Category Archives: Tech of Sports

From the shoes we wear on our feet to the high definition televisions in our living room, wearable devices, the sports universe is a breeding ground for technology. Writer and Photographer Rick Limpert will examine this each week on The Tech of Sports – With guests which include athletes, inventors and journalists that cover the intersection of sports and technology.

Richard Goldman, President/CEO at St. Augustine, Ponte Vedra & The Beaches Visitors and Convention Bureau

Tech of Sports, , , ,

Podcast: Play in new window | Download | Embed

Subscribe: Email | RSS

Rick is joined by Richard Goldman this week on “Tech of Sports.”

Goldman is the President and CEO at St. Augustine, Ponte Vedra & The Beaches Visitors and Convention Bureau. A big undertaking for this busy section of Florida.

Hear from Goldman about the successes earned by his team, but also the challenges. He has a lot to be proud of, being in one of the most desirable locations in the U.S.

“A visit to St. Augustine, Ponte Vedra Beach and The Beaches is more than just a getaway. It’s a vacation close enough to home but different enough to make you feel a world away. Experience old-world charm, flavorful dining, art and culture, and an abundance of entertainment after dark. There’s so much to do, you’re going to want to stay one more day.”

In St. Augustine and Ponte Vedra Beach, you are never at a loss for things to do. Discover attractions like the St. Augustine Lighthouse. Dive into history at the Fountain of Youth and Castillo de San Marcos. Visit beautiful beaches, or go fishing or golfing. Plus, the dining, shopping and nightlife. As Goldman states, the possibilities are endless!

Goldman and his team are responsible for marketing tourism to St. Johns County Florida. Conference and travel industry sales, advertising, internet marketing,public relations, new product development and partner relations are managed out of the offices located in St. Augustine.

“From St. Augustine being named by National Geographic One of the World’s Best Places to See Holiday Lights, to the Sawgrass Marriott Golf Resort & Spa being named a Top Ten Golf Resort in the U.S. by Travel + Leisure Magazine, our destination has earned the attention of the world and our employees deliver the kinds of experiences that keep visitors coming back for more. Last year, that attention helped to generated $1.1 billion in direct spending by visitors to St. Johns County. And we have new hotels coming to St. Augustine and the Beaches after more than eight years without new properties. Those hotels will have parking for their guests, and that’s something we have needed for some time.”

 

Willy T. Ribbs, Former Indy Car and NASCAR Racer Now Giving Back

Tech of Sports, , ,

Podcast: Play in new window | Download | Embed

Subscribe: Email | RSS

Excited to have Willy T. Ribbs on “Tech of Sports’ this week!

Ribbs is a retired American race car driver, racing owner, known for being the first African-American man to have tested a Formula One car (he did so in 1986) and to compete in the Indianapolis 500. Ribbs competed in many forms of auto racing, including the Trans-Am Series, IndyCar, Champ Car, IMSA, and the NASCAR Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series and Camping World Truck Series.

Ribbs saw his most success in the Trans-Am Series, winning 17 races while driving for such names as Dan Gurney and Jack Roush. Ribbs’ talent was at times limited by a lack of good equipment, and eclipsed at times by his strong personality

Ribbs is coming to Atlanta. Coming up March 29 & 30 is a new auto race at the Road Atlanta road course benefiting Hope For The Warriors (HFTW). Called, “Vintage Race of Champions,” VROC, it features past superstars of auto racing, including champions of NASCAR, the Indianapolis 500, and sports car racing. The race is organized by Sports Car Vintage Racing Association (SVRA), which has hosted these charity races since 2014, gifting over $750,000 to charity. This is the first time an SVRA Charity Pro-Am will be hosted at Road Atlanta.

HFTW is a national nonprofit organization that provides assistance to combat-wounded service members, their families, and families of those killed in action. The organization focuses on those involved in Operation Iraqi Freedom and Operation Enduring Freedom and their families.

Also involved in the event: NASCAR Champion Mike Skinner is personally involved in HFTW and now races regularly with SVRA. Al Unser, Jr., a two-time winner of the Indianapolis 500, has raced with SVRA since 2014.

Ribbs’ career story is the subject of a new Adam Carolla documentary titled, “Uppity.”

