The Sports Technology Awards
Winners 2023
Presented in association with
Our Sponsors and Partners
Winners
Analytics
NTT DATA for Shotview at 150th Open
NTT DATA partnered with the R&A to launch ShotView at The 150th Open, providing real-time statistics, analysis and insights of every one of the 34,225 shots of the championship using digital twin technology in golf for the first time.
ShotView also provided live ball positions and simulated coverage of every shot of The 150th Open, rendered on to a 3D digital twin of the famous Old Course at St Andrews in real-time, taking data from various sources including open-source landscape data, orthorectified drone-captured image data, LIDAR mapping and point graphs.
The judges said:
“This entry is a great product and shows exciting vision. Supported by sophisticated marketing and forecasting, this technology has great potential for applications across all sports. A worthy winner”
NTT DATA
ShotView also provided live ball positions and simulated coverage of every shot of The 150th Open, rendered on to a 3D digital twin of the famous Old Course at St Andrews in real-time, taking data from various sources including open-source landscape data, orthorectified drone-captured image data, LIDAR mapping and point graphs.
The judges said:
“This entry is a great product and shows exciting vision. Supported by sophisticated marketing and forecasting, this technology has great potential for applications across all sports. A worthy winner”
NTT DATA
App
NBA For The NBA App
The all new NBA app was released on September 27, 2022 for all consumers. The newly redesigned app brings together all aspects of the NBA fan experience with enhanced features including personalization and flexible, modular storytelling including vertical video.
The App has brought all aspects of NBA media into one single destination. From the articles and videos provided in a free, ad-supported experience, to NBA League Pass, to the episodic series from NBA Entertainment and content from the NBA’s partners, including Turner Sports, FanDuel, DraftKings, Bleacher Report, and more.
The app now simplifies discovery of the wide range of NBA coverage in one, singular experience.
The judges said:
“We expect great things from The NBA and this app does not disappoint. This apps combines fantastic execution and impressive results shows that they are delivering a user experience that fans really want.”
NBA
The App has brought all aspects of NBA media into one single destination. From the articles and videos provided in a free, ad-supported experience, to NBA League Pass, to the episodic series from NBA Entertainment and content from the NBA’s partners, including Turner Sports, FanDuel, DraftKings, Bleacher Report, and more.
The app now simplifies discovery of the wide range of NBA coverage in one, singular experience.
The judges said:
“We expect great things from The NBA and this app does not disappoint. This apps combines fantastic execution and impressive results shows that they are delivering a user experience that fans really want.”
NBA
Athlete Coaching and Performance
ZONE7 for AI Elite Athlete Performance
Zone7 is a proprietary AI solution that works with sports organizations to extract valuable insights from performance data, forecast injury risk, and help athletes attain peak performance.
The platform harmonises disparate datasets, analyses them to uncover significant patterns, cross-references with Zone7’s reference data lake, and makes proactive intervention recommendations to help coaches, practitioners, and other decision-makers.
Zone7 is device agnostic and interprets whatever strength, conditioning, and medical that data sports organizations have available.
The judges said:
“This was a very clear entry which showed exactly how it differs from its competitors and presented highly credible support data. Reducing time lost to injury is always hugely valuable and it is exciting to see true first use of AI in this space.”
Zone7
The platform harmonises disparate datasets, analyses them to uncover significant patterns, cross-references with Zone7’s reference data lake, and makes proactive intervention recommendations to help coaches, practitioners, and other decision-makers.
Zone7 is device agnostic and interprets whatever strength, conditioning, and medical that data sports organizations have available.
The judges said:
“This was a very clear entry which showed exactly how it differs from its competitors and presented highly credible support data. Reducing time lost to injury is always hugely valuable and it is exciting to see true first use of AI in this space.”
Zone7
Betting
Sportradar For ORAKO
ORAKO is a product developed by Sportradar Managed Betting Services, which is an all-in-one sportsbook solution designed to ease the operational burden felt by operators, allowing them to focus on scaling their business.
ORAKO includes all Sportradar’s content, platform capabilities, data services, and odd services, including coverage of 890,000 events annually across 92 sports.
Operators can tailor the ORAKO solution to meet the needs of their customers, providing an offering that engages and improves the customer experience. The product is flexible, with operators being in control of how they want to build their sportsbook, and they can manage 1 – 100% of their sportsbook, leaving the rest to Sportradar.
