Golfweek Tech Lab featured a heavy dose of demos and showcases. There were three breakout sessions (labeled in the program as the Front Nine, the Turn and the Back Nine) for the 18 startups (really hammering home the golf angle here) attending to talk about their tech.

Here are a few of my notes from those windows throughout the day.

Mobii’s in the mix

Mobii’s tech is quite innovative. The company has products that touch on both broadcasts and in-venue video. But in this ever-growing world of DTC platforms, Mobii’s Dynamic Cloud Mixer offers serious optimization for the sports that have a heavy camera presence.

Mobii’s Shane Cole, director/sales for North America, ran me through the offering, which LIV Golf and NASCAR use for the multiview experiences they help to create for fans through their broadcast rightsholders. The company has worked with approximately 10 sports partners and was a member of the 2024 cohort of the Comcast NBCUniversal SportsTech program.

The Dynamic Cloud Mixer uses AI to automate camera-switching and graphic overlays in cloud production and does so with low latency. Cole’s demo displayed footage from a LIV Golf competition, showing a multiview experience that enabled viewers to watch the play of all four Range Goats GC golfers at once. I’m imagining a day where I can follow different athletes of my choice in a multiview experience and looking forward to it.

LetzChat’s speaking a different language

LetzChat (also a former SportsTech participant) shared a compelling startup story, starting first as an audio transcription tool before shifting to a web and app translation. LetzChat uses AI to translate a website to any language based off device language preferences. CEO/co-founder Jordan Orlick said that companies that work with LetzChat see an ROI within five days from the transactions that come in thanks to the multilingual presentation and the data insights the tech gleans.

Its first client was the NFL, and it also works with MLS and the Mavericks, among others in the sports industry. For fun, I got them to translate the SBJ homepage into Japanese, which you can see above.

On a related note: 読んでいただきありがとうございます (this says “thank you for reading” according to Google Translate. If incorrect, please call me out).

Wicket’s growing presence

I was welcomed quite hurriedly into the event by Wicket (this is a joke about how fast the experience was to check in with a quick scan). The facial-recognition company has become a sports industry fixture and was also recognized as the 2025 SBA: Tech winner for Best In Venue and Franchise Operations Technology.

Wicket created a unique deployment last year for the men’s and women’s U.S. Opens — a day pass program that enabled fans to leave and re-enter the venue. That’s a feature that should work for any golf event featuring multiday competitions. The company has 40-plus sports venue connections at this point, working at the league level with the NFL for credentialing. Wicket also saw its first collegiate deployment last year around Florida’s football stadium. The initial partnership went so smoothly that the university has rolled out the feature for baseball and softball this spring, with hopes to also deploy for basketball and gymnastics next school year.

Zing Coach has created a new generation of fitness products and personal fitness companions. And it connects to your smartphone, wearables, personal messenger, and smart TV while reviewing the data and translates it into movement actions. Pulse 2.0 interviewed Zing Coach co-founder Tanya Parfenyuk to learn more about the company.

Tanya Parfenyuk’s Background

What is Tanya Parfenyuk’s background? Parfenyuk said:

“My journey combines scientific expertise with a love for fitness, driving our mission to innovate and inspire healthier lifestyles.”

“To give you a bit of background, I took my lifelong love of creating to university, where I earned my Bachelor in Science. I have always been involved in business projects from my time at university. Over the past decade, I’ve specialized in scaling and launching health and fitness products, accumulating a deep understanding of the industry.”

Formation Of Zing Coach

How did the idea for the company come together? Parfenyuk shared:

“With my deep experience in the fitness market, I’ve observed that despite a plethora of offerings, engagement rates remain low and the problem of inactivity persists. This clearly indicates that current solutions aren’t effectively addressing people’s needs. Recognizing this gap, I envisioned a platform that not only motivates users but also provides a personalized and engaging fitness journey.”

“Three ago, I met Walter – a Shaolin Temple monk with 30+ years of experience in coaching and training people. In 2022, Aleksei Kurov joined the company after an M&A deal with Zenia, the company he was CEO of.”

“Our goal is to create a solution that truly resonates with individuals, encouraging long-term healthy habits and making fitness a sustainable part of their lives. Our mission in Zing is to empower every person to improve their health and wellness through physical and mental transformations.”

Favorite Memory

What has been your favorite memory working for the company so far? Parfenyuk reflected:

“The day we received our first testimonials from users who experienced transformative changes thanks to Zing Coach app. Hearing their stories of improved health, increased confidence, and newfound motivation was incredibly rewarding. It validated our mission and reminded me why we started this journey—to make a real, positive impact on people’s lives.”

