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.
BATANGAS State University (BatStateU), the Philippines’ national engineering institute, inaugurated on June 19 its Knowledge, Innovation and Science Technology (KIST) Park’s Ventures Hub. The Ventures Hub seeks to transform the local startup ecosystem by helping turn innovative ideas into thriving projects. It offers modular locator spaces tailored to help startups grow and scale up. It […]
BATANGAS State University (BatStateU), the Philippines’ national engineering institute, inaugurated on June 19 its Knowledge, Innovation and Science Technology (KIST) Park’s Ventures Hub.
The Ventures Hub seeks to transform the local startup ecosystem by helping turn innovative ideas into thriving projects.
It offers modular locator spaces tailored to help startups grow and scale up. It empowers industry locators to collaborate, explore ideas, and seize opportunities in partnership with BatStateU.
From left: Dr. Napoleon Juanillo Jr., assistant secretary for Technology Transfer, Communications and Commercialization, Department of Science and Technology; Dr. Marita Canapi, commissioner, Commission on Higher Education; Carmel Matabang, regional director, Department of Economy, Planning, and Development, Region 4A; Emelita Bagsit, regional director, DOST-Calabarzon; and Dr. Tirso Ronquillo, president, BatStateU and CEO, KIST Park. CONTRIBUTED PHOTO
Its focus will span semiconductors, electronics, artificial intelligence, agritech, healthtech, among other sectors, reflecting the university’s commitment to advancing technologies to solve real-world problems.
Get the latest news
delivered to your inbox
Sign up for The Manila Times newsletters
By signing up with an email address, I acknowledge that I have read and agree to the Terms of Service and Privacy Policy.
“Through initiatives like the Ventures Hub, we are ensuring that our students, researchers, and entrepreneurs have the tools, resources and expertise to bring their ideas to life — creating solutions that resonate on a global scale. The Ventures Hub will empower the next generation of tech entrepreneurs and fuel economic growth by turning their visions into thriving businesses that will drive the Philippine economy forward,” said Dr. Tirso Ronquillo, university president and KIST Park CEO.
In 2016, the university’s board of regents approved the construction of KIST Park, and in 2020 the Philippine Economic Zone Authority declared it a special ecozone.
The KIST Park, which has direct access to BatStateU’s rich pool of talent, will provide startups with expertise, research programs and an ecosystem designed to foster innovation. This strategic partnership ensures that ventures can seamlessly transition from research and development to market-ready solutions, enhancing their global competitiveness.
The inauguration ceremony kicked off with a ribbon-cutting event, followed by speeches from key stakeholders in the education and tech sectors, including Dr. Marita Canapi, commissioner of the Commission on Higher Education (CHED); Dr. Napoleon Juanillo Jr., assistant secretary for Technology Transfer, Communications, and Commercialization (TTCC) of DOST; and Carmela Matabang, regional director of the Department of Economy, Planning and Development (DEPDev), Region 4A.
They emphasized the importance of collaboration between industry and academe in advancing the country’s technology and innovation landscape.
Startups and industry locators at Ventures Hub will recognize the value of being part of an ecosystem where they are not building in isolation but co-creating alongside researchers, students and fellow innovators.
At the inauguration, existing industry locators such as Plant Science Philippines Corp., ParallaxED, TRIOE, Lycan Motorcycles, among others, participated in a unit exhibition showcasing their innovations, capabilities and active roles in shaping the vibrant, collaborative ecosystem within KIST Park.
BatStateU KIST Park offers substantial government-backed incentives, including income tax holidays, VAT zero-rating, and streamlined business registration processes. These advantages reduce barriers to innovation, creating an ideal environment for startups to scale and succeed.
BatStateU KIST Park is in Alangilan, Batangas City. It provides purpose-built infrastructure and dynamic spaces like the Ventures Hub to help “Transform Knowledge into Technology.”
Lottery.com Acquires $10M Sports Tech Assets for Global Super App Launch
FORT WORTH, Texas, June 26, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Lottery.com Inc. (NASDAQ: LTRY, LTRYW) (“Lottery.com” or “the Company”), a leading technology company transforming the intersection of gaming, sports and entertainment, today announced it is advancing its global expansion with the planned launch of the Sports.com Super App (the “Super App”)—a first-of-its-kind digital destination for sports fans […]
FORT WORTH, Texas, June 26, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Lottery.com Inc. (NASDAQ: LTRY, LTRYW) (“Lottery.com” or “the Company”), a leading technology company transforming the intersection of gaming, sports and entertainment, today announced it is advancing its global expansion with the planned launch of the Sports.com Super App (the “Super App”)—a first-of-its-kind digital destination for sports fans worldwide. The Super App is designed to combine live streaming, social engagement, e-commerce and gamification into a single immersive ecosystem.
