# WSC Sports > Description ## Pages - [Beta Program Terms and Conditions](https://wsc-sports-dev.ltu.co.il/beta-program-terms-and-conditions/): By participating in the WSC Beta Program, you agree to the following: Modification of Terms: We may modify these Beta... - [Participation Terms and Conditions](https://wsc-sports-dev.ltu.co.il/connections-tour-participation-terms-and-conditions/): PLEASE READ THESE TERMS AND CONDITIONS CAREFULLY BEFORE REGISTERING TO ONE OF THE EVENTS OF THE WSC SPORTS CONNECTIONS TOUR.... - [Cookie Policy](https://wsc-sports-dev.ltu.co.il/cookie-policy/): WSC Sports Technologies Lt. (together with its affiliates, and/or related companies – Collectively, (“WSC“, “we”, “our” or “us”), uses certain web... - [Terms of Use](https://wsc-sports-dev.ltu.co.il/terms-of-use/): PLEASE READ THESE TERMS OF USE CAREFULLY BEFORE ACCESSING THIS WEBSITE AS THEY AFFECT YOUR LEGAL RIGHTS AND OBLIGATIONS, INCLUDING,... - [Request a Demo](https://wsc-sports-dev.ltu.co.il/request-a-demo/): Looking to create deeper relationships with your fans? Let us show you the platform in action. - [Arena](https://wsc-sports-dev.ltu.co.il/platform/): Learn how the platform applies sport-specific AI to create and distribute personalized content for every fan, on every platform. - [Clients](https://wsc-sports-dev.ltu.co.il/clients/): Learn how leading sports organizations use AI to automatically create, distribute, and manage their content. - [Careers](https://wsc-sports-dev.ltu.co.il/careers/) - [Blog](https://wsc-sports-dev.ltu.co.il/blog/): Stay on top of your game and stay updated on our podcast, customers, and industry insights. - [Contact](https://wsc-sports-dev.ltu.co.il/contact-us/): Have questions about the platform? Get in touch and let's discuss your needs. - [Home](https://wsc-sports-dev.ltu.co.il/): WSC Sports is the pioneer in AI-tailored sports content experiences for fans. Connect with your fans through AI-tailored sports content experiences. - [Privacy Policy](https://wsc-sports-dev.ltu.co.il/privacy-policy/): This policy describes how WSC Sports Technologies (together with its affiliated companies – “WSC”, “we”, “our” or “us”) collects, stores,... ## Posts - [The Biggest World Cup Ever Is Changing the Rules for Broadcasters](https://wsc-sports-dev.ltu.co.il/blog/industry-insights/the-biggest-world-cup-ever-is-changing-how-broadcasters-think-about-content/): The challenge for 2026 is automating the entire content strategy around the tournament. - [How Sports Properties Are Turning History Into Engagement](https://wsc-sports-dev.ltu.co.il/blog/industry-insights/how-sports-properties-are-turning-history-into-engagement/): The most valuable content in sports might already exist. - [From Global Buzz to Lasting Fandom: The NHL’s International Content Strategy](https://wsc-sports-dev.ltu.co.il/blog/industry-insights/from-global-buzz-to-lasting-fandom-the-nhls-international-content-strategy/): Key Takeaways: One day into the conference finals of the Stanley Cup playoffs, the National Hockey League (NHL) was named... - [How Sports Properties Can Better Serve Broadcast Partners in the Digital Age](https://wsc-sports-dev.ltu.co.il/blog/industry-insights/how-sports-properties-can-better-serve-broadcast-partners-in-the-digital-age/): As audiences shift to social and streaming platforms, broadcasters need more than live match coverage - [Fan Data in Sports: From Collection to Million-Dollar Insights](https://wsc-sports-dev.ltu.co.il/blog/industry-insights/fan-data-in-sports-from-collection-to-million-dollar-insights/): The future of sports growth belongs to organizations that know their fans, not just their audiences. - [How Global Competitions Are Rewriting the Playbook for Sports Content](https://wsc-sports-dev.ltu.co.il/blog/industry-insights/how-global-competitions-are-rewriting-the-playbook-for-sports-content/): Key takeaways: Lirian Santos is a Brazilian football freestyler, model, and creator. Her joyful, engaging content, which blends sport, fashion,... - [16 Cities, 16 World Cups: Capturing the Stories Beyond the Games](https://wsc-sports-dev.ltu.co.il/blog/industry-insights/16-cities-16-world-cups-capturing-the-stories-beyond-the-games/): The World Cup won’t just arrive in 16 cities. It will sound, taste, dress, and dance differently in each one. - [Will Fans in Mexico, US, and Canada Approach the World Cup Differently? It’s Not Even Close. ](https://wsc-sports-dev.ltu.co.il/blog/industry-insights/will-fans-in-mexico-us-and-canada-approach-the-world-cup-differently-its-not-even-close/): What WSC Sports’ 2026 World Cup report reveals about fan interest, viewing behavior, and content strategy across Mexico, the US,... - [FPT Play, Vietnam’s Top IPTV and OTT Platform, Partners with WSC Sports to Scale AI-Powered Sports Content ](https://wsc-sports-dev.ltu.co.il/blog/news/fpt-play-vietnams-leading-iptv-and-ott-platform-partners-with-wsc-sports-to-scale-ai-powered-sports-content/): New collaboration brings real-time content automation and multi-platform distribution to nearly 40 million users - [GOALITOS: LALIGA's Pioneering New Soccer Show For Kids](https://wsc-sports-dev.ltu.co.il/blog/news/goalitos-laligas-pioneering-new-soccer-show-for-kids/): Created by WSC Studios, GOALITOS brings LALIGA to young fans through original sports IP. - [Building Platform-Native Sports Content Strategies](https://wsc-sports-dev.ltu.co.il/blog/industry-insights/building-platform-native-sports-content-strategies/): Discovery in sports no longer starts with a search. It starts with a swipe. - [The 104-Match Challenge: Scaling Storytelling for the Biggest World Cup Ever](https://wsc-sports-dev.ltu.co.il/blog/industry-insights/the-104-match-challenge-scaling-storytelling-for-the-biggest-world-cup-ever/): The jump to 104 matches will put every rights holder under pressure to turn live moments into platform-ready stories. - [Why the World Cup Starts Long Before Kickoff](https://wsc-sports-dev.ltu.co.il/blog/industry-insights/why-the-world-cup-starts-long-before-kickoff/): It’s just weeks until the first whistle, but broadcasters, teams, and leagues have already spent months competing for fan attention. - [Turning Attention Into Lasting Fan Engagement](https://wsc-sports-dev.ltu.co.il/blog/industry-insights/turning-attention-into-lasting-fan-engagement/): Athlete-Driven Storytelling Matters More Than Ever - [11 Sports Highlights From April 2026 That You Won’t Want to Miss](https://wsc-sports-dev.ltu.co.il/blog/industry-insights/11-sports-highlights-from-april-2026-that-you-wont-want-to-miss/): A roundup of 11 notable sports highlights from April 2026, featuring decisive plays, standout goals, and key moments from football, baseball, tennis, golf, and more. - [How Rights Holders Are Turning Messaging Channels Into Fan Engagement Hubs](https://wsc-sports-dev.ltu.co.il/blog/industry-insights/how-rights-holders-are-turning-messaging-channels-into-fan-engagement-hubs/): Sports teams are no longer just broadcasting to fans. They’re building always-on conversations through messaging platforms. - [The Content Strategy Behind Successful DTC Platforms](https://wsc-sports-dev.ltu.co.il/blog/industry-insights/the-content-strategy-behind-successful-dtc-platforms/): Owning the stream is easy. Getting people to come back again and again is the real challenge. - [Where Highlights Meet Human Stories: How Sports Properties Can Unlock New Audiences](https://wsc-sports-dev.ltu.co.il/blog/industry-insights/where-highlights-meet-human-stories-how-sports-properties-can-unlock-new-audiences/): From race highlights to real-time storytelling, MotoGP is turning content into its fastest engine of growth. - [The NBA’s AI Approach to the Fan Experience](https://wsc-sports-dev.ltu.co.il/blog/industry-insights/the-nbas-ai-approach-to-the-fan-experience/): The NBA has turned every moment on the court into a global, personalized story engine. - [Tokyo Summit: Making the Fan Experience Work Across Platforms](https://wsc-sports-dev.ltu.co.il/blog/industry-insights/tokyo-summit-making-the-fan-experience-work-across-platforms/): WSC Sports hosted its first Tokyo Summit, bringing together leaders from across Japan’s sports media ecosystem to explore how the... - [How International Federations Win Between Events (Hint: The Game Never Really Stops)](https://wsc-sports-dev.ltu.co.il/blog/industry-insights/how-international-federations-win-between-events-hint-the-game-never-really-stops/): For International Federations, staying relevant between major events is where the real battle for fans begins. - [Where Tradition Meets Technology: The Masters’ Digital Playbook](https://wsc-sports-dev.ltu.co.il/blog/industry-insights/where-tradition-meets-technology-the-masters-digital-playbook/): Combining tradition, technology, and owned platforms to drive deeper fan loyalty - [Inside FC Barcelona’s Digital Growth Strategy](https://wsc-sports-dev.ltu.co.il/blog/industry-insights/inside-fc-barcelonas-digital-growth-strategy/): Inside Barça’s playbook for winning the digital game - [11 Sports Highlights From March 2026 That You Won’t Want to Miss](https://wsc-sports-dev.ltu.co.il/blog/industry-insights/11-sports-highlights-from-march-2026-that-you-wont-want-to-miss/): Explore 