Core Products

What are the company’s core products and features? Parfenyuk explained:

“Zing is a personal training experience app. The core features reflect the core functions of the great personal trainer:

— Individual Hyper Personalized Workouts – AI Generator and full adaptation to a multitude of variables, from the individual’s fitness to daily life

— Assessment – ZingLab, a suite of advanced CV fitness tests, movement analyzers, body composition scanners, creating the most accurate Fitness assessment anytime in real time

— Motivation – AI Coach, which monitors the person’s activity and proactively gives insights, motivation, support, guidance, care, with different tones of voice based on the personality of the user and his/her emotional profile, to help them as effectively and empathically as possible. AI Assistant powered by LLMs, CV, and advanced progress tracking tech, going beyond a Personal Trainer’s capabilities to a new level of tailored fitness.”

Challenges Faced

What challenges has Parfenyuk and the team faced in building the company? Parfenyuk acknowledged:

“The fitness sector is ever-evolving, and one of the significant challenges we’ve faced recently is the increasing competition and saturation of the market. To overcome this, we focused on differentiating our app by enhancing user engagement through personalized experiences and leveraging data-driven insights. We also prioritized building a strong community within our app, fostering a sense of connection and support among users. This approach not only set us apart from competitors but also helped us maintain high retention and satisfaction rates, proving that our unique strategy resonates with our audience.”

Evolution Of Zing Coach’s Technology

How has the company’s technology evolved since its launch? Parfenyuk noted:

“From day one, we believed that the perfect blend of tech innovations, such as generative AI, and significant investments in deep tech would propel Zing to become a leading fitness tech company with the highest engagement rates on the market. Our AI Recommender has evolved to be scalable, fast-learning, and highly individualized, ensuring that each user receives a personalized fitness journey. Additionally, our AI Assistant, powered by large language models (LLMs), has been instrumental in enhancing user retention and engagement by providing tailored support and motivation. These advancements have allowed us to create a truly unique and effective fitness experience.”

Significant Milestones

What have been some of the company’s most significant milestones? Parfenyuk cited:

“One of the earliest was the successful roll out of our AI Assistant system, which provided personalized fitness plans and motivational insights, significantly boosting user retention and engagement.”

“Reaching 2+ million active users was a major highlight, validating our approach and impact.”

“Additionally, securing a substantial round of Series A ($10 million) funding allowed us to further invest in deep tech and innovation, solidifying our position as a leader in the fitness tech industry.”

Customer Success Stories

When asking Parfenyuk about customer success stories, she highlighted:

“We receive hundreds of inspiring success stories every week from our users, and it’s incredibly motivating for our team. One standout story is from Sarah, a busy working mother who struggled to find time for fitness. Traditional content plans and YouTube channels didn’t work for her because she needed a very flexible workout schedule. With the help of Zing’s AI Recommender, she created a personalized fitness plan that fit her hectic lifestyle. The AI Assistant kept her motivated with timely reminders and encouragement. Over six months, Sarah not only lost 20 pounds but also reported feeling more energetic and confident.”

“As a busy mom of two little kids myself, I understand the challenges Sarah faced. Stories like Sarah’s highlight the profound impact our technology has on people’s lives, helping them achieve their fitness goals and enhance their overall well-being.”

Metrics

When asking Parfenyuk about the company’s metrics, she revealed:

— 2M+ users

— 300k active subscribers

— 90 people in the company (remote)

— 3 co-founders

— More metrics 

Total Addressable Market

When asking Parfenyuk about the total addressable market (TAM) size the company is pursuing, she assessed it was over $100 billion globally.

Differentiation From The Competition

What differentiates the company from its competition? Parfenyuk affirmed:

“Unique integration of cutting-edge technology with a deep understanding of user needs.”

“Our AI Recommender system is not only scalable and fast-learning but also highly individualized, offering personalized fitness plans that adapt to each user’s progress and preferences. Additionally, our AI Assistant, powered by large language models, provides continuous support and motivation, significantly enhancing user retention and engagement. By combining these advanced technologies with our commitment to creating a supportive and engaging community, we deliver a fitness experience that is both effective and enjoyable, ensuring our users stay motivated and achieve their goals.”

“We also see a strong interest in our app driven by the compelling features highlighted in our ads, such as ‘AI Fitness Plan’ and ‘AI Body Scan.’ These innovative elements attract users who are intrigued by the promises of advanced AI solutions tailored to their fitness needs.”

