Big Data in Professional Sport

Because of the money involved in modern professional sport, it's an area in which people are willing to embrace new science and technologies.

Because of the money involved in modern professional sport, it's an area in which people are willing to embrace new science and technologies in the pursuit of that all-important competitive edge. Increasingly, this includes data.

When the Oakland Athletics baseball team started using rudimentary data analysis to evaluate potential recruits in the early 2000s, general manager Billy Beane had a hard time convincing people to move away from existing methods. The on-field success that followed inspired first a book then an Oscar-nominated film.

In scouting and recruitment, data analytics has transformed how teams evaluate talent. Injury prevention represents another major application. Fan engagement has also been revolutionized by big data.

Looking ahead, the integration of artificial intelligence and machine learning with sports data promises even more sophisticated applications.