California power Mater Dei signs massive multimedia rights deal with Playfly Sports
Mater Dei High School (Santa Ana, Calif.) is an athletic powerhouse, especially in football, where the program won a record sixth USA TODAY Sports Super 25 national title. Now, the school has signed a massive deal that will create a seismic change on the prep scene.
The Monarchs signed a ten-year, seven-figure multimedia rights deal with Pennsylvania-based media and marketing company Playfly Sports. This isn't an NIL deal. Instead, it is a multimedia rights partnership.
“Playfly’s explosive growth is driven by their unique expertise in monetization and fan engagement. We welcomed the opportunity to team up in further elevating the Mater Dei brand,” Khaled Holmes, Mater Dei Director of Development – Athletics, said in a statement announcing the partnership. “Having had the chance to continue my athletic career at USC and in the NFL, I understand how innovative initiatives enhance the student-athlete experience. This alliance not only supports our student-athletes in new and exciting ways but also reinforces our commitment to leading the way in high school athletics.”
Playfly Sports is a marketing and media company that markets itself as a “revenue maximizer.” This deal will allow Playfly to sell Mater Dei’s media rights to potential partners, including television and streaming.
🚨𝗕𝗿𝗲𝗮𝗸𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗡𝗲𝘄 𝗚𝗿𝗼𝘂𝗻𝗱 𝗶𝗻 𝗛𝗶𝗴𝗵 𝗦𝗰𝗵𝗼𝗼𝗹 𝗦𝗽𝗼𝗿𝘁𝘀!🚨@MD_Athletics and #PlayflySports make history, marking the first high school to secure a third-party MMR partnership in US.
— Playfly Sports (@PlayflySports) March 19, 2025
The future of high school sports starts here!
📰https://t.co/FGDx1lrM9Tpic.twitter.com/4Ra1TWPiYA
The money from the deal—at least $1 million annually—will not go toward student-athletes at the prep powerhouse because that would fall under "NIL money," which is not permitted (for now) in California high schools.
Per a release announcing the deal:
Playfly will apply its proven approach that spans more than 27 collegiate athletic departments to deliver substantial revenue growth and breakthrough brand partnerships to Mater Dei. This collaboration will not only expand the Mater Dei brand regionally and nationally by amplifying the success of its teams and student-athletes but will also introduce new sponsorship opportunities that align with the school’s legacy of excellence.
Additionally, Playfly will leverage its advanced digital strategies to enhance content creation, delivering more engaging storytelling across multiple platforms. Fans can also expect an elevated experience at the Santa Ana Bowl and on Mater Dei’s campus, with enhanced activations that deepen engagement. The partnership will further support the growth of Mater Dei’s online and gameday merchandising efforts, providing new ways for supporters to connect with the school’s storied athletic tradition.
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY High School Sports Wire: Mater Dei High School signs multimedia rights deal with Playfly Sports
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