The record $6.1 billion Boston Celtics sale is being supported by a $1 billion investment from the CEO of the world’s second-largest steel producer. All that remains before the deal is completed is a vote by the NBA’s board of governors, which is expected in July. —Ben Horney The record $6.1 billion sale of the […]
The record $6.1 billion Boston Celtics sale is being supported by a $1 billion investment from the CEO of the world’s second-largest steel producer. All that remains before the deal is completed is a vote by the NBA’s board of governors, which is expected in July.
—Ben Horney
The record $6.1 billion sale of the Boston Celtics to a group led by private-equity executive Bill Chisholm is all but wrapped up, with a vote by the NBA board of governors this summer the only remaining step before the deal is completed.
And Chisholm is still adding investors. On Thursday, Front Office Sports confirmed the CEO of ArcelorMittal—the world’s second-largest steel producer—is contributing $1 billion to the transaction. Sportico first reported Mittal’s investment.
In addition to Chisholm and AdityaMittal, other investors participating in the sale include private-equity firm Sixth Street, existing Celtics minority owner Robert Hale Jr., and Bruce A. Beal Jr., president of Related Companies. (And that’s just the confirmed list so far, but there are others, a source tells FOS.)
The deal, which FOS reported has been “oversubscribed” since earlier this month, is on the “one-yard line,” a source familiar with the matter says. The last remaining step is for the NBA board of governors to vote to approve. That’s expected in July, after the NBA Finals.
While Chisholm will be the face of the new ownership group, Mittal is much more globally famous, just as Sixth Street is a household name in private equity while Chisholm’s Symphony Technology Group is not.
These are the others who’ve joined Chisholm:
Aditya Mittal
Mittal has been CEO of ArcelorMittal, the second-biggest producer of steel in the world behind China Baowu Steel Group, since 2021. He is likely to be the second-largest Celtics stakeholder, a source confirms to FOS, and may be the team’s alternate governor in the future.
His father, Lakshmi Mittal, started Mittal Steel in 1976. It became ArcelorMittal following the 2006 merger of Arcelor and Mittal Steel. Prior to assuming the CEO role, Aditya Mittal held an array of leadership positions within the company, including CFO.
Mittal’s investment in the Celtics deal is not par for the course for him. He doesn’t appear to have a wide-ranging portfolio of sports investments, although he did previously form and oversee the Mittal Champions Trust, a philanthropic effort aimed at supporting Indian athletes seeking to participate in the Olympics.
His net worth is close to $24 billion, according to Bloomberg’s Billionaire Index.
Mittal could not immediately be reached, and ArcelorMittal did not immediately respond to a request for comment.
Sixth Street Partners
The private-equity firm made headlines earlier in the Celtics deal process over reports it was contributing more money than Chisholm, which would not be allowed under the NBA’s PE ownership rules. FOS can confirm it is anticipated that Sixth Street will hold a Celtics stake of about 12.5%, which is lower than its original commitment.
Sixth Street also owns a stake in the San Antonio Spurs. Under NBA ownership rules, any given private equity fund cannot own more than a 20% interest in any individual team, although it can own up to that size stake in as many as five franchises.
Sixth Street recently purchased a 10% stake in the San Francisco Giants. It has also invested in soccer teams FC Barcelona and Real Madrid, and owns a controlling share of Bay FC in the NWSL. The firm boasts more than $100 billion of assets under management.
Sixth Street declined to comment.
Robert Hale Jr.
Hale, president of Massachusetts-based telecommunications company Granite Communications, is already a minority stakeholder in the Celtics, having joined the ownership group as a limited partner in 2012. Forbes puts his net worth at $5.8 billion.
It is not clear what size stake he owns in the Celtics, nor how much he will put into the new deal. He did not immediately respond to a request for comment.
In addition to his leadership role at Granite, he is a cofounder of middle market investment firm Copley Equity Partners, which invests across numerous industries. The firm previously invested in professional lacrosse team the Boston Cannons in 2013, though it has since exited. The rest of its portfolio is not sports-related.
Bruce A. Beal Jr.
Beal, president of real estate development, investment management firm Related Companies, also owns a minority stake in the Miami Dolphins, in which he serves as vice chairman and partner.
