SMT's Q2 Top 10 Highlights

During the second quarter of 2025, SMT continued to innovate across a wide range of marquee events—from tennis and golf to motorsports and hockey. In this issue, we highlight our expanding partnership with TNT Sports at Roland Garros, debut next-gen AR graphics for the NBA Western Conference Finals, and take flight with enhanced aerial broadcast graphics during the NHL Finals. We also revisit our pivotal role at The Masters, showcase the latest advancements in GhostCarLive at the Indy 500, and celebrate the success of 6th Tool users during college baseball’s biggest stage.

Plus, we’re proud to congratulate our clients and teammates honored at the 46th Annual Sports Emmy Awards. Wherever the action is, SMT is there—enhancing the fan experience, elevating storytelling, and driving the next era of sports technology.

BROADCAST SPOTLIGHT: INDY 500

"Indy 500: Behind the Broadcast" features SMT in this exclusive, behind-the-scenes look at how the voices of racing prep for one of the biggest events in motorsports. From on-the-fly analysis to broadcast chemistry, see how these pros bring high-speed stories to life.

1. SMT reimagines Indy 500 with GhostCarLive and HUD graphics

At this year’s Indianapolis 500, SMT and FOX Sports redefined race coverage with the debut of GhostCarLive. This first-of-its-kind innovation virtually inserted the pole-sitter’s car into a live in-car video feed of another qualifier. Fans tuning into the 109th Indy 500 qualifying saw an unprecedented side-by-side comparison between drivers like Scott Dixon and pole-sitter Takuma Sato, visualized in real time as if they were racing head-to-head. The video-game-like effect delivered an entirely new level of immersion, made possible by close collaboration between FOX and SMT’s creative and R&D teams.

This real-time breakthrough was part of a broader suite of SMT enhancements designed to bring new clarity and excitement to FOX’s inaugural year as the exclusive broadcast partner of IndyCar. Key features included HUD (Heads-Up Display) graphics, redesigned telemetry visuals, wind and track map overlays, and aerial pointer graphics, all powered by SMT’s CARf/x and Broadcast Analytics platforms. In addition, SMT engineered a custom data provisioning workflow to handle the unique complexities of Indy 500 qualifying.

Beyond the broadcast, SMT’s footprint extended across the venue to engage fans on-site. From real-time scoring on the Pagoda board and main pylon, to custom telemetry dashboards that gave fans a driver’s-eye view, SMT’s technology transformed how the race was experienced at every level. 

BROADCAST SPOTLIGHT: NHL FINALS

2. SMT technology takes flight during the NHL Stanley Cup Final

SMT continued pushing the boundaries of broadcast innovation during this year’s NHL Final, delivering real-time Puck and Player Tracking (PPT) enhancements across four different camera angles—including the fan-favorite Supracam aerial view. As TNT Sports and other networks showcased the drama of the Stanley Cup showdown, SMT’s integration of PPT graphics into the dynamic, gyro-stabilized Supracam elevated the fan experience with a brand new layer of storytelling.

This groundbreaking Aerial OPTICS Enhancement, developed in collaboration with the NHL and TNT Sports, synchronizes real-time tracking data with the constantly shifting flight path of the aerial camera system.

Aerial OPTICS Enhancement leverages SMT’s proven PPT technology, synchronizing it with the Supracam’s flight path to deliver visually compelling graphics that maintain spatial accuracy. Viewers saw player ID tags, puck trails, disc highlights, and possession pointers over sweeping aerial shots, making for a fully immersive experience that offered new angles and insights for fans and analysts alike.

Across both Amerant Bank Arena and Rogers Place, SMT’s studio operators supported four separate broadcast teams—TNT, SportsNet, TVA, and NHL ASL—customizing enhancements based on producer preferences. The effort was a massive collaborative push. From concept to execution, SMT’s Aerial OPTICS Enhancement once again changed the way hockey is viewed, analyzed and enjoyed.

EVENT SPOTLIGHT: ROLAND-GARROS

3. SMT powers first TNT Sports broadcast at Roland-Garros

The 2025 edition of Roland-Garros marked a historic shift in tennis broadcasting, as TNT Sports made its debut as the international broadcast partner under a new 10-year, $650 million deal. At the heart of this transition was SMT, which transformed a simple request for a bug graphic into a full-scale, automated graphics production. Leveraging more than three decades of experience with Roland-Garros, SMT delivered a turnkey solution powered by real-time data from chair umpires and statisticians, all driven through SportsCG, SMT’s automated broadcast graphics engine. With 25 systems deployed across the tournament, TNT Sports’ coverage featured both fully automated and operated graphics.

In a groundbreaking first, SMT implemented a fully automated graphics solution across all 16 competition courts, including key-over-input workflows for each feed. Beyond automation, SMT enhanced the editorial experience by integrating ATP and WTA real-time player data and statistical storylines. These contextual, story-driven graphics helped TNT Sports engage viewers by making complex data digestible and relevant. From live scoring and match milestones like coin toss and warm-up to contextual player insights, SMT’s approach delivered a seamless, data-rich viewing experience across all TNT Sports productions.

