http://www.cnet.com/4520-6033_1-6648709-1.html
Now, I know that I have posted a few blogs in which there has been much talk about whether or not technology is bad for sports. Consequently, most of these have presented arguments which discuss the fact that technology will be the downfall of sports as we know it today. This article, however, may be the first, in my opinion, which I have read which actually makes sense to me. Molly Wood, Executive Editor of CNET.com takes the standpoint that money has overtaken the integrity of sports today. I completely agree with this. The reality of the situation is that as time goes on, sports is becoming to be a form of entertainment in which businesses and corporations seek to only make money.
Consequently, the NFL, NBA, and MLB are controlling the information placed on blogs and websites. This, undboutedly, places questions on the strength of the First Amendment, one issue which Wood discusses. Furthermore, Wood discusses how the NFL demanded $100 million dollars from the NFL Network, which in turn would have resulted in an increase in subscription fees to NFL Network's customers. As a result, NFL Network was cut by Time Warner. These are just a couple of the issues which Molly Wood discussed. She may have given me a different perspective on the way in which technology negatively affects sports.
Sunday, April 22, 2007
Friday, April 20, 2007
More Controversy Concerning Technological Advances in Sports
Alright, so I came across an article in which a guy name "Coach Bob" (undoubtedly a fictitious name) wrote an article concerning his beliefs of how technology is affecting today's sports. He focused on the games of baseball and golf in his examples. Coach Bob speaks of how metal bats create more home runs and higher batting averages for "weaker" players which would not experience such otherwise. The excitement of the "short-game" (bunting, hit-and-run, etc) has been eliminated due to these improvements, the Coach feels. It seems as though he feels the integrity of the game has been somewhat ruined in this respect.
In his other example, he explains how advancements in golf have resulted in greater driving distances and lower scores. He offers questions about what should be done to make golf more reliant on natural skill versus technology, but no solutions.
I understand his perspective, but I believe increases in technology have touched every aspect of society, and sports are not any different. It is the world we live in, and as long as they are within the rules of the game, or do not give an unfair advantage, I think technological advances are good. They keep games exciting, and avoids monotony.
http://www.infosports.com/baseball/arch/1031.htm
In his other example, he explains how advancements in golf have resulted in greater driving distances and lower scores. He offers questions about what should be done to make golf more reliant on natural skill versus technology, but no solutions.
I understand his perspective, but I believe increases in technology have touched every aspect of society, and sports are not any different. It is the world we live in, and as long as they are within the rules of the game, or do not give an unfair advantage, I think technological advances are good. They keep games exciting, and avoids monotony.
http://www.infosports.com/baseball/arch/1031.htm
Sunday, April 15, 2007
Reebok Accuses Nike of Stealing Technology
http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/17937828/
I am sure you have all seen the running/jogging shoes that are thin, flexible, and are easily able to be folded up for the convenience of storage. Well, Reebok claims they are the first company to develop, implement, and utilize this technology. Recently Nike came out with a line of shoes using the same "foldable" shoe technology. Well, Reebok feels that Nike infringed on their patent for the shoe. This raises a few issues. Reebok has admittingly stated that even if Reebok wins the suit, it would not affect Nike financially. Furthermore, the sales from the shoe line in which Reebok feels the technology was stolen earns Nike $100 million in revenue every year; a considerably small percentage of Nike's overall revenue. Furthermore, those in the shoe industry understand that there is not much patent differentation when it comes to shoes, so there is less room for creativity. So is it really worth it for Reebok to sue Nike? Is it more of a suit over principle than one for financial gain or to inflict damage? What do you think?
I am sure you have all seen the running/jogging shoes that are thin, flexible, and are easily able to be folded up for the convenience of storage. Well, Reebok claims they are the first company to develop, implement, and utilize this technology. Recently Nike came out with a line of shoes using the same "foldable" shoe technology. Well, Reebok feels that Nike infringed on their patent for the shoe. This raises a few issues. Reebok has admittingly stated that even if Reebok wins the suit, it would not affect Nike financially. Furthermore, the sales from the shoe line in which Reebok feels the technology was stolen earns Nike $100 million in revenue every year; a considerably small percentage of Nike's overall revenue. Furthermore, those in the shoe industry understand that there is not much patent differentation when it comes to shoes, so there is less room for creativity. So is it really worth it for Reebok to sue Nike? Is it more of a suit over principle than one for financial gain or to inflict damage? What do you think?
Thursday, April 12, 2007
Virtual Teaching
http://www.motioncoach.com/
In staying with the theme for this week's assignment (creating some sort of virtual teaching lesson) which I must say I'm still having a hard time with, I came across a site that uses the same technology to teach golf instructors how to coach. This website utilizes virtual movies and demonstrations with the goal of teaching instructors how to teach others how to become better golfers. Ultimately, I'm sure this technology can be used by golfers themselves to improve their golf game. Technology such as this has already been used in other forms before, most commonly VHS tapes. I'm sure we've all seen the commercials endorsed by Fred McGriff in which a national AAU team won back-to-back-to-back national championships via instruction from the instructors on the VHS. It's the same principle. A virtual learning experience, through the means of some sort of communication medium. I believe it is a matter of time before other sports begin to have coaching or instructional videos or online lessons. Undoubtedly, the human aspect, and person to person experience is missing, but the instruction is still the same. Depending on what learning type a person can be, a virtual learning experience could be just as beneficial as a live one.
