PHOENIX — Batter up! A new high-tech batting cage facility and entertainment venue is opening this week in Mesa and it’s the first of its kind in Arizona.

Taroko Sports will hold the grand opening for its first Arizona location on Friday at 5 p.m.

It is located inside the Mesa Riverview shopping center near Dobson Road and Rio Salado Drive. It will be inside the old OfficeMax location near The Home Depot.

There will be a DJ, caricature artist, stilt walkers, jugglers and other performers at the grand opening. All games will also be 50% off from Friday-Sunday to celebrate opening weekend.

What will be inside Taroko Sports’ Mesa location?

The nearly 18,000-square-foot facility will have cutting-edge batting cages that will allow batters to get feedback on how far their hits travel in real time, along with ways to keep score for games.

“Our goal is to make baseball fun and accessible — not just for athletes, but for everyone,” TRK Corporation Founder and CEO Gordon Hsieh said in a press release Monday. “Taroko Sports is about creating a space where families, friends and coworkers can come together to play, compete and connect.”

Taiwan-based TRK Corporation is the parent company of Taroko Sports.

The Mesa venue will also have pitching cages, mini bowling, electronic darts, 5D racing simulators, arcade games, video games, basketball pop-a-shot games and air hockey.

There will also be 12 big-screen TVs. A majority of them will be dedicated to showing live sports, according to the release.

Taroko Sports will be open Mondays-Fridays from 11 a.m. to midnight and Saturdays and Sundays from 10 a.m. to midnight.

The company currently operates just one other U.S. location in Texas, but plans to open a facility in Chandler later this year.

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From 1969 to 2025, the idea of vibrating your way to fitness just won’t go away. Whatever shape they take, vibration plates are a relentless wellness trend, with influencers claiming they’ll transform your body with minimal effort.

Both Lifehacker’s senior health editor Beth Skwarecki and I have previously busted those myths. While your muscles do contract during the vibrating experience, these aren’t the same type of contractions that build substantial strength or burn meaningful calories. After all, if something sounds too good to be true on social media, it probably is. But does that mean it’s completely without merit?

Given all this context, I still gave my vibration plate a shot. I wasn’t expecting to get a new set of legs, but I wanted to see what these devices actually do when used consistently in real-world conditions.

My 90-day vibration experiment

I used this $109.99 (currently $98.99) vibration plate from Merach, a popular brand on the TikTok Shop.

My approach was deliberately simple and sustainable. Every day for 90 days, I committed to 10 minutes on the vibration plate. I kept myself engaged with light squats, calf raises, or simply standing in different positions while the machine did its thing. Most evenings, I’d park myself on the plate while watching TV, listening to music, or simply zoning out at the end of a long day. It became a ritual—a small pocket of time that was entirely mine.

The beauty of this routine wasn’t in its intensity but in its consistency. Ten minutes felt manageable even on the busiest days. Sometimes I’d be actively moving, other times I’d just stand there and let the vibrations wash over me like a full-body massage. There was something oddly meditative about surrendering to the mechanical rhythm.

The unexpected brain benefits

After three months, my legs look and feel exactly the same. As expected. My strength hadn’t dramatically improved, and I wasn’t suddenly running faster or jumping higher. But the most interesting effect wasn’t physical at all.

I loved the way the vibration plate cleared my head. Maybe it was placebo, or perhaps more about the ritual than the vibrating itself, but I found this device tickled my brain in an amazing way—and I’m not alone. Scrolling through comments on vibration plate videos or Reddit threads, tons of people share this sentiment, particularly when it comes to their ADHD symptoms.

I have ADHD myself, and those 10 minutes became a reset button for my scattered thoughts. Whether I’d had a stressful day at work or felt overwhelmed by endless tasks, stepping onto that vibrating platform seemed to shake loose the mental static. My racing mind would slow down, and I’d feel a little more more centered and focused.