Off the court, SMT also reimagined RG Vision—Roland-Garros’ IPTV platform—by transitioning it entirely to the cloud. The upgraded system offered live match video, stats, and instant access to SMT’s Match Analysis solution for real-time editorial and technical insight. Trusted by media, federations, and broadcasters, RG Vision cemented its role as a critical infrastructure tool for tournament coverage. With this evolution in both broadcast and behind-the-scenes technology, SMT continues to build on its 30-year legacy at Roland-Garros, delivering the most advanced and editorially robust tennis broadcast system in company history.

EVENT SPOTLIGHT: THE MASTERS

4. From fairways to leaderboards, SMT supports multiple events for Augusta

Each April, the world turns its attention to Augusta National Golf Club, where tradition, precision and beauty converge for The Masters. Since the mid-1990s, SMT has played a vital role in supporting Augusta National, evolving from paper grids and Palm Pilots to an expansive suite of cutting-edge scoring and display technologies. By the early 2000s, SMT had become the trusted provider of real-time scoring services for one of golf’s most revered stages. 

For the 2025 edition, more than 40 SMT staff members were on-site to deliver a seamless experience for players, patrons and media alike. SMT supported a full lineup of events over two weeks, including the Augusta National Women’s Amateur, the Drive, Chip & Putt National Finals, the Par 3 Contest, and The Masters Tournament itself. SMT’s wide-ranging services encompassed real-time scoring through its GolfX system, laser-based shot charting, broadcast and IPTV graphics, hole-by-hole leaderboard content, custom LED entry displays, and full project management. From volunteer tech training to on-course weather monitoring, SMT’s technology footprint touched nearly every aspect of tournament operations.

One of the cornerstone technologies SMT deployed this year was Masters Select, an on-site information system that delivers real-time scores, stats, pairings, leaderboards and select video feeds to tournament officials, broadcasters, media and fans. The system streamed encoded video content through the internal network to tablets, primarily in the Media Center, creating a connected, data-rich experience across Augusta’s pristine grounds. From high-visibility video displays to behind-the-scenes coordination, SMT’s support continues to elevate the Masters experience year after year.

PRODUCT SPOTLIGHT: 360 LED DISPLAYS

5. SMT's 360 LED rings usher in a new era of immersive in-venue storytelling

SMT’s newest innovation in large-format LED displays made a splash this year at two of the nation’s premier sporting events: the Charleston Open tennis tournament and the U.S. Open men’s golf championship. These bold new LED products gave fans and sponsors a dynamic visual canvas, amplifying crowd energy and enhancing the in-venue experience. SMT’s latest generation of LED rings and Monsterboards represents a new way of immersive in-venue storytelling. 

At the U.S. Open at Oakmont, SMT introduced the striking new Trophy Club LED Ring. Suspended overhead by truss and motors, the 18-foot diameter ring featured a 59-foot circumference and a stunning resolution of 6912px wide by 576px high. Positioned in a premium hospitality area, the ring’s high-definition graphics showcased sponsor content, player features, and tournament branding, becoming an instant crowd favorite.

The Circle Display returned to Charleston, where it debuted last year, bringing a fresh look to one of the WTA’s most historic clay court events. Alongside SMT’s signature Monsterboards, the LED ring marked a significant step forward in immersive, venue-wide storytelling—combining cutting-edge display technology with real-time data and dynamic design to capture attention and elevate the live fan experience.

BROADCAST SPOTLIGHT: NBA FINALS

6. SMT brings OPTICS graphics to NBA, giving fans new player performance insights

For the NBA this season, SMT integrated Hawk-Eye’s player tracking data into its OPTICS graphics system, debuting live name tags and distance-traveled stats, allowing viewers to follow Stephen Curry's offensive movement measured in feet per possession—providing unprecedented insight into player performance.

Through consistent collaboration and design changes—shifting player name tags to the top of the screen in a “NASCAR-style” layout—SMT OPTICS became a valuable part of the broadcast. The system pairs SMT’s Camera Tracker optical tracking with tracking data to provide real-time player-ID tags and Shot Distance Tracker on 3-point attempts of 26 feet or more live on the primary play-by-play camera. Player tracking replay graphics displayed speed and distance traveled.

The technology’s impact extended into ESPN’s first-ever InsightCast, an alternate data-rich broadcast that aired exclusively on ESPN2 during Games 1–4 of the Western Conference Finals. InsightCast featured AR-enhanced play-by-play cameras showcasing SMT’s data-visualization technologies such as SMT Shot Distance Tracker, SMT OPTICS Tracking (Hot/Cold Player Tracking)—bringing viewers closer to the action on basketball’s biggest stage.

