SportsTech Roundup: AI Innovations, Data Revolutions, and Fan Engagement Frontiers

From AI-powered pit stops to virtual fan experiences, dive into this week's game-changing developments reshaping the sports industry landscape

Another exhilarating week in the world of sportstech has just wrapped up, and the innovations continue to push boundaries at breakneck speed. From AI-driven performance enhancements to groundbreaking data partnerships and immersive fan experiences, the industry is evolving faster than ever. Get ready as we sprint through this week's highlights:

Image source: StatsBomb

1. Hudl, the provider of cloud-based technology connecting video and data for the sports industry, has acquired the sports data company, StatsBomb

2. PAOK FC agree a 3-year deal with Stats Perform to leverage their AI-powered Opta Vision data tool

3. Manchester City launch new virtual experience, ‘Unseen City: Echoes of Blue’, with OKX

4. Sports Illustrated Tickets announce multi-year sponsorship with Kraft Sports + Entertainment to become the Official Fan Experience Sponsor of the New England Patriots, Gillette Stadium and the New England Revolution

5. Richard Childress Racing pit crews are leveraging AI for more efficient pit stops

6. Match Point AI’s framework for evaluating data-driven tennis strategies

7. Veritone enters into multi-year agreement with the NCAA to serve as its official global archive of record and exclusive

8. Zoomph announced the release of Zoomph Broadcast, an updated dashboard and reporting tool for analysing sports viewership and partnerships

9. Body20’s new tech bodysuit claims weight loss results 

   

   Image source: Genius Sports

10. The Premier League is set to introduce a new version of the VAR system using semi-automatic offside technology (SAOT)

11. Genius Sports to supply computer vision cameras for offside technology for the Premier League

12. Cleveland Clinic Sports Data Labs and the Cleveland Clinic entered into a partnership to build the largest sports health database

13. Sportstech startup CricHeroes successfully raised a Series B1 funding round led by Venture Catalysts

14. Crypto.com enters into a partnership with the UEFA Champions League

15. Urban air mobility developer Archer Aviation is bringing air taxi services to LA in time to host major sports events

16. International Endeavors Corp, announced that its WITech.ai division launched Winners Waygers, an AI powered sports handicapping assistant

17. Esports company Guild Esports and Sky have partnered up to launch a map within Fortnite known as Sky City

18. Wales-based iTero Gaming , a start-up pioneering AI coaching solutions for competitive gamers, acquired by gaming and esports GiantX

    

    Image source: Sports Video Group

19. SVG announced a new conference, SVG NEXT dedicated to sports and entertainment applications of AI, XR, virtual production, real-time fan engagement and more

20. ESPN announced its new long-term deal with Genius Sports that will help transform ESPN’s live data-driven storytelling

21. IBM and USTA Foundation announce new collaboration to provide new GenAI features for 2024 US Open digital platforms

22. Cincinnati Open's $260M two-year renovation include several tech upgrades

23. Pario Ventures announces collaboration with diverse portfolio of UK and US startups, including sportstech

24. FIFAe announce multi title ‘FIFAe Next Gen’ event set to take place in Liverpool from 28 August to 1 September

25. The NFL's facial recognition technology, in partnership with Wicket, sparked concerns over fan surveillance

26. LALIGA and AnyRoad announced the creation of a new fan membership club for LALIGA fans in North America, dubbed LL12: The LALIGA Club

27. Sports investing platform, Commonwealth, launches investment offering for tennis fans

28. Joybox Active is set to to make an impact on athletic performance monitoring and analytics, with the platform rolling out 1 January 2025

29. PGA Tour has integrated the Apple SharePlay feature into its Apple Vision Pro app, in time for the FedEx tournaments

    

    Image source: Stats Perform

30. The English Football League (EFL) and Stats Perform sealed a multi-year deal for exclusive international live-streaming rights for licensed sports betting operators

31. Sony launched a new service designed to energise sports fan communities by offering new ways to enjoy sports called FavoriteSpace

What a whirlwind of sportstech action this week! AI is revolutionising everything from pit stops to tennis strategies, while data partnerships are transforming how we analyse and experience sports. The fusion of technology and athletics is accelerating, promising an exciting future for players, fans, and industry professionals alike.

As we look ahead, I can't help but wonder what groundbreaking developments next week will bring. Will we see more AI integration in player performance analysis? Perhaps new applications of virtual and augmented reality in fan engagement? Or maybe unexpected tech innovations in sports betting and fantasy sports?

Stay ahead of the game by sharing this newsletter with fellow sports and tech enthusiasts. Together, we're building a community that's always one step ahead in the fast-paced world of sportstech. Until next time, keep your eye on the ball and your mind on the future!