Main League Desk Tennis indicators first media cope with CBS Sports activities

Main League Desk Tennis goes primetime.

The professional desk tennis league that bought its begin in 2023 by software program entrepreneur Flint Lane has signed its first-ever nationwide tv cope with CBS Sports activities, the league introduced Wednesday. This comes as desk tennis has seen a resurgence in reputation and as broadcasters are hungry for sports activities content material.

Phrases of the deal weren’t disclosed, however CBS Sports activities will air MLTT matches, unique highlights, participant profiles and behind-the-scenes options all through the season starting Sunday at 8 p.m. ET.

“This partnership with CBS Sports activities is a defining milestone for Main League Desk Tennis,” Lane, founder and commissioner of MLTT, instructed CNBC. “It is a testomony to the league’s power, expertise and rising attraction that captivates audiences. We’re excited to convey skilled desk tennis to thousands and thousands of houses.”

MLTT mentioned it is considered one of America’s fastest-growing sports activities on digital and social platforms and that its viewership on YouTube grew greater than 1,200% from its first season into its second season. MLTT additionally famous that desk tennis is the sixth hottest sport on the planet with 850 million followers, based on the World Atlas.

MLTT at present has eight groups from cities throughout the U.S. The groups compete in opposition to one another throughout weekend matches.

The league has raised about $10 million in capital, Flint mentioned, with funding from names like David Blitzer, proprietor of Harris Blitzer Sports activities & Leisure, which owns the Washington Commanders and Philadelphia 76ers, and Daryl Morey, president of the Philadelphia 76ers.

Former San Antonio Spurs star Manu Ginóbili is a minority workforce proprietor in MLTT workforce the Florida Crocs.

“Desk tennis is taken into account a basement sport in America,” Flint mentioned. “All through Europe, there are skilled leagues, however we have by no means had knowledgeable league on this nation, so it offers us extra credibility.”

Flint mentioned the game bought a lift on the Paris Olympics, the place for the primary time ever two People made it to the spherical of 16. A kind of gamers, Lily Jong, performs for MLTT.

The game additionally bought some buzz throughout the Olympics when Golden State Warriors Star Stephen Curry met the USA Desk Tennis workforce at opening ceremonies and later invited them to take a seat courtside at a sport.

Whereas MLTT hasn’t but been authorised for sports activities betting, betting on desk tennis gained traction throughout the coronavirus pandemic when many sports activities have been shuttered. In some states like Oregon, desk tennis is among the high sports activities for betting because of its quick tempo and quickly altering odds.

Flint mentioned now that the league has locked in a tv deal, it would deal with promoting two enlargement groups and rising the game’s presence on the grassroots degree.

Disclosure: CNBC mother or father NBCUniversal owns NBC Sports activities and NBC Olympics. NBC Olympics is the U.S. broadcast rights holder to all Summer season and Winter Video games by way of 2032.