The Seattle Seahawks have the NFL’s second-best winning percentage since 2012. One of the secrets to that success may lie within the team’s sports science department. Seattle has separated itself from competitors with its usage of technology and data analytics to help maximize player performance and ultimately win more games. The Seahawks were the first NFL franchise to establish a sports science group seven years ago, an effort spearheaded by general manager John Schneider and head coach Pete Carroll. Dean Riddle, an applied sports scientist who joined the Seahawks staff in 2014, lifted the hood on some of the tactics… Read More
SANTA CLARA, CALIF. — Technology isn’t just improving athletic performance or changing the way we watch sports. It’s also being used as a real-time analytics tool that is helping front office executives manage stadium operations, improve the fan experience, and ultimately increase the bottom line. SAP has expanded its partnership with the San Francisco 49ers, rolling out a new venue management product this season called Executive Huddle that features a multi-screen dashboard surfacing real-time data related to parking, bathrooms, concessions, ticketing, and more as 70,000 people come through the gates at Levi’s Stadium to watch an NFL game. San Francisco is… Read More
TAYLOR’S TAKE ON THE WEEK IN SPORTS TECH: We caught up with two big names in the NBA world to get an update on Seattle’s chances of getting professional basketball back in the Emerald City. My colleague Todd Bishop sat down with former Microsoft CEO Steve Ballmer, now the owner of the L.A. Clippers, and discussed the city’s prospects for bringing back the Sonics, which left town in 2008. Ballmer noted that Seattle is “the most affluent city in America” without an NBA team, but noted that transportation issues around KeyArena could pose an issue. Can technology help? Separately, I ran… Read More
LAS VEGAS — Major League Soccer clubs, like many other pro sports franchises, are using data analytics and technology more than ever to help players prepare and perform at higher levels. But Landon Donovan thinks there are a few missing opportunities that teams haven’t quite cracked. The U.S. soccer legend and current broadcaster spoke on a panel earlier this month at the Consumer Electronics Show in Las Vegas that focused on the use of data and analytics in sports. Former professional player Claudio Reyna; Zebra Technologies GM Eric Petrosinelli; and Gracenote GM Noah Fischbach joined the conversation on stage at Turner’s… Read More
