A Lot Can Happen in a Year - Sports Tech Highlights from 2023

As we approach the conclusion of another thrilling year in sports, we invite you to join us as we review the remarkable events and achievements that defined the past 12 months.??

While athletes are known for swiftly shifting focus to the next challenge, we have the privilege of delving into the impactful moments that made headlines in 2023. From celebrating the success of our alumni to exploring the significant stories that shaped the landscape of sports technology, our annual round-up is a testament to the enduring excitement and innovation within the realm of sports.?

Join us as we revisit some of the highlights that captivated us this past year.

Google Shines Light on Top Sports Searches?

Your fingers did the searching, and according to 谷歌 , these were a few of the most queried sports terms in 2023:?

• Damar Hamlin was Google’s top trending sports person on search this past year. By now, you know his inspiring story. He’s the odds-favorite to win National Football League (NFL) Comeback Player of the Year and has suited up alongside his teammates during the Buffalo Bills current season.?
• Travis Kelce, the All-Pro tight end for the Kansas City Chiefs , commercial actor, and podcast host, rapidly rose in search results when he started dating Taylor Swift. Coming off an exceptionally popular stadium tour, Swift and Taylor made their way into plenty of live sports broadcasts with appearances at numerous Chiefs games this season.

50 Years of Equality for the US Open

This summer at Flushing Meadows, the younger generation took center stage just as tennis legends commemorated a significant milestone. On the 50th anniversary of the US Open introducing equal prize money, 19-year-old Coco Gauff emerged as a dominant force, clinching a $3 million prize after navigating through a competitive field. In expressing her gratitude, she acknowledged the pioneering efforts of Billie Jean King, stating, "Thank you, Billie, for fighting for this."

In 1972, King secured the women's title at the U.S. Open, earning $10,000, notably less than the $25,000 awarded to the men's champion. King's stand against this disparity led to her refusal to participate in subsequent years. In response, the U.S. Open initiated equal prize money for both men and women in 1973. This groundbreaking decision transformed the tournament and set a precedent for equality across all four major tennis championships.?

The Staying Power of Prime?

Some stories have a lasting impact, lingering in our minds long after they unfold. In 2023, Deion Sanders emerged as a narrative that resonated consistently throughout the entire calendar year. Looking ahead to 2024, Sanders seems poised to leave an immediate mark at Folsom Field, leveraging NIL, the Transfer Portal and expanded playoffs to reshape the college football landscape.?

Last week, our sports tech reporter, Taylor Pipes , and head of research, Tripp Baltz , delved into the profound influence that Sanders will likely have on college football and the sports tech arena. Tune into their conversation here.?

2023: A Huge Year for Women & Sports?

Women's sports are experiencing unprecedented interest and excitement, with the WNBA enjoying its most-watched season in 20 years and record crowds turning out for women's soccer, the World Cup, and college women's hoops and volleyball.?

Notable milestones in 2023 include:?

• The University of Nebraska-Lincoln volleyball team set a world record with 92,003 attendees at its match against Omaha.
• Iowa played the first women’s basketball outdoors in a football stadium – an NCAA single-game attendance record.???
• ESPN had the best WNBA (Women's National Basketball Association) regular season in years.?
• Iowa guard Caitlin Clark became the first college athlete on State Farm 's roster.?
• Emma Hayes became the world's highest-paid female coach, securing a $1.6 million per year contract as the head of the U.S. women's national soccer team.

ALUMNI SPOTLIGHT

Everything that we do here is with our startups and founders in mind. 2024 was one of one for the record books as many of them earned headlines for their incredible work. It is impossible to include them all, but here are a few from this year:

TipTap launched a touchless, employee-led fundraising pilot with Comcast and Project Up.?

FanSaves ’ software connected NASCAR fans to deals at restaurants and tours in Chicago for the Chicago Street Race,?driving traffic to businesses and boosting merchants affected by road closures along the race route.

Eon Media 's proprietary algorithm was featured in Bloomberg, illustrating how they help sports organizations embrace data decision-making.?

Ticketing startup Dibz?journeyed around the world, from Dubai to the L.A. Coliseum.?

Bryant Mckinnie , COO of LetzChat was inducted into the Chick-fil-A College Football Hall of Fame .?

Tickets for Good USA expanded to the United States and added Robbie Williams as an investor.?

nVenue capped off an astounding year of success. They launched micro-betting markets with an NBA investment, signed a multi-year partnership with NASCAR, and appeared on multiple “best tech to invest” lists. Most recently, CEO and Co-Founder Kelly Pracht is a 2024 Tech Executive of the Year nominee from Sports Business Journal.

What was your favorite alumni story from 2024? Share yours with us on Twitter or LinkedIn. Make sure to keep up with all things SportsTech on our social channels.

Aaron Rodgers Takes Fan Engagement to New Heights? ? ?

It’s not often that the starting QB of an NFL team calls season ticket holders. But, that’s exactly what happened earlier this year when a local New York Jets fan picked up their phone.?

It was a clever marketing ploy by the New York Jets, but it also underscores how a sports franchise can leverage its athletes to get closer to fans – something we’ll be talking about a lot in 2024.?

As we bid farewell to 2023, we want to express our heartfelt gratitude for joining us on this exciting entrepreneurial adventure! It's been an absolute joy sharing the incredible stories of these sports tech startups with you. Get ready for more thrilling insights in the coming year—we can hardly wait!?

Wishing you the happiest of holidays and cheers to 2024!?

– SportsTech Team?