TECHNOLOGY & INNOVATION PORTAL
New sponsor works with Orange to launch Barça Mobile
FC Barcelona has agreed a sponsorship deal with New Era Visionary Group (NEVG) that will see the infrastructure integrations specialist work with telco Orange to launch a ‘Barça Mobile’ phone service for …
UFC takes AI plunge with global IBM deal
The Ultimate Fighting Championship has sold its first sponsorship package in the artificial intelligence category, a multi-year deal with technology and IT consulting firm IBM
Rams, Genius offer NFL in-game highlights first
The Los Angeles Rams has become the first NFL team to provide fans with data-driven in-game highlights through an agreement with Genius Sports that will provide additional ad inventory for Verizon.
Wimbledon targets ‘largest possible’ audience with later finals slot
The singles finals at the Wimbledon Championships will start later in the afternoon in a bid to attract an even greater global audience, particularly by maximising eyeballs in the United States
Barcelona posts €91m loss after digital write-off
LaLiga club FC Barcelona enjoyed record sponsorship revenue in 2023-24 but recorded an overall loss of €91m ($101m) due to defaulting payments from investors in its Barça Vision digital vertical.
ONE to create manga series in Sui blockchain deal
Asian mixed martial arts promotion One Championship has agreed a sponsorship and technology partnership with Sui, a Layer 1 blockchain, that will see the company’s technology integrated into the ONE Fight Arena, the official mobile game of the championship.
AFL, TGI Sport launch agency to manage LED signage
Nine months on from the Australian Football League (AFL) appointing TGI Sport to manage its in-stadia signage, both parties have established a new agency, Lumen8 Media, to take on the job.
Voices
Mike Jones | Does sport have a legal basis to collect performance data?
Mike Jones, senior associate at Harbottle & Lewis, argues there are increasing opportunities for rights-holders to commercialise performance data in clever and innovative ways. But he also warns of the significant legal challenges in collecting personal information.
Tim Mangnall | Steer clear of launching an NFT collection if fans not engaged
Tim Mangnall, chief executive of specialist NFT advisory company Capital Block, provides seven pointers for launching a digital collectible offering
TGI Sport tightens grip on virtual ad market with Supponor buy-out
TGI Sport, the tech-led sports media and marketing agency part owned by Bruin-Capital, has tightened its grip on the virtual advertising sector in a deal to acquire leading technology provider Supponor.
Extreme E’s hydrogen switch brings Saudi interests to the fore
Extreme E’s transformation into Extreme H will turn Alejandro’s Agag’s sustainable off-road odyssey into a far more commercially-focused property, centring the interests of its Saudi backers and attracting new partners such as Red Bull to the sport.
ATP gives green light to in-competition wearables
The initiative aims to usher in a new era of innovative data-led performance analytics and injury prevention in tennis, amid a long-term goal of enhancing the broadcast experience
Genius Sports brings augmented CFL broadcasts to TSN
Sports data and betting services company Genius Sports is bringing its augmented broadcast technology to the Canadian Football League, airing live streams exclusively on Bell Media's TSN+
EXCLUSIVE: IOC to test new VAR concept at Paris Olympics
The International Olympic Committee (IOC) is planning to deliver a new video assistant refereeing (VAR)-related technology concept in time for the 2028 Olympic Games in Los Angeles, SportBusiness has learned
Uefa opens up VAR screen sponsorship to Hisense
Uefa has named Hisense as the official screen sponsor for video-assisted referees (VAR) at this summer’s European Championship, marking the first time it has commercialised this inventory.
Supponor, TGI Sport to serve LatAm with remote operating hub
Virtual advertising technology firm Supponor and TGI Sport, the tech-led sports media agency part owned by Bruin-Capital, are planning to build a new remote operating centre together in South America to better serve the region.
Caf eyes sponsorship boost with introduction of virtual advertising
The Confederation of African Football is planning to introduce virtual overlay advertising at its events for the first time and has invited suppliers to submit bids for the contract, SportBusiness understands.
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Formula E returns to AI category with sustainability and fan-focused Infosys deal
Formula E has signed its second successive sponsorship deal in the artificial intelligence (AI) category in the space of two months, announcing a three-year agreement with Infosys.
NFL expands ticketing partners, adding Sports Illustrated
The National Football League's Ticket Network, the league's open ticketing system, has expanded from two to three licensed channels with the addition of Sports Illustrated Tickets
EXCLUSIVE: AIM Sport lands Euro 2024 virtual advertising contract
AIM Sport has secured the contract to deliver virtual advertising services and pitch-side LED boards for the upcoming Euro 2024 tournament in Germany, enabling Uefa to provide additional exposure to both global and national sponsors of the event.