Late last year, the former majority owner of the Dolphins, Stephen Ross, who founded Related Companies, sold part of his stake to PE firm Ares Management and Brooklyn Nets owners Joe Tsai and Oliver Weisberg. Ares picked up a 10% stake, with Tsai and Weisberg collectively acquiring a 3% interest. Forbesestimates Beal’s net worth at more than $1 billion. He and his company did not immediately respond to requests for comment. It was not clear what size stake he will own in the Celtics and how much money he is contributing.
Beal, who in addition to Hale and Sixth Street were among the co-investors when the Celtics deal was first announced, received kudos then from NFL legend Tom Brady, who posted a story to Instagram, saying, “The Boston boy is an owner of his Boston team. Congratulations!”
Kevin R. Wexler-NorthJersey.com/Imagn Images
Strava is striving to dominate the market for fitness apps, announcing Thursday its second acquisition in as many months with the purchase of a training app for cyclists called The Breakaway.
The Breakaway app provides users with personalized cycling training regimens, analysis of their rides, and other tools aimed at motivating them to remain active. Financial details were not disclosed.
The deal comes the same day that San Francisco–based Strava closed a new round of funding that values the business at more than $2.2 billion, including debt, Strava VP of global communications Brian Bell confirmed to FOS. The round was reportedly led by Sequoia Capital and included participation by TCV, Jackson Square Ventures, and Go4it Capital. A representative for TCV confirmed the firm contributed to the new funding but would not comment further. Representatives for the other firms did not immediately respond to requests for comment.
Bell tells FOS that The Breakaway was an attractive target thanks to its “great ride analysis and achievement tracking tools,” which will be added to Strava’s cycling offerings. Once that integration has been completed, The Breakaway’s stand-alone app will be shut down.
Strava has been focused on growth as the fitness app industry explodes. The total value of the global fitness app market is expected to balloon to $23.21 billion by 2030, according to Grand View Research. In 2022, it was valued at about $8.21 billion.
Strava, which offers an exercise-tracking app, boasts more than 150 million users across 185 countries, according to its website. Last month, it acquired U.K. tech company Runna, a move meant to give Strava users feedback and insights on their activities in real time. That deal followed a few other relatively recent transactions; in 2023, Strava bought 3D mapping platform Fatmap, and before that it purchased injury prevention app Recover Athletics.
The COVID-19 shutdowns led to a casual running boom, which has not yet slowed as participation in running continues to grow. Strava and its competitors, including MyFitnessPal, Fitbit, Nike Run Club, and Runkeeper, are trying to capitalize on running’s increasing popularity.
A representative for The Breakaway did not immediately respond to requests for comment.
Gary A. Vasquez-Imagn Images
From turf to turnstiles, one company is helping build the 2026 FIFA World Cup from the ground up—and it just got purchased in a deal worth more than $1 billion.
Private-equity firm Providence Equity Partners on Wednesday acquired a majority stake in Global Critical Logistics (GCL), parent of Rock-It Cargo, which last year was selected to be the official logistics provider for next year’s World Cup.
Financial details were not disclosed, but a person familiar with the matter confirmed to Front Office Sports that the deal is worth more than $1 billion.
“FIFA is a game-changer for us, no question,” GCL president and CEO Dan Rosenthal tells FOS. “Next year’s World Cup will be the largest event in sports history.”
What exactly will Rock-It Cargo be doing for the World Cup? Well, everything. The expansive event will feature a record 48 teams and have more than one host country for the first time since 2022; games will be held in 16 stadiums across three nations: the U.S., Canada, and Mexico.
“If you take any of those stadiums and turn them upside down, anything that shakes out, we will have assisted in getting into place,” Rosenthal says.
That includes turnstiles, the pitch itself, ref uniforms, player kits, weights that the teams will use in training, and more.
“Everything brought in to be used across the cities and in the venues, we will be assisting in importing, storing things in warehouses, transporting them to the venues, everything,” he says. “This event will set the stage for our growth to come.”
GCL landed the gig after a “highly competitive process,” and Rosenthal says FIFA ultimately selected his company due to its commitment to its craft, culture, and experience helping with major international events.
“We have uniquely different customs expertise compared to competitors,” he says.
