If we look at technology and global sports, one of the fascinating things is that we have technology that has actually enabled new sports, in new leagues. One example we can look at is the World Surf League. The World Surf League operates with waves on shores. So, how would technology impact that league?
Well, it’s interesting, because if you think about it, it’s dependent on local weather and surf conditions. As a result, it’s very difficult to schedule a surfing competition in advance with the same precision that a broadcaster would want, or that fans would want so they could know when to tune in and watch, or when to attend.
So, what we’ve got now with social media is that it allows the conditions to be monitored by the producers of the event, and it allows them to get the word out through social media to their fans. They can announce things like “in the next six hours, we’re going to run our surfing event”.
Because of the technology of social media, we’re able to have that sport. Furthermore, we can deliver that telecast directly to consumers in something we call over the top, by going direct on the internet to consumers who may subscribe to the World Surf League channel. So, this is an example of a league that would have a really hard time existing if not for modern technology. The technology allows you to engage your fan base on a real-time basis when the event is going to occur. And the event, of course, is dependent on local conditions in terms of surf, weather, etc.
This is a really good example of how technology didn’t just change a sport, but it actually made a sport possible. While new technologies are generally viewed by many people as a good thing, they don’t affect everyone equally. For example, if you think of the rights holders, and the broadcasters to professional sports leagues who are accustomed to telecasting through a television set, through cable or broadcast TV, the new technology isn’t necessarily a good thing to them.
What happens when fans who are constantly on the go are much more inclined to watch games on their smartphones, or on any other mobile device, including the iPad? These are some of the questions that have to be asked and examined as technology continues to evolve.
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