29 Nov 2019
Innovative technology has had a massive impact on modern human life, and the sports industry is no exception. This unparalleled revolution has made the sports industry go through major transformation and, therefore, sports is no longer passive viewing behind screens.
Those who consume sports content interact with their favourite sports through smart phone applications, social media and choose what to watch and when.
Technology Revolution in Sports – A New Game
Athletes Management Systems and Sports Apps have become an integral part of any sports as both coaches and athletes rely heavily on these technological methods to advance their game and prowess. Today, sports is becoming a game of numbers – a game where data analytics and data driven moves are critically important. If this is combined with Internet of Things (ioT) , it is a winning formula that will be in vogue for the next couple of decades. In fact, today all play gear have on-field cameras and various tracking devices embedded in helmets and shoes etc. that give statistics in real time. It allows managers and coaches to assess performances, pinpoint pain areas, and immediately tweak lineups to ensure that there is improvement. It is also used by sportspersons to view the game of opposing teams so that they can tweak their game better. And coaches use technology to monitor the progress of players both during the training season and during off season. This data can then be used to create trends for future use. Truly, technology is revolutionizing sports.
Tech and Sports – New Opportunities
According to a recent report, Show Me the Money by Tata Communications, sports will see a spike in revenue growth with organisations embracing technology to create immersive experiences for fans and open new avenues of revenue growth. According to industry estimates, the Indian sports market is valued at US$ 2.7 billion dollars currently, up from the US$ 1.3 billion dollars it was five years ago. In the next 5 years it is slated to be worth US$ 10 million dollars. This boom would be a boon for tech firms as new age sports is a combination of social media management to production technology and in-stadia solutions.
This kind of digital transformation in sports would allow companies to grow by offering enriching customer experiences and better operations. Above broadcasting and production, tech firms are seeing opportunities in fan engagement. HCL Technologies has teamed up with English Premier League (EPL) club Manchester United for creating a digital brand identity. It has launched a new app for them through which interaction with fans can be improved. The organisation holds the intellectual property rights for this platform and would offer it to other similar consumer-facing businesses with similar requirements.
Infosys, too, has been working with Roland-Garros and the Association of Tennis Professionals (ATP) for developing digital insights-based initiatives and creating new products like real-time English commentary based on live scores along with virtual reality experience for the Australian Open.
A major reason for the technology revolution in sports is the change in consumption patterns. There is a hike in mobile viewership, and it is not restricted by location. Therefore, technology providers need to provide solutions that can be accessed by all. This fact is driving newer opportunities for growth in sports as well as technology. Sports has clearly moved from the purely physical realm to a virtual space, where it is growing and likely to find a much larger market and base of fans. And technology is surely redefining the way we play sports now.