Ryerson, Maple Leafs Announce New Future of Sport Lab
The Future of Sport Lab, was announced on Tuesday, Sep. 11, 2018 as a brand new partnership between Maple Leaf Sports and Entertainment, Ltd. (MLSE) and Ryerson University. The school, according to a recent press release, notes, “the objective of the FSL is to be Canada’s leader in sport innovation, creating a sport business ecosystem that will connect Canadian sport properties and industry partners, entrepreneurs, faculty, and students. Together, they will support and foster innovative sport business solutions and technologies along with sport industry research, insights, and education.”
The new program will be directed by Dr. Cheri L. Bradish, the Loretta Rogers Research Chair in Sport Marketing with the Ted Rogers School of Management. In an interview, Bradish says, “Toronto is truly a world-class sport business city. The Future of Sport Lab will bring together the incredible talent that’s already here and give them a chance to collaborate and create solutions with real world impact. This will be the new home of sport innovation in Canada.”
Cheri Bradish, Director of the Future Sport Lab (back, right), with Humza Teherany, Sumit Arora, Teresa Resch, and Jennifer MacInnis / Photo via ryerson.ca
The Future of Sport Lab will focus on these four specific activities, according to the school:
- Creative research and innovation partnerships
- Applied research and needs assessments to identify emerging opportunities and solve real world problems
- Support for startups including the potential opportunity to have MLSE pilot testing of products/services
- Research forums to bring together experts to identify emerging trends and solve practical sector challenges
Humza Terehany (pictured above), Chief Technology & Digital Officer at MLSE, also adds; “Delivering championship teams and the ultimate fan experience for our fans is MLSE’s primary focus. Innovation is a key part of our ability to enable our teams to perform at the highest levels but also to deliver new ways to engage our fans with exciting new technology.”
Applicants can begin submitting proposals in October, available for MBAs and undergrads. For more information on the sport lab here.
