The A-10 is the first conference to use Facebook Live to stream games. Dayton Athletic Director Neil Sullivan looks at it as a way of expanding Dayton’s footprint.
“For us, broadcast TV is still our primary distribution focus,” Sullivan said. “All our games are televised. We have 22 national games this year, and the rest are on Fox Sports Ohio and Time Warner Cable, so that doesn’t change. We’re a television-driven program, but social media sites have really placed a priority on live video, and they’re starting to enter the live sports space. Now games can be shared with worldwide audiences, and we think it’s an experiment that makes a lot of sense.”
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Every A-10 team will have at least one game on Facebook Live. The first game features Duquesne hosting Loyola (Md.) at 7 p.m. Friday. Richmond hosts Old Dominion at 7 p.m. Monday on Facebook Live.
The A-10 also announced a series of Friday night showcase games on ESPN’s channels. Dayton plays in four of those games: Jan. 6 vs. Rhode Island; Jan. 27 at VCU; Feb. 10 at Rhode Island; and Feb. 24 at Davidson.
The Flyers play four other games on ESPN channels. Three of those come in the Wooden Legacy tournament Nov. 24-27.
“We want to make sure we protect our television assets,” Sullivan said, “but distribution and engagement with the fans is rapidly evolving. The A-10 is being innovative with its media agreements, and this is part of it. We’re fully supportive of it and excited about it, but TV is still the most important thing for Dayton.”
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