MLS Season Move strikes studios in new, large partnership deal

Main League Soccer is making a soar from the highest rope this season because it formally strikes its MLS Season Move studio from Manhattan to the Studios at WWE in Stamford, Connecticut. Sure, that WWE, the World Wrestling Leisure whose broadcast heart is on the campus of WWE’s world headquarters.

The transfer is being made by MLS Productions, the media and broadcast manufacturing arm of the league, who at present introduced an expanded partnership with IMG, one of many main sports activities manufacturing corporations.

Within the announcement, MLS mentions, “The brand-new devoted facility options best-in-class manufacturing choices and new cutting-edge know-how to additional elevate the manufacturing of MLS Season Move.

“The brand new location for MLS Season Move will allow MLS Productions so as to add programming within the new season.”

The Studios at WWE is a 30,000-square-foot manufacturing facility geared up with 5 studios with the most recent applied sciences together with a digital manufacturing stage.

A brand new chapter for MLS Season Move studios

One of the crucial spectacular visuals in MLS Season Move is the large studio that’s used because the set for the MLS 360 whip-around present. The aesthetics pull the viewer into the published that includes host Kevin Egan, and analysts Sacha Kljestan, Kaylyn Kyle, and Bradley Wright-Phillips. Hopefully, the brand new studio might be as visually beautiful because the one beforehand utilized in Manhattan.

Egan might be no stranger to WWE. He beforehand was a key a part of its RAW broadcasts the place he used his stage title, Kevin Patrick.

“We consider that WWE’s new state-of-the-art services will assist take [MLS’] collective capabilities to even higher heights,” stated Lee Becoming, EVP, Media & Manufacturing, WWE.

Main League Soccer’s transfer to Stamford is a part of a brand new, multi-year partnership between MLS and IMG whereby IMG will proceed to provide dwell match and studio productions and programming for greater than 600 annual video games on MLS Season Move on Apple TV.

The WWE facility is a part of TKO Group Holdings, which just lately reached an settlement with Endeavor to accumulate IMG, in a transaction anticipated to be accomplished within the first half of 2025.

“Along with MLS and Apple and their different companions, we have now set a brand new normal for the MLS viewing expertise, creating a brand new period of entertaining, extremely partaking content material for soccer followers globally,” stated Barney Francis, EVP, Studios, IMG. “Over the approaching years, we are going to take this to the following degree with cutting-edge know-how and creativity, powered by our unbelievable new house, Studios at WWE, and IMG’s industry-leading manufacturing expertise and capabilities.”

MLS prepares for thirtieth season

If you happen to’re unfamiliar with IMG, you’ll know their work. IMG produces content material for a few of the world’s greatest leagues and occasions, together with the Premier League, English Soccer League, Saudi Professional League, CBS’ UEFA Champions League and Europa League protection, UFC, DP World Tour, The Ryder Cup, and The Open Championship.

On the identical time, Stamford is rapidly turning into the house of soccer studio manufacturing in america. NBC Sports activities has televised its Premier League studio protection from the city since 2013. Plus a lot of CBS Sports activities’ Golazo Community protection comes out of Stamford, too.

With MLS celebrating its thirtieth consecutive season this yr, all eyes might be on MLS Season Move this February to see the beginning of the brand new season. Between from time to time, we’re anticipating extra bulletins from MLS and Apple TV about their protection plans.

The 2025 MLS season kicks off on Saturday, February 22.

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