Lee and Hudl Upend High School Sports with Free-to-Watch Partnership

DAVENPORT, IA – February 09, 2026 – In a move set to reshape the landscape of local sports media, Lee Enterprises and sports technology giant Hudl today announced a sweeping content partnership that will deliver free, high-quality high school sports coverage to millions across 72 U.S. markets. The collaboration, one of the largest of its kind, aims to dismantle the paywalls that have increasingly become a fixture of prep sports streaming, making video highlights and community-focused storytelling accessible to all.

Through this alliance, Lee Enterprises, a leading provider of local news, will leverage its extensive network of trusted media brands to distribute content captured and curated by Hudl's ubiquitous platform. Hudl's technology is already embedded in thousands of high schools nationwide, providing video and analytics tools for coaches and athletes. Now, that same content—from game-winning touchdowns to last-second three-pointers—will reach a much broader audience of parents, alumni, and local fans, free of charge.

"High school sports coverage is at the heart of our community-driven mission," said Nathan Bekke, interim chief executive officer at Lee Enterprises, in a statement accompanying the announcement. "This partnership with Hudl allows us to serve our communities even better — by expanding free access to meaningful local sports content and telling stories that reflect the pride, passion, and connection people feel for their schools and teams."

A New Playbook for Local Sports Coverage

The decision to offer content for free represents a significant strategic pivot away from the prevailing trend in high school sports broadcasting. The market, estimated at nearly $1.5 billion in 2024 and projected to grow exponentially, has been largely defined by subscription-based services. Platforms like the NFHS Network have successfully built a model where fans pay for live and on-demand access to games, a system that generates direct revenue for the platform and, in some cases, for the schools themselves.

The Lee-Hudl partnership directly challenges that paradigm. By removing the subscription barrier, the companies are betting that a larger, more engaged audience will be more valuable to advertisers and sponsors in the long run. It's a classic broadcast television model adapted for the digital age, prioritizing mass reach over per-user fees. This approach could democratize access for families who may not be able to afford multiple streaming subscriptions and for wider communities eager to follow their local teams.

This initiative taps into a growing sentiment that community sports should remain accessible. While paywalls can provide a necessary revenue stream, they also risk alienating a portion of the fan base and limiting the potential for audience growth. By making highlights and stories freely available, Lee and Hudl are positioning themselves as champions of community connection, a powerful stance in the hyper-local world of high school athletics.

Beyond the Scoreboard: Elevating Athletes and Communities

At its core, the partnership is about more than just video clips; it's about storytelling and recognition. For countless student-athletes, particularly those in sports that receive less traditional media attention, the increased visibility could be a game-changer. Expanded coverage across a wide range of boys' and girls' sports means more athletes will have their achievements celebrated, creating a digital footprint that can be shared with family, friends, and college recruiters.

"Hudl’s mission has always been to give athletes and coaches the shot they deserve while strengthening the communities around them,” noted Kelly Mosier, senior director of Hudl Fan. “This partnership allows us to highlight and elevate the incredible talent in high school sports. 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 by celebrating these moments.”

This focus on community-driven narratives is central to the collaboration. Lee Enterprises' journalists will be empowered with a rich trove of video content to supplement their reporting, enabling them to tell deeper stories about teams, rivalries, and the role sports play in shaping local identity. This synergy between Hudl's technology and Lee's journalistic expertise aims to create content that resonates on an emotional level, fostering a sense of shared pride and engagement.

A Blueprint for Sustainable Journalism?

For Lee Enterprises, this partnership is described as its largest coordinated effort in local sports content, signaling a major investment in a key pillar of community journalism. As local news organizations across the country grapple with digital transformation and shifting revenue streams, the Lee-Hudl model presents a potential blueprint for the future.

By leveraging a strategic partnership to enhance its content offering at scale, Lee can attract a dedicated audience that is highly valuable to local and regional advertisers. The model hinges on the ability to successfully monetize this free content through sponsorships and advertising integrated across Lee's digital platforms.

“This isn’t just about highlights,” said Joe Battistoni, chief revenue officer at Lee Enterprises. “It’s about honoring how high school sports shape young people and bring communities together. With Hudl, we’re amplifying those stories and inviting advertising partners to be part of the magic that happens when coaches, fans, and communities connect.”

The success of this venture could provide a powerful case study for how legacy media companies can innovate. By combining their established community trust and distribution channels with the technological prowess of a digital-native company like Hudl, they can create a product that is both compelling for consumers and sustainable as a business.

The partnership is set to roll out across Lee's 72 markets, which include St. Louis, MO; Buffalo, NY; and Omaha, NE, in time for the upcoming high school sports seasons. As it launches, communities across the country will be watching to see how this ambitious experiment in free, accessible sports coverage changes the game.