Apple is Changing Sport FOREVER!

August 04, 2023

Back again with The Sports Road! That’s right. It’s the weekend, and as always, we have something good cooked up for you guys… Bringing you the latest and greatest in sports tech, expect to be shocked, cringed out, and more. Enjoy!

Here's what we got for ya today:

  • Apple Is Back!

  • The UFC is Changing FOREVER!

  • Get Ready: The Future is NOW!

  • Sports’ Weirdest Partnership

Most Valuable Sports Teams:

Let's get into it!

The Next Big Thing…

When the topic of technology comes up, the first name that storms peoples’ minds is usually (drumroll please 🥁🥁🥁) Apple!

And it makes sense… With over a billion users using their IPhone alone, it’s fair to say that the company holds a pretty strong grip over what happens in the tech industry 😅

It may not just end there, though… That’s right. Sports fans, get ready – Apple could just be changing the game as we know it.

Apple’s interest in the sports scene isn’t new. Since the start of last year, the company has released a variety of different sports related offerings.

an from huge deals with Real Madrid and the MLS, to implementing sports content on their new VR headset, it looks like the tech giant is trying to amass an even larger following…

So what now, you ask?

Well, it looks like Apple is getting involved in something new. Yep, being the likely leaders to take cover streaming rights for the Pac-12 – America’s largest Western collegiate athletic conference – big things could be in the making.

With the college scene making big waves in the sports industry, the deal with Apple represents a huge shift in following, exposure, and more!

Seeing as Apple are constantly producing new products, the partnership could lead to them pushing collegiate sports into never before seen domains.

Showcasing some of the world‘s most exciting young talent, get your scouting goggles on, because you may just be able to stop the next big thing…

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

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See The Game Like Never Before

We touched upon a bit last time out, but there’s only a handful of sports which engage us fans quite like MMA…

I mean with such high stakes being competed for during EVERY SINGLE FIGHT, it’s pretty hard not to feel some sort of deeper connection with the fighters.

So while that obviously represents something positive for MMA organisations, it can also be considered – in some ways – a ‘good’ problem 😅 Let us explain:

Alright, alright – we know that sounded weird. Think about it though. Every successful sports league – and company in a broader sense – strives for improvement.

In that sense, for big organisations like the UFC, finding ways to strengthen fan engagement can actually be pretty tough…

Just look at last weekend as an example. It’s hard not to be engaged when fighters like Justin Gaethje can pull stuff like this out of the bag!

Just CRAZY… Despite that, it looks like the UFC may just have the answer; and it looks like technology is going to play a VERY big role.

Increasing the amount of live fights broadcasted in Virtual Reality, the UFC are deepening their ties with Meta.

With fights set to be shown in both Meta’s Xtadium and Horizon World’s digital experience, fans will be able watch fights up close in 4K!

The content is set to come along with UFC themed collectibles, games, and more, potentially showing us what the future of broadcasting holds…

“We tested this technology successfully with a handful of MMA events last year, and now we’re going further… We’re just scratching the surface of how we can use this technology to create greater fan engagement and grow this sport.”

Craig Borsari, Chief Content Officer and Executive Producer at UFC

This could come in handy if a certain billionaire decides to put on the gloves and enter the octagon…

NFL: The Future is NOW

The average NFL game is 3 hours and 12 minutes long.

Want to hear something crazy?

THE BALL IS ONLY IN PLAY FOR ABOUT ELEVEN MINUTES!! While we aren’t here to judge, that is unbelievable…

With stoppages usually coming in the forms of advertisements, timeouts, and breaks, you do have to feel for fans attending the game live at the stadium 😂😂😂

Despite not being a huge problem as of right now, it’s no secret that people’s attention spans are lowering.

Becoming accustomed to consuming information in short bursts of bite-sized media pieces, fans may just need that extra push in the future.

And guess what? It looks like the Cleveland Browns have got the EXACT solution…

In anticipation of the start of the new season, the Browns have struck a deal with tech firm, Digital Seat Media.

This is what we know so far:

  • The major feature of the two’s partnership will be the implementation of digital QR codes on the seats of the Browns stadium.

  • Directing fans to Digital Seat Media’s website, those in attendance will be allowed to experience digital interactive activities through the use of AR, mini-games, and sponsors.

  • Giving fans the opportunity to engage with the live content, although the two haven’t announced specific features, it’s clear to see the direction that the initiative is heading in.

Having already struck deals with multiple collegiate teams, Digital Seat Media are now looking to expand their sphere of influence.

Offering unique experiences to fans all across the country, this could change the game FOREVER!

We Need to Talk About: Tom Brady…

If The Sports Road has taught you anything, let it be this…

Sometimes in sport, things so outlandish happen that you just sit there and think to yourself: This cannot just be ignored 😳

Well, this week we were treated to one of those moments. Tom Brady is now a minority owner and chairman of the advisory board at Birmingham City FC.

For those thinking that the partnership doesn’t really make sense, in a way, we get you.

I mean, this is Tom Brady we’re talking about; the serial winning, consistent, determined, and BEST Football player of all time...

With no disrespect, what does he see in Birmingham? Bear in mind this is a team who finished at a lacklustre 17th in the Championship last season.

Alright, alright – we’re being a bit harsh. The reality is that this is a really cool move for everyone involved and actually CAN work…

Just look at Wrexham! Bought by A-list superstars Rob McElhenney and Ryan Reynolds, the team – in addition to becoming global phenoms – have already risen from Non-league into the professional ranks in England.

Injecting a vibrancy and togetherness that the club was lacking, something similar could actually occur in Birmingham.

When you consider Brady’s experience in the sports scene, that winning mentality is most definitely going to be a positive for the Blues.

“So here's the deal, I'm officially coming on board at Birmingham City Football Club… And maybe you're asking what do you know about English football, Tom? Well let's just say I've got a lot to learn. But I do know a few things about winning, and I think they may translate pretty well.”

Tom Brady

While that could be the case, the announcement saw a mixed response on social media. WIth many fans calling the appointment out as a marketing ruse, let’s hope for the best…

Quick Bites

Meme of the day

Quote of the day

"It is no secret I back Ngannou 100% in this face-off of champions. He has one hard punch, and when it lands, it’s game over. I am looking forward to working with Ngannou and supporting his transition from the octagon to the boxing ring. He isn’t a combat novice, he is a world champion. The key will be combining his energy and combat skills into his punches and using his agility to move swiftly around the ring then delivering the knock-out blow. We’re here to win.”

Mike Tyson on training Francis Ngannou

Picture of the day

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Chat to ya on Monday! ☮️