Friday, Aug. 30, 2019 — A roundup of some of the key sports technology news you need to know, including SportTechie’s own content and stories from around the web.
- The Intercollegiate Tennis Association approved the usage of PlaySight’s PlayFair video challenge replay system for the 2019-20 season. PlaySight’s multi-angle video review will allow for line challenges in the ITA, which is the governing body for men’s and women’s collegiate tennis in the U.S. College tennis players previously had to make line calls themselves during ITA matches. “This technology relieves players of the responsibility of very challenging decisions, allowing them to focus more on playing. The review system in professional tennis has been well received and I’m sure the same will happen with PlayFair at the college and junior levels,” Tennis Channel commentator Paul Annacone said in a press release.
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- The New York Yankees, along with Amazon, the Sinclair Broadcast Group and a group of other investors, have acquired full control of the YES Network from the Walt Disney Company. The deal values the YES Network at $3.47 billion, nearly $500 million less than its valuation when 21st Century Fox acquired a majority stake in 2014. The regional sports network’s new ownership will see Yankee Global Enterprises hold a 26% equity stake, while Sinclair will own 20% and Amazon at 15%. The remaining 39% will be distributed among RedBird Capital, Blackstone, and Mubadala Capital. In addition to the Yankees, YES Network owns broadcast rights to the NBA’s Brooklyn Nets, WNBA’s New York Liberty, and New York City FC of MLS.
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- The Overwatch League’s Philadelphia Fusion and the NHL’s Philadelphia Flyers are planning a joint ticket plan that’s believed to be the first such package between a major traditional sports team and an esports team. The Fusion and Flyers are both owned by Comcast, and the dual ticket offer would allow fans to attend both Flyers and Fusion events, according to Sports Business Daily. In March, Comcast unveiled plans to build Fusion Arena, which will begin hosting Fusion home games in 2021.
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- Nike has released the Nike Adapt Huarache, a high-tech shoe that can be controlled via Siri or Apple Watch. By syncing with Nike’s FitAdapt app, consumers can voice command Siri to loosen or tighten their shoes (ex. “Hey Siri, loosen my left shoe for me.). Users can also preset their preferred fit for their shoes in the FitAdapt app and can ask Siri to tie or untie their sneakers.
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- DraftKings’ sportsbook app went live in West Virginia on Thursday, becoming just the second state (along with New Jersey) to offer it. DraftKings first unveiled plans last December to expand into West Virginia through its licensing deal with Penn National Gaming. DraftKings and FanDuel hold 79% of the online betting market in New Jersey, while online sports betting has accounted for about 77% of total sports betting revenue in the Garden State.
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