11 notable sports highlights from March 2026, featuring decisive moments, standout goals, and key performances from football, basketball, tennis, golf, and more. - [Scripps Sports First to Utilize New AI-Powered Automated Sponsor Tracking for Broadcasters and Rights Holders](https://wsc-sports-dev.ltu.co.il/blog/news/how-scripps-sports-is-automating-sponsor-tracking-across-live-broadcasts/): New capability delivers near real-time sponsor verification, full transparency and scalable commercial accountability across live sports. - [“Real Madrid of the Americas”: How Flamengo is Turning Local Dominance into Global Relevance](https://wsc-sports-dev.ltu.co.il/blog/industry-insights/real-madrid-of-the-americas-how-flamengo-is-turning-local-dominance-into-global-relevance/): Inside the strategy turning a regional powerhouse into a global, always-on brand - [New eBook: How Public Broadcasters Can Lead the Next Era of Sports Coverage](https://wsc-sports-dev.ltu.co.il/blog/industry-insights/new-ebook-how-public-broadcasters-can-lead-the-next-era-of-sports-coverage/): Inside the shift reshaping how public broadcasters deliver and distribute sports content - [How the Cleveland Cavaliers Are Building a Scalable Fan Experience With GenAI](https://wsc-sports-dev.ltu.co.il/blog/news/how-the-cleveland-cavaliers-are-building-a-scalable-fan-experience-with-genai/): Through an expanded partnership with WSC Sports, the Cavaliers are turning content into immersive fan experiences - [The Rising Value of Non-Live Sports Content](https://wsc-sports-dev.ltu.co.il/blog/industry-insights/the-rising-value-of-non-live-sports-content/): Changing Fan Behavior Is Redefining Sports Media Value - [Athletes as Superheroes: Building Personal Brand Loyalty through Animation](https://wsc-sports-dev.ltu.co.il/blog/industry-insights/athletes-as-superheroes-building-personal-brand-loyalty-through-animation/): How animated ‘superhero’ branding and storytelling around athletes boosts engagement, advocacy, and loyalty in modern sports marketing. - [One Competition, Dozens of Angles: Six Nations 2026](https://wsc-sports-dev.ltu.co.il/blog/industry-insights/one-competition-dozens-of-angles-six-nations-2026/): How Six Nations 2026 used slow motion, split screens, player-focused angles, and cultural moments to turn one competition into a multi-angle storytelling experience. - [One Race, Different Angles: 2026 Formula One Australia Grand Prix](https://wsc-sports-dev.ltu.co.il/blog/industry-insights/one-race-different-angles-2026-formula-one-australia-grand-prix/): How Formula 1 used split screens, POV cameras, fan reactions, and behind-the-scenes moments to turn the Australian Grand Prix into a multi-angle storytelling event. - [From Brackets to Buzzer-Beaters: The Digital DNA of March Madness](https://wsc-sports-dev.ltu.co.il/blog/industry-insights/from-brackets-to-buzzer-beaters-the-digital-dna-of-march-madness/): Three Structural Advantages That Make the NCAA Tournament a Natural Fit for the Digital Era - [The End of the 3-Hour Broadcast? Why Gen Alpha Prefers “Snackable” Sports](https://wsc-sports-dev.ltu.co.il/blog/industry-insights/the-end-of-the-3-hour-broadcast-why-gen-alpha-prefers-snackable-sports/): When the Highlight Becomes the First Screen - [What an Iconic TV Show Can Teach Rights Holders About Thriving in the Digital Era](https://wsc-sports-dev.ltu.co.il/blog/industry-insights/what-an-iconic-tv-show-can-teach-rights-holders-about-thriving-in-the-digital-era/): Nearly six decades after its debut, Match of the Day is showing that even the most traditional sports brands can... - [From Media Rights to Fan Relationships: Soccer’s Next Business Model](https://wsc-sports-dev.ltu.co.il/blog/industry-insights/from-media-rights-to-fan-relationships-soccers-next-business-model/): At the FT Business of Football Summit, industry leaders discussed how data, digital platforms, and fan relationships are reshaping the... - [What Rights Holders Can Learn From F1’s Content Ecosystem](https://wsc-sports-dev.ltu.co.il/blog/industry-insights/what-rights-holders-can-learn-from-f1s-content-ecosystem/): Formula 1’s content machine shows how storytelling, short-form video, and automation can transform audience reach. - [What Highlight Data Reveals About the Growth of Women’s Sports](https://wsc-sports-dev.ltu.co.il/blog/industry-insights/what-highlight-data-reveals-about-the-growth-of-womens-sports/): As women’s sports surge globally, highlight data reveals how the moments defining the game are reaching more fans than ever. - [How AI Transforms Live Sports into Animated Features](https://wsc-sports-dev.ltu.co.il/blog/industry-insights/how-ai-transforms-live-sports-into-animated-features/): Discover how AI turns live sports into kid-friendly cartoons using event detection, tracking data, animation engines, and scalable personalization for younger audiences. - [The World Baseball Classic as a Model for New Formats](https://wsc-sports-dev.ltu.co.il/blog/industry-insights/the-world-baseball-classic-as-a-model-for-new-formats/): A global tournament that demonstrates how legacy sports can create modern fandom. - [Data is the New Designated Player: How MLS is Building a Unified Fan View](https://wsc-sports-dev.ltu.co.il/blog/industry-insights/data-is-the-new-designated-player-how-mls-is-building-a-unified-fan-view/): Why unifying ticketing, content, and behavioral data is becoming MLS’s most important competitive advantage. - [WSC Sports Expands Club América Partnership in Latin America](https://wsc-sports-dev.ltu.co.il/blog/news/wsc-sports-expands-partnership-with-club-america-strengthening-digital-innovation-across-latin-america/): Multi-year renewal through 2027 expands WSC Sports’ role across social platforms and Club América’s mobile experience - [11 Sports Highlights From February 2026 That You Won’t Want to Miss](https://wsc-sports-dev.ltu.co.il/blog/industry-insights/11-sports-highlights-from-february-2026-that-you-wont-want-to-miss/): A roundup of 11 notable sports highlights from February 2026, featuring clutch finishes, standout skill plays, Olympic moments, and memorable performances from around the world. - [Modern Loyalty Programs in Sports: From Season Tickets to Year-Round Engagement](https://wsc-sports-dev.ltu.co.il/blog/industry-insights/modern-loyalty-programs-in-sports-from-season-tickets-to-year-round-engagement/): How memberships, personalization, and data are redefining fan retention - [From Rights to Results: How Forward-Thinking Public Broadcasters Are Winning With Sports](https://wsc-sports-dev.ltu.co.il/blog/industry-insights/from-rights-to-results-how-forward-thinking-public-broadcasters-are-winning-with-sports/): From LaLiga in Spain to cricket in New Zealand, public broadcasters are proving that innovation turns sports rights into audience... - [The New Home for WSC Sports Solutions](https://wsc-sports-dev.ltu.co.il/blog/news/welcome-to-the-arena-the-new-home-of-wsc-sports/): For years, sports content teams have been asked to do more. - [Beyond Impressions: The New Metrics That Matter for Fan Engagement](https://wsc-sports-dev.ltu.co.il/blog/industry-insights/beyond-impressions-the-new-metrics-that-matter-for-fan-engagement/): By looking beyond impressions and likes and instead tracking metrics tied to retention, participation, and conversion, you build a foundation... - [When Regulation Meets Relevance: Sports as a Strategic Asset for Public Broadcasters](https://wsc-sports-dev.ltu.co.il/blog/industry-insights/when-regulation-meets-relevance-sports-as-a-strategic-asset-for-public-broadcasters/): Sports rights are giving public broadcasters a rare chance to pair regulatory mandate with cultural relevance. - [The PGA TOUR’s Audience-First Approach to Content Strategy](https://wsc-sports-dev.ltu.co.il/blog/industry-insights/the-pga-tours-audience-first-approach-to-content-strategy/): The PGA TOUR is redefining how golf is experienced across platforms by turning fan behavior into product innovation. - [The Fandom Flywheel: Building the Operating System for Sports Media in 2030](https://wsc-sports-dev.ltu.co.il/blog/news/the-fandom-flywheel-building-the-operating-system-for-sports-media-in-2030/): A blueprint for connecting moments, data, and revenue in an always-on sports economy - [What the New X Games League Reveals About Scaling Emerging Sports ](https://wsc-sports-dev.ltu.co.il/blog/industry-insights/what-the-new-x-games-league-reveals-about-scaling-emerging-sports/): The X Games’ shift to XGL shows how emerging leagues turn big moments into year-round, tech-powered growth. - [Zero- & First-Party Data: The New MVPs of Fan Engagement](https://wsc-sports-dev.ltu.co.il/blog/industry-insights/zero-first-party-data-the-new-mvps-of-fan-engagement/): By collecting data directly from fans teams can personalize experiences, build loyalty, and drive revenue in ways generic social media... - [One Game, Dozens of Stories: Creating Super Bowl LX Content From Different Angles](https://wsc-sports-dev.ltu.co.il/blog/industry-insights/one-game-dozens-of-stories-creating-super-bowl-lx-content-from-different-angles/): Super Bowl LX showed how a