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From our Founder Angela Ruggiero
“The technology should serve a purpose to help augment the fan experience. The same could be said for partnerships.”
At Sports Innovation Lab we often say, “don’t implement tech for tech’s sake.” The technology should serve a purpose to help augment the fan experience. The same could be said for partnerships. A partnership should provide value for all the parties involved, and should ultimately benefit the fan. Fluid Fans are tech-savvy and knowledgeable fans that want to have a memorable experience whether they are at the venue or at home. Brands, leagues, and teams that seek out the right technology partners to do business with, will ultimately stay ahead of the market. You can no longer rely on simply selling the “official provider” category anymore. Instead, ask your partners to add value to the sports experience. The following stories below highlight the partnerships and deals that are helping create a more innovative, safe, and memorable experience for Fluid Fans.
Weekly Brand Breakthrough
This week Verizon Wireless expanded its reach into stadiums across America by announcing 19 new venues that employ their 5G Ultra Wideband Network. In total, Verizon now connects 43 stadiums in the US, and until fans can return, 5G will allow the teams to bring the in-venue experience home to their fans. Verizon continues to pioneer the way forward when it comes to 5G.
Weekly Live Entertainment Breakthrough
Fans have returned to stadiums across the country this fall as the rest of the population holds their breath. While the NBA, NHL, and MLS resorted to playing in an isolated bubble, both the NFL and NCAA college football have stuck to a more traditional model, including in many cases fans. A group of researchers from Massachusetts General Hospital (MGH), Harvard Medical School, Georgia Tech, and Boston Medical Center have come together to look at the link between football games with fans and the rise in COVID-19 cases in the country. They have used their COVID-19 Outbreak Detection Tool to advise public officials and team owners in their decision-making regarding in-person attendance.
Weekly Media Breakthrough
This past week DraftKings signed another media partnership, this time with Turner Sports. This comes as the latest in several similar deals between the betting company and various sports leagues and media outlets. The partnership will allow Turner Sports to integrate DraftKings content, excluding NBA content, throughout their broadcast. Providing fans with real-time betting content during a live broadcast has the potential to engage fans in a whole new way. Fluid Fans want their sports viewing experience to be as immersive as possible, and deals like this make that possible.
Weekly Athlete Breakthrough
The MLB Players Inc. partnered with Ticketsmarter this past week, allowing the ticket resale website to use active MLB players in their promotions and create VIP experiences for its clients. These companies have also decided to donate a portion of their ticket sales to Saint Judes Children’s research hospital. The two companies came together with the shared belief that the players themselves are the best way to promote ticket sales. This deal will also showcase some players who have not been utilized in the ticketing space before.
For more information on the changing trends in sports and all of our latest research visit sportsilab.com
Sports Innovation Lab Events
OUR ASK ME ANYTHING SERIES PARTNERSHIP WITH SPORTICO
We are happy to announce our Ask Me Anything Series has evolved and we are now partnered with Sportico. Together our series will unite the sports business community with conversations focused on leadership, innovation, and action--where no questions are off the table and all questions are in bounds. Our President Josh Walker and Sportico's Editor in Chief Scott Soshnick will host innovative leaders in the sports industry throughout the entire series. The first session is Thursday 10/29 at 1pm ET with NBA Legend Grant Hill. Register now! You can view all of our previous AMAs on our website and our Youtube Channel.
This week’s episode of the Fluid Fan Podcast features a conversation on Co-Watching and Immersive Media with LiveLike CEO and Co-Founder, Miheer Walavalkar. Angela Ruggiero and Miheer discuss how LiveLike is helping existing broadcasts and apps create a social and immersive experience for Fluid Fans. Hear how LiveLike’s SDK allows for a simple implementation process and a number of immersive gamification opportunities. Learn about the various partnerships and platforms LiveLike’s technology leverages to offer Fluid Fans the ability to connect with fans across the globe. Listen now
DATA-DRIVEN SPONSORSHIP IS HERE: A LIVE EVENT FEATURING COCA-COLA, GOOGLE, AND NEXT GENERATION SPONSORSHIP LEADERS
Earlier this month Sports Innovation Lab published a report on the future of sports sponsorship, and on Wednesday, October 21st at 9am ET we’ll bring the core principles of that report to life with a live discussion featuring those industry leaders paving the way. Executives from Google and Coca-Cola will sit down with Sports Innovation Lab President Josh Walker to discuss the best practices in next-gen sponsorship and the real-life applications of our research. Don't miss out on the opportunity to learn from industry leaders and sign up today!