ORAKO includes AI-driven marketing services to help operators more efficiently and effectively engage their customer base.
The judges said:
“This was a close-fought category but Sportradar clinched it with an indepth submission. Their solution has clearly identified a need and has produced the answer. The results demonstrate this it is working and it looks set to scale.”
Sportradar
ORAKO includes all Sportradar’s content, platform capabilities, data services, and odd services, including coverage of 890,000 events annually across 92 sports.
Operators can tailor the ORAKO solution to meet the needs of their customers, providing an offering that engages and improves the customer experience. The product is flexible, with operators being in control of how they want to build their sportsbook, and they can manage 1 – 100% of their sportsbook, leaving the rest to Sportradar.
ORAKO includes AI-driven marketing services to help operators more efficiently and effectively engage their customer base.
The judges said:
“This was a close-fought category but Sportradar clinched it with an indepth submission. Their solution has clearly identified a need and has produced the answer. The results demonstrate this it is working and it looks set to scale.”
Sportradar
Blockchain, NFT and Web 3.0
AO ArtBall NFT & Metaverse (Run It Wild)
The AO ArtBall is a digital membership club that utilizes blockchain technology to create innovative forms of fan engagement, combining digital ownership, gamification, and rewards tied to real-life sporting outcomes.
Membership is obtained by purchasing an ArtBall NFT, which also serves as a lottery ticket and is assigned a plot on their digital court before the Australian Open tennis starts. If a match-winning point lands in your plot, you win additional rewards, including exclusive fan experiences, merchandise, and community events. Run it Wild, in partnership with the Australian Open, owns the AO ArtBall project.
The judges said:
“NFTs have evolved over the past 12 months and this entry reflects that evolution. This is a great product with the potential to scale for additional sports. Hats off to the Team.”
Run It Wild
Membership is obtained by purchasing an ArtBall NFT, which also serves as a lottery ticket and is assigned a plot on their digital court before the Australian Open tennis starts. If a match-winning point lands in your plot, you win additional rewards, including exclusive fan experiences, merchandise, and community events. Run it Wild, in partnership with the Australian Open, owns the AO ArtBall project.
The judges said:
“NFTs have evolved over the past 12 months and this entry reflects that evolution. This is a great product with the potential to scale for additional sports. Hats off to the Team.”
Run It Wild
Use of Technology by a Broadcaster
LA Clippers for ClipperVision
ClipperVision is a new direct-to-consumer streaming platform for NBA team. LA Clippers.
Launched in October 2022, with six different live stream options, it features in-game commentary from some of Clipper Nation’s most well-known personalities.
It’s available to fans in the L.A. DMA, as well as out-of-market and internationally via NBA League Pass.
Clippers is changing the way fans watch sports by providing six live stream, full-length game options straight to fans, without a cable subscription.
The Clippers have combined the dynamic live streams of ClipperVision with other broadcast offerings, games on linear TV, and free-to-air TV on KTLA, giving Clippers fans of all ages and viewing habits convenient, easy ways to watch games.
ClipperVision’s Spanish and Korean-language streams allow connecting with more Clippers fans in L.A., and around the world.
The judges said:
“This product addresses the universal problem of fans gaining access to matches. The Clippers’ video stream is impressive in its breadth and innovation. The team is to be commended for meeting the need to deliver game content directly to consumers.”
ClipperVision
Launched in October 2022, with six different live stream options, it features in-game commentary from some of Clipper Nation’s most well-known personalities.
It’s available to fans in the L.A. DMA, as well as out-of-market and internationally via NBA League Pass.
Clippers is changing the way fans watch sports by providing six live stream, full-length game options straight to fans, without a cable subscription.
The Clippers have combined the dynamic live streams of ClipperVision with other broadcast offerings, games on linear TV, and free-to-air TV on KTLA, giving Clippers fans of all ages and viewing habits convenient, easy ways to watch games.
ClipperVision’s Spanish and Korean-language streams allow connecting with more Clippers fans in L.A., and around the world.
The judges said:
“This product addresses the universal problem of fans gaining access to matches. The Clippers’ video stream is impressive in its breadth and innovation. The team is to be commended for meeting the need to deliver game content directly to consumers.”