single championship game can be covered from different angles. - [Mandate vs. Market: The Challenges Facing Public Broadcasting](https://wsc-sports-dev.ltu.co.il/blog/industry-insights/mandate-vs-market-the-challenges-facing-public-broadcasting/): As viewing habits shift, public broadcasters are rethinking how they deliver sports to remain relevant and impactful. - [From Gut To Signal: Monetizing Moments In The Age Of Real-time Sponsorship](https://wsc-sports-dev.ltu.co.il/blog/industry-insights/from-gut-to-signal-monetizing-moments-in-the-age-of-real-time-sponsorship/): Moments were always the real currency of sports media. The industry just spent years pricing something else. - [11 Sports Highlights From January 2026 That You Won’t Want to Miss](https://wsc-sports-dev.ltu.co.il/blog/industry-insights/11-sports-highlights-from-january-2026-that-you-wont-want-to-miss/): January 2026 Best Sports Highlights - [How Modern Brands Approach the Super Bowl, and What It Means for Rights Holders](https://wsc-sports-dev.ltu.co.il/blog/industry-insights/how-modern-brands-approach-the-super-bowl-and-what-it-means-for-rights-holders/): The world’s biggest game has become a multi-week content engine. - [Why WSC Sports is the Obvious Partner for Where Sponsorship is Headed](https://wsc-sports-dev.ltu.co.il/blog/industry-insights/why-wsc-sports-was-the-obvious-partner-for-where-sponsorship-is-headed/): Partnerbrite CEO Nick Lockwood on the partnership with WSC Sports and the opportunity to redefine how sports content drives commercial... - [Identity at Scale: The Content Strategy Powering Borussia Dortmund’s Global Growth](https://wsc-sports-dev.ltu.co.il/blog/industry-insights/identity-at-scale-the-content-strategy-powering-borussia-dortmunds-global-growth/): How identity-led storytelling and AI help Borussia Dortmund grow globally. - [The New Home Advantage: How Rights Holders Win by Showing Up in Fan Communities](https://wsc-sports-dev.ltu.co.il/blog/industry-insights/the-new-home-advantage-how-rights-holders-win-by-showing-up-in-fan-communities/): The real wins happen where fans actually talk - [WSC Sports Acquires Partnerbrite to Unify Content Creation and Sponsorship Activation](https://wsc-sports-dev.ltu.co.il/blog/news/wsc-sports-acquires-partnerbrite-to-unify-content-creation-and-sponsorship-activation/): A single platform connecting sports content, fans, and brands. - [Vertical is the New Baseline: 2025/26 NFL Regular Season Content Trends](https://wsc-sports-dev.ltu.co.il/blog/industry-insights/vertical-is-the-new-baseline-2025-26-nfl-regular-season-content-trends/): The analysis of videos created by all NFL rights holders includes content volume, automation, and formats from 2025/26 compared to 2024/25 regular season - [The 1-Point Slam: How the Australian Open Built a Gen Z-Native Fan Funnel](https://wsc-sports-dev.ltu.co.il/blog/industry-insights/the-1-point-slam-how-the-australian-open-built-a-gen-z-native-fan-funnel/): How the Australian Open used the 1-point slam, a million-dollar format to create viral moments, guaranteed storylines, and a Gen Z-native fan funnel entry point. - [Turning Investment Into Fandom: Building a Sustainable Ecosystem in MENA](https://wsc-sports-dev.ltu.co.il/blog/industry-insights/turning-investment-into-fandom-building-a-sustainable-ecosystem-in-mena/): Why the next phase of MENA’s sports boom depends on converting capital and star power into everyday fan engagement - [One Game, Dozens of Stories: How the College Football Championship Became a Multi-Platform Story Engine](https://wsc-sports-dev.ltu.co.il/blog/industry-insights/one-game-dozens-of-stories-how-the-college-football-championship-became-a-multi-platform-story-engine/): How the College Football Playoff national championship game between Indiana and Miami became dozens of stories across social media, using multiple formats to reach every type of fan. - [Mapping the Correlation Between Highlight Volume and All-Star Voting](https://wsc-sports-dev.ltu.co.il/blog/industry-insights/mapping-the-correlation-between-highlight-volume-and-all-star-voting/): What the Top 30 Most-Clipped Players Reveal About Fan Voting Patterns - [The Most Valuable Sports Audience the Industry Keeps Missing](https://wsc-sports-dev.ltu.co.il/blog/industry-insights/the-most-valuable-sports-audience-the-industry-keeps-missing/): Investment in women’s sports is soaring, but understanding the women who power it is still lagging behind - [Inside the Australian Open’s Tech-Driven Playbook for Elite Events](https://wsc-sports-dev.ltu.co.il/blog/industry-insights/inside-the-australian-opens-tech-driven-playbook-for-elite-events/): A behind-the-scenes look at how technology is redefining fan engagement at one of sport’s most innovative majors - [The Same Game-Changing AI, Now Applied to Studio Shows and Spoken Content](https://wsc-sports-dev.ltu.co.il/blog/industry-insights/the-same-game-changing-ai-now-applied-to-studio-shows-and-spoken-content/): WSC Sports’ automated solution for studio shows lets you instantly surface, clip, and publish the best on-air moments — before... - [Sports Technology Revolution: How GenAI is Creating Billion-Dollar Opportunities](https://wsc-sports-dev.ltu.co.il/blog/industry-insights/sports-technology-revolution-how-genai-is-creating-billion-dollar-opportunities/): Trends in AI are reshaping sports technology. - [Inside PSG’s Tech-First Vision for Global Fan Engagement](https://wsc-sports-dev.ltu.co.il/blog/industry-insights/inside-psgs-tech-first-vision-for-global-fan-engagement/): How PSG is turning data, content, and AI into a scalable global fan engine - [How AFCON Is Putting Tomorrow’s Sports Media Playbook Into Practice](https://wsc-sports-dev.ltu.co.il/blog/industry-insights/how-afcon-is-putting-tomorrows-sports-media-playbook-into-practice/): Why AFCON is winning casual fans and redefining how major tournaments grow audiences - [Sky Sport Deutschland Expands WSC Sports Partnership to Austria](https://wsc-sports-dev.ltu.co.il/blog/news/sky-sport-deutschland-expands-wsc-sports-partnership-to-austria/): Broadcaster to Deepen AI Integration and Explore GenAI Storytelling Across DACH Region - [The End of the Format Tradeoff in Sports Video](https://wsc-sports-dev.ltu.co.il/blog/industry-insights/the-end-of-the-format-tradeoff-in-sports-video/): Horizontal or vertical? If you’re posting sports videos, it’s a daily dilemma. - [The New Olympic Funnel: Creators, Short-Form, and Owned Platforms](https://wsc-sports-dev.ltu.co.il/blog/industry-insights/the-new-olympic-funnel-creators-short-form-and-owned-platforms/): Creators spark the hype. Owned platforms turn it into loyalty. - [Machine Learning Sports Predictions Behind Big Wins](https://wsc-sports-dev.ltu.co.il/blog/industry-insights/machine-learning-sports-predictions-behind-big-wins/): How AI and Machine Learning Are Reshaping Sports Betting, Fantasy Picks, and Odds-Making - [How Sports Organizations Are Delivering 1:1 Personalization](https://wsc-sports-dev.ltu.co.il/blog/industry-insights/how-sports-organizations-are-delivering-11-personalization/): As fan expectations shift toward 1:1 personalization, AI-powered content and data platforms are essential for knowing and keeping your fans. - [NBB Renews Partnership with WSC Sports to Deliver AI-Powered Basketball Content in Brazil](https://wsc-sports-dev.ltu.co.il/blog/news/nbb-renews-partnership-with-wsc-sports-to-deliver-ai-powered-basketball-content-in-brazil/): New two-year partnership will accelerate content creation, distribution, and fan engagement across NBB’s digital platforms - [Lisa Ramuschkat: Media Personality, Angel Investor, Female Role Model](https://wsc-sports-dev.ltu.co.il/blog/industry-insights/lisa-ramuschkat-media-personality-angel-investor-female-role-model/): Learn how Lisa Ramuschkat became an essential voice in German sports media and her work helping women athletes in Germany and beyond. - [11 Sports Highlights From December 2025 You Won’t Want to Miss](https://wsc-sports-dev.ltu.co.il/blog/industry-insights/11-sports-highlights-from-december-2025-you-wont-want-to-miss/): Relive 11 unforgettable sports highlights from December 2025, featuring insane goals, viral fan moments, clutch shots, and jaw-dropping athletic feats. - [Why More Teams Are Switching to AI-Powered Sports Analytics](https://wsc-sports-dev.ltu.co.il/blog/industry-insights/why-more-teams-are-switching-to-ai-powered-sports-analytics/): How AI is reshaping performance, content, and fan engagement across the sports industry. - [Why 2026 Belongs to Moments, Not Matches](https://wsc-sports-dev.ltu.co.il/blog/industry-insights/why-2026-belongs-to-moments-not-matches/): In 2026, sports media success will be defined by how moments are turned into quick, relevant, and measurable value. - [The Overlooked Opportunity: Casual Fans](https://wsc-sports-dev.ltu.co.il/blog/industry-insights/the-overlooked-opportunity-casual-fans/): Casual fans represent two-thirds of all sports fans. As sports media pursues the top third, the casual fan represents one of the biggest opportunities. - [AI Sports Revolution: 12 Innovations Changing