Pro Aerial League Receives Global Award, Team Pilot Wins Drone Racing League (DRL) Competition, Secures Facebook Promotional Support

The Pro Aerial League, the first team-based professional drone racing league in the United States, announced several major achievements to start 2018.

The Pro Aerial League was named the 2017 Startup of the Year by the International Drone Racing Association during its recent Challengers Cup championship event and award ceremonies in Las Vegas, Nevada. “Drone Racing is one of the fastest growing sports in the world and to be recognized by the International Drone Racing Association is an amazing honor for us given the rise in awareness and popularity of drone racing on a global basis,” stated Scott Whiteker CEO of the Pro Aerial League. Justin Haggerty, President & CEO of the International Drone Racing Association said, “as we looked at all of the amazing new organizations that were involved in the many areas of drone racing, the Pro Aerial League really stood out in 2017. Their focus on team-based competitions, partnership with Facebook, and the spectator experience really stood out as bringing some exciting new things to the global drone racing community.”

https://youtu.be/79IuoLyuikM

Port Angeles, Washington based and Pro Aerial League Team Renegades pilot Brodie Springer (aka Robogenesis) won the global 2018 SWATCH/DRL Tryout competition against some of the best pilots in the world. Brodie won the $75,000 first prize and a contract to race in the 2018 DRL season which will be televised on ESPN. Ken Allison, Commissioner of Racing for the Pro Aerial League, said that, “Brodie had to beat out some of the top pilots in the world to earn his spot in the DRL, watching him race both in our Pro Aerial League events and then in the finals of the tryouts makes us believe that he did not just make the DRL but he will do very well once their season kicks off.” According to Brodie, “The Pro Aerial League team and especially my teammates on the Renegades have really been supportive throughout this process and getting the opportunity to represent the Pacific Northwest drone community in this global competition is very exciting.”

The Pro Aerial League became the first drone racing organization in the world to have its live broadcast promoted by Facebook and the first event was viewed by over 120,000 global viewers. According to Mike Miraglio, the Pro Aerial Leagues EVP of Business Development: “People tuned into the first broadcast from all over the world, with most of the viewers being introduced to drone racing for the first time. We are excited for our next events to be live broadcast on Facebook and to introduce our “Full Contact” and spectator friendly team drone races to an even larger audience.” Pro Aerial League events will continue to be aired on Facebook, including the leagues next event on March 17.

The Pro Aerial League is returning to the Angel of the Winds Arena in Everett, Washington on March 17th. “We’re excited to welcome the Professional Aerial League to Everett for a second year,” said Mayor Cassie Franklin. “Drone racing is such an innovative and exciting sport, and so fun to watch. We’re looking forward to hosting the league and its fans once again.” Team Cyclones Captain and Lake Stevens resident Kevin Dixon is excited about the Pro Aerial League returning to Everett, “the support we have received from Snohomish County, Snohomish County Sports Commission, Snohomish County TPA and the City of Everett has been fantastic, the leadership and all of the team members have been so supportive of what we are doing.” Their support of emerging technologies shows in their commitment to bringing events like ours to the area.” This event would not have been possible without the support of the Snohomish County TPA Fund. “Drone racing is one of the emerging sports that is becoming popular for the young and old to experience flying the drones,” states Tammy Dunn, Snohomish County Sports Commission Sports Development Director, “We are excited to partner with the Pro Aerial League in bringing drone racing to Snohomish County.”

Tickets for the March 17th event are available at the Angel of the Winds Arena Box Office and there are some special ticket packages available from Groupon. Doors open at 3pm and racing starts at 4pm. The event on the 17th has been made possible with partial funding from the Snohomish County TPA.

About the Pro Aerial League:

The Pro Aerial League, based in the Seattle Washington area, is the first exclusively team focused drone racing league in the United States. Pro Aerial League events feature 4 quarters of 20-minute nonstop drone racing along with a wide variety of hands on activities including the ability for all attendees to Fly a Drone, Liftoff Flight Simulator Game, Fat Shark Ride A Long with the team pilots, or play Virtual Reality with the VIVE and Laser Tag from Virtual Sports that are all included in the price of admission. The Pro Aerial League also provides space to local drone clubs and STEM organizations at no cost, so they can showcase their programs. For more information:ProAerialLeague.com