Flo Sports

[Ron Boerger]

This is supposedly Lindsey Plotkin:  https://www.si.com/college/texas/author/lindsey-plotkin

A UT journalism major who writes for their student paper and occasionally for SI.com. 

[jekelish]

This is supposedly Lindsey Plotkin:  https://www.si.com/college/texas/author/lindsey-plotkin

A UT journalism major who writes for their student paper and occasionally for SI.com. 

That would make sense, since Flo is based in Austin.

[WUPHF]

Here is the story about Washington University Women's Soccer.

I imagine the author with the byline cleaned up the AI, but otherwise, spent very little time on the story. 

If Ryan Scott writes the story, then the reader gets to hear about the battle for the GK position, the playmaking ability of Viscovich and other young players looking to make their mark, the two Iowa transfers... less about the coach... It is a very different story.

https://www.flocollege.com/articles/14405157-five-things-to-know-about-washington-st-louis-womens-soc

[y_jack_lok]

^^^ Thanks. That article is more detailed than I expected, but the absence of any quotes shows that it was clearly written without actually talking to anyone in the program -- head coach, key players named. The author, Briar Napier https://x.com/briarnapier?lang=en has Missouri roots. He likely at least had to do a little work to come up with the "five things you need to know".

[WUPHF]

I'll never know how much work he did, that is true.

But the free AI services can write a very impressive story and the paid versions are much better.  For example, this story written using the free Grok 3 with a one sentence prompt.  Add in prompts in a paid AI service and the quality gets much better.

Prompt: Please write a newspaper column about how fans are upset that Division III conferences are partnering with Flo Sports

Title: Division III Fans Cry Foul Over FloSports Partnerships

In the world of NCAA Division III athletics, where student-athletes compete for the love of the game rather than scholarships or national spotlight, a storm is brewing among fans. The recent wave of partnerships between Division III conferences and FloSports, a subscription-based streaming service, has sparked frustration and disappointment among loyal supporters. From the University Athletic Association (UAA) to the Old Dominion Athletic Conference (ODAC), conferences are signing exclusive media rights deals with FloSports, leaving fans feeling sidelined by a paywall that threatens the accessibility and spirit of D-III sports.

For those unfamiliar, FloSports has positioned itself as a leader in streaming niche sports, including wrestling, track and field, and now, an increasing number of NCAA Division II and III events. The company's FloCollege platform has secured agreements with at least nine Division III conferences, including the UAA, ODAC, Ohio Athletic Conference (OAC), and Northwest Conference (NWC), to stream over 12,000 events annually across 20 sports. These deals, often spanning five years and backed by FloSports' $50 million investment in production and rights fees, promise enhanced visibility for student-athletes and a global platform for fans. But for many, the cost of access—both literal and figurative—feels like a betrayal of Division III's community-driven ethos.

The crux of the issue lies in the shift from free or low-cost streaming options to FloSports' subscription model. Previously, many D-III schools offered games for free on their websites or through platforms like YouTube, making it easy for parents, alumni, and local fans to cheer on their teams. Now, fans must pay for a FloCollege subscription—available in monthly or annual plans, with discounts for .edu email holders—to watch regular-season and postseason events. While exact pricing details are elusive (FloSports directs inquiries to their website), the added cost has hit a nerve. For families of student-athletes, who already travel to support their kids, or for small-town fans who rely on streams to follow their local college, the paywall feels like a slap in the face.

Social media platforms like X are buzzing with discontent. Fans lament that Division III, known for its focus on academics and accessibility, is moving toward a commercialized model that prioritizes profit over passion. One user on X wrote, "D-III was supposed to be about the game, not gouging fans for a subscription to watch a volleyball match!" Another pointed out the irony: "FloSports claims to 'elevate' D-III athletics, but how is locking games behind a paywall elevating anything for the average fan?" These sentiments reflect a broader concern that the partnerships prioritize exposure to a hypothetical global audience over the loyal, local fanbase that has long sustained D-III programs.

Conference commissioners, like Sarah Otey of the UAA and Brad Bankston of the ODAC, argue that the deals enhance the student-athlete experience by providing professional-grade streaming and storytelling opportunities. FloSports' investment, they say, allows schools to upgrade their broadcast capabilities, ensuring high-quality coverage across sports. Michael Levy, FloSports' SVP of Global Rights & Acquisition, has emphasized the company's commitment to showcasing D-III's unique blend of academic and athletic excellence. But fans counter that these benefits come at too steep a cost. The promise of "original content" and "global reach" feels hollow when grandparents in Ohio can't afford to watch their grandchild's soccer game from their living room.

