English Football League appoints Realise and NeuLion to lead its ambitious digital overhaul
The English Football League (EFL) has named the two companies which it has enlisted to design and develop its new digital platforms after announcing that Realise and NeuLion as its new long-term digital partners.
EFL
Both Realise and NeuLion have been awarded the contract that runs until the end of the 2022/23 season.
The news follows one of the most comprehensive procurement processes in the EFL’s history which saw over 175 of the world’s leading digital agencies jostling for the contracts.
UK based digital agency Realise will design and develop the web and mobile sites for the EFL Digital’s clubs. It will also be tasked with the implementation of the Episerver content management system (CMS).
The streaming, merchandising, and payment services will be provided by US company NeuLion, which already has experience in delivering live football streams with the MLS. NeuLion also has experience in delivering online video through its other clients which include the NFL, NBA, and the UFC.
Shaun Harvey, EFL chief executive, described Realise and NeuLion as “two of the world’s leading digital companies” and said the partnership would “drive additional value for our clubs and produce a series of digital products we can all be proud of.
He added: “The end user, the fans of our clubs, are very much where their collective focus lies and a proven track record, a flexible approach to platform delivery and significant experience in video streaming means we are not only confident in the proposed technical solution but also how it will perform commercially.”
NeuLion’s chief executive, Roy Reichbach, promised to bring fans of the EFL’s clubs the “same level of experience we provide fans of the NFL, NBA, UFC, and others.”
He said NeuLion’s experience in the broadcasting, distribution and monetisation of live video would “enable this next generation fan experience”.
Fiona Proudler, managing director of Realise, added: “Football ignites passion and we feel privileged and delighted at the prospect of working together to deliver digital best of breed solutions with the EFL, its member clubs, sponsors and key partners."