Rec Sports

Pixellot Raises $35M to Scale AI-Powered Game Capture Across Youth and High School Sports

Published

2 months ago

November 24, 2025

Your Sports Nation

Key Takeaways

Pixellot raised $35M in new funding, including $15M from PSG Equity and $20M in venture debt, following its $161M Series D in 2022
The company is on pace to stream 1.5 million games across 14 sports this year through its network of more than 30,000 camera installations
A new five-year expansion with PlayOn Sports introduces “AI as a Service” with a revenue-sharing model replacing traditional software licensing fees
New product features include AI-generated commentary, yellow first-down lines for football, and coaching analytics tools developed with MaxPreps
CEO Doron Gerstel, who joined a year ago with experience leading six companies including four NASDAQ-listed firms, is prioritizing content monetization for distribution partners

Fresh Capital Fuels Continued Expansion

Pixellot, the automated sports production company, has secured $35M in new funding to support its technology development and scale operations. The round includes $15M from existing investor PSG Equity and $20M structured as venture debt financing.

The investment follows Pixellot’s $161M Series D round led by PSG Equity in May 2022. With more than 30,000 camera installations worldwide, the company is on track to stream 1.5 million games across 14 sports this year.

CEO Doron Gerstel, speaking publicly for the first time since taking over leadership from Alon Werber a year ago, outlined the company’s focus on helping distribution partners monetize the content Pixellot captures. Gerstel brings significant technology leadership experience to the role, having served as CEO for six companies, including four publicly listed on the NASDAQ.

“We see ourselves as a technology company that, first and foremost, needs to help our business partner make money out of the content that we provide,” Gerstel said.

New PlayOn Deal Introduces Revenue-Sharing Model

Pixellot recently announced a five-year expansion of its longstanding agreement with PlayOn Sports, which operates high school media brands GoFan, MaxPreps, and the NFHS Network. The deal introduces what the company calls “AI as a Service” (AIaaS), an agentic AI technology designed to drive engagement through increased personalization.

The agreement also marks a structural shift in how Pixellot works with partners. Rather than a traditional software licensing fee, the expanded PlayOn deal features a revenue-sharing arrangement. Gerstel explained this reflects Pixellot’s role as a direct contributor to both the partner’s business operations and the end-user experience.

Partners can generate revenue through multiple channels, particularly subscriptions and advertising. Pixellot is developing an automated mid-roll advertising feature that identifies appropriate moments during game action to display sponsored messages.

Youth and High School Markets Drive Core Business

While Pixellot, recognized as SBJ’s Most Innovative Sports Tech Company in 2023, does serve some professional and college customers, the majority of its business operates at the sub-elite level. High schools, clubs, and youth sports facility operators represent the company’s primary customer base. NBC Sports Next-owned SportsEngine serves as another major distribution partner.

Gerstel described the AI-powered cameras as “very much a means to an end,” with capturing, producing, and sharing content as the company’s core business priority. For young athletes, the content serves multiple purposes including recruiting, social branding, NIL dealmaking, and preserving memories.

“If you’re not showing, you’re not doing. The whole essence here is we are very much trying to focus is capture a moment,” Gerstel said. “We are dealing with audience that is all about here and now.”

New Features Target Broadcast-Quality Experience

Pixellot has been actively developing new features designed to bring broadcast-quality production to automated coverage. Gerstel said the quality standard for automated coverage aims to closely mimic professional broadcasts like NFL Monday Night Football.

Recent and upcoming product releases include:

Yellow first-down lines for football games, a visual element long associated with professional broadcasts. A coaching analytics toolset called MaxPreps Advantage, developed in partnership with PlayOn. AI-generated commentary created in the voice of a friend or family member. Image-processing capabilities that generate viewpoints and details not visible from the stationary camera position. Auto-switching functionality that seamlessly transitions between multiple cameras, such as a fixed AI camera and a manually operated sideline camera used for replays. Time capsule features that organize and contextualize youth highlights to preserve sporting memories.

