FloSports

Last updated
FloSports
FloSports Logo.svg
Available inEnglish
Headquarters Austin, Texas
Key people
  • CEO - Mark Floreani
  • COO - Jayar Donlan
  • CFO - Pat Noonan
Products
Employees300
Subsidiaries
  • MileSplit
  • DirtonDirt.com
  • TrackWrestling
URL flosports.tv
CommercialYes
Launched2006

FloSports is an over-the-top subscription sports broadcaster and streaming service. The company is based in Austin, Texas, United States, and was founded in 2006. FloSports streams live sporting events to audiences around the world. [1]

Contents

History

Launch

FloSports was founded in 2006 [2] by Martin Floreani, Mark Floreani (collegiate athletes) and Madhu Venkatesan based in Austin, Texas. Martin designed the website's prototype with the aim of covering collegiate sports with the same detail that ESPN gives to the NFL and NBA. The brothers raised U.S. $10,000 in seed money from John Rainbolt and started covering wrestling and track events. Co-founder Mark captured the service's first original broadcast, Ryan Hall's U.S half-marathon record, from the back of a pickup truck using a handheld camera. Lo-fi footage, engine noise digital interference and fog impacted the quality of the broadcast. However, having the only footage of Hall's record-breaking run caused a surge in the website's popularity. By 2017 the company had 256 employees and 25 Web video channels. They changed their business model to a subscription-based service in 2012 and doubled their revenue over the following two years. [3]

Fundraising

The company raised $8 million in Series A and a further $21 million in Series B financing in 2016 led by DCM Ventures and Bertelsmann Digital Media Investments. [4] By 2019, the company had grown to 250 employees and raised a further $47 million in series C. [5]

Acquisitions

The company acquired DirtonDirt.com, a grassroots racing streaming and content platform, in September 2019. [6] In June 2020, FloSports purchased Speed Shift TV and acquired 400 races, with a focus on grassroots racing. [7]

FloSports acquired TrackWrestling in early 2021, a deal that increased the number of wrestling events that will be streamed on its FloWrestling service and brought wrestling analytics to the platform. [8] In October 2021, it was announced that FloSports had acquired HockeyTech, an ice hockey streaming platform and sports data provider. [9]

Streaming partnerships

FloSports announced a partnership with WWNLive in 2016 to run a streaming service dedicated to wrestling. [10] In December 2018, FloRacing signed a broadcast agreement with the United States Auto Club for its midget and sprint car series. In May 2019, the Colonial Athletic Association selected FloSports as its lead media partner becoming the first college conference to pick a streaming OTT, direct-to-consumer company as their primary distribution platform. [11]

FloSports became the local broadcaster for two Major League Soccer teams for the 2019 season: D.C. United and FC Cincinnati, an expansion team. [12] The company faced technical issues during early broadcasts due to inaccurate geofencing restrictions. The organization pledged a full refund, and offered the club's season ticket holders a discount on its annual subscription fees. [13] FloSports promised additional soccer broadcasts and shoulder programming to justify its subscription fee that largely never materialized. D.C. United and Flosports ended their four-year contract prematurely in October 2019. D.C. United opted to stream its final regular season match on its website for free. [14] FC Cincinnati announced its matches would no longer be available through FloSports in June 2020. [15]

In January 2020, NASCAR Hall of Fame inductee and motorsports legend, Tony Stewart, awarded streaming rights to the Eldora Speedway and All Star Circuit of Champions to FloSports. [16] In the Spring 2020, FloSports launched FloBaseball. [17] Later in 2020, the company signed a multi-year partnership with ECHL to broadcast professional hockey starting with the 2021 season. [18]

FloSports expanded its wrestling offering through a partnership with United World Wrestling, the global governing body for the sport, in late 2020. [19]

In 2021, USA Cycling signed a 3 year broadcast partnership with FloSports. FloSports will also be the NGB's (national governing body's) official sponsor. [20] The Unbound Gravel race, a cycling race covering various distances, has never been broadcast before due to remote locations and rough terrain. FloSports became the first to broadcast the race in June 2021 and will stream the race again in 2022. [21] FloSports signed a multi-year streaming deal with USA Gymnastics, the national governing body for gymnastics, in 2021. [22]

