The Maple League, Finland’s top American Football league, will continue to air their games in Finland through Ruutu+-Service and Nelonen Pro live broadcasts for another three seasons. Nelonen Media and SAJL Finland have signed a new three-year deal for the TV rights to American football games in Finland.
The new contract is for three years (2016,2017 + an option for both parties for 2018) and will keep the Maple League on television in Finland until the Fall of 2018.
The Maple League has been aired through Nelonen Media channels since 2014. In those two years, interest in American football has grown steadily in Finland and the continuation of the partnership was a clear goal for both Nelonen Media and SAJL, the Finnish American Football Federation.
Nelonen Pro producer Kalle Takala:
“We are very happy with our cooperation with the Maple League and SAJL-Finland. We share the passion for top-level sports and by working together, both the Maple League and American football are on a good growth curve both by our measurements and those of the federation.
“Of course NFL-games on Sunday evenings on our channel with Finnish commentators helps. Together with Maple League games, it combines a good package and has clearly attracted a new audience to our broadcasts and to American football.”
Owing to the success of the television broadcasts over the past two years SAJL President Roope Noronen sees the future of the sport even brighter.
“Live Maple League broadcasts over the past two years have helped the sport achieve good growth. This is visible in stadiums, but has also helped break records in terms of player numbers each year. There are more players than ever before in Finland.
“Continuation of live games on Nelonen Pro and Ruutu+ gives us a great platform to ensure further growth and brings the games directly into people’s homes.”
Maple League broadcasts will continue in June 2016, when the season starts. The plan includes one live game from each game week during the regular season, as well as both semifinals and Maple Bowl XXXVII. Games can be viewed globally on the Ruutu+ service. In 2016, Maple League visibility will grow also through additional short video clips.
More information on Maple League TV games and Nelonen Media and the SAJL partnership will be published during the spring of 2016.