Expansion of ‘Access Pass’ Program Now Includes NFL Legends, Providing Official NFL Footage for YouTube Channel Usage
Brandon Marshall Kicks Off Initiative, with Cam Newton, J.T. O’Sullivan and Kurt Benkert Also Taking Part This Year
NEW YORK – Jan. 28, 2024 – The NFL and YouTube have debuted Access Pass for Legends, an extension of the innovative content creation initiative launched for YouTube creators. Through Access Pass for Legends, the NFL and YouTube will provide partnering NFL Legends with official league footage to use on their YouTube channels. Featuring candid conversations, game analysis, reactions to career highlights and personal insights from a former player’s perspective, Access Pass for Legends gives fans an intimate, first-person look at the game through the lens of some of the league’s greatest athletes, all while opening doors for a new wave of sports media.
NFL Legend and media pioneer Brandon Marshall, whose work has been at the forefront of athlete-driven media and paved the way for many others, kicks off the Access Pass for Legends initiative on his YouTube channel. In his new social content, Marshall breaks down film from some of his biggest career moments, including the time he set the NFL record for most catches in a game with 21 receptions on December 13, 2009, while playing for the Denver Broncos against the Indianapolis Colts.
“Being a pioneer in the athlete-driven media space is about more than just my own journey—it’s about opening doors for my peers and creating a new way for fans to engage with the game,” said Marshall. “Access Pass for Legends empowers NFL veterans with the tools to carve out our own space in media, helping us build entrepreneurial careers that support our transition beyond the field. The ability to access official NFL IP and partner with the league is a game-changer for Legends looking to evolve into this space and a stepping-stone to redefining the future of sports media.”
“Building off the success we’ve had with Access Pass and collaborating with some of the biggest YouTube creators, we’re thrilled to unveil the next evolution of our YouTube partnership with Access Pass for Legends, empowering NFL greats to create unique YouTube content with official NFL IP and footage,” said Ian Trombetta, NFL senior vice president of social, influencer and creator marketing. “Brandon is a true entrepreneur and media pioneer, so working with him to kick off this first-of-its-kind initiative makes perfect sense. Access Pass for Legends not only strengthens the storytelling and voices of our Legends as they continue to grow their YouTube followings and media businesses, but also it deepens the connection fans have with the football world and its players.”
With Cam Newton, J.T. O’Sullivan and Kurt Benkert also set to partake in Access Pass for Legends, the pilot initiative expands upon the NFL and YouTube’s Access Pass program, which is currently in its second year of operation. Access Pass provides partnering YouTube creators with access to the NFL footage archive to curate content for their audiences in their authentic voices. Select creators are also provided special access to some of the NFL’s biggest games and NFL major events ー including Super Bowl, Pro Bowl Games, NFL Draft, NFL Combine and more. Current Access Pass creators include Tom Grossi, Brett Kollman and Peighton Tubre. In year one of Access Pass, NFL and YouTube worked with 24 creators who generated over 200 million views from content.
“Access Pass has become the blueprint for a new era of sports media and YouTube Creators have been the driving force behind its success,” said Angela Courtin, vice president of marketing at YouTube: Connected TV & Creative Studio. “They’ve set the standard for what the program can achieve, combining the passion and creativity of the YouTube Creator community with NFL footage that redefines how people consume sports in the digital age. Now, by extending Access Pass to NFL Legends, we’re not just giving these iconic athletes a platform to share their stories – we’re providing them with the tools and resources to build their own legacies on YouTube and inspire the next generation of athletes to connect with fans in meaningful ways.”
Access Pass was created to elevate the conversation around the NFL on YouTube by providing creators with high quality NFL footage and archival content they previously hadn’t had access to. Now, with Access Pass for Legends, the NFL and YouTube will help augment player analysis and storytelling with official footage, while opening doors for a new wave of athlete media.
Follow Access Pass for Legends on YouTube, which dives deep into the stories of iconic NFL players and shows how their legacies continue to shape the game today.
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