ClipperVision
Broadcast Technology
LiveU for LU800 Multi-Cam
LiveU’s IP bonding LU800 multi-cam production-level field unit allows for premium-quality live video production by combining bandwidth from multiple cellular and other IP networks, thus democratizing live sports and news coverage.
The unit, which supports up to four fully frame-synced feeds in high resolution, is designed for dynamic sports coverage, allowing for complex remote productions (REMI) across multiple sports.
LiveU Reliable Transport (LRT™) is the power behind all LiveU devices and software, used extensively for video transmission, contribution and backhaul, as well as worldwide video distribution over the public internet.
By enabling the coverage of sports that were previously impossible to cover, LiveU’s technology allows for monetization possibilities through sponsorship activation. The LU800 product series accommodates any customer need or production scenario with the multi- and single-camera variants, providing unparalleled quality of service and resiliency with the lowest latency.
The judges said:
“Live U have transformed capabilities for both the sports industry and media as a whole. This should find success in the marketplace as a cost-effective alternative to rolling production and uplink trucks for live event coverage. Congratulations.”
LiveU
The unit, which supports up to four fully frame-synced feeds in high resolution, is designed for dynamic sports coverage, allowing for complex remote productions (REMI) across multiple sports.
LiveU Reliable Transport (LRT™) is the power behind all LiveU devices and software, used extensively for video transmission, contribution and backhaul, as well as worldwide video distribution over the public internet.
By enabling the coverage of sports that were previously impossible to cover, LiveU’s technology allows for monetization possibilities through sponsorship activation. The LU800 product series accommodates any customer need or production scenario with the multi- and single-camera variants, providing unparalleled quality of service and resiliency with the lowest latency.
The judges said:
“Live U have transformed capabilities for both the sports industry and media as a whole. This should find success in the marketplace as a cost-effective alternative to rolling production and uplink trucks for live event coverage. Congratulations.”
LiveU
college sports
Genius Sports for Powering College Data
Genius Sports partnered with the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) to create a centralized data system for college sports. This system, called NCAA LiveStats, collects, manages, and distributes live game statistics, creating a new rights category of official data. NCAA LiveStats has already scored over 150,000 games across football, basketball, soccer, volleyball, and ice hockey.
It is used to engage fans and improve performance levels by capturing rich positional data for the first time in college sports. Genius Sports combined official game data from NCAA LiveStats with its Second Spectrum tracking technology and real-time broadcast augmentation capabilities to provide more informative and immersive broadcasts for Turner and ESPN during March Madness.
NCAA LiveStats has created an official source of truth for college sports, powering enhanced broadcasts on March Madness, as well as brand, coaching, and fan engagement tools. It has democratized access to previously unavailable statistics, such as positional data, shot charts, and box scores, across men’s and women’s sports, no matter the level.
NCAA LiveStats has transformed the value of live sports data across college sports, powering entire college sports ecosystem from teams, brands, broadcasters, coaching, and analysis tools.
The judges said:
“A centralised, central and official live data system makes the scale of this impressive. This entry democratizes access to live statistical information which is exciting and to be commended. College sports is a dynamic space and this entry reflects that entry. Well done”
Genius Sports
It is used to engage fans and improve performance levels by capturing rich positional data for the first time in college sports. Genius Sports combined official game data from NCAA LiveStats with its Second Spectrum tracking technology and real-time broadcast augmentation capabilities to provide more informative and immersive broadcasts for Turner and ESPN during March Madness.
NCAA LiveStats has created an official source of truth for college sports, powering enhanced broadcasts on March Madness, as well as brand, coaching, and fan engagement tools. It has democratized access to previously unavailable statistics, such as positional data, shot charts, and box scores, across men’s and women’s sports, no matter the level.
NCAA LiveStats has transformed the value of live sports data across college sports, powering entire college sports ecosystem from teams, brands, broadcasters, coaching, and analysis tools.
The judges said:
“A centralised, central and official live data system makes the scale of this impressive. This entry democratizes access to live statistical information which is exciting and to be commended. College sports is a dynamic space and this entry reflects that entry. Well done”
Genius Sports
Digital
World Athletics and Wonderly For WebCIS
WebCIS is an innovative, online solution that offers real-time event data, video, athlete profiles, infographics, and automated commentary to content producers such as broadcasters, commentators, and journalists, increasing accessibility while reducing carbon footprint.
