The English Premier League will join Comcast NBCUniversal’s SportsTech Accelerator enabling sports technology startups to enhance their offerings to a global audience.
The SportsTech Accelerator was launched by NBCUniversal in 2021 and aims to give sports tech firms a headstart in engaging with some of the world’s best and most recognisable sports leagues and companies to provide their facilities and help sports adopt advancing technology.
The Premier League will become an active partner from 2024, joining the likes of the PGA Tour, WWE, NASCAR and its domestic broadcaster Sky Sports.
Paul Molnar, Chief Media Officer of the Premier League, stated: “We are delighted to be adding to our longstanding relationship with Comcast and NBC by joining the Comcast NBCUniversal SportsTech Accelerator.
“We look forward to working with the Comcast NBCU team, Boomtown and the other sports partners to help discover new and emerging technologies which can play a meaningful role in the ever-changing sports industry, while supporting the startup founders in their evolution and development.”
Over 103 sports tech firms have benefited from the SportsTech Accelerator since its inception, who have successfully agreed numerous partnerships, commercial deals and pilots.
Being the US broadcast rights holder for Premier League coverage in the US, Comcast believes the English top-flight represents the successful work the Accelerator has shown over the last several years, helping to identify future commercial partners.
Startups in fields such as artificial intelligence (AI), fan activation firms and more will be able to work with the Premier League to develop new and innovative methods for enhancing the fan experience.
“Through our first three cohorts, we noticed that more than one-third of startup teams applying are international and often looking to break into the US market to further accelerate their business success,” added Jenna Kurath, Vice President of Startup Partnerships, Head of Comcast NBCU SportsTech.
“The Premier League, with its expansive footprint, global fanbase, and incredible leadership will be a wonderful asset to our startups and their experience in the programme.
“We’re excited to work alongside the Premier League team and startup founders to test and experiment with emerging technologies that will bring fans closer to the sports moments that matter.”