Providence doesn’t only invest directly in sports, but it has a healthy history of investing in areas surrounding sports leagues and franchises. Its first sports-related investment was the YES Network, and other investments have included the business behind the Ironman Triathlon events, the marketing arm of Major League Soccer, and college sports marketing company Learfield.
Recent acquisitions for Providence included the 2022 purchase of sports agency Wasserman—which represents players from the NBA, WNBA, NFL, MLB, and more—as well as the 2023 deal for a minority stake in Missouri-based sports and entertainment architectural and design firm Populous.
“We invest in the services ecosystem surrounding sports,” Scott Marimow, managing director at Providence, tells FOS. “GCL fits perfectly in with that strategy.”
The seller, ATL Partners, will retain a minority stake in GCL.
The New York Liberty got a capital injection valuing the franchise at $450 million, FOScan confirm. The investment, first reported by The Athletic, represents a record valuation for a professional women’s sports franchise. The team declined to comment on identities of the investors and how large a stake they will receive in the team. The money is expected to go toward the development of a new practice facility in Brooklyn scheduled to open in 2027.
Indianapolis Colts owner Jim Irsay passed away at 65 years old, the team announced Wednesday; the cause was not announced. He took over the team from his father, Robert Irsay, when he died in 1997, and ran it for roughly 28 years. The Colts declined to comment on succession plans, but the team’s website states Irsay’s daughters, Kalen, Carlie, and Casey—who are all part of the current ownership—are the “next generation of Colts ownership.” A representative from the NFL confirmed to FOS that teams are required to have succession plans filed with the league but said “we do not comment on those plans.”
The New York Giants are receiving plenty of interest in the minority stake they put up for sale in February, with Julia Koch, the widow of David Koch—who owned a majority stake in Koch Industries—the most recent potential buyer linked to the NFL team. Former Giants quarterback and two-time Super Bowl MVP Eli Manning has also been linked, as has a group featuring ex-Giants defensive standout Michael Strahan and billionaire investor Marc Lasry. The Giants and Moelis, the investment bank working with the team on the stake sale, declined to comment.
President Donald Trump’s tax and spending bill—which passed the House in a razor-thin 215–214 vote early Thursday—takes aim at team owners. The bill extends corporate and individual tax cuts passed in 2017 and curbs spending on Medicaid and student loans, among other things. The package also includes a change to the tax treatment of sports franchises, which would effectively function as a tax hike for team owners. The measure would limit 15-year deductions for the cost of sports franchises to just 50% of the cost of those franchises. Effectively, half of the cost would be treated as under current law, and the remaining half would likely have no depreciation deductions at all, says Garrett Watson, director of policy analysis at the Tax Foundation. The bill now heads to the Senate.
The league continues to shop media rights being forfeited by ESPN.
Adidas previously sued Steve Madden over trademark issues.
What Is Japanese Walking? The New Fitness Trend And Its Benefits
A new fitness trend from Japan, dubbed Japanese walking, is gaining popularity online for its simplicity and surprising health benefits. Developed by Professor Hiroshi Nose and Associate Professor Shizue Masuki from Shinshu University, the technique alternates between three minutes of fast-paced walking and three minutes of slower-paced recovery walking. This cycle is repeated for at […]
A new fitness trend from Japan, dubbed Japanese walking, is gaining popularity online for its simplicity and surprising health benefits. Developed by Professor Hiroshi Nose and Associate Professor Shizue Masuki from Shinshu University, the technique alternates between three minutes of fast-paced walking and three minutes of slower-paced recovery walking. This cycle is repeated for at least 30 minutes, four times per week.
The high-intensity phase should feel “somewhat hard” and the low-intensity recovery phase should feel “light,” where talking is still comfortable, though slightly more laboured than during complete rest.
How Does Japanese Walking Compare To Traditional Walking?
Japanese walking has been compared to low-impact versions of high-intensity interval training (HIIT). Unlike the popular 10,000-step goal, this method is less time-consuming, requires no equipment apart from a stopwatch and open space, and is easier to incorporate into a busy schedule.
A 2007 study in Japan found that participants following this interval walking method had greater improvements in body weight, blood pressure, leg strength, and overall physical fitness compared to those who simply walked continuously at a moderate pace, aiming for 8,000 steps per day.
Even more encouraging, a long-term study found that this technique could protect against age-related declines in strength and fitness, suggesting a potential for longer, healthier lives, although direct evidence on longevity is still pending.