Everything](https://wsc-sports-dev.ltu.co.il/blog/industry-insights/ai-sports-revolution-12-innovations-changing-everything/): Learn about new capabilities in AI powering sports into a new era, with more personalized fand experiences. - [AI Sports Predictions for 2026: Why Traditional Methods Are Now Obsolete](https://wsc-sports-dev.ltu.co.il/blog/industry-insights/ai-sports-predictions-for-2026-why-traditional-methods-are-now-obsolete/): Learn how AI sports predictions are replacing traditional models with higher accuracy, real-time updates, and personalized insights for fans and bettors. - [Technology as the Great Equalizer](https://wsc-sports-dev.ltu.co.il/blog/industry-insights/technology-as-the-great-equalizer/): How AI and automation are leveling the playing field in sports media, enabling leagues and teams of any size to scale content faster and smarter. - [How Short-Form Content Turns a Regional Tournament Into a Global Property](https://wsc-sports-dev.ltu.co.il/blog/industry-insights/how-short-form-content-turns-a-regional-tournament-into-a-global-property/): AFCON 2025 shows how global media partnerships, diaspora audiences, and short-form storytelling can turn a regional tournament into a worldwide... - [What November’s Most-Clipped NBA Players Reveal About Fandom](https://wsc-sports-dev.ltu.co.il/blog/industry-insights/what-novembers-most-clipped-nba-players-reveal-about-fandom/): Decoding digital fandom using WSC Sports’ content data on Luka Dončić, Giannis Antetokounmpo, Nikola Jokić, and more. - [From Boxing Day Classics to Always-On Engagement: Unlocking the Archive Advantage](https://wsc-sports-dev.ltu.co.il/blog/industry-insights/from-boxing-day-classics-to-always-on-engagement-unlocking-the-archive-advantage/): Key takeaways -Archive content is a high-performing engagement asset that fuels nostalgia for older fans and discovery for younger audiences.... - [The Hybrid Future: Distribution Everywhere](https://wsc-sports-dev.ltu.co.il/blog/industry-insights/the-hybrid-future-distribution-everywhere/): Sports leaders from the Madrid Huddle explain why winning in 2026 means hybrid distribution, aggregation, and being everywhere fans already are. - [Speak Their Language: How AI-Powered Content Localization Is Democratizing Sports](https://wsc-sports-dev.ltu.co.il/blog/industry-insights/speak-their-language-how-ai-powered-content-localization-is-democratizing-sports/): AI-powered localization helps organizations reach global fans with real-time translation, cultural nuance, and storytelling that feels truly local. - [The Conversion Challenge: Why Rugby Is at a Digital Crossroads](https://wsc-sports-dev.ltu.co.il/blog/industry-insights/the-conversion-challenge-why-rugby-is-at-a-digital-crossroads/): Rugby faces a digital crossroads. Growth now depends on short-form, social-first content and AI-powered scale to reach modern fans. - ["Following" vs. "Watching": The Gen Z Reality](https://wsc-sports-dev.ltu.co.il/blog/industry-insights/following-vs-watching-the-gen-z-reality/): Gen Z has proven that they prefer to 'follow' games versus 'watching' them. Hear what top industry leaders say about what real-time engagement now requires. - [The Player Paradox: Stars vs. Sustainability](https://wsc-sports-dev.ltu.co.il/blog/industry-insights/the-player-paradox-stars-vs-sustainability/): Sports leaders debate the player paradox: Gen Z follows athletes, but teams endure. Learn how leagues balance star power with sustainable fandom. - [2026 and Beyond: Sports Industry Leaders on What's Next](https://wsc-sports-dev.ltu.co.il/blog/industry-insights/2026-and-beyond-sports-industry-leaders-on-whats-next/): This is chapter 1 of our 6-part series “2026 and Beyond: Sports Industry Leaders on What's Next”, bringing the voices... - [AI in Sports: 15 Ways GenAI Will Dominate the Next Decade](https://wsc-sports-dev.ltu.co.il/blog/industry-insights/ai-in-sports-15-ways-genai-will-dominate-the-next-decade/): Key takeaways -AI is revolutionizing all aspects of sports. From coaching and training to content creation, officiating, and business operations,... - [How MLS Became a Global Player: Lessons in Strategy and Digital Ambition](https://wsc-sports-dev.ltu.co.il/blog/industry-insights/how-mls-became-a-global-player-lessons-in-strategy-and-digital-ambition/): MLS’s rise shows how tech, strategy, and calendar moves built global reach, fan growth, and momentum ahead of the 2026 World Cup. - [11 Sports Highlights From November 2025 That You Won’t Want to Miss](https://wsc-sports-dev.ltu.co.il/blog/industry-insights/11-sports-highlights-from-november-2025-that-you-wont-want-to-miss/): From college sports to the major leagues, and even a few snow-covered fields, November had it all. Here are the top 11 highlights from the sports world that you won’t want to miss. - [Where Entertainment Meets Sports: Using Cultural Crossovers to Reach Non-traditional Fans](https://wsc-sports-dev.ltu.co.il/blog/industry-insights/where-entertainment-meets-sports-using-cultural-crossovers-to-reach-non-traditional-fans/): Key Takeaways -Pop-culture crossovers are becoming powerful gateways for sport-curious audiences, drawing new fans who value cultural moments more than... - [The 2025-2026 Generational Fan Study](https://wsc-sports-dev.ltu.co.il/blog/industry-insights/the-2025-2026-generational-fan-study/): This report breaks down how Gen Z, Millennials, and Gen X engage with sports and what organizations must change to drive growth in 2026. - [From TikTok to Spotify: The ATP’s Roadmap to Modern Sports Storytelling](https://wsc-sports-dev.ltu.co.il/blog/industry-insights/from-tiktok-to-spotify-the-atps-roadmap-to-modern-sports-storytelling/): From TikTok to Spotify, the ATP is rewriting its content playbook to connect with younger fans through creators, platforms, and... - [When Passion Meets Production: What I Saw Behind the Scenes at the PFL Championships](https://wsc-sports-dev.ltu.co.il/blog/customer-spotlight/when-passion-meets-production-what-i-saw-behind-the-scenes-at-the-pfl-championships/): Discover how the PFL growth strategy fuels its global rise in MMA through smart content, innovation, and athlete-first storytelling. - [Sports Podcasts Go Visual: The Platforms, Trends, and Tech Driving Discovery](https://wsc-sports-dev.ltu.co.il/blog/industry-insights/sports-podcasts-go-visual-the-platforms-trends-and-tech-driving-discovery/): Sports podcasts are going visual. See the platforms, trends, and AI tech turning shows into clip-driven discovery engines. - [Inside Real Madrid's Blueprint Customer Value Optimization](https://wsc-sports-dev.ltu.co.il/blog/industry-insights/inside-real-madrids-blueprint-for-a-complete-fan-view-that-powers-dtc-revenue-streams/): How Real Madrid unifies fan data and real-time content insights to personalize at scale and grow direct-to-consumer revenue. - [Donn Davis: The PFL Founder and Chairman Disrupting The MMA World](https://wsc-sports-dev.ltu.co.il/blog/industry-insights/donn-davis-the-pfl-founder-and-chairman-disrupting-the-mma-world/): Donn Davis, CEO of the PFL, talks tech and how AI powers year-round storytelling beyond fight nights, and the league’s plan for global MMA growth. - [From Hours of Work to AI: What Editing on 3/4-Inch Tape Taught Me About Today’s Automated Highlights](https://wsc-sports-dev.ltu.co.il/blog/industry-insights/from-hours-of-work-to-ai-what-editing-on-3-4-inch-tape-taught-me-about-todays-automated-highlights/): How my early years at CNN Sports and the Atlanta Hawks explain why automation gives today’s creators more time, more... - [Why Fan Data Is Still the Sports Industry's Biggest Missed Opportunity](https://wsc-sports-dev.ltu.co.il/blog/industry-insights/why-fan-data-is-still-the-sports-industrys-biggest-missed-opportunity/): Organizations collect fan data but rarely use it. Learn how Barcelona, Mallorca, and WSC Sports turn insights into real value and engagement. - [One Game, Dozens of Stories: How the Championship Match of the Nitto ATP Finals Ignited Social Media](https://wsc-sports-dev.ltu.co.il/blog/industry-insights/one-game-dozens-of-stories-how-the-nitto-atp-finals-ignited-social-media/): How one tennis match sparked dozens of stories online—see how digital teams turned Sinner vs. Alcaraz into a masterclass in multiplatform storytelling. - [Computer Vision Sports Analytics: 7 Game-Changing Applications You Haven't Seen](https://wsc-sports-dev.ltu.co.il/blog/industry-insights/computer-vision-sports-analytics-7-game-changing-applications-you-havent-seen/): Explore 7 computer vision breakthroughs reshaping sports in 2025, from tactics and AI referees to AR overlays, safety, scouting, and VR training. - [What Rights Holders Can Learn from Amazon's Black Friday Playbook](https://wsc-sports-dev.ltu.co.il/blog/industry-insights/what-rights-holders-can-learn-from-amazons-black-friday-playbook/): Black Friday is now a sports holiday. Learn how Amazon uses live games, shoppable ads, and short-form clips to drive fan engagement and sales. - [Celebrations, Memes and...67? Turning On-Field Moments Into Gen Alpha Fandom](https://wsc-sports-dev.ltu.co.il/blog/industry-insights/celebrations-memes-and-67-turning-on-field-moments-into-gen-alpha-fandom/): Gen Alpha sports fandom