The most innovative companies in sports for 2025

Artificial intelligence has dominated headlines and advancements in nearly every industry globally. Sports is no exception. As data grows more dynamic and accessible, so do its applications, and the effect is vast...

10 Companies for Comcast NBCUniversal SportsTech 2025

Today, 10 enterprise-ready companies were chosen for the fifth class of Comcast NBCUniversal SportsTech. This R&D program, powered by Boomtown Innovation, identifies and cultivates emerging companies from around the world to drive their growth and shape the sports industry while creating a space for Comcast and its partners to test and pilot new solutions. The 2025 program launches this week in Atlanta with an immersive kickoff designed to foster collaboration and facilitate deep customer discovery through experiential learning and behind-the-scenes access to world-class sporting events.

Popular Asheville bathhouse Sauna House brings its communal saunas and cold plunges to Charlotte

Sauna House, the Asheville-based bathhouse known for its communal saunas and cold plunges, opened its first Charlotte location in Wesley Heights over the weekend.Why it matters: Hot and cold therapy is one of Charlotte's fastest-growing wellness trends...

Tom Brady’s Autograph merges with digital fitness company Future

Autograph, the NFT company co-founded by Tom Brady, is merging with the digital fitness company Future. As part of the merger, Brady will join the board of directors of Future and serve as co-chair of the company...

How ESPN uses StatusPro Visualizer on NFL Live

Telestration has long been the tool of choice for football analysts to explain actions on the field, but sometimes overhead annotation can’t match in studio visualization. For the past three weeks, ESPN has introduced a weekly segment during Tuesday’s airing of NFL Live in which Dan Orlovsky puts on a Meta Quest headset and enters virtual reality to recreate key plays from the previous weekend. He’s able to shift the immersive video to the points of view of any player on the field and then telestrate within that environment.

Athletes in Landmark House Case Ask for College Players’ Association

Three athletes whose lawsuits have prompted the pending $2.8 billion NCAA antitrust settlement are calling for major structural changes beyond those established through the pending settlement, including enabling college athletes to bargain collectively through an independent players' association. The three athletes -- Grant House, Sedona Prince and Nya Harrison -- issued their request in a Dec. 2 letter to U.S. District Judge Claudia Wilken, who is overseeing the settlement.

LeBron James’ SpringHill to merge with ‘The Kardashians’ producer Fulwell 73

Los Angeles Lakers star LeBron James’ entertainment business, SpringHill Co., has agreed to a merger of equals with Fulwell 73, the British television, film and music production company behind shows including “The Kardashians” and “Carpool Karaoke.” The deal was spearheaded by SpringHill co-founder Maverick Carter and Fulwell 73 co-founder Ben Winston, who have been friends for a decade after veteran TV producer Tom Werner introduced them, the two said in an interview with CNBC. Carter will be co-CEO of the combined company along with Leo Pearlman, Fulwell’s managing partner.

SLAM Magazine bounces back boldly with iconic cover T-shirts

In the upscale neighborhood of professional basketball, where the influential and zeitgeist-touched stretch their legs as the action gallops past, the SLAM cover T-shirt has been an increasing sight, visible on everyone from Teyana Taylor to Rich Paul. And, yeah, players have donned the duds.

Briarcliff Picks Up ‘Sneaks’ Voiced By Laurence Fishburne, Anthony Mackie, Martin Lawrence, Chloe Bailey, Mustard & More; Easter 2025 Theatrical Launch Set — AFM

Briarcliff Entertainment has acquired North American distribution rights to director Rob Edwards’ sneaker-themed animated movie Sneaks, voiced by Anthony Mackie, Martin Lawrence, Oscar nominee Laurence Fishburne, Chloe Bailey, and Grammy-winning producer Mustard. Pic also features Grammy winners Roddy Ricch, Ella Mai and Macy Gray, with five-time nominee Swae Lee, Quavo and NBA star Chris Paul also joining the cast. Paul plays himself, hosting a Met Gala-like event for avid sneakerheads seen in the film.

RedBird IMI Takes Majority Stake in Front Office Sports

NEW YORK, NY – Front Office Sports, the leading multi-platform media and news organization covering the business of sports, announced its investor RedBird IMI has taken a majority stake in the company. Led by CEO Jeff Zucker, RedBird IMI is a joint venture between RedBird Capital Partners and International Media Investments focused on building high-growth companies in media, entertainment, and sports. RedBird IMI made its first investment in Front Office Sports in November 2023 and has since acquired an additional stake in the company, buying out SC Holdings, FOS’ first investor.