To support this expanding network, Pixellot has established a network operations center (NOC) at its Israeli headquarters. The NOC provides around-the-clock monitoring to manage and troubleshoot the company’s full installation base.

“The technology very much allows doing it in the quality that is expected and, at the same time, the price of streaming is being dropped significantly,” Gerstel added.

Strategic Implications for Youth Sports Broadcasting

Pixellot’s continued investment in AI-powered production tools reflects broader shifts in how youth and amateur sports content gets captured and distributed. The move toward revenue-sharing arrangements with partners like PlayOn suggests the company sees its role extending beyond hardware and software into the content monetization layer.

With 1.5 million games projected for capture this year and a feature roadmap focused on broadcast-quality enhancements, Pixellot is building infrastructure that could reshape expectations for production quality at the grassroots level. The emphasis on helping partners generate revenue through subscriptions and advertising positions the company as a stakeholder in the economics of youth sports media, not just a technology vendor.

For facility operators, leagues, and media platforms in the youth sports space, Pixellot’s evolution offers a window into how AI-powered production tools are maturing from novelty to necessity.

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About Youth Sports Business Report

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Are you a brand looking to tap into the world’s most passionate fanbase… youth sports?

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About Play Up Partners

Play Up Partners is a leading youth sports marketing agency connecting brands with the power of youth sports. We specialize in youth sports sponsorships, partnerships, and activations that drive measurable results.

Why Sponsor Youth Sports?

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What Does Play Up Partners Do?

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We’re positioning youth sports as the most desirable and effective platform in sports marketing. Our mission is simple: MAKE YOUTH SPORTS BETTER for athletes, families, organizations, and brand partners.

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Rec Sports

No. 24 Bentley hosts Franklin Pierce for Youth Day

Published

57 minutes ago

January 9, 2026

Your Sports Nation

WALTHAM, Mass. – The No. 24 Bentley women’s basketball team aims to stay perfect in Northeast 10 action when the Falcons host Franklin Pierce Saturday, Jan. 10, at 1:30 p.m. Bentley is hosting a local Youth Day for the game.

Making adjustments
In Bentley’s two most recent games, the Falcons (8-2, 4-0 NE10) trailed by two points at halftime against both Saint Anselm (Jan. 7) and Southern Connecticut (Jan. 4). The Falcons came out of the locker room to score 20 points in the third quarter against the Hawks, and 27 points in the third quarter against the Owls. Bentley beat Saint Anselm, 76-67, and it topped Southern Connecticut, 75-62.

Armbrister has arrived
After a slow start to her Bentley career (10 points total in her first two games), DI junior transfer Kayana Armbrister is spreading her wings with the Falcons. She recorded her first-career double-double against Saint Anselm (Jan. 7), scoring 24 points and pulling down 10 rebounds. Armbrister scored a career-high 29 points on New Year’s Day against Daemen. Through her past three games, Armbrister is averaging 22.0 points and 9.3 rebounds, while shooting 58.7-percent from the floor.

Cass kickin’…
Senior captain Cassidy Yeomans is becoming more aggressive in recent games. She started the season scoring in single digits for seven consecutive games. However, she dropped 13 points in the win over Southern Connecticut (Jan. 4), and she scored 11 points in the win at Saint Anselm (Jan. 7). Between those two games, Yeomans shot 50.0-percent from 3-point range (6-for-12).

Cherish on top
Freshman Cherish Bryant has been gaining more confidence as the season progresses. She scored a season-high 14 points against Southern Connecticut (Jan. 4), and added nine points at Saint Anselm (Jan. 7). She shot 66.7-percent from the floor (10-for-15) between those two games.

