
- Softball: v. Lexington – 4:30 PM
- Volleyball: @ Northwest (GI) Triangular – 5 PM
- UNK:
- Softball: @ Nebraska-Lincoln (Huskers) – 6:30 PM
- KGFW Sports Schedule:
- Kearney High Softball @ GISH Doubleheader (4:45 PM – 10 PM)
FRIDAY:
- KEARNEY HIGH:
- Football: v. North Platte – 7 PM @ Ron & Carol Cope Stadium
- Pregame at 6:30 PM, Kickoff at 7 PM
- Football: v. North Platte – 7 PM @ Ron & Carol Cope Stadium
- KEARNEY CATHOLIC:
- Boys Tennis: @ GICC Invite – 9 AM
- Football: v. Amherst – 7 PM @ Kearney Catholic High School
- UNK:
- Women’s Tennis: @ ITA Central Regional – @ Edmond, OK
- Volleyball: @ Missouri Western – 6 PM
- Women’s Soccer: @ Missouri Western, 7 PM
- KGFW Sports Schedule:
- High School Football Preview Show (6 PM – 6:30 PM)
- Kearney High Football v. North Platte (6:30 PM – 10 PM)
SATURDAY:
- KEARNEY HIGH:
- Softball: Lincoln SE Invite – 8:30 AM @ Doris Bair Softball Complex
- Volleyball: @ Seaman Invite – 8:30 AM
- KEARNEY CATHOLIC:
- Girls Golf: @ Centennial Conference Meet
- Volleyball: @ Aurora Invite – 9 AM
- Softball: @ Adams Central Invite – 10 AM
- UNK:
- Women’s Tennis: @ ITA Central Regional – @ Edmond, OK
- Women’s Swim: v. Sam Freas Invite – @ Edmond, OK
- Football: v. Central Missouri – 1 PM @ Ron & Carol Cope Stadium
- Volleyball: @ Central Missouri – 2 PM
- KGFW Sports Schedule:
- Nebraska Volleyball v. Ohio State (6:30 PM – 9:45 PM)
SUNDAY:
- KEARNEY HIGH:
- N/a
- KEARNEY CATHOLIC:
- N/a
- UNK:
- Women’s Tennis: @ ITA Central Regional – @ Edmond, OK
- Women’s Soccer: @ Northwest Missouri State – 1 PM
- KGFW Sports Schedule:
- N/a
