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Happy Friday, everyone! Welcome back to The Sports Road — the Newsletter that makes sure YOU are kept up to scratch with the weird, wonderful, and wacky that is sports and technology… Enjoy!
Here's what we got for ya today:
Netflix is Changing the Game
Football’s Newest AI
Tennis: Levelling up
This Season’s Weirdest Use of Tech?
Most Valuable Sports Teams:
Let's get into it!
Netflix: Switching Things up…
Netflix – I mean, does it need any introduction??
Being the world’s largest streaming platform, Netflix hosts over 250 million global users and – across recent years – has managed to boost its brand into one of the world’s biggest.
Extending its reach globally, through its easy, user-friendly interface and vast library of content, the service has become a fixture in mainstream media and, if we’re being honest, most of our day-to-day lives too. You know, even for us degenerate sport fans… 😅
So, the million dollar question. Why on earth – as a sports-based Newsletter – are we talking about Netflix? Well, they just made a VERY big announcement.
But before we get into that – some context. Over the last few years the sports scene on Netflix has been growing. From F1’s Drive to Survive, to Golf’s ‘Full Swing’ docuseries, recent moves have heavily focused on what goes on behind-the-scenes at our favourite sports. Incurring huge viewership numbers, the series have managed to expertly engage fans by showing us what usually just isn’t available.
However, despite its success – unlike other platforms such as Amazon Prime and CBS – Netflix has remained hesitant on introducing live sports into its offerings.
Until now.
That’s right. This week, the multi-billion dollar platform signed a deal with (drumroll please 🥁🥁🥁) the WWE! This is what we know so far:
Kicking off in January 2025, the deal will see Netflix become the exclusive producer of Raw – the WWE’s flagship show – in a number of countries. In addition to this, the company will host all other WWE shows including Smackdown, NXT, and more.
The deal is set to last 10 years and is currently valued at more than $5 billion.
Since the announcement, TKO shares have spiked 15% and has been followed by a separate announcement of Dwayne ‘The Rock’ Johnson joining its board of directors.
“This deal is transformative… It marries the can’t-miss WWE product with Netflix’s extraordinary global reach and locks in significant and predictable economics for many years. Our partnership fundamentally alters and strengthens the media landscape, dramatically expands the reach of WWE, and brings weekly live appointment viewing to Netflix.”
Mark Shapiro, TKO President and COO
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Sevilla: The New Brighton?
In the name of random partnerships, enter Sevilla x IBM.
We know. Rogue.
So, what do the team with the most ever Europa League titles have to do with one of the world’s biggest technology companies? AI, of course.
And trust us, this one is pretty cool…
Scouting – as we’re sure you all know – is one of the most crucial aspects of sports planning and organisation. Get it right, you can guarantee yourselves years of success. Get it wrong, years of failure and disaster.
As a result, recently, Football teams have taken an eye to improving their scouting processes. Often heavily focusing on data-driven research, developments have seen technology being used as integral to finding the next big star. Just look at Brighton!
Developing their own unique scouting software, the English outfit has been able to uncover gems from all across the world. Boosting them into having European Football for the first time, the system – if pursued correctly – can have SERIOUS benefits.
As such, it seems as though many clubs are attempting to implement something similar. Sevilla, however, may have just recruited the exact company that can help them reach the next level.
Working with IBM, the team is looking to integrate Generative AI into their scouting capabilities.
Creating a tool by the name of ‘Scout Advisor’, the system utilises a combination of Watson’s natural language processing (NLP) and foundational algorithmic models to analyse player databases.
In doing so, the software can pick up on numerous qualitative data points from hundreds of thousands of reports.
“We are excited to work with IBM as this project can be a game-changer for Sevilla FC and the whole sports industry…Our team of scouts and analysts is committed to finding the best players to support our team’s success and have worked tirelessly to build an impressive database of player reports, and now, with the support of IBM, we can utilise this asset to its full potential.”
José María del Nido Carrasco, Sevilla President
Tennis: On the up!
We’ve said it before, and we’ll say it again: Tennis has been doing it right.
Incorporating intelligent forms of technology to the right areas of the sport, over the last few months, the sport has taken major steps in the right direction.
Occurring in nearly every major grand slam, technology deals have seen the sport collaborate with firms in gaming, Web3.0, and other technology-driven spheres.
So, what now? AI 😎 (i think we’re noticing a trend here…)
Teaming up with the Australian Open, Infosys – a leader in digital services and consulting – is bringing its unique AI footprint to this year’s tournament.
Planning to influence various areas of engagement, AI systems will be used to enhance fan experiences, player performances, and content creation.
Utilising its Infosys Topaz technology, the firm is set to bring a number of new experiences into the Australian Open.
Including AI-based predictive mini games, art, and highlight creation, this could be a tournament that leaves a BIG legacy…
“Our association with AO has enabled us to push the boundaries of innovation across key digital and physical touchpoints, to create experiences that inform and engage as much as they entertain. This year, we are leveraging Infosys Topaz to bring a host of AI-first experiences to serve players, fans, and the media, and shape the future of the game.”
Andrew Groth, Executive Vice-President, Asia-Pacific, Infosys
We Need to Talk About: Wolves
Becoming more jaded as the day goes on – as well as needing to adjust to playing in the dark – the late kick off isn’t for everyone…
As such, it’s a common conception that the time at which you play a game can heavily influence performances.
Well, it looks like Wolverhampton Wanderers – and in particular manager, Gary O’Neil – may have cracked the code.
This one is pretty crazy…
Getting his players to wear ‘Daylight Glasses’, the Wolves team have seemingly found a new way to ensure they stay alert as night begins to loom.
Shining a bright light into the players eyes, the technology can be used for thirty minutes at a time.
Stopping users from feeling drowsy and tired, the light affects players’ body clocks and can impact food intake, stress, and body temperature.
“There’s not too much daylight at the moment, and especially with evening games when it gets dark your body gets tired and gets ready for bed but we need to be fully alert, so they help with that… The medical team spoke to me about them, and I had no issues with trying them… We’re trying to make marginal gains… I don’t think they’re a magic wand that fixes everything but they’re part of the lads being professional and giving themselves the best opportunity to be in the best physical shape.”
Gary O’Neil, Manager of Wolves
Quick Bites
Australian Open: The Update
Transfers: LIVE!
Meme of the day
🚨 OFFICIAL: Emam Ashour has been ruled out of Egypt’s last 16 game with a head injury. ❌🇨🇩
The player suffered a concussion while attempting a back-flip in training... 😐
AFCON remains undefeated. 😭🤯
— Football Tweet ⚽ (@Football__Tweet)
Jan 25, 2024
😂😂😂😂😂😂
Quote of the day
"In a sense, you have to look at these things as a blessing in disguise because in boxing, a lot of people get dropped, get hurt and then go on and do great things.”
Anthony Joshua on Training
Picture of the day
Yann Bisseck’s excitement after winning his first ever trophy with Inter Milan on Monday night is lovely content.
“I don’t know how to feel. Do I get a medal?!”
— HLTCO (@HLTCO)
Jan 25, 2024
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