Monthly Archives: April 2026

FANZO, The Tech Solution To Sports’ Fragmentation Problem, Officially Launches In North America

FANZO, the tech platform that links brands, rights holders and broadcasters with fans who aren’t watching games in arenas and stadia, today announced that it will officially launch with partners in North America.

Rolling out in time to support the millions of fans following the FIFA World Cup in North America, it follows successful proof of concept executions in the UK, Europe and Australasia, backed by $30 million investment in their tech product.

Solving the headache of sports rights fragmentation and audience measurement in out-of-home premises, their platform enables digital activation with fans at a national scale, wherever they are watching sports socially.

Trusted by 47,000 partner venues worldwide and used by six million sports fans last year outside North America, FANZO counts properties ranging from TNT Sports to World Rugby and Diageo as partners.

“Until now, reliably engaging the massive out-of-home audience has been impossible and has proved a hindrance to the commercial growth of sports as rights continue to fragment across different channels and platforms. FANZO has worked with global partners to solve this critical issue – simplifying broadcast for venues and helping fans watch games socially – opening up new possibilities for commercial growth in North America”, said FANZO co-founder Leo MacLehose.

“Our mission is simple. We believe that sports experienced alone is meaningless. So we’ve built a digital platform that brings fans together to create unforgettable sporting memories in the world’s best physical locations.

“Once there, our tech enables brands, rightsholders and broadcasters to elevate the experience of watching sports in the most authentic local community spaces – restaurants and bars”.

“Maximising the profitability our commercial subscribers see from sport is central to what we do. But we recognise the challenges that operators face when managing every aspect of their venues – not least pouring pints and delivering great hospitality experiences to guests”, said Alasdair Collis, Vice President, TNT Sports Business.

“Since partnering with FANZO to create a new suite of automated digital marketing tools, we’re proud to offer TNT Sports Social venues compelling ways to grow their visibility online, drive loyalty and incremental footfall for live sports without adding to their daily to-do list.”

How FANZO Problem Solves For Every Side Of The Sports Market

Fans use FANZO to find great out-of-home venues nearby that are definitely showing their game on TV. In a sports market so convoluted that senators are calling in antitrust reviews, FANZO’s market-leading tech solves a major pain point for fans who just want to watch their team.

Commercial venues use FANZO’s B2B SaaS toolkit to market live sports online, generate new business from fans looking to watch sports socially nearby, whilst saving hours per week on digital promotion.

From quickly reviewing and updating schedules across multiple broadcasters to automating promotion with bespoke sports assets across social media.

Broadcasters include FANZO as part of their commercial package to venues to win new business, promising increased footfall and best-in-class marketing automation.

These tools reduce subscription churn by ensuring venues make the most of their sports content, increasing revenue per customer by upselling additional features and premium listings, whilst leveraging unique fixture data and insights to ensure long-term success over local rivals.

Brands use FANZO to impact behaviour throughout the out-of-home sports fan journey. Multiple digital touchpoints build awareness and consideration by ensuring fans choose to watch games in venues where certain products are sold.

From there, digital gamification rewards fans with real-world offers and prizes they can claim in-venue via FANZO’s mobile vouchering, helping brands sample new products, understand rate of sale and measure the impact of longer-term community-building efforts.

Finally, Rights Holders use this infrastructure to drive greater value for existing partners or sell new sponsorship opportunities through increased inventory.

Shoe Palace, Harlem Globetrotters Launch New Centennial Collection

The world-famous, Harlem Globetrotters™ and footwear retailer, Shoe Palace announced today an exclusive collaboration tied to the Harlem Globetrotters 100th anniversary celebration. The Shoe Palace x Harlem Globetrotters collection will be available in over 200 retail locations across the country as well as online, and will include T-shirts, hoodies, jackets, shorts, and pants for consumers of every age.

“The Harlem Globetrotters’ brand sits at the intersection of sports, entertainment, and cultural impact.  Our partnership with Shoe Palace is part of a larger strategy to expand our relevancy with new, and existing, audiences,” said Keith Dawkins, President, Harlem Globetrotters & Herschend Entertainment Studios. “Our strategic partnerships in the licensing and consumer products lane strengthens our ecosystem and increases touchpoints with consumers.”