Is Japanese Walking for Everyone?
Despite its many benefits, Japanese walking may not suit everyone. In the same 2007 study, about 22% of participants dropped out of the program, compared to a 17% dropout rate in the continuous walking group. This indicates that the intensity or structure of Japanese walking might still pose a challenge for some.
While walking 6,000 to 10,000 steps a day is already linked with longevity, depending on age, similar direct evidence is still lacking for Japanese walking.
Ultimately, the key to better health may not lie in the exact form of exercise, but in how regularly and intensely it’s performed. Whether it’s step-based walking or interval-style Japanese walking, what matters most is forming a consistent, moderate-to-vigorous physical activity habit.
Evan Stewart’s Injury Sparks Evolving Recovery Trends in College Football
Evan Stewart, the Oregon wide receiver, faces a long recovery after tearing his patellar tendon, raising questions about his future in the 2025 season. His injury underscores a shift in how athletes approach rehabilitation, making recovery a prominent, tech-driven aspect of sports. Athletes are leveraging advanced therapies, including shockwave therapy, to enhance healing and minimize […]
Evan Stewart, the Oregon wide receiver, faces a long recovery after tearing his patellar tendon, raising questions about his future in the 2025 season. His injury underscores a shift in how athletes approach rehabilitation, making recovery a prominent, tech-driven aspect of sports. Athletes are leveraging advanced therapies, including shockwave therapy, to enhance healing and minimize downtime, moving away from traditional rest and ice methods. The competitive landscape demands that players not only recover but also showcase their resilience and improved performance. Stewart’s situation highlights a growing trend where recovery is a central focus, changing perceptions around fitness and readiness.
By the Numbers
Evan Stewart is 21 years old and facing a potential long absence from gameplay.
Shockwave therapy is gaining traction among athletes for treating tendon and muscle injuries.
State of Play
The competitive nature of college football intensifies the focus on rapid recovery methods.
Teams and clinics are adopting innovative therapies to help athletes return to form quickly.
What’s Next
As recovery technologies evolve, expect more athletes to embrace visible, advanced rehabilitation methods that cater to a culture increasingly focused on performance and resilience. The impact of such approaches might redefine standards for injury management in sports.
Bottom Line
The era of discreet recovery is over; athletes like Stewart are at the forefront of a transformation that places recovery in the public eye, emphasizing both physical and mental resilience in the journey back to peak performance.
MECHANICSVILLE, Va., June 7, 2025 /PRNewswire/ — Following the recently announced sale of 13 facility management contracts to Sports Facilities Companies (SFC), Rink Management Services will continue to operate independently in the ice rink business, focusing on its seven leased properties, the development and management of a Holiday Village concept with ice skating, and assisting […]
MECHANICSVILLE, Va., June 7, 2025 /PRNewswire/ — Following the recently announced sale of 13 facility management contracts to Sports Facilities Companies (SFC), Rink Management Services will continue to operate independently in the ice rink business, focusing on its seven leased properties, the development and management of a Holiday Village concept with ice skating, and assisting with growth initiatives.
Tom Hillgrove, president of Rink Management Services, said, “We’re excited about the opportunities we see in this space and also about contributing to the growth of hockey and ice sports. In addition, our company will be managing three of the ten highest volume seasonal ice skating rinks in the United States.”
“I’ve currently been working with a group to build an ice rink at my alma mater, the University of Virginia,” Hillgrove said. “It is a thorough and very detailed process, but the group has made significant progress, and an ice rink associated with the University will be a great recreational benefit for the local community and the students.”
Hillgrove added, “Rink Management Services is excited to continue the work with Sports Facilities Companies on joint projects that benefit both companies, and to share its 25-year experience in the industry.”
About Rink Management Services
Rink Management Services has been successfully managing ice rinks for more than 20 years. It is now one of the country’s most successful ice rink management companies, with three of the ten highest volume seasonal ice skating rinks in the United States. The industry-leading firm is expanding its product offering, spearheading the development and management of a Holiday Village concept with ice skating.