What the science says

Since this was all wildly anecdotal and subjective, I wanted to understand if there was any research backing this up. A small study from 2014 found promising effects of whole body vibration on attention in both healthy individuals and adults with ADHD. More research is needed, but their theories suggest that the sensory input from vibration might help regulate an overactive mind, similar to how fidget tools can help people with ADHD concentrate.

I’d love to see more research about the effects of vibration plates specifically on people with ADHD and other attention disorders. For now, all I know is that it felt like it calmed my mind in ways I hadn’t expected. The vibration plate didn’t transform my physique, but the gentle shaking sure was like a fidget spinner for my brain.

The bottom line

The wellness industry loves to oversell simple solutions, and vibration plates are no exception. Still, I sincerely enjoy my vibration plate as a recovery tool and relaxation device (rather than a fitness game-changer). It’s become part of my wind-down routine, like bedtime reading or yoga. The physical benefits might be minimal, but the mental ones are noteworthy enough for me.

If you’re considering a vibration plate, adjust your expectations accordingly. Don’t expect miraculous muscle gains or dramatic weight loss. But if you’re looking for a unique way to decompress, manage stress, or quiet a busy mind, these devices might offer unexpected value.

By Julia Love and Hannah Miller, Bloomberg

Google is seeking to recruit news organizations for a new licensing project related to artificial intelligence, according to people familiar with the matter, a sign the company wants to strengthen strained ties with the industry.

The company plans to launch a pilot project initially with about 20 national news outlets, according to one of the people, who works at a media outlet that was contacted and asked not to be identified discussing private talks.

RELATED: California and Google will make a media fund for the floundering news industry

“We’ve said that we’re exploring and experimenting with new types of partnerships and product experiences, but we aren’t sharing details about specific plans or conversations at this time,” a Google spokesperson said in a statement.

• Nothing’s CMF Watch 3 Pro smartwatch has just launched
• It’s priced at $99 and offers AI health tracking
• The watch is an updated version of the CMF Watch 2 Pro

The best smartwatches don’t have to break the bank, as the CMF Watch 2 Pro from Nothing showed last year. Now, Nothing has updated this digital timepiece again with the launch of the CMF Watch 3 Pro, which is priced at an affordable $99 / £99 / €99 (around AU$205).

Nothing describes the Watch 3 Pro as its “most intelligent smartwatch yet,” and it packs in updated health-tracking features alongside an artificial intelligence (AI) assistant that is designed to help you improve your wellbeing through targeted coaching.

If you’re a sports fan, you’ve probably noticed something lately: there’s a whole lot more data flying around during games. From on-screen stats to real-time analysis, sports analytics have gone from being purely about what happens on the field to a full-on data-driven experience. But how did we get here, and what does this all mean for you, the fan? Let’s dive in.

What Exactly Is Sports Analytics?

First things first: What is sports analytics? You’ve probably heard the term thrown around, but it’s a little more than just a fancy buzzword. At its core, sports analytics is the use of data to analyze and understand everything happening in the game—from individual player performance to the team’s overall strategy. Think player stats, team metrics, and predictive models that forecast what might happen next. It’s all about taking numbers and turning them into actionable insights that help teams, coaches, broadcasters, and even you, the fan, understand the game on a deeper level.

In the past, we had basic stats like points, yards, or goals scored. But now, we’re talking about things like player efficiency ratings, expected goals (xG), win shares, and a whole lot more. It’s a data revolution that’s making sports more than just a game—it’s making it a science.

How Analytics Make Watching Games More Exciting

So, how does all this data change the way we watch the game? Well, imagine this: You’re watching a basketball game, and right there on your screen, you see a graphic showing a player’s shooting percentage from different spots on the court. Or maybe you’re following along on your phone while watching a soccer match, and you can see the expected goals (xG) for each team. That’s analytics at work, making the game more interactive and immersive.

