Press Releases
Yahoo Sports and NBA Bring Future of Sports Entertainment to Life through Virtual Reality, Fantasy and Betting Relationship
Yahoo Sports and the National Basketball Association (NBA) are joining forces to enhance the at-home fan experience with a multiyear relationship that will make Yahoo Sports an Official Marketing Partner of the league and RYOT a live virtual reality (VR) production partner during the NBA Restart in Orlando. The relationship will also allow Yahoo Sports to engage fans through fantasy and sports betting in unprecedented ways, including the right to create sports betting content and expanding Yahoo Sports’ existing distribution of NBA League Pass, the league’s premium live game subscription product, to include gaming integrations.
To bring an immersive, arena-like experience to fans, RYOT, an innovation studio, will produce live NBA games in VR and transport the physical games taking place at ESPN’s Wide World of Sports Complex to fans at home via their Oculus devices. This next-gen content is the latest example of how VR can transform sports and entertainment by blurring the lines between virtual and physical.
More than a dozen live NBA League Pass games will be distributed in VR via Oculus Venues on Oculus Quest and Oculus Go headsets beginning Friday, July 31 through Friday, Aug. 14. For a full schedule of games available in VR, visit nba.com/vr.
“RYOT’s powerful VR capabilities will deliver a truly immersive live experience at home, creating a seamless experience between the physical and digital world,” said Guru Gowrappan, CEO of Verizon Media. “NBA League Pass in VR is exactly the kind of innovative solution we love to create with our partners. Working with the NBA to redefine the fan’s experience of the game has amazing implications for the future of sports and entertainment.”
“As the NBA Restart tips off this week, our expanded relationship with Yahoo Sports will offer a variety of unique ways for fans to engage with the NBA,” said Bill Koenig, NBA President, Global Content & Media Distribution. “With everything from fantasy games, sports betting integrations, gaming-focused content and NBA games in VR, there will be no shortage of opportunities to get closer to the game.”
Yahoo Sports will continue to operate the exclusive season long fantasy game of the NBA, create NBA-branded daily fantasy and sports betting integrations and will collaborate at marquee events including the NBA Draft presented by State Farm and NBA All-Star weekend. Yahoo Sports will also be the presenting partner of NBA Pick’Em: Playoffs Bracket Challenge which will be integrated into NBA TV, NBA.com, the NBA App and other NBA Digital assets, which are jointly managed by the NBA and Turner Sports.
Yahoo Sports, Yahoo Fantasy and Yahoo Sportsbook will deliver expanded NBA content throughout its platforms. This will include distribution of live, out-of-market games in NBA League Pass and opportunities to engage fans in fantasy and betting through digital overlays. The relationship will also include two shows focused on fantasy and betting to coincide with the NBA Conference Finals and NBA Finals. Game footage from the NBA, WNBA and NBA G League will also be used to create content, such as game previews and recaps, to help inform fans participating in season long fantasy, daily fantasy and sports betting.
About the NBA
The NBA is a global sports and media business built around four professional sports leagues: the National Basketball Association, the Women’s National Basketball Association, the NBA G League and the NBA 2K League. The NBA has established a major international presence with games and programming in 215 countries and territories in 47 languages, and merchandise for sale in more than 100,000 stores in 100 countries on six continents. NBA rosters at the start of the 2019-20 season featured 108 international players from 38 countries and territories. NBA Digital’s assets include NBA TV, NBA.com, the NBA App and NBA League Pass. The NBA has created one of the largest social media communities in the world, with 1.8 billion likes and followers globally across all league, team, and player platforms. Through NBA Cares, the league addresses important social issues by working with internationally recognized youth-serving organizations that support education, youth and family development, and health-related causes.
About Verizon Media
Verizon Media, a division of Verizon Communications, Inc., houses a trusted media ecosystem of premium brands like Yahoo, TechCrunch and HuffPost to help people stay informed and entertained, communicate and transact, while creating new ways for advertisers and media partners to connect. From XR experiences to advertising and content technology, Verizon Media is an incubator of innovation and is revolutionizing the next generation of content creation in a 5G world.
About Yahoo Sports
Yahoo Sports is the mobile home for sports fans, offering the most robust access to live, local and primetime NFL games, an award-winning fantasy platform, comprehensive news, original series, scores, standings and more. With real-time, personalized content and immersive mobile experiences, Yahoo Sports is innovating for the next generation of sports fans. Download the Yahoo Sports app on iOS and Google Play and download the Yahoo Fantasy app on iOS and Google Play to sign-up and play with Yahoo Fantasy Sports. Yahoo Sports is part of Verizon Media.
