The following interview is part of our ongoing Expert Series that asks C-level professionals, team presidents, league executives, athletic directors and other sports influencers about their latest thoughts and insights on new technologies impacting the sports industry.
Chris Schlosser is an experienced digital leader who creates innovative strategies and products for North American sports fans. Schlosser runs the digital business for Major League Soccer (MLS), overseeing digital strategy, content creation, and product development. Through Schlosser’s leadership, MLS has experienced significant growth in digital revenue and audience size over the past five years. In recognition of his efforts, Schlosser was named to Sports Business Journal’s 2016 ‘Forty Under 40’ class.
Under his guidance, MLS Digital experienced a landmark year in 2015, launching modern, responsive websites for the League and all 20 Clubs; driving innovation and reach across core social media platforms, products and properties; developing a robust and integrated content programming strategy; and delivering financial success with record advertising revenue and digital-product subscriptions.
Name: Chris Schlosser
Company: Major League Soccer
Position: Senior Vice President/GM, MLS Digital
1) What utilization of technology in sports has recently blown you away and why?
I really love what EA Sports is doing to build FIFA, the video game series. With virtual tournaments, a new gameplay mode – The Journey — and a greater focus on content around the game, EA is really connecting the sport of soccer with fans across the globe. For MLS, it is great as many people experience our clubs and players for the first time via the game and we are seeing new fans each week who start as FIFA players.
2) If you had to invest in one technology that would change the social/digital sports industry, what would it be and why?
Data/Analytics – We need to know more about our fans, what they want, what they like/don’t like so that we can create more personalized experiences for them across a wide range of devices and content. There is also a flood of new soccer data coming that I think can lead to more understanding of the game and better viewing experiences on TV and digital platforms.
3) If money were no object, what technology would you build or buy to help you do your job better?
I would build a nationwide fiber network to connect our video studio with every club’s stadium and training facility. I would then build a centralized NOC to manage feeds coming in from across the nation in real time.
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4) As a sports fan, what sports-related service, app, product, etc., could you not live without and why?
I have to give a plug for the MLS app. It keeps me connected to my favorite teams, breaking news and live video. I use the app constantly to stay up-to-date on all things MLS…something that is critical for me as a fan and for work.
5) If you had to project 20 years into the future, how will most fans watch their favorite sports teams?
On massive, super high quality screens in our houses that are connected via IP based technology. These screens will provide true interactivity and will allow us to watch alongside friends around the world via simultaneous video conferencing. The screens will also have all kinds of augmented reality capabilities to show stats, interactive games, player tracking, multiple angles, etc., all at once. We will have the ability to take this easily with us on a range of devices, but most people will always choose to watch on a big screen whenever available.
6) Give us your bold prediction about a form of technology that will be integral to social media over the next 12 months and why?
Live, live, live. Each of the networks will continue to work on providing the ability for fans to connect in real time around new live content and social experiences.