MLS relocating productions to WWE headquarters

[Chris]

MLS Productions announces plans for 2025 season | IMG

The MLS and IMG will enter a multiyear partnership renewal that expands and builds upon our existing broadcast production relationship.

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Leading up to the 2025 season, Major League Soccer (MLS) today announced its latest broadcast plans and evolution of MLS Productions, the media and broadcast production arm of the league. In the new year, MLS Productions will advance its capabilities, create efficiencies, broaden content offerings, and centralize its broadcast content and graphics.

To advance its extensive and robust broadcast operation, MLS and IMG will enter a multiyear partnership renewal that expands and builds upon their existing broadcast production relationship. IMG, a global sports industry leader, will continue to produce live match and studio productions and programming for more than 600 annual games on MLS Season Pass on Apple TV.

As part of the extended partnership, MLS Productions will move to WWE Headquarters in Stamford, Connecticut. WWE’s brand-new, state-of-the-art production facility – The Studios at WWE – features best-in-class production offerings and new cutting-edge technology to further elevate the production of MLS Season Pass. It will serve as the dynamic hub for popular MLS live studio programming and content in English and Spanish. The new location for MLS Season Pass will enable MLS Productions to add programming in the new season.

The facility is bespoke and engineered towards the needs of MLS Productions, and the studio enables centralized solutions across the MLS workflow. In addition, it will provide more space and resources while developing opportunities to create efficiencies, increase capabilities, and centralize broadcast content and graphics. The Studios at WWE is a 30,000-square-foot, state-of-the-art production facility equipped with five studios with the latest technologies, wide-ranging production amenities, and highlighted by an awe-inspiring virtual production stage. The WWE facility is part of TKO Group Holdings, which recently reached an agreement to acquire IMG from Endeavor, in a transaction expected to be completed in the first half of 2025.

“The debut of MLS Season Pass on Apple TV has been remarkable for fans around the world to be able to consume all MLS games and content,” said, Seth Bacon, Executive Vice President, Media, MLS. “With the incredible momentum and excitement around the league, we are thrilled to further our partnership with IMG to support our vision of elevating production, creating new viewing opportunities, and pushing the sports broadcast landscape into the future.”

“Together with MLS and Apple, we have set a new standard for the MLS viewing experience, creating a new era of entertaining, highly engaging content for football fans globally,” said Barney Francis, EVP, Studios, IMG. “Over the coming years, we will continue to innovate with cutting-edge technology and creativity, powered by our incredible new home, The Studios at WWE, and IMG’s industry-leading production experience and capabilities.”

“We have long admired the tremendous MLS-IMG partnership – and the fantastic product and results it has generated over the years,” said Lee Fitting, EVP, Media & Production, WWE. “We believe that WWE’s new state-of-the-art facilities will help take their collective capabilities to even greater heights.”

In 2023, MLS and Apple debuted the game-changing global streaming service, MLS Season Pass on Apple TV, transforming the fan experience by creating a platform where every MLS match is available for fans around the world in a single destination. Together with its production partners IMG and NEP, MLS Season Pass has brought best-in-class production, more expansive coverage and increased global visibility, surpassing expectations in its first two years.

IMG produces content for some of the world’s biggest leagues and events, including the Premier League, English Football League, Saudi Pro League, CBS’ UEFA Champions League and Europa League coverage, UFC, DP World Tour, The Ryder Cup, and The Open Championship.



MLS Season Pass is a true collaboration between MLS, Apple, IMG, and NEP with a shared goal of putting fans first. Details of the new capabilities and enhanced programming will be unveiled during the start of the new season.

 

[Smart Marx]

Court seething at WWE partnering with a Major League that isn’t his.

In all seriousness, it’s wild that WWE is the leader on production and legit sports want their help.

 

[Deadd2009]

This isnt the first time though, didnt the WWE Network originally use the tech that MLB's streaming services were using when it debuted?