Sports Tech Roundup (24th November)
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Bolt6's Electronic Line-Calling System Triumphs in Tennis Testing
Last week, Bolt6's cutting-edge live electronic line-calling system, known as Sentinel, underwent rigorous testing for hard courts. The evaluation was conducted by a committee consisting of representatives from the International Tennis Federation (ITF), Association of Tennis Professionals (ATP), Women's Tennis Association (WTA), and Grand Slam tournaments. Following the comprehensive assessment, the committee not only gave its nod of approval but also recommended further stadium-specific testing before widespread implementation at events.
In a significant development, the ATP had previously announced in April its intention to embrace live Electronic Line Calling (ELC) for automatic out-call determinations across all events and surfaces starting in 2025. Despite the adoption of ELC Live, chair umpires will continue to officiate matches. The ATP foresees the approval of multiple suppliers by the targeted year, with Bolt6 now joining the ranks.
Tiger Woods and Rory McIlroy's TGL Simulator Golf League Postponed Until 2025
The highly anticipated TGL (Tech Golf League), set to debut in January with ESPN as its broadcasting platform, has been postponed by a year and is now scheduled to kick off in 2025.The setback stems from a recent incident at the league's upcoming arena on the Palm Beach State College campus in Palm Beach Gardens, Fla. Last week, the under-construction facility suffered substantial damage due to a power outage, leading to the compromise of the dome structure. Fortunately, no injuries were reported in connection with the incident.
Founded by golf legends Tiger Woods and Rory McIlroy, TGL released an official statement on Monday, providing insights into the decision-making process. The statement cited a failure in the temporary power and backup systems during construction, resulting in the deflation and damage of the air-supported dome section. Despite the setback, the league expressed confidence in the future, highlighting ongoing excitement and plans to enhance the league's delivery during the extended timeline.
Disney Makes Sports Gambling Move with Launch of ESPN Bet
In a strategic move into the realm of sports gambling, Penn Entertainment has officially rolled out ESPN Bet after acquiring naming rights from The Walt Disney Company for a substantial $1.5 billion in August. The agreement outlines that Penn will oversee the sports gambling operations, collaborating with ESPN to promote the service across its various platforms. Initially, ESPN Bet will be accessible in 17 U.S. states.
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ESPN Bet marks Penn's rebranding of the existing sports-betting app, Barstool Sportsbook, which was subsequently sold back to its founder, Dave Portnoy. Securing the rights to the ESPN brand for a decade, with the option of extending for an additional 10 years, Penn Entertainment's agreement with Disney also includes a provision for Disney to acquire $500 million worth of shares in Penn if it decides to do so.
Sydney's Welcomes $100 Million State-of-the-Art Sports Hub
Rooty Hill in Sydney's western suburbs now proudly hosts the Blacktown Exercise Sports and Technology Hub (BEST), a striking $100-million facility designed to become a focal point for sports enthusiasts and athletes alike.
Architected by ARM Architecture and featuring landscape design by Architectus, BEST is more than just a sports hub; it's a vibrant and dramatic addition to the community. The project, brought to life during the construction phase by CO.OP Studio and Buildcorp in collaboration with Blacktown City Council, represents a significant investment in the region's sporting infrastructure.
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