“The Shoe Palace x Harlem Globetrotters collection celebrates the fun and pioneering spirit of one of the most enduring teams,” said Ralph Mersho, CEO, Shoe Palace. “It connects well to bring their story to fashion, and lifestyle in a really unique way.”

Shoe Palace pulled from 100 years of Harlem Globetrotters style, art and iconography to craft the unique collection. Some of the standout pieces include a fully embellished fleece set, a satin tricot button up, and a fully embellished varsity jacket. Harlem Globetrotters mesh shorts and vintage graphic tees will also be available.

The Harlem Globetrotters Centennial season launched in January and is continuing throughout the world, visiting over 200 domestic markets and another 125+ internationally. Fans can expect all-new surprises like the Golden Basketball by Spalding®, epic pre-game Magic Pass experiences, 100 Year limited edition merchandise and many other new innovations for the “Ambassadors of Basketball.” International markets such as France, United Kingdom, Italy, Germany, Spain, Switzerland, Belgium, Netherlands, Mexico, and across Asia are just a few of the many locations the Harlem Globetrotters will be touring in winter of 2026 and running through the remainder of the year.

Muggsy Bogues, Jaylen Brown Added as Tracy McGrady’s Ones Basketball League GM/Team Owners

OBL (Ones Basketball League) the re-envisioning of its premier 1 v 1 basketball league founded by basketball Hall of Famer and entrepreneur Tracy McGrady, today announced that their final two GM/owner slots announced have been filled, with NBA Legend Tyrone “Muggsy” Bogues taking the team of Baltimore talent and the Boston Celtics five time All-Star Jaylen Brown taking over the Atlanta team. Brown becomes the first active NBA player to own and manage an OBL franchise.

‘Having Muggsy and Jaylen join our ownership and GM group only further raises the level of competition and anticipation for “Battle of the Cities,” McGrady said. “Like in our teams, these accomplished athletes have a particular understanding and respect for basketball in the place where they grew up, and as we have seen from our tryouts that started this week in New York, the amount of interest and talent continues to rise from each market.”
‘One on one basketball is what I was raised on, and Baltimore is a city that understands and appreciates the skill level that is needed to success,” Bogues added. “We will rep the city well, and I am looking forward to helping Tracy advance his mission of making OBL a global must see, must participate and must engage with brand of basketball.”

“Battle of the Cities” will take an expanded version of the original OBL, with elite one-on-one athletes bringing their own vision, culture and prestige tied to the city from where they grew up, played and/or call home. Each city-based team will have a four man roster, comprised of players who best reflect the tradition, values and basketball culture of the city the 1 v 1 team represents, hand selected by the Owners/GMs. “OBL: Battle of the Cities” will take place over multiple weeks in Orlando, Florida, where McGrady was raised playing 1 v 1 himself, from May 15 to June 30, with teams competing for the swagger, pride, and identity of every city represented.

The naming of Bogues and Brown completes the elite list that will manage OBL Teams in “Battle of the Cities.”

They are:

  • Team Orlando- Vince Carter, Team Washington
  • DC – Quinn Cook, two-time NBA Champion
  • Team Miami – Tim Hardaway Sr., five-time NBA All-Star
  • Team New York – Jadakiss, recording star and basketball insider
  • Team Chicago – Larenz Tate, actor, film producer, basketball aficionado
  • Team Raleigh – John Wall, five-time NBA All-Star
  • Team Atlanta – Jaylen Brown, star of the Boston Celtics
  • Team Baltimore – Muggsy Bogues, 14 year NBA veteran

OBL will host a multi-week season where eight initial cities will field teams featuring hoopers who fit the criteria of embodying the heart and essence of their respective cities, bringing a unique and dynamic aspect to their representation. Cities battle for pride and prize, each sending out one player at a time in 1-on-1 matchups. Thrilling, quick games that keep audiences on the edge of their seat. The production will feature intense game-play, as well as a deeper look into player backgrounds and real individual stories centering on highlighting players’ talent and authenticity.

Additional announcements on rosters, media and other elements will continue to be rolled out in the coming weeks.