via Getty
BUDAPEST, HUNGARY: August 26: Noah Lyles of the United States and Sha’Carri Richardson of the United States celebrate the team’s gold medal win in the Women’s and Men’s 4x100m Relay during the World Athletics Championships, at the National Athletics Centre on August 26th, 2023 in Budapest, Hungary. (Photo by Tim Clayton/Corbis via Getty Images)
via Getty
BUDAPEST, HUNGARY: August 26: Noah Lyles of the United States and Sha’Carri Richardson of the United States celebrate the team’s gold medal win in the Women’s and Men’s 4x100m Relay during the World Athletics Championships, at the National Athletics Centre on August 26th, 2023 in Budapest, Hungary. (Photo by Tim Clayton/Corbis via Getty Images)
Track and field coverage and broadcasting have frequently sparked controversy. Who can forget Sha’Carri Richardson’s outspoken criticism of NBC’s decision not to cover the US outdoor track and field championship in 2023, saying,“ These companies continue to make it HARDER for track and field to have exposure!!! All they want is to continue to exploit sports!!!”?
In contrast to track and field, NBA broadcasting has consistently garnered praise, evident in the impressive average of 1.59 million viewers who tuned in to watch NBA regular season games across ABC, ESPN, and TNT during the 2022–23 season.
Sha’Carri Richardson and premium track and field broadcast coverage
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As the 2024 track and field season unfolds with blazing showdowns, the spotlight on athletes like Noah Lyles and Sha’Carri Richardson now comes with a hefty price tag, surpassing the cost of NBA viewership. In a post on X by CitiusMag, the account shared an update regarding the coverage of the Diamond League.
The Diamond League, which is currently televised on NBC’s networks and streamed on Peacock ($5.99/month or $59.99/year), will move to Flotrack ($29.99/month or $149.99/year) starting in 2025.
The Prefontaine Classic is not included in the package. pic.twitter.com/cAIXbHCn4V
— CITIUS MAG (@CitiusMag) April 10, 2024
The Diamond League is a series of track and field events featuring some of the best athletes like Sha’Carri Richardson and others from around the world. Right now, you can watch these events on NBC’s networks or stream them on Peacock, which is a streaming service. Peacock offers a subscription for $5.99 per month or $59.99 per year. However, starting in 2025, the Diamond League won’t be on NBC or Peacock anymore.
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Instead, it’s moving to a different streaming service called FloTrack. FloTrack offers a subscription for $29.99 per month or $149.99 per year. Furthermore, it’s essential to note that the Prefontaine Classic, a significant event within the Diamond League, will not be included in the FloTrack package. As we contemplate this update, how does this make viewing athletes like Noah Lyles, Sha’Carri Richardson, and other track stars more expensive than the NBA?
How FloTrack’s Streaming will be more expensive than the NBA’s
In 1994, the concept of the NBA League Pass was introduced and became available in 2001, which changed the way the sport was viewed. Here’s how it works: If you’re a big basketball fan and you want to watch games from teams outside of your area, NBA League Pass is perfect for you. You can watch live games as they happen or catch up later with on-demand streaming. Plus, they also show round-the-clock coverage on NBA TV, so you can stay updated on all things basketball.
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NBA League Pass starts at $15 per month, with a premium option available at $23 per month. There’s also a free trial available. In comparison, FloTrack ‘s subscription is significantly more expensive, priced at $29.99 per month or $149.99 per year. This makes watching track and field events on FloTrack more expensive than subscribing to the NBA League Pass. As the track and field community has shared a mixed reaction to this update, what are your thoughts about this decision? Comment below!
Read more: Fact Check: Did Nike and Sha’Carri Richardson Disrespect Shelly-Ann Fraser-Pryce?
