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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New Week, New Newsletter! Welcome back to The Sports Road, ladies and gentlemen. The sports-tech world is constantly evolving and has some BIG impacts on how we interact with our favourite sports. Bringing you the very latest, we’re here to make sure that YOU don’t fall behind. Enjoy!
Here's what we got for ya today:
The Metaverse: A Return
A New Look for the Bundesliga
Tennis: WHAT!?!
UFC 295
Most Valuable Sports Teams:
Let's get into it!
The Metaverse is Back!
Let’s be honest. With no disrespect at all – ah, it really isn’t great when you start a sentence like that… 😅 Anyways, if you asked a group of people what their favourite sport is, you would be pretty hard pressed to find someone who would say Cycling.
To be honest with you, we think that’s pretty unfair.
I mean, yes, while it most definitely can be viewed as a bunch of people going round and round in a circle over a couple of laps, the sport actually requires some pretty crazy athletic feats. I mean, it has it all… Strategy, tactics, grit – what’s not to like!
For those who may not have known, the past couple weeks have been pretty big for the game. With the UCI Track Champions League being played, this weekend it’ll all come to a head in the Grand Finale.
Why is that important? Well, it looks like we’re getting a VERY big tech-related release…
Inspired by a desire to further engage fans with the sport, tournament, and individual athletes, this weekend will see the opening of the Track Champions League’s very own mobile Metaverse world.
This is what we know so far:
Available from the 10th of November, the platform will primarily be focused on engaging global fans with one another. A key way that this will be done is through the implementation of public and private lounges where users will be able to go interact and watch the races.
Breaking down current barriers between players and fans, those participating in the experience will also get exclusive access to behind-the-scenes footage, and unseen-before camera angles.
Hosting live meet and greets, as well as post-match interviews, fans will be able to see their favourite athletes on a more personal basis and feel more involved in the played sport.
“The 2023 UCI Track Champions League has been incredible and fans around the world have already been enjoying the live action from packed velodromes and via our far-reaching broadcast coverage. It is the perfect time to launch this unique new Metaverse experience to capitalise on the heightened awareness and participation in the series to engage fans on an even deeper level.”
Chris Ball, VP of Cycling Events at Warner Bros. Discovery Sports Europe
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Have the Bundesliga Cracked the Code?
Every now and then, the sports world tends to fall into trends when it comes to the use of technology. The newest trend? Advertising.
That’s right. With different teams and leagues beginning to recognise the value which systems such as Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Augmented Reality (AR) hold for marketing purposes, recently we’ve seen an uptake in the number of new ad-centric technologies being used around the world.
Allowing those with access to the technology opportunities to market virtually, the system currently being operated makes it possible for users to advertise different things to different sets of fans – something especially important for broadcasts which are shown globally.
As a result, enter the Bundesliga! That’s right. Germany’s top-flight (and Harry Kane’s current stomping ground) is getting involved in the action!
With the DFL, the German FA, granting league-wide approval to Supponer – experts in digital advertising – the firm will now be able to implement their ‘Carpets over Carpets’ innovation across all Bundesliga games.
Launched back in 2021, Supponer recently underwent a successful testing period which saw them trial their system across five different Bundesliga stadiums.
Charged by a combination of AI and Machine Learning (ML) solutions, the company is able to deploy virtual advertising across any surface.
Helping enhance leagues’ commercial inventory, the system can also help break into local markets.
When looking at the path Bundesliga may have to take to reach the numbers currently being reached by the Premier League, this could prove integral.
“We are delighted and proud that our Supponor AIR technology is the first to receive the approval for ‘Carpets over Carpets’ advertising in the German Bundesliga. This marks a significant commercial milestone for Supponor and a revolutionary change in the league’s advertising capabilities.”
Massimo Magrì, EMEA Managing Director at Supponor.
The Future of Tennis
I mean, we’ve all been there. You know, thinking we’re far better at a sport then we actually are… No? Just me? Alright 😅
Often when we talk about new innovations in sport, they’re targeted at the professional level. And, to be totally honest, it makes sense.
With today’s sporting landscape being more intense than ever before, the difference between winning and losing could mean everything…
But while we might understand, we can’t say that we don’t wish some of this technology would be more widely available.
But, if you’re a fan of Tennis, get ready. This could change the game.
Announcing the release of the Slinger App earlier this week, Connexa Sports Technologies Inc. are looking to improve your game tenfold.
How? Using AI, of course…
Developing their technology over the last year, their AI can expertly recognise core Tennis fundamentals.
Splitting the techniques into four unique pillars (Hitting Stability Foundation, Shoulder and Swing Rotation, Weight Transfer Drift, and Consistent ball Contact point), the Slinger App technology can analyse uploaded videos in no time AND provide coaching to help you get better.
Already planning their next moves, this could be absolutely massive…
“Following completion of the Slinger App for tennis the Gameface team will then replicate the Slinger App’s AI analytics platform for both pickleball and paddle tennis users and will commence development and testing to support the Slinger Bag Baseball introduction, planned for the second half of 2024. Alongside these developments we plan to commence the process of identifying strategic licensing partners for high-profile, non-core team sports verticals such as basketball, soccer and lacrosse, with the clear objective to become a recognised leader in Sports AI globally.”
Mike Ballardie CEO Connexa Sports Technologies
We Need to Talk About: UFC 295
And just like that, it is FIGHT WEEK!!!!
Only one day out from the BIGGEST HEAVYWEIGHT FIGHT EVER!
Alright, alright. Let’s talk about the elephant in the room. I don’t think there is any MMA fan that’s not feeling somewhat disappointed by the Jon Jones and Stipe Miocic fight falling through.
With that though, we still do have a couple UNREAL fights to look forward to…
Starting off with the Co-main, fans will be in for an absolute treat – even though there’s a chance it doesn’t last long…
Coming up against one of the scariest fighters in the division, Englishman Tom Aspinall – an incredibly well-rounded fighter – will be facing Sergei Pavolovich for the interim Heavyweight championship.
If there’s any one stat we could point you guys to help prove our point, this would be it. These two fighters make up two of the top three for the shortest average fight times EVER in the UFC.
Guys, someone is getting finished; and there is a BIG chance that it’ll be in the first round…
Bringing us onto the Main Event, trust us, you do NOT want to miss this one…
I mean, come on. Where do we even start with Alex Pereira. Having only been in the UFC since 2021, this is already the former Kickboxer’s second title fight; in a second weight class, might we add…
But it won’t be easy. Facing unorthodox striker and former champ in his own right, Jiří Procházka, this fight is bound to be fireworks.
With both fighters possessing great fight IQ, technique, and UNHOLY POWER, we’re in for a good one…
Quick Bites
Liverpool: Oh, VAR…
Claressa Shields: The Journey
NFL: Prediction Time!
Meme of the day
“Believe me. I am really happy. I just don’t smile much.” -Alex Pereira #UFC295
— Connoisseur of Combat (@ConOfCombat)
Nov 9, 2023
😂😂😂😂😂😂
Quote of the day
"I'm trying to be the best heavyweight walking the face of the earth"
Tom Aspinall
Picture of the day
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