Russia's FIFA World Cup has made headlines for many reasons (including the early exit of reigning champion Germany). On the business end, however, was the fact that cryptocurrency made its debut as a widely accepted form of payment. Can it become a fixture in the sports business sector stateside?

Tennis isn't one to jump on the trend bandwagon, so the addition of an electronic line-calling system at Wimbledon - and the subsequent discovery it wasn't ready for prime time - have led to protests from athletes. It's jarring in a tournament typically revered for its grass courts and hushed atmosphere.

Times were, soccer parents were hailing as geniuses the planners who put shaded areas near the fields so that they didn't have to sit in the sun while their kids competed. These days, some venues are adding parent-friendly amenities which may help drive choices on kids' enrollment.

Forget shuffleboard and putting greens. The hottest sport on cruise ships right now is pickleball. As the trend gains steam, expect to see even more lines implement sports competitions - which could spell profit for enterprising event owners who make outreach and work with cruise companies.

Stand-up paddling, one of the fastest-growing sports worldwide, is at the center of a controversy on who its rightful governing body is. The International Surfing Association and the International Canoe Association are deadlocked in a bitter argument, and neither shows signs of giving up.

For organizers of bicycling events, the announcement of new research on helmet safety may not change anything quite yet. However, becoming familiar with the latest developments can help organizers stay ahead of the learning curve when change does come to the existing standards.