Reimagining the role of AI, data and decision intelligence in high-performance sport

SAN JOSE, Calif. and PUNE, India, June 15, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — Persistent Systems (BSE: 533179) (NSE: PERSISTENT), a global Digital Engineering and Enterprise Modernization leader, today announced a partnership with the San Francisco Unicorns for the 2026 Major League Cricket (MLC) season. Under the agreement, Persistent will serve as an official Re(AI)magining™ Partner within the team’s premium partnership tier. The partnership highlights Persistent’s focus on bringing AI and data-led innovation into real-world high-performance environments where speed, adaptability and insight define outcomes.

This collaboration aligns with Persistent’s strategy to expand its AI-led capabilities in North America and build closer proximity to clients operating in real-time, decision-intensive environments. The partnership will be activated through Persistent’s #GameReAImagined campaign, which explores how AI is helping make the hidden layer of the game more visible through performance insights on the field and richer fan experiences off it.

As the Official Re(AI)magining™ Partner, Persistent will explore opportunities with the franchise across data, AI and fan engagement initiatives, extending the relationship beyond sponsorship into potential areas of innovation. With MLC rapidly expanding across key U.S. markets, the partnership creates a compelling environment to demonstrate how intelligence, analytics and technology can shape both performance and fandom.

As part of the partnership, Persistent will have a strong presence across team and digital platforms. The partnership has been designed as an integrated engagement platform, including brand visibility through on-field perimeter boards, team kit branding and a dedicated branded content property, Persistent Coaches’ Corner. Together, these elements combine on-field visibility with deeper storytelling and curated interactions. The collaboration also includes a dedicated hospitality suite, creating opportunities to connect with clients and partners in North America within a high-performance setting, including select invite-only experiences to enable deeper engagement.

Sandeep Kalra, Chief Executive Officer and Executive Director, Persistent:
“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 organizations 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, San Francisco Unicorns:
“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.”

About The San Francisco Unicorns

The San Francisco Unicorns launched in 2023 as one of six founding members of Major League Cricket (MLC), a ground-breaking T20 competition bringing some of world cricket’s biggest names to the USA and the Unicorns’ home stadium, the Oakland Coliseum. The roster includes Australian international stars Matthew Short and Jake Fraser-McGurk, New Zealand’s Finn Allen, and 2019 Cricket World Cup champion Liam Plunkett. Cricket Victoria, the governing body for the sport in the Australian state of Victoria, serves as the Unicorns’ high-performance partner.

The team’s primary investors are Silicon Valley entrepreneurs Anand Rajaraman and Venky Harinarayan, who are founding partners of data-driven venture firm rocketship.vc, and who previously founded US-focused database technology provider Junglee, which sold to Amazon in 1998 for $250m.

About Persistent

Persistent Systems (BSE: 533179) (NSE: PERSISTENT) is a global services and solutions company delivering AI-led, platform-driven Digital Engineering and Enterprise Modernization to businesses across industries. With over 27,500 employees located in 21 countries, the Company is committed to innovation and client success. Persistent offers a comprehensive suite of services, including software engineering, product development, data and analytics, CX transformation, cloud computing, and intelligent automation. The Company is part of the MSCI India Index and is included in key indices of the National Stock Exchange of India, including the Nifty Midcap 50, Nifty IT, and Nifty Midcap Liquid 15, as well as several on the BSE such as the S&P BSE 100 and S&P BSE SENSEX Next 50. Persistent is also a constituent of the Dow Jones Best-in-Class World Index. The Company has achieved carbon neutrality, reinforcing its commitment to sustainability and responsible business practices. Persistent has also been named one of America’s Greatest Workplaces for Inclusion & Diversity 2025 by Newsweek and Plant A Insights Group. As a participant of the United Nations Global Compact, the Company is committed to aligning strategies and operations with universal principles on human rights, labor, environment, and anti-corruption, as well as take actions that advance societal goals. With 468% growth in brand value since 2020, Persistent is the fastest-growing IT services brand in ‘Brand Finance India 100’ 2025 Report.
www.persistent.com

Forward-looking and Cautionary Statements

For risks and uncertainties relating to forward-looking statements, please visit persistent.com/flcs

View original content to download multimedia:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/persistent-announces-partnership-with-san-francisco-unicorns-as-official-reaimagining-partner-302800171.html

SOURCE Persistent Systems