COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. – The National Collegiate Hockey Conference (NCHC) has agreed to a five-year extension with SIDEARM Sports to become the sole website provider for the Conference, the parties announced Thursday. In addition to continuing as the host for NCHC.tv (the Conference’s digital network), the NCHC’s traditional website, NCHChockey.com, will move to the SIDEARM platform, as well, to create a fully integrated fan experience.
The NCHC and SIDEARM Sports have been partners since 2019, building and enhancing NCHC.tv, along with its mobile and OTT (over-the-top) apps, over the last three seasons. The Conference’s traditional website, NCHChockey.com, will join NCHC.tv on SIDEARM’s platform this summer, after being hosted by SportsEngine during the NCHC’s first nine seasons. The five-year partnership extension will keep the NCHC’s website and NCHC.tv with SIDEARM Sports through at least the 2026-27 season.
“Being able to integrate NCHC.tv and NCHChockey.com into a one-stop-shop for both information and watching live games is something we’re very excited about. Our new website and mobile apps will offer fans a unique and more user-friendly experience not seen before in college hockey, or even much in college athletics,” said NCHC Associate Commissioner Michael Weisman. “Having worked with SIDEARM over the last three seasons, we’re confident this transition will only enhance what we’ve already built in NCHC.tv and our apps.
“We would also like to thank SportsEngine for being great partners during our first decade of existence and helping build the NCHC brand through our website.”
NCHChockey.com was launched in 2013 and has served as the home for NCHC news articles, feature stories, standings, schedules, statistics, rosters, history and much more. That will now be combined with NCHC.tv, which has been the NCHC’s home for live streaming and video since 2014-15. All eight NCHC member schools are also currently partners with SIDEARM Sports for their athletic department’s website, which will allow for easier information and video sharing between the conference and school sites.
“We are thrilled to extend our partnership with the NCHC and build on the success of NCHC.tv with the launch of NCHChockey.com,” said SIDEARM Sports CEO and Founder Jeff Rubin. “Our expanded partnership will empower the NCHC to build and deliver a rich, cohesive digital experience for their fans. From websites, to mobile apps, to OTT media services, we are beyond excited about this expanded partnership.”
NCHC.tv has aired approximately 140 live games per season since 2014, while also providing a home for all the Conference’s on-demand video content, including highlights, features, press conferences and more. Since NCHC.tv was acquired by SIDEARM Sports in 2019, the digital network has seen new mobile apps rolled out for iOS and Android devices, updated AppleTV and Roku apps, and added an Amazon Fire app to the portfolio.
More details on the relaunch of NCHChockey.com and integration of NCHC.tv will be announced in the coming months. The rollout of new mobile apps and NCHC.tv subscriptions will also be available as the 2022-23 season nears.
ABOUT SIDEARM SPORTS
Operating in the LEARFIELD portfolio of companies since June 2014, SIDEARM Sports is the nation’s leading digital provider for college athletics. Based in Syracuse, N.Y. and founded in 2000 by Jeff Rubin, who continues to lead the business, SIDEARM is trusted by some of the biggest brands in the industry, including the majority of NCAA programs and Power Five athletic departments. As a leader in digital fan engagement, SIDEARM Sports provides the best-in-class software and technology that powers websites, mobile applications, OTT media services, live stats, video streaming and more for its partners. Clients continue to trust SIDEARM for its support, reliability, customization and easy-to-use interface that allows schools to tailor their content and digital presence directly for their fans.
ABOUT THE NATIONAL COLLEGIATE HOCKEY CONFERENCE
The NCHC is an eight-school NCAA Division I men’s hockey conference that is entering its 10th season of competition in 2022-23. Its members are: Colorado College, the University of Denver, Miami University, the University of Minnesota Duluth, the University of Nebraska Omaha, the University of North Dakota, St. Cloud State University and Western Michigan University. Since the NCHC began play in 2013-14, 32 NCHC programs have qualified for the NCAA Tournament, including 13 Frozen Four berths and five of the last six NCAA national champions (2016-19, 2022). For more information, visit the NCHC website at www.nchchockey.com and follow the conference on social media @theNCHC on Twitter, Instagram and Facebook.
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