There's also a practical concern: FloSports' track record. Some fans report inconsistent stream quality, limited customer support, and a clunky user interface, raising doubts about whether the platform can deliver on its promises. Others worry about the exclusivity of the deals, which lock out alternative streaming options and leave fans with no choice but to subscribe. For rural Division III schools, where internet access can already be a barrier, adding a paid subscription to the mix feels like a double blow.

The partnerships aren't without merit. FloSports' investment could indeed elevate the profile of Division III athletics, attracting new audiences and providing student-athletes with a polished platform to showcase their talents. But the execution has left fans feeling like an afterthought. If Division III is to maintain its reputation as the heart of amateur athletics, conferences must address these concerns—perhaps by negotiating free access for certain games or offering tiered pricing for local fans. Otherwise, the very community that makes D-III special risks being priced out of the game they love.

As the fall season approaches, the tension between progress and tradition hangs heavy. Division III fans aren't just upset about a paywall; they're mourning a shift in values. For a division built on accessibility and community, the move to FloSports feels like a step toward a future where only those who can pay get to play spectator.

[Ron Boerger]

And here's ChatGPT5's take:

Column: Why Division III Fans Are Frustrated With FloSports

When you think of Division III sports, you think of community. You think of alumni who still make time to tune in, parents who plan their weekends around games, and local fans who want to see their neighbors' kids compete on a national stage. What you don't think of is a $30-a-month streaming paywall.

And yet, that's where many Division III conferences are headed, thanks to new partnerships with FloSports. On paper, it's a business deal meant to "elevate visibility" and "increase access" to games. In practice, it's leaving fans frustrated, alienated, and, in many cases, priced out.

The problem isn't that fans don't want to pay to watch. It's that they've always had access for free. For years, D-III schools and conferences streamed games on school websites, YouTube, or institutional networks, making it easy for parents, friends, and alumni to follow along. The broadcasts weren't always polished, but they were authentic. Most importantly, they were accessible.

Now, under the FloSports model, that same content is locked behind a subscription that costs more than most Division I conference streaming services. For families already covering tuition, travel, and equipment, that feels like another barrier in a division that prides itself on being about the love of the game rather than the money.

Even worse, fans say the FloSports product doesn't live up to its price tag. Social media is full of complaints about clunky interfaces, unreliable streams, and limited coverage of smaller sports. If the pitch was that D-III athletes deserve "professional" broadcasts, fans argue, then FloSports has yet to deliver.

The larger question is one of values. Division III athletics markets itself as "student-first," emphasizing participation, community, and access. But locking streams behind a costly service undermines that ethos. Alumni who want to stay connected are turning away. Parents who want to watch from afar are being asked to dig deeper into their pockets. Local communities that might stumble upon a livestream are simply left out.

Ultimately, this decision reflects the growing commercialization of college sports, even at the level where athletes don't receive scholarships. Fans aren't upset because they expect ESPN-style coverage for free. They're upset because D-III used to feel different—and this change makes it feel a lot more like everything else in college athletics: driven by revenue first, community second.

If conferences truly want to "grow the game," they should remember what made Division III unique in the first place. Spoiler alert: it wasn't a subscription fee.

[Ron Boerger]

And finally, Grok4:

The Paywall Penalty: Division III Fans Fume as Conferences Cozy Up to FloSports

In the world of college athletics, Division III has long been the unsung hero—a realm where student-athletes chase glory without scholarships, and games unfold in cozy gyms and fields before modest crowds of family, friends, and die-hard locals. But this fall, as the 2025 season kicks off, a growing chorus of fans is crying foul over a seismic shift: multiple DIII conferences have inked exclusive streaming deals with FloSports, locking games behind a subscription paywall. What was once freely accessible online is now a premium product, and the backlash is as fierce as a last-minute overtime thriller.The partnerships, announced over the summer, involve heavyweights like the Northwest Conference (NWC), Ohio Athletic Conference (OAC), Old Dominion Athletic Conference (ODAC), and University Athletic Association (UAA).  These five-year agreements promise to bring DIII action to FloCollege, FloSports' dedicated platform for collegiate sports. For conferences, it's billed as a win: enhanced production quality, broader promotion, and a revenue stream in an era of tight budgets. FloSports touts it as a way to elevate "underserved" sports, streaming thousands of events globally.  But for fans? It's a different story—one of frustration, nostalgia for free access, and skepticism about whether the juice is worth the squeeze.