In staying with the theme for this week's assignment (creating some sort of virtual teaching lesson) which I must say I'm still having a hard time with, I came across a site that uses the same technology to teach golf instructors how to coach. This website utilizes virtual movies and demonstrations with the goal of teaching instructors how to teach others how to become better golfers. Ultimately, I'm sure this technology can be used by golfers themselves to improve their golf game. Technology such as this has already been used in other forms before, most commonly VHS tapes. I'm sure we've all seen the commercials endorsed by Fred McGriff in which a national AAU team won back-to-back-to-back national championships via instruction from the instructors on the VHS. It's the same principle. A virtual learning experience, through the means of some sort of communication medium. I believe it is a matter of time before other sports begin to have coaching or instructional videos or online lessons. Undoubtedly, the human aspect, and person to person experience is missing, but the instruction is still the same. Depending on what learning type a person can be, a virtual learning experience could be just as beneficial as a live one.
Tuesday, April 10, 2007
LPGA Players Packing More Punch than Ever
No web link in this post, rather just a story. I recently saw an article in USA Today written by Steve DiMeglio. When discussing technological advances in sports, in my past posts I have mainly discussed the manner in which marketers disseminate their advertising message to their target market. In DiMeglio's article, however, it discusses the way that technological advances in the game of golf have increased the marketability of the Ladies' Professional Golf Association Tour. Technological advances in golf clubs have increased the distance in which women golfers hit the ball on their tee shots. "Karin Sjodin set an LPGA tour record in average driving distance at 284.5 yards. The leader the year before? Brittany Lincicome at 270.3 yards. That's a 5.25% increase in 12 months." (DiMeglio 2007). I think that is amazing. But I guess it does make sense that not only the women, but the men's tour would experience a greater interest in the game with players hitting drives of amazing distances. I can't think of another way technology has increased the marketability of a women's tour or sport, can anyone else?
Thursday, April 5, 2007
Can Technology Ruin Sports?
http://www.csmonitor.com/2004/1216/p13s01-stct.html
Okay, this article is three years old, but brings up some interesting points. It discusses whether technology could possibly ruin sports as we know it today. While reading the article, you discover the author is more so saying the way we consume sports is changing due to technological advances (i.e. satellite radio, ESPN mobile, etc) Personally, I do not believe this ruins the integrity of sports. If a marketer is worried about their marketing dollars going to waste in the age of TiVo, DVRs, ESPN mobile, etc, then I could understand the argument that technological advances will ruin this aspect of sports. As far as sport itself, I do not believe it will affect anything. I think advances in technology get more people involved in sports and gives an opportunity to consume sports in whichever way is best for them.
Okay, this article is three years old, but brings up some interesting points. It discusses whether technology could possibly ruin sports as we know it today. While reading the article, you discover the author is more so saying the way we consume sports is changing due to technological advances (i.e. satellite radio, ESPN mobile, etc) Personally, I do not believe this ruins the integrity of sports. If a marketer is worried about their marketing dollars going to waste in the age of TiVo, DVRs, ESPN mobile, etc, then I could understand the argument that technological advances will ruin this aspect of sports. As far as sport itself, I do not believe it will affect anything. I think advances in technology get more people involved in sports and gives an opportunity to consume sports in whichever way is best for them.
Sunday, April 1, 2007
Product Placement in Sports Movies
http://www.brandweek.com/bw/news/recent_display.jsp?vnu_content_id=1003565736
I previously posted a post discussing the success marketers are having advertising their products in video games. Recently, however, there have been real name brands advertised during sporting events in movies. This article discusses how Orbitz Gum will be advertised in the upcoming film "Blades of Glory". In another movie, also staring Will Ferrel, "Talladega Nights" there are countless numbers of product placements as well. The movie company's could easily make fake name brands or products to market during sporting events which take place during movies. Undoubtedly, the advertising company has more to gain if the product is real, and in fact there's. This sponsorship in the movie would surely accompany a check from the company to the movie studio. I think product placements can sometimes take away from the movie in which they are in. Does anyone else?
I previously posted a post discussing the success marketers are having advertising their products in video games. Recently, however, there have been real name brands advertised during sporting events in movies. This article discusses how Orbitz Gum will be advertised in the upcoming film "Blades of Glory". In another movie, also staring Will Ferrel, "Talladega Nights" there are countless numbers of product placements as well. The movie company's could easily make fake name brands or products to market during sporting events which take place during movies. Undoubtedly, the advertising company has more to gain if the product is real, and in fact there's. This sponsorship in the movie would surely accompany a check from the company to the movie studio. I think product placements can sometimes take away from the movie in which they are in. Does anyone else?
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