#134 🦄 Unicorn Alert: Teamworks secures $235M to reach $1B valuation

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A company we flagged as 'One to watch' in our 2019 North American SportsTech Report is now being watched by all. At the time, they were coming off a $6M Series A raise. Six years later, that's $235M. Congrats to Zach, Mitch and the entire team on incredible execution.

Plus an excerpt from our latest Saudi Sports report. TL;DR: they're very big on gaming.

🎮 Gaming & Esports in Saudi Arabia

An excerpt from the latest Saudi Arabia Sports Business and Tech Report 2025 in partnership with the Sports Investment Forum (SIF).

Gaming and esports have become a central focus within Saudi Arabia’s sports strategy. The government has set its sights on becoming a world leader in this space by 2030. 

📊 Strategic Investment and Job Creation

Through Savvy Games Group, owned by the Public Investment Fund (PIF), Saudi Arabia has committed $37.8 billion to developing its gaming and esports ecosystem.

Sector goals: to generate 39,000+ jobs and produce at least 30 globally competitive games through local development studios. Estimated contribution to GDP by 2030 is $13.3 billion.

📍 Infrastructure Development

• Qiddiya Gaming & Esports District: Designed to host major events and provide dedicated facilities for esports.

• NEOM Gaming Hub: A planned regional hub for game development, education, and business incubation.

🏢 Names to know

• Savvy Games Group (Riyadh): Leading investments across the global gaming landscape.

• Scopely (California): Global interactive entertainment and mobile-first video game company acquired by Savvy for $4.9B.

• ESL FACEIT Group (EFG) (Cologne): Tournament operator acquired by Savvy in 2022.

• Kafu Games (Riyadh): Local tournament organiser and competition platform.

With 67% of the population identifying as gamers, the local consumer base also supports sector growth alongside government initiatives and infrastructure development.

Coming up: Riyadh is set to host the (postponed) Olympic Esports Games in 2027.

Read more on the full report, which you can download for free right here.

✅ Includes:

• Key drivers and trends shaping Saudi Arabia's sport business and tech landscape

• In-depth analysis of government initiatives and Vision 2030 strategy

• Breakdown of global and domestic sport investments and emerging opportunities

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Top News from the World of Sports Tech & Biz

📲 Barça Media launched BarçaPass, its first digital wallet, in partnership with Futureverse, allowing fans to create and customize official FC Barcelona avatars, manage digital collectibles, and explore Web3 experiences.

🏀 The NBA and Take-Two Interactive have launched a new joint esports and entertainment company.

🎾 Wimbledon is set to replace human line judges with AI-powered cameras this year in a move spearheaded by Sony (the opposite direction from Roland Garros). They also launched new AI features with IBM to deliver enhanced real-time digital engagement during the Championships.

🏀 The LA Clippers debuted a new fan experience integrating facial recognition and AI to streamline arena access and personalization.

👟 Puma and Meta unveiled a mixed-reality retail experience for the All Pro Nitro basketball shoe.

⚾ MLB Network’s Draft Combine coverage will feature a CatcherCam for the first time, offering a unique perspective behind the plate.

🏁 Camb.ai will translate NASCAR Mexico radio broadcasts into Spanish using AI, a first for the Motor Racing Network.

⚽ FIFA referees wear body cams during the Club World Cup to provide new broadcast angles, though they will not be used for in-game officiating decisions.

💸 Sky, Channel 4, and ITV announced a joint intent to launch a premium video ad marketplace enabling SMEs to run unified campaigns across all three broadcasters.

⚽ FIFA partnered with Gamefam to bring FIFA Club World Cup 2025 experiences into Roblox’s Super League Soccer.

🏎️ F1 Arcade officially opened in Philadelphia, marking the latest global expansion for the immersive Formula 1-themed entertainment venue.

🎮 DAZN has launched an XR app on Meta Quest, offering immersive FIFA Club World Cup experiences in the U.S.

🏅 Samsung partnered with the IOC to launch an Olympic edition of its "Solve for Tomorrow" youth competition, merging technology and sports innovation.

🎳 The World Bowling League, backed by Mookie Betts and Virat Kohli, will launch early next year with six franchise teams competing globally.

⚽ Liverpool's ownership group Fenway Sports is considering acquiring La Liga club Getafe as part of its multi-club expansion strategy.

Money Talks:

💰 Teamworks, the Operating System for Sports™ powering over 6,500 elite teams globally, secured $235 million in an oversubscribed Series F round led by Dragoneer Investment Group, at a $1 billion valuation.

💰 SportsVisio, an AI-driven sports analytics platform, raised $3.2 million to bring advanced computer vision and data tools to athletes, coaches, and fans.

💸 Alberta Innovates invested $340k to support a province-wide wearable tech initiative aimed at improving health and performance tracking across sports and wellness sectors.

💸 Anzu, a leader in intrinsic in-game advertising, secured an undisclosed funding from Amex Ventures to enhance advertising delivery across premium gaming platforms.

💸 Monumental Sports & Entertainment invested an undisclosed amount in women’s sports platforms The IX and The Next, supporting curated sports journalism and basketball coverage.

🤝 Fox Corporation acquired Caliente TV to expand its sports broadcasting footprint, particularly in the Spanish-speaking market. The deal amount was not disclosed.

🤝 Pri0r1ty Intelligence acquired sports data firm Halfspace to enhance its analytics capabilities in the sports intelligence space, for an undisclosed amount.

🤝 Genstar Capital acquired PlayMetrics from Blue Star Innovation Partners and PSG, expanding its youth sports tech investment portfolio, for an undisclosed amount.

🤝 LeagueApps acquired soccer platform Mod11 to scale its youth sports tech ecosystem, strengthening ties with MLS Next and other elite organizations, for an undisclosed amount.

Recap from our content archive:

🔙 STX Article: New Leagues and Emerging Formats

✅ STX Monthly: Last month’s sports tech dealflow, in case you missed it.

💪🏽 SportsTech AllStars Recap: Indian Sports Business and Tech Report series.