Innovation in Sports
How Competition, Business Models, and the Fan Experience are Evolving
Whether you’re a passionate fan of football, hockey, cricket, rugby, or just about any other sport, the way you’ve been experiencing it has likely been changing. Mobile devices, cord-cutting, e-sports, betting, and social media have all been altering the way fans connect with teams — and each other. And all of it is having big impacts on organizations beyond just teams and sports leagues, affecting advertisers, media companies, and tech platforms. To understand the changing field of play, we’ve been interviewing innovators from the world of sports globally.
This series was produced by InnoLead, with support from Innovation Academy by PatSnap.
STORIES IN THIS SERIES
Leveraging Innovation to Win Formula One Races
February 22, 2024 | By Daniel Pereira
How does a Formula One racing team think about innovation? We talk with Shergul Arshad, Head of North America for the Aston Martin F1 team.
How the Golden State Warriors Aim for Great — Not Good — with New Technology
July 10, 2023 | By Meghan Hall
The Golden State Warriors’ VP of Technology, Daniel Brusilovsky, shares insights on his team’s strategy for creating stronger fan experiences and infrastructure through technology upgrades and partnerships.
Mobile Apps, NFTs, and the Metaverse: How FIFA is Innovating its Way to the 2022 World Cup
March 25, 2022 | By Collin Robisheaux
“Innovation is a word that can mean everything – and nothing,” says Benjamin Stoll, Director of Strategic Alliances & Innovation at FIFA, football’s governing body. Unless, he adds, innovation activity can be tied to tangible value creation for FIFA and its constituents. We talked to Stoll in advance of this…
Exclusive Interview with NASCAR’s Chief Innovation Officer
February 17, 2022 | By Collin Robisheaux
To shed light on how NASCAR stays connected with fans — and how it explores the potential of new technologies — we spoke with Craig Neeb, Executive Vice President and Chief Innovation Officer. He says that delivering concrete results requires strong relationships with leadership, openness to the startup world, and an acute…
Video: How eSports and New Licensing Structures are Driving Disruption in Sports
February 9, 2022 | By Alex Slawsby, Collin Robisheaux
Alex Slawsby of InnoLead and Jack Elkins of Sidekick Innovation discuss how “name image likeness” deals and eSports will impact the future of college and pro sports.
Video: How NFTs and Mobile-First Content are Changing the Sports World
February 1, 2022 | By Alex Slawsby, Collin Robisheaux
Alex Slawsby of InnoLead and Jack Elkins of SideKick Innovation sit down to discuss how mobile-first content consumption, online betting, and non-fungible tokens are impacting the world of professional sports.
Leveraging Analytics and Envisioning the Future of VR at the Indianapolis Colts
December 23, 2021 | By Alex Slawsby, Collin Robisheaux
For decades, sports teams have relied on stats to track their performance on the field. Today, a growing number of teams are using more sophisticated data and analytics software to optimize their business performance as well. That includes the NFL’s Indianapolis Colts, where Charlie Shin serves as VP of Data…
Venture Capitalist Jasmine Robinson on Sports Trends — at Home and at the Stadium
October 29, 2021 | By Collin Robisheaux
Jasmine Robinson, a Partner at Causeway Media Partners, talks about some of the recent investments her sports-focused venture capital firm has made, and what she sees coming next…
Tracking Disruption in Sports at an Indianapolis-Based Techstars Accelerator
October 25, 2021 | By Collin Robisheaux
The world of sports is experiencing a highlight reel of disruption — from streaming content to legalized betting to digital collectibles like the NBA’s Top Shot series. We talk with Jordan Fliegel, Managing Director of the Techstars Sports Accelerator, to understand what matters most.
Why the San Francisco Giants Have a Fan Council — and Ambassadors
October 13, 2021 | By Collin Robisheaux
October is big for baseball fans and all eyes are on the SF Giants, leading the playoffs after a five-year hiatus. For Faham Zakariaei, who directs the team’s special events, the busiest part of the season means Nike partnerships, fan groups, and influencer marketing.
How the NHL’s Florida Panthers are Using Data More Strategically
October 4, 2021 | By Collin Robisheaux
COVID-19 has accelerated the digitization of entire industries, changing everything from where we work to how we watch sports. NHL Florida Panthers’ Chief Strategy Officer is leading the organization’s transformation with data-centered marketing and creative strategies to build a larger fan base.
Inside ESPN’s New Virtual Innovation Center
September 28, 2021 | By Collin Robisheaux
In its 42-year history, ESPN has consistently pushed the boundaries of innovation and technology in the sports realm — from cable television to TikTok. Here’s what they’re hoping to achieve with a new virtual innovation center.
How the Marlins Create a ‘Uniquely Miami’ Fan Experience
July 30, 2021 | By Collin Robisheaux
Michael Shaw, Vice President and Head of Experience and Innovation for the Miami Marlins, discusses projects that create a unique fan experience, and explores the future of the game in a post-COVID world.
