Game Presentation in "Studio Sports"

I am old enough to remember when Atlanta Braves games used to run after World Championship Wrestling. The wrestling show was done in a studio. Some said with the amount of fans in the stands at Atlanta-Fulton County Stadium, that Braves Baseball was also a studio sport. Now, with the virus, we have come to the age of pro sports becoming studio sports. What does that mean for game presentation specialists?

There is an interesting conundrum approaching in sports. Game presentation has been focused on how to create the best atmosphere for the fans in the stands, but what happens when those fans can't be there?

Is it possible that these groups may have to focus on making the games more entertaining for the fans at home through creative storytelling and use of graphics at the site?

I had an interesting story with one person in the industry and wondered why some of the virtual elements used in Europe and around the world aren't used here.

Take a look at Australian Rules Football presented by the 7 Network. They use the field as a canvas for statistics and elements to help set a scene. 

Rugby has the amazing interaction of hearing the referees throughout the match. Some of these interactions are the most entertaining dialogue I have heard in years in the presentation of a sporting event.

The ways the Premier League teams have created a lovely backdrop to watch the beautiful game. While fans may not be there, there is a great spirit to some of the messaging.

The stand up banners in soccer have never been used properly in America, and the MLS signage over the bylines look like they are just floating there. I remember trying to figure out how those banners work and was amazed by the idea they were physical signs laying on the ground creating a 3-D Image.

Did you know that in Europe and most of the rest of the world, the players on the bench sit behind LED boards? If there is more ad space needed in hoops, it’s there in abundance (and could even lead to fan friendly messaging live on screen like stats or identification graphics.

Game presentation on television has given us so many new possibilities.

The cheerleaders in the KBO (Korean Baseball) are an integral part of their culture and the joy of many announcers who talk about the game.

Could you imagine soccer supporter group like chants and songs from a student section at a college basketball game? The atmosphere would be amazing. 

ESPN’s presentation of MLS has shown us that the communication in the game can be more intriguing than pumped in crowd noise. In fact, these are games that take us back to watching our kids on the fields of parks around the country, except it’s the highest form of the game. 

Take it one step further, and would some sports have a home for experimental games like baseball’s Field of Dreams? How about an NBA exhibition game at Rucker Park (which admittedly would have to be played with NBA equipment in a park atmosphere.

Tennis stadiums would be an amazing venue for college volleyball or even basketball games.

It’s a wide world of imagination that can come to the forefront where game presentation and television can come together to create amazing moments to share while we are at home, and give us time to arrive at the next great leap in what happens when we get to come back and watch the games in person. 

That, my friends, is pretty exciting.