Michigan Pickleball League: Inviting Fans to Be Part of the Action
How a new league turned online viewers into an active part of every broadcast.
Fan Participation
Broadcast Integration
Fan Voices
The client
About Michigan Pickleball League
Launched in March 2025, the Michigan Pickleball League (MPL) is a coed team-based league dedicated to growing the sport through exciting competition for players, fans, and the community. Based in Metro Detroit, MPL streams matches across multiple fields and venues — building a fanbase from the ground up.
The challenge
Creating Connection Beyond the Court
As a new league, MPL needed to do more than broadcast games — they needed to build a community. With fans watching from home across multiple streams, the challenge was making those viewers feel genuinely connected to the action on the court.
Traditional engagement methods — polls, comments, social media — kept fans at arm's length. MPL wanted fans to have a real voice, and to feel it.
The solution
Turning Spectators into Participants
MPL integrated Jotto into their live broadcasts, giving fans a frictionless way to share video, voice, and text responses in real time — directly woven into the viewing experience.
Live Fan Participation
During breaks in play, commentators invite fans to respond to custom prompts — sharing where they're watching from, their takes on the game, and what they want to see next.
Real-time Broadcast Integration
Fan responses are curated and displayed on-screen as they come in — making viewers a visible, living part of the broadcast itself.
Authentic Fan Voices
No scripted polls or multiple choice. Fans respond in their own words, on their own terms — creating candid, genuine content that brings the community to life.
Jotto approached the Michigan Pickleball League with a groundbreaking idea: to capture fan engagement and roll it into broadcast… in real time. Jotto adds another dimension to the spectator experience in live sports. On behalf of sports fans, I'm very happy to be part of this new application of technology, and I look forward to what's ahead for Jotto and live sports.
Executive Producer, Livestream Pickleball
The results
Building Community Through Engagement
MPL didn't just stream games — they created a broadcast where fans were part of the story. Viewers became participants, and participants became the foundation of an engaged, growing community.
Enhanced Fan Experience
Fans watching from home could share their voice in real time — creating a sense of presence and belonging that traditional broadcasts can't replicate.
Authentic Fan Content
Every broadcast generated a library of real, unscripted fan responses — giving MPL rich content and community insight for future seasons.
Real-time Broadcast Integration
Fan responses surface live during broadcasts — giving commentators dynamic material and giving viewers a reason to stay engaged through every break.
Community Growth
Jotto helped MPL build direct connection with their fanbase from day one — creating an ongoing relationship that extends well beyond any single match.
Build real connection
Hear what your fans actually want to say
Get in touch to see how Jotto can work for you