Source :- PERTH NOW NEWS
A trans-Tasman franchise surf racing league has inked a global broadcast deal ahead of a 2027 launch tipped to have Olympic ramifications.
Guardians League will see athletes from life saving, athletics, kayaking and swimming join six city-based teams via an auction to race on Australian and New Zealand beaches in November and December next year.
The concept, backed by Australia’s surf life saving, paddle, swimming and athletics bodies, plans to expand to the United States after the four-race Oceania launch in an international boost for life saving’s potential inclusion at the Brisbane 2032 Olympics.
Global streaming service DAZN announced on Friday, on the eve of Australia’s surf sport season-opening Coolangatta Gold, that the platform will broadcast the competition outside of Australia and New Zealand.
The League had been in talks with Fox Sports, now owned by DAZN, to broadcast the competition in Australia, when it was unveiled earlier this year.
Prospective athletes will nominate themselves and win a team berth at auction, while pathway racing will take place on the Friday before each race weekend and mass participation public events will also be held at each event.
Surf life saving is among a host of sports jostling for 2032 inclusion but will have a presence of sorts before then.
Coastal rowing, where competitors sprint on the beach to their boat, row a short distance, and then sprint to the finish line, will feature at LA’s 2028 Games.
