Drew League Becomes First Pro-Am League to be Streamed on NBA Platforms
Los Angeles – The Drew League is ready to go international. Thanks to the super draw audience that made their down to the Watts/Willowbrook area, which is on the outskirts of Compton, to watch NBA superstar LeBron James play in the pro-am basketball league, the Drew League got some good vibes coming from the NBA.
As a result of James’ drawing power and with the history of the Drew League being front and center for NBA players during the offseason, the NBA has decided that it probably needs to play catch up on the street credibility thing.
So the league is doing about it. Now and until the end of the season, including the playoffs, select 2022 Drew League games will be streamed globally on the NBA App and NBA.com. This marks the first time NBA platforms will feature a pro-am league, building upon the NBA’s goal to engage with fans throughout the offseason and widen its scope of basketball content. The Drew League made its debut on NBA digital platforms on July 16 with an exciting matchup featuring LeBron James and DeMar DeRozan.
As part of the collaboration, premier Drew League summer games will stream on NBA platforms on select weekends through the championship game on Sunday, August 21, with priority for games featuring NBA players and top competition. The partnership between the Drew League and NBA streaming games began on July 23.
The NBA will produce all games on-site in Los Angeles and distribute content including NBA players, celebrity appearances and big performances across NBA digital platforms. Details regarding the full game schedule and coverage will be available soon on NBA.com and NBA social.
“This is an extremely exciting year for the Drew League, and we are thrilled to collaborate with the NBA to bring the league to more fans across the globe,” said Chaniel Smiley, Drew League Commissioner. “I’m very proud of the work we have done this year for The Drew and look forward to all the new fans experiencing first-hand the talent of the players in the Drew League as well as its cultural impact.”
Through the years, dozens of NBA players have participated in Drew League including Kobe Bryant, LeBron James, DeMar DeRozan, James Harden, Baron Davis, Kevin Durant, Paul Pierce and many more. The NBA worked in collaboration with Drew League and its marketing and brand agency CrossOVR Collective (OVR) to bring this programming to NBA platforms.
About Drew League
Established in 1973 by Alvin Willis, The Drew League is a pro-am basketball league that is held every summer in Los Angeles. The league, which started with just 6 teams, now matches up 28 invitation-only teams. With notable players such as Kobe Bryant, Raymond Lewis, Lester Conner and more, the Drew League is celebrating its 50th anniversary in 2023. Visit www.drewleague.com for more information.
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