State Champs! Network

What State Champs! Network does

State Champs! Network is a regional multi-platform media company that produces and distributes original video content covering high school athletics across Michigan, Indiana, and Ohio. Founded in 2002 and headquartered in Southfield, Michigan, the company is privately operated by Yellow Flag Productions under founder and president Lou Bitonti, with a team of approximately 28 employees including producers, photographers, editors, and storytellers. Its core products include the flagship weekly State Champs! High School Sports Show, sport-specific programs such as Hockey Time and Extra Point, dedicated women's sports coverage through SC!W, weekly rankings across multiple sports, a recruiting report serving college athletic programs, and the SC! Awards program recognizing top athletes in football, hockey, lacrosse, softball, volleyball, baseball, and bowling.

The company's technology footprint centers on live digital video streaming of 100+ events per year across 20+ varsity sports, multi-platform content distribution via YouTube, Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, X, and dedicated mobile apps, and the FanVision platform enabling fan-submitted user-generated video content. The business model is built on advertising and sponsorship revenue, with presenting sponsors backing individual award programs (Hungry Howie's for Mr. Football, Verizon Business for Baseball, Warrior Lacrosse for Lacrosse and Hockey Wall, Call Sam for Hockey, Turnin2 Softball, L2 Volleyball, MIElite, and Turbo for Bowling), supplemented by live event production services. State Champs! also operates a partnership with the Michigan High School Athletic Association (MHSAA) as an official coverage outlet for state-level high school sports events.

Over more than two decades the company has earned 8 Emmy Awards and received four additional 2026 Michigan Emmy nominations in the Children/Youth/Teen category. Recent product extensions include State Champs! Esports and State Champs! RoboZone, expanding into esports and robotics competition coverage. Distribution is regional across the tri-state Midwest footprint with no global reach claim, and the company remains privately held with no disclosed external funding or institutional investment.

Name

State Champs! Network

Legal name

Yellow Flag Productions

Website

https://statechampsnetwork.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

2002

Operating status

Operating

Short description

State Champs! Network, operated by Yellow Flag Productions, is a privately held regional media company producing Emmy Award-winning high school sports video content, live event coverage, rankings, recruiting features, and award programs across Michigan, Indiana, and Ohio.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

High School Sports Media

NAICS

Television Broadcasting Stations (51612)

SIC

Television Broadcasting Stations (4833)

akta.pro primary industry

Local Sports Broadcast Stations (Regional Local Rights, High School/College) (MPABACAK)

akta.pro secondary industry

Sports Highlights, Clip Licensing & Archive Rights (MPABAJAJ)

Keywords

• High school sports media
• Sports video production
• Live event streaming
• Athlete recruiting coverage
• Sports award programs

Headquarters

HQ city

Southfield

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Technology or R&D, Marketing or Sales

Revenue model

1. Live Event Production Services: Producing, directing and distributing over 100 live events per year for 20+ varsity sports. Content is distributed through digital platforms.
2. Sponsorship and Advertising: Partnerships with brands for Player of the Year awards and content sponsorship. Sponsors include L2 Volleyball Club, Warrior Lacrosse, Turnin2 Softball, Hungry Howie's, MIElite, Call Sam, Turbo, and Verizon Business

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels5 records

Core offering

State Champs! Network produces, directs, and distributes digital video content covering high school sports across Michigan, Indiana, and Ohio. The company operates a weekly sports show, produces over 100 live event broadcasts per year across 20+ varsity sports, runs user-generated content submissions through FanVision, and maintains awards programs recognizing top high school athletes. Content is distributed free to consumers via website, YouTube, social media platforms, and mobile apps, with revenue generated through brand sponsorships and advertising.

Product overview

State Champs! Network operates as a multi-platform media company offering a comprehensive suite of high school sports content products. The core offering is the State Champs! High School Sports Show, a weekly digital program, complemented by sports-specific programming including Hockey Time and Extra Point. The network provides dedicated women's sports coverage through SC!W, rankings across 20+ sports, recruiting analysis, and the SC! Awards program recognizing top athletes. Additional products include FanVision for user-generated video submissions and live streaming services for high school sports events. The company also produces podcasts and social media content distributed across multiple platforms including YouTube, Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, and X (Twitter).

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• SC! Awards: Annual awards program recognizing top high school athletes including Mr. Football, Player of the Year awards for various sports, and the Anvil Award for linemen.
• State Champs! Esports
• State Champs! RoboZone
• FanVision

Products and services

• State Champs! High School Sports Show Flagship weekly digital program providing comprehensive coverage of high school athletic events, athlete achievements, school programs, coaches, and students across Michigan. Distributed via YouTube and the State Champs! website.
• SC!W (State Champs! Women) Dedicated women's sports coverage featuring weekly Scout Reports highlighting top female athletes and recruits, along with podcasts and news articles throughout various sports seasons.
• Live Streaming Service Live digital video streaming of high school sports events across Michigan, with coverage of major statewide sports contests including basketball, football, hockey, and other varsity sports.
• FanVision Video submission platform allowing fans to share user-generated video content with State Champs! Sports Network through a mobile-friendly submission form.
• SC! Awards Annual awards program recognizing top high school athletes including Mr. Football, Player of the Year awards for Hockey, Softball, Lacrosse, Volleyball, Baseball, and Bowling, plus the Anvil Award for linemen. Includes public voting components.
• Highlights & Shows Curated video highlights of high school sports events in YouTube Shorts format, covering basketball, football, soccer, tennis, swimming, cheer, and hockey.