The Web Competition Information System (WebCIS) is a bespoke technology solution built for World Athletics delivering real time data, assets, athlete profiles and automated commentary during major. World Championships. The system is currently being used on all World Athletic Series events including the World Championship, as well as several European Athletics events. It was also used to cover Athletics during the Tokyo Olympics. Replacing a legacy system of physical hardware (VLAN cables) and tablets, our system is accessible anywhere in the world in real time.
The judges said:
“This entry is exciting for many reasons but its sustainability impact alone is highly commendable. This is clever and provides a smart and sustainable solution to a challenge which all events face. We look forward to seeing its growth.”
WebCIS
Equipment, Apparel and Wearables
FORM for Smart Swim Goggles
FORM is a company that provides a powerful swimming platform that includes augmented reality goggles and an app that provides real-time metrics, coach-designed workouts, and training plans to swimmers. The company aims to revolutionize the sport of swimming by introducing new ways that technology can elevate underwater training and athletic performance.
FORM’s proprietary AI/ML technology, industry-leading waveguide display built into the goggles lens, and the clean and simple UI/UX on both the FORM app and goggles, create a seamless and immersive swim experience.
The target market for FORM is over 240 million active pool swimmers and <4 million active triathletes. Prior to the introduction of FORM Smart Swim Goggles, swimmers did not have access to real-time improvement instruction, lacked structure required to improve fitness or performance, swimming could be lonely, and existing technology was limited and worn on the wrist, requiring swimmers to stop to view it.
FORM’s technology advantage over potential competitors includes patented AI/ML technology, industry-leading waveguide display built right into the goggle lens, and a world-class goggle design. FORM has partnerships with key triathlon organizations and sponsored athletes.
The judges said:
“This is a super-smart solution. At last swimmers can access training information while swimming or in the water. Being able to leverage direct feedback in any sport enhances an athlete’s overall performance and that swimmers can now access this is a step-change for the sport.”
Form
FORM’s proprietary AI/ML technology, industry-leading waveguide display built into the goggles lens, and the clean and simple UI/UX on both the FORM app and goggles, create a seamless and immersive swim experience.
The target market for FORM is over 240 million active pool swimmers and <4 million active triathletes. Prior to the introduction of FORM Smart Swim Goggles, swimmers did not have access to real-time improvement instruction, lacked structure required to improve fitness or performance, swimming could be lonely, and existing technology was limited and worn on the wrist, requiring swimmers to stop to view it.
FORM’s technology advantage over potential competitors includes patented AI/ML technology, industry-leading waveguide display built right into the goggle lens, and a world-class goggle design. FORM has partnerships with key triathlon organizations and sponsored athletes.
The judges said:
“This is a super-smart solution. At last swimmers can access training information while swimming or in the water. Being able to leverage direct feedback in any sport enhances an athlete’s overall performance and that swimmers can now access this is a step-change for the sport.”
Form
Fan Engagement
Stats Perform for UEFA Women’s Euro 2022
Stats Perform provided data and editorial services to enhance the coverage of the UEFA Women’s EURO 2022 Competition, which saw record levels of fan engagement.
The services provided included syndicated news and feature content, real-time data-driven match insights, and the Opta Analyst’s EURO Data Hub, which provided detailed performance metrics for every player and team in the tournament, as well as live tournament predictions powered by a tournament simulator.
The services were delivered via PressBox Video, PressBox Live, and Opta Analyst, with content available in six different languages. The company’s services were utilized by broadcasters, news outlets, and the federations of several participating teams, generating significant revenue for Stats Perform.
The judges said:
“This was a stand out entry – quite simply, what a great way to bring fans closer to the game!”
Stats Perform
The services provided included syndicated news and feature content, real-time data-driven match insights, and the Opta Analyst’s EURO Data Hub, which provided detailed performance metrics for every player and team in the tournament, as well as live tournament predictions powered by a tournament simulator.
The services were delivered via PressBox Video, PressBox Live, and Opta Analyst, with content available in six different languages. The company’s services were utilized by broadcasters, news outlets, and the federations of several participating teams, generating significant revenue for Stats Perform.