The Super App, which is scheduled to launch in select global markets in Q3 2025, will initially focus on soccer and motorsport—two verticals Sports.com has been aggressively expanding into through a series of high-profile sponsorships and strategic initiatives. The Super App will be built on an existing platform development by Galaxy Racer Holdings Limited (“GXR”), The GXR app has achieved more than one million monthly active subscribers organically, demonstrating significant early traction and category-defining potential.
���We’ve spent the past two years building Sports.com around key pillars like soccer and motorsport,” said Mark Bircham, Director of Sports.com. “This acquisition and the launch of the Sports.com Super App is the culmination of a precise strategy to consolidate fragmented sports experiences. Our partnerships with emerging motorsport stars like Callum Ilott, Louis Foster, and Sebastian Murray, along with this technology acquisition sets the stage for an aggressive media expansion that will redefine how fans watch, play and engage with their favorite leagues, teams, and players.”
The Super App will integrate six primary features into a single experience: live streaming, community chat hubs, stats-based social media, e-commerce, real-money and fantasy sports gaming, and sports news. The Super App aims to engage fans across the full lifecycle of the sports experience, tapping into the 4–5 hours of average fan interaction beyond match time each week.
Revenue streams will include premium streaming subscriptions, in-app advertising, merchandising and interactive gamified challenges. Plans are underway to extend into additional sports verticals and incorporate immersive streaming experiences later this year.
To accelerate the development timeline for the Super App, Lottery.com has signed a Letter of Intent (LOI) to acquire a 51% controlling interest in the sports and technology assets of GXR, valuing the transaction at $10 million pre-money. Subject to due diligence and final agreement, the deal allows Lottery.com to fund the $5.1 million initial investment via cash, stock, or a combination at a fixed $3.00 share price. A $15 million financing commitment has also been pledged by Lottery.com to fuel expansion of the Sports.com Super App.
All GXR unencumbered assets, including its tech stack and user base, will be transferred to a new entity (NewCo), of which Lottery.com will initially own 51%. The agreement includes a call option to acquire 100% ownership of NewCo by the end of 2027. Exclusivity has been secured through June 30, 2025, with an automatic 30-day extension, and closing is anticipated on or before August 1, 2025.
“This is a transformational moment for the worldwide sports media ecosystem,” said Paul Roy, Founder and CEO of GXR. “Together with Lottery.com and Sports.com, we are developing the world’s first true sports super app. As global licensing discussions advance, and integration with the Lottery.com family of brands begins, we see a future where fans control their entire live event experience—on the Super App, across all screens, in every corner of the globe.”
About Lottery.com
The Lottery.com Inc. (NASDAQ: LTRY, LTRYW) family of brands — including Sports.com, Tinbu and WinTogether, comprise a unified ecosystem that integrates gaming, entertainment, and sports. Follow the Company on X, Instagram and Facebook.