Quantifiable outcome

• Producing over 100 live events per year
• +1 more outcomes

Named customers3 records

Segments1 record

Ideal customer profiles1 record

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature3 records

Partnerships

Ten partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• L2 Volleyball ClubcoreGTM or Marketing PartnerPresenting sponsor of the 2026 Boys Volleyball Player of the Year award. Partnership provides branding opportunity around one of the network's major awards programs.
• Warrior LacrossecoreGTM or Marketing PartnerPresenting sponsor of the 2026 Boys Lacrosse Player of the Year award and Hockey Wall Award. Deep partnership for lacrosse and hockey coverage with award naming rights.
• Turnin2 SoftballcoreGTM or Marketing PartnerPresenting sponsor of the 2026 Michigan High School Softball Player of the Year award, including home run derby events and award presentation.
• Hungry Howie'scoreGTM or Marketing PartnerPresenting sponsor of Mr. Football Award and Anvil Award (lineman of the year). Long-term partnership with naming rights for two major football awards.
• Michigan Elite Volleyball (MIElite)coreGTM or Marketing PartnerPresenting sponsor of Volleyball Player of the Year awards. Partnership includes award sponsorship and promotional integration.
• Call Sam (1-800-CALL-SAM)coreGTM or Marketing PartnerPresenting sponsor of Hockey Player of the Year award and Hockey Wall Award (goaltender award). Sponsorship covers both major hockey awards.
• TurbocoreGTM or Marketing PartnerPresenting sponsor of Boys and Girls Bowling Player of the Year awards. Sponsorship includes award naming and branding.
• Verizon BusinesscoreGTM or Marketing PartnerPresenting sponsor of Baseball Player of the Year award. Partnership for premier baseball award program.
• Lawrence Technological UniversityminorGTM or Marketing PartnerEducational institution partner appearing in sponsorship placements and content features, supporting coverage of high school sports.
• Yellow Flag ProductionscoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerParent production company that owns and operates State Champs! Network. Founded in 2002, YFP produces all network content including live events, features, and award shows.

Scale indicators5 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• Hudl: Hudl is a leading digital video and analytics platform for high school and youth sports teams, used by coaches and athletes for film review, recruiting, and live streaming. Directly comparable to State Champs! in the high school sports video/media space, though Hudl operates more as B2B coaching infrastructure while State Champs! operates more as a media/audience-facing network.
• SBLive Sports (Sports Illustrated): SBLive Sports is a digital-first high school sports media network producing original coverage, rankings, and live events across multiple states, now integrated with Sports Illustrated. Directly comparable to State Champs! in regional high school sports content, audience engagement, and event production model.
• Prep Network: Prep Network is a high school sports media and events company operating regional scouting services, showcases, and content platforms across the U.S. Closely comparable to State Champs! in combining event production, athlete showcases, and content distribution for high school athletes and fans.

Broad incumbents

• MaxPreps: MaxPreps is the largest online destination for high school sports coverage, scores, rankings, and statistics in the U.S., owned by CBS Sports. Comparable to State Champs! in covering high school sports for fans and recruits, but at national scale with significantly broader sport and geographic coverage.
• On3: On3 is a national sports media company specializing in college and high school recruiting, NIL, and transfer portal coverage. Comparable to State Champs! in the high school recruiting content category, but at national scale and with a stronger college/NIL focus.
• FloSports: FloSports is a subscription-based sports streaming platform covering niche and emerging sports including high school and amateur competitions. Comparable to State Champs! in streaming high school sports content, but operates a national subscription model rather than free, ad-supported regional content.

Emerging players

• Rivals: Rivals is a leading recruiting and high school sports media brand producing rankings, content, and event coverage for college-bound athletes. Comparable to State Champs! in the recruiting/athlete-coverage niche, but focused primarily on football and nationally rather than across all varsity sports.

Regional players

• Prep Hoops: Prep Hoops operates regional basketball scouting and event services across multiple U.S. states, producing rankings and showcase events for high school basketball players. Comparable to State Champs! in delivering sport-specific high school athlete coverage, but narrower in sport (basketball) and event-focused.
• MileSplit: MileSplit is the leading U.S. media platform for high school track and field and cross-country, providing results, rankings, and event coverage. Comparable to State Champs! in providing rankings and high school sports coverage, but specialized in running sports rather than across all varsity athletics.
• Varsity Sports Network: Varsity Sports Network is a high school sports media outlet producing content, rankings, and live coverage in select U.S. markets. Comparable to State Champs! in the regional high school sports content production and distribution model, with similar operating scale and audience focus.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks1 record

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xtwitter.com/statechampsmich
• YouTubeyoutube.com/user/statechampstv
• Facebookfacebook.com/StateChampsMich
• Instagraminstagram.com/statechampsmich
• TikToktiktok.com/@statechampsmich

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles1 record

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about State Champs! Network