The judges said:
“This was a stand out entry – quite simply, what a great way to bring fans closer to the game!”
Stats Perform
Fan Engagement by a Brand
Warner Bros. Discovery for Ultimate Olympic Winter Games Beijing 2022
Warner Bros. Discovery (WBD) aimed to drive viewership and subscriptions to its premium direct-to-consumer streaming product, discovery+, by delivering an unrivaled live content offer and creating a unique digital ecosystem during the Beijing 2022 Olympic Winter Games.
Viewers were transported into a mixed-reality world, allowing them to experience a vast cinematic environment, offering immersive presentation and analysis. WBD’s winter sports experts covered every major FIS World Championship event, providing commentary in 21 languages, and the discovery+ platform provided exclusive content, including new original documentaries, such as One Last Push and A Brilliant Curling Story.
By showcasing every moment of the Olympics on discovery+, fans of Olympic sports and general entertainment fans were targeted alike with a broad offering that appeals to the whole household.
The judges said:
“What a wonderful way to bring fans closer to the game! This is one of those entries that shows how delivering great fan experience can also deliver against commercial objectives. Giving fans a ‘must have’ digital encounter gave discovery renewals and streaming results that any of us would want.”
Discovery Sports
Viewers were transported into a mixed-reality world, allowing them to experience a vast cinematic environment, offering immersive presentation and analysis. WBD’s winter sports experts covered every major FIS World Championship event, providing commentary in 21 languages, and the discovery+ platform provided exclusive content, including new original documentaries, such as One Last Push and A Brilliant Curling Story.
By showcasing every moment of the Olympics on discovery+, fans of Olympic sports and general entertainment fans were targeted alike with a broad offering that appeals to the whole household.
The judges said:
“What a wonderful way to bring fans closer to the game! This is one of those entries that shows how delivering great fan experience can also deliver against commercial objectives. Giving fans a ‘must have’ digital encounter gave discovery renewals and streaming results that any of us would want.”
Discovery Sports
Injury Prevention and Recovery
BetterGuards Technology for The BetterGuard
BetterGuards Technology GmbH has developed an innovative ankle brace called “The BetterGuard,” which uses a mini-piston to stabilize the ankle during critical movements, thus preventing ankle sprains, which are a common injury among athletes.
The product offers full protection and full range of motion, which is not possible with conventional braces. The mini-piston technology is adaptive and velocity-dependent and is integrated into shoes or braces above the lateral malleolus. BetterGuards has won the NBA Launchpad Award in 2022 and is currently being tested in collaboration with NBA.
The product was successfully launched in the European Union in November 2022 and will be launched in the US in the first half of 2023. The technology has been extensively tested and validated by different internal and external research institutions, and has shown higher inversion reduction and subjective comfort compared to placebo and unbraced conditions, as well as a similar protection effect as rigid conventional braces.
The judges said:
“The sports industry has been waiting for a product like this for years! The tech is outstanding and the company is well placed for a rosy future – this really could be a game changer. Good luck with the future Betterguards!”
BetterGuards
The product offers full protection and full range of motion, which is not possible with conventional braces. The mini-piston technology is adaptive and velocity-dependent and is integrated into shoes or braces above the lateral malleolus. BetterGuards has won the NBA Launchpad Award in 2022 and is currently being tested in collaboration with NBA.
The product was successfully launched in the European Union in November 2022 and will be launched in the US in the first half of 2023. The technology has been extensively tested and validated by different internal and external research institutions, and has shown higher inversion reduction and subjective comfort compared to placebo and unbraced conditions, as well as a similar protection effect as rigid conventional braces.
The judges said:
“The sports industry has been waiting for a product like this for years! The tech is outstanding and the company is well placed for a rosy future – this really could be a game changer. Good luck with the future Betterguards!”
BetterGuards
Innovation
Hawk-Eye Innovations for Semi-Automatic Offside Technology
Hawk-Eye Innovations has developed Semi-Automatic Offside Technology (SAOT), a system designed to enhance the football/soccer experience by helping officials make more accurate, objective, and faster offside decisions.
The system is the world’s first optical tracking system that detects the exact position of the ball and individual players in real-time, using 12 dedicated tracking cameras in the stadium to track the ball’s position and up to 29 skeletal points of each player.
