We are in the age where the advances of technology are evident year after year. Through technology, we are beginning to see drastic changes we never would have thought possible a decade ago. The world of sport was not immune to this disruption and, in fact, could be the reason why sports and sporting events continue on into the future.

 

1. Virtual reality is on the rise

 

First came the radio, then TV. What’s next? It could be virtual reality. In recent years, VR has been everyone’s lips. It’s in the news constantly and people are clamoring to get their hands on headsets. In the world of sports, virtual reality could shake things up. Imagine seeing the point of view of a quarterback playing a very important game. Audiences won’t have to be stuck on the stands watching the game unfold; they can actually be in the game themselves and get in on the action. The fans might actually become the players themselves all because of virtual reality. This is just one application that virtual reality could be used for.

 

2. Smart helmets and equipment

 

Sports, in general, are a dangerous activity. More people get injured in sports than any other activity. Yes, there is protective equipment and gears you can use but sometimes those are simply not enough. Take for example the case of NFL and NFL players. There are studies suggesting long-term brain damage due to repeated head trauma that happens in the sport despite having protective gear. Technology may be a viable solution to that problem through smart helmets and equipment. Whenever a player is hit in the head, the helmet could relay data to staff to evaluate the chances of a concussion happening.

 

3. Tech calling the shots

 

Referees are just human. They can’t have eyes on everything and they are certainly prone to mistakes. Thanks to technology, all that could be eliminated. VR and 360-degree cameras have become quite common in sporting events to give referees an almost limitless view of the action. Another example of tech calling the shots is in the world of soccer. FIFA has begun using goal-line technology which works with the referee to determine if a goal has been made or not.

 

4. Home team innovations

 

Player-tracking is not exclusive to major league teams; local high school teams have begun using the technology to analyze individual athlete performance. Wearables like FieldWiz and PlayerTek are worn by players to collect data and analyze it in order to help performance. Training apps are also flooding the market and are helping players customize their training routine.

 

5. Then there is eSports

 

eSport is considered by many to be a disruptive entity in the world of sports. As viewership on the traditional sports viewing platforms continues to decline, viewers on eSports continue to rise. This is another proof of how much technology and the internet is redefining the entertainment landscape. eSport could be likened to Netflix wherein people can stream their favorite sporting event, whether it is football or 먹튀폴리스 (Muktupolis), on their computer or their phone, doing away with traditional view platforms like the television.