With the addition of baseball and softball this school year, MFL MarMac sports fans will be able to live stream even more home athletic events through the online sports video analysis platform HUDL.
MFL MarMac Athletic Director Erik Peterson said the school, with financial support from the MFL MarMac Athletic Booster Club and football and basketball clubs, purchases a HUDL package annually to assist athletes and coaches.
“You send in your film and it provides replays and game-time stats, a full breakdown and player highlight reels,” Peterson explained.
Through cameras installed in the Monona and McGregor gyms, as well as at the fields and track in Monona, event live streaming is also available for football, volleyball, basketball, wrestling, soccer, track and field, and now baseball and softball. While MFL MarMac previously streamed games for free, viewers are now asked to pay a fee to help keep pace with rising operating costs.
According to Peterson, HUDL increased from $13,800 to $16,500 this year. “We’ve been pretty solvent trying to cover our operating costs outside of coaches,” he said. But HUDL’s increase, paired with other costs like box workers and officials—which for a football game could run from $1,200 to $1,500—support is needed “to still be able to put on events.”
“Some of that is offset by ticket costs, but when people watch from home,” revenue isn’t coming back to the school, Peterson said.
MFL MarMac is not alone. At the July 20 school board meeting, superintendent Tim Dugger shared, “I think a lot of schools in our conference are looking at charging a fee to accommodate the increase.”
From now through Sept. 3—which is the day before the first home football game—MFL MarMac fans can purchase a yearly pass for $25. Beginning Sept. 4, the price will increase to $75. Pay-per-view options will also be available.
“If you want to live stream, buy it now, before the first live stream event,” Peterson advised.
It’s recommended that fans create an account and log in to HUDL first. A QR code and link is also posted on the MFL MarMac Community School District Facebook page and under “Useful Links” on the MFL MarMac website.
The pass will only apply to sporting events streamed through HUDL. Concerts, programs, graduation and other events streamed on the MFL MarMac YouTube channel will continue there at no cost.
While Peterson understands some people may not be in favor of the school charging, he said it’s no different than fans paying for streaming services to watch college or professional sports.
“High school sports is the same. It’s part of our evolving society,” he said. “That’s why we want to get this out there. We’re not asking a lot. We think $25 is a good deal and it helps offset the cost.”
