Greg Norman – photo courtesy of Greg Norman Company
Can Greg Norman help change the golf course as we know it? He’s putting investment money behind that idea.
Norman and Verizon Ventures — Verizon’s corporate VC unit — announced Friday that they had made a strategic investment in PlaySight to assist in the company’s global SmartCourt expansion into golf and other sports.
The $11 million investment round comes after Norman and Verizon announced in March that they would be “joining forces to bring innovative and disruptive technology to the golf industry.”
PlaySight’s SmartCourt technology has primarily been for connected tennis courts that give users access to multi-angle video and analytics, and it has also been used in basketball with the Golden State Warriors among the teams that have used it. PlaySight CEO Chen Shachar said in a statement that the company could have connected fields as well. Why not connected golf courses?
“PlaySight is on the forefront of technology innovations in sport and I am thrilled to be a part of something so cutting-edge in the industry,” Norman said in a statement. “Both PlaySight and Verizon Ventures share my vision to connect people across business, sport and culture, so this partnership is something I look forward dedicating my time to.”
“Sophisticated video, analytics and media solutions once reserved for professional athletes and teams are now becoming accessible to the masses,” David Famolari, Director at Verizon Ventures, said in a statement. “By leveraging a network of intelligent cameras, PlaySight’s cloud-based video and analytics platform transforms every sports field, court and gym into a smart, connected space and help athletes of all levels train smarter. We look forward to supporting PlaySight’s growth as the team continues to give facilities, coaches, recreational and youth athletes access to advanced sports technology.”
