How technology is transforming the sports industry today

Overview

Technology has thoroughly influenced essentially every industry in the world today, and the sports industry is no exception. Gone are the days where sports were completely about physical challenges and real-life events. Technological innovations are continuously transforming the sports industry positively.

Through technological progressions, sports have become safer yet more competitive for players. It has improved the sports fan experience as well, making sports more delightful and accessible than ever. Fans of the sports industry fully grasp that the current state of the industry cannot be compared to, say, ten years ago, as there have been significant improvements in all spheres of the industry. This is owing to the contributions of technology to this dynamic industry.

Let’s see some key areas where technology is transforming the sports industry:

Fantasy sports leagues

For sports enthusiasts, sometimes, viewing the game itself is not enough, and fans want a more immersive experience that will keep them pinned to their desired sport. Entering a fantasy league is a popular method of improving the sports fan experience as fans are thrust into the position of general managers who have to develop their teams based on the current occurrences in their sports league.

The internet has made it convenient for any sports fan to be a part of a fantasy league, and in a short time, a fan can become a general manager of a fantasy team. Through fantasy, fans are prompted to keep a closer observation of their desired sport.

High-definition viewing experience

When high-definition screens became the standard, the sports industry was transformed permanently. The experience of watching a game from home abruptly became equivalent to a live stadium experience. As 4k screens become more widely available, and as 5k and 8k are becoming ready, we can experience a sports game like never before.

Another relevant point is that pay-per-view and on-demand matches and games are making even the most private games available to a bigger audience. Fans can also now view a sporting event on their mobile phones while on the road, in high resolution. All these have not only made sports more accessible but have also earned teams and broadcasters more cash than ever.

Damage prevention and recovery

The possibility of getting wounded is one of the harsh facts of every sport. Athletes endanger their bodies and their health not just for the pleasure of sports fans but also for the honor of winning. Playing at the highest levels entails exerting the most effort, and an injury is a potential outcome of this passionate dedication to the competition.

Thankfully, technology has made it possible to dodge injuries across several sports. For example, there are high-tech mouth guards that use sensors to decide whether the impact is severe or negligible so that hits that may seem ordinary but are threatening can be identified and protected against.

Owing to emerging technologies and innovations, team doctors and other physicians can now ensure their players recuperate faster than ever before. This means that athletes will not only be able to play longer but also to take the field without the concern of getting wounded in the middle of a game. As technology continues to progress, athletes can rest assured knowing that their careers can be lengthened thanks to these tools.

Analytics and stat-tracking

Maintaining the record of player statistics is a difficult job when done manually. Technology has, however, made it possible to track stats that even individuals cannot measure. An example is SportVU, which is a program that records every occurrence on the basketball court, such as where the ball is passing and the progress of the athletes.

Technology has awarded us entrance to a sea of data from which enthusiasts, athletes, and most especially training staff can gain. With analytics data, teams can now make more refined improvements, and coaching staff no longer have to rely on simple intuition and skill when devising a game strategy. Sports teams can now employ math in enhancing their play, exploiting their opponents, and leading the competition.

Other notable ways technology has impacted the sports industry include:

• Sports video games
• Ticket-buying
• Instant replay technology and
• Digital media

It goes without saying that such transformations in the industry would attract founders or entrepreneurs in their ever-constant search for lucrative opportunities, leading to the plethora of sports technology startups looking to revolutionize the industry today. Let’s see some of the market leaders.

Some Leading Sports Technology Startups

Hudl

Hudl is a software program that offers video analysis and coaching instruments for sports clubs. The startup allows coaches to upload footage of practices, games, and competitors, break the video down, add voice clips, illustrations, text feedback, and remit the video and coaching notes to their athletes. Hudl also empowers athletes to develop highlight reels and promote themselves to recruiters.

Founded in 2006 by David Graff, John Wirtz, and Brian Kaiser, Hudl has its headquarters in Lincoln, Nebraska, U.S.

Mobile Premier League

MPL is a skill-based eSports platform where users can participate in their favorite mobile games and win real money. MPL’s application provides adventure, sports, and arcade games that allow game lovers to display their skills, win prizes, and enjoy with their friends. 

Founded in 2018 by Sai Srinivas Kiran G and Shubham Malhotra, MPL has its headquarters in Bengaluru, Karnataka, India.

WHOOP

WHOOP is a performance optimization system that keeps track of athlete training, recovery, and sleeping hours to help improve athlete’s and team’s performance. WHOOP provides coaches, athletes, and trainers with a constant understanding of pressure and recovery to balance training, minimize injuries, and predict performance. The company develops a product that makes individuals and teams operate at a higher level through a more profound understanding of their bodies and daily lives. The WHOOP Strap 3.0 obtains physiological data 24/7 to deliver an accurate and granular understanding of the body.

Founded in 2012 by Aurelian Nicolae, John Capodilupo, and Will Ahmed, WHOOP has its headquarters in Boston, Massachusetts, U.S.

Strava

Strava is an online network where cyclists and runners can track their activities, compare performance, and compete with their society.

Millions of athletes have entered Strava for the competition, and comradeship discovered in tracing and sharing their fitness activities. Strava’s website and free mobile apps help users find and plan workouts, track and share activities, and examine and compare performance. The company’s ability to connect athletes around the world makes fitness a more social experience, giving more motivation even when training alone.

Founded in 2009 by Mark Gainey, Mark Shaw, Michael Horvath, and Yandong Liu, Strava has its headquarters in San Francisco, California, U.S.

The sports industry is currently undergoing significant technological changes and improvements in various ways, which have led to the question, “will tech take over the industry and change how we view sports?”. To answer this, we should note that the sporting industry is still about applauding human effort and triumph over oneself and others. With this in mind, no matter how advanced our tech becomes, our bodies will still be the ones doing the running, the lifting, and the jumping, whether they are encased in high tech or not.

For more extensive analysis and Market Intelligence reports feel free to approach us or visit our website: Venture Capital Market Intelligence Reports | VCBay.

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