Millions of people will wake up today, visit a news-related website, and discover that OpenAI is rolling out the latest version of its state-of-the-art chatbot, ChatGPT. ChatGPT-4o promises to be faster and more accurate than its predecessors, can sound more human, and comes with new features such as identifying emotions from visual expressions. While tools like ChatGPT are becoming commonplace, artificial intelligence is much more than chatbots and image-creation software; it is transforming industries, including the world of professional sports.
The professional sports industry and industries intrinsically linked to it are massive. The average value of a National Football League (NFL) team is $5.1 billion, with the aggregate value of all 32 franchises weighing in at $163 billion. Sports broadcasting is worth another $75 billion, while the global sports betting market, including those providing betting apps in Texas, was last valued at $235 billion annually and is rising.
Professional sports are fiercely fought, particularly those played at the highest level. The margins between winning and losing are minute, resulting in teams doing everything they can to find an edge on and off the field of play. Utilizing artificial intelligence in player development, performance analysis, injury prevention, and game strategies and tactics is becoming increasingly common, and the use of AI will only increase as the technology improves.
Current Applications of AI in Professional Sports
Watch any English Premier League game, and you are watching a soccer match where AI is always working in the background. Players may remove their jerseys at the end of a game, and you’ll see that player sporting a vest. That vest is packed with the latest artificial intelligence tracking and monitoring technology.
Tools like Catapult and STATSports provide wearable technology that tracks dozens of player metrics, including speed and acceleration, heart and breathing rate, distance covered, and a player’s position on the field. These tools enable coaches to analyze every play and player movement in incredible detail, helping those coaches make real-time decisions and devise strategies.
Injury prevention and recovery is another area in professional sports where artificial intelligence plays an ever-increasing role. Data from wearable technology can be analyzed in real time and used to predict the likelihood of a player becoming injured. For example, their speed during sprints may be slightly reduced, their heart rate elevated, and their movement may not be as slick or smooth. Pitch and weather conditions can be fed into machine-learning algorithms to make even more accurate predictions.
If a player becomes injured, AI can design highly personalized rehabilitation programs based on the individual player’s specific injury, history, and recovery stage. Such in-depth analysis and customization enable medical staff to help the player recover faster and return to playing the game they love.
AI plays a significant role in how teams develop sophisticated tactics and strategies. AI-driven video analysis software like Hudl and Wyscout lets coaches break down game footage in incredible detail. Such tools automatically highlight key events in a game, making it easier for coaches to review and refine strategies.
Similarly, many teams use AI as part of their game-planning process. They use swathes of data about their opponents to identify strengths, weaknesses, and even player tendencies in specific scenarios. Identifying patterns is crucial in sports like American football, where teams have dozens of plays in their playbook as they try to keep the opposition on their toes.
Enhancing Fan Engagement
AI is transformational not only on the field or court but also away from it. Fans not only provide support from the stands but are also one of the primary drivers of a team’s revenue. Loyal fans attend games, purchase food and drinks in the stadium, buy merchandise, and more. Fans engaged with a team are more likely to support it financially.
Chatbots and virtual assistants help enhance fan interaction. Teams use these powerful tools to handle customer service inquiries and provide game information, with some being able to sell tickets. Best of all, such AI-powered tools can work 24-7, meaning fans can receive information on demand regardless of their location or living habits.
Offering fans a personalized experience is an excellent way to connect with them, usually through mobile apps. The Sacramento Kings of the National Basketball Association (NBA) was an early adopter of AI in its mobile app. Fans receive personalized content, such as customized highlights and exclusive offers, based on their past viewing history and behavior on the app and the team’s website. This helps increase the chances of the fan purchasing a ticket or product and fosters a sense of belonging, helping to improve fan loyalty.
AI is changing how fans consume content, including how they watch the game, with augmented reality (AR) and virtual reality (VR) experiences becoming popular. The NFL’s Dallas Cowboys have an AR app that fans can use to view 3D replays of game highlights or take a virtual tour of the stadium. Such features are cool and enable the team’s long-distance fans to experience a game day even if they are hundreds or thousands of miles away.
Conclusion
Artificial Intelligence is revolutionizing the professional sports industry in ways we never thought possible. It enhances player performance, prevents injuries, refines game tactics and strategies, and enhances fan engagement. AI is powered by data, and few industries produce as much data as sports, making it a match made in heaven.
As AI technology continues to evolve, its application in professional sports will likely expand. Coaches will be able to use AI to make split-second decisions during a game, medical staff will be able to treat injuries in new ways, even preventing them from happening in the first place, and fans will be able to connect and engage with their favorite teams and players on unprecedented levels.
What once seemed like science fiction is now very real. AI is reshaping the entire sports industry landscape, and everyone enjoys the benefits.
