Compared to staying home and watching the game, there is nothing like going to the actual sporting event. The noise, crowd, and atmosphere is unmatched, and that’s why ticket prices are sometimes too expensive to afford. With Virtual Reality, fans will be able to experience the atmosphere of being at the game but also being at the comfort of your house. Overtime, the cost of watching Virtual Reality at your home will be much less expensive than going to watch your favorite team play twice a week.
Last year, The Rio 2016 Summer Olympics began to experiment with Virtual Reality with NBC and BBC. Since Virtual Reality is still being experimented with, watching through a Virtual Reality headset the day after was only available for fans watching the Rio Olympics.
Another interesting point about the introduction of Virtual Reality in sports is being able to view the game through the eyes of a player. Although it might be fun and exciting to view through the player’s eyes, there are a lot of negatives by doing this.
Not being able to see the entire game since player’s eyes only catch what they are doing
Players not wanting to wear extra gear on their head to make this possible
Being dizzy watching through a player’s eyes on Virtual Reality
Personally, I believe Virtual Reality would work best by experiencing it through the fan perspective and not the player perspective.
Along with Virtual Reality for fans, there are many uses for athletes and Virtual Reality as well.
During the NCAA football championship game between Clemson and Alabama, Clemson’s quarterback, Deshaun Watson, played one of the greatest games in his and Clemson’s history. Clemson’s coaches give much credit to Virtual Reality for helping Deshaun Watson being able to pick up the defensive blitzes and splits Alabama had. Preparing for the game, Deshaun watched hours of game tape through his Virtual Reality set to pick up and memorize Alabama’s blitz and defense formations.
Thank you for taking the time to read my blog! I have personally never used a Virtual Reality headset before but I am very interested to watch a game through a headset. I believe this movement will catch on and I am very excited to see where this goes.
I agree that virtual reality is going to revolutionize the way that athletes train in the near future. There is no reason for athletes not to take advantage of vr, as it gives them so many advantages over traditional training. In my opinion, vr is going to soon become a common tool that almost every collegiate and professional sports organizations will utilize. Every single athlete can benefit from training like they are in the actual event. It gives them valuable experience that otherwise could only be given during the actual event itself. I also found an article describing referees using vr to train, further proving your point of vr revolutionizing the sports industry. With sports being revolutionized, I am beginning to wonder what other industries will be able to benefit from similar vr training.
ReplyDeletehttps://www.si.com/tech-media/2017/03/06/nba-virtual-reality-referee-training-officials
I found this topic to be very interesting because developing technology has been a huge topic in the sport's world in recent months. Yes, technologies such as VR could open up a new world as a viewer of sports, and could literally bring the experience of attending a sports event to your living room. However, I have read on some recent stories regarding technology interfering with the integrity of sports. Although VR does not relate to these stories, it will be interesting to see the debates in the near future revolving around how much fans and players really do want developing technology to be involved with their sports.
ReplyDeleteFor example, this past month, a coach of the Boston Red Sox was caught using an Apple Watch in the dugout to steal pitching signs from the opposing team. The league has since had to make a rule that bans wearing Apple Watches and similar devices in the dugout, although this last week a coach of the Diamondbacks was fined for wearing one.
I think it will be very interesting to see in the coming years how players and league officials across every sport will allow for technology to be incorporated with the traditions of the game. I believe technology such as VrR and more high-tech camera capabilities will be a great way to enhance officiating and fan experience, however there will be a line when it comes to crossing the authenticity and traditional human error that each sport entails.
https://www.theverge.com/2017/9/5/16257220/boston-red-sox-apple-watch-sign-stealing-yankees
Alan,
ReplyDeleteI was not aware that refs were using VR to train as well, but it seems like a really good idea! I think VR will only grow once the technology and usability improves. If I was a collegiate athlete, I would try to use it as much as possible.
John,
ReplyDeleteThanks for the comment! I don't think as of now I would enjoy watching VR in my living room because it takes the enjoyment of being able to watch it with your friends. I would feel as if I was sitting in the stands alone.
In regards to the Apple Watch, professional sports will just try to make more rules to prevent that and other players/teams from cheating.