Beyond The Game | November 2023
At SportsTech, we’re thankful for the crew that keeps this accelerator going (you know who you are, and we appreciate your work!), but we also thank the partners, the mentors, and the startups and founders who make our program so special.?
Your incredible drive and desire to change the world of sports keep us motivated to continue making this the best sports tech accelerator in the world.?
From our team to yours – thanks!?
LAS VEGAS BOULEVARD CONVERTS INTO RACETRACK?
Earlier this year, we were amazed at how NASCAR created a race out of the tangled grid of downtown Chicago streets. A street course grew from where no race had been run before – fencing, grandstands, paddock, and pit row. No blueprint existed for NASCAR – teams had to come together and build the event in record time.?
This made watching the Las Vegas Formula One Grand Prix all the more interesting. The race sprouted out of the desert landscape in less than a year, beginning with a purchase of vacant land by Formula One that became the foundation of a glimmering paddock for fans and pit crews. Here are some of the most interesting stats from the first-ever Vegas Grand Prix, slated to return next year:?
As for the Chicago Street race, NASCAR will be returning in 2024. Mark your calendars for July 6-7, 2024, and perhaps we’ll see you in the Windy City.?
NASCAR RACES THROUGH BUSY MONTH??
Speaking of NASCAR, the racing company just capped off a jam-packed slate by crowning a new champion. Despite finishing runner-up at Phoenix Raceway, Ryan Blaney hoisted his first Cup title at 29 – besting three other contenders in a 312-lap shootout.?
The 2023 NASCAR Cup Series numbers delivered a total audience of 2.47 million viewers across 20 races – a rise from 2022. Chicago's inaugural Cup Series race brought 4.79 million viewers - the most-watched NASCAR race in six years and the second-most-watched race behind the Daytona 500.?
BEHIND THE SCENES
Sports broadcasters – they’re just like us! Kirk Herbstreit and Chris Fowler were in the booth preparing to call the Florida vs. Florida State game but, like the rest of college football nation, were caught up in the insane ending to the Alabama game, which was decided by a wild make-or-break fourth-and-goal Bama touchdown from 31 yards out.
NASCAR RACES THROUGH BUSY MONTH??
Speaking of NASCAR , the racing company just capped off a jam-packed slate by crowning a new champion. Despite finishing runner-up at Phoenix Raceway, Ryan Blaney hoisted his first Cup title at 29 – besting three other contenders in a 312-lap shootout.?
The 2023 NASCAR Cup Series numbers delivered a total audience of 2.47 million viewers across 20 races – a rise from 2022. Chicago's inaugural Cup Series race brought 4.79 million viewers - the most-watched NASCAR race in six years and the second-most-watched race behind the Daytona 500.?
??? Keeping up with our Alums Spotlight ???
Here are some of the exciting things they have been working on:
LetzChat Harnesses Power of AI?
LetzChat, Inc. teamed up with Comcast Project Up and Xfinity for the incredible "STEAM" college fair event at Universal Studios! It was a fantastic opportunity for their leadership team to engage with hundreds of enthusiastic high school students, sharing insights into the dynamic world of starting a business and the fascinating realm of artificial intelligence.
Audazzio Showcases QR Tech
领英推荐
Congratulations to Comcast SportsTech alum Audazzio for receiving recognition at SPORTEL Monaco! Their innovative Live QR technology, showcased by COO Danny Abelson , secured the runner-up spot at the Pitch Perfect session.
Audazzio's Live QR integrates broadcast audio signals with mobile devices, offering endless possibilities for broadcasters, sports rights holders, sponsors, and more.
?? MAKING HEADLINES ??
The Summer of the G.O.A.T
You read plenty of headlines in our newsletter; now dive deeper with Sportico in their fascinating case study on Messi’s arrival to The Magic City.?
The Summer of Messi: How the Goat Shifted Business in MLS | November 2023
AI CHANGING THE GAME, BUT DANGER LOOMS?
Artificial intelligence is changing business and sports in ways we could never have imagined.?
However, red flags were raised recently when it came to light that Sports Illustrated had created AI articles written by authors who were themselves created by AI, according to a report in Futurism.?
It created a firestorm in sports media and raised questions about the ethics and practices of journalism – what are the standards in an industry facing relentless pressure to create content faster than ever? The united staff of the Sports Illustrated Union released a statement:?
“We, the workers of the SI Union, are horrified by a story on the site Futurism. If true, these practices violate everything we believe about journalism. We deplore being associated with something so disrespectful to our readers. We demand answers and transparency from [parent group] Arena Group management about what has been published under the SI name. We demand the company adhere to basic journalistic standards, including not publishing computer-written stories by fake people.”
?? SPORTS VIEWING ON OUR CALENDAR ??
The holidays are a time to be around family, eat tons of food, and catch lots of sports. Here is a sampling of how sports performed on the extended holiday week – and throughout November.???
Here’s what we’ll be watching in the coming weeks:?
Infographic of the Month?- Great American Sellout
You may be out of luck if you want tickets to the Daytona 500. As of now, it’s completely sold out. It’s the ninth-consecutive sellout for the race and the earliest it sold out in the modern era – 82 days before the white flag drops.?
?? Snap of the Month?- I Spy?
Can you spot the military aircraft? In perhaps a sly nod to the events that have dominated sports headlines at Michigan, a Boeing P-8 Poseidon, responsible for hunting enemy subs, flew over the Big House before their game against Ohio State. It’s doubtful Michigan can choose the plane, but maybe someone orchestrating this incredible fly-over is a U-M grad??
Well, get ready! Between now and January, there are many sports events with major implications in sports tech. We hope you enjoy the time with family and friends, and you can rest assured that we’ll be greeting you early in the New Year with a look back at some of the best and funniest moments in sports tech.?
See you then!