Using AI techniques, the system automatically assigns each team and player, tracks the body points to millimetre accuracy in a 3D space, and determines the relative position of the players to identify offside positions. The officials in the operations room check the decision made by the system and inform the on-pitch referee of the final offside decision.
The system creates a virtual replay of the incident, which is made available to broadcasters, commentary teams, and big screens in venue for the fans’ clarity.
The judges said:
“What can we say, quite simply Hawkeye once again changes the game with innovation for all stakeholders.”
Hawk-Eye
The system is the world’s first optical tracking system that detects the exact position of the ball and individual players in real-time, using 12 dedicated tracking cameras in the stadium to track the ball’s position and up to 29 skeletal points of each player.
Using AI techniques, the system automatically assigns each team and player, tracks the body points to millimetre accuracy in a 3D space, and determines the relative position of the players to identify offside positions. The officials in the operations room check the decision made by the system and inform the on-pitch referee of the final offside decision.
The system creates a virtual replay of the incident, which is made available to broadcasters, commentary teams, and big screens in venue for the fans’ clarity.
The judges said:
“What can we say, quite simply Hawkeye once again changes the game with innovation for all stakeholders.”
Hawk-Eye
League, Federation, Team or Governing Body
ICC for Breaking Boundaries and Records
The ICC is the global governing body for cricket.
Part of the ICC global strategy is to connect with its fans around the world, with technology playing a key part in that ambition. The ICC wanted to grow its global fanbase further in 2022, attracting a new, younger, and diverse audience to its platforms.
By building great products in 2022, the ICC achieved that ambition and more with its most successful year ever on digital.
The judges said:
“The ICC put fans and their needs at the heart of their solutions – no mean feat when you consider just how many they have globally This entry was excellent in terms of improving current offerings and delivered impressive numbers as targeted. The ICC used technology brilliantly to add new features and interactivity for younger and diverse audiences. They were data-led and innovative. These results would be the envy of any sports organization.”
ICC
Part of the ICC global strategy is to connect with its fans around the world, with technology playing a key part in that ambition. The ICC wanted to grow its global fanbase further in 2022, attracting a new, younger, and diverse audience to its platforms.
By building great products in 2022, the ICC achieved that ambition and more with its most successful year ever on digital.
The judges said:
“The ICC put fans and their needs at the heart of their solutions – no mean feat when you consider just how many they have globally This entry was excellent in terms of improving current offerings and delivered impressive numbers as targeted. The ICC used technology brilliantly to add new features and interactivity for younger and diverse audiences. They were data-led and innovative. These results would be the envy of any sports organization.”
ICC
Fitness and Participation
Apple Fitness+
Apple Fitness+ is a fitness and wellness service that provides studio-style workouts and meditations designed to be welcoming to all. It offers the largest library of workout content in 4K UHD, led by a diverse and inclusive team of trainers.
Users can take their experience to the next level with personalized real-time metrics that display on iPhone, iPad, and Apple TV. There are nearly 3,500 studio-style workouts across 11 different workout types including HIIT, Treadmill, Cycling, Dance, Rowing, Strength, as well as Meditation. Fitness+ is available in 21 countries and can be used anytime, anywhere.
The service offers custom content designed to help users through a season of life or prepare for important moments. Fitness+ has been adding new video and audio features and content designed to keep people moving and support their wellbeing, such as Pilates, Meditation, inspiring audio experiences like Time to Walk and Time to Run, and Trainer On-Screen callouts for added motivation during workouts.
The judges said:
“Apple Fitness is an incredibly varied training tool. It offers impressive baseline technology for the mass market and it is clear that good work is being done in creating imaginative workouts that will capture the interest of a wide variety of people.”
Apple Fitness+
Users can take their experience to the next level with personalized real-time metrics that display on iPhone, iPad, and Apple TV. There are nearly 3,500 studio-style workouts across 11 different workout types including HIIT, Treadmill, Cycling, Dance, Rowing, Strength, as well as Meditation. Fitness+ is available in 21 countries and can be used anytime, anywhere.
The service offers custom content designed to help users through a season of life or prepare for important moments. Fitness+ has been adding new video and audio features and content designed to keep people moving and support their wellbeing, such as Pilates, Meditation, inspiring audio experiences like Time to Walk and Time to Run, and Trainer On-Screen callouts for added motivation during workouts.