Win Systems, a leading provider of technology for the gaming and entertainment industry, successfully concluded its exclusive showroom event on May 28 and 29 at its offices in Lima, Peru. Over two engaging days, local operators and strategic partners had the opportunity to experience the company’s latest innovations first-hand, with special attention given to the new Gold Club Colors, an innovative evolution of its renowned electronic roulette.
The experience was highly praised by attendees, who interacted directly with the Gold Club Colors and witnessed its advanced aesthetic and functional customization features. This version allows key components such as LED lighting, armrests, cilinder, and game layout to be tailored to the visual identity of each casino, enhancing both the venue’s atmosphere and the overall player experience. Also drawing strong interest was the dynamic paytable, which adjusts rewards based on the flow of each game session.
“This event was truly special for us. Beyond showcasing our products, we wanted to create a space to connect, share ideas, and listen to the local market’s needs firsthand. The response was fantastic and encourages us to continue strengthening our presence in Peru,” said Galy Olazo, Country Manager for Win Systems in Peru.
The showroom not only demonstrated one of the most advanced electronic roulettes on the market in action but also reaffirmed Win Systems’ commitment to ongoing innovation and close collaboration with its clients and strategic partners.
Belatra Games, the specialist online slots developer, is ready for its latest appearance at the Peru Gaming Show, where it will unveil its latest slot design developments for the Latin American market and beyond.
Belatra will be based at Stand 43 over the two-day event in Lima, giving visitors an exclusive behind-the-curtain look at its latest slot releases, as well as a chance to explore the company’s expanding portfolio of successful, market-ready solutions. Belatra will also run a special competition, offering guests the chance to get their hands on a mystery box bursting with prizes.
In addition to enjoying Belatra’s titles, guests will be able to sample several cocktails inspired by ancient Incan recipes. The bespoke bar is designed as a hidden tomb brimming with treasure, bringing a bold energy and a fun atmosphere to the stand.
Renowned for its engaging gameplay mechanics with attractive creative concepts, Belatra’s studio excels in producing games that connect with diverse player audiences across Latin America. Visitors to the Jockey Exhibition Center, Lima, will be able to experience both fan-favourite titles and brand-new innovations firsthand, while connecting with the Belatra team to explore business opportunities and partnership potential.
Belatra invites all attendees to visit Stand 43 and join the conversation on redefining the future of iGaming in Latin America.
Andrés Troelsen, Belatra Games’ Commercial Director for Latin America, said: “I cannot wait to be back at the Peru Gaming Show as it’s one of the biggest on the LatAm events roadshow. Being in Lima allows us to showcase our next generation of content and connect with current and prospective partners.”
Latest News
BMM TESTLABS PROMOTES KARINA ADDARI TO VICE PRESIDENT OF GLOBAL DIGITAL SERVICE DELIVERY
BMM Testlabs (“BMM” or “the Company”), the world’s original gaming test lab renowned for exceptional product compliance and certification services, today announced the promotion of Karina Addari to Vice President of Global Digital Service Delivery. In this new role, Addari will lead BMM’s global digital professional services delivery (PSD) operations, driving excellence in compliance, quality assurance, project management, and product certification across multiple regions.
Addari joined BMM in 2023, bringing over 25 years of cross-industry operations and project management experience. In her most recent role as BMM’s Director of Service Delivery for Europe and South America, she managed teams across multiple international branches, consistently exceeding revenue targets and optimizing operational efficiency.
Before joining BMM, Addari held numerous professional roles, including Adjunct Professor at the University of Kansas’ School of Professional Studies and School of Engineering; Senior Manager, Operations Strategy at Hostess Brands; and Program Manager for H&R Block.
BMM Chief Operations Officer Kara Matthew said, “Karina has made a tremendous impact at BMM. Her commitment to excellence, strategic mindset, and ability to empower diverse teams has driven impressive results. This promotion reflects her outstanding leadership and our confidence in her continued contributions as we continue to expand our global operations to meet customer needs.”
In her new role, Addari will continue to champion operational effectiveness, cultural collaboration, and customer-focused service delivery, reinforcing BMM’s position as a trusted partner to gaming suppliers and regulators worldwide.
Addari earned a PhD in Organization and Management with a specialization in Leadership, a Master of Arts in International Business, and a Bachelor of Arts in Business Administration. She is also a certified Project Management Professional (PMP) and Lean Six Sigma Black Belt.
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