Get the latest sports technology news! From VR boxing to the newest sports ticketing apps, from VAR drones to AI linesmen - we've got you covered
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Big weekend, Bigger newsletter. Welcome back to The Sports Road! I mean, where else would you go to kickstart the week… Today is all about how technology is being used to improve the highest level of sport (kind of…) Enjoy!
Here's what we got for ya today:
Goal-Line Technology is Out!
F1’s Most Modern Team
The Future of Sports Broadcasting
The European NFL…
Most Valuable Sports Teams
Let's get into it!
Goal-Line Technology ❌
When talking about some of Football’s biggest tech innovations over the last couple years, two things spring to mind.
The first being the always-debated VAR, and the second being one with far less controversy – Goal line technology.
To be honest, it makes sense. It’s fast, accurate, and improves the games integrity huge amounts. What’s not to like!?
Look, at the end of the day, goals define winning or losing; and with that, the technology’s use could quite literally alter the course of history. I mean seriously, just imagine if that Lampard goal was given, or if the referees hadn’t seen whether John Stones’ epic goal-line clearance was legitimate a few years ago.
While to us – and the heads of four out of five of Europe’s top leagues – its implementation remains a no brainer, not everyone feels the same…
Unwilling to pay the £2.6 million needed, Javier Tebas – LaLiga’s president – still refuses to employ the tech. While the situation has remained the same for a while now, it looks as though teams have had enough.
All coming to a head last Wednesday during Atletico Madrid’s six-goal thriller against Espanyol, the lack of the technology’s use sparked up some tension to say the least…
Unfairly being given a goal that should NOT have stood, Atletico Madrid were allowed to leave the game with a pretty unfair point. Having relied on VAR to determine whether the ball had gone in, even after looking at the video footage, referees could not determine the outcome. Ah VAR, never change 😂
Calling for the result to be annulled and the game to potentially be replayed, it’s fair to say that Espanyol are not happy…
Not a great week for LaLiga…
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The Most Modern Team in F1
A few years ago, the team at Aston Martin set themselves a pretty tough challenge…
What is it, you ask?
Well, within five years of the plan's creation, the team wants to have won the world championship.
Halfway through, the team is slowly but surely getting there. Having regular podium finishes, and a car that seems to be performing better than ever, the goal now is clear – start pushing the F1’s elite.
Priding themselves on being the Formula One’s first truly most modern team, this is how the team are planning to continue on leveraging some of the world's best technology to their advantage.
Like we’re sure you’ve seen, to participate at the highest of levels in Motorsport, communication is absolutely integral. Serving as the fuel which powers the entire operation, it really can be the defining factor in determining a teams success. Allowing for precision in the most high-staked conditions, the exchange of critical information has to be executed perfectly…
In a deal struck with NetApp, Aston Martin is looking to use AI solutions to optimise data-tracking and analysis to improve communication and performance.
Specifically using the FlexPod, NetApp’s very own storage device, the system will essentially allow the team in-depth data at faster rates than ever. In fact, developers have compared it to a simple “plug and play system.”
In addition to heavily aiding in performance, NetApp can also work to further Aston Martin in the F1’s sustainability project.
Planning to have a net-zero carbon footprint by 2030, the introduction of the FlexPod could be key. Using its storage and cloud capacities, the company could help support different workloads. Using computing power only when needed, this could really change the game…
“NetApp’s high-performance FlexPods are fundamental to our operation at the track… As we use data to improve our performance and go faster, NetApp’s work with the AMF1 team is vital to this success.”
Clare Lansley, Chief Information Officer at Aston Martin
The Future is NOW
The way we consume sport is about to change forever…
Whether you’re a fan, coach, or player this technology could have some serious impacts on you.
Introducing their newest product, Pixellot – the world's largest producer of live sports – is changing the game.
That’s right, equipped with some of the highest levels of technology out there, the Pixellot Show S3 is using innovative ways to show off sports at the highest level.
Charged by eight years of experience, the AI-automated camera’s main aim is to combat the current biggest challenges facing sports broadcasting.
This is what we know so far about what they’re planning on improving:
Enhanced AI Tracking: Not leaving any area for human error, the new camera has improved the company’s AI tracking. Precisely following the action, fans and coaching staff will be able to immerse themselves far more into the game.
Multiple Viewing Angles: The camera will offer multiple different angles depending on what the consumer is looking for. These will include panoramic, traditional and more.
Cost Effective and Future Proof: Offering features beyond what else is available on the market, the Show S3 can streamline production workflow and offer affordable alternatives
“The S3’s superior image quality and improved AI capabilities enable sports streaming with unparalleled precision and clarity. We also made sure to significantly simplify the system installation process making it easier for sports organisations to scale at a faster and more cost-effective pace.”
Alon Werber, CEO of Pixellot
The (European) American Football League?
Sticking to the topics of data tracking and broadcasting, we thought we’d end with a combination of them…
So, the ELF. Ever hear of them? Well, they’re Europe’s biggest American Football league.
Consisting of clubs from nine different countries, you can think of it like the Champions League but for American Football. Good comparison, we know.
Looking to engage fans further into their content, like Aston Martin, the league is looking to streamline their existing data for ease of communication.
Partnering with Amazon Web Services, the American Football League will be able to leverage remote production tools to capture all 107 games and offer a far better product.
"Our collaboration with AWS allows us, as the first pan-European sports league, to remotely produce our 2023 season using the AWS cloud… This means that directors, graphics designers, operators, sound engineers, and other technicians no longer need to travel to the game venue. With this, we estimate that we can achieve a reduction of over 300 tons of CO2 emissions this season. We are delighted to be pioneers in Europe by implementing this innovative production technology in cooperation with AWS.”
Zeljko Karajica, CEO of European League of Football
In addition to that, though, the league also announced a partnership with Genius Sports this week. This is what we know so far:
Using their unique technology, Genius will use data gathered from the sport and create highly immersive experiences for fans
Being granted exclusive rights to manage and distribute the leagues content, Genius will be able to heavily broaden the ELF’s fan-base and products
Already working with some of the world’s biggest leagues and sports, this partnership should only spell good things…
Quick bites
F1: Huge win!
A Big Day: Leicester go down!
Badminton: You have to watch this…
Meme of the day
Everton mood 😚 https://t.co/ianlDAAL3Q
— Sky Sports Premier League (@SkySportsPL)
May 28, 2023
😂 😂
Quote of the day
"It means a lot to me. I took over what they called a broken club. It’s not broken, it had its cracks, but it’s not broken."
Sean Dyche
Photo of the day
In his debut season!
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Chat to ya on Wednesday! ☮️