is created by moments. See how celebrations and memes turn on-field highlights into viral trends that capture young fans. - [How the NBA Won Brazil and What Other Leagues Can Learn From It](https://wsc-sports-dev.ltu.co.il/blog/industry-insights/how-the-nba-won-brazil-and-what-other-leagues-can-learn-from-it/): How the NBA grew a massive fanbase in Brazil using localization, creators, and AI. Plus what other sports leagues can learn from its global strategy. - [From Sidelines to Screens: How Gen AI Is Powering the Future of Sports](https://wsc-sports-dev.ltu.co.il/blog/industry-insights/from-sidelines-to-screens-how-gen-ai-is-powering-the-future-of-sports/): As Gen AI reshapes everything from playbooks to push notifications, the sports world is entering an era where every moment... - [The $2.5B Secret: How AI Coaching is Transforming Elite Sports Performance](https://wsc-sports-dev.ltu.co.il/blog/industry-insights/the-2-5b-secret-how-ai-coaching-is-transforming-elite-sports-performance/): AI coaching is reshaping elite sports with injury prediction, personalized training, and data-driven insights that boost performance and keep athletes healthy. - [Tapping Into Creator Culture: The NFL’s Playbook for Reaching the Next Generation](https://wsc-sports-dev.ltu.co.il/blog/industry-insights/tapping-into-creator-culture-the-nfls-playbook-for-reaching-the-next-generation/): The NFL is creating an entirely new playbook focused on creators. Here's how that change is helping the league win... - [The New Phase of AI in Sports Media: From Automation to Content Generation](https://wsc-sports-dev.ltu.co.il/blog/industry-insights/the-new-phase-of-ai-in-sports-media-from-automation-to-content-generation/): Generative AI is transforming sports media workflows through dubbing, localization, and automated storytelling that keeps pace with the game. - [The Night Hank Aaron Made History: How One Swing Shaped My Love for Sports and Storytelling](https://wsc-sports-dev.ltu.co.il/blog/industry-insights/the-night-hank-aaron-made-history-how-one-swing-shaped-my-love-for-sports-and-storytelling/): Fifty-one years later, the night Hank Aaron broke Babe Ruth’s record reminds us why the most powerful sports stories begin... - [AI Sports Betting Revolution: How GenAI Is Generating 300% Higher Accuracy in 2025](https://wsc-sports-dev.ltu.co.il/blog/industry-insights/ai-sports-betting-revolution-how-genai-is-generating-300-higher-accuracy-in-2025/): Explore how Gen AI is revolutionizing sports betting in 2025 — boosting accuracy, personalization, and engagement across every fan touchpoint. - [Turning Experimentation Into Identity: How Emerging Leagues Are Winning Fans With Technology](https://wsc-sports-dev.ltu.co.il/blog/industry-insights/turning-experimentation-into-identity-how-emerging-leagues-are-winning-fans-with-technology/): How emerging leagues like TGL, SailGP, and MLS use AI and innovation to redefine fan engagement and sports identity. - [Inside the NBA’s Influence on the Next Generation of Sports Broadcasting](https://wsc-sports-dev.ltu.co.il/blog/industry-insights/inside-the-nbas-influence-on-the-next-generation-of-sports-broadcasting/): The return of "NBA on NBC" and the evolution of 𝘐𝘯𝘴𝘪𝘥𝘦 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘕𝘉𝘈 mark a new era where shows extend the life of every game across platforms. - [MLB Memorable Moments with Ray Liotta: When Storytelling Felt Personal](https://wsc-sports-dev.ltu.co.il/blog/industry-insights/mlb-memorable-moments-with-ray-liotta-when-storytelling-felt-personal/): Get at insider's look at the production behind an iconic MLB - MasterCard campaign and learn how its principles still shape today's sports content. - [WSC Sports expanding its global HQ in New York and London](https://wsc-sports-dev.ltu.co.il/blog/news/wsc-sports-expanding-its-global-hq-in-new-york-and-london/): Built to support sport, wherever it’s followed - [11 Sports Highlights From October 2025 That You Won't Want to Miss](https://wsc-sports-dev.ltu.co.il/blog/industry-insights/11-sports-highlights-from-october-2025-that-you-wont-want-to-miss/): With all five major US leagues in action and European football in full swing, these are the best sports moments... - [How Orange Spain is Turning Premium Sports Into a Strategic Advantage](https://wsc-sports-dev.ltu.co.il/blog/customer-spotlight/how-orange-spain-is-turning-premium-sports-into-a-strategic-advantage/): Daniel Lopez Nieto, Community & Social Media Manager at Orange Spain, explains how a non-traditional sports media rights holder is... - [Sports, Strategy, and Sustained Success](https://wsc-sports-dev.ltu.co.il/blog/sports-content-kings-podcast/sports-strategy-and-sustained-success/): On the fourteenth episode of Sports Content Kings, Aviv and Shaka are joined by Stan Kasten, President and Co-Owner of... - [How Athletes are Building Brands with Content](https://wsc-sports-dev.ltu.co.il/blog/industry-insights/how-athletes-are-building-brands-with-content/): Just before the MLB postseason started heating up, David Gavant sat down with Josh Booty to talk about his path... - [From Hickory Bats to AI: MLB's Culture of Continuous Innovation](https://wsc-sports-dev.ltu.co.il/blog/industry-insights/from-hickory-bats-to-ai-mlbs-culture-of-continuous-innovation/): Discover how MLB blends tradition with technology — from hickory bats to AI-powered content — to redefine fan engagement and innovation. - [The In-App Stories Playbook: Get the Guide to Learn From LALIGA, NASCAR, & the 76ers](https://wsc-sports-dev.ltu.co.il/blog/industry-insights/in-app-stories-the-vertical-video-experience-driving-fan-engagement/): Learn how WSC Sports’ In-App Stories helps rights holders enhance content delivery and maximize opportunities for monetization. - [SGA Tops First-Ever ‘Stars Behind the Highlights’ Report](https://wsc-sports-dev.ltu.co.il/blog/industry-insights/shai-gilgeous-alexander-tops-first-ever-stars-behind-the-highlights-report/): The new report ranks the top 20 players with the most highlights created by NBA rights holders using the WSC... - [The LTV Strategy: How Smart Sports Orgs Turn Data Into Dollars](https://wsc-sports-dev.ltu.co.il/blog/industry-insights/the-ltv-strategy-how-smart-sports-orgs-turn-data-into-dollars/): In the sports industry, Lifetime Value (LTV) represents the total economic value a fan contributes to an organization over the... - [What EA Sports Can Teach Rights Holders About Building Fan Ecosystems](https://wsc-sports-dev.ltu.co.il/blog/industry-insights/what-ea-sports-can-teach-rights-holders-about-building-fan-ecosystems/): Key Takeaways: -Sports consumption is evolving into an interactive ecosystem. EA Sports is blurring the boundaries between gaming, streaming, and... - [Vertical Video Hit 38% of NBA's Total Video Production for the 2024–25 Season](https://wsc-sports-dev.ltu.co.il/blog/industry-insights/vertical-video-hit-38-of-nbas-total-video-production-for-the-2024-25-season/): NBA digital content trends 2024–25: Vertical video surged 38%, showing how automation, mobile workflows, and storytelling redefine engagement. - [One Fan, Many Stories: Scaling Personalized Journeys Without Scaling Your Team](https://wsc-sports-dev.ltu.co.il/blog/industry-insights/one-fan-many-stories-scaling-personalized-journeys-without-scaling-your-team/): Scale personalized fan journeys with AI. like real-time highlights, tailored content, and higher engagement without growing your team. - [From Local Heroes to Global Ambassadors: Building Familiarity That Travels](https://wsc-sports-dev.ltu.co.il/blog/industry-insights/from-local-heroes-to-global-ambassadors-building-familiarity-that-travels/): As global competitions blur the lines between local fandom and international exposure, the real opportunity for sports organizations lies in... - [When One Signing Opens a New Market: Turning Star Power Into a Content Strategy](https://wsc-sports-dev.ltu.co.il/blog/industry-insights/when-one-signing-opens-a-new-market-turning-star-power-into-a-content-strategy/): Key Takeaways: -Star players can open doors to new markets, but converting global attention into lasting engagement requires localized, data-driven... - [The New Competitive Advantage: The Rise of Micro Communities, and What It Means for Rights Holders ](https://wsc-sports-dev.ltu.co.il/blog/industry-insights/the-new-competitive-advantage-the-rise-of-micro-communities-and-what-it-means-for-rights-holders/): Rights holders are winning with micro communities; using AI and personalized content to turn niche fan passion into lasting growth. - [How Elite Organizations Use Every Data Point to Deliver Tailored Fan Journeys](https://wsc-sports-dev.ltu.co.il/blog/industry-insights/how-elite-organizations-use-every-data-point-to-deliver-tailored-fan-journeys/): Learn how top sports organizations like Arsenal and MLB use unified data and AI to create fan experiences and drive engagement across channels. - [The Fan Funnel Is Leaking; Here’s How to Plug It](https://wsc-sports-dev.ltu.co.il/blog/industry-insights/the-fan-funnel-is-leaking-heres-how-to-plug-it/): Plug your leaky fan funnel by uniting content and data to deliver personalized experiences that