How Technology Is Transforming Sports Marketing

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The relationship between professional sports and innovative technology is closer than you might think.

Over the years, many technologies have emerged to improve the audience experience. It can also enhance a player’s athletic performance.

What’s more, new technology provides marketers with new ways to showcase a game on a grander scale.

Take a look at how technology is transforming sports marketing for the better.

Virtual Reality

Virtual reality (VR) headsets are changing the sporting experience.

The 2016 Olympics was one of the first sporting events to embrace the technology. It helped to change a sports fan’s experience, which made them feel close to an athlete during the event.

Viewers could watch 85 hours of 360 degree coverage of the tournament. It is known as “the most live Olympics ever”, as it changed the way fans experience sports in the comfort of their home.

Other sports are already adopting the technology. For instance, NextVR provided VR coverage of the 2015 NBA opening season game.

The technology has its imperfections. Yet, it is clear to see that is will become an integral part of content consumption in the future.

It’s the perfect way to experience a game when you can’t afford to fly across the world to see your favorite team.

Digital Sports Stadiums

Many sports stadiums have gone digital to simplify and enhance the fan experience.

High-speed WiFi allows fans to enjoy an improved WiFi experience. Many will be happy to take to social media to showcase a game on their timeline.

It even allows fans to go online and take a look at the best free bet offers before a game.

The arena experience has also been simplified thanks to new technologies. For instance, it’s now much easier to scan tickets, order food and locate seats.

Technology is not only improving the experience for fans in the stadium, either. International fans can feel a part of the action by sending messages to digital signage.

Data-Driven Sports

Wearable technology and optical tracking is offering unique insights into different sports.

For instance, the NFL has added a sensor into a football to track its speeds. The data is then sent to broadcasters in under half a second. Soccer and hockey players are donning wearable technology to improve their performance.

Both fans and marketers can learn more about a player and the game. For instance, they can discover a players’ distance runs, movements and peak speeds.

This can be used to develop sporting stories to capture an audience’s attention.

Social Media

Social media is having a considerable impact on sports broadcasting. Many of us love to take to the likes of Facebook, Twitter or Instagram to share a status or image about a game or event.

Nielsen has found that Facebook is a major revenue driver for a team, network and brand. They stated that a post about an NFL game 15 minutes before kickoff will attract 1,000 more viewers before play.

Technology is transforming the game in ways many may never have thought possible. Each provide a great way to connect with fans and improve the sporting experience.