The World Flying Disc Federation (“WFDF”) is pleased to announce that it has kicked off a crowdfunding campaign to secure funds for producing a world-class TV Broadcast production and comprehensive video streaming program of games during the 2016 WFDF World Ultimate and Guts Championships taking place in London, United Kingdom from 18 to 25 June 2016.
The campaign, which was launched today on the Kickstarter crowdfunding platform, is running through 23 March 2016 and aims to secure funding for deliverables such as 20+ free worldwide streaming games of ultimate (also available on free VOD), 10+ mini-documentaries to be shared for free online, a Broadcast of a two-hour feature program on a US sports network and the production of an event documentary.
“I am extremely delighted about this campaign as Ultimate is at a turning point. Our community’s passion has led to rapid development around the world. Ultimate has expanded and begun to enter mainstream consciousness,” stated WFDF President Robert “Nob” Rauch. “Let’s work together to take it to the next level: greater recognition, global sponsorships and maybe on to the Olympic program in 2024.”
Rauch added “We’ve talked to sponsors and the big brands won’t touch a sport that doesn’t have the viewership data to back it up. They told us, you show us the numbers and we’ll show you the support. Similarly, Ultimate is on the cusp of mainstream attention. Imagine if Ultimate competitions were a regular occurrence on television or online — if all you needed to do to watch a college tournament or a national or world championship was to flip on your TV or click on your smartphone. By showing potential broadcasters what our sport looks like at a world-class level of production, coupled with viewership numbers to support it, we can make this a reality.”
WFDF has committed US$25,000 of the projected production and distribution budget, and is cautiously optimistic that the crowdfunding campaign will raise no less than US$75,000. WFDF is approaching other disc sports associations in order to secure additional commitments to support the project. WFDF”s partners, Discraft and VC Ultimate, are offering some rewards for contributions, and other levels result in a contribution to Ultimate Peace, a commitment to feature your team in a live stream, a team documentary while at WUGC, or a VIP package. The project team is being led by Tim Rockwood (WFDF’s Managing Director of Broadcasting and Marketing) and Rauch as Executive Producers, Elliot Trotter of Skyd Magazine as Director, and Mike Palmer of ulti.tv and Skyd Productions as Technical Director.
Find out more about the WFDF campaign, how it works, the timeline, and the people behind the production team under this link.