The Role of Digital Technologies in Modern Sports
Digital technologies are currently used in all areas of the sports industry, from training and monitoring athletes’ performance and health to broadcasting competitions and accumulating fans’ digital experiences when visiting sports arenas offline and watching online broadcasts. Now and in the past, the media have been the supplier of such sports technologies, which have significantly changed the quality of games and many related aspects for all stakeholders. This is not to say that ESPN pioneered some of these changes, but its contribution cannot be overestimated.
Media as a Driving Force in Sports Innovation
Firstly, the media gave global sports publicity, watching matches worldwide, and getting acquainted with statistics and other helpful information in the best possible quality. Secondly, as a result, the media began to bring significant income to the sport, which many clubs have, along with sponsorship contracts and matchday income. Indirect consequences of the popularization and opportunities of the sports industry have been increased participation, the development of fan movements, international tournaments, and children’s sections. Sport has become a global phenomenon, with comprehensive social inclusion and recognition of the largest brands.
ESPN has made a significant contribution to the development of certain aspects of sports media. Undoubtedly, the key features of the popularization were video broadcasts and the speed of information exchange using the Internet, radio, and television. However, although these people made a significant contribution, they rarely became comparable in fame to athletes.
Expanding Sports Coverage to Cultural Events and Public Discussion
ESPN has found a way to get the target audience to talk not only about the latest news in the world of sports but also about those who present this news. For example, this media holding popularized college basketball, launched its show X Games, which invented its sport and created a whole genre that has become a cultural phenomenon in the United States – nightly sports news broadcasts. Sports-related aspects not directly related to the game, such as the NFL Draft, also became the subject of public discussion along with the Kansas City Chiefs and Philadelphia Eagles confrontation. Similar initiatives were later picked up by other holdings, launching their channels with their own media faces and ideas, such as CNN and Fox. Still, it was ESPN that found the way to the interest, time, and hearts of people who are not indifferent to sports through television.
Transforming Sports into a Lifestyle Through Media
Now, with the diversification of both media and end-user options, ESPN is also expanding its lineup of TV channels for every occasion in sports-related life, with differentiated pay-per-view exclusive sports events on ESPN Extra and informational guide services on ESPN Now. Sports have become much closer to everyone, which is a great merit of the media. ESPN did its bit in its time, offering viewers not only broadcasts and statistics but also lively discussions, emotions, and in-depth information that transform sports from a hobby into a lifestyle.