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LinkedIn: Chicago Sports Tech

Director of Baseball Innovation, Chicago Cubs

A driving force behind the Cubs' innovation strategy, Bobby identifies and integrates emerging technologies, data analytics, and performance solutions that enhance player development and organizational success. With more than 20 years of experience in professional baseball—including roles in scouting, player development, and baseball operations—he brings a unique perspective on how cutting-edge technology is transforming the game. Bobby is also an Expert in Residence at 1871 and co-founder of Union Baseball Systems, making him a leading voice at the intersection of sports, technology, and innovation.

Co-Founder & CEO, The Gist

Since launching The GIST in 2018, Ellen Hyslop has helped build one of the fastest-growing sports media brands, reaching more than 40 million fans each month by making sports more accessible and inclusive. As a leader at the intersection of sports, media, and women's sports, she'll share insights on building engaged fan communities, growing modern sports audiences, and the future of sports storytelling.

Executive Director, Chicago Sports Commission

Kara is the Executive Director of the Chicago Sports Commission (CSC), a part of Choose Chicago, the official destination marketing organization for the city of Chicago. As Executive Director, she’s responsible for leading Chicago’s efforts in recruiting high-profile, major sporting events that help create visitor demand, drive economic impact, create jobs, and generate positive media exposure for Chicago.

🎟️ As a member you get 15% OFF any event. Use code: CSTW15 Get your tickets for CSTW: Chicago Sports Tech Week. Tickets are limited based on venue capacity

🗝️ See all the options here: https://chicagosportstechweek.com/#tickets

🏌ParPal

⛳️ParPal Golf is reimagining the on-course experience with an AI-powered caddie that fits in your pocket. The platform provides golfers with overhead hole maps, hazard information, wind-adjusted yardages, and personalized club recommendations based on how each player actually performs—not just generic distances. By combining course intelligence with real-time decision support, ParPal helps golfers make smarter shots, play faster, and enjoy the game more. As technology continues to transform sports, ParPal Golf is a great example of how AI can make golf more accessible, strategic, and fun for players of every skill level.

Every shot starts with a decision. Tell ParPal what you are committing to (club, target, shape, trouble to avoid), then step in and swing. It captures intent before the shot and outcome after, so your round log reflects how you really play under pressure—not just how far you hit it.

"Commit to the shot. Record the result. Own the round."

Learn more: ParPalGolf

🗣️New Designer Announced: GRÉVYI

GRÉVYI is a lifestyle brand that celebrates individuality and confidence. Inspired by the vibrant energy of Chicago's streets and the elevated style of Michigan Avenue, the brand creates classic, refined pieces for those who embrace their own unique identity.

More than a fashion label, GRÉVYI is built on the belief that style has the power to transform. Through thoughtfully designed apparel, the brand aims to inspire confidence, encourage personal growth, and empower people to express their true selves. At its core, GRÉVYI is on a mission to change lifestyles—changing lives and style, one piece at a time.

🗓️When: Thursday, July 23

📍Where: Centre Court Production | 469 N Racine Ave, Chicago, IL 60642

📲Learn More: GRÉVYI

👨‍⚖️City officials debate mayor's proposed $425M in TIF funds for 'The 78,' Chicago Fire soccer stadium It’s the type of proposal that goes against Mayor Johnson’s usual stance. Johnson is usually aligned with the Chicago Teachers’ Union (CTU) in supporting the use of public funds for schools and affordable housing rather than tied to a sports stadium. Maybe the sting of the imminent loss of the Bears for the city of Chicago has him rethinking his previous stance. In his proposal, Mayor Johnson wants to build out a broader neighborhood around the stadium, including a city-owned parking garage. Critics argue it contradicts the very reason the Fire stadium was greenlit relatively quickly: its promise not to use public funds. The Fire’s journey towards approval and the groundbreaking ceremony in March had been pretty smooth. It flew relatively under the radar of the all-consuming Bears drama. This proposal adds yet another contentious issue to Mayor Johnson’s agenda during his fourth year in office. ABC 7 covers the proposal and its criticism.

🎙️Audacy and Chicago Bulls Announce Extension To Multiplatform Radio Broadcast Partnership ‘If it’s not broken, don’t fix it’. The old saying applies well here for Audacy’s extension with the Bulls. Audacy has been working with the Bulls for 8 years. Its 104.3 The Score serves as the team’s flagship radio station. The chemistry between Chuck Swirsky and former Bull Bill Wennington gels into an overall entertaining and insightful broadcast. Hopefully, they will have some playoff broadcasts in the near future to add to the catalog of great regular-season broadcasts. Amid a sea of change this offseason for the Bulls, fans have familiar voices as the backbone of what they hope is a new era of better fortunes on the court. The Bulls’ press release highlights how both sides view the partnership.

