Twenty years earlier, not being able to watch your favorite team play in their big game used to be a disappointing experience, not just because of missing the game, but because of having to wait till the next day to catch the results in the paper or hear it from their friends.
Advances in technology enable information to be shared instantly. Currently, fans can watch, record, and replay a game on the device of their choice from any location. News updates can also be quickly shared to smartphones in a few seconds. What’s more, a lot of news channels these days offer phone apps that can send quick notifications to smartphones the moment something big happens.
The introduction of technology into the sports industry has been steady over the years, improving their involvement and appreciation of the game. Thanks to social media, fans can easily engage with their favorite teams like never before.
But, what are the top technology or best innovations that are making sports better?
Read to find out.
Table of Contents
#1 – Instant Replay
Instant Replay is perhaps the most remarkable technological innovation being used in sports today. The technology enables officials to go back in time and see what exactly happened, allowing a second perspective on sports events. Instant replay is typically used in games like American football, soccer, cricket, rugby, and other combat sports. Nevertheless, FIFA prohibited using instant replays on screens in sports arenas during the 2010 World Cup for the fear that it might provoke fans to behave untowardly.
Instant Replays are very much real, and it is up to every individual league and sport to embrace this practice to ensure accuracy. Replay is now a vital part of the NFL, MLB, and ATP. Both athletes and fans want to ensure the game is fair, and correcting mistakes is the only way to make sure the game is played the right way.
#2 – A Better Understanding of the Game
With many sports and their complex rules lining the industry, it is only right that we require a pointer or two here and there. But, thanks to technology, understanding what is going on in a game is a lot easier now than it used to be previously.
ESPN Axis is an excellent example of how important things are highlighted right using this method. ESPN Axis portrays the complexities of a game in a revolutionary way—it shows the players who scored, why, and who could have stopped it.
This prevents people from never getting lost as sports fans and gives them something to look forward to for the next time a game return. Additionally, it also helps them draw valuable insights they can leverage when online sports betting.
#3 – Better Equipment
In the sports arena, the equipment used is just as important as the athlete using it. Currently, the industry has traded in wood and rubber for titanium and nylon. While all areas of the games have been significantly influenced, the most significant technological advancements can be seen in the case of tennis rackets and golf clubs
What’s more, everything from shoes to dry-fit shirts has changed vastly then from now. So the evolution was totally natural, and it has been nothing but great for all sports enthusiasts.
#4 – More Connected to Athletes
Many people consider Twitter to be a controversial topic, so why not address it in this section. The idea behind Twitter is brilliant, as agreed by millions of users. But what makes the platform unique is the fact that it brings the world of professional sports and professional fandom together, allowing fans to engage with athletes directly.
A great example of the benefits of social networks is Dwight Howard’s Twitter day. On this day, he tweeted where he would be to give his fans a chance to meet him. Fans found this connection extremely precious as they invest so much time and energy into these athletes, and Dwight chose to give them something back.
#5 – Open Up Small Markets
The internet is pretty useful for everything and everyone, particularly big companies. However, it has also helped a lot of small-market teams stay afloat and relevant. Every team can set up a website that users can visit to find more information about the players, the last game the team played, or to simply browse through blogs full of information and opinions.
Without this access, it is hard to imagine a market in cities like Kansas City, Milwaukee, and Portland.
About Carson Derrow