Most efficient
Bentley enters the weekend leading the NE10 in field-goal percentage by a wide margin. The Falcons are shooting 47.0-percent from the floor, while the next-best mark is 41.9 percent (Southern Connecticut). Among conference players with 70+ field-goal attempts, Julia Elie ranks second in field-goal percentage (52.1-percent), Niya Morgen is fourth (51.5-percent), and Kayana Armbrister is fifth (48.6-percent).

Scouting Franklin Pierce (1-12, 0-4 NE10)
The Ravens rank last in the NE10 for field-goal percentage (32.6-percent) and points per game (48.8). They also allow the most points per game (67.1). Emily Mennillo and Angelisse Melendez are tied as the team’s leading scorers (8.5). Nafi Balde averages a team-leading 5.5 rebounds per game.

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Rec Sports

Two men shot on Rochester’s southwest side

Published

3 hours ago

January 9, 2026

Your Sports Nation

Rochester, N.Y. — Two people have been arrested following a double shooting Thursday evening on the city’s southwest side.

Officers responded around 5:20 p.m. to the area of Bartlett and Seward streets, where they found two men, ages 20 and 37, who were both shot in the lower body, according to police. Both men were taken to Strong Memorial Hospital with non-life-threatening injuries.

Two suspects, a 35-year-old man and a 32-year-old woman, were arrested following a police chase that ended on Pullman Avenue.

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An investigation is ongoing. Anyone with information is asked to call 911 or Crime Stoppers at (585) 423-9300.

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Rec Sports

Loy Norrix mourns loss of longtime football coach and teacher Ted Duckett

Published

3 hours ago

January 9, 2026

Your Sports Nation

KALAMAZOO, Mich. — A longtime football coach and teacher at Loy Norrix High School has died.

Ted Duckett began teaching and coaching at Loy Norrix in 1969, a career spanning over 50 years.

He served as a gym teacher, track coach, football coach, and basketball coach.

Duckett is deeply respected by the community, with many of his former students commending his mentorship.

He is also the father of Loy Norrix football stars Tico and T.J. Duckett, who both played at Michigan State. T.J. Duckett also played in the NFL.

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Rec Sports

Long Beach State Can’t Make Enough Plays In Loss To UC Irvine – The562.org

Published

3 hours ago

January 9, 2026

Your Sports Nation

The562’s coverage of Long Beach State athletics for the 2025-26 season is sponsored by Marilyn Bohl.

For ten minutes of the opening half Long Beach State proved they can go toe-to-toe with some of the Big West’s best teams.

However, the Beach couldn’t get into a rhythm as they dropped their road contest 74-64 Thursday night in Irvine at the Bren Events Center in the first round of the Black and Blue Rivalry.

“Credit to Irvine,” Long Beach State coach Chris Acker said. “They did a good job disrupting our best player, and Gavin. We didn’t have enough guys to step up and make plays tonight.”

Gavin Sykes got the Beach off to a nice start with 4 points to give LBSU a 6-2 lead with 17:19 remaining in the first half. UCI responded with a 4-0 run to tie the game.

However, after Petar Majstorovic was fouled hard by UC Irvine’s Harrison Carrington which was later reviewed and upgraded to a flagrant one – the Beach went on a 4-0 run to take a 10-6 lead with 14:51 left in the first half.

Sykes and Majstorovic did what they could as they went up against the Anteaters who entered the contest with the second-best defense in the Big West allowing 67 points per game.

Before the contest LBSU found out they’d be without one of their key rotational piece as Shaq Bender did not travel with the team as he deals with the flu. The absence loomed large for LBSU as UCI was able to key on Sykes and Majstorovic.

After taking a 10-6 lead, the Anteaters went on a 5-0 run to take an 11-10 run with 11:30 left in the first half. Sykes ended the run with a 3-pointer to give the Beach a 13-11 lead.

UCI (11-5, 5-0) answered right back thanks to a basket from Jurian Dixon that tied the game and Tama Isaac gave the Anteaters a 15-13 shortly after and that was enough as they’d lead the rest of the way.

