Sports: enemy of both technology and fans

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.

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

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?

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.

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?

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.

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?

National Sports Marketing Network

http://www.sportsmarketingnetwork.com/membercompanies.html

I thought Teamwork Sports Online was the bets sports marketing/management site until I came across Sports Marketing Network. I am very surprised that I have not seen other professions establish such sites with the purpose to network with others in the field. Maybe it is because I am more in tuned to what is going on in the world of Sport Management, or maybe they simply do not exist. Are sites like these a sign of things to come? Or do these sites exist simply because sport management is still essentially a very new and unknown discipline?

SI China

This post is really a response to a post that Grant posted which touched on the NBA marketing in China. While surfing through Sports Illustrated's website, I saw this "SI China" link. Of course unless you understand the language, you will not understand a word of the information, but it is an example of what I mentioned in my post on Grant's wall...that I am not surprised the world of sports is expanding to other countries to market their businesses. But why China? Is this all due to the arrival of Yao Ming? Why isn't there an "SI Germany" or "SI (insert country here)?

Certain "American" sports are no longer just American (i.e. basketball). Champions in various leagues such as the NBA or MLB are considered "World Champions" upon winning league championships, so it is no surpise to me that the world want to know what is going on in the sporting world in the United States. I am just curious as to why China seems to be an important marketplace for sports marketers.

http://www.sichina.com/

In (Video) Game Advertising

Okay, so we all have heard of ads during events such as the Super Bowl or World Series to attract would be buys while they are engaged watching the big game. One form of advertising I never thought of was advertising during video games. To me, it's hard to believe, but it is happening and will begin to happen more and more very soon. Personally, I do not play video games, I do not see the point of a grown man engaging himself in mind-numbing activity for hours on end.....or it may be the fact that I never really played video games growing up. Either way, I do not play games now, so I do not know how much advertising currently takes place in video games.

Marketing executives are looking to capitalize on the reality that consumers are more likely to digest information while engaged in an activity. What better time to market to individuals than when they are playing video games?? I think it's genius.

http://www.patcoyle.net/2007/01/31/the-game-within-the-game/

Advertisers Worldwide Enjoy Online Gambling Benefits

http://www.iht.com/articles/2006/10/08/business/gamble09.php

It has been explained how advertisers and organizations in the United States enjoy the increased exposure brought to their companies via online internet gambling, but I never thought about businesses overseas. This article discusses how some countries in Asia and Europe have moved gambling to online as to help advertisers make money. In England, the government recently passed legislation to allow online gambling sites to advertise on the television. I do not know if that is legal or not in the United States, but I definitely see some negative implications coming from such a law. For one, exposing gambling to underage individuals who truly do not know the consequences of their actions could be catastrophic.

Fantasy Sports Bring Real Opportunities

http://www.marketingpower.com/content300363.php

Fantasy sports are taking over the internet. Just about everyone has a fantasy team for baseball, basketball, or football. There are even leagues for other less popular sports as well. In my first post about fantasy sports, Christopher M. Leporini speaks of all of the positive aspects of fantasy leagues. Likewise, he states that a family man with an yearly income of $79,000 would spend roughly $500 in that same year on fantasy sports. That's not a positive for me, however. Especially when there are other more beneficial aspects of life to spend that much money on, in my opinion. The main benefit that Leporini identifies is the marketing/advertising benefits businesses enjoy through fantasy sports. Advertisers have a set demographic which consumes its marketing directives, and they look to capitalize off of fantasy sports' 1.5 Billion dollar industry. This article touches on that.

Team Work Online

http://www.teamworkonline.com/

This site has undoubtedly been used by sport management professionals and students. Such a site is essential for informing those in the industry of job vacancies, career fairs, and news in general. Maybe all professions should adopt such internet databases for their specific professions. I believe the discipline of sport management would not be as widespread or enjoy as much success if it were not for sites such as team work online.

Introduction

Upon realizing my last Blog was not quite on point, I have chosen a better suited title.

This Blog will be dedicated to the effect technology i.e. websites (teamsports.com), online fantasy leagues, etc has on sports.