The Landscape of Athlete Safety is Changing..

October 13, 2023

And just like that, we’re back! Bringing you a weekly fix of the very best in sports and technology, trust us, you do NOT want to miss this one… With the newest tech beginning to impact nearly every single aspect of our favourite games, stay ahead of the rest here with The Sports Road!

Here's what we got for ya today:

  • Player Safety is Changing…

  • The NBA’s Future

  • TGL: The Future is NOW

  • Oh, Snapchat…

Most Valuable Sports Teams:

Let's get into it!

The Future of Player Safety

Look, let’s not beat around the bush. While the idea of implementing new technology into sport – on paper – sounds like a great idea, sometimes it just doesn't turn out that way…

I mean, we’re all thinking the same thing, aren’t we? Yes, that was completely and totally directed at VAR. Sorry.

But on a more serious level, the potential benefits associated with different technological applications could be huge. Having the ability to improve our favourite sports in ways that – in the past – were essentially unthinkable, the depths at which new technologies could function WILL change sport forever.

And it starts here…

Although it’s a stat that no one would like to hear, concussions increased 22% last year in the NFL. With wheels already being put into motion in the league to revolutionise helmets, earlier this year we covered the NFL’s most recent innovation – position-specific helmets.

Managing to take into account the unique locations and speeds which each position utilises to offer customised protection, safety for players at the elite level took a huge leap with the technology's implementation.

However in a greater context, being one of the sports most common injuries, for younger athletes especially, something has to be done about concussions.

In Virginia Tech’s most recent College Football games, we may have caught a glimpse into how technology is being used to further safeguard younger athletes. With two offensive linemen bearing Scientifically Advanced Force Reduction (SAFR) ProTech Football helmet covers, the landmark marks the first time various Division-I players have used the technology.

Proven to reduce the risk of concussion by nearly 80%, the technology could mark the future of player safety; and, if so, long may it continue!

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Immersion Like Never Before…

We don’t need to be the ones to tell you that the NBA is absolutely massive. Being the world’s biggest Basketball league (by an absolute mile), the global appeal which the organisation holds is enormous.

I mean, just listen to the numbers… The NBA hosts an estimated 2.2 BILLION fans worldwide! For perspective, that’s nearly 30% of the world’s population…

Being the case, as you can imagine, it can get pretty difficult to accommodate for all their fans’ needs 😅😅

Luckily, that’s exactly where technology comes in…

Teaming up with AI specialists, MeetKai, the Charlotte Hornets – a household name in the NBA – have created something VERY interesting.

Modifying the already-existing concept of an online store into a proper virtual experience, fans from all over the world will be able to interact with one another while having the opportunity to get some exclusive merch at the same time!

This is what we know so far:

  • Using MeetKai’s AI digital twin technology, the Hornets could essentially create the team’s official store online.

  • With fans being able to freely explore the 3D area using their very own virtual character, global engagement is set to dramatically increase.

  • Accessing the experience through either mobile apps or web browsers, the content released will include official merchandise and other collectibles.

“As technology continues to evolve, it’s important that we meet our fans wherey are, and this is a great opportunity to enhance that connection… The Hornets Virtual Fan Shop allows fans to enjoy the gameday shopping experience from anywhere, and we’re excited to offer this innovative new opportunity.”

Fredtfield, Hornets Sports & Entertainment President & Vice Chai.

From Strength to Strength!

Guys, TGL is simply just going from strength to strength… It feels like every time we come back here there’s another huge breakthrough for the competition!

For those who haven’t heard about TGL, let us refresh your memories…

It all starts with TMRW Sports – a group co-founded by Golfing greats Tiger Woods and Rory Mcllroy. Created to harness technology in order to revolutionise the way fans interact with sports media and content, you can take a wild guess at the groups first BIG announcement.

That’s right – a new Golf tournament. Shocker, we know…

BUT, this isn’t just any old tournament. No, TGL is a virtual Golf tournament. What does that mean? Well, the games will literally be played on a virtual course…

Yeah, you heard that correctly. Powered by Full Swing, the competition will display its virtual world on a 64ft x 64ft screen

aving partnered with the PGA Tour and enlisted some of the world's most elite players, the initiative seems like it's here to stay…

So much so that this week, ESPN agreed a MULTI-YEAR deal with TMRW Sports to broadcast the event.

However, in classic fashion, this won’t be your average sports broadcast.

Presenting the competition across two hours, all players are set to wear live microphones and viewers – according to ESPN will “ have unprecedented access during competition.”

“ESPN has embraced the concept from our very first meeting and we’re looking forward to launching TGL in prime time on ESPN and bringing our teams of the PGA Tour’s biggest stars to their ESPN’s legion of sports fans. The two-hour match format has been designed for today’s sports fan, as it’s rooted in the traditions of golf, but adds technical elements that are unique to a modern, sports arena environment.”

Mike McCarley, Founder and Chief Executive of TMRW Sports and TGL

We Need to Talk About: Snapchat

Yes, you read that correctly. Once again, let us remind you that we ARE a sports centric newsletter 😅 

Alright, alright. But this probably isn’t the first time you’ve heard us talking about Snapchat recently. And – while it may not be clear at first – this actually makes A LOT of sense. Let’s get into it.

So, we’re sure you all know about Snapchat – one of the world’s most popular social media apps. In the last couple months alone, the company has worked with a number of leading sports teams, federations, and players.

Why? Well, having revolutionised the way Augmented Reality (AR) is used on a large scale, the platform offers different organisations the option to create interactive and customisable forms of the technology.

 

This – especially when you factor in the global reach which the company holds – combines to create what most sports teams would consider the perfect storm.

With that all, you may be wondering why we’re talking about Snapchat today. Unsurprisingly, this week, the LA Rams – 2022 Super Bowl winners – have signed a deal with the company.

Planning to utilise Snapchat’s expert AR services, the team is taking a – how should we put this – interesting approach to advertising…

Using the technology to – get this – LITERALLY TURN THEIR STADIUM INTO THE PACIFIC OCEAN, the Rams will be looking to engage fans into their partners, Princess Cruises, tours.

Expected to be showcased in a game soon, SOMEONE MAKE IT MAKE SENSE!

Quick Bites

Meme of the day

Quote of the day

"Let's go finish this guy. No pressure on me, baby. No pressure at all. All the pressures on him. I'm coming off the couch. You better do something about it."

Alexander Volkanovski

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