In late 2021, NASCAR announced a partnership to stream its grassroots racing series on FloRacing starting in 2022. [23] Series that will be broadcast on FloRacing includes the ARCA Menards Series, ARCA Menards Series West, ARCA Menards Series East, NASCAR Whelen Modified Tour, and NASCAR Pinty's Series and NASCAR Weekly Series. [23] Several tracks on the Modified and Weekly Series had been broadcasting on the service prior to the announcement (Eldora, Oswego, Stafford). Over 280 NASCAR grassroots events were anticipated to be broadcast in 2022 (out of a total of approximately 2000 total events broadcast on the service). [23]

In March 2023, the IBJJF announced that the Campeonato Brasileiro de Jiu-Jitsu would be included in their offering of events streaming on FloGrappling from 2023 onwards. [24] In July 2023, AIGA Champions League announced that all their future events would stream exclusively on FloGrappling. [25] In September 2023, Quintet announced that all of their future events would be streaming on FloGrappling, starting with Quintet 4 on September 10, 2023. [26]

Broadcasting deals

In early 2023, Brazilian channel Combate announced a broadcasting deal with FloGrappling starting on May 22, 2023 to show both their grappling content and original documentaries. [27]

Technology

In 2019, the company introduced apps for Android and smart TV apps. [28] In October 2019, FloSports rebranded, and expanded its distribution with the release of an Android app. [29]

In 2020, FloSports began working on a Watch Party feature for their apps that would allow fans to watch events together, virtually. [30]

Programming

FloSports streams live and on-demand events for over 25 different sports categories. [31]

Baseball

Basketball

Bowling

Competitive Fitness

Cycling

Football

Grappling

Who's Number One (WNO)

Who's Number One also known as FloGrappling WNO Championship is a grappling event series streamed on FloSports and organised since 2019 by its subdivision FloGrappling. [35] It presents elite grapplers from around the world competing across different weight divisions and rule sets. The events encompass both gi and no-gi Brazilian jiu-jitsu matches. [36]

Gymnastics

Ice Hockey

Lacrosse

  • Big Ten
  • Snowbird Baseball
  • Frisco Classic
  • Future Star Series

Marching

Motorsports

Rodeo

Rugby

Softball

  • Big Ten
  • PGF
  • Judi Garman Classic
  • Puerto Vallerta College Challenge
  • Candrea Classic
  • Mark Campbell Collegiate Classic

Soccer

Swimming

Track

Volleyball

Wrestling

Controversy

FloSports's contract with USA Gymnastics was canceled one year into a five-year agreement after backlash from organizers. The website had previously linked to nude photos of McKayla Maroney that were taken when she was still a minor. [41] [42]

In 2017, less than a year after partnering with WWNLive, they sued the latter company claiming they were misled about Pay-Per-View revenue. [43] The suit was dismissed after the contract was made public, and it was revealed that FloSports was upset with WWNLive's use of funds. [44]

In 2016, the US Olympic Committee revoked Flosports media credentials after they repeatedly published footage that NBC held exclusive rights to. [45]

For several years their subscription model has emphasized the per-month price, while the actual subscription was billed annually. [46] [47] As a consequence, in 2022 a class action lawsuit was filed against FloSports in New York federal court due to their business practices. The suit claimed that FloSports 'misleads customers into believing they are only being charged a monthly fee — rather than the full annual fee — when they first sign up for the sports streaming service.' [48] FloSports later settled this case out of court in November 2023. [49]

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Automobile Racing Club of America</span> American auto racing sanctioning body

