Tuesday, Mar. 19, 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.
- New YouTube Channel Brings NBA Content to Sub-Saharan Africa: Basketball fans in sub-Saharan Africa are now able to watch live NBA games via the NBA Africa YouTube channel. The initiative is part of a partnership between the NBA and YouTube. The channel will feature two games per week and will include original programming, such as documentaries featuring African NBA players. “The NBA Africa YouTube channel is yet another important milestone for the NBA in Africa and will allow more fans to access our games, live and on demand, across the continent,” said Amadou Gallo Fall, NBA VP and Managing Director for Africa.
- Google Launches Video Game Streaming Service Stadia: At the Game Developers Conference in San Francisco on Tuesday, Google unveiled a new streaming service that threatens to disrupt the video game industry. Stadia will allow players to download games instead of having to purchase physical consoles. “Technology should adapt to people, not the other way around,” said Sundar Pichai, CEO of Google, according to Bloomberg. “We are dead serious about making technology accessible for everyone.”
- Sportradar Will Help Ensure Integrity of United Soccer League Matches: An official integrity services partnership between the USL and Sportradar aims to prevent match fixing and manipulation of results. Sportradar will monitor and analyze USL matches using its fraud detection system and education USL players and officials on the risks. “We have to stay vigilant in the ways we protect our players and teams, and in the ever-changing landscape of sports betting in the United States, education for all those with access to influence the game is paramount,” said USL Senior VP Lizzie Seedhouse, in a press release.
- Rocket League Signs MLB Licensing Deal for In-Game Items: Players of the popular video game Rocket League will soon be able to buy MLB-branded cosmetic items in-game after developer Psyonix signed a deal with Major League Baseball. The MLB Fan Pack will begin being sold Mar. 25 priced at $2.99 and will include items such as player banners, flags, and baseball cap toppers for all 30 MLB teams. Rocket League is a soccer-like game played with rocket-powered cars, and boasts a community of more than 56 million players.
- New York Mets Launch Mobile Monthly Stadium Pass: The Mets are the latest team to announce a mobile monthly pass for the upcoming MLB season. Fans can purchase the Amazin’ Mets Pass for $39 per month via the MLB Ballpark app. The pass provides standing room only access to up to 78 out of 81 regular season home games this season and auto-renews every month. The Braves, A’s, Tigers, Brewers, Marlins, Giants, Cardinals, and Mariners have all launched similar subscription programs.