EVENT SPOTLIGHT: THE CINCINNATI OPEN

Gary Pinkien peeks around the scoreboard he's constructing on the new Champions Court.

After 39 years at Cincy, SMT continues to push the fan experience 

Thanks to BDM Stephen Kemper and EPM Cody Thornhill for the images and contributing to this report.

For nearly four decades, SMT has been a vital player behind the scenes at the Cincinnati Open, helping the tournament grow from a regional event into a marquee stop on the global tennis calendar as a key warm-up for the US Open. This year, SMT is back with a 24-person crew, delivering the backbone of the tournament’s live scoring, content production, and fan engagement services.

Since the end of the last year's tournament, the Lindner Family Tennis Center has undergone a $260 million renovation, remaking itself into one of the premier venues on the Hologic WTA Tour. Quals began Tuesday and the main draw started yesterday.

Before the first serve, SMT’s team is hard at work building LED walls, installing infrastructure, and prepping dozens of systems to support the tournament’s expanded footprint and 14-day schedule. From the qualifying rounds on Tuesday to the trophy ceremony on Aug. 18, SMT pushes real-time data and engaging visuals to 101 LED displays across the Lindner Family Tennis Center, ensuring fans are informed, entertained, and immersed in the action.

While fans are watching rallies, SMT is watching pixels. We’re managing data, content, and timing down to the second—distributing real-time scoring, serve speed, player bios, and match updates through cutting-edge systems like our Court Channel, Practice Court Scheduling platform, Serve Clock and Serve Speed services, and venue-wide CCTV content.

"SMT manages the implementation and production of all data-driven graphics for scoreboard displays, including the newly introduced Pavilion Display Show," shared Jon Kaczmarski, SMT VP Creative Studio. "This feature elevates the fan experience by showcasing live match content, real-time updates across the venue, and integrated match data. It supports up to three matches at once, or any custom combination."

'SMT continues to be a valued partner as we evolve the Cincinnati Open into a best-in-class experience. Their production support, content tools, and real-time systems are essential to both the behind-the-scenes operations and the on-site fan experience.'

Jansen Dell
Chief Operating Officer of the Cincinnati Open

SMT INNOVATIONS AT CINCY 

SMT has a long track record of debuting innovative services in Cincinnati, some of which have become staples, and others that are no longer used: 

LED NET JUDGE BOX & UMPIRE CHAIR: In 2018, SMT introduced the Net Cube Judge Box, a compact five-sided LED display positioned in a prime, centrally visible location  both on court and in live broadcast providing the tournament with a high-value sponsorship platform that's still in use today. Coupled with the LED Umpire Chair service which was added in 2019 further enhanced the tournament’s sponsor, visual and entertainment value. Positioned at the heart of the action, the LED Umpire Chair provides maximum visibility for the in-venue spectators, TV viewers, and digital media coverage.

LIVE DIGITAL DRAW DISPLAY: Also in 2018, SMT introduced its Live Digital Draw Display service, a fully automated, real-time solution that delivers a compelling and immersive experience for fans and tournament stakeholders. Designed to showcase the tournament narrative as it unfolds, this system transforms the draw board into a dynamic destination for live updates, match alerts, and visual storytelling—helping fans understand the broader competitive landscape. Today, the Live Digital Draw and be found informing fans, players, and media on venue while also featured on two dedicated LED displays.

ON-COURT PERIMETER BOARDS: In 2017, SMT debuted on-court LED side walls and expanded to full backwall displays in 2022, providing the tournament with new tools to for unique and dynamic sponsorship activation and onsite storytelling. Today, this service has grown and is included on multiple courts, highlighting branded elements and increasing sponsor value for the tournament.

LED TUNNEL: In 2023 and 2024, fans got a first-hand look at SMT’s Player Entrance LED Tunnel, a 10-by-6-foot, three-sided display that truly created a unique experience for both players and fans. Automatically triggered as players approached, the unique and dynamic player and sponsor content created a one-of-a-kind entrance to the facility, giving fans a high-energy way to connect with their favorite athletes before a single point was played.

SELFIES WITH THE STARS: In 2022, SMT launched Selfies with the Stars, a sponsored interactive kiosk powered by SMT. Located in the Fan Zone and South Building breezeway, the display allowed fans to snap selfies with digital renderings of top players—creating fun, shareable moments that extended the fan experience beyond the courts. Used through 2024, the tournament chose not to renew this service this year.

