More than $1.2 million in artificial intelligence startup funding will be awarded in Pittsburgh during NFL Draft week, with Mt. Lebanon native Mark Cuban serving as a judge.
On April 22, Carnegie Mellon University in partnership with the Pittsburgh Steelers and the AI Strike Team will host Powering the Future of Sport: A Draft Week Showcase, an artificial intelligence event.
The invitation-only event will be held at Carnegie Mellon University’s Robotics Innovation Center in Hazelwood Green, where Gov. Josh Shapiro will deliver brief remarks and attendees will view live demonstrations of AI technology, the news release said.
“With the NFL Draft coming to our city, it is a fitting moment to highlight how sport — through play, performance, engagement and entertainment — has become a proving ground for the next era of AI,” said CMU President Farnam Jahanian.
Cuban, who was a regular investor on ABC’s “Shark Tank” until May 2025, will be joined by Ed Stack, executive chairman of Dick’s Sporting Goods and Foot Locker, and former Pittsburgh Steeler Will Allen on the panel of judges.
The prize includes $1 million in Amazon Web Services compute credits, which act as promotional currency, and $275,000 in investment capital provided by Magarac Venture Partners, in Bakery Square.
The judges’ panel will be looking for startups implementing AI and robotics in athlete performance, training and safety; game and athlete analytics; fan engagement platforms; venue technology and broadcast; and health and wellness, as described in the application requirements.
Both U.S. and international companies are eligible to apply, but preference will be given to companies that commit to establishing an operating presence in Pennsylvania, the website said.
Applicant requirements state that “substantial operating presence” may include, but is not limited to: establishing a headquarters or primary office, opening a significant satellite office and locating engineering, R&D, manufacturing, or deployment operations within the region.
“Artificial intelligence is transforming the NFL, with millions of data points each game reshaping how teams compete and how fans engage,” Dan Rooney, Steelers vice president of strategy, said in a statement.
