This season, 27 of 31 clubs' games will be available for in-market streaming, a big win that will keep the game in front of a new generation of fans. Video not only provides new ways to enjoy the game; it has also become an important tool for players. Technology has created many other opportunities for athletes to grow their businesses beyond what was imagined even just a few years ago.
An example is Mike Redmond, who this year became the first player to appear in on-line auctions during World Series games (Redmond used his Twitter account to announce he was selling items from his personal collection). Technology has also allowed players to learn more about the sport and improve their games in new ways. For example, coaches can study video of major league pitchers to find weaknesses in their deliveries that may lead to better pitches. Or hitters can use software that analyzes huge databases of swing patterns to find trends that can help them improve their swings.
Technology has had a huge impact on how games are broadcast, as well. MLB.tv continues to expand its offering of live sports streaming with a focus on lower-cost plans. In addition, several teams have their own online channels that provide exclusive content not seen on TV.
The most visible effect of technology on baseball comes from using social media. Social media has become an important tool for players to interact with fans while they're on the road.
Television has also altered how sports leagues run. To reach additional TV markets, all of the main professional sports have increased the number of teams. The National Hockey League (NHL), for example, has expanded from six to thirty clubs. This allows more games to be televised and increases revenue sharing with its clubs.
Another effect of television is that sports now play a major role in attracting viewers to networks. Sports provide much needed drama and action that can help make up for poor programming on other days. Baseball and football alone account for almost half of all network entertainment advertising. In fact, during NFL season, you can be sure that many people will watch TV just to see what game will be played that day.
Finally, sports have become a major part of society's culture. Everyone from little kids to seniors watch sports games. And they all have their own opinion about who will win or lose. As sports become more popular, we can expect to see more changes keep coming our way.
Because, if you can wait approximately a half-century, this unthinkable situation may become a reality. According to HTC and Futurizon's "Future of Football" research, which forecasts how technology will impact the sport over the next 50 years. In order to explain what they mean, let's go through each element of the game one by one.
Hacking
In 2019, a computer hacker can easily manipulate or disrupt the outcome of a soccer match by using software that can control some of the most important elements of the game. For example, a cyberattack could change the result of a match by causing a player to be sent off or show a blatant penalty incident that wasn't committed by the opposing team.
The hacking industry is growing at an incredible rate, with new attacks being developed all the time. So it's not hard to imagine a world where even the most sophisticated football clubs are vulnerable to attack. Imagine if Chelsea were defeated in a single moment by a group of hackers!
Wireless Technology
It's no secret that modern sports stadiums are huge warehouses full of people sitting on chairs watching a ball roll around a field. The industry has been working on technology that would make sports venues more interactive and increase attendance rates for decades.
The NBA and its clubs have been especially receptive to new ideas and technology. The league is now permeated with advanced statistics, wearable technology, and other innovations. These and other advancements are altering the way people watch, analyze, and play the game.
Technology has had a major impact on the NBA's business operations as well. Social media has become an important tool for players, coaches, and teams to communicate with their fans. New technologies have also made it easier for businesses to do marketing with the NBA. Google Analytics and Facebook Ads are just two examples of how technology is being used by companies to market to fans.
In addition to these changes, basketball itself is evolving due to modern trends in science and medicine. Some sports scientists believe that 3-point shots will one day be banned because they're too dangerous. Other changes could include a return to a more open offense or the legalization of handballs. No matter what happens in the future, only one thing can be guaranteed: Basketball will be different next year.
Here are some other facts about the effect of technology on the NBA:
90% of NBA fans use social media. That's according to a survey conducted by Omniture in 2014.
Facebook is by far the most popular platform among NBA fans.
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