The Automobile Racing Club of America (ARCA) is an auto racing sanctioning body in the United States, founded in 1953 by John Marcum. A subsidiary of NASCAR since 2018, the current president of ARCA is Ron Drager, who took over the position in 1996 following the death of Bob Loga. The ARCA Menards Series races stock cars similar to those seen in past years in the NASCAR Cup Series, and indeed most cars used in the Menards Series were previously used in NASCAR. ARCA contains a mix of both professional racers and hobby racers alike, in addition to younger competitors trying to make a name for themselves, sometimes driving as part of a driver development program for a NASCAR team. ARCA Menards Series races are broadcast on Fox Sports 1, Fox Sports 2 or MAVTV, and they have been previously broadcast on ESPN, ESPN2, USA Network, TNN, Prime Network, CBS Sports Network, NBCSN, TBS, TNT, SpeedVision/Speed and Fox Sports Net.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Sean Corr</span> American racing driver

Sean Corr is an American professional stock car racing driver and owner. He currently competes part-time in the ARCA Menards Series, driving the No. 8 Chevrolet SS for Empire Racing. Corr is also the president of Educational Bus Transportation, a school bus provider on Long Island.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Tanner Gray</span> American racing driver

Tanner Sean Gray is an American professional racing driver who has competed in drag racing and stock car racing. He competes full-time in the NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series, driving the No. 15 Toyota Tundra for Tricon Garage and part-time in the ARCA Menards Series, driving the No. 18 Toyota Camry for Joe Gibbs Racing. Gray is the youngest professional driver to win a national event in NHRA history, and the youngest driver to win a solo NHRA season championship.

Landon D. Huffman is an American stock car racing driver and team owner. He currently competes full-time in the CARS Late Model Stock Car Tour, in the No. 37 Chevrolet Camaro for Jimmy Mooring Racing in a partnership with his own team Huffman Racing as well as part-time in the NASCAR Whelen Modified Tour, in the No. 98 for Shamrock Motorsports. Huffman has previously raced in the NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series. He is the son of Robert Huffman.

Reaume Brothers Racing is an American professional stock car racing team that currently competes full-time in the NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series. The team is owned by Josh Reaume, and it currently fields the No. 22 Ford F-150 full-time for multiple drivers, the No. 27 part-time for TBA, and the No. 33 full-time for Frankie Muniz.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Tyler Dippel</span> American racing driver (born 2000)

Tyler William Dippel is an American professional stock car racing driver. He last competed full-time in the NASCAR Gander Outdoors Truck Series in 2019, driving the No. 02 Chevrolet Silverado for Young's Motorsports.

Max McLaughlin is an American professional stock car racing and dirt track racing driver. He currently competes full-time in the World of Outlaws Case Construction Late Model Series, driving the No. 22 Longhorn Chassis for Team 22 and part-time in the Super DIRTcar Big-Block Modified Series, driving the No. 8 for Heinke-Baldwin Racing. He has also previously competed in the NASCAR Xfinity Series, NASCAR Truck Series, ARCA Menards Series, ARCA Menards Series East and NASCAR Whelen Modified Tour. He is the son of former NASCAR driver Mike McLaughlin.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Chris Windom</span> American auto racing driver

Christopher R. Windom is an American professional racing driver. Windom was the seventh driver to complete a United States Auto Club (USAC) Triple Crown by winning titles in sprint cars, midget cars, and Silver Crown.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">2019 ARCA Menards Series</span> 67th season of the ARCA Menards Series

The 2019 ARCA Menards Series was the 67th season of the ARCA Menards Series. Christian Eckes of Venturini Motorsports won the championship over teammate Michael Self. Eckes became the first champion since Tim Steele in 1997 to win the title after missing a race during the season.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">2020 ARCA Menards Series East</span> 34th season of the NASCAR K&N Pro Series East

The 2020 ARCA Menards Series East was the 34th season of the ARCA Menards Series East, a regional stock car racing series sanctioned by NASCAR. It began on February 10 at New Smyrna Speedway with the Skip's Western Outfitters 175, and concluded on October 11 at Five Flags Speedway with the Pensacola 200. 2020 marked the first season the series was known as the ARCA Menards Series East, after it was known as the NASCAR K&N Pro Series East for the previous ten years.

