Monday, Mar. 11, 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.
- NBC Sports Launches Rory McIlroy and Carson Daily Podcast: NBC Sports launched a new golf podcast on Friday that will be hosted by PGA Tour player Rory McIlroy and TODAY show host Carson Daly. The Rory & Carson Podcast will be part of NBC’s GolfPass, which launched in February as a streaming service aimed at golf fans. “We’re talking about golf, pop culture and sort of everything in between,” McIlroy said in a press release. For $9.99 per month, GolfPass subscribers also receive one free round of golf a month, more than 4,000 hours of instructional videos, and discounts at golf resorts and clubs.
- World Champion Boston Red Sox Signs With MGM Resorts: The Boston Red Sox announced a multi-year sponsorship deal with MGM Resorts International, becoming the first MLB franchise to sign with a gambling company. Starting this MLB season, MGM will see its logo appear behind home plate at Fenway Park as well as the Green Monster wall in left field. MGM will also offer exclusive promotional events for fans at Fenway Park and at MGM Springfield, a casino in Massachusetts. MGM is already the official gaming partner of MLB as part of a deal struck in November.
- VICIS Will Provide Helmets for Youth Football in Orange County: Helmet manufacturer VICIS has partnered with the South County Trojans youth football organization in Orange County, Calif. As part of a new three-year deal, football players aged six through 14 will wear VICIS’ Zero1 helmet. “While we started at football’s highest level, introducing the top-ranked ZERO1 to NFL and NCAA players, our founding mission has always been to protect athletes of all ages,” said Dave Marver, VICIS CEO and co-founder, in a press release.
- Caesars Reportedly Close to Naming Deal for Red Bull Arena: Caesars Entertainment is closing in on a stadium naming rights agreement with the New York Red Bulls in a deal that would be worth at least $8 million per season over 10 years, according to JohnWallStreet. The Red Bulls currently play their home games at Red Bull Arena in New Jersey. The stadium switched to mobile-only entry this MLS season. A deal with Caesars would mark the first time that a U.S. pro sports team has signed a stadium naming pact with a sports betting operator.
- Lumos Smart Helmet Wins Startup Pitch Competition at SXSW: Los Angeles-based helmet manufacturer Lumos beat out nine other tech startups to win the SXSW Release It pitch competition held this past weekend in Austin, Texas. Lumos won with its latest product called “Matrix.” This is a smart helmet made for urban city cyclists, skaters, and electric scooter riders. The helmet features integrated LED lights for visibility and the ability to activate turn signals via a wireless device such as an Apple Watch.