LaSource Newsletter - June Sports & Tech Round-Up
The Olympics month is officially here! With it comes the latest edition of our Sports Tech Roundup!
As the highly anticipated Paris 2024 Olympic Games kick off, the event's embrace of new technologies and innovations promises to impact the industry significantly. We share our insights on this in our newsletter.
Discover our take on how Euro 2024 aims to set the standard for innovations through content with the absence of 4K Technology within the broadcasting sphere. (A topic very very close to our heart)
Scroll down to our "Additional Time" coverage of some big moves across sports business ??
We hope you enjoy this edition!
??? Trending News:
Previous World Cups and European Championships have showcased new broadcast technologies, including 4K UHD. However, Euro 2024 won’t be available in this highest picture quality.
?? Our Take:
For the longest time, viewing live sports in the best quality possible was paramount to most sports fans. This was evident in the switch from analogue to digital and eventually with the inception of standard HD and its various upgrades (UHD, 4K UHD etc).??
In retrospect, though, the tech innovations in this context weren't necessarily solving a 'pain point' for fans (quality of the feed). The greater concern was always the 'accessibility' aspect, which was eventually solved with the advent of smartphones, tablets and 'mobile' devices, compensating for TV's immobility.
4K UHD technology represents a significant leap in broadcast quality, offering viewers stunningly detailed images and a more immersive viewing experience. However, its absence at Euro 2024 due to logistical, financial, or infrastructural challenges might still hinder its widespread adoption.
Whilst high-definition feeds are crucial, the essence of sports broadcasting in this landscape lies in the content. Innovations can take place through storytelling, interactive features, and personalised content, a sentiment vehemently and mutually echoed by industry executives we had the chance to interview recently .
But what does this mean for the future of broadcasting? At major events and domestic competitions alike? One thing is for certain, as technological barriers lower and infrastructure improves, 4K UHD and beyond will become standard. The headroom, then, would lie in how broadcasters can truly captivate audiences through data - by providing engaging statistics through visual graphics, statistics on turf conditions, influencing gameplay, performance and a team's tactical approach. The launch of FIFA World 2.0 on Roblox is a testament to how virtual environments can be created to cater to specific demographics and develop fandom.
In conclusion, the absence of 4K UHD feeds at Euro 2024 may seem like a technological step back, but the sky is the limit for the opportunity it presents to content innovations.
As Paris prepares for the 2024 Olympics, the landmark event has not been averse to technological innovation and is set to enhance the spectator experience.
?? Our Take:
Less than 30 days to Paris 2024, and technology is poised to offer a greater experience to fans, spectators and athletes alike. Intel’s collaboration with the Olympics , in particular, will bring a new dimension to the immersive experience for fans with 8K streaming, AI for on-site fan engagement and much more. Moreover, integrating advanced technology to elevate the standard of the Olympic games is one of the objectives of the Olympic’s AI Agenda .?Enhanced data analytics and biometric monitoring may provide real-time insights not just for the performance aspect but also to offer an individualised and immersive experience to the fans.??
For the upcoming games, the IOC's new innovative mobile game reinforces our initial take on how content stands at the forefront of innovation, perhaps ahead of technology at this juncture of sports. By integrating iconic Olympic sports and introducing new sports like boxing, the game aims to promote diversity and modernity, all by providing a unique experience to fans worldwide.
Future editions of the Olympics are poised to continue this trend of technological integration. Judging by how far AI has come in just 3 years since the last edition, advances in robotics and management tools could be the ‘X’ factor needed for venue management and logistics potentially. Moreover, the continuous rise of connectivity will likely enable seamless interactivity and engagement for athletes and spectators alike, facilitating instantaneous communication and data sharing on a global scale.
The organising committee for Paris 2024 and LA 28 have been striving to put innovation at the heart of all the business units of such mega-events. A complex ask, full of barriers and certainly, not everything has been perfect along the journey, with multiple projects having been abandoned (as is common with events of such scale). Yet, by continuously being this force for innovation and by bringing in all parties around the table, such as the sponsors and other partners, innovation is more and more tangible, holistically, within the Olympic Games. It remains to be seen how the IOC and its stakeholders can capitalise on the journey thus far and success factors to shape the next decade and make it an even bigger spectacle than it currently is.
??? What's up at LaSource?
Our CEO, Samuel Westberg, shares an insightful thought piece on the critical factors sports tech companies must consider on their path to growth and success. Drawing from his rich experience of launching two US-based startups in Europe, Sam delves into both the tangible and intangible "to-dos" essential for scaling ARR and MRR. Check it out.
Yahoo Sports will use Greenfly to deliver short-form content to reporters, producers, editors, and staff for social and digital channels. These teams can also use the Greenfly mobile app to capture original photos and videos at live events.
领英推荐
With Euro 2024 in full swing, the spotlight is on the players. turfcoach takes us behind the scenes to explore the athletes' "workplace": the pitch. Read on for an insightful look into the art and science of pitch perfection.
The Euroleague Basketball Fan XP Challenge has advanced to its second stage, with 16 startups from 12 countries selected for the online qualifier round on July 10th. Stay tuned for updates on the challenge's progress. Read more about our collaboration by clicking the link above.
??? Additional time:
Innovation & New Technologies
Media & Entertainment
Investment & Governance
LaSource is a sports consulting agency working closely with startups, sports tech companies, and sports and media organisations to create and implement business strategies that accelerate growth and shape the future of the Sports industry.