The Next Big Thing...

August 02, 2023

Morning! Welcome back to The Sports Road – the newsletter that reminds you that sport isn’t actually too dissimilar from our day-to-day lives. I mean, things are just ALWAYS changing… You know the drill: sports, tech, funnies, cringes, and more 😅 Enjoy!

Here's what we got for ya today:

  • The Next BIG Thing

  • The Future of Basketball

  • Sports Most Immersive Experience

  • Straight to The Top!

Most Valuable Sports Teams:

Let's get into it!

It’s Time…

It’s that time of the year again…

High risk, high reward, bragging rights, excitement, and a whole lot of fun. Ladies and gentleman, fantasy Football is back!

And guess what. Technology could be changing it forever… For those of you who are seasoned Sports Road veterans, you would have remembered us talking about a certain ‘new’ fantasy sports collection game a few months ago – Sorare.

Ever since, the game has only gone from strength to strength, partnering with top influencers in the industry and garnering over three million users.

Combining your favourite elements of digital cryptocurrencies with sport, what’s not to love!?

With the goal – like any fantasy game – to build the best squad possible, the game came with a twist… Players only come in the form of NFT’s.

Originally only being able to buy these using digital currencies, in an announcement that could shake the game to its core, the company stated that players will be able to be bought using cash.

Representing a massive shift in the structure of how people interact with its content, the game will now be opened up to a far larger audience and could push into becoming the world’s biggest fantasy collectible operation.

Partnering with Mangopay, users will now be able to create a cash wallet linked to their bank accounts where funds can be withdrawn to buy packs, cards, and more.

Accepting a variety of currencies, Sorare is looking to accommodate a global audience.

“Sorare is built using blockchain technology because we believe it can deliver unique benefits to sports fans and fantasy gamers in the form of proven authenticity, scarcity, and portability. However, new technologies must be accessible to all if they are to fulfil their potential. The launch of Cash Wallet is key to our goal of making Sorare as simple and user-friendly as possible for all sports fans.”

Nicolas Julia, Sorare Chief Executive

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!

Want to improve performances? Learn a new sport? Push yourself like never before? Well, look no further than SportGPT.

Acting as your very own AI sports coach, our platform allows anyone – from amateurs to athletes – access to world class coaching anytime, anywhere, and for whatever need!

With our system evolving right alongside you, by using your unique progress, results will be optimised to help you realise whatever athletic need you have!

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://sportgpt.ai/ for more

Basketball: The Future

Overtime Elite (OTE). Ever heard of 'em’?

If not, get ready to be shocked. This is VERY cool…

Based in Atlanta, OTE is a professional Basketball league. Sounds pretty generic, we know. The twist? The league is only for 16-20 year olds!

Offering top youth talents the opportunities to showcase their skills across a fair and more health-conscious landscape, the league’s success speaks for itself.

In fact, it’s the very league that produced twin sensations Amen and Ausar Thompson – both of whom featured as top five NBA picks…

So, for good reason, you may be wondering why we’re talking about them; and it makes sense. But when you consider the strides being made to develop young talent recently, things start to fall into place.

With it being harder than ever for young talent to make it to the elite level of sport, both leagues and players are in a constant battle to try and find technologies that could set them apart.

Well, this may just be it… Let us explain.

Partnering with BreakAway Data, OTE plans to revolutionise shooting technique analysis.

  • Using biomechanics shooting lab technology, the two will analyse shooting techniques in ways never seen before.

  • Using eight distinct cameras, analyses will be focused on tracking all 24 different joints used in shooting. Generating thousands of data points, the report will focus on three aspects – set point, shot sequencing, and release point.

  • The data achieved will be used in coaching and analysis to push players to the next level and help young talent unlock their potential.

"I thought it was very informative… Not everything works for everybody, but that [data] can't really be a bad thing. It can only help to get as much information as possible. I felt like that's what it gave us."

Amen Thompson on the technology

Feel The Game!

Cosm – the global tech company on a mission to immerse sports fans like never before…

A couple of weeks back, we spoke about the company’s deal with the UFC. Specifically we spoke about how it could look and why it would work.

Combining forces, the two promised to change the face of sports broadcasting. Being a sport wherein fans tend to have deeper connections with individuals, staying up close to the action is hugely important.

That’s exactly why Cosm is here. Presenting UFC events in their 8K immersive experience, fans are actually able to replicate the feeling of being inside the arena without having to travel (and pay) the amount normally needed.

In fact, fans will be able to view the event in Cosm’s ‘Shared Reality’ experience.

Giving the feeling of watching cageside, the immersive experience uses a series of lighting and software to replicate an in-arena type atmosphere.

Why is this all important, you ask? Well, it looks like the company is expanding!

That’s right. Following last weekend’s UFC event – which was described by the crowd as hugely successful – it looks like Cosm are beginning construction on a new arena.

Set to be 65,000 square feet, the huge arena will only be the second of its kind. Being built in Texas, the arena will allow fans in the region an unforgettable experience!

We Need to Talk About: The Future of Women’s Football

This Summer has been nothing short of HUGE for the Women’s game!

I mean, from the World Cup, to huge signings, and now massive sponsorships, the game is finally getting the recognition it deserves.

With the sport growing at a rapid pace, it looks as though companies – especially those within the tech industry – are taking notice.

Just look at what’s already been done this summer… To name a few, we’ve seen experts in AI, Web3, and more already make their mark!

So, what now? Well, it looks like club Football is getting in on the action.

Signing an expansion on their multi-year deal, Ebay and the FIGC (Italian FA) have decided on a whole lot of new perks…

  • The deal will see Ebay become the Serie A Femminile’s new title sponsor, offering more opportunity for recognition and global expansion

  • By signing the deal, the commerce giant is showing the league’s potential. Being only the league’s second year in the professional realm, to already have such deals is huge!

“We announce an extraordinary collaboration for the world of football as a whole because it is based on the sharing of a path of values and training as well as on the recognition of the role of women in our world which, after the experimentation of the last championship, now takes on an even wider dimension.”

Gabriele Gravina, President of the FIGC

Quick Bites

Meme of the day

Quote of the day

"Every kid around the world who plays soccer wants to be Pele. I have a great responsibility to show them not just how to be like a soccer player, but how to be like a man."

Pele

Picture of the day

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Chat to ya on Friday! ☮️