With real-time stats, you’re no longer just guessing about who’s performing well. You know exactly who’s hitting their mark and who’s falling short. You’re seeing how each play contributes to the overall strategy—something you never would’ve picked up on just by watching the game. Think about it: How cool is it to know, in real-time, whether your favorite player is outperforming the opposition based on some pretty complex data?

And it’s not just the hardcore numbers that matter. Analytics help broadcasters tell a better story. They’re able to show you things like how much distance a player has covered, their sprint speeds, or how a team’s defensive pressure is stacking up. It’s like you’re getting a behind-the-scenes pass to the game without ever leaving your couch.

The Way Coaches and Teams Use Analytics

Analytics isn’t just for fans—it’s also changing how coaches and teams approach the game. Some of the most famous sports strategies today wouldn’t be possible without data. Take the world of baseball, for example. The “Moneyball” revolution, made famous by the Oakland A’s, showed that you could use statistics to build a winning team, even if you didn’t have the biggest budget. And it wasn’t just about buying the best players; it was about identifying undervalued talent and finding hidden gems that traditional scouting might have missed.

In the world of basketball, teams now utilize advanced metrics, such as Player Efficiency Rating (PER), to assess a player’s effectiveness on the court. Coaches have access to detailed data on every aspect of the game—who’s making the most efficient passes, who’s defending well, who’s creating opportunities—and they use that to fine-tune strategies. These days, when a coach decides to swap out players or change up the game plan, there’s often a data-driven reason behind it.

This kind of insight allows teams to be way more strategic. They’re not just reacting to what happens in a game—they’re anticipating what’s likely to happen and adjusting their plans on the fly. Want proof? Just look at the rise of analytics in the NBA, where three-point shooting and pace have become central to most teams’ strategies. That wasn’t always the case, but data proved it was effective, and now it has become the norm.

If you’re curious about how teams make these decisions or want a deeper dive into how sports analytics impact game strategies, you can find a range of resources, like those offered by Doc’s Sports, that break down these advanced concepts and help you stay up-to-date with trends shaping the sports world.

Fans Getting In on the Action: Fantasy Sports and More

If you’re into fantasy sports, you probably already know how important data can be. After all, picking the right players and making the best decisions relies heavily on stats. But it’s not just the hardcore fantasy sports nerds who benefit from analytics. Even casual fans are getting in on the action, thanks to apps, social media, and the rise of sports data websites.

Take, for example, the role of live stats in modern broadcasting. Have you ever been watching a game and noticed a pop-up graphic showing how many yards a player needs to break a record? Or maybe you’ve seen a real-time analysis of how likely a team is to score based on previous plays. These insights bring a whole new layer to the game, making you feel more connected to what’s happening on the field.

And with fantasy leagues booming, analytics are more important than ever. It’s not just about picking the stars anymore. Fans use advanced stats, like targets, rushing attempts, and defensive rankings, to make informed decisions about their fantasy rosters. This deeper understanding of players’ performances gives fans an edge—and makes watching the games even more exciting.

Wearables and Player Data: The Inside Scoop

Wearable technology is another huge player in the analytics game. These days, athletes wear devices that track everything from heart rates to sprint speeds, as well as how much sleep they’re getting. This data is then analyzed and used to adjust training programs, monitor player health, and prevent injuries. It’s a big deal, especially in contact-heavy sports like football, where injuries are common.

Imagine this: a player pulls off an amazing play on the field, and you’re wondering, “How did they do that?” Well, thanks to wearables, coaches and analysts have access to real-time data on that player’s physical performance. Was it a result of peak conditioning? Or was it just raw talent? Either way, that data is shaping how we understand what makes an athlete great.

These wearables aren’t just useful for the team—they’re a goldmine for broadcasters, too. When you watch a game, you might see a player’s current heart rate or hear about how fast they ran during a play. These little tidbits add an exciting dimension to the viewing experience, making it feel like you’re a part of the action.

