HOW PIXELLOT HELPED THE SAN DIEGO LEAGUE HIT COVID-19 OUT OF THE BALLPARK

OVERVIEW

Faced with empty stadiums and no revenues due to the corona-virus, the San Diego League decided to start streaming events using Pixellot’s plug and play AI video production solution and OTT, offering a season pass. The result was a big win for the league’s fans, financials and brand image.

BACKGROUND

The San Diego League was created in 2019 to provide college baseball players a summer league option that not just utilizes, but emphasizes, analytics to assist in player development. Talented players from all over the country come to San Diego to start – or continue – building their individual analytical profile with Blast Motion and/or Rapsodo technologies.

CHALLENGE

How to Generate Income from Baseball Without Fans on the Field COVID-19 is a showstopper for spectator sports. Safety concerns delayed baseball’s return, or even scrapped the season. This created serious financial concerns; with no fans, revenue streams dried up. There were no ticket sales, concessions, parking or sponsorship during this period. With growing expenses, the San Diego League urgently needed to find a safe way to connect to their fan base while generating an income.

SOLUTION

Pixellot’s Video Production and OTT

EASY-TO-IMPLEMENT OTT
The San Diego League decided to stream their games via an OTT network, but with only 15 people allowed on the field, they could not use camera operators to film the game. They also needed an OTT platform that would be easy-to-implement. That’s why they chose Pixellot’s end-to-end AI-Automated video solution.

UNMANNED AI-AUTOMATED PRODUCTION
Pixellot’s technology streamlines the production workflow by deploying an unmanned multi-camera system in a single fixed rig, covering the entire field and delivering a stitched panoramic image. Advanced auto-production algorithms track the flow of play, identify highlights, and insert ads without human intervention.

STREAMS HUNDREDS OF EVENTS AT A NOMINAL COST
As a result, the San Diego League was able to stream hundreds of events at a nominal cost with no on-site staff. This enabled them to keep a strong connection with their fans and gain an additional fan base – while creating monetization opportunities.

BUSINESS MODEL

In phase 1, fans were ofered a 2-month “all-inclusive” season pass for the price of $50. Charging for an all-inclusive business package was easier and more proftable than charging per game. In phase 2, additional revenue streams will be generated by integrating sponsors and live data rights monetization opportunities.

RESULTS

ROI X2 IN 48 HRS
Hundreds of season passes were sold in 48 hours, effortlessly returning their investment in Pixellot’s solution. These profits have helped pay for the system for the next three years, future-proofing the league and providing a contingency plan for the future.

INCREASED AWARENESS
The system helped strengthen San Diego League’s image as a tech-first division league. Thanks to the games being streamed during this period, the league generated higher levels of awareness which helped them recruit stronger players.

MONETIZATION OPPORTUNITIES
In phase 2 of the system’s deployment, the San Diego League will integrate
sponsors and betting rights monetization using Pixellot’s low-latency feed.

“Pixellot helped us adapt to the challenging and uncertain times caused
by the response to Covid-19. We were able to quickly build remote-fan
engagement using Pixellot’s live-stream cameras and its AI. This was critical because we could not have fans at our games during the unprecedented summer of 2020. Moms, dads, grandparents, aunts, uncles, and siblings were all able to watch. The subscription fee we charged our consumers not only helped us recoup the cost of the system but provided a good monetization opportunity as well.”

Mark Rogof
General Manager and play-by-play announcer for the league

“San Diego League is probably the gold standard, available to college players who are missing valuable playing time. Play a few games a week with the best in player-tracking technology, in front of automated cameras, and then head to the beach? Can we sign up? Apparently, no — the waiting list is almost as long as the 250 kids already camped out in the shadow of El Cajon.”

With no minor leagues or college ball, where will prospects go to play?
Eno Sarris and Emily Waldon, The Athletic, July 2, 2020