Sport is something that humans have engaged in for our entire existence. It’s fun, it’s good for us, and it’s a great way to channel our competitive nature. In many ways, the sports we play today are very similar to what they have been for generations.
Although there may have been minor alterations to its rules over the years, soccer, for example, has been played for more than three centuries, while horse racing can be traced back millennia.
Yet, the sporting world has likely changed more in the last century than at any other time in its history. Thanks to social, commercial, and political factors, most sports have become organized and professionalized, making it one of the largest industries in the world.
Technology has been behind much of this commercialization. Without it, the social and commercial aspects of growth would not have been possible. There is no better example of this than television, which has helped to generate billions of dollars in revenue every year for the largest leagues, teams and players on the planet.
The NFL is the biggest winner here. The league’s 32 teams generating a combined total of $18.6 billion dollars in 2022. Not all of this came directly from television, but the huge audience that TV broadcasts bring help the league and its teams to sell more advertising and sponsorship spots, commanding higher price tags when they do.
Technological innovations continue to reshape sport, helping to make it more accessible, safer and fairer. Here are some of the most prominent ways that this is happening.
Using the Internet to Bring Fans Closer
The internet has touched almost every aspect of our lives, and sport is no different. Online streaming services are one of the best examples of this, as they have meant fans no longer have to be tethered to their televisions to watch games. Instead, they can follow the action from almost anywhere, providing they can get an internet connection.
That’s not all, though. Sports betting has been made infinitely more accessible thanks to the internet and smartphones. The wagering is not limited to game days, however, as most major sports books also have a sizable casino offering, such as live dealer games and many sports-themed slots for people who are truly fanatical about their favorite competition or team. This includes 1st Down, Baseball Bucks, and Football Glory, all of which include themed graphics and realistic sound effects to help players feel closer to the action.
Just as they do with sports betting, many bookmakers offer promotions for casino players. For example, new players can find a generous Fanatic Sportsbook bonus on platforms such as Oddschecker when they make their first deposit, giving a boost to their bankroll.
Improving Safety
Safety is a crucial part of modern sport. No one wants someone to be injured, or worse, for the entertainment of others. Professional leagues have teams of people dedicated to improve the safety of their players.
Nowhere is this more visible than in motorsport. Since the tragic death of Ayrton Senna in 1994, Formula 1 has been constantly pushing the boundaries of what is possible by using material science to strengthen cars and complex engineering to design vehicles that deform in a safer manner during an accident.
In more recent years, even more technical elements have been deployed. For example, drivers now wear a bionic glove while seated in the car. This allows the sport’s safety team to monitor the vital signs of a driver following an accident, even before they’ve arrived at the crash site.
Buying Tickets
In addition to revolutionizing how we watch games, technology has also made buying tickets online easier than ever before. Gone are the days of waiting in long lines or trying to secure tickets over the phone. With just a few clicks or taps on a smartphone, fans can now find the best site for baseball tickets, basketball, football or whatever they like. They can then purchase tickets to their favorite sporting events from the comfort of their own homes. Online ticketing platforms offer convenience, allowing fans to choose their seats, compare prices, and even receive digital tickets instantly via email or mobile app. This accessibility has not only simplified the ticket-buying process but has also opened up opportunities for fans to attend events they may not have been able to access otherwise. Whether it’s for a local match or a major championship, buying tickets online has become an integral part of the modern sports fan experience.
Better Officiating
Rules are an important part of sport as they help to keep the competition fair between all the participants. However, when so much is at stake, some players and teams will do whatever it takes to acquire an advantage over their rivals.
Therefore, referees are an important part of the game as they are the arbiter of these rules. However, a ref only has one set of eyes. They are bound by biology, so can’t see things in slow motion and may not always be looking in the right place. That’s where technology is stepping in.
High-speed cameras and sensors are being deployed in many professional sports to provide better and more accurate enforcement of the laws governing games. This includes the NHL, most major soccer leagues, and tennis. It’s just one more way that technology is being used to improve sport.