What’s Next? The Future of Sports Analytics

If you think sports analytics is impressive now, just wait. The future is looking even more exciting. Virtual and augmented reality are already changing how fans experience games, and as technology advances, data will play a bigger role in these immersive experiences. Imagine watching a game from the player’s perspective or using VR to step into the stadium without leaving your home. With data driving these technologies, sports watching could become even more interactive.

We’re also likely to see more personalized viewing experiences. In the future, games may be tailored to your specific preferences. Want to focus on a player’s performance? No problem. Want to track a team’s stats in real-time? Done. The possibilities are endless, and they’re all powered by analytics.

The Downsides of Overloading on Data

Of course, as much as data can improve our viewing experience, there are some potential downsides. For one, there’s a risk that we become so obsessed with stats that we lose sight of the human element of the game. Sports are about more than just numbers—they’re about emotion, passion, and the unpredictable nature of competition. So, while analytics can give us a more complete picture, it’s important to remember that there’s still magic in the mystery of the game.

Also, for casual fans, all these stats can sometimes feel overwhelming. Not everyone has the time or energy to dive deep into advanced metrics. As sports evolve with more data, we’ll need to find a balance between the complexity of analytics and the simplicity of just enjoying the game.

Embrace the Future of Sports Watching

In the end, sports analytics are changing the way we watch games, making it more exciting, immersive, and, frankly, a lot more interesting. Whether it’s through real-time stats, predictive models, or wearables, data is making sports more engaging than ever. And it’s not just for the experts anymore—fans are getting in on the action too, using analytics to enhance their own viewing experience.

So, the next time you’re watching a game, take a moment to think about all the data at play behind the scenes. It’s not just about the final score; it’s about the numbers that tell the deeper story of the game. Who knows? The more you know, the more fun you’ll have watching the action unfold.

Big-money media rights are the backbone of why pro sports franchises are worth billions. JPMorgan’s latest Sports Rights Almanac—its 10th anniversary edition—shows how the NFL and NBA keep pushing valuations to record highs while teasing the continued rise of streamers.

The 144-page document digs into media-rights deals across numerous pro sports leagues—from major U.S. sports to UFC and international soccer leagues. It outlines that rights inflation is still alive, but not every sport is bulletproof.

David Karnovsky, an executive director for J.P. Morgan Equity Research covering media, entertainment, and advertising, and one of the authors of the report, tells Front Office Sports that it has evolved significantly over time, and putting it together is no joke. 

“The first Almanac included just five sports, and now we’re up to 15. So it definitely takes a lot longer to update,” he says.

When the first edition came out in 2016, media companies “didn’t really have streaming services” and the “only tech deal of note was a $10 million agreement between the NFL and Twitter for Thursday Night Football,” Karnovsky tells FOS. “There’s a lot more to cover now.”

Below, FOS explores three key takeaways from the report.

The NFL reigns supreme in the U.S. 

The biggest takeaway is how completely the NFL dominates U.S. sports: The report notes that Super Bowl LIX drew 127.7 million viewers—the most-watched program in U.S. TV history—and 72 of last year’s 100 most-watched telecasts were NFL games.

That popularity underpins the league’s massive 11-year, $111 billion media-rights deal, which helps it command higher ad dollars than any other sport, according to the report. 

The result is that franchise valuations keep soaring. The 49ers recently sold a total 6% stake in the team at a reported $8.5 billion valuation. Former New York Giants quarterback Eli Manning recently said he has been priced out of a potential minority stake in the team for which he won two Super Bowls. Last year, Forbes had the Cowboys as the first team to have an estimated value of more than $10 billion.

The NFL understands its power, which it uses to attain favorable terms. “Among leagues, the NFL uniquely flexes its power with media partners, extracting ongoing terms that are to its benefit strategically or financially, and sometimes to the detriment of rival sports,” the report says, citing Christmas Day games that directly compete with the NBA.