Future Company Goals

What are some of the company’s future goals? Parfenyuk concluded:

“We have several exciting goals for the future that will enhance our users’ experience and expand our offerings. Firstly, we aim to further improve our AI Assistant platform, placing a stronger emphasis on the motivational aspects of training to keep users engaged and inspired. We’re also planning to diversify our content by adding a wider range of fitness activities, such as yoga, stretching, calisthenics, and specialized plans like those adapted for women’s cycles and postnatal fitness.”

“Additionally, we’re working on releasing new computer vision-based fitness tests, such as Strength Tests and Cardio Tests, to help users better track their progress. Another significant goal is to support 10 languages within our app, making it more accessible to users around the world. These initiatives reflect our commitment to innovation and our mission to provide a comprehensive, personalized, and motivating fitness experience.”

The E. W. Scripps Company is bolstering its portfolio of locally-televised sports by partnering with the Tampa Bay Lightning to bring premium hockey to broadcast TV in Florida.

Starting with the 2025-26 season, Tampa Bay Lightning games will be free to watch on WXPX (Channel 66). Currently, the station offers programming from Ion, but Scripps said WXPX will convert to a full-time independent with sports and entertainment programming, plus news produced by sister-station WFTS (Channel 28, ABC).

A spokesperson for Scripps confirmed to The Desk that Ion programming will be distributed in high definition on a digital sub-channel of WXPX when the station relaunches as an independent outlet in July.

Tampa Bay Lightning games were previously offered on FanDuel Sports Network, which rebranded from Bally Sports last year after parent company Main Street Sports (formerly Diamond Sports Group) emerged from bankruptcy. During that process, Main Street Sports released a number of teams from their contractual obligations to partner with its regional sports channels by terminating or not renewing those agreements.

Even when Tampa Bay Lightning games were on FanDuel Sports Network, the reach of the regional sports channel was limited to the cable and satellite companies that offered it. Some cable platforms do not carry FanDuel Sports Network in the Lightning’s broadcast area, requiring fans of the team to shell out $20 per month for the online version on FanDuel Sports Network.

Bringing the Lightning to broadcast TV has the added benefit of also making the games available on cable and satellite platforms that carry WXPX. Many do, including Frontier, Comcast’s Xfinity, Charter’s Spectrum, Dish Network and DirecTV.

For hockey fans who prefer to stream Lightning games, Scripps Sports will work with the team to develop a new direct-to-consumer streaming app in partnership with ViewLift. Scripps previously worked with ViewLift to develop a streaming experience for fans of the Vegas Golden Knights, according to our prior reporting.

The companies did not say whether the service will cost anything to access, or if it will be free to stream within the Lightning’s broadcast area. Fans outside the Lightning’s broadcast market can stream games on ESPN Plus, which has out-of-market TV rights through a separate partnership with the National Hockey League (NHL).

“The Tampa Bay Lightning are one of the best teams in the NHL, and Bolts fans deserve easy access to all their games via cable, satellite, free over-the-air and streaming,” said Brian Lawlor, the President of Scripps Sports. “The complement of broadcast television and streaming guarantees that fans can follow the games from their living room or wherever they are in their busy lives. We look forward to sharing many winning moments with one of the league’s most loyal fan bases.”

The addition of live Tampa Bay Lightning games is part of Scripps’ broader strategy to leverage live sports rights in order to attract viewers and advertisers to its local TV stations and national networks.

Two years ago, Scripps CEO Adam Symson called the formation of Scripps Sports “one important component of the reorganization we began” in 2023, and a cornerstone of the broadcaster’s evolving distribution and revenue strategy.

Over time, Scripps has partnered with the Women’s National Basketball Association (WNBA) and the National Women’s Soccer League (NWSL) to bring live athletic events to Ion, making games free to watch on broadcast TV and free streaming platforms like The Roku Channel, Xumo Play, Pluto TV and Samsung TV Plus.

The deal with the WNBA came at a particularly critical moment: Last year, the Indiana Fever drafted college basketball sensation Caitlin Clark, and one of the first games of her professional career aired on Ion. (The network shares WNBA rights with ESPN and a few other broadcasters.)

In the early part of the WNBA’s season last year, the five highest-rated games all involved Clark, with one double-header game seeing an average audience of 1.6 million viewers, per Nielsen ratings.

Overall, Scripps Sports on Ion attracted nearly 23.4 million viewers with WNBA games and 20 million unique viewers with NWSL games last season.

On a local level, Scripps has inked deals with the NHL to bring live hockey games to fans in Las Vegas and Tampa Bay, as well as college sports events and shoulder programming.

For the first time since they were released at the beginning of February, the brand-new Beats Powerbeats Pro 2 wireless earbuds are on sale at Amazon. Priced at only $199 instead of their usual $249, this 20% markdown is a treat that doesn’t come along very often (especially when you consider how infrequently Apple owned brand Beats offers its newest models on sale).

