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Main Street Sports Group, owner and operator of FanDuel Sports Network, announces that Rich Battista, former CEO of Time Inc., and Chris Brearton, Partner at ABGO, have been appointed to the Company’s Board of Directors.

Battista and Brearton join the Company’s four existing board members Ryan Cunningham, Maryann Turcke, Bob Whitsitt, and David Preschlack, Chief Executive Officer of Main Street Sports Group. The Company is continuing to evaluate additional candidates to fill the Board’s remaining vacancy.

“Rich and Chris are joining our Board at a pivotal time, and we welcome their strategic input as we transform Main Street Sports Group into the premier platform for regional sports,” says CEO David Preschlack. “Each brings decades of invaluable experience in the sports, media, and entertainment industry along with extensive track records of success. Their insights into the evolving media landscape will be instrumental as we continue to drive meaningful innovation with our unmatched portfolio of aggregated live sports rights.”

“We are pleased to join Main Street Sports Group’s Board of Directors and contribute to the Company’s continued growth. With their strong leadership, expansive network of regional platforms, and commitment to innovation across streaming and traditional distribution, Main Street is uniquely positioned to lead the next chapter of growth in sports media. We look forward to collaborating with David and the Board to support the Company’s transformation and advance their long-term vision,” adds Battista and Brearton.

About Rich Battista

Battista is a seasoned executive with over 30 years of leadership experience across public and private companies in the media, sports and entertainment industries. He has a proven track record of driving innovation and transformation, scaling operations, and navigating the evolving media landscape.

He currently serves as Executive Chairman of Adweek; as Executive Chairman of Wave Sports + Entertainment, a digital-first content and media company; and as a board member of RB Media, the world’s largest audiobooks publisher.

Battista previously served as CEO of Time Inc., and prior to that, as CEO at Gemstar-TV Guide International where he led significant transformations at both publicly-traded companies, overseeing the sale of each for $2.8 billion and $2.3 billion respectively.

Prior to his Gemstar-TV Guide International, he spent 18-years at Fox Entertainment where he held various senior roles including President, National Cable Networks, with oversight of several highly valuable businesses including FX, National Geographic Channel, Fox Soccer Channel, Fox Deportes and Fox Sports International. Mr. Battista received his MBA from Harvard Business School and his bachelor’s degree from Georgetown University.

About Chris Brearton

Brearton is a veteran of the film and television industry, bringing over 30 years of media and entertainment strategy experience. He currently serves as a Partner at AGBO, the artist-led independent studio.

Prior to joining AGBO, Brearton most recently served as the Vice President of Corporate Strategy at Amazon MGM Studios. In that role, Brearton oversaw corporate strategy, including the integration of Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer (MGM) into Amazon. He also oversaw MGM’s scripted and unscripted television business, launched MGM+ as a global streaming service, guided the theatrical film distribution strategy, and was the primary liaison for several key creative properties, including the James Bond franchise.

Before the sale to Amazon, Brearton led MGM as its Chief Operating Officer, reporting directly to the Board of Directors. In this capacity, he grew and revitalized the iconic studio, overseeing its global financial and business operations and its film and television content production and distribution strategy. Brearton was the Chief Architect of the $8.45 billion sale of MGM to Amazon.

Prior to MGM, Brearton served as a Managing Partner in the Entertainment, Sports and Media practice at Latham & Watkins and led the law firm’s Century City office. He currently serves as Chairman of the Board of USA Swimming. Brearton received his J.D. from the University of Virginia and his bachelor’s degree from the University of Georgia.

• Comcast Technology Solutions Provides Managed Channel Origination (MCO) for the Texas Rangers‘ Regional Sports Network for Live Game Broadcasts and Related Content on Select Broadcast, Cable, and Satellite Television Platforms

DENVER, May 21, 2025 /PRNewswire/ — Comcast Technology Solutions (CTS) today announced it has been selected by the Texas Rangers to provide Managed Channel Origination (MCO) for its team-controlled regional sports network, Rangers Sports Network (RSN). RSN will deliver live broadcasts of Rangers’ games and related content across selected broadcast, cable, and satellite television platforms in the team’s designated viewing areas.

Rangers Sports Media & Entertainment Company and RSN produce and distribute games and other content. As the exclusive local-television home of the Rangers, RSN will oversee the production and distribution of game broadcasts, including selecting on-air talent, managing camera and audio resources, directing broadcast technical elements, and coordinating behind-the-scenes staffing.

