by Chris Burgos and Austin Hinton,Sports Production Experts at Vizrt
Let’s be real. High school and college sports production is a tough gig. You’re running on limited gear, shifting student crews, and maybe a coach who moonlights as your technical director. And yet, you’re still getting the game on air. That’s already a win. We know, because we’ve been there.
But if you’re here, it’s probably because you’re ready to take it up a notch. You want your streams to look cleaner and sharper, just like the pros. Something fans and sponsors will remember.
Why Better Graphics Matter More Than Ever
We just wrapped up a webinar packed with real-world tips to level up your school sports productions. What we heard from the attendees was that over half of college sports teams said their viewers expect a big-league ESPN-style look for their graphics.
But more importantly, thanks to the NCAA’s House settlement, schools must now pay their athletes directly, not just enable deals, but actually cut checks. This changes everything.
If your athletic department is going to be responsible for athlete compensation, then you’re also going to need real, recurring revenue streams, and your live stream is one of the most visible, sponsor-ready platforms you have.
So, here’s our post-webinar playbook. Use it as a checklist, doodle on it, pass it around, and add on to it. We hope it sparks creativity.
With NIL and revenue sharing now in play, branding isn’t just a nice-to-have — it’s essential. When athletes are getting paid, every nameplate, stat line, and sponsor shoutout on your stream is part of the value you deliver. Presentation matters, to players, to sponsors, and to your program’s reputation.
Austin Hinton,Sports Production Expert at Vizrt
1
Don’t Start Cold – Warm Up the Stream
Why it matters: Jumping straight into gameplay leaves your audience playing catch-up. A pre-game segment sets the scene.
What to include:
Introduce the team – lineups, logos, key players
Player match-ups
Countdown clock builds anticipation
Voiceover or on-camera intro
How to do it: Platforms like Viz Flowics let you pre-load graphics and update details easily. It’s template-based, so rope in your students and get creating, no coding or design skills needed to get started.
2
Go beyond the score. Add live stats.
Why it matters: Fans love context. Stats tell the story behind the scoreboard.
What to include:
Key player stats (saves, assists, fouls, whatever matters for your sport)
Momentum graphics or live stat lines
How to do it: Connect a Google Sheet spreadsheet tracking stats to your graphics system. With Viz Flowics, stat changes update live from Google Sheets or from more than 80 native data connectors — no extra crew needed.
3
Brand Your Stream Like a Real Program
Why it matters: Consistent branding builds recognition. It tells your audience this isn’t just a feed — it’s a legit show. Fans, recruiters and sponsors notice.
What to include:
School colors and logo
Uniform lower-thirds — keep it consistent and on brand
Sponsor and partner graphics
How to do it: Build one clean graphics package and reuse it. Vizrt graphics tools like Viz Flowics, Viz Trio, and Viz Pilot Edge let you create once and output everywhere.
4
Don’t Skip the Replays
Why it matters: Big plays deserve a second look, maybe even a third. Even basic replays give your production more polish.
What to include:
Optional replay graphics
Add a basic replay wipe or graphic for some pizzazz
How to do it: TriCaster’s replay component can play out replays with minimal clicks. Alternatively, play back the action with some slo-mo using replay tools like Viz 3Play and a branded wipe, and you’ve got instant pro vibes.
5
Give Your Audience a Way to Engage
Why it matters: Sports is more fun when fans can interact and be a part of the show —especially students and families watching from home or in the stands.
What to include:
Polls (such as “Who’s your MVP?”)
Social media shoutouts
QR codes to drive merch sales and fundraising
How to do it: Viz Flowics handles polls,second screen audience engagementand social pulls in-browser. Get students to curate the feed.
6
Sponsors Want In – Make Room for Them
Why it matters: As NIL (Name, Image, Likeness) deals and athlete payments become real at the college level, your stream becomes a business tool.
What to include:
Rotating full-screen logo carousels
Sponsor logos and animated branding elements integrated into player lineups, scoreboards, and replay screens
Dynamic replay branding
Sponsored second screen engagement mechanics
QR codes for exclusive sponsor offers
How to do it: Graphic solutions like Viz Flowics are built to handle this level of branding flexibility. Use dynamic templates in Viz Flowics to rotate sponsors in and out, tied to game moments or stats milestones.
Graphics aren’t just about looking good. They’re how you show value to sponsors, athletes, and fans
Austin Hinton,Sports Production Expert at Vizrt
Missed our webinar? Catch up here.
You don’t need a broadcast truck or expensive gear to produce a fan-first broadcast. You just need a smart setup and tools that work with the team you have. Whether it’s student-run, remote, or stitched together with duct tape, these upgrades are within reach.