The NFL is not satisfied. Rumor has it the NFL intends to exercise an opt-out clause that allows it to exit most of the current agreements it has with partners Amazon Prime Video, CBS, ESPN, Fox, and NBC after the 2029 season (the deals are supposed to run through the 2033 season). 

“That the NFL would want to revisit its 2023-33 media agreements is not surprising in our view,” the report says.

Aside from chasing a bigger payday, there’s an interesting rationale behind the NFL’s potential desire to opt out. Although the league commands the biggest rights check in sports, its cost-per-viewer-hour—just $1.37—is actually a good value for networks, the report says. That number means every hour one person watches costs the network $1.37, a figure the report says “sits in the middle of the curve” compared to other pro sports leagues and is largely offset by advertisers eager to reach that massive audience.

Karnovsky says among the biggest surprise trends from this year’s report was “the consistency of NFL viewership through so much change in media.”

The NBA is doing just fine

There was hand-wringing last season over the NBA’s lackluster ratings, but JPMorgan analysts aren’t concerned.

“The core value of the NBA rights are in the playoffs,” the report says, noting playoff games average up to three times the viewership of regular season matchups. “We estimate the Playoffs and Finals generate a ~50% increase in total viewer hours and are substantially more valuable for advertisers.”

The league’s new $77 billion media-rights deal with Disney, NBC, and Amazon, which kicks in next season, was “modestly better than our expectations” and positions the NBA to “transform its distribution.” Amazon gives the league a “pure digital partner,” while ESPN’s direct-to-consumer product and NBC’s Peacock expand streaming options. This opens up new ways to monetize, like sports betting integrations and alternative broadcasts similar to the NFL’s ManningCast.

JPMorgan is bullish on the NBA’s future, including its return to NBC (the report specifically acknowledged the decision to bring back John Tesh’s “Roundball Rock” song), as well as the deal with TNT to license Inside the NBA.

The NBA, like the NFL, is not having any franchise valuation issues. The Lakers just sold at a record $10 billion valuation, mere months after the Celtics sold at a $6.1 billion valuation. Even the team considered by Forbes to be the least valuable franchise in the league—the Memphis Grizzlies—has an estimated value of $3 billion.

Streamers still have more room to disrupt

To date, Netflix, Amazon, and other streamers have done little more than dip their toes into the live sports water, but the potential impact remains huge. Netflix has hit big with live events such as NFL Christmas Day games and last year’s Mike Tyson–Jake Paul fight, while Amazon and YouTube TV have done well with Thursday Night Football and NFL Sunday Ticket, respectively.

Netflix co-CEO Ted Sarandos says the company will stick with marquee events rather than chasing full media-rights packages. Meanwhile, JPMorgan’s report notes that Warner Bros. Discovery doesn’t see sports as “critical,” and Hulu has “de-emphasized” sports rights.

“These platforms have historically disappointed leagues by not bidding aggressively for packages, instead prioritizing major event programming,” the report says—a stance JPMorgan finds “confusing given the scale of content investment elsewhere.”

At some point, streamers are expected to dive in headfirst. The collapse and tiering of regional sports networks (RSNs), highlighted by last year’s Diamond Sports Group bankruptcy, has upended local sports rights and left some franchises scrambling to find new ways to get games in front of local fans. Many teams have pivoted to direct-to-consumer streaming or free over-the-air deals. 

JPMorgan’s report says the RSN meltdown is actually a “net positive” for national sports rights and makes robust national and streaming packages even more crucial to protect franchise values.

“Third-party data indicate 90% of viewers are now consuming sports on streaming, and we believe fans are gradually becoming inured to a digital experience, which in several cases we think can be superior,” the report said.

ESPN’s upcoming DTC product is expected to accelerate this shift, while Amazon’s new NBA deal covers 66 regular-season games—a “pivot point” that could spur more competition for rights, the report says.