CTS’ Managed Channel Origination delivers a fully managed service aimed at improving operational efficiency, reducing capital expenses, and future-proofing customers’ ability to monetize world-class viewing experiences at scale. Managed Channel Origination provides media companies and broadcasters with a platform for unified video workflow from content acquisition through delivery, and is a core capability of the CTS SportsHub. Through this solution, CTS will manage the origination of live events, including content acquisition, commercial insertion, and distribution to MVPD partners. RSN features a broad range of live game broadcasts, pre- and post-game coverage, and other team-related content, all powered by CTS’ MCO.

“The Texas Rangers have consistently demonstrated innovation and leadership in the sports world, and we’re excited to support them as they take this next step in controlling their broadcasting future,” said Bart Spriester, Senior Vice President and General Manager of Streaming, Broadcast, & Advertising for Comcast Technology Solutions. “We are thrilled to partner with the Rangers on this exciting venture. Our Managed Channel Origination service will help them streamline their operations, ensuring they can deliver their games to fans seamlessly, while positioning them for long-term success in an increasingly dynamic sports media landscape.”

“Comcast Technology Solutions has been instrumental in supporting our vision to establish a more independent and efficient broadcast platform,” said Angie Swint, Senior Vice President of Broadcast at the Texas Rangers. “Their expertise in managed services and comprehensive broadcast solutions enables us to focus on delivering an unparalleled experience for Rangers fans, while also providing us with more control over our distribution channels and future growth.”

RSN has partnered with cable and digital providers to televise the Rangers’ game broadcasts this season, with each distributor offering a specific channel for pregame, game, and postgame coverage. For the first time since 2014, the Rangers are also offering free over-the-air (OTA) broadcasts, with 15 games scheduled, primarily on Friday home contests. Fans outside of the Rangers’ television territory can stream games via MLB.TV.

For more information about Comcast Technology Solutions, visit: www.comcasttechnologysolutions.com. Additional details about the Texas Rangers are available at: https://www.mlb.com/rangers 

About Comcast Technology Solutions
Comcast Technology Solutions, a division of one of the world’s leading media and technology companies, brings Comcast Corporation’s proven technologies to an evolving list of industries worldwide. Comcast Technology Solutions offers a broad portfolio of solutions that deliver flexibility at scale for global video, media, communications, data applications, and cybersecurity & compliance. Customers include leading content and streaming video providers, pay TV operators and MVPDs, advertisers, communications providers, financial service providers, retailers, and more. For more information, visit Comcast Technology Solutions.

About the Texas Rangers
The Texas Rangers are a Major League Baseball team based in Arlington, Texas. The team is committed to delivering an exceptional fan experience both at the ballpark and through their broadcasts. For more information, visit https://www.mlb.com/rangers.

SOURCE Comcast Technology Solutions

By COREY WILLIAMS

DETROIT (AP) — As a fan, Shaun Horne is all about Detroit’s professional sports teams. But when it comes to playing, the high school junior has his eyes on one game.

“I only play golf,” Horne said after taking his turn on a simulator inside a gym on Detroit’s westside.

Embracing golf makes the 16-year-old a rarity among his Detroit peers — particularly Black high schoolers.

Coaches and community groups in the city are taking ambitious steps to spread the game’s popularity among students — noting that only about 50 of more than 14,000 high school students in Detroit’s school district play golf on school teams.

In Detroit, the biggest challenge is exposing Black youth to the game, said Jesse Hawkins, who is Black and coaches Horne’s team at Renaissance High School. Backing from local corporations and nonprofits, providing access to equipment and even college scholarships is helping.

“When you go into high schools and you go into elementary schools often times we’ll hear narratives around basketball players, football games, those things,” Hawkins said. “And golf is really not as propagated as much for our community.”

Who’s playing?

In Detroit, advocates of increasing play among Black young people have partnered with some of the city’s largest businesses and community organizations. At least two nonprofits offer programs that teach kids how to play golf.

The Rocket Classic has steered nearly $10 million from the annual PGA event held in Detroit to local charitable organizations. Of that, $800,000 has been given to programs that teach kids how to play the game. One program provides access to college scholarships to high school seniors, while upward of 700 children and teens take part each year in programs put on by First Tee of Greater Detroit.

“Golf is the why we get them there, but while we have them there we’re teaching them life skills,” said Carl Bentley, chief executive of First Tee of Greater Detroit, which has donated a golf simulator to the school district. “Learning how to say ‘yes sir, yes ma’am’ — shake a hand properly, how to start a conversation. We’re teaching them life skills and then we get to putting and swinging and things like that.”

