For those looking for part 2 of our “Does Reddit Rule the World?” series, we are going to leave you in suspense for another week (taking a page out of The Walking Dead playbook). Given the relevancy of the the first iteration of the Covid Super Bowl🏈, Unfold Weekly will explore how sports are utilizing technology to provide viewers with unique experiences.
Putting the ‘Super’ in Super Bowl
While the game may have been lackluster, at least The Weeknd teased “House of Balloons” (only a very specific reader will get that reference. I’m sorry.). With a limited audience permitted to attend in person, the NFL sought some unique ways to bolster the experience for fans. From 5G to AR, this year’s Super Bowl offered more in technology than it did in suspense. For the lucky (or crazy) 25,000 fans in attendance, the NFL mobile app allowed iPhone 12 users to access the Verizon 5G SuperStadium — offering 7 camera🎥 angles for in-person fans. For those stuffing their faces with wings on the couch, you had the ability to view 5 different viewing angles and AR capabilities. Learn more here: Tech titans tap 5G, AR, and more to boost gameday look and feel.
As the consumer changes, so do sports. We are constantly attached to our phones, even while watching the big game (probably the reason Quibi failed — how can you watch a show on your phone while scrolling aimlessly on your phone!?). Sports leagues are trying to keep things fresh, especially for those pesky Gen Zers.
What’s Next for Sports Tech?
AR and 5G are cool and all, but what’s next for sports? The NBA🏀, typically the first adopter of advanced analytics and tech among the 4 major sports, has been exploring interesting viewer enhancements over the past few years. Beyond real-time statistical overlays, NBA League Pass owners can utilize their Oculus devices to view games in Virtual Reality. You don’t need to be Jack Nicholson to sit court side at Lakers games. Tangentially, how surprisingly fun are the Hornets? Are the Suns contenders in the West? Sorry, more references for very specific readers.
In baseball⚾, the early leader in sabremetrics, AI-enabled robot umpires may soon be calling strikes — can you imagine the arguments between players and robots for called third strikes?
66% (advanced analytics!) of of this newsletter’s writers would be disappointed if we didn’t mention soccer (or futbol)⚽. Germany’s national soccer team worked directly with SAP to measure and analyze performance and strategy. SAP build a custom analytics applications that was easily accessible, and leveraged player data and cameras to provide actionable insight to increase performance and strategic decision-making. It begs the question, which team will adopt the first robot coach!? Read more here: Sports Analytics: 4 Examples of Data-Driven Technologies in Sports
Back to football — how are we still using two poles attached to a 10 yard chain to determine first downs? How don’t we have a camera angle directly down the end zone to determine if the ball crosses the plane? As far as technology has come in sports, we still have a long way to go.
We Want, We want, More News! MORE NEWS!
A bit of a stretch, but sing the above heading to the tune of “We Will Rock You🎵.” We have barely touched the surface of sports and tech. See below for some interesting reads to know what’s already here, and what’s coming in the future.
Redefining the future of sports – how emerging tech will evolve the fan experience
A whole new ball game: Navigating digital transformation in the sports industry
Have you found a new way to enjoy sports using technology or big data? Lets us know!