Monday, Mar. 18, 2019 – A roundup of some of the key sports technology stories you need to know, including SportTechie’s own content and stories from around the web.
- Major League Soccer Signs Betting Partnership with MGM: MLS has signed a four-year sports betting partnership with MGM Resorts International, according to Sports Business Journal. As the league’s first official sports betting partner, MGM will work with MLS to develop a free-to-play game that will be released later this year. MGM has been busy wrapping up sports betting deals with major U.S. sports leagues, including the NBA, the NHL, and MLB.
- NESN to Broadcast VSiN’s New Sports Betting Show: The Vegas Stats & Information Network’s new sports betting morning show Follow the Money will appear weekdays on the New England Sports Network, NESNplus, and NESN National. NESN is the television home to both the Boston Red Sox and the Boston Bruins, and is co-owned by both teams. Rhode Island is currently the only state within New England to have legalized sports betting, although Connecticut, Maine, Massachusetts, and New Hampshire all have legalization bills in process.
- Research Finds Reduced Reporting of Concussions in Female Athletes: A study by neuropsychologist Mark Herceg examining the knowledge about concussions among female hockey players has found that a failure to report injuries can lead to misdiagnosis or inappropriate treatment. “Female participation in ice hockey across the country is growing, so it will become ever more critical not only to address the risk factors but to improve education and awareness,” explained Herceg, a member of The Feinstein Institute for Medical Research.
- LPGA Upgrades Mobile App With Interactive Maps and Live Stats: The LPGA announced it has partnered with IT systems solutions company B&A to enhance the LPGA Fan Experience app. New features added include live interactive course maps and real-time player and course stats. The Fan Experience app launched in January and is available to be downloaded for free on iOS devices. “By using this app, fans will benefit from greater insight and increased engagement with the LPGA,” said Brian Carroll, the LPGA’s Senior VP of Global Media Distribution, in a press release.
- EF Education First Pro Cycling Adds NormaTec Recovery: UCI WorldTeam EF Pro Cycling already has five stage wins from this year’s early races. As the team builds up towards the three Grand Tours in the summer, it has launched a partnership with NormaTec. The company’s compressed-air massage products will be used to help riders recover quickly from each of the 20,000 miles they will cover this year. According to a NormaTec press release, its devices are now used by 97 percent of pro teams.
- Carlos Santana Smashed Phillies TV After Seeing Teammates Playing Fortnite: Philadelphia Phillies first baseman Carlos Santana smashed a clubhouse TV with a bat after noticing some of his teammates were playing Fortnite inside the team’s clubhouse during a game against the Atlanta Braves last September. A new clubhouse rule regulates video game use, according to Arash Madani. “I see a couple players—I don’t want to say names—they play video games during the game,” Santana said according to ESPN. “We come and lose too many games, and I feel like they weren’t worried about it. Weren’t respecting their teammates or coaches or the staff or the [front] office.”