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From our Founder Angela Ruggiero
"We have seen start-up leagues change the rules of the traditional sport product (as a way to “innovate”), but few have changed both on the field and off the field."
This past weekend marked the launch of the Fan Controlled Football League. The innovative new start-up football league gives fans control over most aspects of the sport. With a style of play similar to a 7 on 7 scrimmage and a condensed field, the pace of play is fast and engaging. We have seen start-up leagues change the rules of the traditional sport product (as a way to “innovate”), but few have changed both on the field and off the field. What is unique about Fan Controlled Football is that fans have control from calling the plays to dictating rosters. The games also stream on Twitch, which allows the community to take over the games through the chat function. This platform also gives the ability for the broadcasters to be more personable and speak freely. As an example, former NFL star and Fan Controlled Football team owner, Marshawn Lynch, joined one of the broadcasts and was able to add some color and flare. As the league continues its inaugural season, it will continue to push new thinking to the rest of the sports ecosystem… and perhaps some of the new fan features could find a way into the big leagues in the future.
Weekly Brand Breakthrough
English Premier League Club Southampton FC enhanced its partnership with cryptocurrency sportsbook Sportsbet.io to create a new VIP fan engagement experience for its fans. Sportsbet.io is the official match-day partner of Southampton, and through this elevated partnership will now offer fans the ability to collect and trade cryptocurrency for AR experiences. This partnership is utilizing new forms of technology to create memorable experiences for fans, while also creating a new community for the fans to interact in. Without the ability to fill stadiums, teams need the help of brands and partners to create new revenue streams and keep fans engaged. Fans want to lean in. Credit to Southampton and Sportsbet.io for innovating through tech to provide fans with new opportunities to engage and support the club.
Weekly Live Entertainment Breakthrough
The Los Angeles Rams of the NFL had planned to unveil their brand new state-of-the-art stadium this year, but the global pandemic had other thoughts. SoFi Stadium was active throughout the NFL season hosting Rams and Los Angeles Chargers games, but the venue had to get creative to show off the many innovations it is capable of using to wow fans. The stadium’s semi-translucent roof has been used to broadcast live NFL games, and most recently the logo for next year’s Super Bowl, which will take place at SoFi Stadium. Using SACO LED technology, the stadium has the ability to broadcast live images from the roof 365 days a year. The innovative feature allows SoFi to not only display the state-of-the-art technology of the stadium but can also help recoup lost revenue through sponsorship and new media opportunities.
Weekly Media Breakthrough
The National Hockey League and Amazon Web Services have partnered to bring fans a new hockey experience. We know that a common Fluid Fan behavior is Learn. AWS will allow the NHL to engage their fans in a lean-in and innovative way that will help fans learn more about the sport and the players. The partnership will also create a use case and delivery system for the new player and puck tracking technology that the league has been rolling out and experimenting with recently. Connectivity and tech platforms are crucial to instilling a connected and immersive experience for fans. Broadcasts and mobile platforms can now augment the at-home experience and inform the fan.
Weekly Athlete Breakthrough
The Atlanta Braves are working to get MLB technology in the hands of HBCU athletes. In a recent partnership with baseball tech company Rapsodo, the Braves are going to help provide 10 HBCU baseball programs with the tools needed to better understand their athletes. Rapsodo’s technology helps track swings, pitches, and player performance. This initiative will put these 10 HBCU programs on a level playing field with the top college baseball programs in the nation, and allow them to begin to train like professional baseball players.
For more information on the changing trends in sports and all of our latest research visit sportsilab.com
Sports Innovation Lab Events
The Fan Project Live Chat:
The Next Generation of Women’s Sports
This Thursday at 2:30 PM ET Sports Innovation Lab welcomes Kerrilyn Curtin, Director of Market Research and Planning for the LPGA to The Fan Project Live series! The LPGA has been a driving force behind the women’s sports movement, and a leader in diversity and inclusion, attracting new generations of fans who are passionate about a league that is focused on what matters most. Register today for this intimate chat for a chance to learn more about how the LPGA is pushing the whole industry forward!