Weekly SportsTech Recap | February 11th
?? EA SPORTS acquires TRACAB to elevate realism in sports gaming
EA SPORTS has announced its acquisition of TRACAB Technologies, a leader in optical tracking and sports analytics. This move will enhance EA’s ability to integrate real-time data into its games, making virtual sports experiences more lifelike than ever. TRACAB’s system captures 600 million data points per game, tracking player movements with incredible precision. Beyond gaming, EA plans to leverage this technology for interactive fan experiences through the EA SPORTS App. The acquisition, set to close in EA’s fiscal Q1 2026, marks a major step in merging AI-driven insights with sports entertainment.
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?? NBA unveils latest cohort for NBA Launchpad innovation program
The NBA has announced five companies selected for its 2025 Launchpad program, an initiative that supports emerging technologies in basketball and fan engagement. This year’s cohort includes Somnee, a wearable device for improved sleep; VReps, a digital platform for learning basketball strategies; SportIQ, a smart basketball sensor to aid officiating; OneCourt, a haptic tablet enhancing accessibility for visually impaired fans; and Trashie, a sustainability-driven rewards program. These startups will work closely with the NBA over six months, culminating in a Demo Day at NBA Summer League, showcasing their innovations to league executives and investors.
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?? MLB extends partnership with Sportradar, adds AI-powered fan experiences
Major League Baseball (MLB) has extended its partnership with data and analytics firm Sportradar through 2032, securing an exclusive deal for real-time data distribution and media content. As part of the agreement, MLB has acquired an equity stake in Sportradar. The partnership will introduce new in-game betting features in 2025 and leverage AI-driven player tracking to enhance fan engagement. Sportradar will also continue its role in monitoring betting activity to uphold game integrity. This long-term deal strengthens MLB’s push for more interactive and data-driven experiences for fans worldwide.
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?? Roblox users spent 500 million hours in sports experiences in 2024
Roblox’s sports-themed experiences saw massive growth in 2024, with users spending over 500 million hours engaging with sports content on the platform. This represents an estimated $300 million in earned media value, according to research by Roblox and Futures Sport & Entertainment. The number of unique daily players in sports experiences grew 28% year-over-year, with total hours played increasing 26%. Notably, 66% of users engaging in these experiences were outside the U.S., highlighting Roblox’s global reach. As leagues like the NFL, NBA, and FIFA continue investing in the platform, Roblox is emerging as a key tool for engaging younger sports fans.
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?? Former tennis star CiCi Bellis raises $40M for sports & health tech fund
Cartan Capital, the venture fund led by ex-pro tennis player CiCi Bellis, is raising a $40 million fund to invest in sports and health technology startups. After launching a $10 million pledge fund in 2023, Cartan is now shifting to a more traditional fund structure, targeting Series A investments in areas like human performance, sports analytics, fitness, and recovery. The firm, which has backed companies like ai.io, Edge Sound Research, and TMRW Sports, aims to co-invest alongside top venture firms. Bellis’ deep sports network and hands-on approach have positioned Cartan as a rising player in the sports tech VC space.
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领英推荐
?? Hudl acquires Balltime to boost AI-powered volleyball analytics
Sports video giant Hudl has acquired Balltime, an AI-driven volleyball analytics platform, to enhance its offerings for players and coaches. Balltime’s technology will introduce new performance metrics, such as ball trajectory and hit speed, while significantly reducing video analysis turnaround times. The integration will also expand support for beach volleyball and practice sessions. With Hudl already serving over 40,000 volleyball teams, this acquisition strengthens its position as the go-to platform for volleyball performance analysis. All 12 Balltime employees will join Hudl as part of the deal, bringing their expertise to the company’s global operations.
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?? ATP expands video review to all Masters 1000 tournaments in 2025
The ATP Tour will introduce video review technology across all Masters 1000 tournaments in 2025, starting with the BNP Paribas Open in Indian Wells this March. Chair umpires will now have the ability to review key decisions, including double-bounces, foul shots, touches, hindrances, and scoring errors, improving officiating accuracy. The system was first tested at the NextGen Finals in 2018 and later used at the ATP Finals in 2020. This expansion follows similar efforts at the U.S. Open, signaling a broader push for technology-driven fairness in professional tennis.
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?? Fox to launch standalone sports streaming service in 2025
Following the collapse of the Venu Sports joint venture, Fox has announced plans to launch its own direct-to-consumer (DTC) streaming service by the end of 2025. The new platform will offer live sports and content from Fox’s existing brands, including Fox, FS1, and FS2, specifically targeting cord-cutters and cord-nevers. CEO Lachlan Murdoch emphasized that the service will be affordably priced and won’t require additional spending on new sports rights. With pay-TV subscriptions declining and streaming becoming essential, this move positions Fox to maintain its sports audience without fully abandoning the cable model. More details will be revealed in the coming months.
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?? Bruins, NESN, and NHL to air animated data-driven broadcast on March 11
The Boston Bruins, NESN, and NHL are teaming up to present "Best Snow Day Ever," an animated, data-visualized broadcast of the Bruins-Panthers game on March 11. Using NHL EDGE Positional Data, Sony’s Hawk-Eye tracking, and Beyond Sports technology, the game will be recreated in an animated winter-themed world. Aimed at younger audiences, the broadcast will feature STEM-focused lessons, interactive segments with Bruins players, and a Boston-inspired storyline. Airing on NESN+ and NESN 360, this marks the Bruins’ second animated broadcast after the "Big City Greens Classic" in 2024.
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?? Football Manager 25 canceled as Sports Interactive shifts focus to 2026
Sports Interactive (SI) has officially canceled Football Manager 25 (FM25) after multiple delays, citing challenges in delivering the technical and visual advancements they had promised. The developers stated that while some areas met expectations, the overall player experience and interface fell short. Rather than launching an unfinished product and patching it later, SI has decided to focus entirely on the next edition in 2026. Fans who pre-ordered FM25 will receive full refunds, but FM24 will not receive squad updates for the 2024/25 season. This marks a major shift for the long-running football simulation series.