Sports Business Journal · SBJ Tech Week, New York City
The fourth annual Sports Business Awards: Tech kicked off SBJ Tech Week in New York City with an industry celebration at the Hard Rock Hotel in Manhattan. Hosted by StatusPro co-founder, ESPN analyst, and former NFL wide receiver Andrew Hawkins, the evening honored the most impactful sports tech innovations of the year — capped by a standing ovation for NBA executive Chris Benyarko, who took home Technology Executive of the Year.
OneCourt had a standout night, taking home two awards including the coveted Sports Technology of the Year honor, and was also named one of SBJ's 10 Most Innovative Sports Tech Companies.
This Year's Winners
⭐ BEST IN AI
Elevate Performance & Insights Cloud (EPIC)
Launched in early 2025, the platform is built on data from over 450 million individuals and 1.7 billion devices, powering consumer insights, ticketing management, and property analytics.
ATHLETE PERFORMANCE TECHNOLOGY
Plantiga
Maker of AI-powered insole sensors that help athletes and coaches collect and analyze movement data. Plantiga's technology is approved for in-competition use by the NBA, NFL, and FIFA.
Check out more of Plantiga on our blog.
FAN EXPERIENCE TECHNOLOGY
OneCourt
An accessibility startup whose core product is a haptic tablet that converts live game tracking data into vibrations, helping blind and low-vision fans follow along in real time. OneCourt's devices are deployed with multiple NBA teams and MLB's Arizona Diamondbacks.
IMMERSIVE TECHNOLOGY
MLB App in XR
An immersive version of MLB's flagship app available on headsets including the Apple Vision Pro and Samsung Galaxy XR, featuring 3D game angles and interactive data visualizations.
VENUE & FRANCHISE OPERATIONS TECHNOLOGY
retailcloud
Retail-focused point-of-sale software vendor that released its Inventory360 tracking system (now live at AT&T Stadium and United Center) and integrated with Amazon Just Walk Out during the judging period.
BEST TECHNOLOGY COLLABORATION
TGL presented by SoFi
TGL's 11-company tech stack — spanning TMRW Sports, CapTech, Full Swing, Next League, SmartPin Cam, SYNLawn, Toptracer, and three golf course design firms — combines swing simulators, ball and shot tracking, virtual hole designs, and an adaptable putting area to reimagine how golf is played and watched.
NEXT IN SPORTS TECH: RISING WOMAN OF THE YEAR
Darolyn Pierce — VP of Data, Analytics & Insights, Brooklyn Sports & Entertainment
Pierce spearheaded BSE's migration to Snowflake, embedded analytics experts across key business units, upgraded its crowd management software, and integrated NBA data into BSE's sales platform — driving a significant revenue lift.
TECHNOLOGY EXECUTIVE OF THE YEAR
Chris Benyarko — EVP & Head of Direct to Consumer Products, Technology & Operations, NBA
A two-decade NBA veteran, Benyarko in 2025 led a full overhaul of the league's tech infrastructure to support a streaming-first media model, launched the Tap to Watch discoverability feature, and rolled out new tools for broadcasters (Inside the Game) and League Pass subscribers.
The ceremony underscored how AI, accessibility, and immersive experiences are increasingly defining the frontier of sports innovation.