Tuesday, Jun. 4, 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
- Nielsen Report Shows Stats on Women’s Soccer Ahead of World Cup: Nielsen released new data and insights into women’s soccer ahead of the France 2019 FIFA Women’s World Cup. The reports details that 54 percent of women’s soccer fans globally are male, and that Mexico, Spain, Italy, and England all set record attendance numbers for women’s soccer in 2018 and 2019. Prize money has doubled since the last World Cup, from $15 million in 2015 to $30 million in 2019. Nielsen-owned data firm Gracenote predicts France is the 22 percent favorite to win the World Cup, and gives the U.S. the next best odds with a 14 percent chance of winning.
- NASCAR to Use Amazon Web Services Cloud Computing: Amazon announced that NASCAR will be the latest sports organization to use the Amazon Web Services cloud computing platform. NASCAR will use AWS to process, package, and store broadcast video content, including live races, for delivery to broadcast and industry partners. NASCAR.com will also be debuting a new video series, This Moment in NASCAR History, powered by AWS. NASCAR will also use AWS Media Services to support NASCAR Drive, a broadcast feature that uses in-car cameras, live audio, and live leaderboards to attempt to put fans in the center of the action.
- FloSports Announces $47 Million Series C Funding Round: Streaming service FloSports announced a $47 million Series C funding round to expand and enhance its sports coverage. The round was led by current investor Discovery and included participation from investors Causeway Media Partners, LP, Fertitta Capital, and DCM Ventures, as well as strategic investors WWE and Bertelsmann Digital Media Investments. FloSports will use the new capital to continue its push into MLS, where it maintains local broadcasting rights deals with D.C. United and F.C. Cincinnati. “I’ve told the MLS when their deal comes up I want it,” FloSports CEO Mark Floreani told SportTechie last month.
- Ontario Volleyball Association Signs Onto TeamSnap Youth Sports Platform: Youth sports management platform TeamSnap announced a new partnership with the Ontario Volleyball Association, the governing body for volleyball in Ontario. TeamSnap’s management software will be made available to the nearly 100 clubs that participate in the OVA. Teams, players, and coaches can use the platform for communication, scheduling, payment collection, website creation, and hosting. TeamSnap also recently announced partnerships with Minnesota Youth Athletic Services, Rugby NorCal, and Softball BC.