Forward-Looking Statements
This press release contains statements that constitute “forward-looking statements” within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended. All statements, other than statements of present or historical fact included in this press release, regarding the Company’s strategy, future operations, prospects, plans and objectives of management, are forward-looking statements. When used in this Form 8-K, the words “could,” “should,” “will,” “may,” “believe,” “anticipate,” “intend,” “estimate,” “expect,” “project,” “initiatives,” “continue,” the negative of such terms and other similar expressions are intended to identify forward-looking statements, although not all forward-looking statements contain such identifying words. These forward-looking statements are based on management’s current expectations and assumptions about future events and are based on currently available information as to the outcome and timing of future events. The forward-looking statements speak only as of the date of this press release or as of the date they are made. The Company cautions you that these forward-looking statements are subject to numerous risks and uncertainties, most of which are difficult to predict and many of which are beyond the control of the Company. In addition, the Company cautions you that the forward-looking statements contained in this press release are subject to risks and uncertainties, including but not limited to, expectations related to the investigation of short selling or potential naked short selling, including the Company’s analysis, its ability to take appropriate corrective action, or any potential investigations by regulators; any future findings from ongoing review of the Company’s internal accounting controls; additional examination of the preliminary conclusions of such review; the Company’s ability to secure additional capital resources; the Company’s ability to continue as a going concern; the Company’s ability to respond in a timely and satisfactory matter to the inquiries by Nasdaq; the Company’s ability to regain compliance with the Bid Price Requirement; the Company’s ability to regain compliance with Nasdaq Listing Rules; the Company’s ability to become current with its SEC reports; and those additional risks and uncertainties discussed under the heading “Risk Factors” in the Form 10-K/A filed by the Company with the SEC on April 22, 2025, and the other documents filed, or to be filed, by the Company with the SEC. Additional information concerning these and other factors that may impact the operations and projections discussed herein can be found in the reports that the Company has filed and will file from time to time with the SEC. These SEC filings are available publicly on the SEC’s website at www.sec.gov. Should one or more of the risks or uncertainties described in this press release materialize or should underlying assumptions prove incorrect, actual results and plans could differ materially from those expressed in any forward-looking statements. Except as otherwise required by applicable law, the Company disclaims any duty to update any forward-looking statements, all of which are expressly qualified by the statements in this section, to reflect events or circumstances after the date of this press release.
This press release was published by a CLEAR® Verified individual.
For more information, please visit www.lottery.com or contact our media relations team at press@lottery.com.
New Wellness Hotel Opens Near Miami Airport With In-Room Fitness Studios
MIAMI, June 26, 2025 /PRNewswire/ — Owner and developer ASI Diaz Doral Investment Group, proudly managed by Buffalo Lodging Associates, LLC, is thrilled to announce the grand opening of the all-new EVEN Hotel Miami – Doral Area, officially welcoming guests as of June 12. Conveniently located at 10770 NW 25th Street in Sweetwater, this 125-room property […]
MIAMI, June 26, 2025 /PRNewswire/ — Owner and developer ASI Diaz Doral Investment Group, proudly managed by Buffalo Lodging Associates, LLC, is thrilled to announce the grand opening of the all-new EVEN Hotel Miami – Doral Area, officially welcoming guests as of June 12. Conveniently located at 10770 NW 25th Street in Sweetwater, this 125-room property marks the second EVEN Hotels location in the Miami market.
Purposefully designed with adaptability in mind, the hotel features dynamic spaces that flow seamlessly between work and rest. Guestrooms include signature wellness zones with in-room fitness equipment or calming spaces for relaxation and recovery. The 24/7 Athletic Studio includes top-tier cardio machines, strength-training equipment, yoga gear, and stretch zones. After a workout or long travel day, guests can recharge with a handcrafted cappuccino from premium Julius Meinl espresso, enjoy a sip from the complimentary infused water station, or unwind poolside with a refreshing cocktail in hand.
The EVEN® Kitchen & Bar offers a balanced approach to dining, serving nourishing, flavorful dishes that cater to both wellness and indulgence. Additional guest amenities include complimentary high-speed Wi-Fi, ergonomic workspaces, a 24/7 convenience market, and 1,400 square feet of flexible meeting space ideal for both corporate gatherings and social events of up to 100 guests.
“At the EVEN Hotel Miami – Doral Area, wellness isn’t just a feature, it’s a philosophy woven into every element of the guest experience,” said Luis Prado, President of ASI Global Group. “After a challenging yet rewarding development journey, we are thrilled to finally open our doors. This milestone would not have been possible without the dedication and support of our incredible team. We’re proud to introduce a property that will stand as a landmark in the area and a valuable addition to Buffalo Lodging’s growing portfolio. The best is yet to come.”
Ideally situated just steps from Dolphin Mall and a short drive from Miami International Airport, downtown Miami, and South Beach. Guests can explore nearby destinations like CityPlace Doral, Florida International University, and Miami International Mall. Business travelers will appreciate proximity to major corporations such as Burger King HQ, U.S. Southern Command, and several airline and cruise line offices, including Carnival, Holland America, Norwegian, and MSC.
For more information or to book a reservation, please visit EVEN Hotel Miami – Doral Area or call 305.463.2993.
