Know What Is Next
Want to learn more about the most talked about topics and trends in the sports business industry from the sports business executives who run it?
Join Next League’s CEO David Nugent, a sports technology industry veteran and thought leader with over 20 years experience in the ever-changing technology services business. Tune in every week for insightful and engaging discussions on everything from artificial intelligence and fan engagement to the changing media landscape and the growth of women’s sports with the sports industry’s leading executives.
For more on Next League, visit our website or follow us on LinkedIn.
Know What Is Next
How the UFL Built a Live Football Lab for ESPN, Fox, and Tech Startups with Scott Harniman
Use Left/Right to seek, Home/End to jump to start or end. Hold shift to jump forward or backward.
Most sports technology companies spend years trying to get access to a live game environment. The UFL can put them in front of 600 players, coaches, officials, and broadcast operators in a matter of weeks.
As SVP of Innovation and Media, Scott Harniman oversees the technology, broadcast, and football systems that make the UFL's innovation model possible.
Scott explains how the UFL's FAST program works, why ESPN and Fox are active participants in the league's tech incubation process, and how a centralized football operation allows the league to test emerging technologies at a scale that would be difficult to replicate elsewhere.
In this episode, you’ll hear:
- How the UFL's FAST program gets emerging tech companies into live football environments
- Why ESPN and Fox play an active role in the league's innovation process
- What Scott is watching in AI-powered officiating after Adam Silver's announcement
- Why a ball-tracking partnership with Sportable became their most compelling fan-facing data experience
- What happened when the UFL moved 3 franchises into smaller soccer stadiums
Resources and Links:
Connect with Scott Harniman on LinkedIn.
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.