NEW YORK — Executives from the sports industry gathered at the Hard Rock Hotel in Manhattan to honor the most significant sports innovations of the year during the fourth annual SBA: Tech event, hosted by Andrew Hawkins, co-founder of StatusPro, ESPN analyst, and former NFL player.
The atmosphere buzzed with excitement, culminating in a standing ovation for Chris Benyarko of the NBA, who was awarded Technology Executive of the Year.
Here are the complete list of winners:
Best in AI — Elevate Performance & Insights Cloud (EPIC)
Elevate’s AI data platform, launched early last year, is currently utilized by over 230 clients. By leveraging data from more than 450 million individuals and 1.7 billion devices, it provides insights into consumer behavior, ticket management, and property analytics.
Best in Athlete Performance Technology — Plantiga
Plantiga produces insole sensors combined with advanced AI, allowing athletes and coaches to monitor and analyze movement data. This technology is sanctioned for use during competition by the NBA, NFL, and FIFA.
Best in Fan Experience Technology — OneCourt
OneCourt, an accessibility-focused startup, creates a haptic tablet that translates live game data into vibrations, enabling blind and low-vision fans to stay engaged. Its devices are now used by various NBA teams and the MLB’s Diamondbacks, while four NFL teams participated in a pilot for its football features.
Best in Immersive Technology — MLB App in XR
The MLB App in XR offers an immersive version of the main MLB app, compatible with headsets like Apple Vision Pro, Meta Quest, and Samsung Galaxy XR, featuring 3D visuals and diverse game data presentations.
Technology Executive of the Year — Chris Benyarko
The newly crowned Technology Executive of the Year, Chris Benyarko, EVP and Head of Direct to Consumer Products, Technology and Operations at the NBA, is recognized for his extensive career with the league. In 2025, he spearheaded a modernization of the NBA’s tech framework to accommodate a streaming-first media model.
OneCourt Shines Bright
OneCourt celebrated two notable achievements, being named both Fan Experience Technology of the Year and Sports Technology of the Year. During the acceptance speech, COO Antyush Bollini highlighted the importance of inclusion in sports, stating, “It’s a huge part of all our lives,” and emphasizing their commitment to accessibility for those who face barriers in enjoying sports.