Ribbs loves talking racing and his career. He and Rick discuss diversity in racing, Ribbs’ memories and why he still competes.

I love this interview and hope you will too.

Dylan Elder, the Founder and CEO of Monster Roster

Tech of Sports, , , ,

Podcast: Play in new window | Download | Embed

Subscribe: Email | RSS

Joined on this episode by Dylan Elder, the Founder and CEO of Monster Roster, a powerful algorithm-driven platform that helps you make the right picks in sports betting (it was the first company admitted to the Philadelphia 76ers Innovation Lab). Rick and Dylan talk the new one-and-done rule and NBA, MLB or NFL trending topics.

Legal sports wagering is taking off across the country and there are many topics to discuss. One-and-done remains a point of discussion, and Dylan talks about the good, the bad, and the ugly sides to letting prospects enter straight from high school; whether abolishing the rule makes sense; and how lowering the age limit will fundamentally change the game.

Dylan founded Monster Roster at the perfect time as more and more states propose bills for sports betting legalization. Dylan’s algorithm has the highest ROI compared to other props and betting sites. Monster Roster was the first company admitted to the Sixers Innovation Lab, and while working side by side with actual players, Dylan developed a tool to draft the ultimate fantasy leagues and now that has moved to the sports betting arena.

Dylan is Founder and Chief Executive Officer of Monster Roster, a DFS and sports betting pick recommendation subscription service with a total ROI of 347% within the past year. He founded Monster Roster in 2015 at the age of 18. In Monster Roster’s first year of business, Elder generated $100,000 in revenue while in high school and then later while in college.

Elder expressed the entrepreneurial spirit at a young age. When he was 10 years old he would write fantasy football guides in exchange for free video games from his father’s office. Years later as a freshman and sophomore in high school, Elder converted those guides into a sports fantasy blog. Elder regularly drafted fantasy lineups for his friends to test out on FanDuel/DraftKings.

In June 2016, Elder entered Monster Roster at the biannual Fantasy Sports Trade Association Conference Elevator Pitch competition, reserved for up-and-coming fantasy businesses, and placed second out of 16 contestants. Following the elevator pitch contest, Elder was introduced to the Philadelphia 76ers Innovation Lab Crafted by Kimball. After applying, Elder underwent a series of interviews and meetings with Sixers Innovation Lab CEO Seth Berger. Monster Roster was admitted as the first company into the Sixers Innovation Lab. Elder started the program on August 22, 2016.

He developed the daily fantasy aspect of Monster Roster in the Sixers Innovation Lab for two years under the guidance of Seth and Sixers executives. With the legalization of sports betting in June of 2018, Monster Roster pivoted its product and algorithm to offer sports betting picks for spreads, money lines, over/unders, and prop bets. Monster Roster left the Innovation Lab in October of 2018 to continue to grow the sports betting aspect of the business.

Elder attended Georgetown University. After completing his freshman year at Georgetown, Elder postponed school to pursue his dream of developing and growing Monster Roster. Elder intends to return to school.

A fascinating discussion with Dylan, hope you enjoy!

David Reese, President of Florida’s First Coast of Golf

Tech of Sports, , ,

Podcast: Play in new window | Download | Embed

Subscribe: Email | RSS

Rick’s guest this week is David Reese, President of Florida’s First Coast of Golf.

Florida’s First Coast of Golf is designed to promote Amelia Island, Jacksonville and The Beaches, St. Augustine, Ponte Vedra & The Beaches, Clay County and Palm Coast & The Flagler Beaches as the premier destination for Florida golf vacations. We also partner with Jacksonville Aviation Authority, THE PLAYERS, the World Golf Village along with the region’s golf courses and accommodations partners.

David plays an integral role with golf in this region of Florida.

Reese is an experienced sales and marketing professional with over 16 years of experience in the travel and tourism industry. Currently, David is the president of Florida’s First Coast of Golf, a golf destination marketing company located in Jacksonville Beach. He oversees the operation of the 501(c)6 organization that is designed to promote golf tourism to the First Coast. The foundation is built on cooperative marketing/public relations efforts for 61 industry partners, 5 counties, and the State under a unified brand. The accomplishments of the organization revolve around solid strategic, marketing/public relations plans and intense volunteer involvement.