Among the 28.1 million Americans who played golf on a course in 2024, about 25% were Black, Asian or Hispanic, according to the National Golf Foundation. Interest is wider when considering those who played or followed professional golf coverage on TV, in writing or via podcasts.

But Hawkins said his experience as a coach suggests Black high schoolers aren’t among that audience.

“You don’t hear kids talking about the latest golf shoes or the cool golf apparel,” Hawkins said. “You’re not necessarily going to get a badge of honor walking into your high school and you’ve got the newest golf shirt.”

Lack of money is a barrier

Golf and equipment can be pricey, sometimes too pricey for families struggling just to make ends meet.

Detroit, which is just under 80% Black, had a median income of about $39,500 in 2023 compared to $69,100 statewide, according to the census. The city’s poverty level was about 32%. Statewide, that figure was about 13.5%.

A set of good golf clubs can cost a few hundred dollars or more. It’s $28 for juniors to play 18 holes and use a cart weekdays at the two public golf courses in Detroit.

The PGA brought its first event to Detroit in 2019, and city native Dan Gilbert’s Rocket Companies has been its sponsor. The company works with partners to bring the game to Detroit’s youth and cover some of the costs, said Trina Scott, vice president of Civic and Community Affairs at Detroit-based Rock, which is Gilbert’s family office.

“How do we attract Black and brown youth into seeing (golf) as a possibility?” said Scott. “One way of doing that is by making it accessible (and) also eliminating the barriers — being able to have the right clothing to go on a golf course, being able to have the clubs that you need, being able to have the skillset to be confident on the course.”

From the gridiron to the golf course

Mike Schuchard has about a dozen players on his Detroit Cass Tech golf team. That’s about double the number from last season, but only two are considered “varsity level.”

That’s not enough to compete against some suburban schools with strong golf programs.

The first-year golf coach says he’s trying to recruit students who are already interested in others sports.

“These schools are loaded with great athletes, but they just haven’t been introduced to this game, yet,” Schuchard said.

Ahmari Flowers, the senior captain on Cass Tech’s golf team, agrees. He started playing the sport after his freshman year.

“I’m an athletic guy and golf like came easy to me,” said Flowers, 17. “For an athletic person, it’s still a sport, a lot of body movement and all you got to do is control that athleticism and use it to your advantage.”

Origin facility at the Baylor Scott & White Health Sports Therapy & Research building in Frisco. [Photo: Mauricio Rojas/Plug and Play

Origin—a new public-private partnership envisioned by the Frisco Economic Development Corp. and implemented by global innovation platform Plug and Play—has opened at the Baylor Scott & White Health Sports Therapy & Research building in Frisco.

Origin is designed to bring industry-specific accelerator programming, sports-tech innovation in human potential, and international startup support to the region, the city of Frisco said.

Frisco Mayor Jeff Cheney and other city leaders joined Plug and Play at Origin’s ribbon cutting. [Photo: Frisco EDC]

“This new facility is proof of what’s possible when a city drives with vision, determination and collaborative partnerships,” Frisco Mayor Jeff Cheney said in a statement. “This hub is a starting point for new technologies, businesses and careers in Frisco. I’m excited to see the groundbreaking innovation that will take shape here.”

The city said that Origin has been under development since 2020 and stemmed from the city leadership’s vision to create an open collaboration space for residents to scale their businesses, as well as a networking space for venture capitalists, entrepreneurs, fintech, sportstech, AI, cybersecurity, and other startups.

Plug and Play was selected in 2023 as the facility’s operator due to its “proven ability” to connect startups with large corporations, investors, and industry leaders, the city said.

Inside the Origin innovation hub in Frisco. [Photo: Mauricio Rojas/Plug and Play]

Origin story on Origin

Origin is located on the 10th floor of the Baylor Scott & White Sports Therapy & Research building in Frisco.

Origin and Plug and Play’s innovation hub will anchor a joint 6,000-square-foot space designed to bring together startups, investors, and corporate partners at the center of Frisco’s innovation movement, the city said. The space features a flexible design that includes private offices, meeting rooms, and co-working areas designed to accommodate the thriving startup ecosystem.

