Sports have existed since the dawn of mankind and naturally, the competitions themselves as well as how these events are marketed have evolved in relation to technology. From ancient Greek coins depicting the Olympics to the ever-popular tobacco trading cards associated with the latter half of the 19th century, consumers are certainly no strangers to advertising.
However, we are now fully integrated within the digital age. Fans and businesses alike have already begun to take advantage of the numerous digital options at their disposal. From the ability to purchase global tickets for MotoGP events to keeping track of our favourite football teams, countless solutions are available. Let us take a quick look at some other ways in which the Internet has forever transformed the sports sector.
On-the Go Action
Most of us are already aware that the smartphone gaming industry is now worth well into the billions of dollars. However, did you know that it is also possible to stream live sporting events with the aid of these clever handheld devices. No only are fans confined to the comforts of their homes or even the office. Thanks in no small part to 4G (and 5G) Internet access, it has never been easier to keep abreast of fast-paced competitions while out and about. In fact, a growing number of smartphones are capable of supporting 4K and even 8K resolutions; a nice touch in terms of clarity.
the Power of Social Media
Current studies indicate that just over 58 per cent of the global population accesses at least one social media portal on a daily basis. So, it only stands to reason that promoters and similar sports professionals have leveraged these platforms to their advantage. We are not only referring to advertising in this sense. It is now also possible for players to interact with their fans and to post regular updates. Twitter, Facebook, Instagram, and TikTok have become ubiquitous throughout the online sporting community and their presence is likely to increase even further.
The Technical Side of Things
It is also important to remember that cutting-edge computer algorithms can be used to help predict the outcome of a specific competition. Sometimes referred to as “data science“, a wide array of factors can be analysed. Some examples include:
- The performance of individual players.
- Team members who have recently been injured.
- The historical performance of a football club when playing under adverse weather conditions.
- Which bicyclist is most likely to win the Tour de France.
Of course, these metrics would be nearly impossible to determine when using traditional means. Machine learning and even the presence of artificial intelligence (AI) now represent what can only be called a brave new world. This is also great news for sports betting enthusiasts, bookmakers and indeed anyone who wants to keep up to date at a moment’s notice.
The only question remaining involves in what other ways digital technology is set to change the end-user experience. We will simply have to wait and see.
