StatusPRO, the studio behind NFL Pro Era (2022), announced it has secured $20 million in Series A funding, led by Google Ventures. The XR sports technology company says the latest funding round will help it expand its growing catalog of sports-focused VR titles.

The funding round includes participation from India-based Dream Sports, Wise Ventures (owned by Minnesota Vikings Owners Mark & Zygi Wilf), JDS Sports, and Alumni Ventures. Existing investors signing on for the Series A include LeBron James, Drake, and Maverick Carter.

The Series A also garnered support from athletes, entertainers, and firms including Myles Garrett, David Grutman, Bobby Wagner, Jeff Stibel, Peter Delgrosso, Cameron Jordan, Kayvon Thibodeaux, Crystal Hayslett, Devale Ellis, TitletownTech, Black Angel Group, Life Line Family Heritage Fund, Sun Technology Investors, Andre Gaines of Cinemation Studios, and the Fuller Brothers of 6408 Ventures, among others.

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Founded in 2020 by former football players Troy Jones and Andrew Hawkins, StatusPRO says it aims to elevate the sports experience for coaches, players, and fans through XR technology.

In 2022, the company launched NFL PRO ERA, the first in its NFL and NFLPA-licensed VR game franchise. NFL PRO ERA is currently available across Meta Quest, PSVR 2, Pico, and SteamVR headsets.

The studio has since released the follow-up NFL Pro Era II (2023), which expands the original by allowing you to play in an 11 v 11 multiplayer experience in addition to stepping on the gridiron as starting QB of your favorite team.

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Scott Hayden
Well before the first modern XR products hit the market, Scott recognized the potential of the technology and set out to understand and document its growth. He has been professionally reporting on the space for nearly a decade as Editor at Road to VR, authoring more than 3,500 articles on the topic. Scott brings that seasoned insight to his reporting from major industry events across the globe.
  • Taylor Grimes

    It’s genuinely inspiring to witness this. Are there any intentions to capture real games, such as the Super Bowl, and enable fans to rewatch them from the perspective of any team member? Additionally, I’m curious about the individuals or teams involved in developing virtual crowds and audiences for live sports games. I’m eagerly anticipating the future of VR, and it seems like we’re inching closer to it today.

    • kool

      It seems like meta or somebody would install volumetric cameras at all these venues and start offering replays and playoffs memories in vr at least if not live games!

  • Ardra Diva

    NFL Pro Era is a lot of fun. Needs to let you play more than just QB, but when you’re in the end zone trying to score in an ‘away’ stadium, and the crowd is howling loudly, you kind of feel like you’re in a game. Madden-level graphics from a few years back, but it’s a heck of a lot of fun

  • Antony Santos

    I like the game and would like to see them try other sports, baseball would be cool

    • Ardra Diva

      Would be an excellent game with a visor because it’s not endless running and jumping.

  • Ossi Hurme

    I think they should focus fixing the current games first. Lots of game play issues constantly reported on reviews.