FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Thursday, May 31st, 2018
NBC SPORTS REGIONAL NETWORKS PRESENT “FAIR PLAY: YOUTH SPORTS IN AMERICA” AN INSIDE LOOK AT THE MULTI-FACETED WORLD OF ORGANIZED SPORTS
Students, Coaches, Professional Athletes and Scholars Discuss the Benefits & Challenges of Youth Sports
One-Hour Documentary Airs on NBC Sports Regional Networks, NBCSN and NBC Owned Stations
RSNs to Host “Fair Play Days” at Boys & Girls Clubs Across the Country With $250,000 Grant from United Way Worldwide
The Conversation Starts Today at NBCSports.com/FairPlay
Stamford, Conn. – May 31, 2018 – NBC Sports Regional Networks today announced the launch of Fair Play: Youth Sports in America, a multi-platform documentary project that explores the $15 billion organized youth sports industry. Told through the voices of students, coaches, professional athletes and scholars, Fair Play: Youth Sports in America will air in June and July across all NBC Sports Regional Networks, on NBCSN and on NBC Owned Television Stations. The special is presented by GEICO.
Fair Play: Youth Sports in America follows NBC Sports Regional Networks’ successful first cross platform documentary about gender in sports, TOMBOY.
“We look forward to bringing this story of youth sports participation to viewers across the country,” said Ted Griggs, President, Group and Strategic Production & Programming Leader for NBC Sports Regional Networks. “Fair Play: Youth Sports in America will showcase the intricate world of youth sports, shining a light on both the benefits and sometimes difficult aspects, while providing realistic recommendations for parents and athletes alike.”
The one-hour documentary features an extensive list of interviewees, including Golden State Warriors point guard Stephen Curry; San Francisco Giants pitcher Jeff Samardzija; two-time Olympic gold medalist and FIFA Women’s World Cup champion Carli Lloyd; University of Connecticut women’s basketball coach Geno Auriemma; senior writer for TIME Sean Gregory; Positive Coaching Alliance Executive Director Darrell Johnson; and Executive Director at The Aspen Institute, Tom Farrey.
A trailer of the one-hour documentary is available here.
The initiative will once again have several elements that extend beyond the on-air documentary. NBC Sports Regional Networks have created a dedicated national website, NBCSports.com/FairPlay, which features podcasts, articles, and interviews with youth sports organizers and participants to foster an engaging digital conversation in advance of the documentary’s television debut.
In partnership with Comcast NBCUniversal, Boys & Girls Clubs of America and United Way World Wide, each RSN will also host in-market “Fair Play Days,” an organized day to inspire and encourage Club kids at the Boys & Girls Clubs to play sports and get active. United Way Worldwide is also announcing a United Way Healthy Lifestyle Grant in the amount of $50,000 each to select Clubs at their events, totaling $250,000.
In addition, to honor student-athletes across the country, the RSNs and SportsEngine Inc., the leading software provider of sports life management solutions for teams, clubs and leagues, are hosting a contest in each market to celebrate young individuals who demonstrate determination, perseverance, and who serve as a positive influence through their participation in sports and academics. The contest is open from June 1 to June 15 on NBCSports.com/FairPlay, and is open to athletes 13 and older. Students must be nominated by a parent, guardian, coach or adult. The winner will have his/her story showcased on-air and across the network’s social and digital platforms.
Viewers can find the latest news, content and interviews using #FairPlayNBCS, and at NBCSports.com\FairPlay.
PREMIERE DATES:
Fair Play: Youth Sports in America will premiere in each market of the NBC Sports Regional Networks, and will encore nationally on NBCSN. Fair Play: Youth Sports in America will also air locally on NBC Owned Television Stations.
| NETWORK/STATION | DATE | TIME |
| NBC Sports Bay Area | July 1, 2018 | 4:30 p.m. PT |
| NBC Sports California | June 29, 2018 | 10:30 p.m. PT |
| NBC Sports Chicago | June 29, 2018 | 7:30 p.m. CT |
| NBC Sports Boston | June 29, 2018 | 8 p.m. ET |
| NBC Sports Washington | June 29, 2018 | 10 p.m. ET |
| NBC Sports Philadelphia | June 29, 2018 | 10:30 p.m. ET |
| NBC Sports Northwest | June 29, 2018 | 9 p.m. PT |
| SNY | July 1, 2018 | 5 p.m. ET |
| San Francisco / KNTV | July 8, 2018 | 10 a.m. PT |
| Chicago / WMAQ | July 8, 2018 | 1:30 p.m. CT |
| Philadelphia / WCAU | July 8, 2018 | 2:30 p.m. ET |
| Boston / WBTS | July 8, 2018 | 2:30 p.m. ET |
| Washington / WRC | July 8, 2018 | 2:30 p.m. ET |
| New York / WNBC | July 8, 2018 | 2:30 p.m. ET |
| Los Angeles / KNBC | July 1, 2018 | 11 a.m. PT |
| Miami / WTVJ | July 1, 2018 | 12 p.m. ET |
| San Diego / KNSD | July 1, 2018 | 4:30 p.m. PT |
| Dallas / KXAS | July 1, 2018 | 11:30 p.m. CT |
ABOUT NBC SPORTS REGIONAL NETWORKS
NBC Sports Regional Networks is NBC Sports Group’s portfolio of nine regional networks that delivers more than 2,200 live sporting events and original content to more than 35 million homes. Aligned within Eastern and Western Divisions, the NBC Sports Regional Networks are: NBC Sports Boston, NBC Sports Philadelphia, NBC Sports Philadelphia+, NBC Sports Washington, SNY; and NBC Sports Bay Area, NBC Sports California, NBC Sports Chicago and NBC Sports Northwest. For more information on NBC Sports Group properties, including press releases, photos, talent and executive bios, headshots and logos, please visit NBCSportsGroupPressBox.com.
–NBC SPORTS REGIONAL NETWORKS–
