SportsTech Week 44: Digital Revolution from AI to Web3
From smart mouth guards to shoppable TV, witness how technology is transforming every facet of sports entertainment and performance
Welcome to another edition of SportsTech Weekly, where innovation meets athletics in ways that continue to redefine the boundaries of sports. This week's roundup showcases an extraordinary convergence of technology and sports, with developments that span from grassroots initiatives to major league transformations.
We're seeing a fascinating mix of AI integration, digital collectibles, strategic acquisitions, and groundbreaking partnerships that are reshaping the sports landscape. From the NFL's venture into immersive viewing experiences to revolutionary athlete monitoring technologies, and from community-driven streaming platforms to sophisticated sleep science – the sector is scoring big across multiple fronts. Buckle up as we dive into these game-changing developments:
Image source: MLS Soccer
Major League Soccer announced their partnership with Sweet, a digital collectible platform, to launch MLS QUEST, offering fans new digital collection experiences
NBA team Golden State Warriors have announced a partnership with Coinbase to become the official crypto platform and blockchain partner
Venture studio Creative Capital Ventures launched an investment fund to support early-stage tech startups in high growth sectors
The Korea Professional Football League (K League) in collaboration with Sportradar, announced its expansion into digital media and anti piracy
ResearchandMarkets released their “Fantasy Sports-Global Strategic Business Report”, focusing on the technological advancements for enhanced fan experiences
Image source: Purdue
Purdue University announced its partnership with Sports Tech HQ which is set to launch in December, to attract industry leaders and collaborators to Indiana
Alignment Growth Management announced an investment in PMY Group, an international venue, events, and infrastructure technology solutions firm
The CW Network and Shopsense AI today announced a partnership to bring ‘shoppable TV’ to transform how fans experience ACC college football broadcasts
Disney and ESPN set to livestream an animated “alterna-cast” of the Cincinnati Bengals and Dallas Cowboys game on Disney+, ESPN+ and NFL+ on December 9th
Immersive shared reality company Cosm announced its partnership with the NFL to produce and distribute NFL games at its venues
Sportradar announced the launch of their new program, Futures Hub, aimed at scaling early-stage startups through venture clienting
UFC, along with KICK, the community-driven online streaming platform, announced their new global marketing partnership, with KICK named as an official partner of the UFC
TKO Group Holdings announced its acquisition of IMG, Professional Bull Riders (PBR), and On Location from Endeavor Group Holdings for $3.25 billion
Image source: Two Circles
Two Circles announced its acquisition of Spring Media Group, adding new offerings to its range of fan marketing services
Cristiano Ronaldo has invested in Bioniq, the personalised nutritional supplement company, becoming a shareholder, valuing the company at $82 million
SleepScore Labs, the sleep health company, announced the launch of Sleep.AI, the first evidence-based AI platform dedicated to sleep health
Applications for the Olympism365 Innovation Hub Tech365 Explore 2025 are now open
Image source: Orb Sport
ORB Innovations announced the launch of its Orb Sport Smart Mouthguard, a first-of-its-kind wearable device to improve athlete performance
ResearchandMarkets released their “Sports Apps - Global Strategic Business Report”, focusing on the increasing use of sports apps in fitness and wellness
Digital Sport North is set to host a networking event and panel discussion later this month in Leeds, to discuss the growing Sports Tech ecosystem in the north
As we wrap up this week's coverage, it's clear that the sports industry is experiencing a technological renaissance unlike anything we've seen before. The diverse range of developments – from the UFC's pioneering streaming partnership with KICK to Orb Innovations' smart mouthguard breakthrough – demonstrates how technology is penetrating every aspect of sports, from performance optimisation to fan engagement.
Looking ahead, the convergence of AI, blockchain, and immersive technologies promises to create even more exciting possibilities for athletes, fans, and stakeholders alike. Whether you're a sports professional, tech enthusiast, or passionate fan, these developments are shaping a future where sports are more engaging, accessible, and technologically advanced than ever before.
Until next week, stay ahead of the game and keep pushing the boundaries of what's possible in sportstech. Don't forget to share these insights with fellow sports tech enthusiasts who share our passion for innovation in athletics!