PRODUCT SPOTLIGHT: 6th TOOL

7. 6th Tool gives teams competitive edge on the road to Omaha

SMT’s 6th Tool continues to transform the landscape of college baseball, providing elite programs with game-changing tracking technology and player development insights. This season, the system proved its value at the highest level: LSU, a 6th Tool school, captured the 2025 NCAA College World Series title. LSU is one of 22 Division I programs using 6th Tool to unlock deeper performance analytics and smarter decision-making on and off the field.

All four teams in the semifinals—Louisville, LSU, Arkansas, and Coastal Carolina—used 6th Tool this year, continuing a strong trend of success. In fact, 6th Tool schools have now reached the College World Series semifinals for three consecutive seasons. Overall, 14 of the 22 current 6th Tool programs earned NCAA Tournament berths this season, a clear signal that the platform is helping top teams perform when it matters most.

Originally launched in 2022 and powered by four synchronized cameras and advanced computer vision, 6th Tool captures precise, real-time data on every pitch, swing, and player movement. Recent installations at Auburn, Georgia Tech, Florida, and Louisville have helped expand its presence, with plans to grow to more than 24 schools next year. As more teams look to gain a competitive edge through data-driven development, 6th Tool is quickly becoming a must-have for serious college baseball programs.

NEW BUSINESS SPOTLIGHT: WOMEN'S ELITE RUGBY

8. SMT supports inaugural Women's Elite Rugby season with broadcast graphics 

SMT is proud to support the launch of Women’s Elite Rugby (WER), the first professional women’s rugby league in the U.S. WER made history on March 22 with the kickoff of its inaugural season—the very first for a professional women’s rugby league in the United States.

To help bring this historic season to life, WER partnered with SMT to deliver a full broadcast graphics package, including on-site operator support for the featured "Match of the Week" on DAZN. While every WER match incorporated SMT’s custom-designed visuals, the featured broadcasts included real-time, in-show updates powered by SMT’s SportsCG platform. New elements were introduced to elevate the viewer experience, including persistent yellow card indicators and a Top 5 point scorers graphic.

With six teams and 180 athletes who competed across 14 weeks, WER is laying the foundation for a new era in American rugby—building momentum toward the 2028 Olympics, the 2031 Men’s Rugby World Cup, and the 2033 Women’s Rugby World Cup, all to be hosted in the U.S.

DEPARTMENT SPOTLIGHT: SMT GAMES

9. SMT Games' first mobile game, Super Tiny Football, surpasses 100,000 installs

SMT Games is proud to announce that Super Tiny Football, our first-ever mobile video game, has surpassed 110,000 installs, marking an exciting new chapter for SMT. Built entirely in-house by the talented team at SMT Games, Super Tiny Football combines our decades of expertise in real-time data and broadcast graphics with engaging, bite-sized gameplay tailored for mobile users. The game blends intuitive touch controls with dynamic visuals, offering fans a unique and accessible way to experience the thrill of football anywhere, anytime.

Designed for both casual players and die-hard sports fans, Super Tiny Football features a full career mode where users can draft, scout and develop their own teams. The game includes clever nods to real-world football strategy, layered with charming 3D animations and fast-paced action. 

Following our recent 0.8.0 update, Super Tiny Football saw a 25% boost in first-match completion rates and a jump in Day 1 retention from 27% to 31%—a strong signal that players are engaging more deeply with the game!

With Super Tiny Football, SMT expands our footprint beyond live sports production and broadcast innovation into direct fan engagement through gaming. 

Game Growth Snapshot (as of July 1):

• 📲Total Installs: 110.1K (iOS: 73.4K | Android: 36.7K)
• 👥Average Daily Users: 2K
• 👥Average Daily New Users: 417
• 🏈Super Tiny Bowls Won: 8,814

AWARD SPOTLIGHT: SPORTS EMMY

The Stamford crew (Matthew Howard, Kayla Harris), left, meets virtually with the IBC crew in Paris (Matthew Mick, Stass Iordanov, Ashley Goebel and Tyler Geoffroy) during the 2024 Summer Olympics.

10. SMT named in NBC/Peacock’s Emmy-winning Olympics team

SMT was part of the award-winning technical team behind NBCUniversal’s Outstanding Technical Team Event Emmy win for its coverage of The Games of the XXXIII Olympiad on NBC and Peacock. This recognition at the 46th Annual Sports Emmy Awards celebrates the massive collaborative effort that brought the Paris 2024 Olympics to life for millions of viewers. SMT’s contribution continues a long-standing partnership with NBC, dating back to the Sydney 2000 Games, with this year’s efforts including innovations like biometrics, telestrator, and ISO Track tools.

NBCUniversal’s Olympic coverage earned 10 total Emmys, including Outstanding Live Special – Championship Event. Their expansive presentation reached unprecedented cross-platform audiences—67 million daily viewers and 23.5 billion streaming minutes—while delivering 6.55 billion social impressions, a remarkable 184% increase over Tokyo 2020. We’re honored to help power such a historic and impactful production.

In total, SMT clients received 24 Sports Emmy nominations this year. We extend our heartfelt congratulations to all our partners who took home well-deserved wins!