If you were to take a walk around New York City this weekend, you’ll probably notice a buzz. Well, there’s always a buzz in NYC, but this is a very different, very distinct sort of buzz. The buzz that only a highly anticipated baseball game will give you. That’s right, on the 24th of July, the New York Yankees will be coming up against the Mets – a rivalry that has become one of the most famous matchups in the baseball season.
It has been this way since 1962 when the Mets and the Yankees clashed for the very first time. But while the buzz that occurs throughout the city remains the same, the way we watch the game is going to be very different.
It’s going to be in color, for one thing. But apart from the obvious changes that have occurred since 1962, there have been many more that have occurred only in the last twenty or so years, and these can be applied to all sports. We thought it was a good opportunity, then, to take a look at these changes, and discover how technology has changed the way we watch our favourite matchups.
Take a Wager
The first – and perhaps more prominent – change can be found in the sport betting industry. As of 2024, this industry is worth a whopping $235 billion, and it’s only expected to grow over the next five years. A big reason for this is technology.
For people who are going to bet on New York sport matchups like the Mets and the Yankees, their first port of call will be online betting platforms, including mobile apps where bets can be made in real time.
This – along with the data, tools, and algorithms that are bolstered by machine learning and AI – has made betting far more widespread and accessible to the masses.
Watch from Anywhere, Anytime
Speaking of accessibility, this is another area in which technology has changed the sporting landscape. Going back to that good ol’ New York buzz that we were talking about earlier if you were to rewind thirty years, that buzz would be more or less exclusive to the city. Sure, baseball games were broadcast live, but the viewing figures were tiny compared to what we see today.
Thanks to online platforms like ESPN+, Amazon Prime Video, and even Netflix, many sporting occasions are beamed worldwide, giving every fan the opportunity to get involved. Furthermore, fans are no longer restricted to live broadcast times. With replays, highlights, and full matches available to watch at their convenience, the emphasis is put on the viewers, not the broadcasters.
Finding the Sport for You
Thanks to the modification of technology – specifically, AI and machine learning – more of the right sports are being put in front of the right people. What we mean by that is simple. It all comes down to algorithms. When you’re browsing platforms like the ones mentioned earlier, algorithms are analyzing your viewing habits to recommend certain sports, games, highlights, and related content tailored to your individual preferences.
If you’re an American football fan, for instance, you have a high chance of enjoying rugby, too – and while you might not know this, the algorithm will. By analyzing your viewing data and behaviors, the algorithm can identify certain patterns and similarities in content, and it can cross-reference the patterns with a dataset of other users who share similar interests. The next thing you know, a rugby highlight reel is being put in front of you, and you have the opportunity to become a fan of another sport you might never have given a chance before.
Boosting Our Abilities
Technology has also significantly transformed the way athletes perform. One of the ways it has done this is through wearable technology.
In 2024, many athletes regularly monitor their performance, using fitness trackers and heart rate monitors to track metrics including their heart rate, their calories, and their sleeping patterns. Wearables can also detect signs of fatigue or overtraining, helping to prevent injuries by alerting athletes and their coaches.
Assisting Coaches
Speaking of coaches, the ability to understand a team – or an athlete – has become a lot easier through video analysis. One day, when the prices drop, every video production house will soon have access to this technology. With high-speed cameras and detailed software, it’s possible to get a far more reliable insight into what makes a team tick, including their movements, techniques, strategies, and fitness.
Even biomechanical analysis is getting more popular in recent years, with motion capture tech analyzing the biomechanics of athletes to identify areas for improvement. This is part of the reason why a game of baseball, American football, or tennis looks different now compared to thirty years ago. In a way, we’re watching optimized athletes – athletes that have the right people and tech behind them to push them further, keep them safer, and make sure every game is a full-blown spectacle.