Sandy, UT — On Oct. 1, 2024, from 4:00 PM to 7:00 PM, Real Salt Lake Stadium will host an extraordinary event that merges the worlds of technology and soccer with Utah youth.
“Game On: Tech Meets Soccer,” a collaboration between Real Salt Lake, Utah Royals, and Comcast NBCUniversal + Xfinity, is set to provide an unforgettable and inspiring experience for youth from Comcast’s nonprofit partner organizations in Utah.
This unique initiative opens the doors to an exceptional learning opportunity where young minds will be inspired and educated about the seamless integration of the latest technology in today’s professional soccer.
“At Comcast, we are dedicated to harnessing the power of technology to create meaningful change in our communities,” said Deneiva Knight, external affairs director, Comcast Mountain West Region. “The ‘Game On: Tech Meets Soccer’ event is a testament to our commitment to digital opportunity and innovation, inspiring the next generation to explore exciting career opportunities in sports technology.”
Attendees will get a rare, behind-the-scenes glimpse into the world of sports technology, exploring how cutting-edge innovations are revolutionizing the game.
“The entire Real Salt Lake / Utah Royals GC organization is excited to host the ‘Game On: Tech Meets Soccer’ event” said John Kimball, RSL Club President. “This unique gathering offers our youth an unparalleled opportunity to witness first-hand how technology is continually revolutionizing the sports industry.
“This event is not just a glimpse into what the future offers; we hope it serves as a catalyst for inspiration, opening young minds to innovative career paths and sparking the curiosity and ambition of the next generation.”
Tuesday event aims to ignite a passion for careers in science, technology, engineering, arts, and mathematics (STEAM), encouraging the next generation to consider future pathways in sports technology.
“The ‘Game On: Tech Meets Soccer’ event is a gateway for refugee youth to explore the intersection of technology and sports,” said Jesse Sheets, director of development & strategic initiatives at the International Rescue Committee in Salt Lake City. “It ignites their imagination and introduces them to potential career paths they may have never thought of, which can fuel their curiosity and drive.”
Youth participants from around Utah will engage directly with professional soccer players, gaining insights into their experiences and understanding the pivotal role technology plays in training, strategy, and game-day operations. This interaction is designed to foster a lasting interest in both technology and sports, equipping these young Utahns with the knowledge and inspiration to pursue their dreams.
“The ‘Game On: Tech Meets Soccer’ event is a game changer for our young people, giving them a firsthand look at how technology and sports intersect,” said Rhonda Clark, Salt Lake Regional Director, YMCA of Northern Utah. “It opens up new possibilities for their futures, sparking curiosity in career paths they may not have considered before.”
The primary goals of “Game On: Tech Meets Soccer” are threefold:
- Education: To provide youth with a new understanding of technology’s impact on professional soccer.
- Inspiration: To inspire young attendees to envision careers in STEAM fields.
- Engagement: To create a memorable and interactive experience that encourages sustained interest in technology and sports.
“The ‘Game On: Tech Meets Soccer’ event provides PROG Development Center youth with an exclusive look into how technology is transforming the world of sports,” said Beth Martial, Director, PROG Development Center. “It serves as a source of inspiration and offers insights into career paths they might not have previously considered, which can ignite their curiosity and ambition.”
Comcast’s involvement in this event underscores its commitment to elevating brand presence and differentiating itself as a forward-thinking corporate partner. By exposing Utah’s youth to tech careers within the sports field, Comcast aims to future-proof the state’s tech landscape, offering a unique value proposition that resonates with participants and partners alike.
To help bridge the digital divide, Comcast launched Project UP, which introduced Internet Essentials to bring affordable, high-speed Internet to low-income families, installed Lift Zones for free WiFi access throughout northern Utah, and unveiled its Digital Navigators program to train people to get online, use devices, and acquire digital skills.
“In over 10 years, we’ve connected more than 10 million people,” said Knight. “Together, we can empower the next generation of tech leaders and sports enthusiasts.
About Comcast:
Comcast Corporation (Nasdaq: CMCSA) is a global media and technology company. From the connectivity and platforms, we provide, to the content and experiences we create, our businesses reach hundreds of millions of customers, viewers, and guests worldwide. We deliver world-class broadband, wireless, and video through Xfinity, Comcast Business, and Sky; produce, distribute, and stream leading entertainment, sports, and news through brands including NBC, Telemundo, Universal, Peacock, and Sky; and bring incredible theme parks and attractions to life through Universal Destinations & Experiences. Visit www.comcastcorporation.com for more information.
Media Contacts:
Deneiva Knight
Trey Fitz-Gerald
Real Salt Lake / Utah Royals FC
Vice President, Communications
801.856.8877
ABOUT REAL SALT LAKE:
During the first week of January 2022, the RSL compendium of properties was acquired by global sports entrepreneur David Blitzer – who boasts interests in the Philadelphia 76ers (NBA), the New Jersey Devils (NHL), the Cleveland Guardians (baseball) and the Washington Commanders (NFL) – as well as several European soccer entities, including Crystal Palace (England), FC Augsburg (Germany), Estoril (Portugal), ADO Den Haag (Netherlands), Alcorcón (Spain), SK Beveren (Belgium) and Brøndby IF (Denmark). The Blitzer group partners with Utah-based Smith Entertainment Group (SEG), which owns the Utah Jazz (NBA), led by Ryan Smith and including Dwyane Wade, among others.
Real Salt Lake is currently competing in its 20th Major League Soccer season, its third full season under Head Coach Pablo Mastroeni, who led the Utah side on an interim basis for the final 100 days in 2021. RSL is the lone Western Conference side to have advanced to the Audi MLS Cup Playoffs in each of the last four campaigns, amassing 14 postseason appearances in the last 17 years, as well as on six occasions in the last seven seasons.
RSL’s MLS Cup 2009 victory marked the state of Utah’s only major professional championship in nearly 40 years, the title preceding an historic run to the 2010/11 CONCACAF Champions League Final. Buoyed by a passionate base boasting several thousand season ticket holders and opening its permanent home in Sandy just over 15 years ago; since October, 2008, RSL’s 174-61-78 (W-L-T) mark at America First Field – home of the “RioT” Supporters Group umbrella – equates to a nearly two points per game average and just shy of a 70% winning percentage, one of the truly amazing value propositions in North American sporting landscape today.
For the 2024 season and beyond, Real Salt Lake’s Blitzer / Smith ownership groups have partnered to bring the National Women’s Soccer League back to Utah, as Utah Royals FC returned this Spring. URFC aims to seize upon the success the NWSL enjoyed during its first iteration on the Wasatch Front from 2018-20 and grow the game to even greater heights going forward. Led by visionary sports business entrepreneur Jess Gelman – the founder of the Sloan Sports Analytics Institute, along with innovative NBA executive Daryl Morey – Utah Royals FC blazes new trails in 2024 at America First Field.