DURHAM, N.C., Feb. 9, 2019 – SMT (SportsMEDIA Technology), the leadingprovider of data integration, graphics presentation and video enhancementsolutions to live sports and entertainment television and events, is teaming upwith The Alliance of American Football to provide broadcast solutions includingvirtual technology and statistics for the new professional spring league thatbegan Saturday, Feb. 9, 2019.
Throughout theleague’s 10-week season, SMT, the “yellow first-down line” company, will supplyAlliance broadcasters with traditional graphics such as the score bug, alongwith its Emmy-winning virtual 1st & Ten line platform, and its QB Statsprompter, the same systems used to produce Sunday’s Super Bowl LIII.
Founded by filmand TV producer Charlie Ebersol and Hall of Famer Bill Polian, The Alliance ofAmerican Football’s eight teams will play across eight cities with a schedulethat culminates in two playoff rounds and a championship game on April 27 atLas Vegas’ Sam Boyd Stadium. Head coaches include names like Steve Spurrier,Mike Martz and Mike Singletary.
SMT’s team ofbroadcast specialists will provide technology for The Alliance’s four games perweekend; two produced as traditional on-site broadcasts from stadiums and twoproduced remotely from Sneaky Big Studios in Scottsdale, Ariz., where in-gameannouncers will call the plays, Skycam cameras will be operated, and SMT’straditional and virtual graphic elements will be inserted from the controlroom.
“Having workedextensively with SMT over many years, I knew that having them at the helm ofour graphics would give fans the top-quality broadcast and production solutionsthey deserve and expect,” said Ken Aagaard, co-head of production, TheAlliance. “SMT is rooted in football telecasts, having advanced the infamousyellow first-down line, score bug and other innovations vital to fanengagement.”
“We arethrilled to partner with The Alliance of American Football to bring this newleague to fans hungry for more football,” said Robbie Louthan,vice president ofbusiness development, SMT. “Our experienced team of broadcast specialists willbe on-site at stadiums and in the Sneaky Big Studios, working to provideseamless productions to help Charlie Ebersol’s vision for The Alliance come tolife.”
The league’s broadcast and distribution partners include CBS, CBS SportsNetwork, Turner Sports — TNT and B/R Live (Bleacher Report) — and NFL Network.