drive loyalty, retention, and lifetime value. - [From Fans to Power Players: The Most Influential Streamers in Sports](https://wsc-sports-dev.ltu.co.il/blog/industry-insights/from-fans-to-power-players-the-most-influential-streamers-in-sports/): Streamers are redefining sports media by blending fandom, entertainment, and interactivity to reach younger audiences and reshape engagement. - [Off the Field, Into the Feed: The Rise of Non-Game Content in Sports](https://wsc-sports-dev.ltu.co.il/blog/industry-insights/off-the-field-into-the-feed-the-rise-of-non-game-content-in-sports/): Music, fashion, and lifestyle now define sports and fans just can't get enough. Here's how AI helps rights holders scale non-game storylines. - [11 Sports Highlights from September 2025 that you won't want to miss](https://wsc-sports-dev.ltu.co.il/blog/industry-insights/11-sports-highlights-from-september-2025/): Explore September 2025 sports highlights featuring football, Formula 1, tennis, and athletics: top plays, world records, and must-see viral clips. - [Survey: 55% of Fans Discover New Teams, Players, or Leagues Through Short-Form Video](https://wsc-sports-dev.ltu.co.il/blog/industry-insights/survey-55-of-fans-discover-new-teams-players-or-leagues-through-short-form-video/): Our 2025/26 Pre-Season: Viewing Habits and Trends report shows that pre-season content needs to be fast, personal, and native to... - [Helicopters, Music, and Storytelling: The Olympics That Changed Sports Television](https://wsc-sports-dev.ltu.co.il/blog/industry-insights/helicopters-music-and-storytelling-the-olympics-that-changed-sports-television/): The 1992 Summer Olympic Games in Barcelona marked a cinematic breakthrough in how the world watched sports. David Gavant, Content... - [Meeting Fans Where They Scroll: How Rights Holders Can Unlock Gen Z’s Commercial Potential](https://wsc-sports-dev.ltu.co.il/blog/industry-insights/meeting-fans-where-they-scroll-how-rights-holders-can-unlock-gen-zs-commercial-potential/): How sports can win Gen Z: deliver short-form, personalized, always-on content that matches the speed and culture of their digital lives. - [Building Student-Athlete Brands: Why Content Creation Is Essential to Maximizing NIL Potential](https://wsc-sports-dev.ltu.co.il/blog/industry-insights/building-student-athlete-brands-why-content-creation-is-essential-to-maximizing-nil-potential/): In the ultra competitive battle for top recruits, universities are stepping up their game and offering what was once unthinkable: branding opportunities. - [The New Home Court: Why Sports Apps Are Becoming Fans’ Primary Destination](https://wsc-sports-dev.ltu.co.il/blog/industry-insights/the-new-home-court-why-sports-apps-are-becoming-fans-primary-destination/): Key Takeaways: -Sports apps have become vital fan engagement hubs, driving community, loyalty, and year-round interaction beyond live games and... - [How to Identify and Activate High-Value Fan Segments](https://wsc-sports-dev.ltu.co.il/blog/industry-insights/how-to-identify-and-activate-high-value-fan-segments/): Discover how sports fan segmentation drives personalization, boosts engagement, and activates high-value fans for long-term growth. - [Beyond the Caitlin Clark Effect: How the WNBA Is Building Sustainable Growth with Storytelling](https://wsc-sports-dev.ltu.co.il/blog/industry-insights/beyond-the-caitlin-clark-effect-how-the-wnba-is-building-sustainable-growth-with-storytelling/): Women’s basketball is having a moment, and part of the way the WNBA is capitalizing on its surge in popularity... - [Reclaiming the Fan Funnel: From External Platforms to Owned Journeys](https://wsc-sports-dev.ltu.co.il/blog/industry-insights/reclaiming-the-fan-funnel-from-external-platforms-to-owned-journeys/): Learn how to reclaim the fan funnel, shift audiences to owned channels, and boost loyalty with personalization and automation. - [Clearing New Heights in Fan Engagement: The Power of Tech-Enhanced Sports Storytelling](https://wsc-sports-dev.ltu.co.il/blog/industry-insights/clearing-new-heights-in-fan-engagement-the-power-of-tech-enhanced-sports-storytelling/): From cinematic visuals to AI-powered highlights, rights holders are finding new ways to transform athletic performances into moments that travel farther, connect deeper, and keep fans engaged long after the competition ends. - [WSC Sports and ESPN Netherlands Extend Strategic Partnership to Power Real-Time Content](https://wsc-sports-dev.ltu.co.il/blog/news/wsc-sports-and-espn-netherlands-extend-strategic-partnership-to-power-real-time-content/): WSC Sports and ESPN NL extend partnership to deliver real-time, personalized football content across the Dutch fan ecosystem. - [Stream, React, Repeat: Turning Watchalong Moments Into a Content Pipeline](https://wsc-sports-dev.ltu.co.il/blog/industry-insights/stream-react-repeat-turning-watchalong-moments-into-a-content-pipeline/): Sports watchalongs have evolved from niche fan streams into a global phenomenon, reshaping how audiences experience live games. By blending... - [From Guessing to Knowing: How to Personalize Fan Experiences with Real-Time Signals](https://wsc-sports-dev.ltu.co.il/blog/industry-insights/from-guessing-to-knowing-how-to-personalize-fan-experiences-with-real-time-signals/): Learn how real-time signals turn guesswork into personalized fan experiences, boosting engagement, loyalty, and revenue for sports brands. - [Closing the Gap Between Reach and Revenue: How AI-Powered Content Unlocks Fan Value](https://wsc-sports-dev.ltu.co.il/blog/industry-insights/closing-the-gap-between-reach-and-revenue-how-ai-powered-content-unlocks-fan-value/): In European football, the stands may be full and the feeds overflowing, but turning followers into paying fans remains one... - [Owning the Feed: How Fan-First Leagues Are Changing Sports Investment](https://wsc-sports-dev.ltu.co.il/blog/industry-insights/owning-the-feed-how-fan-first-leagues-are-changing-sports-investment/): Fan-first leagues like Kings League and TGL are redefining sports with digital formats, VC investment, and real-time content innovation. - [Webinar: Game On, How AI is Shaping Sports Content in 2025](https://wsc-sports-dev.ltu.co.il/blog/industry-insights/webinar-game-on-how-ai-is-shaping-sports-content-in-2025/): Learn how AI is transforming sports content in 2025 with viral trends, creative tools, and fan engagement highlights from our latest webinar. - [From the Studio to the Scroll: Unlocking the Full Value of Top On-Air Talent](https://wsc-sports-dev.ltu.co.il/blog/industry-insights/from-the-studio-to-the-scroll-unlocking-the-full-value-of-top-on-air-talent/): How star on-air talent drives engagement and how AI-powered content tech turns live studio moments into lasting fan connections. - [In-App Stories and Moments: What the Data Tells Us About the Fan Journey](https://wsc-sports-dev.ltu.co.il/blog/industry-insights/in-app-stories-and-moments-what-the-data-tells-us-about-the-fan-journey/): Get the insights from our In-App Stories & Moments Report: how fans engage, why CTAs matter, and where new monetization opportunities lie. - [Q&A: How TVNZ Transformed Cricket Coverage with Real-Time Content Automation](https://wsc-sports-dev.ltu.co.il/blog/customer-spotlight/qa-how-tvnz-transformed-cricket-coverage-with-real-time-content-automation/): From labor-intensive editing to near-instant publishing, automation is changing how New Zealand’s national broadcaster delivers the moments that matter. - [Legendary NBA Photographer Nat Butler On What the Lens Teaches Us About Storytelling in Sports](https://wsc-sports-dev.ltu.co.il/blog/industry-insights/legendary-nba-photographer-nat-butler-on-what-the-lens-teaches-us-about-storytelling-in-sports/): Learn how Nat Butler’s iconic NBA photography reveals timeless lessons in anticipation, storytelling, and sports content strategy. - [Beyond Price Cuts: Fighting Subscription Fatigue With Richer Content Experiences](https://wsc-sports-dev.ltu.co.il/blog/industry-insights/beyond-price-cuts-fighting-subscription-fatigue-with-richer-content-experiences/): Sports streaming faces subscription fatigue and price cuts won’t fix it — AI-powered, always-on content is key to keeping fans engaged and loyal. - [The Disruption of the Sports Business Model: How Can Sports Organizations Survive the Shift?](https://wsc-sports-dev.ltu.co.il/blog/industry-insights/the-disruption-of-the-sports-business-model-how-can-sports-organizations-survive-the-shift/): Once-reliable business models are being upended by cord-cutting, shifting fan habits, and flattening media rights. This article explores the disruptive... - [The New Era of Sports Fandom: Engaging Gen Z and Gen Alpha](https://wsc-sports-dev.ltu.co.il/blog/industry-insights/the-new-era-of-sports-fandom-engaging-gen-z-and-gen-alpha/): As sports fans increasingly shift away from traditional broadcasts, rights holders face a growing challenge: how to connect with younger audiences who prefer personalized, bite-sized content over the long-form broadcasts of the past. - [ESPN’s NFL Play: How Rights Attract and Content Converts in the Streaming