Sykes scored 21 points and Majstorovic scored 15 to lead the Beach. Cole Farrell chipped in nine as the trio combined to shoot 18-32 from the field while the rest of the team shot 7-28. Majstorovic also had eight rebounds.

LBSU (5-11,1-3) had plenty of opportunities to score, but the Beach wasn’t able to take advantage of the opportunities.

Dixon led the Anteaters with 23 points and Kyle Evans had 15 points and six rebounds. UCI extended the lead to 18 midway in the second half before LBSU went on a small run to cut the deficit to 10 points.

Long Beach will continue Big West play when they host Cal State Bakersfield on Saturday in the LBS Financial Credit Union Pyramid on Saturday at 4 p.m.

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Rec Sports

Philadelphia football coaches complete trauma‑informed training to better support young athletes

Published

4 hours ago

January 9, 2026

Your Sports Nation

PHILADELPHIA (WPVI) — A group of 15 Philadelphia coaches were recognized Thursday night for completing a program designed to help them better support young athletes facing academic challenges, violence and emotional struggles.

Marcus Fulton, athletic director and football coach at Boys’ Latin of Philadelphia Charter School, said the sport has long been a guiding force in his own life. “Football helped me chase the dream,” he said.

Fulton said his decades of coaching in the city have shown him the pressures many young players face.

“I’ve been coaching for 25 years in the city of Philadelphia, so I know some of things going on with our guys in terms of the academic struggles, the violence that happens. I lost a couple players before,” he said.

The coaches were honored for completing the Open Door Abuse Awareness and Prevention program, which teaches trauma-informed strategies to help athletes on and off the field.

“We’re teaching coaches how to put on a lens for trauma in order to be able to help out kids a little deeper,” said Valencia Peterson, founder of the program.

Peterson created the initiative after experiencing trauma of her own when her mother was killed at a young age. The program focuses on mentorship, violence prevention and creating safe spaces for youth.

Peterson said coaches often play a critical role in young people’s lives.

“The coach is usually a first line for kids, and it’s their only father figure, it’s their only stability. The only consistent thing they have is a team. So we’re giving the coaches the tools they need to help regulate, to help see them for who they really are,” she said.

As part of the training, coaches learned to lead with empathy, help players manage emotions, and identify signs of mental health concerns.

MidCity Tigers coach Adolph Sanna said he hopes the lessons help athletes understand “that they have an opportunity to see what another side of life is like where people are concerned about their fears, their doubts and the things that are going on with them.”

Fulton said he wants the young men he coaches to carry these lessons into adulthood “to be successful. To be good husbands, good fathers, good mentors in the city of Philadelphia.”

The Open Door Abuse Awareness and Prevention program also offers mentorship for boys and girls who do not participate in sports, aiming to help youth across Philadelphia “become the best version of themselves,” according to the organization.

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Rec Sports

Plans for Kalamazoo County indoor youth sports complex delayed

Published

4 hours ago

January 9, 2026

Your Sports Nation

KALAMAZOO, Mich. — Plans to build a state-of-the-art, $40 million youth sports complex in Kalamazoo County are on hold for now.

The county commission heard plans from the developer during their Thursday night meeting, who asked for variances into protected slopes and woodlands in order to build the facility and parking lot.

The property is a 20-acre site, located within the Westwood area of Kalamazoo adjacent to US-131.

Discover Kalamazoo says the sports complex is expected significantly boost the local economy, potentially generating nearly $49 million annually as well as bring more than 600 full- and part-time jobs.

Local use would be prioritized, increasing participation for underserved youth.

A student athlete from Oshtemo Township spoke of her support for the project during public comment.

“I think it would be cool to play basketball and volleyball at a place like this because there aren’t many places in our area,” she said. “It will help bring new people to our area which will help my mom’s business.”

Some residents spoke in opposition to the project, citing traffic concerns and not wanting a large structure near their homes.

The commission voted to request more information on one variance request that would clear a significant amount of trees before moving forward.

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