“Frisco is home to more than 500 tech companies and many top tier leading brands,” Jason Ford, president of the Frisco EDC, said in a statement. “Origin was a strategic investment in Frisco’s future and marks a major step forward in Frisco’s continued rise as a national innovation leader. With the help of Baylor Scott & White and Plug and Play, we’ve created a one-of-a-kind space where new ideas, industries and startups can flourish here in Frisco, all working side by side.”

Inside the Origin innovation hub in Frisco. [Photo: Mauricio Rojas/Plug and Play]

Plug and Play’s largest space outside California

Plug and Play, a Silicon Valley-based innovation acceleration company with an international presence, said the new facility will be the largest space under its operation outside of the company’s California headquarters.

Plug and Play will operate the hub under a membership-based model, and will host networking events, hackathons, workshops, and special presentations open to the greater community.

Inside the Origin innovation hub in Frisco. [Photo: Mauricio Rojas/Plug and Play]

“This innovation hub is more than just a physical space, it’s a signal to the world that Frisco is serious about shaping the future,” Plug and Play Founder and CEO Saeed Amidi said in a statement. “Frisco is already a national model for how sports, business, and innovation can coexist. We’re honored to bring our global network and proven accelerator model to this remarkable community with values perfectly aligned to our own.”

In addition to hosting carefully designed startup cohorts, the city said the space also will be open to Frisco-based entrepreneurs, service providers, and partner institutions, including the University of North Texas-Frisco, which will sponsor a dedicated sports innovation space within the facility.

More looks at Origin

Inside the Origin innovation hub in Frisco. [Photo: Mauricio Rojas/Plug and Play]

Inside the Origin innovation hub in Frisco. [Photo: Mauricio Rojas/Plug and Play]

Inside the Origin innovation hub in Frisco. [Photo: Mauricio Rojas/Plug and Play]

Inside the Origin innovation hub in Frisco. [Photo: Mauricio Rojas/Plug and Play]

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* New York Knicks’ Jalen Brunson scores 40 points in Game 6 of the NBA Playoffs Round 1 vs Detroit Pistons.

This evolution in the fan experience is also about personalization, bringing viewers closer to the action through real-time data, interactive content, and tailored storytelling. Whether it’s tracking a favorite player, engaging with live polls, or following in-game betting lines directly within the NBA League Pass stream through our emBET solution, today’s fans expect a viewing experience that matches their interests. AI makes that possible, turning every playoff game into a personalized journey from tip-off to final buzzer.

As media consumption evolves, so do fan expectations. Next-gen viewers expect their coverage to be interactive, customizable, and tailored to their interests. Inspired by the pace and personalization of social media, they expect real-time updates, multiple perspectives, and the ability to engage with the game on their own terms. For broadcasters and rights holders, this marks a shift from passive viewing to active participation – an opportunity to reshape the future of live sports.

The hype around playoffs presents an ideal opportunity to integrate social engagement within sportsbook platforms, as we do through our Virtual Stadium solution. With features like real-time chat rooms, fan polls, and interactive betting tools, sportsbooks are evolving into dynamic social hubs. These platforms foster community engagement, enhance user experiences, and increase session durations by keeping fans connected and engaged throughout the game. By creating an integrated live experience with real-time updates and AI-powered moderation, sportsbooks are not just enhancing betting, they’re transforming the entire fan interaction landscape.

The playoffs are a high-stakes environment, and predictive AI is transforming how bettors engage with the game. By processing live data and historical trends, AI anticipates key moments, such as which player is likely to score next. For bettors, this real-time insight offers a significant strategic advantage, providing a deeper understanding of win probabilities and in-play opportunities. It’s not just about watching the game, it’s about empowering bettors with the information they need to make informed decisions and enhance their postseason experience.

Sportradar envisions a world where every fan is uniquely connected to their favorite teams and sports, and where every game becomes an engaging and interactive experience. We are redefining the standards of fan engagement and we’re just getting started. It’s a level of excitement and innovation that must feel similar to when fans first watched Michael Jordan take flight.

In the 2025 NBA Playoffs, the Indiana Pacers are making headlines with their unexpected success. After a midseason slump, the Pacers have surged into the postseason, giving the Cleveland Cavaliers a run for their money. Their success in the playoffs marks a significant achievement for the franchise and underscores the unpredictable nature of playoff basketball. Their journey is a testament to resilience and strategic adjustments, qualities that resonate deeply with fans and are amplified through AI-driven storytelling. By highlighting such underdog stories, AI not only enhances the viewing experience but also deepens the emotional connection between fans and the game.