About EVEN Hotels: The EVEN Hotels brand was launched in 2014 as the hotel industry’s first and only hotel brand created with wellness at its core. EVEN Hotels empowers guests to maintain their wellness routine while on the road by providing options to choose what that means to them. The brand has intentionally designed every aspect of the hotel experience, in every square foot across all properties, with an emphasis on three key components: keep moving your way, restorative moments, and F&B that flexes for you. For more information about the EVEN Hotels brand, visit www.EVENHotels.com. Find us on Facebook or Instagram.
About IHG Hotels & Resorts: IHG Hotels & Resorts (tickers: LON:IHG for Ordinary Shares; NYSE:IHG for ADRs) is a global hospitality company, with a purpose to provide True Hospitality for Good.
With a family of 20 hotel brands and IHG One Rewards, one of the world’s largest hotel loyalty programmes with over 145 million members, IHG has more than 6,600 open hotels in over 100 countries, and a development pipeline of over 2,200 properties.
Premium: voco hotels, Ruby, HUALUXE Hotels & Resorts, Crowne Plaza Hotels & Resorts, EVEN Hotels
Essentials: Holiday Inn Express, Holiday Inn Hotels & Resorts, Garner hotels, avid hotels
Suites: Atwell Suites, Staybridge Suites, Holiday Inn Club Vacations, Candlewood Suites
Exclusive Partners: Iberostar Beachfront Resorts
InterContinental Hotels Group PLC is the Group’s holding company and is incorporated and registered in England and Wales. Approximately 385,000 people work across IHG’s hotels and corporate offices globally.
Visit us online for more about our hotels and reservations and IHG One Rewards. To download the new IHG One Rewards app, visit the Apple App or Google Play stores.
For our latest news, visit our Newsroom and follow us on LinkedIn.
View original content to download multimedia:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/now-open-even-hotel-miami—doral-area-brings-wellness-focused-hospitality-to-sweetwater-302491433.html
IBC2025 launches Future Tech hub for innovation and talent
Breakthroughs in AI, virtual production, immersive media and sustainability will shape IBC2025, with Future Tech as the focal point. IBC has announced the debut of Future Tech—a major new innovation hub dedicated to showcasing emerging technologies, collaborative projects and next-generation talent. Occupying the entirety of Hall 14 at the RAI Amsterdam, the new zone will […]
Breakthroughs in AI, virtual production, immersive media and sustainability will shape IBC2025, with Future Tech as the focal point.
IBC has announced the debut of Future Tech—a major new innovation hub dedicated to showcasing emerging technologies, collaborative projects and next-generation talent. Occupying the entirety of Hall 14 at the RAI Amsterdam, the new zone will be a central feature of IBC2025, taking place from 12 to 15 September.
Michael Crimp, IBC’s CEO, said: “Shaping the future of media and entertainment (M&E) worldwide is more than our theme – it’s our mission. IBC2025 is where the brightest minds from the international M&E community explore the ideas and technologies reshaping our industry. Future Tech brings that innovation into focus – from AI-powered personalisation and cloud-native workflows to content provenance and private 5G networks, visitors can see the future being defined and built in real time.”
Bringing together participants from over 170 countries, IBC2025 will focus on transformative technologies with real-world applications, drawing attention to cutting-edge developments in AI, virtual production, immersive media, sustainable solutions, and interactive experiences. These themes will be front and centre in the Future Tech zone, where AI will be explored through tools for live production automation, generative content, and novel applications just entering the market.
Visitors will also delve into the world of virtual production, including LED backdrops, augmented reality, and real-time visual effects. Among the key exhibitors in Hall 14 are Microsoft, Mo-Sys, 3Play, CaptionHub, Deepdub, Files.com, Monks, Tata Communications, Veritone and the Ultra HD Forum.
Future Tech will feature several dedicated components, including the Accelerator Innovation Zone, which presents nine Proof of Concept projects addressing real industry challenges through partnerships between media organisations and technology vendors. On the Future Tech Stage, supported by Microsoft, keynote speakers and live demos will highlight technologies set to transform content creation and distribution.
Other highlights include IBC Hackfest x Google Cloud, a fast-paced hackathon where developers, engineers, and creatives use Gemini AI to solve media and entertainment challenges; and the Google AI Penalty Challenge, an immersive experience combining over 15 integrated technologies to demonstrate AI’s role in sports performance. Additionally, the 100 Years of Television exhibit will honour the century since John Logie Baird’s first television demonstration, while looking ahead to the future of broadcasting.
