Hudl to Build Headquarters, Create New Jobs in West Haymarket

LINCOLN, Neb. – Mayor Chris Beutler and the local sports video software firm Hudl announced today that Hudl will expand and build a new headquarters on Canopy Street in the West Haymarket area. Hudl expects to add up to 300 new high-tech jobs over the next three years. Hudl is partnering with one of its investors, Nelnet, which plans to use the building for additional growth, including the expansion of its software development team in Lincoln.

According to the University of Nebraska’s Bureau of Business Research, the projected payroll and investment associated with this project will create an estimated $140 million of annual economic activity.

“Not long ago, the West Haymarket was considered a brownfield site, and some questioned the need to build the Pinnacle Bank Arena and redevelop this area,” Mayor Beutler said. “When our community embarked on this massive undertaking, this private development is just what we envisioned—a place where entrepreneurs and growing firms could create jobs and attract talented employees. This area has redefined Lincoln, giving us a greater identity on the national stage and a renewed sense of pride in our city.”

“Today’s announcement that Hudl will expand is not only great news for the city of Lincoln, but also for the entire state,” said Governor Pete Ricketts. “Hudl has grown from a small startup to a globally respected brand in just a few short years, while creating the good-paying jobs that the next generation of Nebraskans want and need.”

“What we’re most excited about in moving to the West Haymarket is how much it’s grown just in the last couple of years,” said David Graff, Hudl CEO. “We host job candidates from every corner of the country, and all leave Lincoln with a new appreciation for the Midwest. Likewise, university graduates who moved away several years ago are amazed by the progress made in this area. The city’s commitment to these developments has us proud to call Lincoln home and excited for the future of the West Haymarket.”

“Our associates could be located anywhere, but we are excited to be headquartered and growing in downtown Lincoln,” said Jeff Noordhoek, Nelnet CEO. “Lincoln has been good to us, and we want to do our part to make it even better. Through our investments and job growth in Lincoln, we are helping to create a vibrant downtown community in which the best and brightest want to live here and pursue a rewarding career.”

In addition to Nelnet, Hudl is working with developer WRK LLC, Chief Industries, Speedway Properties, the City of Lincoln, the Lincoln Chamber of Commerce, the Lincoln Partnership for Economic Development (LPED), and the Nebraska Department of Economic Development on the project.

Will Scott, Principal of WRK Real Estate said, “Iconic companies deserve iconic spaces! With Hudl’s choice to headquarter and grow here, we are executing on the original vision for the West Haymarket as a bold center for innovation and entertainment. Hudl is a dynamic company that represents the new reality in Lincoln, a city where the economic engine is no longer a just a combine but also a rocket ship!”

“Having Hudl and Nelnet expand in the Haymarket is a perfect example of the high-quality, high-tech jobs that continue to make a huge economic impact on our City,” said Wendy Birdsall, president of the Lincoln Chamber of Commerce and LPED. “These employers showcase the best of what Lincoln has to offer, expanding opportunities to recruit and retain young talent. We are proud that these companies call Lincoln home.”

Founded in 2006 by three University of Nebraska-Lincoln graduates—Graff, Brian Kaiser and John Wirtz—Hudl has been the fastest-growing private company in Nebraska for the last two years. More than 150 full-time “Hudlies” work out of the headquarters in Lincoln, while another 80 operate out of offices in Omaha, Boston and London and remotely in Texas, California and New York. With more than 3.5 million users from 100,000 teams across 30 sports worldwide, Hudl is changing the way coaches, athletes, parents and fans find value in practice and game film. For more information, visit hudl.com.

Nelnet (NYSE:NNI) provides innovative educational services in loan servicing, payment processing, education planning and asset management. These products and services help students and families plan, prepare and pay for their education while making the administrative and financial processes more efficient for schools and financial organizations. For more information, visit Nelnet.com.

The redevelopment plan is subject to city council approval. The partners expect to break ground for the building in late summer with a scheduled opening in the fall of 2017.