The Major League Cricket (MLC) franchise, San Francisco Unicorns, have announced a strategic partnership with digital engineering and enterprise modernisation company Persistent Systems, which has been named the team’s official re(ai)magining™ partner for the 2026 season.
The collaboration underscores the growing convergence of sport and technology, bringing together one of America’s leading cricket franchises and a global technology company with a shared ambition to harness artificial intelligence, data analytics and digital innovation to enhance both on-field performance and fan engagement.
As part of the agreement, Persistent Systems will receive a comprehensive portfolio of commercial rights, including branding across team kits, in-stadium perimeter signage, digital assets and hospitality experiences. The partnership will also introduce “Persistent Coaches’ Corner”, a dedicated content series aimed at providing supporters with behind-the-scenes insights into coaching strategies, player preparation and match analysis.
The partnership will be activated through Persistent’s #GameReAImagined campaign, which highlights the transformative role of AI in driving smarter decision-making and operational excellence. Both organisations will explore opportunities to leverage advanced analytics and real-time insights across performance, strategy and fan-focused initiatives.
Sandeep Kalra, Chief Executive Officer and Executive Director, Persistent Systems, said, “Cricket, like business, is becoming a game of intelligence as much as execution. The ability to convert data into real-time insight is increasingly the difference between good and great outcomes. At Persistent, we help organisations reimagine how AI creates advantage, and this partnership with the San Francisco Unicorns brings that vision to life in a high-performance environment where every decision matters. Together, we have an opportunity to explore how AI can enhance performance, strategy, and fan engagement in new and exciting ways.”
David White, CEO of San Francisco Unicorns, added, “Sport is evolving quickly, with data and technology playing a bigger role in how teams prepare, compete and engage with fans. Partnering with Persistent gives us an opportunity to explore new ways of applying these capabilities across performance and strategy. We also see strong potential to enhance how fans experience the game as it continues to grow in the United States.”
The agreement reflects a wider trend across the global sports industry, where technology companies are evolving from traditional sponsors into innovation partners. For Persistent, the deal strengthens its visibility in North America and showcases the practical applications of AI in elite sport, while the Unicorns gain a technology-driven partner as they pursue success in the rapidly expanding Major League Cricket ecosystem.
Led by captain Matthew Short, the Unicorns boast a star-studded roster featuring Finn Allen, Cooper Connolly, Ravichandran Ashwin, Xavier Bartlett and Haris Rauf as they prepare for the 2026 MLC campaign.
