Super League Triathlon
Super League Triathlon (SLT) has announced that it will offer fans the opportunity to own a stake in one of its race teams as part of its plans to further develop the sport’s first professional league.
The expanded, two-month 2022 SLT Championship Series will get underway in September and is set to visit Paris for the first time as part of a five-stop tour which will culminate in a ‘grand final’ event.
SLT has also confirmed it will be launching franchises for the first time and that the Cheetahs team will be controlled by fans via a new platform created by digital engagement specialist LiveLike. Fans can acquire stakes in the team via tiered packages ranging from US$14 to US$20,000 a season, with various benefits depending on investment level.
LiveLike’s solutions have been used by the likes of the National Basketball Association (NBA), Nascar and Turner Sports, but the brief from SLT is to create its ‘fan team platform’. Fan owners will be given the opportunity to make major decisions regarding the team, such as draft selections, kit design and tactical calls.
SLT chief executive and co-founder, Michael D’hulst, said: “Super League Triathlon is going into its fourth season and continues to expand as we will now head to more exciting destinations with events in all the major triathlon markets as part of our commitment to drive innovation, develop a true spectator sport and create even greater value for our athletes.
“We will also take the next step on the journey of our teams concept to create the first official professional league for triathlon and to develop team franchises. As part of this we will again be pushing the boundaries in sport by allowing fans to own one of the franchises. This will offer an incredible proposition as triathlon fans get the chance to be involved in decision making that really makes a difference. To have the chance to help draft the team is a truly unique opportunity.”
“By putting power into the hands of fans, SLT is raising the bar for the next phase of engagement and interactivity,” said Samuel Westberg, LiveLike chief commercial officer. “We look forward to bringing our platform to this innovative concept this fall.”
British athletes Georgia Taylor-Brown and Alex Yee won the 2021 SLT, with the series set to announce its line-up for this season imminently.