Gary Pinkien builds the Net Judge box on the new Champions Court, left, while John Kiel tackles the build of the Court 3 Match Update Center.

Robert Mucha, Cam Djamoos, Manny Lopez, Chris Hayes and Joan Rosario work on the back wall on Center Court North.

VIDEO SPOTLIGHT: CINCINNATI OPEN RENOVATIONS

Watch the 

The New Cincinnati Open: Built for the heart of tennis

The Cincinnati Open is the oldest tennis tournament in the United States still played in its original city. A beloved summer tradition in Mason, Ohio, the tournament was acquired by Beemok Capital in 2022, and serious discussions followed about relocating the prestigious ATP/WTA 1000 event to Charlotte. Instead, the tournament was saved by an infusion of $260 million to renovate the Lindner Family Tennis Center. But the challenge was immense: with just 11 months between the end of the 2024 tournament and the beginning of the 2025 edition, organizers had to rapidly expand the site and modernize nearly every aspect to accommodate a newly expanded draw and significantly larger crowds. What emerged was a world-class tennis venue designed to secure the tournament’s place in Mason for decades to come.

Key Upgrades in the $260 Million Renovation:

• Expanded grounds: The campus now spans over 40 acres, doubling in size from 2024.

• New player clubhouse: A state-of-the-art, athlete-only facility with expanded locker rooms and fitness areas.

• Fan pavilion: A 16,000-square-foot shaded area for fan relaxation and sponsor activations.

• Dining experience: A 1,400-seat dining hall with 13 restaurants and menus curated by celebrity chef Jet Tila.

• Garden suites: Premium hospitality options featuring luxury amenities and private garden spaces.

• Family-friendly fan lawns: Two new green areas designed for all-ages enjoyment.

• More courts: 31 courts in total, up from 17, including the new Champions Court (2,300-seat sunken stadium).

• Improved practice court access: Permanent and temporary seating around practice courts with video boards.

• Grandstand upgrades: Bleachers replaced with permanent seating and upper-tier expansion.

• Modernized facades: Sleek new metal cladding on Center Court and Grandstand for a contemporary look.

• Sustainable greenspaces: Asphalt replaced by walkways and over 42,000 plants and trees for a park-like feel.

• Enhanced accessibility: Improved layout and fan flow, providing closer proximity to top players and action.

• Broadcast improvements: Tennis Channel studio on-site with live interviews and fan visibility.

• Surface upgrades: Striking two-tone blue Har-Tru courts for a fresh visual identity.

EVENT SPOTLIGHT: CROSSFIT GAMES

Antoine Chachignon, CrossFit Account Lead, Europe, scores a competition at the CrossFit Games.

Inside the Arena: SMT Powers the 2025 CrossFit Games in Albany

Thanks to Steven de Haseth, Director, Business Development, and Antoine Chachignon, CrossFit Account Lead, for contributing to this report and providing images. 

For more than a decade, SMT has been the official scoring and results provider for the CrossFit Games, and this year’s event (July 31–August 2) again showcased our deep bench of tech talent and real-time data solutions. With 12 team members on-site and two providing remote support, SMT delivered live scoring, in-venue video board production, broadcast graphics and infrastructure.

Even though CrossFit opted to keep services status quo this year due to budget constraints, SMT’s services kept the multi-day event running smoothly across all platforms. 

"Over the years, the SMT services have grown alongside the growth of the CrossFit Games," shared Steven de Haseth. "A key service that was added along the way was the handheld scoring devices, which allow for live rep counting that is shown in real time on the in-venue LED displays and on broadcast."

In addition, our hat (top-bar) graphics, clock productions and heat sheets gave livestream viewers and commentators the fast, accurate data they needed to follow the leaderboard drama.

Tia-Clair Toomey-Orr made history, claiming her eighth title as the Fittest Woman on Earth with a dominant performance and 902 points—182 points ahead of second place. She now holds more event wins (45) than both Rich Froning and Mat Fraser combined. The top three male athletes ended up being within a 15-point pocket after 10 events. During the weighed event for 1 Rep Max Back Squat, Colten Mertens performed an impressive 270 lbs back squat.

Head of Scoring Dave Eubanks praised SMT for its adaptability needed for the intense pace and “unknown and unknowable” nature of the competition, noting SMT’s flexibility and the team’s ability to respond to challenges on the fly.

