Key Takeaways
- Lee Enterprises and Hudl launched a content partnership spanning 72 local news markets across 25 states
- High school sports video and coverage will be available free to communities, not behind paywalls
- Hudl currently works with more than 300,000 teams globally providing video and coaching tools
- The partnership represents Lee’s largest coordinated local sports content initiative to date
- Coverage includes both boys’ and girls’ sports with highlights and community storytelling
Expanding Local Sports Access at Scale
Lee Enterprises, a major subscription and advertising platform with daily newspapers, digital products, and nearly 350 weekly publications, announced a content partnership with Hudl on February 9, 2026. The collaboration is designed to bring high school sports video and coverage to millions of families, coaches, and fans across Lee’s network of local news brands spanning 72 markets in 25 states, including St. Louis, Buffalo, Omaha, Richmond, and Tucson.
The partnership combines Hudl’s relationships with thousands of high schools nationwide with Lee’s established position in local journalism. Highlight videos, post-match content, and athlete stories will reach audiences through Lee’s trusted news platforms without subscription requirements.
“High school sports coverage is at the heart of our community-driven mission,” said Nathan Bekke, interim chief executive officer at Lee Enterprises. “This partnership with Hudl allows us to serve our communities even better by expanding free access to meaningful local sports content.”
How the Partnership Works
Hudl provides video, data, and tools to schools and athletic programs at every level. Through the Lee partnership, content captured through Hudl’s platform will be distributed across Lee’s local news sites, reaching parents, alumni, and community members who follow high school athletics.
“Hudl’s mission has always been to give athletes and coaches the shot they deserve while strengthening the communities around them,” said Kelly Mosier, senior director at Hudl Fan. “By showcasing top plays and telling community-driven stories we have a chance to deepen the fan connection and help athletes get even more recognition.”
The partnership focuses on both marquee moments and everyday achievements across multiple boys’ and girls’ sports. Joe Battistoni, chief revenue officer at Lee Enterprises, noted the collaboration creates opportunities for advertising partners to connect with engaged local audiences around high school sports content.
What It Means for High School Sports Coverage
The Lee-Hudl partnership marks a significant expansion in coordinated local sports content distribution. Lee operates nearly 350 weekly and specialty publications alongside its daily newspapers and digital products. Hudl’s smart cameras and software already serve more than 300,000 teams globally with film review, recruiting tools, livestreaming, and fan engagement features.
The rollout will begin during upcoming high school sports seasons with expanded coverage and community storytelling across Lee markets. Both companies emphasized the partnership’s focus on accessible, free content that honors how high school sports connect communities and shape young athletes.
via: HUDL
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