MLS Innovation Lab unveils second cohort of its technology leaders

The Major League Soccer (MLS), has announced the six companies selected for the second cohort of its MLS Innovation Lab. This pioneering initiative shapes the future of sports and continued growth of the League by identifying and nurturing cutting-edge startups and advanced technologies. The new cohort is poised to enhance MLS' key priority areas of fan engagement, on-field player performance, and media technology.

MLS Innovation Lab was launched with six technology pioneers in the fall of 2023 as part of the League's ongoing commitment to being at the forefront of technology in sports. After nine months of testing, select Innovation Lab companies were featured in the League's first "Future of the Game Showcase" at the MLS All-Star Game in Columbus. Featuring live in-game demonstrations of pioneering technology, including advanced GPS player tracking, AI-powered real-time language dubbing, and an augmented reality fan experience.

In its second year, the program provides each company with the opportunity to test their innovative concepts in rigorous real-world environments throughout the MLS ecosystem, including MLS NEXT Fest, Generation adidas Cup, MLS NEXT Cup and the MLS NEXT All-Star Game presented by All-State. The first opportunity will take place in December at MLS NEXT Fest in California.

Following all testing, select companies will be invited to present their capabilities to MLS executives and owners at the Second Annual "Future of the Game Showcase" during the 2025 MLS All-Star Game in Austin. Additionally, these companies will have the potential to secure long-term strategic partnerships and investment opportunities from the League. With thousands of matches each year across MLS NEXT Pro, MLS NEXT and MLS GO, participating companies will have unparalleled access to MLS' expertise in an environment designed to accelerate their growth and impact.

Chris Schlosser, MLS SVP, Emerging Ventures: "MLS continues to be at the forefront of innovation in global sports, The Innovation lab program provides an unparalleled opportunity for high performing companies to turbo-charge their growth, and to showcase their capabilities to the soccer world. We are very excited to partner with this group of excellent startups from around the world to co-create new ideas and push the boundaries in sports."

After an extensive evaluation process that included hundreds of companies from around the world, the following have been chosen for the second MLS Innovation Lab cohort:

Edge Sound Research - USA
OLIVER Sports - Spain
Soccerment - Italy
Sportlight - UK
Lubu Technologies - Los Angeles, USA
Wicket - Cambridge, Mass.

The MLS Innovation Lab is one of several initiatives demonstrating Major League Soccer's commitment to creating the future of sports through cutting-edge technology and transformative concepts. As the first major sports league to enter into a global digital streaming agreement, MLS is now in the second season of its unprecedented 10-year partnership with Apple, which continues to reimagine how soccer fans consume matches. This partnership launched the game-changing global streaming platform MLS Season Pass on Apple TV, which is aired in over 100 countries and regions with no blackouts and in multiple languages. Additionally, MLS has teamed up with the acclaimed and Emmy award-winning production company, Box to Box films, to develop an all-access docuseries for soccer fans and new audiences set to air in 2025.

www.mlssoccer.com

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