FIFPRO, MLSPA, and Cleveland Clinic Convene Global Experts to Advance Technology and Player Wellbeing

FIFPRO, the global representative organization for professional football players, and the Major League Soccer Players Association (MLSPA) joined with Cleveland Clinic to host the FIFPRO Player IQ Tech Experience Tour from October 12–14 in Cleveland, Ohio.

The global event brought together more than 100 leaders from sports, medicine, technology, and performance science to explore the intersection of innovation and athlete wellbeing — including advances in artificial intelligence, biometrics, and data-driven performance analytics designed to enhance player recovery, safety, and long-term health.

“This gathering in Cleveland exemplified what’s possible when global expertise and innovative healthcare leadership come together for the good of players,” said Alexander Bielefeld, FIFPRO’s Director of Global Policy & Strategic Relations for Player Health and Wellbeing. “The collaboration between FIFPRO, MLSPA, Cleveland Clinic, and Sports Data Labs allowed us to explore responsible, player-centered uses of technology that advance both performance and wellbeing.”

Cleveland was specifically chosen by FIFPRO due to Cleveland Clinic’s expertise in sports medicine and player health. Cleveland Clinic is currently developing its Global Peak Performance Center (GPPC), which will serve as a hub for research, innovation, and multidisciplinary collaboration to improve athlete performance, recovery, and long-term health outcomes. Cleveland Clinic is also partnering with Sports Data Labs, which helped develop the event and will serve as the data & technology partner for the GPPC.

“We were honored to host FIFPRO, MLSPA, and this extraordinary group of experts at Cleveland Clinic,” said Tom Mroz, MD, Enterprise Chair of Cleveland Clinic Orthopaedic Surgery and Rehabilitation Department and Director of the Global Peak Performance Center. “Our shared mission is to merge medicine and technology to predict and prevent injuries, compress the time to full recovery, and maximize human performance both on and off the field.”

“It was an incredible few days with our partners at Cleveland Clinic and FIFPRO, alongside its member unions and other organizations including FIFA, UEFA, European Football Clubs (EFC) and US Soccer, discussing how the global sports ecosystem can work together on data frameworks and other initiatives to support athlete health, wellness, and longevity both on and off the pitch,” said Mark Gorski, Co-founder and CEO of Sports Data Labs. “We look forward to continuing our collaborative discussions and efforts to unlock value for all athletes.”

Over three days, participants from around the world engaged in workshops, live demonstrations, and collaborative sessions focused on the responsible application of emerging technologies in sport. The event underscored the importance of cross-sector partnerships in shaping a healthier, more sustainable future for athletes worldwide.