SportsTech Week 40: AI Dominance, Global Expansions, and Investment Surges
From AI-powered performance analysis to international esports leagues, this week's roundup showcases the industry's global reach and technological ambition.
Welcome back, sports tech enthusiasts! Another exhilarating week in the world of sports innovation has raced by, leaving us with a wealth of groundbreaking developments to explore. The SportsTech landscape continues to evolve at speed, with artificial intelligence taking centre stage across multiple domains.
This week, we've witnessed AI making significant strides in athlete performance analysis, content moderation, and even golf experiences. The global nature of sports innovation is on full display, with partnerships and developments spanning from Major League Soccer in North America to esports initiatives in the Emirates and technology adoptions in Southeast Asia.
Investment in the sector remains robust, with millions pouring into startups promising to revolutionise everything from performance tracking to sports booking platforms. Meanwhile, established leagues and teams are doubling down on technology partnerships to enhance fan experiences and operational efficiencies.
The convergence of sports and cutting-edge technology is creating new opportunities for athletes, fans, and stakeholders across the industry. So, lace up your digital cleats as we sprint through this week's most impactful stories:
Image source: MLS
The MLS has announced the second cohort of Innovation Lab, with 6 companies selected to enhance the league's key priority areas
Major League Soccer announced a new partnership with OneFootball, granting access to MLS highlights and content, the league will also join the Club Advisory Board
The Emirates E-Sports Federation announced a partnership with ITW Universe to launch a new E-Gaming League (EGL) in March 2025
Premier sports and recreational facility, The Club by M @ Bukit Utama, announced a partnership with VYROX International Sdn Bhd to leverage AI and IoT technologies
Foresight Sports reached an agreement with Uneekor that grants them a licence of patents for portable golf launch monitor technology
Finnish wearable company Oura Health Oy set to launch new generation of rings later this month
Image source: SVG
FloSports selects Magnifi as the Official Highlights Solution for automation of college football highlights
Former Google executive Mark Kropf joins Genius Sports as group chief technology officer
Bitmovin, a provider of video streaming solutions, announced that TISA selected Bitmovin’s Live Encoder to power live streaming sports experiences
NFL team the Los Angeles Rams announced a multi-year partnership with SprintAI, an AI-powered human performance platform, to analyse and enhance player performances
SIS (Sports Information Services) Group announced its partnership with Rivalry, launching its H2H Global Gaming League into multiple international marketsÂ
The International Cricket Council (ICC) in collaboration with GoBubble, introduced an AI-powered tool, to protect players from toxic content during the Women’s T20 WCÂ
Manchester United teams up with SCAYLE to launch their own D2C ecommerce platform, providing an enhanced shopping experience for their fans
University of Kentucky has chosen ASB GlassFloor, the innovative sports flooring company, will create the centre stage for Big Blue Madness
Fitogether, a South Korean sportstech company, raised $7.2 million to expand its electronic performance tracking system into new markets
Indian-based sportstech startup Str8bat raised $3.5 million in a series A funding round led by Exfinity Venture Partners
Image source: Two Circles
Otro Capital, the sports private equity firm, announced its strategic investment into global sports company Two Circles
The SaaS-enabled sports booking platform, Eversports, announced a partnership with Verdane, the European specialist growth investor, to drive international expansion
Pocket Radar, Inc., the speed tracking technology company, announced the availability of Pocket Radar PLUS, created to enhance athlete training and performance
WNBA team New York Liberty selected the services of Storyteller, a content management platform, to publish vertical content
WMT Digital integrated WSC Sports’ In-App Stories product into its tech stack for social-first content experiences for its partners’ sports apps
The for-profit arm of the MLBPA, MLB Players, Inc., joined LEAD ONE, the pre-seed-focused investment fund, as an official venture partner
The Picklr announced its multi-year agreement with Wingfield, an innovator in interactive AI-powered video tracking technology for racquet sports
Image source: Golf.ai
Australian-based startup Golf.ai launches their AI-powered web app, delivering real-time news updates and enhanced experiences for all golf players
As we wrap up another thrilling week, it's clear that the industry's momentum is unstoppable. The sheer diversity of innovations we've seen – from AI-powered performance analysis platforms to blockchain-based fan engagement initiatives – underscores the vast potential for technology to transform every facet of the sports ecosystem.
What's particularly exciting is the global nature of this innovation. From Major League Soccer's partnerships to enhance content distribution, to the Emirates E-Sports Federation's ambitious plans for a new gaming league, we're seeing a truly international effort to push the boundaries of what's possible in sports tech.
As we look ahead, it's evident that AI will continue to be a driving force in sports innovation, reshaping everything from player performance to fan engagement. The challenge for industry players will be to harness these technologies in ways that enhance the core values of sports – competition, community, and the thrill of the game – while opening up new avenues for engagement and revenue.
Stay tuned for our next edition, where we'll dive deeper into the launch of the Golf.ai, uncovering the conversation I had with him and what his startup is looking to bring into the world of SportsTech. Until then, keep pushing the boundaries and reimagining the future of sports!
Don't forget to share this newsletter with your network of sports enthusiasts and tech aficionados. Your insights and feedback fuel our passion for staying at the cutting edge of this dynamic industry.