Technology is a broad term that encompasses a multitude of methods and solutions that improve the human environment. From the Stone Age and early metallurgy to our current era of artificial intelligence, technology has pushed human development forward. Today, many technological advances are considered to be the driving force behind global changes and economic growth.
In sports, technology has become a vital tool in the athlete’s arsenal for both training and performance as well as management and strategy on the field of play. Additionally, technology plays a pivotal role in building, managing and elevating fan engagement, both inside stadiums and remotely across platforms and media rights.
While sport’s reliance on technology has been a positive, it also comes at a cost. Due to the relative expense associated with technology in sports, the benefits of these advancements often accrue first to elite level athletes and teams. This leaves a much larger group of participants further down the sports hierarchy without the same access to technological enhancements.
To this end, more athletes are now taking the lead on investing in technologies within their own industry. From backing startups to owning their own media studios and even investing in blockchain; modern-day athletes are leveraging their wealth and appeal to drive investments that will shape the industries that have long underpinned their careers. In doing so, they are laying the groundwork for future generations of fans to continue to embrace the power and value that lies at the heart of their sport.