The judges said:
“Apple Fitness is an incredibly varied training tool. It offers impressive baseline technology for the mass market and it is clear that good work is being done in creating imaginative workouts that will capture the interest of a wide variety of people.”
Apple Fitness+
Match Day Experience
Sport Buff for Match Day Interactive Experience
When the FIFA World Cup™ Qatar 2022 wanted to engage audiences around the world, over the live global match and digital feeds, for the biggest sports event in history, they chose BUFF.
Across 29 days of continuous live action, up to 14 hrs live match feeds daily, plus highlights, VOD and studio; BUFF changed the way the world watched the World Cup through its innovative technology enabling fans to play and compete directly over the broadcast.
The judges said:
“This technology addresses a universal major challenge, namely, to engage fans but not distract them. This technology is truly innovative and has great potential for expansion. Impressive!”
Sport Buff
Across 29 days of continuous live action, up to 14 hrs live match feeds daily, plus highlights, VOD and studio; BUFF changed the way the world watched the World Cup through its innovative technology enabling fans to play and compete directly over the broadcast.
The judges said:
“This technology addresses a universal major challenge, namely, to engage fans but not distract them. This technology is truly innovative and has great potential for expansion. Impressive!”
Sport Buff
Sports Partnership of the Year
New York Liberty and XBOX for Barclays Center Replica Metaverse Court
The New York Liberty and Xbox partnership aimed at creating unique activations focused on women’s equality and Gen-Z fan engagement.
The collaboration created a first-of-its-kind activation in the WNBA, a Roblox-inspired secondary basketball court that existed both at Barclays Center and within the Roblox universe. The activation targeted two completely different markets: Liberty/WNBA fans and Roblox gamers, ultimately leading to significant crossover between the two audiences.
The Xbox-Liberty partnership continued to build on Xbox’s global “Power Her Dreams” campaign, which is committed to amplifying girls and women in both sports and gaming. The first objective was to integrate local youth into the partnership through the launch of “Jnr. Ballers,” while the second objective was to help “even the playing field” for the women of the Liberty.
Finally, the Liberty engaged with a new, Gen-Z audience through Roblox, which traditionally does not attend WNBA games. The timeline for the partnership was impressive, with both the physical and metaverse courts being created within only three months.
The judges said:
“This is a very innovative concept and exciting integration of technology. In fact the integration shown between a real-life court and the metaverse feels like real development in the world of sports. Whilst a simple concept, we commend both partners for a well thought out execution which was delivered brilliantly across all touch points. XBOX and the NY Liberty have achieved exactly what this award aims to celebrate – two highly different brands combining into a powerful, innovative partnership.”
NY Liberty
XBOX
The collaboration created a first-of-its-kind activation in the WNBA, a Roblox-inspired secondary basketball court that existed both at Barclays Center and within the Roblox universe. The activation targeted two completely different markets: Liberty/WNBA fans and Roblox gamers, ultimately leading to significant crossover between the two audiences.
The Xbox-Liberty partnership continued to build on Xbox’s global “Power Her Dreams” campaign, which is committed to amplifying girls and women in both sports and gaming. The first objective was to integrate local youth into the partnership through the launch of “Jnr. Ballers,” while the second objective was to help “even the playing field” for the women of the Liberty.
Finally, the Liberty engaged with a new, Gen-Z audience through Roblox, which traditionally does not attend WNBA games. The timeline for the partnership was impressive, with both the physical and metaverse courts being created within only three months.
The judges said:
“This is a very innovative concept and exciting integration of technology. In fact the integration shown between a real-life court and the metaverse feels like real development in the world of sports. Whilst a simple concept, we commend both partners for a well thought out execution which was delivered brilliantly across all touch points. XBOX and the NY Liberty have achieved exactly what this award aims to celebrate – two highly different brands combining into a powerful, innovative partnership.”
NY Liberty
XBOX
Start-up of the Year
MatchKit for Influencer Marketing Analytics and Insights
MatchKit, a South African start-up, is providing an all-in-one solution to help athletes monetize their brand and avoid financial difficulties after retirement.