See at Amazon

Best in Class Earbuds and Fitness Tracker

Following over 1,500 hours of athlete testing, these earbuds come with secure-fit earhooks that remain securely in place regardless of the intensity of your exercise. The earhooks are made with a nickel titanium alloy that provides superior flexibility, grip and comfort. This new-generation design makes Powerbeats Pro 2 20% lighter than the last and with five other ear tip sizes to choose from, you can expect a perfectly fitting and comfortable experience for every ear shape.

These Powerbeats Pro 2 are powered by the Apple H2 chip, and they deliver immersive, high-fidelity sound with Adaptive EQ which analyzes what you’re listening to using built-in microphones and automatically adjusts the sound frequencies for the best possible listening. Personalized Spatial Audio with dynamic head tracking surrounds you in detailed sound-clear highs, warm mid-tones and deep bass.

If you refuse to let go of focus during their workouts, Beats has outfitted the Powerbeats Pro 2 with its best Active Noise Cancelling (ANC) technology yet. This allows you to tune out distractions and be in the zone while Transparency mode allows you to hear what’s happening around you when you need to know what’s happening around you. The earbuds also come equipped with class-leading Class 1 Bluetooth connectivity which offers a stable and unbroken connection for calls and music.

Yet another of the new features worth mentioning is built-in heart rate monitoring: More than 100 times a second, sensors pulse to provide instant heart rate feedback so these earbuds are the perfect fitness companion for tracking your gain in fitness. Powerbeats Pro 2 are also sweat and water-proof, IPX4-rated, so they are tough enough for rain and sweat.

You will also love the battery life: you’ll get a maximum of 45 hours of total listening time inside the small charging case and it means that you won’t have to recharge for days on end. The case itself is 33% smaller than before and now includes wireless Qi charging as an added convenience. While there is no USB-C to USB-C cable provided, most will appreciate the wireless charging as a nice bonus.

Compatibility is seamless whether you’re using Apple or Android devices. Apple users benefit from one-touch pairing, automatic device switching, Audio Sharing, hands-free Siri, and Find My integration. Android users get similar perks through the Beats app including one-touch pairing, heart rate monitoring, customizable controls, battery status widgets, and device location features.

With near-universal reviews and this being the first major discount since launch, the Beats Powerbeats Pro 2 are a must-have.

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Marc Bircham

FORT WORTH, Texas, May 13, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Lottery.com Inc. (Nasdaq: LTRY, LTRYW), a leading technology company in digital lottery, sports and entertainment, announces the appointment of Marc Bircham to its Board of Directors as an Executive Director.

Currently serving as Director of Sports.com since March 2024, Bircham has played an instrumental role in advancing the Company’s expansion into global sports media and football club acquisitions. A UEFA Pro License holder, he has held senior coaching and managerial roles in England, Ireland, Italy, the USA, Canada and the Caribbean.

Bircham is widely regarded as a Queens Park Rangers (QPR) legend and one of the most iconic figures in the club’s history. With over 300 professional appearances and 21 international caps for Canada, Bircham transitioned from an illustrious playing career into a dynamic and globally respected football executive and coach.

“Marc has made a tremendous impact at Sports.com, bringing deep industry knowledge, international experience, and a passion for innovation,” said Matthew McGahan, Chairman and CEO of Lottery.com. “His appointment to the Lottery.com Board reflects our confidence in his strategic leadership as we continue our international expansion across the sports, gaming, and entertainment sectors. Marc has demonstrated this year that he is a true leader—both on and off the pitch.”

Throughout his coaching career, Bircham has led top-tier programs including QPR, Como 1907 in Italy’s Serie B, Waterford FC in Ireland, and the Bahamas National Team. He was instrumental in signing global stars such as Cesc Fàbregas and Eberechi Eze and has been consistently recognized for transforming clubs operating under financial constraints and for nurturing youth talent—including England international Raheem Sterling.

Bircham commented: “It’s an honor to be appointed to the Lottery.com Board of Directors. I believe in the Company’s vision and the power of uniting lottery, sports and entertainment into a global digital ecosystem. I’m excited to help shape the future of the Company and contribute to its continued growth.”

Known for his media presence and charismatic leadership, Bircham’s appointment marks a strategic milestone as Lottery.com continues to build a world-class executive team aligned with its global vision and focus on delivering shareholder value.

About Lottery.com

The Lottery.com Inc. (NASDAQ: LTRY, LTRYW) family of brands — including Sports.com, Concerts.com, and TicketStub.com, is a unified ecosystem that integrates gaming, entertainment, and sports.