David Gravel is an American professional racing driver. He last competed full-time in the World of Outlaws Sprint Car Series, driving the No. 2 Maxim for Big Game Motorsports, in the NASCAR Gander RV & Outdoors Truck Series, driving the No. 24 Chevrolet Silverado for GMS Racing, and in the ARCA Menards Series, driving the No. 28 Chevrolet SS for KBR Development. Gravel won the Knoxville Nationals in 2019.

eNASCAR iRacing Pro Invitational Series Series of iRacing events

The eNASCAR iRacing Pro Invitational Series was a series of iRacing sim racing events originally organized for NASCAR drivers to compete in after its 2020 seasons were put on hold due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Drivers from all of NASCAR's series competed in races, including Hall of Fame drivers Dale Earnhardt Jr., Bobby Labonte, and Jeff Gordon. Originally supposed to be a one-time event (the first race of the 2020 season at Homestead-Miami, it quickly became a weekly series, and later included the Saturday Night Thunder series of races for drivers in the lower series of NASCAR. In each race, the series races on virtual versions of the racetracks.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Gracie Trotter</span> American racing driver

Gracie Elizabeth Trotter is an American stock car racing driver. She last competed part-time in the ARCA Menards Series, driving the Nos. 15 and 25 Toyota Camrys for Venturini Motorsports. Trotter also competes for Rev Racing in the NASCAR Advance Auto Parts Weekly Series as part of NASCAR's Drive for Diversity program. She is best known for becoming the first female driver to win an ARCA-sanctioned race, doing so in the ARCA Menards Series West for Bill McAnally Racing in 2020.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Meridian Speedway (Idaho)</span> Motorsport track in Idaho, United States

Meridian Speedway is a motorsport race track in Meridian, Idaho, United States. The quarter mile in length track, which is paved with asphalt, mostly hosts late model racing, modified racing, and other local-level racing events throughout the year. The tracks holds weekly races under the NASCAR sanction as a member of the NASCAR Advance Auto Parts Weekly Series. The biggest event it has hosted is the ARCA Menards Series West, which held races at the track from 2015 to 2019 as well as 1972.

Devon Rouse is an American professional dirt track and stock car racing driver who primarily competes in sprint cars at local tracks in Iowa. He also competed part-time in the NASCAR Camping World Truck Series, driving the No. 43 Chevrolet Silverado for Reaume Brothers Racing.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">2022 ARCA Menards Series</span> 70th season of the ARCA Menards Series

The 2022 ARCA Menards Series was the 70th season of the ARCA Menards Series, a stock car racing series sanctioned by NASCAR in the United States. The season began at Daytona International Speedway with the Lucas Oil 200 on February 19 and ended with the Shore Lunch 200 at Toledo Speedway on October 8.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Music City 150</span> ARCA race at Nashville Fairgrounds Speedway

The Music City 150 is a 89.400-mile (143.875 km) annual ARCA Menards Series East race held at the Nashville Fairgrounds Speedway in Nashville, Tennessee. The event has been part of the ARCA Menards Series and ARCA Menards Series East schedules and has come and gone from both throughout its history. It was originally held in 1992 in what was then known as the ARCA SuperCar Series, brought back in 2007 and 2008 as an East Series race, brought back in 2015 as an ARCA Racing Series race, and then moved back to the East Series after NASCAR's acquisition of ARCA.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">2022 ARCA Menards Series East</span> 36th season of the ARCA Menards Series East

The 2022 ARCA Menards Series East was the 36th season of the ARCA Menards Series East, a regional stock car racing series sanctioned by NASCAR in the United States. The season began on February 15 with the Race to Stop Suicide 200 at New Smyrna Speedway and ended on September 15 with the Sioux Chief Showdown 200 at Bristol Motor Speedway.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">2022 ARCA Menards Series West</span> 69th season of the ARCA Menards Series West

The 2022 ARCA Menards Series West was the 69th season of the ARCA Menards Series West, a regional stock car racing series sanctioned by NASCAR in the United States. The season began on March 11 at Phoenix Raceway with the General Tire 150 and ended with the Desert Diamond Casino West Valley 100, also at Phoenix Raceway, on November 4.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">2023 ARCA Menards Series West</span> 70th season of the ARCA Menards Series West

The 2023 ARCA Menards Series West was the 70th season of the ARCA Menards Series West, a regional stock car racing series sanctioned by NASCAR in the United States. The season began on March 10 at Phoenix Raceway with the General Tire 150 and ended with the Desert Diamond Casino West Valley 100, also at Phoenix Raceway, on November 3.

