Baller League, co-founded by soccer world champions Mats Hummels and Lukas Podolski, has inked a partnership with Vodafone Germany to bring new 5G transmission technology for the first time to soccer league sports.
This will involve new 5G referee body cameras that give fans an immersive viewing experience of the game. The live images of all the games in the new football league will be broadcast in real time from the referee's perspective.
The tech partnership with the Baller League is one of Vodafone's many 5G initiatives in the sports sector. Before this, Vodafone had organized a 5G watch party at the Bundesliga game between RB Leipzig and Bayern Munich in January 2023, with live commentators from across Europe.
The teams were put together on draft day on January 15th, and the first match day will take place on January 22nd. All games can be viewed live on Twitch.
Michael Reinartz, Head of Innovation, Vodafone Germany
For the first time, the referee body cameras transmit the live images from the pitch via our 5G network . For this purpose, smartphones are used in a special device on the body of the referee. They send the live images of the game to the football fans' screens. Thanks to 5G in real time and in high quality for many thousands of fans at the same time. Technologies like the ones we are now using in the Baller League are the future for the broadcast of major sporting events around the world.
Gregor Gründgens, Brand Boss, Vodafone Germany
The courage to try things out counts - on and off the pitch. This shared self-image makes the media partnership between the Baller League and Vodafone the perfect match. For our brand, but also for the viewers: because our game-changer moment promises unexpected twists and turns during the game - and with our 5G coverage in the arena, we ensure that the net only wobbles when a ball hits.
Thomas de Buhr, Co-Founder, Baller League
The Baller League is not content with what already exists - but expands football as we know it so far. We have also selected our partners based on this principle and have a game changer in Vodafone at our side, who challenges the status quo with innovative spirit and team spirit on and off the pitch.
