#10: PixMob distributed Waveband LED wristbands to 80,000+ fans at MetLife Stadium for last Sunday night’s New York Jets-Buffalo Bills game. The company activated the Wavebands throughout the game using radio frequency technology, lighting the grounds green and white for the Jets. Previous PixMob wristbands used infrared technology and required transmitters to be installed within the wristbands’ line of sight. PixMob Account Manager for Sports Initiatives Phil Belanger-Bishinga tells SBJ’s Rob Schaefer: “In a stadium like MetLife, it would [require] about 48 transmitters (to use infrared technology). They are the size of a spotlight.” The Waveband wristbands need only a computer and RF Node, roughly the size of a tissue box. Watch the Wavebands in use. (link)
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#9: The new Army West Point-Navy game website built by WMT is now live. (link) |
#8: Minor League Baseball has unveiled a new logo that represents its 14 leagues across four classification levels. The logo features the MLB silhouetted batter design, “representing the lasting connection between MiLB and MLB as part of the new ‘MLB Player Development’ league structure, as well as an angular four-star motif, reflecting both the player progression through the Minor League system and the star MLB players of the future.” MLB EVP of Baseball Operations Morgan Sword: “The relationship between Minor League Baseball and Major League Baseball has never been stronger, and this new brand identity is a testament to that strength.” (link)
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#7: USA Today has released its database of football coaches’ salaries, which is topped, unsurprisingly, by Alabama HC Nick Saban ($11.4M). He is followed by Clemson HC Dabo Swinney ($10.88M), Georgia HC Kirby Smart ($10.7M), Ohio State HC Ryan Day ($10.27M), former Michigan State HC Mel Tucker ($10.01M), LSU HC Brian Kelly ($9.9M), Texas A&M HC Jimbo Fisher ($9.15M), Kentucky HC Mark Stoops ($9.013M), and Tennessee HC Josh Heupel and Ole Miss HC Lane Kiffin ($9M) in the top 10. Full database. (link)
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#6: Oregon State Football HC Jonathan Smith has apologized for using a particular gesture meant to indicate he wanted his offense to milk the clock in last week’s matchup against Utah. “For those I offended with that, I apologize. I won't be using that signal again." (link)
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#5: USC tops USA Today columnist Dan Wolken’s Misery Index, as Wolken argues there is “just no way to take the Trojans seriously” as long as Alex Grinch is USC’s defensive coordinator. “How can you after giving up 193 rushing yards and 564 overall while barely hanging on to a 48-41 win at Colorado? Sure, a win’s a win. Congratulations on squeaking by a program that went 1-11 last season. That’s not why USC went all-in to hire you, Lincoln. You’re supposed to be a championship coach. But being a championship coach requires making tough decisions, and the fact that Grinch is still your defensive coordinator indicates you might not have what it takes to make them.” Others in the Misery Index include LSU, Florida, UCF and NC State. (link)
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#4: Colorado Football HC Deion Sanders’ decision to invite DaBaby to speak to the CU team ahead of Saturday's USC game was a mistake, USA Today’s Mike Freeman writes, noting that in 2021, DaBaby “made a series of ugly homophobic and misogynistic remarks at a concert. He also spread misinformation about HIV and AIDS. His remarks were so awful, and so damaging, that Elton John condemned him.” Freeman continues: “DaBaby shot and killed a man, saying he did so in self-defense. He assaulted a woman fan prior to a concert. There are other problematic accusations. This is who University of Colorado coach Deion Sanders invited to speak to his players before they played USC on Saturday. … Sanders was trying to rally his team prior to facing a tough opponent but that's who he picked to help him? Sanders couldn't find someone who didn't spread hate, who didn't kill someone, who didn't slap a woman? … This was Sanders' first big mistake at Colorado.” (link)
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#3: The Wisconsin women’s (link) and men's (link) hoops teams show off their new locker room drip.
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#2: Korn Ferry has hired Collegiate Sports Associates VP Jenna McLaughlin as Head of Collegiate Athletics. (link) |
#1: In a deal brokered by the Utah-focused Crimson Collective, all 85 scholarship members of the Utes football team will receive a new 2024 Dodge Ram 1500 Big Horn from the Ken Garff Automotive Group. Yahoo’s Ross Dellenger reports the “trucks will be leased to each player as part of individual six-month contracts that are expected to roll over contingent on a player’s eligibility and enrollment at the university. Leases end when a player’s eligibility expires or they choose to transfer. The collective will also cover the insurance for each truck.” Garff says the initiative will continue as long as it’s working and drawing attention to the causes supported by the collective. (link); Check out the moment Utah football student-athletes found out they were each getting a new Dodge Ram. (link)
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