Sport Media Leaders Weigh In On Covid19
Normally, Sports Innovation Lab's Immersive Media Leadership Board convenes to discuss the latest innovations in augmented reality, OTT distribution deals, and media rights negotiations. The conversation this week was understandably very different.
We spent our time together discussing how we’re collectively working with our teams, clients, and partners to address the immediate challenges presented by the spread of the Coronavirus. Understandably, few of us had enough experience with situations like this to have specific answers. That said, we thought it was important to share some of the Leadership Board’s advice.
We collectively believe that more events will get canceled. Those leagues with the flexibility to postpone their games will. Other leagues with tight timelines and aggressive broadcast deals will play their games in empty stadiums. Teams and leagues don’t even control their current situation. Local and federal government mandates can force sports organizations to cancel or operate differently.
For example:
- March Madness https://twitter.com/GovMikeDeWine/status/1237447236419633153
- San Jose Sharks https://www.boston.com/sports/nhl/2020/03/05/san-jose-sharks-advised-by-county-to-cancel-game-due-to-coronavirus-they-refused
- Bundesliga https://www.dfl.de/en/news/dfl-executive-committee-on-the-coronavirus-schedule-for-the-next-matchday-to-remain-unchanged/
We believe this could accelerate innovation, but not in the near term. There has been little time to prepare for something like this. Although solutions exist to augment broadcast feeds, pipe in crowd noise, and create virtual reality experiences none of this can be done quickly.
This situation could lead to a new kind of fan screening at security checkpoints. If the goal is to convince people they are safe at large events the health of the person next to them may matter more in the future as a result of this scare.
Newer leagues have greater options. Some esports or newer leagues may find it necessary or possible to limit travel and adjust competition formats to limit the need for travel -- especially international travel. Certainly since esports competitions are by nature digital, their ability to push through this period of time should provide some guidance for other professional sports properties.
Eyes are on the NFL. We believe that leagues who are not in season, specifically the NFL, will be the ones to develop the most comprehensive plan to respond to this challenge. It will be important to see how they confront this opportunity given the time they have to plan and respond.
Automation in content production should mitigate operational risks. As stadiums limit staff to critical personnel, teams may find utilizing remote production strategies, artificial intelligence to automate cameras, generate highlight content pieces, and VAR helps reduce dependency on “human” operators.
The Leadership Board members who attended our conversation are in rapid planning mode. Many are being called away to triage immediate event closures or reschedule events. We are grateful to have been able to collect and share the thoughts of these executives.
Hope this was helpful.