Rob Schaefer

Chicago, New York, United States

Tech Sports Reporter at Sports Business Journal

tech/racket sports reporter @SBJ • as seen @NBCSChicago https://t.co/bg8kmoeHXc @TheAthletic @suntimes_sports @FortuneMagazine @ringer • 📩 [email protected]

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Articles

Lew Sherr named New York Mets president of business operations

1 week ago | sportsbusinessjournal.com | Mike Mazzeo |Rob Schaefer

The Mets have named USTA CEO LEW SHERR as their President of Business Operations. He will join the organization in July and report directly to owner STEVE COHEN. Sherr is replacing SCOTT HAVENS.
Beyond Sports unveils new AI commentary system for tennis

1 week ago | sportsbusinessjournal.com | Rob Schaefer

Beyond Sports has unveiled a new AI commentary system specific to the sport of tennis. The system leverages predictive models -- e.g., win probability -- that the company has developed to inform automated commentary that’s tone is flexible to specific moments within a match.
Monumental Sports & Entertainment, DXC Technology expand tech partnership

1 week ago | sportsbusinessjournal.com | Rob Schaefer

Monumental Sports & Entertainment and DXC Technology are extending their six-year-old tech partnership on a multiyear basis and plan to expand its scope in light of MSE’s ongoing, $800M transformation of Capital One Arena. The expanded partnership will likely touch several of MSE’s business units, but its fan experience applications are top of mind of MSE’s President/Business Operations & CCO Jim Van Stone.
Psycho Bunny inks partnership with Andy Roddick

1 week ago | sportsbusinessjournal.com | Rob Schaefer

Apparel brand Psycho Bunny has announced a multiyear partnership with former World No. 1 tennis player Andy Roddick, who will advise on Psycho Bunny’s expanding presence in tennis. That includes recent player deals with Alexei Popyrin and Arthur Rinderknech, as well as sponsorship of the National Bank Open as the Canadian tournament’s official athletic outfitter. Psycho Bunny is also an event supporter-tier partner of the F1 Miami Grand Prix.
Nielsen’s Gracenote launches new sports content aggregation service for automakers

2 weeks ago | sportsbusinessjournal.com | Rob Schaefer

Gracenote, the Nielsen subsidiary dedicated to entertainment data aggregation, is launching a new sports service called Nexus Auto that will allow drivers to curate custom sports audio, video and statistical dashboards on their vehicle displays. Nexus Auto will be built directly into original equipment manufacturer’s systems, according to Gracenote’s Head/Innovation Trent Wheeler, and link users out to broadcast/radio streams, scores and podcast feeds based on self-submitted preferences.
Laver Cup team tennis competition to return to London's O2 Arena in 2026

2 weeks ago | sportsbusinessjournal.com | Rob Schaefer

Laver Cup, the team-based tennis tournament owned and operated by Roger Federer‘s Team8 investment vehicle, has confirmed The O2 Arena in London as its host site in 2026. That edition will mark the event’s ninth since launching in 2017 and first time returning to a city and venue that has previously hosted it. Traditionally, Laver Cup has acted as a traveling band, stopping in a new city each September.
NBA super agent David Falk talks about representing Michael Jordan, offers advice for sports executives

2 weeks ago | sportsbusinessjournal.com | Rob Schaefer

Donning a pair of Air Jordan 11s, FAME founder and former NBA super agent David Falk took the stage at SBJ’s 4se conference in Manhattan on Tuesday for a no-holds barred question-and-answer session that touched on everything from his days representing NBA legends such as Michael Jordan, Allen Iverson and Patrick Ewing to his views on the state of the sports industry. SBJ’s Rob Schaefer shares the highlights from Falk’s discussion with SBJ’s Abe Madkour. Would Falk want to be an agent today?
Toca Football raises $35 million, extends long-term partnership with MLS

2 weeks ago | sportsbusinessjournal.com | Rob Schaefer

Less than a year after raising a $100M Series F, tech-infused soccer facilities company Toca Football has secured an additional $35M in funding and extended its existing partnership with MLS through 2036. Toca‘s latest raise includes $15M in equity and $20M in debt from J.P. Morgan Commercial Banking. It will primarily be used to fuel the U.S. expansion of the company’s Toca Social entertainment venues, which combine interactive soccer games and F&B, according to Toca CEO Yoshi Maruyama.
Warner Bros. Discovery's plans for first domestic Roland-Garros coverage

2 weeks ago | sportsbusinessjournal.com | Rob Schaefer

As Warner Bros. Discovery’s last playoffs as a live rights partner of the NBA ends, the tentpole of a new era for the company is starting in Paris with Roland-Garros.
USTA’s Master Plan: Inside the $800M renovation of Billie Jean King National Tennis Center

2 weeks ago | sportsbusinessjournal.com | Rob Schaefer

Shortly after the conclusion of the 2024 U.S. Open, the USTA began what it projects will be $800 million of self-funded renovations to the USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center. The phased project, to be completed by the 2027 U.S. Open, represents the largest single investment the organization has made into the home of its revenue-rich Grand Slam.