FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Wednesday, July 9th, 2014

NBC SPORTS GROUP TO PRESENT EXCLUSIVE COVERAGE OF THE INAUGURAL NATIONAL PRO GRID LEAGUE PLAYOFFS AND FINAL

More Than 10 Hours of Coverage For First Ever Professional Fitness League on NBC, NBCSN and NBC Sports Live Extra

Final to Air Live on NBCSN on Friday, October 3 at 10:30 p.m. ET

STAMFORD, CONN. – July 9, 2014 – NBC Sports Group and the National Pro Grid League, the country’s first ever professional fitness league, today announced an exclusive coverage agreement to present more than 10 hours of the league’s inaugural playoffs across NBC, NBCSN and NBC Sports Live Extra.

NBC Sports Group’s coverage will culminate with a live telecast of the National Pro Grid League Final on Friday, October 3 at 10:30 p.m. ET on NBCSN. NBC will broadcast an encore presentation of the NPGL Final on October 5 at 1 p.m. ET. Leading up to the Final, NBCSN will telecast the National Pro Grid League Quarterfinals, September 23-24 from Charlotte, N.C. and the NPGL Semifinals, September 30-October 1 from Las Vegas, Nev. All races shown on NBC and NBCSN will be streamed on NBC Sports Live Extra, NBC Sports Group’s live streaming product for desktops, mobile devices and tablets.

Featuring some of the premiere functional fitness stars in the United States, including Annie Thorisdottir, Kenny Leverich, Lindsey Valenzuela, and Marcus Hendren, the National Pro Grid League is a collection of eight co-ed teams (five men and five women, one of each 40 years of age or older) who compete in head-to-head timed fitness competitions throughout a season. Teams include the Boston IronLos Angeles ReignMiami SurgeNew York RhinosPhiladelphia FoundersPhoenix RiseSan Francisco Fire, and Washington D.C. Brawlers.

“We are thrilled to bring this new sport category and innovative league to television,” said Ron Wechsler, Vice President, Original Programming and Entertainment, NBC Sports Group. “The skill and athleticism of the National Pro Grid League competitors is incredibly compelling, and something sports fans and fitness enthusiasts alike will enjoy.”

During each telecast, viewers will be provided a front-row seat as teams go head-to-head across 11 different races. Each race is slightly different, incorporating a variety of weightlifting and bodyweight challenges such as, deadlifts, cleans and snatches, pull-ups, handstand push-ups, and sprinting. In addition, the all-access experience will chronicle the stories of many of the amazing athletes competing in the races.

“We are excited to showcase our first ever playoffs and championship to a national audience with a world-class partner like NBC Sports,” said Tony Budding, Founder and CEO of the National Pro Grid League. “Grid features many of the world’s best functional fitness athletes working together under a professional coach. Viewers will be astounded by the speed and strength of the players. No one has ever seen team racing quite like this.”

 

The Grid Playoffs and Final Television Schedule: (All times ET)

DATE LOCATION NETWORK TIME EVENT
Tues., September 23 Charlotte, N.C. NBCSN 8 p.m. Quarterfinal
Wed., September 24 Charlotte, N.C. NBCSN 8 p.m. Quarterfinal
Tues., September 30 Las Vegas, Nev. NBCSN 8 p.m. Semifinal
Wed., October 1 Las Vegas, Nev. NBCSN 8 p.m. Semifinal
Fri., October 3 Las Vegas, Nev. NBCSN 10:30 p.m. Final
Sun., October 5 Las Vegas, Nev. NBC 1 p.m. Final (Encore)

 

NBC Sports Live Extra — NBC Sports Group’s live streaming product for desktops, mobile devices and tablets — will stream all Grid playoff presentations on NBC and NBCSN. For desktops, NBC Sports Live Extra can be accessed at NBCSports.com/liveextra. The NBC Sports Live Extra app for mobile devices and tablets is available at the App Store for iPhone, iPad and iPod touch, and on select Android handset and tablet devices within Google Play and on Windows 8 and Windows mobile devices.

 

ABOUT THE GRID

The National Pro Grid League is the world’s premiere expression of Grid competition. Currently, there are eight professional teams representing major U.S. cities competing for the championship trophy known as The Pinnacle. For more information, visit www.npgl.com

 

–NBC SPORTS GROUP–