Press Contact: Tom Hillgrove, (804) 363-1657, https://www.rinkmanagement.com/
By Ace Vincent | Published 1 minute ago Video games have become more than just entertainment—they’ve become laboratories for innovation that spills over into countless other fields. When game developers solve problems like how to make virtual worlds feel real or how to keep millions of players engaged simultaneously, those solutions often find their way […]
Video games have become more than just entertainment—they’ve become laboratories for innovation that spills over into countless other fields. When game developers solve problems like how to make virtual worlds feel real or how to keep millions of players engaged simultaneously, those solutions often find their way into everything from military training to retail marketing.
The gaming industry’s relentless push for better graphics, smoother interactions, and more immersive experiences has quietly revolutionized how we work, learn, and connect. What starts as a feature designed to make a game more fun frequently ends up transforming entire industries in unexpected ways.
From the motion controls that changed how we think about human-computer interaction to the virtual economies that influenced real-world finance, gaming innovations have a habit of escaping their digital boundaries. Here is a list of 16 video game features that didn’t just change gaming—they changed the world.
Real-Time Ray Tracing
DepositPhotos
Real-time ray tracing in games like ‘Control’ and ‘Cyberpunk 2077’ has revolutionized how architects and product designers visualize their creations. The technology now powers everything from automotive design studios to real estate virtual tours, allowing instant photorealistic rendering that once took hours to compute.
Motion Controls
DepositPhotos
Nintendo’s Wii controller sparked a revolution that extended far beyond gaming into physical therapy and medical rehabilitation. Hospitals now use motion-sensing technology to help stroke patients regain motor skills, while fitness centers incorporate game-like motion tracking into workout routines.
Like Go2Tutors’s content? Follow us on MSN.
Virtual Reality Headsets
DepositPhotos
VR gaming technology has transformed training programs across industries, from surgeons practicing complex procedures to pilots learning to fly without leaving the ground. The immersive environments first perfected for games now train astronauts, treat phobias, and help architects walk through buildings before they’re built.
In-Game Microtransactions
DepositPhotos
The microtransaction model pioneered by mobile games has reshaped how software companies think about revenue, moving beyond one-time purchases to ongoing engagement strategies. This approach now influences everything from productivity apps to streaming services, creating subscription and add-on models across the tech industry.
Procedural Generation
DepositPhotos
Games like ‘Minecraft’ and ‘No Man’s Sky’ popularized algorithms that create infinite, unique content automatically, a concept now used in everything from architectural design to drug discovery. Pharmaceutical companies use similar procedural techniques to generate potential molecular structures for new medications.
Like Go2Tutors’s content? Follow us on MSN.
Achievement Systems
DepositPhotos
The badge and achievement systems that keep gamers engaged have been adopted by fitness apps, educational platforms, and workplace training programs. Companies now use gamified achievement structures to motivate employees, track progress, and encourage continued participation in professional development.
Cloud Gaming
DepositPhotos
Streaming games from remote servers has paved the way for cloud computing adoption across industries, proving that complex applications can run smoothly over internet connections. This technology now powers everything from remote work solutions to on-demand video editing, eliminating the need for powerful local hardware.
Battle Royale Mechanics
DepositPhotos
The last-player-standing format popularized by ‘Fortnite’ has influenced competition structures in reality TV, sports broadcasting, and even business conferences. Event organizers now use elimination-style formats to maintain audience engagement throughout lengthy programs.
Like Go2Tutors’s content? Follow us on MSN.
Voice Chat Integration
DepositPhotos
Seamless voice communication systems developed for multiplayer games have become the backbone of remote work and online education. The technology that lets gamers coordinate in real-time now powers business meetings, virtual classrooms, and telemedicine consultations.
Loot Box Psychology
DepositPhotos
The psychological principles behind loot boxes have influenced marketing strategies across the retail and entertainment industries, from mystery subscription boxes to collectible trading cards. Understanding player engagement and reward anticipation has shaped how companies design customer loyalty programs.
Cross-Platform Play
DepositPhotos
The ability to play the same game across different devices has driven demand for universal compatibility in all software applications. This concept now influences how productivity tools, social media platforms, and streaming services ensure seamless experiences across phones, tablets, and computers.
Like Go2Tutors’s content? Follow us on MSN.
Augmented Reality Overlays
DepositPhotos
AR features in games like ‘Pokémon GO’ have transformed how retailers and marketers think about location-based advertising and customer engagement. Stores now use AR to let customers visualize furniture in their homes, while museums create interactive historical experiences.
