Sports isn’t just about kicking the ball or hitting the net anymore. In today’s sports industry, athletes are worth hundreds of millions of dollars. The various organizations overseeing them use technology to monitor and improve their performances.

Technology has become omnipresent in sports, even if the public can’t always see it. Here’s how technology has transformed sports and which innovations are currently being used.

Data Collection Tools

Collecting data about athletes has become mandatory for teams, broadcast networks, and even sportsbooks. Sites offering legal sportsbook bets online gather data about players and teams to calculate their odds. Coaches use data to identify weaknesses and develop strategies or adapt training. At the top of the chain, organizations look at a player’s season to evaluate his price on the market when it’s time to recruit or exchange these athletes with other clubs. 

As for channels broadcasting sports events, they use these tools to give the audience more insight into what they’re watching. The art of data collecting is complex, and it uses machine learning, among other technologies. There’s still part of it that’s manually collected, but the industry has come a long way since.

Wearable Technology

Wearable technology has become a powerful tool for providing more accurate data to the coaching team. These devices monitor heart rates, running pace, distance, and route during training. The data collected is then analyzed and used to create the best training routine. 

Depending on the sport, additional metrics can be recorded. Each athlete evolving at the pro level gets a file. It contains custom training that accounts for his shortcomings and helps correct them while reinforcing his strengths.

Data Display During Broadcasting

The most watched sporting events often show replays with animations to explain what is happening. This is possible thanks to a slight delay between the recording and the broadcast. Channel networks can use sophisticated tools to generate these animations on the go.

In some sports, like football, new technologies like connected balls, sensors, and VAR (video assistant referee) have been incorporated by FIFA. They collect even more data and avoid mistakes on the field.

How AI is Conquering Sports Data Analysis

Another critical technology of the past few years has been AI. Most people use it to generate images and text. Yet, several companies have developed AI-based solutions to analyze sports data. For instance, the MLB uses Statcast. This tool monitors movements, pitch velocity, angles, and ball speed. It's then compiled for players, coaches, and people watching the event.

The data can then be used to improve performances and prevent injuries by correcting the athlete’s mistakes with additional training.

As the technology improves, it also starts appearing in apps offering broadcasts. When trained to this end, AI can make personalized recommendations to users and engage fans with content they want to see.

Why Technology is Central in the Sports Industry

The role of technology has grown exponentially over the last decade, and it’s not simply because it’s trendy. For private corporations investing in sports, it’s about maximizing their profits. These companies and clubs need to keep getting people engaged. This implies making the viewing experience more engaging and accessible and making performances more impressive. Therefore, technology will only become more prevalent in sports.