Thursday, Jul. 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
- David Beckham has launched his own media company, Studio 99, according to Variety. The soccer star’s new content studio will produce documentaries, branded content, and TV shows covering sports, travel, and fashion. Studio 99 has already formed a partnership with LeBron James’s production firm, Uninterrupted, to co-produce a documentary series that follows Inter Miami CF, the MLS expansion club partially owned by Beckham. Studio 99’s creative agency arm will now manage all content creation for Beckham’s social media accounts, which include 57 million followers on Instagram and 52 million on Facebook.
- Baseball fans can now participate in one-on-one live video chats with Hall of Famers thanks to a new partnership between software firm VIDSIG and the Baseball Hall of Fame. VIDSIG’s proprietary platform will allow Hall of Famers to host virtual “meet and greets” from the comfort of their homes, or wherever they can access an internet connection. VIDSIG was founded by Jeff Dudum, the godson of former San Francisco Giants first baseman and Hall of Famer Willie McCovey. “To see these amazing ballplayers continuing to connect with their fans on our platform and witness the outpouring of emotion that these once-in-a-lifetime interactions create is incredibly humbling,” Dudum said in a press release.
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- Our Jen Booton has been encamped in Vegas this week reporting on a number of stories. She has the latest on the creative innovations and tech advancements that the NBA and ESPN are experimenting with to improve fan experience.
- Our Joe Lemire was in Pennsylvania for a historic night on Wednesday: the debut of the robot umpire, which called balls and strikes in the independent Atlantic League’ All-Star Game. The program is back by MLB technology and could forever alter the way baseball is played.
- Liverpool FC has announced a new multi-year partnership with 1XBET, an international online sports betting company. As the official global betting partner of LFC, 1XBET will receive branding opportunities at Liverpool’s stadium and on the team’s digital platforms.The company’s online betting products are available in Europe, Asia, Africa, and Latin America, but have yet to expand into U.S betting markets. Liverpool FC shares the same ownership group—Fenway Sports Group—as the Boston Red Sox, which signed a sponsorship deal with MGM Resorts International in March to become the first MLB club to partner with a gambling company.
- Rory Mcllroy’s digital golf membership program, GolfPass, will stream exclusive live coverage of this week’s Scottish Open for subscribers in the U.S. Since Mcllroy and NBC Sports launched GolfPass in February, it has offered exclusive content such as instructional videos and a podcast hosted by Mcllroy. The Scottish Open will mark the first time that GolfPass will offer live, exclusive coverage. Beginning on Thursday, it will stream the entirety of McIIroy’s rounds.
- Investment app Rally Rd will soon allow users to buy shares of a legendary Honus Wagner baseball card, according to the New York Post. The card was originally printed by the American Tobacco Company, circa 1910, and only 50 or so original cards are estimated to remain in existence. One owner has decided to place his card on the market. Starting in August, Rally Rd. will sell a minority stake in the Wagner card for about $500,000. Rally Rd launched two years ago by selling shares in rare collectible cars, but it’s now expanding into sports memorabilia. Honus Wagner baseball cards have sold for as much as $3.12 million, making it the world’s most valuable baseball card.
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