Know What Is Next

Inside Barclays Center’s Push to Scale AI and Facial Authentication with Keia Cole

Next League Episode 54

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0:00 | 31:24

Digital transformation in sports only works when the fan journey is treated as a SYSTEM. And what does it actually look like inside a multi-team, multi-venue sports organization?

In this episode, Keia Cole shares how Brooklyn Sports + Entertainment operates when one leader owns cybersecurity, data and insights, web and mobile, AND venue systems across the Brooklyn Nets, New York Liberty, and Barclays Center.

We also dive into how they adopted Wicket facial recognition technology and why embedding AI into their daily workflows is reshaping roles faster than ever.

In this episode, you’ll hear:

  • How shifts in consumer behavior, from Waymo to biometric payments, are redefining what fans expect inside arenas
  • What responsible AI governance looks like inside Brooklyn Sports + Entertainment
  • How Keia’s career across cybersecurity, data, and digital shaped her approach to transformation at scale
  • When digital leaders should demand measurable ROI and when experimentation is a smarter bet

Resources and Links:

Connect with Keia Cole on LinkedIn and learn more about Wicket Facial Recognition.

Learn more about Next League on our website and LinkedIn. We are leading sports organizations into the digital future.

Dave’s book is available now! Get your copy of The Business of Sports Technology: How To Make Smart Decisions That Drive Your Organization Forward.