Take the Northwest Conference, for instance. Just weeks ago, fans on Reddit erupted over the NWC's move, lamenting how games that were once streamed for free on school websites or YouTube are now gated behind FloSports' $19.99 monthly fee (or $8.99 with an annual commitment). One user summed it up bluntly: "This is unnecessary for DIII games with low viewership—it reduces exposure." Others piled on with tales of FloSports' infamous glitches: buffering nightmares, cameras missing key plays, and streams vanishing mid-game. "Flo is the worst streaming service I've ever used," another commenter vented, recalling blackouts and geofencing woes that plagued past partnerships. The thread, posted August 8, captured a sentiment echoing across DIII circles: Why pay for something that was free, especially when the quality doesn't always deliver?

This isn't FloSports' first rodeo with fan ire. Back in 2019, Major League Soccer's D.C. United ditched the streamer after less than a year, amid complaints of poor service and accessibility issues that alienated supporters.  More recently, track and field enthusiasts balked at FloTrack's steep price hikes for Diamond League coverage, while USA Gymnastics faced backlash for putting events behind a paywall linked to controversial content. In DIII, the pattern repeats. An editorial in Chapman University's Panther Newspaper questioned the Southern California Intercollegiate Athletic Conference's (SCIAC) deal, noting plummeting viewership—from thousands on free YouTube streams to mere hundreds on FloSports. Families already burdened by tuition costs now face extra fees, with technical hiccups like audio dropouts adding insult to injury. "The paywall deters fans," the piece argued, highlighting how non-paywalled games still draw big crowds.

Online forums like D3boards.com amplify the discontent. Users accuse conferences of succumbing to "FOMO"—fear of missing out—as deals spread like wildfire. "It's a short-term cash grab that damages long-term goodwill," one poster wrote, questioning if the revenue justifies alienating alumni and casual viewers. Another called it "shortsighted," warning it could spark legal headaches for cash-strapped schools. Even a TikTok video on the controversy pondered the broader impact: "What does this mean for fans and players when D3 goes paywall?"

To be fair, not all feedback is doom and gloom. Some fans already subscribed to FloSports for niche sports like wrestling see the DIII addition as a bonus—no extra cost for more content. Conferences defend the moves, emphasizing improved graphics, multi-angle views, and social media buzz to attract recruits and boost visibility. Washington University's athletics department, part of the UAA deal, noted that while home games go paid, many away matchups remain free via opponents' streams.  And in an age where even pro leagues chase streaming dollars, DIII admins argue it's about sustainability.

Yet the uproar underscores a deeper tension in college sports: accessibility versus monetization. Division III prides itself on community and amateurism, but these deals risk pricing out the very people who make it special—parents cheering from afar, alumni reliving glory days, and locals discovering hidden gems. As one Reddit user quipped, "Flo is scamming leagues by banking on parents paying to watch their kids." With the fall slate underway, will viewership rebound, or will fans tune out? If history is any guide, conferences might soon rethink going with the Flo—or face a full-court press from their own supporters.

[WUPHF]

Grok 4 picked up the d3boards, no way!

[y_jack_lok]

Wow. That's all quite impressive. I didn't pick up on any mistakes and there wasn't too much redundancy in any of the three. Easy to see why teachers might struggle to detect the use of AI by their students.

My son teaches freshman composition at Arizona State University while getting an MFA in Creative Writing. He has told his students this semester that they cannot use any devices in class and must take notes by hand and is prohibiting the use of AI in completing assignments, which I think he discouraged the past two years but gave some leeway for if any AI generated content was attributed. His rationale is that writing is thinking, thus AI undermines the benefits of doing the work yourself. I wish him luck.

I, personally, have no idea how to even use any of the AI resources available - unless Googling counts. And, being so old, I can't think of any reason why I would want to.

[y_jack_lok]

Came across this Axios article on sports streaming. No mention of FloSports. I guess they and we (D3) aren't sufficiently big time to get noticed. https://www.axios.com/2025/08/24/sports-streaming-espn-fox-one?utm_campaign=editorial&utm_medium=organic_social&utm_source=x

[Ron Boerger]

Came across this Axios article on sports streaming. No mention of FloSports. I guess they and we (D3) aren't sufficiently big time to get noticed. https://www.axios.com/2025/08/24/sports-streaming-espn-fox-one?utm_campaign=editorial&utm_medium=organic_social&utm_source=x

If you hover over the third circle from the top in the leftmost column of the "streaming services, by launch year" graphic you will see "FloSports launched in 2016".  But it's a tiny minnow, in terms of subscribers and revenues, compared to the larger players. 

[y_jack_lok]

^^^ Interesting. Thanks for pointing that out. There's even one of those circles for Roller Derby.