Networking will also play a major role, with curated meetups, informal lunches, and social events in a dedicated hub aimed at connecting professionals from across the media and tech landscape.
Future Tech will also house the IBC Talent Programme, backed by partners including Rise, Rise Academy, HBS, Gals N Gear, and the Media Entertainment Talent Manifesto. Scheduled for 12 September, the programme offers a full day of talks, mentoring, and sessions focused on career development, diversity, and inclusion.
Innovation, however, will not be confined to Hall 14. IBC2025 will showcase new advances across the exhibition floor, including production, streaming, transmission, lighting, cameras and cloud services. Two Content Everywhere stages and the Showcase Theatre will host exhibitor-led presentations and panels throughout the event.
Over 1,100 exhibitors have already booked space, exceeding 44,000 sqm. Returning industry leaders include Adobe, Amazon Web Services, Avid, Blackmagic, Canon, EVS, Grass Valley, Panasonic, Riedel, Ross Video, Samsung, Sony and Zattoo. Newcomers include Baron Weather, Cachefly, Files.com, Momento, NewBlue, OTT Solutions, Plain X, Raysync and Remotly.
Steve Connolly, Director at IBC, noted: “IBC2025 is set to be our most transformative edition yet – a show where innovation is embedded across the entire experience. From world-first product launches to pioneering conference insights, we’re bringing together the technologies, people, and ideas that are redefining what’s possible in M&E.”
This year’s IBC Conference, the exclusive knowledge and networking experience, is running from 12-14 September. It brings together a broad mix of industry leaders and innovators to address topics such as: the business of TV and the search for sustainable growth across new platforms; live sports and real-time experiences; personalised advertising and the future of commercial models; and discovery and prominence – how to ensure content is surfaced in a crowded landscape.
This year’s conference will once again deliver visionary speakers who will cover business-critical challenges around technology and advertising models. AI also features heavily across the programme, examining not just its creative potential but how it can drive efficiency, enhance personalisation, and support real-world editorial workflows.
Newly announced speakers include Elke Walthelm, COO at Sky Deutschland, Rollo Goldstaub, Global Head of Sports Partnerships at TikTok, and Thomas Gruber, Co-CEO, ProsiebenSat 1 PULS 4 – joining others from organisations that include ITV, YouTube, Sling TV and Warner Bros. Discovery, taking a deep dive into the issues, challenges and opportunities transforming media, entertainment and technology.
Another key element of the Conference is IBC’s Technical Papers Programme, returning to the Conference with peer-reviewed research on emerging topics. Elsewhere, the Conference Delegate Lounge offers a place for quiet business conversations as well as networking breakfasts, VIP talks, and roundtables.
College grads face toughest job market in 10+ years as hiring slows
By CHRISTOPHER RUGABER, AP Economics Writer WASHINGTON (AP) — While completing a master’s degree in data analysis, Palwasha Zahid moved from Dallas to a town near Silicon Valley. The location made it easy to visit the campuses of tech stalwarts such as Google, Apple, and Nvidia. Zahid, 25, completed her studies in December, but so […]
WASHINGTON (AP) — While completing a master’s degree in data analysis, Palwasha Zahid moved from Dallas to a town near Silicon Valley. The location made it easy to visit the campuses of tech stalwarts such as Google, Apple, and Nvidia.
Zahid, 25, completed her studies in December, but so far she hasn’t found a job in the industry that surrounds her.
“It stings a little bit,” she said. “I never imagined it would be this difficult just to get a foot in the door.”
Young people graduating from college this spring and summer are facing one of the toughest job markets in more than a decade. The unemployment rate for degree holders ages 22 to 27 has reached its highest level in a dozen years, excluding the coronavirus pandemic. Joblessness among that group is now higher than the overall unemployment rate, and the gap is larger than it has been in more than three decades.
The rise in unemployment has worried many economists as well as officials at the Federal Reserve because it could be an early sign of trouble for the economy. It suggests businesses are holding off on hiring new workers because of rampant uncertainty stemming from the Trump administration’s tariff increases, which could slow growth.
“Young people are bearing the brunt of a lot of economic uncertainty,” Brad Hersbein, senior economist at the Upjohn Institute, a labor-focused think tank, said. “The people that you often are most hesitant in hiring when economic conditions are uncertain are entry-level positions.”
