Football Fans Will NOT Like This...

June 12, 2023

Jeez, what a weekend… In a series of sporting events that would have even the most casual fans glued to the TV, you would be forgiven for missing a couple of things. Luckily for you, that’s why we’re here. Bringing you the latest and craziest news in the sports tech world, expect some laughs, cringes, and disappointments. Enjoy!

Here's what we got for ya today:

  • VAR: What to NOT Expect

  • AI: Too Far?

  • This AI Will Coach You

  • Treble Winners! 

Most Valuable Sports Teams:

Let's get into it!

WHEN WILL IT END!?!

There’s no talking about technology in Football without mentioning VAR.

Whether you’re for its use or against it, one thing is certain – SOMETHING NEEDS TO CHANGE!

While being an idea that – in theory – we all should want, it just doesn’t seem to be the case.

Why? Well, maybe some of these will help…

With mistake after mistake, many fans were wondering where a change was gonna come from. During the World Cup, though, we were introduced to a potentially game-changing technology; one that could solve some of the biggest issues facing VAR.

Yep, we’re talking about semi-automated offside technology. Using 12 dedicated tracking cameras, the system was able to use breakthroughs in AI to track up to 29 data points in each individual player, 50 times per second.

Including limbs and other extremities in the data points used, the AI combined with an inertial measurement unit (IMU) sensor placed inside the ball to accurately portray different offside decisions.

With the process taking only a few seconds – considering it has also been a success in nearly every trial it's performed in – it would be a no brainer for the Premier League to implement it, right?

No. In a decision that – at this point – probably will have surprised none of us, the Premier League has rejected its use.

Opting to add a mere four more cameras instead, expect some more interesting calls 😂.

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Has AI Gone Too Far?

While recently it seemed as though following their playing careers athletes had found their post-retirement places as social media personalities, it looks like things are ever so slightly changing.

Instead of presenting themselves as ‘real life’ figures, recently many have focused on creating digital avatars to mimic their real life selves.

I swear, this place gets crazier every day man… Sorry, sidetracked.

Just two weeks ago we spoke about Carmelo Anthony’s new AI twin. You know, the generative AI that’ll make you feel like you’re talking to an NBA superstar…

But really, from Khabib to NFL stars, having digitised versions of themselves, athletes have been able to engage with fans to an extent never really seen before. In a weird, distorted sort of way, you could actually create a personal relationship with your favourite athlete.

And why not? I mean, with AI’s capabilities to accurately match and recreate voice, mannerisms, and more, an athlete's esteemed career could be immortalised forever… And today, that’s the very reason we’re talking about it.

Planning to drop a three part series following the life of NBA legend, Wilt Chamberlain, Showtime are looking to highlight specific elements of his career.

Set to premier next month, the documentary will implement a VERY unique technique that not everyone will agree with…

In a surprising move, creators will use AI to recreate Chamberlain’s voice and essentially have him narrate his own show!

Planning to capture all aspects of his story, the use of AI should work to further immerse viewers and drive home the powerful themes which directors are looking to portray.

Improve Your Game With ChatGPT

Using VR to aid in skill development for sport isn’t something new. For good reason, as well.

In addition to making you feel as though you’re some sort of secret agent from the future – is that only me? Nevermind – training in VR minimises risks of injury, is more accessible, captures accurate data, and more.

Already used by MMA stars, Hockey athletes, and more, its use actually seems like a no brainer.

A no brainer until you consider the one thing it lacks. Not offering access to an actual coach, it can be difficult to properly pinpoint where improvements need to be made…

This, though, may just well change the game FOREVER. To be honest, this may just be the next big step up in VR training.

Want to improve your Golf swing? I think we know just the place…

With Golf being one of the most accurately recreated sports in VR, many different apps have managed to match the dynamics of different real life swings.

Using your own motion to shape the trajectory of a swing, a person's output in the virtual world wouldn’t actually be too dissimilar to that of their performance on an actual golf course.

With that, Swing Genius can help bring you to the next level.

How, you ask? Well, in pairing VR’s pre-existing Golf technology with elements of GPT-4 language models, after each swing, players will receive spoken feedback.

Analysing each shot, the platform also uses in-game markers to train, coach, and eventually improve your Golf game.

Who knows, maybe YOU can become the next Gareth Bale. I mean, Tiger Woods 😅 

We Need to Talk About: Manchester City

Where else would we end today’s newsletter…

One of the best teams EVER, History Makers, Treble Winners, FFP Cheats. Sorry, we had to…

MANCHESTER CITY HAVE DONE IT! Lifting the Champions League, Pep Guardiola’s team of unstoppable talent have finally written their names into the books with Europe’s most elite ever.

Winning the FA Cup and Premier League as well, City have become the first British team in over 20 years, and second ever, to win the treble.

Charged by the world’s most powerful AI, Erling Haaland, it’s fitting that the season ended with yet another record broken by the club.

“It was not going to be any different. Inter are really, really good. Antonio Conte has a very similar style. They find the strikers. They link really well. They keep the ball. We were so anxious… This f***ing trophy is so difficult to win. It's impossible.”

Pep Guardiola

With the game having been played at a knife's edge for the entire 90 minutes, two things stood out.

Rodri’s goal, and Ederson’s save on Lukaku’s header. Sometimes in Football, moments have to go your way. Yesterday, they went to Man City. Congrats!

Quick Bites

Meme of the day

Quote of the day

"Double champion forever."

Amanda Nunes

Photo of the day

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Chat to ya on Monday! ☮️