SMT Services at the 2025 CrossFit Games included:

• Scoring Services: Live repetition scoring, scoring administration, ProChip timing, data feed for CrossFit.com, and real-time standings.

• Broadcast Services: Hat graphics, broadcast clocks, ribbon board content, video wall production, and Xpression TVI for results.

• Display Services: Commentator Information System (CIS) and full production of the arena video boards.

SMT On-Site Team Highlights:

• Hunter Luhowy – Project Manager

• Madeline Hill – Broadcast Lead

• Carter Morrison & Ben Goldstein – Scoring Engineers

• Kim Timbone – Creative Support (remote)

• ...and many more behind-the-scenes MVPs!

BEHIND-THE-SCENES SPOTLIGHT: FOX SPORTS BOOTCAMP

Chris Hale goes Hollywood (again)

When your job takes you to a Hollywood studio lot, you have to stop and take in the scenery—especially when there’s a Nakatomi Tower photo op involved!

Thanks to Chris Hale, Football & Baseball Operations Manager, for this report and providing images.

Chris was there to support Fox’s NFL A-crew Bootcamp, helping install SMT’s Camera Tracker system for Skycam for the 1st & Ten virtual line system.

Over three days, the crew built out and tested their new trucks—Game Creek’s Ovation A, B and C—setting up everything from replay systems to audio routing. While there, Chris got a behind-the-scenes look at the massive control rooms where Fox NFL Sunday is produced and toured the facility’s high-tech sports studios.

But it wasn’t all work, work, work. “We ate lunch at Moe’s Cafe, right on the lot,” Chris said. “And every 'Die Hard' fan will know exactly what I mean when I say that Nakatomi Tower—aka Fox Plaza—was right over my shoulder.”

Between murals of "The Simpsons," nods to "Star Wars" and glimpses of "Golden Age" movie magic, Chris managed the perfect blend of state-of-the-art broadcast tech and pure Hollywood cool (notice that shirt he's wearing?).

“It's always impressive to see the scale and precision of these setups,” he said, “but the setting definitely adds a little extra movie magic to the job."

INTERN SPOTLIGHT: NATHAN SAGNIP

Intern POV: Nathan Sagnip on stepping out of his comfort zone into the world of live sports production

Thanks to Alessia Iacono, Marketing Intern, for contributing to this report and images.

For Nathan Sagnip, a summer internship with SMT’s Events team in Jacksonville has been a season of firsts—first time working on golf championships, first time troubleshooting LED boards across sprawling courses, and first time waking up in a Wisconsin hotel room wondering what exactly he’d signed up for.

“It was a little overwhelming at the beginning,” Nathan admits, “but the pace of everything forced me to adjust quickly. Once I found my rhythm, it became a lot of fun.”

A college student with a background in fan engagement and administrative work, Nathan has spent this summer on the technical side of sports, supporting SMT crews at three prestigious USGA events: the U.S. Women’s Open in Wisconsin, the U.S. Men’s Open at Oakmont, and the U.S. Senior Open in Colorado Springs.

Each tournament has given him a different perspective on the meticulous behind-the-scenes work that powers live events. From collecting golf ball plotting data during practice rounds to assisting with LED board operations used for scoring and player tracking, Nathan has been getting his steps in—literally.

“I had the pleasure of walking the perimeter of all 18 holes on both courses multiple times,” he says. “I enjoyed the extra steps, don’t worry.”

At Oakmont, Nathan took on what he describes as his most specific and individual role yet, contributing directly to data collection that supports USGA’s future course planning and player tracking innovations.

“Being more involved on the team operations side or the 'inside' of sports in college, SMT has given me the opportunity to see what it’s like on the 'outside'—the part people still don’t see,” Nathan explains. “It’s been a decent change, and I’m glad I’ve adjusted to it.”

Outside of work hours, he’s made the most of his travel schedule—attending MLB games in Milwaukee, Pittsburgh, and Denver, including catching a Shohei Ohtani home run. These off-the-clock adventures have added a memorable, personal layer to a summer filled with professional development.

As he looks to the weeks ahead, Nathan is eager to explore more client-facing opportunities to complement his technical experience. Whether it’s behind the scenes or in direct contact with clients, he’s embracing it all with curiosity and a growth mindset.

“I'm glad to take this experience and learn more about the technical, media-esque side of sports as I finish the summer.”

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Events and Remote Teams

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