The growth of artifical intelligence may be playing an additional role by eating away at positions for beginners in white-collar professions such as information technology, finance, and law.
Higher unemployment for younger graduates has also renewed concerns about the value of a college degree. More workers than ever have a four-year degree, which makes it less of a distinguishing factor in job applications. Murat Tasci, an economist at JPMorgan, calculates that 45% of workers have a four-year degree, up from 26% in 1992.
While the difficulty of finding work has demoralized young people like Zahid, most economists argue that holding a college degree still offers clear lifetime benefits. Graduates earn higher pay and experience much less unemployment over their lifetimes.
The overall U.S. unemployment rate is a still-low 4.2%, and the government’s monthly jobs reports show the economy is generating modest job gains. But the additional jobs are concentrated in health care, government, and restaurants and hotels. Job gains in professions with more college grads, such as information technology, legal services, and accounting have languished in the past 12 months.
The unemployment rate has stayed low mostly because layoffs are still relatively rare. The actual hiring rate — new hires as a percentage of all jobs — has fallen to 2014 levels, when the unemployment rate was much higher, at 6.2%. Economists call it a no-hire, no-fire economy.
For college graduates 22 to 27 years old, the unemployment rate was 5.8% in March — the highest, excluding the pandemic, since 2012, and far above the nationwide rate.
Lexie Lindo, 23, saw how reluctant companies were to hire while applying for more than 100 jobs last summer and fall after graduating from Clark Atlanta University with a business degree and 3.8 GPA. She had several summer internships in fields such as logistics and real estate while getting her degree, but no offer came.
“Nobody was taking interviews or responding back to any applications that I filled out,” Lindo, who is from Auburn, Georgia, said. “My resume is full, there’s no gaps or anything. Every summer I’m doing something. It’s just, ‘OK, so what else are you looking for?’”
She has returned to Clark for a master’s program in supply chain studies and has an internship this summer at a Fortune 500 company in Austin, Texas. She’s hopeful it will lead to a job next year.
WithU Unveils TrvlWell, Embeds Digital Wellness Into Travel
Priority Pass members can now tap into TrvlWell’s digital wellness tools, built to ease jet lag, fatigue and travel anxiety WithU, the U.K.-based fit tech parent company of fitness platform Mvmnt, is expanding into travel wellness with the launch of TrvlWell, a new B2B platform created in partnership with the venture capital arm of The […]
Priority Pass members can now tap into TrvlWell’s digital wellness tools, built to ease jet lag, fatigue and travel anxiety
WithU, the U.K.-based fit tech parent company of fitness platform Mvmnt, is expanding into travel wellness with the launch of TrvlWell, a new B2B platform created in partnership with the venture capital arm of The Collinson Group, the company behind global airport lounge network Priority Pass.
The move positions WithU at the forefront of the travel wellness space, offering a plug-and-play solution that integrates into partner platforms and enables brands to provide wellness support to customers ranging from jet lag management and nutrition guidance to fitness tips and relaxation techniques.
To mark its debut, TrvlWell is launching a global partnership with Priority Pass, giving members access to digital wellness content embedded directly in the Priority Pass app. The experiences are organized into categories like Rest Easy, Stay Sharp, Fly Well and Feel Calm to ease common travel stressors.
“We are delighted to announce the launch of TrvlWell as we embark on our collaboration with Priority Pass,” TrvlWell CEO Edward Hewett said. “Priority Pass is not only an industry leader but a clear example of the success that comes from enriching the traveler experience. Our shared values and complementary visions will allow us to take the important steps required to transform the role of well-being within travel for the benefit of customers and businesses alike. And this is just the start of our journey at TrvlWell. As we look forward to expanding beyond a digital experience to provide businesses with a way to offer their members the full spectrum of personalized health and wellness recommendations wherever they are in the world.”
Collinson CEO Christopher Evans noted that the partnership reflects Priority Pass’ mission to enhance its members’ travel experience at every stage of their journey.
See Also
“With TrvlWell, we’re taking travel well-being and relaxation to the next level, empowering members to support their mental and physical wellness long after they’ve left the comfort of a lounge, wherever they are in the world,” he said.
View original content to download multimedia:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/now-open-even-hotel-miami—doral-area-brings-wellness-focused-hospitality-to-sweetwater-302491433.html
