AI is Changing Sport Forever

December 29, 2023

And just like that we are back, ladies and gentlemen. 2024 is right around the corner, and guess what? There is bound to be some massive changes in the sports technology world… Here at The Sport Road, it’s our job to make sure you know EXACTLY what to expect. Enjoy!

Here's what we got for ya today:

  • AI is Changing Sport Forever

  • Tennis…

  • College Football x AI

  • Life After Football…

Most Valuable Sports Teams:

Let's get into it!

AI: Sport is Changing… 

We say it time and time again… When we talk about big innovations in the world of sports and tech, new products tend to be driven strictly at the professional level.

And, to be honest, it makes sense. I mean, especially in today’s sporting landscape, where the level is outstanding and games are being decided by the smallest details, everyone needs to find a rogue, new upper hand.

BUT, that doesn't make it just that small bit annoying 😅 I mean, it would be pretty cool – and beneficial – for us, as fans and budding athletes, to receive the same treatment and coaching as professionals.

Well, that may just be possible… How? Using AI, of course!

That’s right. This week, BeONE Sports and MobiDev announced their partnership to launch their very own AI comparative training platform. This is what we know so far:

  • Developed to give athletes at any level the opportunity to receive feedback in real time, the app will offer personalised training insights and help users improve.

  • Using HPE Technology, the app is able to identify key body points and track different movement patterns. Comparing it to their existing database of successful repetitions, the app will provide specific points on what to improve on. 

  • Being available to mobile users, the app follows a data-driven approach to training and is still looking to make further improvements. 

“We are thrilled to provide this revolutionary platform to athletes worldwide. Coaches and athletes now have an AI-based tool they need to get the most out of every training session. MobiDev is our official partner that helps embody ideas for improving sports training into a user-friendly software product.”

Scott Deans, Founder and CEO at BeONE Sports

Sport is changing forever and you do NOT want to miss out…

Everyone knows just how important AI can be, but we’re here to help you reach the next level!

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Already backed by thousands, this is your chance to play a key role in the future of sports training. 

It’s time to unleash your athletic potential.

Join to begin your journey today! Visit https://sportsicon.ai/ for more

Tennis: What now?

As a sport, Tennis has been doing it right.

What do we mean by that? Well, over the course of the last few months, major players and organisations in the sport have been using new technological capabilities to expertly bring the sport into the forefront of fans’ minds. 

I mean, really. From deals with gaming companies, to endeavours into Web3, and more, the sport has NOT been messing around recently.

Which – as you can expect – is why we weren’t too surprised at recent news…

Announcing new partnerships with Signify, the ITF, WTA, AELTC, and USTA – all major Tennis associations – are following suit with some of the world’s biggest sporting organisations. 

Specialising in AI detection, Signify has been used by FIFA, the French Open and more.

Using their unique AI, the firm can scan over millions of posts and ensure both fan and player safety. Specifically driven by their Threat Matrix technology, posts that come under the pretence of being hateful/abusive will be removed and sanctions will be placed on the accounts who posted it.

With the partnership officially kicking in on January 1, its presence will extend to the organisations and players involved in most major Tennis competitions you can think of.

As social media becomes bigger and bigger, for fans and players alike, it’s getting harder and harder to enjoy their favourite sports like once before.

Holding the ability to impact not only player performance, but far more important aspects of life, no one wants to see our favourite games being littered with abuse and intolerance.

With Signify, let’s hope that – now in Tennis – AI can help ensure safety for EVERYONE!

The Future?

So. Just like that, 2023 will soon be over.

And if there was one thing constantly at the tip of people’s tongues it was (drumroll please 🥁🥁🥁) ChatGPT.

Wow. Where do we even start… Taking over the world, generative AI opened a whole new way of thinking to many people, and for that very reason, has been replicated across a variety of industries – one of those being sport.

Incurring large amounts of success through the endeavour, one of the biggest companies to take note of generative AI in sport is ON (previously GameOn).

Touching upon them a couple months ago, the firm has created an AI chatbot dedicated to improving fan experiences. 

Offering fans easier access to attaining tickets, the AI is also there to answer any sport-related question.

So with that, you may be asking yourselves – what now?

Well, college Football is in the game. Acting as a virtual assistant for fans attending the game, ON partnered up with the Guaranteed Rate Bowl and will be providing their services to the Kansas Jayhawks and UNLV Rebels. 

Boosting the opportunity for teams to engage with fans, ON – who already work with some of the biggest names in American sports – can boost many aspects of a teams organisational structure.

“ON’s integration with two of the most high-profile college bowl games will showcase how our platform enhances every aspect of the gameday experience… We are excited for college sports fans to interact with our chat and have a seamless experience with tickets, travel, and logistics, so they can spend more time creating memorable moments with their friends, family and other fans.”

Alex Beckman, CEO and co-founder of ON 

We Need to Talk About: Retirement

Here’s a pretty damaging stat for all of you: 65% of NBA players go broke after retirement…

Not being properly equipped to deal with life after reaching the pinnacle of their respective sports, athletes often find themselves lost.

BUT, things are changing…

Whether it be through punditry, business, or even Youtube (🤯), the way athletes are conducting themselves in retirement is evolving. 

In American Football, much of this change is being charged by the Pro Football Retired Players Association (PFRPA).

Dedicated to aiding retired Footballers establish success in their post NFL lives, the PFRPA has commenced numerous programs to better the lives of those who contributed to the game.

So. Like we were saying – a majority of success found in retired athletes has recently come in the entertainment industry. Noting its benefits, it looks like the PFRPA has taken action.

Signing a deal with Alumni Media, an OTT media firm that specialises in the distribution and creation of content, players could be in for even more opportunity…

Specifically giving players the opportunity to create their own channels in which they can determine the subject matter, those involved in the PFRPA – despite having finished their playing careers – will still have an active means to engage with fans.

"PFRPA's partnership with Alumni Media will help to extend the great work being done by the network, providing an opportunity for retired NFL players to express themselves creatively on their own, personalised channels… The platform is growing steadily, and it's been great to see so many former players signing up to produce great, quality content." 

Joe Agbasi, PFRPA Executive Director

Quick Bites

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“A good coach will make his players see what they can be rather than what they are.”

Ara Parseghian

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