ESPN Adding Live Drone Racing Coverage To Complement NASCAR And F1 In August
Did you know that racing drones is a thing? Well it is, and it's captured the attention of ESPN. The sports media outlet inked a multi-year media distribution deal with the International Drone Racing Association (yes, that exists too) to bring the new sport of drone racing to a global audience with ambitious expectations.
ESPN and IDRA view drone racing as the next big thing in the racing category alongside the likes of NASCAR and Formula 1. That's big company to be in, with NASCAR alone a multi-billion dollar sport with a huge spectator following, particularly in the United States. It seems like a stretch (to us) that remote controlled drones will attract the same buzz, but time will tell.
"Drone racing gives anyone the ability to fly like a superhero," says Dr. Scot Refsland, Chairman of the IDRA. "Because everyone can experience the thrill of racing as if they were sitting in the drone cockpit, the sport is skyrocketing. To go from a first ever, U.S. national drone race to partnering with ESPN for international distribution in eight months is truly a sign of great things ahead."
Viewers who are curious about the sport will get their first taste from ESPN at the 2016 U.S. National Drone Racing Championship. The race will be held on Governors Island in New York City on August 5-7. Those who tune in will see views from the cockpits, providing scenery of lower Manhattan and the Statute of Liberty.
"We look forward to providing drone racing fans a larger platform to access this exciting world," said Matthew Volk, ESPN Director, Programming & Acquisitions. "Drone racing is an opportunity to reach and connect with a growing and passionate audience."
For those who attend in person, the event will have a relaxed summer festival feel with plenty of entertainment, a 'makers' style drone racing area for kids, and more.
ESPN and IDRA view drone racing as the next big thing in the racing category alongside the likes of NASCAR and Formula 1. That's big company to be in, with NASCAR alone a multi-billion dollar sport with a huge spectator following, particularly in the United States. It seems like a stretch (to us) that remote controlled drones will attract the same buzz, but time will tell.
"Drone racing gives anyone the ability to fly like a superhero," says Dr. Scot Refsland, Chairman of the IDRA. "Because everyone can experience the thrill of racing as if they were sitting in the drone cockpit, the sport is skyrocketing. To go from a first ever, U.S. national drone race to partnering with ESPN for international distribution in eight months is truly a sign of great things ahead."
Viewers who are curious about the sport will get their first taste from ESPN at the 2016 U.S. National Drone Racing Championship. The race will be held on Governors Island in New York City on August 5-7. Those who tune in will see views from the cockpits, providing scenery of lower Manhattan and the Statute of Liberty.
"We look forward to providing drone racing fans a larger platform to access this exciting world," said Matthew Volk, ESPN Director, Programming & Acquisitions. "Drone racing is an opportunity to reach and connect with a growing and passionate audience."
For those who attend in person, the event will have a relaxed summer festival feel with plenty of entertainment, a 'makers' style drone racing area for kids, and more.