References

  1. ↑ "FloSports Becomes Exclusive Live Streaming Home of 2021 Penn Relays". Sports Video Group. 7 April 2021. Retrieved 2021-07-15.
  2. ↑ Spangler, Todd (December 2, 2021). "Nascar Roots Live Racing Events Moving to FloSports, as NBC Sports Gold Winds Down (EXCLUSIVE)". Variety .
  3. ↑ Foster, Tom (October 2017). "They Started With $10,000. Now They're Taking on ESPN". Inc. Retrieved October 4, 2019.
  4. ↑ Geron, Tomio (August 15, 2016). "FloSports Nets $21.2M for Live-Streaming Alternative Sports". Wall Street Journal . Retrieved October 4, 2019.
  5. ↑ Wistrom, Brent (June 4, 2019). "FloSports gets $47M from heavy hitters for more live sports rights". Austin Business Journal . Retrieved October 4, 2019.
  6. ↑ "FloSports Acquires DirtOnDirt.com". SPEED SPORT. 2019-09-10. Retrieved 2021-07-27.
  7. ↑ "Could Kyle Larson win a World of Outlaws title this year? - NBC Sports". NBC Sports . 16 June 2020. Retrieved July 20, 2020.
  8. ↑ "FloSports Swells Wrestling Presence, Acquiring Trackwrestling". www.sportsbusinessjournal.com. 11 February 2021. Retrieved 2021-10-21.
  9. ↑ "FloSports enhances ice hockey offering with HockeyTech purchase". SportsPro. 2021-10-05. Retrieved 2021-10-28.
  10. ↑ Currier, Joseph (September 22, 2017). "WWN events pulled from FloSlam schedule". Wrestling Observer Newsletter . Retrieved October 4, 2019.
  11. ↑ "Colonial Athletic Association Selects FloSports as Primary Media Partner". Stony Brook University Athletics. 6 May 2019. Retrieved 2021-07-27.
  12. ↑ Bils, Chris (March 11, 2019). "Austin-based FloSports will be local broadcast partner of MLS's FC Cincinnati". Austin Statesman . Retrieved October 4, 2019.
  13. ↑ Allen, Scott (March 12, 2019). "FloSports offers full refunds after rough debut, vows to win back D.C. United fans' trust". The Washington Post . Retrieved October 4, 2019.
  14. ↑ Goff, Steven (October 3, 2019). "D.C. United severs ties with streaming partner FloSports". The Washington Post. Retrieved October 4, 2019.
  15. ↑ Brennan, Pat (June 19, 2020). "FC Cincinnati ends Flosports deal". The Cincinnati Enquirer . Retrieved June 19, 2020.
  16. ↑ "All Stars & Eldora Reach Deal With FloSports". SPEED SPORT. 2020-01-30. Retrieved 2021-07-28.
  17. ↑ "FloSports Introduces FloBaseball for Collegiate and Youth Baseball". Cord Cutters News. 2020-02-11. Retrieved 2021-07-28.
  18. ↑ Staff, S. V. G. (2 October 2020). "FloSports Becomes New Provider of ECHL.TV for 2020-21 Season". Sports Video Group. Retrieved 2021-07-28.
  19. ↑ "United World Wrestling announces streaming partnership with FloSports". www.insidethegames.biz. 18 November 2020. Retrieved 2021-10-21.
  20. ↑ "USA Cycling signs FloSports as broadcast partner". www.sportsbusinessjournal.com. Retrieved 2021-06-18.
  21. ↑ "Unbound Gravel to be broadcast live". VeloNews.com. 2021-05-28. Retrieved 2021-06-18.
  22. ↑ Staff, S. V. G. (29 January 2021). "FloSports, USA Gymnastics Pen Multi-Year Digital Streaming Deal". Sports Video Group. Retrieved 2021-10-08.
  23. 1 2 3 "NASCAR, FloSports announce landmark streaming partnership". NASCAR. 2 December 2021. Retrieved December 7, 2021.