David began his career as a convention sales manager for the Jacksonville Convention and Visitor’s bureau. David earned his bachelors degree in marketing with an emphasis on hospitality management from Florida State University.

As an active participant in the community David serves on the Board of Directors for International Association of Golf Tour Operators 2001-present, is a member of the Gator Bowl Association, VISIT FLORIDA’s Board of Directors, Visit Jacksonville’s Board of Directors, member of the Greater Jacksonville Agricultural Fair Association, President of the SKAL Club of Jacksonville and a committee member of Visit Florida.

Great to be joined by David to talk about the state of golf on Florida’s First Coast and the challenges he and his organization face. It was an honor to meet and talk with David while at THE PLAYERS.

David Reese

 

Dylan Jacob, Entrepreneur and Founder of BruMate

Tech of Sports, , ,

Podcast: Play in new window | Download | Embed

Subscribe: Email | RSS

Rick is joined this week by a young entrepreneur, who is looking change the drinking experience at tailgates, out on boats or at your next pool party. Let me introduce you to BruMate.

At 24 years old, Dylan Jacob, inventor, and entrepreneur, an Indiana native operates BruMate, his third business, which is on track to reach $35 million in revenue this year. Dylan Jacob dropped out of Purdue University in his second semester to run a phone repair and reselling business he created as a high school sophomore. He founded and sold a second business before founding BruMate, a company that sells insulated containers (two patents) and adult beverages and accessories.

His work has gotten him recognized by Forbes. Dylan attributes his success to passion and sleeping a lot. We’re glad he stayed awake for this interview.

Dylan loves to discuss with you how he developed a brand concept, patented products and took the business from zero to 20 million in sales with himself as the only full-timer, using social media as his main way to market it. He is also a patent holder.

1000% Market Growth 2018- 600% Market Growth for 2019

BrüMate, founded in November 2016 by Dylan Jacob in his hometown of Indianapolis, grossed 2Min 2017 and finished 2018 with 1000% growth at 20M in sales with a successful holiday campaign before reaching its 2nd anniversary. We started January and February  2019  at over 600% growth Year-over-year (YOY) compared to 2018. Based on our new marketing campaigns, new product launches, and international distribution. They are estimating 35M+ for 2019.

Richard Roth, Sports Attorney on the use of ‘Video’

Tech of Sports, , ,

Podcast: Play in new window | Download | Embed

Subscribe: Email | RSS

Rick is joined this week by noted sports attorney, Richard Roth.

When news just broke that Robert Kraft was arrested for soliciting a prostitute in Florida, the sports world took notice. Was it true, well there apparently is a video.

Richard Roth, New York City attorney.

A multi-faceted attorney, focusing on sports, white-collar crime, and employment, Mr. Roth has represented publicly held corporations and privately held businesses, CEOs, and industry magnates as well as celebrities, athletes, and professional sports organizations. He has represented NFL Hall of Famer Warren Sapp and Peyton Manning among many other professional athletes.

Rich says, “Well … the use of video tape replays was the big issue in the playoffs, when both the Patriots (on an alleged offside by KC at the end of the game when KC intercepted Brady) and the Rams (when it unquestionably committed pass interference on the Saints at the end of the game) allowed those teams to be in the Superbowl. What about a videotape of Robert Kraft wrongfully soliciting a prostitute after that game? Can the Patriots get around that call?”

Additionally:

Kraft was charged on two counts of soliciting prostitution during a bust on massage parlors in Florida. And apparently Jupiter police caught Kraft on video!!!
Kraft, certainly one of the wealthiest men in the land, allegedly dished out a whopping $79 for an hour of foul play.
Kraft is the man who orchestrated getting around deflate-gate and aiding the Patriots in all of their issues, is now in a bit of a situation himself.
Perhaps he will come up with an excuse as to why he happened to be at the massage parlor at the time?

“If the video shows all, Kraft’s craftiness will not help him out of this penalty.”

Roth and Rick talk about the Kraft situation, other NFL cases where video shared light on the situation and whether this is something new to society and the sports world.

Richard Roth is a wealth of information in and out of the sports universe. Great to talk with Richard and get his take on the goings on in sports.