NEW YORK — A “first-of-its-kind women’s only track and field event” will be getting a national TV coverage boost, thanks to an agreement between ATHLOS and Scripps Sports. The result is a linear broadcast partnership, ensuring “Athlos NYC” on October 10 is seen on The E.W. Scripps Co.’s TV network.
That would be ION, and it is now locked in for coverage of the event, including a pre-show “Icons on ION” scheduled for 7pm Eastern on the second Friday in October.
The agreement also makes Scripps Sports committed to airing the ATHLOS League in a multi-year deal.
Range Sports worked with Seven Seven Six to secure media rights and distribution.
“We are thrilled to team up with ION as our broadcast partner for Athlos NYC,” said Alexis Ohanian, founder of Seven Seven Six and ATHLOS. “They’ve been tireless supporters of women’s sports for years, and we’re proud to have ATHLOS land alongside their WNBA and NWSL programming.”
The October 10 event at Icahn Stadium on Randalls Island (built on the former Downing Stadium site) is ATHLOS’ first-ever field competition, of which qualifying will take place in Times Square on Thursday, Oct. 9.
“ATHLOS showcases remarkable athletes while building culture and community,” said Brian Lawlor, President of Scripps Sports and the former head of the company’s local broadcast TV stations. “We look forward to bringing ATHLOS and its events to fans nationwide as we strengthen our commitment to elevating women’s athletics in premium, live environments on ION.”
ATHLOS joins Scripps Sports’ lineup of pro women’s sports partnerships, including the Women’s National Basketball Association (WNBA) and the National Women’s Soccer League (NWSL).
Additionally, this fall ION will serve as the home of the inaugural SI Women’s Games, a new biennial all-star competition featuring elite athletes across seven sports in six days in partnership with Sports Illustrated. There’s also the Elevance Health Women’s Fort Myers Tip-Off, an early season college basketball tournament.
— With reporting by RBR+TVBR in Dobbs Ferry, N.Y.
