Couple things we’ve been watching this week across Chicago sports + business

We’re hosting a happy hour on March 25th with sports industry leaders in the Chicago sports ecosystem.

If you want to come, grab a spot here:
👉 https://luma.com/alq6ve1p

Early growth companies we’ve met with recently

• Ochy — AI-powered running form + gait analysis platform that uses just a phone camera to deliver lab-grade insights in seconds. Interesting infrastructure play across performance, coaching, and injury prevention.

• CrowdIQ — focused on smarter fan data + audience intelligence. Feels aligned with where teams are heading around personalization and sponsorship value.

• My Player Athlete — building athlete-centered tools across development + exposure. Big TAM if they execute at scale.

1) The Blackhawks’ new ice center is bigger than it looks

The 1901 Project is finally showing real progress, and the reworked training facility feels less like a team space and more like infrastructure for the neighborhood.

Two rinks, Centennial Hall, upgraded dining — but the bigger story is positioning it as a year-round community hub. If they execute, this becomes a traffic engine for the Near West Side.

Curious how teams think about facilities now — less ops, more ecosystem plays.

Source: Crain’s Chicago Business 

2) Backgammon coming back actually makes sense

The Chicago Backgammon League has been picking up momentum lately, and it fits a broader pattern:

• vinyl + physical media up
• run clubs exploding
• social-first hobbies returning

Feels like a reaction to digital fatigue — and honestly, there’s probably a sports angle here around community formats that don’t revolve around screens.

Source: Good Day Chicago 

Funding we’re watching

• Agentio raised $40M for AI-driven creator ad automation — strong crossover with athlete creators + NIL
Business Insider

• Fal raised funding for generative media infrastructure — think highlights automation + team content workflows
Business Insider

• Delphi raised funding for AI chat tools built on creator voices — interesting angle for athlete fan engagement
Business Insider 

Feels like a lot of the infra layer around sports media + creators is quietly accelerating.

Quick things we’re tracking:

• WWE selling out the United Center again
Block Club Chicago 

• NFL salary cap hitting $301M
NFL 

• Cadillac entering F1
KIRO7

• Dolphins minority stake pricing surge
Yardbarker

Anything you have been seeing that we should be tracking? Email us [email protected]