Salt Lake City — The Utah Jazz announced today a large-scale, groundbreaking arrangement with Zoom to live stream the team’s practice on Saturday, Oct. 2 to as many as 50,000 fans worldwide. The event is a powerful example of bringing content directly to fans and will provide Utah Jazz fans unprecedented access to players and coaches. The practice will be streamed from the Zions Bank Basketball Campus in Salt Lake City via Zoom.
During the event, fans will be able to watch head coach Quin Snyder and members of the Utah Jazz work out midday (MDT) on Saturday. Fans can access the digital event via a Zoom link from the location and device of their choosing. The public will have free access to the event, known as the Utah Jazz Open Practice on the Road To Tipoff presented by Udo.
Fans can easily access the Zoom link via the Utah Jazz social media channels and on the team’s website at www.utahjazz.com.
“We are always focused on connecting with our fans and finding unique technology to bring unprecedented access to our players and coaches,” says Ryan Smith, owner of the Utah Jazz. “We are excited to partner with Zoom to leverage its innovative platform to stream practice for the first time in our history. We live in a hyper-connected world and the demand for direct-to-consumer content is growing stronger and stronger. This experience begins a new chapter of fan engagement and direct-to-consumer content.”
“We’re proud to join forces with the Utah Jazz to live stream an open practice to fans across the world,” says Brendan Ittelson, CTO at Zoom. “It’s an exciting time to be in technology when our innovation is helping to transform experiences and connect the world. This is a groundbreaking opportunity to bring unique and interesting content directly to fans regardless of location. Now not only local fans can be part of this premier experience, but Jazz fans from across the globe have an opportunity to participate.”
In addition to the play on the basketball court, the broadcast will showcase the new design elements inside the practice facility along with live interviews, pre-recorded features, and guest commentary.
While this is the first time in history that the Utah Jazz has live-streamed a practice, in recent years, the Jazz has held an in-person open practice or scrimmage on its homecourt at Vivint Arena, conducted a surprise appearance at a local high school assembly in West Valley City, and played for military personnel and their families at Hill Air Force Base in Ogden.