Partnership intended to increase awareness, access to world-class soccer

Chicago, Illinois – This past Saturday, Chicago Red Stars fans had a brand-new way of watching the thrilling 3-2 win over Seattle Reign FC, as the match kicked off a collaboration with Naperville Community Television (NCTV17), which will be the team’s Official Community Television Station for the 2015 season.

Forming the partnership in midfielder Vanessa DiBernardo’s hometown of Naperville allows the Red Stars to deepen their roots in the suburbs surrounding their home field at Benedictine University in Lisle.

“For years, NCTV17 has served the Naperville community with localized news and sports coverage,” said the NWSL club’s General Manager, Alyse LaHue. “Since we are the only professional sports team in the Naperville/Lisle area, it made sense for us to partner with them. Being able to watch home-grown talent alongside our other World Cup stars is a unique opportunity for viewers.”

The excitement is shared by Liz Spencer, Executive Director of the station, who stressed the NCTV17 leadership’s passion for youth sports and sports in general.

Said Spencer, “NCTV17 has been bringing Naperville highlights of local high school girls soccer as well as live coverage of North Central College soccer for years, so we are naturally excited to partner with the Chicago Red Stars to carry the live broadcasts of their 2015 home games on our channel.”

The 2015 Red Stars campaign continues when the team takes on Portland Thorns FC on Saturday, April 25, with the live broadcast on NCTV17 scheduled to begin at 7.30 p.m. CT. In addition to live broadcasts, the station will also be offering weekly replays, starting this coming Sunday at 7 p.m. CT with the Portland match.

For residents of Naperville who are Comcast or WOW! Cable customers, watching the games is as easy as tuning in to channel 17. AT&T customers in Naperville and throughout the state of Illinois may conveniently find NCTV17 by tuning to channel 99 and selecting “Naperville Community Television” from the menu of stations provided. Anyone may also view the channel here.

The Chicago Red Stars hope to make it consecutive wins to start the season when they host high-flying Thorns FC on Saturday. Single-game and season tickets for the 2015 Red Stars campaign may be purchased by clicking here or by calling 773-698-6001.