By combining influencer marketing, analytics and insights, and a DIY e-commerce play, MatchKit’s product requires no technical know-how and takes minutes to set up. The platform allows athletes to build a professional profile, create a personal crowdfund initiative, monetize their personal brand with an online store, and gain industry skills and insights from the learning center.
The company has already gained traction with over 2000 athletes and has converted all national team rugby players out of South America onto their platform and has partnered with sports incubator programs to continue expanding.
The company aims to make athletes financially fit with a variety of online tools, all accessible in one focused professional platform.
The judges said:
“This startup ticked every box – a great idea, a great team and a great concept. This proposition could really help athletes throughout their career and beyond. If their trajectory continues, their future is very bright.”
MatchKit
By combining influencer marketing, analytics and insights, and a DIY e-commerce play, MatchKit’s product requires no technical know-how and takes minutes to set up. The platform allows athletes to build a professional profile, create a personal crowdfund initiative, monetize their personal brand with an online store, and gain industry skills and insights from the learning center.
The company has already gained traction with over 2000 athletes and has converted all national team rugby players out of South America onto their platform and has partnered with sports incubator programs to continue expanding.
The company aims to make athletes financially fit with a variety of online tools, all accessible in one focused professional platform.
The judges said:
“This startup ticked every box – a great idea, a great team and a great concept. This proposition could really help athletes throughout their career and beyond. If their trajectory continues, their future is very bright.”
MatchKit
Tournament, Event or Competition of the Year
Formula E and Yonder Consulting For FE World Championship
Yonder Consulting and Formula E have collaborated to develop an innovative and impactful way to measure the in-the-moment audience engagement with biometrics.
Formula E is the world’s motorsport championship for single-seater electric vehicles and is now in its ninth season. To measure the audience engagement, Yonder created an in-home biometrics solution that includes a research-grade biometric sensor to measure second-by-second emotional activation through galvanic skin response (GSR) and an attitudinal survey to capture rational responses. The biometric data was reinforced by rational data to provide in-depth insight into what drives engagement and what works well in the Formula E broadcast.
The insights have informed changes that helped to grow the sport’s viewership and to deliver value to broadcasters who can boost viewer numbers and charge more for advertising and sponsorship opportunities.
The innovative biometric solution has revolutionized Formula E’s understanding of viewer engagement and has allowed them to track the audience’s engagement in their homes, providing real-time emotional engagement data.
The judges said:
“This entry had it all. Fan focused, cutting edge technology, the application of analytics and data driving improved engagement. On top of which, its rights holder is promoting a more environmentally sustainable version of its product. Congratulations to the team which devised this!”
Yonder
Formula E
Formula E is the world’s motorsport championship for single-seater electric vehicles and is now in its ninth season. To measure the audience engagement, Yonder created an in-home biometrics solution that includes a research-grade biometric sensor to measure second-by-second emotional activation through galvanic skin response (GSR) and an attitudinal survey to capture rational responses. The biometric data was reinforced by rational data to provide in-depth insight into what drives engagement and what works well in the Formula E broadcast.
The insights have informed changes that helped to grow the sport’s viewership and to deliver value to broadcasters who can boost viewer numbers and charge more for advertising and sponsorship opportunities.
The innovative biometric solution has revolutionized Formula E’s understanding of viewer engagement and has allowed them to track the audience’s engagement in their homes, providing real-time emotional engagement data.
The judges said:
“This entry had it all. Fan focused, cutting edge technology, the application of analytics and data driving improved engagement. On top of which, its rights holder is promoting a more environmentally sustainable version of its product. Congratulations to the team which devised this!”
Yonder
Formula E
The work of our judges has culminated in presenting to you our 2023 Sports Technology Awards winners.
We couldn’t haven’t brought you such an outstanding list of dynamic brands without them.
At this point we should also pay tribute to all the brands on the shortlist – they should be proud to have been included as, so often, the difference between winning and not, is the matter of a mark.
For all brands, taking part in The Awards is a commitment and reflects the pride that they clearly feel in their work. We acknowledge, celebrate and, above all, support this.
Our commitment to every brand in the process is that if we can promote your work to the wider sector meaningfully, where we can, we will.
Congratulations to everyone and here’s wishing you every commercial success!
Rebecca Hopkins
CEO, The STA Group
#OnlyfortheInnovative
Interested in taking part in next year’s awards?
