Tennis is Changing FOREVER!

August 28, 2023

Happy Monday everyone, and welcome back to another edition of The Sports Road! Hopefully you all enjoyed your weekend, and are ready to attack the week ahead… If not, we’re here to help you out 😅 Enjoy!

Here's what we got for ya today:

  • The Future of Tennis

  • Rugby is Changing…

  • Baseball’s Next STAR

  • VAR, VAR, VAR

Most Valuable Sports Teams:

Let's get into it!

The Future of Tennis!

Seeing as the first round of this year's US Open starts today, we thought there’s no better place to kick off this week’s newsletter.

With that, you may be wondering what this story will be about… Today’s games? The athletes competing? Expectations? Predictions?

No, of course not. I mean, do you know who we are 😂😂 

Today is all about (drumroll please 🥁🥁🥁) ROBLOX! And as you may have assumed, this isn’t the first time we’ve spoken about the game either.

Becoming – in many ways – a major player in the sports world, partnerships between the online platform and some of sports’ most important organisations actually holds more benefits than you may think…

Acting as a sort of mini dip into the Metaverse, Roblox offers a unique opportunity for organisations to expand their viewership, engage younger fans, and create unforgettable experiences.

Having already worked with FIFA, the NHL, NFL, Wimbledon, and more, to say the partnerships have been successful is a definite understatement!

So, for good reason, take a guess at this week’s newest announcement. That’s right…

Roblox x The US Open 🎉 This is what we know so far:

  • Creating an immersive experience on the platform, the United States Tennis Association (USTA) are looking to bring a newer and different set of fans to the sport.

  • Coming equipped with a number of mini games, side quests, and challenges, fans will be able to directly engage with the sport in relation to both its history and future.

  • Developed in partnership with Doppelgänger, a company who excel in everything Metaverse, will combine multiple different elements of the sport and highlight the significance of the tournament.

“Utilising new platforms to bring the US Open experience to new generations of fans is always a priority for us… Roblox has provided a great platform for us to do that, as we hope to engage as many new fans with an incredible, authentic experience that serves as an entry point to both the US Open and the sport of tennis.”

Brian Ryerson, Senior Director of Digital Strategy at the United States Tennis Association

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

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Rugby is Changing FOREVER!

If we’re on the topic of engaging new fans through technology, let’s talk a bit about Rugby…

In a sport that largely has a reputation for acting against change, World Rugby’s newest announcement is sure to turn heads and possibly bring in some new ones… 

With most people tending to agree that the sport doesn’t hold the same global attraction as others, something had to change.

And what better way is there to bring more eyes to your product than by creating your very own global streaming platform!

That’s right. Soon enough, you’ll be able to enjoy Rugby content unlike ever before…

Being the first ever of its kind ‘RugbyPass TV’ is a core element of World Rugby’s plan to deepen fan engagement and build new viewership.

Showcasing a variety of content from live games, to archived videos, and exclusive original documentaries and programs, the platform will cover the sport in its entirety and give fans scope into what really happens on, but more importantly, off the pitch.

In addition to that, the platform will also act as a hub for fans to consume data, statistics, and other information about their favourite players and teams.

Powered through Endeavor Streaming’s Vesper platform, RugbyPass TV will be available for use on computers, phones, and smartTV’s.

With the service being free of charge, this really does have the potential to change the game FOREVER!

“This is a statement of intent to set the sport up for success, for all our unions, regions and the wider rugby ecosystem, and a result of a significant business transformation to convert our vision into meaningful growth outcomes. RugbyPass TV will deepen connections with audiences and accelerate growth beyond our traditional markets.”

Alan Gilpin, World Rugby Chief Executive

Baseball’s Next Big Thing…

In today’s sporting landscape, one thing stands stronger and truer than ever: DATA IS POWER!

Alright, alright. To put it less dramatically, let’s just say that clubs who value statistical analysis and, importantly, have access to some of the world's best data tend to perform just that bit better…

I mean, just look at Brighton! While they may have lost this week, in revolving their training, recruitment, and performance around statistical data they have SHOT up the Premier League table.

Having become an official MLB partner only a couple years ago, the Pioneer League (PBL) stands as an independent Baseball league dedicated to showcasing some of America’s best ‘unknown’ talents.

Being the case, it’s often pretty difficult to determine what makes players stand out. Well, that’s exactly why Baseball Cloud is here.

Striking a partnership with the PBL late last week, Baseball Cloud harnesses sports technology to create software solutions to collect and analyse Baseball data.

Having already worked with the MLB and multiple other Baseball organisations, the software could actually help detect the sports next big thing…

Remember how we said the PBL is a partner of the MLB? Well, a big part of that is the handover of elite young talent.

Aiding in spotting these youngsters through underlying stats, it could be time to get excited…

“We are excited to partner with the Pioneer League to provide our industry-leading in-game data and analytics tools to their teams and tryout camps… Our advanced metrics and analysis will help PBL teams make more informed decisions and support their development on the field. It will also offer valuable insights to players participating in tryout camps, to help these talented players grow and compete at the highest level.”

Kevin Davidson, CEO of BaseballCloud

We Need to Talk About: VAR

I mean, when do we not…

Ah, here we go again. So VAR, what now?

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

Why? Just look at last weekend… From blatant diving, to missed penalty checks, and a potential catch outside of the box, it’s fair to say VAR didn’t cover itself in glory…

I mean, come on… How many times in the last couple seasons have you been watching a game and thought to yourself: “How ON EARTH have they come to that decision!?”

Well, we may have just found out. And let us tell you it does NOT make for pretty hearing if you’re a big Football fan…

Before we get into it though, remember this?

Happening at the start of last season, the fairly blatant penalty shout was dismissed and, importantly, unchecked by VAR.

Denying Chelsea the opportunity of breathing room before a late Harry Kane equaliser, fans were left confused at the lack of action. Until now…

"It's one of them where if I had my time again, what would I do? I'd send Anthony [Taylor] to the screen. I think I knew if I did send him to the screen… he's cautioned both managers, he's had a hell of a game, it's been such a tough game end to end… I said to Anthony afterwards: 'I just didn't want to send you to the screen after what has gone on in the game… I didn't want to send him up because he is a mate as well as a referee and I think I didn't want to send him up because I didn't want any more grief than he already had.”

Mike Dean, VAR Referee of the game

Not a good look… With VAR being implemented to aid the on-field officials, this whole situation feels weird and – in many ways – can be used to describe the technology in its current form.

Quick Bites

Meme of the day

Quote of the day

“This needs to go further, it needs to be pushed. I should be a world champion right now. It wasn’t justice. It needs to be called out and go further than living this lie. They just cheated out there.”

Daniel Dubois on his loss to Usyk

Picture of the day

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Chat to ya on Wednesday! ☮️