Monthly Archives: August 2026

Next League Announces Multi-Phase Relationship With Heisman

Next League, which designs, deploys and operates intelligent systems for leagues, teams and federations, today announced a multi-phase relationship with Heisman, the organization behind the top award in college football. Next League becomes Heisman’s AI and technology services provider, taking on the role of the organization’s technology function across data, platforms and AI.

With the first engagement of the relationship, Next League built the AI-driven data and technology infrastructure powering Heisman’s new season-long analytics, storytelling and fan voting platform, Heisman Hopefuls. Hopefuls is the first step in Heisman’s broader digital transformation spanning analytics, fan engagement, AI and storytelling, with Next League operating as Heisman’s technology provider across it.

“We are thrilled to bring on Next League as our AI and Technology Services Partner,” said Jeff Price, CEO, Heisman. “This launch is the first step in a broader digital and AI transformation of the Heisman brand including enhanced analytics, fan engagement and storytelling. Next League has played an integral role in bringing this experience to life and we look forward to giving fans, schools and student-athletes new ways to be part of the Heisman story for years to come.”
“This relationship with Heisman shows how large legacy platforms can pivot using best in class technology to meet the needs and interests of a much larger audience,” said David Nugent, CEO, Next League. “What they will be able to do, and what we will help them build, will expand their scope and reach and tell the stories of those tied to the award on every level. It will be a new benchmark for engagement for the Heisman and for many others into the future.”

Heisman recognizes enhanced data, analytics and storytelling are critical to keeping the sport’s most storied conversation relevant for the next generation of fans. Next League, with its focus on how emerging technologies and AI reshape the way sports organizations engage fans, will help Heisman deepen connections with its fans year-round and across every touchpoint. Together, they’ll ensure Heisman stays ahead of how these emerging technologies continue to shape how fans experience college football and celebrate the stories and successes of all student-athletes.

Heisman Hopefuls, which launched last week, unifies official NCAA statistics from Genius Sports, EA player ratings and the season-long weighted fan vote model developed with the Carnegie Mellon Sports Analytics Center into a single fan experience. The result is the Heisman Hopefuls Field, featuring more than 11,000 student-athletes, and the Heisman Hopefuls Fan Vote, which opens to fans September 9.

American Association Adds SI TV, Sports Illustrated’s 24/7 Streaming Channel, as Broadcast Partner

The American Association of Professional Baseball (AAPB) today announced that Sports Illustrated’s 24/7 streaming television channel, SI TV, has been added as a broadcast partner for the remainder of the 2026 season, adding to the record footprint for the leading MLB Partner League. American Association games will now be available in over 36 million homes, a 72% increase from just last season.

“We’re thrilled to partner with Sports Illustrated and SI TV, adding another premium viewing option for our fans. This latest partnership shows the strength of everything we’re building — our broadcast, our storytelling and our quality of play,” said Joshua Schaub, American Association Commissioner. “We’re proud to join the SI TV lineup as we head down the stretch of a record-breaking season for us on every level.”

“The American Association has built a quality league and we’re pleased to offer exciting AAPB action on SI TV as the season heads into its stretch run,” said Steve Cannella, Editor in Chief of Sports Illustrated. “This partnership continues our push to expand SI TV’s content offering and provide fans with more live game programming.”

The addition of SI TV, for 20 games during the last portion of the season follows last month’s addition of Fan Duel Sports Networks, as well as MLB Network carrying the 2026 All-Star Game from Lincoln, Nebraska on July 15. The AAPB’s coverage now includes: NBC Regional Sports Networks, Marquee Sports Network, NESN, Sportsnet Pittsburgh, Silver State Sports Network and Unbeaten Sports. As well as Gray Media, RYZ, Bally’s Corporation, NLSE, FTF Sports (For the Fans), and SLVR Sports and Entertainment.
About the American Association of Professional Baseball

The American Association of Professional Baseball (www.aabaseball.com) and (www.aabaseball.tv) is a Major League Baseball Partner League that operates in nine states and one Canadian province. Formed in 2006, the league consists of twelve member clubs with many beginning play in 1993. Through the 2025 season, 483 player contracts have been transferred to MLB organizations. In addition, 60 AAPB alumni have reached the Majors, including 17 participating in 2025.

American Association to Expand into Blaine, Minn., at new ‘The Farm’ Sports/Entertainment District

Bader Companies, Elevage and the City of Blaine today announced The Farm as the official name of the new sports and entertainment district now under construction in Blaine. The Farm will bring together a new era of sports, entertainment, dining, shopping, hospitality, residential living, medical services, and community gathering spaces into a premier, world-class destination in the heart of Blaine. It is anticipated to open in early 2028.

The Farm will transform 70 acres of undeveloped land into a marquee destination designed to bring athletes, fans, families, residents, and visitors together. Inspired by the site’s agricultural roots, the name reflects both the history of the land and the development’s vision to grow the area into a place where community, entertainment, and athletics come together. The Farm was created to be a place where community and athletes can grow, inspired by its location alongside the National Sports Center, where young talent is cultivated and competitors from across the country come to train and compete.

This district is designed as a live, work, play development to create an immersive experience that extends beyond game day. From shopping and dining to community events, live concerts, and baseball games, every aspect of the development has been thoughtfully planned to create a destination that remains vibrant throughout the year.

“The Farm was inspired by a vision to build on Blaine’s strong sports legacy and create a destination that delivers lasting value for the community,” said Co-Developers Bader Companies and Elevage. “We see The Farm as more than a development, it’s an opportunity to create a landmark destination that attracts visitors, drives investment, supports local businesses, and contributes to Blaine’s continued growth and vitality for years to come.”

“The Farm represents one of the most significant private investments in Blaine’s history and reflects the confidence developers have in our community’s future,” said Mayor Tim Sanders. “This transformative project will create jobs, attract new businesses and visitors, expand entertainment and dining options, and build on Blaine’s reputation as a premier destination for sports and recreation. We are excited to see this vision take shape and the lasting impact it will have on our community for generations to come.”

Anchoring the development will be SCHEELS, the company’s second location in the Twin Cities metro, joining Eden Prairie, and sixth in the state. The 250,000-square-foot, one-of-a-kind experiential retail destination will feature an indoor Ferris wheel, a 16,000-gallon saltwater aquarium with over 600 fish, specialty shops, and unforgettable experiences for guests of all ages.

Complementing these attractions will be upscale restaurants, retail offerings, a hotel, residential housing, a medical office, public gathering spaces, and a state-of-the-art baseball and event stadium that will welcome the return of American Association Professional Baseball to Minnesota as the home of the state’s newest professional team. Together, these experiences will create a premier destination that delivers a pro-caliber fan experience and a hub of activity for the community unlike anything else in Minnesota.

“The addition of Blaine, Minnesota, is the latest step in our strategic growth as a league,” said Josh Schaub, Commissioner of the American Association of Professional Baseball. “We welcome Robb Bader, TWAN, Corey Burstad and their team, and most importantly, the fans of Minnesota, to the American Association in a community and business partnership that, like many of our other franchises, goes well beyond the baseball diamond.”

For project updates and announcements, visit TheFarmNSC.com