🕹️Chicago's first F1 Arcade to open in August F1 Arcade has been headquartered in River North since 2021. It finally gets to open its ninth global F1 Arcade right around the corner. Chicago’s F1 Arcade will be the first to feature a rooftop terrace along with Chicago-inspired drinks. Guests can experience what it feels like in the cockpit, with 61 full-motion racing simulators available. Formula One boasts a global fanbase of 827 million, but most of this is overseas. Its U.S. market presents a massive growth opportunity. F1 Arcade holds an exclusive Formula One license and wants to open 30 locations worldwide within 5 years. Formula One has been growing in popularity nationwide thanks to Netflix’s Drive to Survive and F1 races hosted in Miami, Austin, and Las Vegas. F1 Arcade makes the sport more accessible and interactive, exactly what’s needed to increase fandom. The Sun Times reports on what the new experiential venue in River North will offer.

⚾️Chicago Cubs permitted to add more advertising signs outside Wrigley Field The first half of the season has been rough for the Cubs when compared to last year. Off the field, they’re not doing so bad. The Cubs received a favorable ruling in its rooftop view case. And construction is underway on expanding the Camry Lot. Now they can add two advertising signs to the wins. Wrigley’s status as a national historic landmark means it must follow stricter guidelines. The new signs can’t obstruct historic sightlines or overshadow defining features like the ivy-covered outfield walls. And they must remain dark unless there’s a Cubs night game happening. That’s a lot of red tape for two signs going up across the street from the ballpark. But the Cubs won’t mind that exchange for more advertising revenue on the books. NBC 5 discusses exactly where the new signs will go and what it took to get here.

🤝Pat McAfee to join PB&J brand Jams as co-owner In just a year, Jams has gone from its birthplace in Nashville to the shelves of thousands of Walmarts and Targets. Impressive by itself, what’s coming next could dwarf that. Pat McAfee has close to 10 million social media followers, not to mention is a key figure at ESPN. McAfee was already a fan of the product before joining as a co-owner. But it was after Jams became the official PB&J product of the NFLPA that he decided to go all in. It’s a solid bet to make not just on the brand, but the founder. Jams founder Connor Blakely — a 26-year-old serial entrepreneur — started his first business at 15 and has been successful right out of the gate. It’s a smart move on both sides, an easy win-win for Pat McAfee and Jams. Sports Business Journal describes exactly how Pat McAfee and Jams linked up.

🥇N.Y. to consider future dual-city bid for Winter Olympics If Milan Cortina 2026 serves as the blueprint for a dual-city bid, N.Y. thinks it will be an easy one to improve upon. Milan and Cortina had more than their fair share of issues during this year’s Winter Olympics (blackouts, rail sabotage, and faulty medals, to name a few). New York mayor Kathy Hochul is confident New York can deliver. Lake Placid has already hosted the Winter Olympics twice, in 1932 and 1980. 1980 was also the year of the “Miracle on Ice”. And the other city, NYC, needs no formal introduction. It isn’t an official announcement that N.Y. is entering into the bid process. It would have to wait over a decade for a possible slot. All this does for now is float the idea of a global sporting event returning to the Big Apple. ESPN discloses which year N.Y. could bid for and what cities already have the next few Winter Olympics.

📺Fox buying streaming platform Roku in cash-and-stock deal worth about $22 billion The days of linear TV domination are long gone. Streaming is the way of life now, and Fox has to do what it can to acquire and retain customers. The Roku deal adds about 100 million global streaming households to Fox’s portfolio. If the deal gains stockholder and regulatory approval, it would make Fox the third-largest in U.S. television by share of viewing. Roku launched its Roku Sports Channel in August 2024. Since then, it has steadily expanded its live sports offerings. It bought the rights for MLB Sunday Leadoff games, X Games, and NBA G League, among others. Apple, Netflix, and other streaming platforms have been snatching up media rights in sports as much as they can. Acquiring Roku is a way for Fox to counter and solidify its position within sports media. Find out how Fox’s shares have fared since the announcement and the exact breakdown of the cash-and-stock deal from ABC 6.

🏈Women’s Football Is Ready for Its Tom Brady Moment The Women’s National Football Conference (WNFC) can be viewed as just one of many upstart sports leagues (like the WPBL) competing for fans. CEO Odessa Jenkins sees it differently. “Every two days, a new tech company is getting a $10 million seed for an idea or product that hasn’t even hit the market yet. There is so much capital to be deployed”. Having just finished its seventh season and preparing for a Series A fundraising round this summer, Jenkins has evidence to back up her confidence. The WNFC finished the season with a 45% increase in live viewership on Victory+ and a 25% increase in attendance. It also has a multi-year deal with ESPN2 to broadcast its championship game. It’s not far-fetched to see Tom Brady, who’s a flag football advocate, partnering with the upstart league to boost awareness. It’s yet another great example of women’s sports receiving more recognition and respectability in the form of investment and partnerships. Front Office Sports gives more insight into Jenkins’ vision and the moves WNFC will make to grow its league.