Notre Dame Joins Forces with Comcast NBCUniversal SportsTech

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The University of Notre Dame has become the first collegiate institution to join the esteemed Comcast NBCUniversal SportsTech partner consortium, which includes prominent sports brands like NBC Sports, Sky Sports, NASCAR, Premier League, and PGA TOUR. This partnership will enable Notre Dame to collaborate with innovators in the sports technology industry, starting with SportsTech’s fifth class in 2025.

Comcast announced that the University of Notre Dame has officially joined the partner consortium for Comcast NBCUniversal SportsTech, powered by Boomtown. This makes Notre Dame the program’s first collegiate partner. Beginning with the fifth class in 2025, selected companies will have the unique opportunity to explore collaborations and engage directly with experts and leaders from Notre Dame and its extensive network.

This new collaboration builds upon Notre Dame’s longstanding partnership with NBC Sports, which dates back to 1991. NBC Sports has been exclusively presenting Notre Dame’s home football games for over four decades, making it the longest collegiate media relationship. Recently, NBC Sports expanded its rights to deliver more Notre Dame content to fans via Peacock and other platforms.

Will McIntosh, President of Fandango & NBC Sports Next, stated, “Notre Dame adds a unique innovation champion to Comcast NBCUniversal SportsTech’s distinguished partner roster. As the program’s first collegiate advisor, Notre Dame offers new opportunities, access, and insight for startups. Additionally, through our broadcast rights, NBC Sports and Notre Dame have a rich tradition of collaborating on ways to enrich fan experiences, further aligning with one of SportsTech’s core pillars.”

Comcast NBCUniversal SportsTech provides its portfolio companies with valuable insights and access to decision-makers at leading sports brands worldwide. Notre Dame now joins a distinguished partner consortium that includes NBC Sports, Sky Sports, Comcast Spectacor, NASCAR, Premier League, PGA TOUR, and three U.S. Olympic sports organizations: U.S. Ski & Snowboard, USA Swimming, and USA Cycling. Over six months, Comcast NBCUniversal SportsTech connects founders with partners to develop strategic collaborations and enhance companies’ products and services.

Pete Bevacqua, Director of Athletics at the University of Notre Dame, expressed excitement about the new partnership, saying, “We are excited to join Comcast NBCUniversal SportsTech, bringing together and further enhancing our historic collaboration with NBC Sports and the University’s commitment to innovative athletics. Being part of this program will help us identify and implement new technologies and ways of thinking that can elevate the sports experience for our University, our athletes, and our fans.”

Notre Dame is committed to fostering innovation through its academic and athletic programs, including its Innovation Park, an entrepreneurship center home to over 60 startup companies. Innovation Park serves as a hub where entrepreneurs, students, and others can share ideas through meetings, events, and training. Additionally, Notre Dame offers an accelerator support program for early-stage startups.

In April 2022, Notre Dame was one of the first members of NBC Sports Athlete Direct, a platform connecting college student-athletes and advertisers through a trusted marketplace. This platform enables student-athletes to monetize their name, image, and likeness (NIL). Those who opt into the program are presented with NIL opportunities from advertisers, including monetizing their social media followings. NBC Sports collaborates with CNBC to provide personal finance resources for student-athletes.