Reeplayer and MLS Innovation Lab Redefining Sports Media.
Reeplayer teamed up with MLS Innovation Lab by Major League Soccer to standardize sports media and modernize recruitment through a co-creation process.
NEW YORK (Jan. 11, 2024) – Reeplayer announced today that it has been selected by Major League Soccer to be a part of the inaugural year of MLS Innovation Lab. The new program will shape the future of sports through the identification of cutting-edge startups and advanced technologies to help develop the next generation of athletes, enhance the fan experience and drive continued growth for MLS and its Clubs. Officially kicked off in December at MLS NEXT FEST in Arizona, MLS Innovation Lab is the latest initiative from Major League Soccer, which has been recognized as a global leader in innovation.
Reeplayer is an AI-driven virtual cameraman and editor that automates game recording, live streaming, and content generation. Reeplayer unlocks opportunities in athlete development, fan engagement, and economic growth within the youth and amateur sports ecosystem. The future of sports media consumption is live and short-form content, and Reeplayer is doubling down to standardize sports media and modernize recruitment through a co-creation process with MLS Innovation Lab.
Reeplayer was selected to be part of the program’s inaugural cohort following a rigorous evaluation process which vetted hundreds of companies. Through MLS Innovation Lab, all companies within the cohort will have the chance to test their products in real-world environments throughout the MLS ecosystem, including events such MLS NEXT FEST, Generation adidas Cup, MLS NEXT Cup and the MLS NEXT All-Star Game presented by All-State, among others.
“In sports visibility is everything, and Reeplayer, empowered by MLS Innovation Lab, is eager to turn the spotlight on millions of young athletes and bring more than a billion hours of untold stories to the forefront,” said Orhan Basak Ajredinovski, Reeplayer Founder. “We are honored for the opportunity to be a part of the inaugural year of MLS Innovation Lab and have a positive impact on the sport.”
The League’s forward-thinking approach is the driver behind the creation of MLS Innovation Lab. MLS recently formed an unprecedented ten-year partnership with Apple that reimagined how soccer fans consumed games – with no blackouts and all matches on a single platform. The 2023 season also saw the start of Leagues Cup, a partnership with Liga MX and Concacaf, the first in-season tournament by a major professional league in North America. In recent years, MLS has been at the forefront of video review in soccer – with the MLS Video Review program later mirrored by other leagues around the world – and MLS was the first major men’s league in North America to return to play during the COVID-19 pandemic when it hosted the MLS is Back tournament in 2020.
“Major League Soccer strives to be the front porch of innovation for the sports industry," said Gary Stevenson, Deputy Commissioner of MLS and President of Soccer United Marketing. "In that spirit, MLS Innovation Lab provides a truly unique offering in global sports. We are really looking forward to working with Reeplayer. Our 2024 cohort places a spotlight on some of the most exciting tech startups from around the world, and we eagerly anticipate their impact on the sport in the years to come.”
Following the conclusion of all testing opportunities, Reeplayer, along with all other companies in the cohort, will be in the running to be selected to present to MLS executives and owners with the promising companies having the potential to earn long-term strategic partnerships and investment opportunities from the League.
ABOUT REEPLAYER
Established in 2021 and headquartered in Los Angeles, Reeplayer streamlines the autonomous game recording, live streaming, and content generation experience for youth and amateur sports. Its cutting-edge camera and platform offer 12K recording, instant video delivery, smart live streaming, and content generation capabilities. Reeplayer is a US-based grassroots company known for its affordable pricing and premium experience. In 2023, Reeplayer debuted its next-gen AI camera and smart live-streaming technology at MLS NEXT. With nearly 56,000 cameras requested by organizations and youth teams, Reeplayer is preparing for an official launch in the spring of 2024. Reeplayer is committed to helping young athletes become their best, get discovered, and monetize. For more information, explore how Reeplayer is enhancing your sports experience at reeplayer.com.
ABOUT MAJOR LEAGUE SOCCER
Headquartered in New York City, Major League Soccer -- celebrating its 29th season in 2024 -- features 30 clubs throughout the United States and Canada, including a new expansion team in San Diego that will debut in 2025. All MLS, Leagues Cup, and select MLS NEXT Pro and MLS NEXT matches can be watched through MLS Season Pass, available on the Apple TV app on Apple devices, smart TVs, streaming devices, set-top boxes, and game consoles, and the web at tv.apple.com. MLS Season Pass will feature the most expansive and accessible lineup of programming ever for MLS fans. For more information about MLS, visit mlssoccer.com. For more information about the Apple TV app, visit apple.com/apple-tv-app.
Media Contact:
Reeplayer
Mehmet Ege Babaoglu
Major League Soccer
Peter O’Brien