# Bilt CEO Ankur Jain Leverages AI to Connect Sports Fans with Local Commerce Bilt expands its rewards platform to integrate sports fandom with neighborhood business spending and AI. - **Source:** [Fortune | FORTUNE](https://brifing.si/source/769282ef-327a-4454-909a-3c7936216004) - **Published:** 2026-11-10 - **Topic:** [Finance](https://brifing.si/c/finance) - **Original article:** - **On Brifing:** https://brifing.si/s/9b8204cf-bd5e-41ed-832f-f7f974b47951 ## Platform Expansion Strategy Bilt is evolving from a rent-rewards platform into a comprehensive neighborhood operating system. By integrating sports fandom with local commerce, the company aims to drive traffic to restaurants and small businesses. CEO Ankur Jain describes this initiative as expanding the game day experience beyond the stadium into the surrounding local community. ## Professional Sports Partnerships The company has secured partnerships with several major professional teams, including the Chicago Bears, Houston Rockets, and Sacramento Kings. These collaborations allow teams to offer fans exclusive benefits like restaurant reservations and transportation services. By leveraging these connections, Bilt intends to create a seamless link between sports events and local spending. ## AI-Driven Sponsor Integration Bilt is incorporating sponsors like Constellation Brands to incentivize fan engagement through rewards. For instance, fans can receive complimentary beer at local bars if their team wins. This system operates directly through point-of-sale technology, ensuring that sponsors can fund offers without requiring access to sensitive individual customer data or private information. ## Market Growth Context The global sports market generated an estimated $463 billion in revenue during 2024, with projections reaching $610 billion by 2028. Additionally, sports-related travel accounted for $111.2 billion in direct U.S. spending in 2025. These figures highlight the massive commercial potential for platforms that can effectively capture fan engagement beyond ticket sales. ## Empowering Small Businesses Bilt’s AI-powered platform is designed to help small businesses manage fragmented operations without replacing existing software. The system aims to unlock a $6.6 trillion opportunity in annual U.S. retail and food-service spending. By automating loyalty programs and customer recognition, the platform allows local merchants to compete more effectively in the modern economy. ## Operational AI Performance Bilt reports that its AI agents have successfully completed over 2 million real-world actions across more than 29,000 businesses. Notably, 91% of these tasks were executed without human intervention within the last 30 days. This automation allows restaurants to identify returning customers and provide personalized offers while streamlining their daily business management. ## Industry Trends and Outlook Deloitte’s 2026 Global Sports Industry Outlook emphasizes that AI is no longer a peripheral tool but a core game plan for sports organizations. As venues evolve into year-round commercial destinations, integrating technology becomes essential for competitiveness. Bilt’s model aligns with this shift, positioning sports teams as central hubs for local commerce. ## Future Commercial Implications By focusing on local commerce rather than purely digital experiences, Bilt seeks to differentiate itself from tech companies that prioritize online-only interactions. The success of this strategy depends on the ability of small businesses to adopt AI tools effectively. Ultimately, the platform aims to bridge the gap between massive fanbases and local retail. ## Sources covering this story - https://fortune.com/2026/11/10/bilt-ceo-ankur-jain-ai-sports-local-spending/ — --- _Summary written by Brifing from the original reporting. Copyright in the original article belongs to its publisher; read the full piece at the link above._