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Technology has fundamentally altered many aspects of our lives, usually for the better. In the sports industry, innovations like instant replay, VAR, and mobile gaming have significantly changed how we perceive, watch, and play sports. Now, you do not have to drive to the stadium to watch your favorite teams go head to head – you can switch on your TV and stream the game. You can go online on your mobile phone and bet on the outcome – the possibilities are innumerable. In this post, we review several impacts technology has had on the sports industry.
Player Tracking and Analytics
A review of the 2022 FIFA World Cup tournament will show you just how far player tracking and analytics have come. Everything from the ball to the stadium was fitted with trackers to capture and record player movements, positions, speeds, and much more to present real-time data. This information proved crucial to team managers and players looking to improve their strategy. It helped referees – through VAR – make timely and fair decisions about the gameplay. All of this is thanks to technology. On another scale, fans can use these same data to place an informed sportsbet on their favorite teams and players on betting platforms like Betway. It is a whole new world dominated by data.
Fantasy Leagues
Players cannot seem to get enough of their favorite games. In addition to watching sports, they want a piece of the action. Game developers have heeded this call by creating fantasy sports leagues. Essentially, they allow players to form fantasy teams and, acting as general managers, build their own teams. This activity is based on and directly affected by actual league events. In fact, playing fantasy sports and placing a sportsbet are the most immersive real-world ways to engage with sports today outside of regular fandom. Fantasy League is a billion-dollar industry.
Sports Video Games
Sports fans can enjoy even more immersion through sports video games. Game developers understand that fans often wonder what it is like to play their favorite sports. And for those who cannot join a professional league, sports video games are the next best thing. Thanks to technological trends like mobile gaming and VR, you can play Formula One, NFL, FIFA, and other sports games.
Instant Replays
Player tracking works hand in hand with instant replays to help ensure fairness in the game. Previously, experts, players, and managers squabble over contentious calls for months on end. With instant replays, game officials can review in-game footage immediately and make decisions that allow the game to proceed good-naturedly. The technology provides views of the field or court from different angles at different speeds, essentially allowing everyone to relive every second of the game.
Injury Prevention and Treatment
Technology seems to have improved the lives of officials, managers, and sports fans alike. But what about the players? Most sports are highly competitive, and injury is always possible. Thankfully, technology has significantly improved injury prevention, detection, and rehabilitation in the sporting world. Innovations like high-tech helmets, mouth guards, and digital modeling allow for early detection of potentially fatal injuries and prompt treatment, making sports safer.
Conclusion
From VAR and drone-surveilled stadiums to online sports betting and fantasy leagues, it is safe to say that technology has changed the sporting landscape for good. These changes continue to make sporting more fun, immersive, and safe, even as the industry grows more lucrative by the year.