National Basketball Association (NBA) franchise the Milwaukee Bucks has announced its new content hub designed to maintain fan engagement during the COVID-19 crisis.

The aptly named BucksPlay features a variety of original content from behind-the-scenes footage to player lifestyle features and interviews. Also included in the NBA side’s new platform will be an immersive ‘in-arena experience’ providing fans with interactive content whilst at home.

BucksPlay’s ‘Bucks Recess’ challenges encourage fans of all ages to participate in certain training skills in order to remain fit, active and entertained whilst isolating at home. The challenge begins with a Pat Connaughton dunk challenge where fans can submit their attempts at recreating his dunks from this year’s All-Star Slam Dunk Contest.

As stated prior BuckPlay has been designed to accommodate a multitude of basketball fans, delivering content on five specific channels depending on the person’s preference.

This includes the ‘Fan Zone’ which highlights in-arena player features, the Bucks Entertainment Network and fan-created content, and The Huddle, a channel designed to provide Bucks moments and stories with the use of its basketball content.

Moreover, the basketball team aims to use its new platform to help provide for its community with the use of The Neighbourhood and Youth Hoops channels to help families through the COVID-19 crisis, whilst also offering educational activities to children.

Finally, Bucks’ ‘In Six’ channel offers a wide range of fan engagement content around its players, featuring topics outside of the basketball world including fashion and gaming.

As the sporting calendar still attempts to adapt to the COVID-19 outbreak, more firms have started looking at fan engagement opportunities, particularly through content in order to maintain a stable fan base throughout this period. The likes of the NHL recently announced its content distribution plans in order to maintain excitement levels after its Stanley Cup play-offs had to be postponed.

Meanwhile, football clubs such as Arsenal and Wolves have enhanced its digital content to appease fans during the Premier League suspension.

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