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Welcome back to The Sports Road, everyone! 2024 is here and – with that – the future is NOW! Yes, while that may sound pretty dramatic, it’s also kind of true. Technology is developing at faster rates than ever and our favourite sports will never be the same. Scary, we know… Luckily, we’re here to keep you right up to date with everything going on 😅 Enjoy!
Here's what we got for ya today:
The NBA: Doing it Right
2024…
AI x Athlete Safety
Luke Littler…
Most Valuable Sports Teams:
Let's get into it!
The Future of Fan Engagement…
Look, when we tend to talk about technology’s recent use in sport, discussion often happens to revolve around these really complex and technically-advanced ideas.
And – for the most part – long may that continue!
BUT, sometimes in trying to analyse the technical reasoning behind key decisions, we forget the true reason a large majority of sports organisations and teams turn to technology in the first place – to create exciting new avenues for which fans to engage with content.
With that, it looks as though the Indiana Pacers – who currently sit fifth in the NBA’s Eastern Conference – are reminding us…
How? Well, by stripping it back to the basics!
Anytime a new jersey drops, fans get excited. This week, though, the Pacers brought that to a whole new level…
Announcing a partnership with local tech startup Spokenote, each one of the Pacers jersey’s will be equipped with (can we get a drumroll please 🥁🥁🥁) a QR code! 😂
That’s right. Fans who purchase a jersey will now also be able to access exclusive content released by the team through the help of Spokenote.
Being the first time a deal of this sort has made its way into any US Sport Franchise, the Pacers and Spokenote alike could begin a trend that could last for MANY years to come.
Involving fans into the behind-the-scenes of what goes on at their favourite team, the idea could also stand as beneficial towards reputability and general shirt sales.
“We are thrilled to have Spokenote as our jersey patch partner, and their innovative product will allow us to engage our fans in many new and different ways… We are extremely proud to assist a local startup on its journey to becoming a widely known consumer brand.”
Todd Taylor, President and Chief Commercial Officer for Pacers Sports & Entertainment
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We are so Back…
So, 2024.
We said it earlier, and we’ll say it again. The future is NOW… I mean, did you know that we’re closer to 2040 than we are to 2007. I don’t know about you guys, but – to us here at The Sports Road – that is pretty mental… 🤯
Sorry, we got sidetracked. Anyways, in looking at the grand scheme of things, this year is pretty big in the sports world. Why? Well, it’s the return of the Olympics – and for Football fans – something that’s arguably even more special… The Euro’s!
And with the start of the new year, it’s only fitting that we bring the conversation to this Summer’s upcoming tournament…
Before that though, let’s not beat around the bush. There’s a ‘problem’ facing the entire Football world – and, yes – it has to do with technology.
I think you know where this one is going…
Ah, VAR. Never a dull moment (annoyingly 😅). Bringing in contested decision after contested decision, over the last couple years, nearly VAR-related discourse has gone back to two things. Handballs and offsides. We know, this again 🙄
But it’s true. With games being contested at such high levels and holding so much in the balance, decisions need to be correct. Quite literally, there is no room for gaps in communication – and especially – knowledge.
Unfortunately, this has become a pretty common thing. With referees often basing decisions off misinformed judgement, teams are paying the price; a situation that is proving damaging to everyone involved.
For this Summer’s tournament, though, it looks like organisers may have cracked the code. That’s right. With the help of Adidas, it looks like the Euro’s official ball will come equipped with a variety of new technologies set to change the face of officiating.
Unseen before to this level at major tournaments, Adidas’ ball will be able to track movement unlike ever before. Noting each time the ball gets touched, the system will allow referees to match data with the corresponding images for a faster and more accurate result.
"Combining player position data with artificial intelligence (AI), the innovation contributes to Uefa's semi-automated offside technology and will be key to supporting faster in-match decisions… The technology can also help VAR officials to identify every individual touch of the ball, further reducing time spent resolving handball and penalty incidents.
UEFA Spokesperson
A BIG Step Forward!
Why do we all love sports?
Well, it depends. For some the drama, others the tribalism, or – for most – a mixture of things.
But with all that, no one wants to see any athlete’s health inadvertently sacrificed for our entertainment.
With Sports Data Labs newest innovation, let’s hope that worry will begin to diminish… This is what we know so far:
This week, the firm – who specialise in AI-based data collection – were granted a new US Patent to cover its generative AI-based model for creating synthetic data to replace missing and outlier data values.
Allowing for a better analysis of the general health of an athlete – using metrics related specifically to real-time heart rate readings – the system will see AI aid in translating collected data into predictions and insights for the future.
Working to better safeguard athletes against any underlying health worries, the system could prove incredibly useful in detecting health worries and – perhaps more importantly – alert athletes as to when they need to check in with a specialist.
“Our synthetic data generator enables more complete data sets to be created, a requisite for AI systems to be more effective in analysing and creating value with data. Our exclusivity in key areas related to ECG-based real-time heart monitoring and synthetic data generation will allow us to dive further into exciting licensing and solution-focused opportunities in sports, healthcare, insurance, and other high-growth markets.”
Vivek Khare, Co-Inventor and Head of Technology of Sports Data Labs
We Need to Talk About: Luke Littler
Sometimes a story comes out in the sports world that – simply put – makes you just wonder how on earth could something like that actually happen.
While this can be for good and bad, over the last couple weeks sports fans were treated to an absolute sporting spectacle.
If you’ve been online over the last few weeks, you will know EXACTLY who this story is about… Enter: Luke Littler.
Wow. For those who somehow haven’t heard the name yet, Littler is a 16 year old (🤯) who just turned the entire Darts – and sports world – on its head.
I mean, it goes without saying, but for any athlete to make it to the top of their respective sport is impressive, but to do it at SIXTEEN!??!?!?! You have got to be kidding.
Rising into stardom after gathering win after win in the PDC World Championship – Darts’ most prestigious tournament – since breaking onto the scene fans were just left to wonder how far Littler could actually go.
The answer? Very far.
Beating out three world champions on his way to the final, this Wednesday saw Littler come out short against Luke Humphries in an unbelievably tightly contested final.
Instagram post by @ladbible
Although this week’s final may have not gone his way, this is most definitely far from the end for Littler who is bound to have a serious career in the scene.
“I set my goal to win my first game. I’ve come back after Christmas and that’s it, I have not set any more goals. I’m not going to set one tonight… If I am on it, I can beat anyone and I’ve beaten three world champions. Raymond Van Barneveld has won it five times, Rob Cross won it on debut.”
Luke Littler
Quick Bites
Luke Littler: The Fallout
Mbappe: The Next Move…
Tennis: A Big Upset
Meme of the day
Instagram post by @sportbible
😂😂😂😂😂😂
Quote of the day
“In any case, with the agreement I made with the chairman [Nasser Al-Khelaifi] this summer, it doesn't matter what I decide.”
Kylian Mbappe
Picture of the day
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