A SmartBall?!

Morning! Since you last saw us, quite a few things have happened… Man City are quite good, aren’t they 😅 Well, today is all about how your favourite sports are trying to help others reach that sort of level. Here are some of the biggest sport tech stories you may have missed this week – Enjoy!

Here's what we got for ya today:

• The Future of Rugby

• Feel The Game

• A Big Partnership

• History in The Making

Most valuable public market sports teams

Let's get into it!

Rugby’s New Smart Ball

Ah, it’s been a good while since we’ve spoken about a ‘Smart’ innovation.

The need for high-level data analysis seems more important than ever in today's sporting landscape. And hey, it makes sense. I mean, who doesn’t want to watch the best athletes in the world maximising their potential?

Now though, it seems as though organisations within sport are willing to try anything to achieve that. From the ‘Smart Hoop’ to the ‘Smart Sock’, things are getting pretty crazy…

Well, it doesn’t look like it’s going to stop there. Introducing: The ‘Smart Ball’

It’s no secret that Rugby is one of the most difficult sports to referee. With some fans claiming that only five percent of infringements are penalised (we’re not so sure about that 😅), there seems to be an obvious issue with officiating in its current state.

Not wanting to reduce the game's fast-paced nature, the balance between making the right decisions against those that will dampen the experience is surprisingly thin…  

Using the Smart Ball, officials will be allowed never-before-available data within seconds. Whether it be about throwing direction, crooked throws, or tries grounded on the line, the level of officiating is about to dramatically increase.

Developed in a partnership between Sportable and GIlbert, it’s said that the ball will track the ball’s position in 3D and provide real-time updates up to 20 times per second.

Trialling the technology in June’s Under-20 World Cup, the tournament will also see a card review system similar to Football’s VAR.

Look, while there have been *many* issues with technology in referee decisions, it should hopefully create a fairer and, by extension, higher quality game.

An Experience Unlike Any Other…

As fans, there isn’t really a better feeling than being completely immersed into a game.

Reacting to every movement as if it’s your own or feeling the ups and downs of the game as if you were playing are just some of the reasons we love it.

Usually happening during a big game, a large majority of recent tech innovation has been centred around engaging fans like never before. 

Well, that’s exactly what MindFly are doing… 

Signing a deal with Basketball’s Euroleague, the way we consume sport may be changing forever – Here’s how:

• Using their body-cam technology, fans will be able to watch the game from a player’s view. Yes, you read that correctly

• Using AI-ultralight technology, cameras will be able to seamlessly attach to players and ensure that the cameras don’t interfere with player performance 

• These angles will be able to be watched during and after the game

• The experience includes audio, providing further levels of immersion to the audience

Having already partnered with sporting giants like Man City, Bayern Munich, and many more, who’s to say this type of AI broadcasting won’t become a permanent fix in sport.  

Data, Data, Data

Like we said, data holds more value than ever right now.

When it comes to finding the next superstar, there isn’t a better way to determine their trajectory. 

Being able to expertly analyse a player's stats offers teams an insight unlike any other. And to be clear, we aren’t just talking about base stats…  

In a deal struck between Gemini and Genius Sports, scouting is about to change forever.

This is what we know so far:

• Already being partners with the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA), Genius will be providing Gemini with a variety of different Basketball and Football data  

• Using their AI-powered predictive capabilities, Gemini will then analyse the data to better advise professional teams how to proceed

In an effort to ease recruitment pressures from sports teams, the partnership could pave the way for some of the world's most exciting talents.

With fewer than 2% of NCAA athletes making it professional, this advanced AI tool could work to increase that number. Singling out areas which players could improve, we could see those with high ceilings break through at an even higher rate.

We Need to Talk About: The Champions League

THE OPPORTUNITY OF A LIFETIME!

Ah, we all love an underdog story…

The Champions League FInal has been decided. Inter Milan vs Manchester City.

Now, like us, you probably didn’t expect to see at least one of these teams here. And we don’t blame you. In fact, since reaching the Final in 2010, Inter haven’t even reached the Quarters since 2011. 

Sitting in third place in their domestic league and having a 37 year-old Edin Dzeko as their starting striker, it’s fair to say that things – how do we put this – aren’t necessarily looking too favourable for them.

And that’s no knock on Inter. I mean, they absolutely ran through their rivals AC Milan in the semis.

But this Man City team is something else. Destroying 14 time winners Real Madrid 4-0, Guardiola’s team are on course for a treble.

Spearheaded by superstars like Erling Haaland (Football’s real life robot) and Kevin De Bruyne, it really feels as though nothing can stop them right now.

Never having won a champions league before, this could be Man City fans’ time to celebrate. All five of them.

 Quick bites

• Bad News: Ivan Toney in big trouble

• The Sky is The Limit: How far can City go?

• F1: McLaren calls for BIG changes

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Chat to ya on Friday! ☮️