Dynamic Difficulty Adjustment
DepositPhotos
Games that automatically adjust challenge levels based on player performance have influenced adaptive learning systems in education and training programs. Online courses and professional development platforms now use similar algorithms to personalize content difficulty for individual learners.
Blockchain-Based Ownership
DepositPhotos
Games featuring player-owned digital assets have accelerated the adoption of blockchain technology in the art, music, and publishing industries. The concept of verified digital ownership pioneered in gaming now influences how creators sell and distribute digital content.
Like Go2Tutors’s content? Follow us on MSN.
Live Service Models
DepositPhotos
Games that continuously evolve with regular updates and events have changed how software companies approach product development and customer retention. Everything from productivity apps to social media platforms now adopts similar strategies of constant iteration and community engagement.
Esports Infrastructure
DepositPhotos
The competitive gaming ecosystem has created new models for sports broadcasting, talent management, and audience engagement that traditional sports are now adopting. Professional leagues are incorporating gaming-style statistics, instant replays, and interactive viewing experiences.
Beyond the Screen
DepositPhotos
These gaming innovations prove that entertainment technology often becomes tomorrow’s essential business tool. What begins as a way to make virtual worlds more engaging frequently ends up solving real-world problems in medicine, education, architecture, and beyond.
The gaming industry’s constant experimentation with new ways to capture human attention and create meaningful experiences continues to generate ideas that transform how we work, learn, and interact with technology. The next time you see a new gaming feature, don’t just think about how it might improve your play experience—consider how it might change everything else.
ICYMI: the week’s 7 biggest tech stories from the Nintendo Switch 2 launch to Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 7 Ultra leaks
Action stations, folks, the Nintendo Switch 2 is here, and we’ve got our hands on the new console! We’ve also tested the latest Surface Pro tablet, found out how Spotify Wrapped 2024 got it so wrong, and tuned in to Summer Game Fest 2025 for some major announcements. Once you’ve scrolled down to catch up […]
Action stations, folks, the Nintendo Switch 2 is here, and we’ve got our hands on the new console!
We’ve also tested the latest Surface Pro tablet, found out how Spotify Wrapped 2024 got it so wrong, and tuned in to Summer Game Fest 2025 for some major announcements.
Golf World in Turmoil as New PGA Tour Innovation Sparks Controversy Among Fans In a shocking turn of events, the PGA Tour has introduced a groundbreaking innovation at the Canadian Open, leaving golf fans worldwide divided. The new technology, a drone shot tracer that changes color based on the probability of the ball hitting the […]
Golf World in Turmoil as New PGA Tour Innovation Sparks Controversy Among Fans
In a shocking turn of events, the PGA Tour has introduced a groundbreaking innovation at the Canadian Open, leaving golf fans worldwide divided. The new technology, a drone shot tracer that changes color based on the probability of the ball hitting the fairway, has sparked a heated debate among enthusiasts.
While some fans have welcomed the change as a step towards modernization and innovation, others have criticized it, arguing that it takes away the anticipation and uncertainty that makes watching golf exciting. One fan expressed, “It is so bad, I don’t need a robot to tell me where it thinks the ball will land, I can wait 2 seconds to find out myself.”
Speculations are rife that the PGA Tour’s new technology might have been inspired by LIV Golf, a rival league that has been attracting top players away from the traditional tour. With big names like Bryson DeChambeau and Phil Mickelson having joined LIV Golf in recent years, the competition between the two leagues is at an all-time high.
Phil Mickelson, a vocal critic of the PGA Tour, highlighted the advantages of LIV Golf, emphasizing the need for more global and competitive events that bring together the best players in the world. Mickelson pointed out that the traditional model of the PGA Tour restricted players from competing against each other frequently and internationally, a limitation that LIV Golf has successfully addressed.
As the golfing world grapples with these significant changes and innovations, one thing is clear – the landscape of professional golf is evolving rapidly, with leagues like LIV Golf pushing the boundaries of what is possible in the sport. The PGA Tour, faced with increasing competition and fan expectations, must continue to adapt and innovate to stay relevant in this dynamic environment.
REACTION to Cowboys acquisition 
| First Take