  24. ↑ Lindsey, Alex (9 March 2023). "IBJJF Brazilian National Championship To Stream On FloGrappling In 2023". Jitsmagazine. Retrieved 29 September 2023.
  25. ↑ Jones, Phil (14 July 2023). "AIGA Champions League Joins FloGrappling". Jitsmagazine. Retrieved 29 September 2023.
  26. ↑ Blackett, Todd (2 September 2023). "Quintet Announce Exclusive Streaming Deal With FloGrappling". Jitsmagazine. Retrieved 29 September 2023.
  27. ↑ Burne, Kathrine (20 May 2023). "FloGrappling Announces New Broadcasting Deal With Combate". Jitsmagazine. Retrieved 20 May 2023.
  28. ↑ Ogus, Simon. "FloSports Launches New App On Apple TV, Amazon Fire TV, Roku". Forbes.
  29. ↑ "FloSports launches new Android app as part of rebrand". SportsPro. 2019-10-04. Retrieved 2021-10-14.
  30. ↑ "FloSports is Testing A New Watch Party Feature for Live Sports Events". Cord Cutters News. 2020-06-11. Retrieved 2021-10-28.
  31. ↑ Staff, S. V. G. (7 April 2021). "FloSports Becomes Exclusive Live Streaming Home of 2021 Penn Relays". Sports Video Group. Retrieved 2021-06-29.
  32. ↑ "FloSports Announces Partnership Expansion with PROGRAM 15 to Live Stream New Balance Baseball Future Stars Series". Future Stars Series. 2018-10-16. Archived from the original on 2021-01-16. Retrieved 2021-05-19.
  33. ↑ "FloSports Acquires EuroLeague Basketball Rights in North America". FloSports. 7 May 2018. Retrieved 3 October 2019.
  34. ↑ Phillips, Sabrina (27 April 2023). "ADCC Returns To FloGrappling Exclusively". Jitsmagazine. Retrieved 29 September 2023.
  35. ↑ "Who's Number One News". Jitsmagazine.com. 2023-06-23.
  36. ↑ Rocket, Olga (2022-03-27). "WNO BJJ: Who is the best Jiu Jitsu fighter?". BJJaccessories.
  37. 1 2 "Tony Stewart Awards Streaming Rights to FloSports". True Speed Communication. January 30, 2020. Retrieved July 20, 2020.
  38. ↑ "IRA and FloRacing Team Up". www.irasprints.com. IRA Outlaw Sprints. Retrieved July 20, 2020.
  39. ↑ "FloRacing To Continue Agreement With USAC". SPEED SPORT. December 13, 2019. Retrieved July 20, 2020.
  40. ↑ "Watch All USAC National Races". USAC Racing. January 14, 2019. Retrieved July 20, 2020.
  41. ↑ "USA Gymnastics faces mounting backlash over FloSports streaming deal - Gymnastics Now". 27 January 2021.
  42. ↑ "USA Gymnastics and FloSports part ways just one year after signing five year partnership - Gymnastics Now". February 2022.
  43. ↑ "What the Hell Was FloSports Doing? New Details on WWN/FloSlam Battle". 29 November 2017.
  44. ↑ "FloSports' Lawsuit Against WWN Dismissed After Confidential Agreement 'to Resolve Their Dispute' | Fightful News".
  45. ↑ "USOC Revokes Media Credentials for FloSports After Violating Video Rules". 30 June 2016.
  46. ↑ "FloSports, FloWrestling". 2019.
  47. ↑ "Flobikes scam". 16 June 2023.
  48. ↑ Burne, Kathrine (9 February 2023). "Class Action Lawsuit Filed Against FloSports". JitsMagazine. Retrieved 9 February 2023.
  49. ↑ Williams, Jackson (17 November 2023). "FloSports Settles Class Action Lawsuit And Subscribers Are Entitled To Payment". Jitsmagazine. Retrieved 21 November 2023.
This page is based on this Wikipedia article
Text is available under the CC BY-SA 4.0 license; additional terms may apply.
Images, videos and audio are available under their respective licenses.