National Equipment League Moves to Roku, Apple Platforms
The National Equipment League (NEL) is now available as apps on Roku and Apple, as the first two episodes of Season Three launch on YouTube. The first two seasons are also available on the apps. The apps can be found by searching “National Equipment League” on Roku, and also on all Apple devices by searching “National Equipment League” in the Apple App Store.
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The NEL—developed in partnership with Hyundai Construction Equipment North America—is a professional sports league built to showcase the skill and character of heavy equipment operators in the construction industry, and to showcase careers in the construction industry in an entertaining and competitive way. Originally launched in 2024, the league has now held two major tournaments and a qualifying event in the lead-up to its third season, which will culminate in a champion being crowned just before Utility Expo 2025.
Mike “Dirt Perfect” Simon is the league’s defending champion, and contractor and media personality Bryan Furnace is the 2024 champion. Both return for Season Three. Other competitors include Chris “LetsDig18” Guins, Tom “Dirt Ninja” Gardocki, Madisen McCaulley, and Mike Frey. Guins is a member of the Under 40 in Construction Equipment Class of 2013, and Gardocki the Class of 2017. Construction Equipment has been recognizing young people in the industry since 2014.
Mike Frey earned his spot by taking second place in the “Diamond Equipment Qualifier” held at Lincoln Park Speedway in June 2025—he took second place in that competition. First-place winner Dana Bontrager will compete in a future championship tournament.
“From top to bottom it’s the most competitive field we’ve had, and as the league continues to grow, we’ll bring in more competitors and events to create more opportunities for these skilled tradespeople to show off their talents and inspire future generations,” said Bill Elverman, NEL commissioner, in a statement. “The audience and the industry have responded positively, and we’re now bringing the league to a wider global audience through Roku and Apple, and hosting bigger and better events with great partners like Hyundai.”
Season Three of the National Equipment League
The first two events of Season Three are now available for viewing on YouTube: The Owner-Operator Challenge and the Ski Loader Slalom.
Each event is shot and broadcast like all major professional sports and brings the audience along on a roller coaster of wins, losses, emotions, strategies and complications that deliver legitimate drama over the course of each challenge, according to Elverman.
“I’ve said that NEL mixes the passion of mixed martial arts with the attitude of dirt track racing, and the first two seasons, and our inaugural qualifying event, paid off on that,” he stated. “All while showing the character and camaraderie that exists in the construction industry. There’s really nothing like it, and it makes for compelling competition.”
Additional promotional partners for NEL include Blue Diamond Attachments, Triple Crown Products, Thunder Creek Equipment, and Utility Expo 2025. Each competitor is also sponsored by a construction equipment dealer in the competition. Host sponsors for Season Three include Diamond Equipment (two competitors), National Equipment Dealers, Ahearn Equipment, Buck & Knobby, and Jet City Equipment.
NEL qualifying event at Utility Expo 2025
Hyundai will host the “Hyundai Utility Expo Operator Challenge” at Utility Expo 2025—the winner of that event will win $1,000 and a slot in the next NEL championship event. Qualifying will take place in Hyundai’s booth at the show (K345) on Tuesday, October 7, at 1:00 p.m., and Wednesday, October 8, at 9:00 a.m. Finals will be Wednesday at 1:00 p.m.
Interested participants can sign up to compete in person at the show and follow along with Hyundai on Facebook for additional information leading up to the show.
“The regional and event-based qualifying structure is something we’ll leverage more to bring new blood into the tournaments and to keep growing the audience,” Elverman said. “Diamond Equipment in Indiana, for instance, has been a great partner in this, and Hyundai is already planning on something special for CONEXPO-CON/AGG 2026.
“There’s an inherent competitiveness among equipment operators—they love dissecting problems, they want to know who’s better, and they love giving it their all and leaving it all out there in an effort to prove that they’re the best. We’re here to support and amplify that in the interest of growing the construction industry.”