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500 Live Events a Month: What Jon Slusser Has Learned About AI, Mixed Reality, & Sports Tech

Next League Episode 65

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0:00 | 46:33

When The Famous Group was getting started, arenas were buying million-dollar video boards with nothing meaningful to put on them. That gap became a business — and 25 years later, that business now powers more than 500 live sports events a month across nearly every major team in the country.

In this conversation, Jon shares how The Famous Group evolved from a creative production shop into mixed reality, virtual fan experiences, and Vixi, and how they built a scalable platform without taking on outside investment. He also offers a grounded take on where AI genuinely helps in live production workflows and where it still breaks down.

In this episode, you’ll hear:

  • What Jon learned moving between startup culture and large media organizations like MTV and Viacom
  • How Vixi transformed “getting on the video board” into a scalable sponsorship and engagement product
  • What The Famous Group learned building virtual fan experiences for the NFL Draft and WWE
  • Why Jon believes AI is still a creative tool and not a replacement for production workflows
  • What mixed reality enables for personalized viewing experiences and dynamic sponsorship inventory

Resources and Links:

Connect with Jon Slusser on LinkedIn and learn more about The Famous Group on their website.

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.