Era](https://wsc-sports-dev.ltu.co.il/blog/industry-insights/espns-nfl-play-how-rights-attract-and-content-converts-in-the-streaming-era/): ESPN’s NFL deal shows how premium rights plus short-form content can attract fans, cut acquisition costs, and drive DTC streaming growth. - [Reimagining the Game: How AI Is Reshaping the Digital Fan Experience](https://wsc-sports-dev.ltu.co.il/blog/industry-insights/reimagining-the-game-how-ai-is-reshaping-the-digital-fan-experience/): AI is reshaping sports fandom. Discover how the US Open uses AI to deliver real-time, personalized digital experiences for millions of tennis fans. - [The Tour de France and the Power of Cycling’s Global Community](https://wsc-sports-dev.ltu.co.il/blog/industry-insights/the-tour-de-france-and-the-power-of-cyclings-global-community/): The Tour de France proves sport’s true power: open roads, global fans, and rituals that turn a race into a worldwide celebration of community. - [Cross-Channel Insights Are the Only Way Forward for Sports Fan Engagement](https://wsc-sports-dev.ltu.co.il/blog/industry-insights/cross-channel-insights-are-the-only-way-forward-for-sports-fan-engagement/): Unify fan data across apps, OTT, social, and in-venue touchpoints. Learn how cross-channel insights drive personalization, loyalty, and revenue. - [Every Click Is a Potential Income Source: How Sports Brands Monetize Fan Engagement](https://wsc-sports-dev.ltu.co.il/blog/industry-insights/every-click-is-a-potential-income-source-how-sports-brands-monetize-fan-engagement/): In today’s digital economy every interaction carries value. A swipe on TikTok, a tap on an app notification, or a... - [Trends Report: What Millions of Videos Say About Fan Behavior in 2025](https://wsc-sports-dev.ltu.co.il/blog/industry-insights/trends-report-what-8000000-videos-say-about-fan-behavior-in-2025/): Discover key shifts in fan behavior from 8M sports videos: vertical, short-form, real-time content driving engagement in 2025. - [Content Saturation and the Differentiation Gap: How To Stand Out in the Crowd](https://wsc-sports-dev.ltu.co.il/blog/industry-insights/content-saturation-and-the-differentiation-gap-how-to-stand-out-in-the-crowd/): Social feeds are flooded with sports content. . In an oversaturated landscape, differentiation is the key to making your brand stand out. - [“We Were Born To Do Things Differently”: How CazéTV Redefined Sports Coverage](https://wsc-sports-dev.ltu.co.il/blog/industry-insights/we-were-born-to-do-things-differently-how-cazetv-redefined-sports-coverage/): CazéTV’s World Cup deal shows how creator-led platforms, interactivity, and AI-powered content are reshaping global sports coverage. - [Why CRM Data Isn't Enough: How Sports Organizations Can Truly Know Their Fans](https://wsc-sports-dev.ltu.co.il/blog/industry-insights/why-crm-data-isnt-enough-how-sports-organizations-can-truly-know-their-fans/): Go beyond CRM data. Learn how CDPs, identity graphs, and real-time content metadata unlock 360° fan personalization in sports. - [Filtering Out the Fluff: Delivering Sports Content Fans Actually Want](https://wsc-sports-dev.ltu.co.il/blog/industry-insights/filtering-out-the-fluff-delivering-sports-content-fans-actually-want/): From MLB’s TikTok boom to Gen Z’s attention shift, learn how sports orgs can win fans with complementary content and AI-driven personalization. - [Racing Ahead: How Tech-Driven Content Can Keep Young Fans Engaged](https://wsc-sports-dev.ltu.co.il/blog/industry-insights/racing-ahead-how-tech-driven-content-can-keep-young-fans-engaged/): How sports rights holders can use tech, AI, and extended coverage to engage younger fans and build lasting audience loyalty. - [Vertical Content Around the Premier League Jumped 76% in the '24/25 Season](https://wsc-sports-dev.ltu.co.il/blog/industry-insights/vertical-content-around-the-premier-league-jumped-76-this-season/): Discover the top Premier League content trends of 2025, from a 76% surge in vertical video to record-breaking digital output. - [From Fickle Viewers to Committed Fans: Winning the Retention Game](https://wsc-sports-dev.ltu.co.il/blog/industry-insights/from-fickle-viewers-to-committed-fans-winning-the-retention-game/): Key Takeaways -Going the DTC streaming route offers control and data but creates a significant retention challenge with younger viewers-Younger... - [Turning Peak Audiences to Year-Round Engagement: Lessons from UEFA Women's EURO 2025 ](https://wsc-sports-dev.ltu.co.il/blog/industry-insights/turning-peak-audiences-to-year-round-engagement-lessons-from-uefa-womens-euro-2025/): The UEFA Women’s EURO 2025 was a record-shattering showcase of the sport’s surging global appeal. Now, the challenge for rights... - [Barcelona '92: The Olympic Flame That Lit a Career](https://wsc-sports-dev.ltu.co.il/blog/industry-insights/barcelona-92-the-olympic-flame-that-lit-a-career/): "From the archer’s arrow to the Dream Team’s gold, David Gavant reflects on how the 1992 Barcelona Olympics shaped a career in sports storytelling." - [How WSC Sports Helps You Create Content for Every Type of Fan](https://wsc-sports-dev.ltu.co.il/blog/industry-insights/how-wsc-sports-helps-you-create-content-for-every-type-of-fan/): Learn how WSC Sports helps rights holders deliver personalized sports content tailored to every type of fan, across any platform, aspect ratio, or device. - [Forget Followers. How Sports Brands are Building Real Communities of Fans](https://wsc-sports-dev.ltu.co.il/blog/industry-insights/forget-followers-how-sports-brands-are-building-real-communities-of-fans/): Sports brands shift focus from followers to fan communities—driving loyalty, repeat engagement, and monetization through personalized content. - [MAC Joins Forces with WSC Sports to Deliver AI-Powered Fan Experiences at Scale](https://wsc-sports-dev.ltu.co.il/blog/news/mac-joins-forces-with-wsc-sports-to-deliver-ai-powered-fan-experiences-at-scale/): The Mid-American Conference (MAC) selects WSC Sports’ to redefine how college sports are experienced, putting real-time, personalized video content directly... - [The Women’s Euro Final Sent a Message to the Entire Sports World](https://wsc-sports-dev.ltu.co.il/blog/industry-insights/the-womens-euro-final-sent-a-message-to-the-entire-sports-world/): The Women’s Euro 2025 Final became a global media moment — driving record viewership, fan engagement, and commercial growth in women’s football. - [How Fan Edits Are Shaping the Future of Sports Media](https://wsc-sports-dev.ltu.co.il/blog/industry-insights/how-fan-edits-are-shaping-the-future-of-sports-media/): Fan edits are Gen Z’s favorite sports format. Learn how they’re shaping content strategy for teams, leagues, and media brands. - [Sports Can’t Afford Blind Spots: Building a Unified View of Every Fan](https://wsc-sports-dev.ltu.co.il/blog/industry-insights/sports-cant-afford-blind-spots-building-a-unified-view-of-every-fan/): Without a unified data strategy, leagues and teams are flying blind, missing out on the full picture of who their... - [What 3 Days in Paris with the LFP Taught Me About the Future of French Football](https://wsc-sports-dev.ltu.co.il/blog/industry-insights/what-3-days-in-paris-with-the-lfp-taught-me-about-the-future-of-french-football/): Behind the scenes with the LFP: how Ligue 1 is transforming fan engagement through AI, automation, and real-time storytelling with WSC Sports. - [More Than Lionesses: Content Technology's Role in the Growth of Women’s Sports](https://wsc-sports-dev.ltu.co.il/blog/industry-insights/leveling-the-playing-field-content-technologys-role-in-womens-sports-growth/): Women’s sports are surging. Learn how to fuel growth with star-led content, AI-driven highlights, and smarter owned-channel strategies. - [The Personalization Arms Race: How Sports Brands Can Compete for Attention on Their Own Turf](https://wsc-sports-dev.ltu.co.il/blog/industry-insights/the-personalization-arms-race-how-sports-brands-can-compete-for-attention-on-their-own-turf/): As platforms compete for fan attention, the brands that win will be the ones who own the relationship and deliver content that feels made just for you. - [The Night Air Jordan Showed Us the Value of an Iconic Moment  ](https://wsc-sports-dev.ltu.co.il/blog/industry-insights/the-night-air-jordan-showed-us-the-value-of-an-iconic-moment/): Before social media, one dunk redefined sports storytelling. Relive the night Jordan took flight—and what it would look like in today’s AI-powered era. - [Second Screen, First Priority: Meeting Modern Fans' Expectations](https://wsc-sports-dev.ltu.co.il/blog/industry-insights/second-screen-first-priority-meeting-modern-fan-expectations/): How sports organizations are using AI and second-screen strategies to turn passive viewers into engaged, data-driven fans on owned platforms. - [Create Once, Publish Everywhere: AI-Powered Sports Content at the Speed and Scale Fans Expect](https://wsc-sports-dev.ltu.co.il/blog/industry-insights/create-once-publish-everywhere-ai-powered-sports-content-at-the-scale-and-speed-fans-expect/): Learn how AI-powered automation helps sports orgs turn every play into platform-ready, personalized content that scales engagement and revenue. - [Winning More Than Stages: The Importance of a Tech-Driven Content Strategy](https://wsc-sports-dev.ltu.co.il/blog/industry-insights/winning-more-than-stages-the-importance-of-a-tech-driven-content-strategy/): Inside the Tour de France’s tech evolution—how ASO and WBD are redefining fan engagement through immersive, interactive, multi-platform content. - [Why David Stern Was Always Three Steps Ahead: The McDonald’s Open and the Birth of NBA Globalization](https://wsc-sports-dev.ltu.co.il/blog/industry-insights/why-david-stern-was-always-three-steps-ahead-the-mcdonalds-open-and-the-birth-of-nba-globalization/): How a little-known 1987 exhibition game quietly set the NBA on a global path — and why David Stern saw it coming before anyone else did. - [Kings League Taps WSC Sports to Power Its Global Content Engine](https://wsc-sports-dev.ltu.co.il/blog/news/kings-league-taps-wsc-sports-to-power-its-global-content-engine/): As the Gerard Piqué–founded league expands across continents, it’s turning to AI to keep content fast, fun, and everywhere fans... - [Your Game, Their Terms: Tapping Into the Power of Fan Edits](https://wsc-sports-dev.ltu.co.il/blog/industry-insights/your-game-their-terms-tapping-into-the-power-of-fan-edits/): Fans are rewriting the sports story. Explore how DAZN, TikTok, and others tap into fan edits and creator content to drive engagement and cultural relevance - [Fan Activation: The Monetization of Gen Z Sports Fans](https://wsc-sports-dev.ltu.co.il/blog/industry-insights/fan-activation-the-monetization-of-gen-sports-z-fans/): Learn how sports brands can monetize Gen Z through personalized content, fan-first experiences, and authentic engagement strategies. - [Garry Hayes on Modern Football, Global Fandom, and Chelsea’s Bold New Brand Strategy](https://wsc-sports-dev.ltu.co.il/blog/industry-insights/garry-hayes-on-modern-football-global-fandom-and-chelseas-bold-new-brand-strategy/): Football journalist Garry Hayes unpacks Chelsea’s brand evolution, global fandom, and how clubs can win off the pitch through content and strategy. - [When the Star Becomes the Strategy: Scaling Player-Driven Fandom](https://wsc-sports-dev.ltu.co.il/blog/industry-insights/when-the-star-becomes-the-strategy-scaling-player-driven-fandom/): How star athletes like Ohtani and Clark are reshaping sports strategy — and what content teams can do to harness player-driven fandom. - [AI in Sports Media: A Practical Look Behind the Buzzword](https://wsc-sports-dev.ltu.co.il/blog/industry-insights/ai-in-sports-media-a-practical-look-behind-the-buzzword/): Explore how AI is already transforming sports media—from auto-clipping highlights to personalized content—plus tips for smart, scalable adoption. - [Global, Data-Driven, Commercial: The NBA Draft's Blueprint for Sports Tech](https://wsc-sports-dev.ltu.co.il/blog/industry-insights/global-data-driven-commercial-the-nba-drafts-blueprint-for-sports-tech/): From AI-powered scouting to segmented audience development and athlete brand building, the 2025 NBA Draft showcased how forward-thinking sports properties... - [The 2025 NHL Stanley Cup Playoffs and Final Reminded Me Why Highlights Still Matter](https://wsc-sports-dev.ltu.co.il/blog/industry-insights/the-2025-nhl-stanley-cup-playoffs-and-final-reminded-me-why-highlights-still-matter/): How the 2025 NHL Playoffs reignited one producer’s fandom — and revealed why emotional highlights still drive engagement in sports media. - [From the Locker Room to the Livestream, This is How AI Supplements the Modern Sports Industry](https://wsc-sports-dev.ltu.co.il/blog/industry-insights/from-the-locker-room-to-the-livestream-this-is-how-ai-supplements-the-modern-sports-industry/): Discover how AI is transforming sports—from performance to media—with WSC Sports leading the shift to automated, personalized fan content. - [Scaling Emotion: The Content Playbook for Multi-Club Ownership Groups](https://wsc-sports-dev.ltu.co.il/blog/industry-insights/scaling-emotion-the-content-playbook-for-multi-club-ownership-groups/): Learn how top ownership groups are using content as a strategy to build trust, grow brands, and win hearts worldwide. - [Acing the Fan Experience: How Smart Organizations Are Using AI on Owned Channels](https://wsc-sports-dev.ltu.co.il/blog/industry-insights/acing-the-fan-experience-how-smart-organizations-are-using-ai-on-owned-channels/): How top sports organizations use AI to boost engagement, create content faster, and turn owned platforms into engines of fan growth and revenue. - [WSC Sports Launches Seoul Office to Power the Next Chapter of Korean Sports Media](https://wsc-sports-dev.ltu.co.il/blog/news/wsc-sports-launches-seoul-office-to-power-the-next-chapter-of-korean-sports-media/): WSC Sports opens Seoul office to bring AI-powered content to Korea; empowering rights holders to scale, personalize, and fuel the fandom across platforms. - [The Vision of Building a 360° Fan Identity: Powering Fan Engagement Beyond the Game](https://wsc-sports-dev.ltu.co.il/blog/industry-insights/the-vision-of-building-a-360-fan-identity-powering-fan-engagement-beyond-the-game/): Learn how 360° fan identity helps sports teams unify data, personalize content, boost engagement, and unlock new revenue beyond the live game. - [Snackable Sports: What New Sports Leagues Teach Us About Fan Engagement](https://wsc-sports-dev.ltu.co.il/blog/industry-insights/snackable-sports-what-new-sports-leagues-teach-us-about-fan-engagement/): New sports leagues are winning fans with fast, snackable content. Here's what legacy organizations can learn—and how to keep up. - [Beyond the Viral Clip: Redefining the Terms of Engagement](https://wsc-sports-dev.ltu.co.il/blog/industry-insights/beyond-the-viral-clip-redefining-the-terms-of-engagement/): How the ATP Tour and NBA use short-form content, AI, and platform strategy to engage younger fans and drive long-term digital growth. - [The Business Case for Personalized Sports Broadcasts: More Fans and Revenue](https://wsc-sports-dev.ltu.co.il/blog/industry-insights/the-business-case-for-personalized-sports-broadcasts-more-fans-and-revenue/): Learn how to use data and AI to personalize sports broadcasts, boost fan engagement, and unlock new revenue opportunities. - [Turning Chaos to Conversion: How Rights Holders Can Reclaim Fans in a Fragmented Rights Landscape](https://wsc-sports-dev.ltu.co.il/blog/industry-insights/turning-chaos-to-conversion-how-rights-holders-can-reclaim-fans-in-a-fragmented-rights-landscape/): How sports rights holders can combat fragmentation, reduce fan churn, and drive engagement through smart content and owned digital platforms. - [On and Off the Pitch: Why the 2024/25 Season was a Turning Point for the English Premier League](https://wsc-sports-dev.ltu.co.il/blog/industry-insights/on-and-off-the-pitch-why-the-2024-25-season-was-a-turning-point-for-the-english-premier-league/): Learn how the 2024–25 season reshaped the EPL’s global reach, digital strategy, and fan engagement—on the pitch and across every screen. - [One Game, Dozens of Stories: How the Europa League Final Lit Up Social Media](https://wsc-sports-dev.ltu.co.il/blog/industry-insights/one-game-dozens-of-stories-how-the-europa-league-final-lit-up-social-media/): How the Europa League Final turned one game into dozens of stories—boosting reach, revenue, and relevance through real-time, fan-first content strategy. - [Why the Decline of the Swoosh in Football Is Great News for You](https://wsc-sports-dev.ltu.co.il/blog/industry-insights/why-the-decline-of-the-swoosh-in-football-is-great-news-for-you/): Nike’s fall in football signals a shift: fragmentation is the new foundation. Learn how to build relevance across a distributed sports world. - [From Social to Subscription: The Tech-Driven Future of Sports Content Distribution](https://wsc-sports-dev.ltu.co.il/blog/industry-insights/from-social-to-subscription-the-tech-driven-future-of-sports-content-distribution/): Discover how leagues use tech to bridge social and subscription, reclaim fan access, and future-proof content distribution strategies. - [A Content Odyssey: How to Build a Content Engine That Keep Fans Coming Back](https://wsc-sports-dev.ltu.co.il/blog/industry-insights/a-content-odyssey-how-to-build-a-content-engine-that-keep-fans-coming-back/): Learn how top sports execs are using automation, personalization, and owned platforms to drive fan engagement and content ROI in the digital era. - [The War on Attention: How Sports Brands Can Win Fans’ Focus](https://wsc-sports-dev.ltu.co.il/blog/industry-insights/the-war-on-attention-how-sports-brands-can-win-fans-focus/): Learn how to win fans' attention with faster content, smarter personalization, and a multi-platform strategy built for today’s attention economy. - [Disrupted Play: The Business Reboot of Sports Content Pt. 3 ](https://wsc-sports-dev.ltu.co.il/blog/industry-insights/disrupted-play-the-business-reboot-of-sports-content-pt-3/): Learn how AI is powering the shift to DTC, helping rights holders scale content and create personalized fan experiences that drive revenue. - [More Than a Game: 11 Times May 2025 Proved Sports Rule Culture](https://wsc-sports-dev.ltu.co.il/blog/industry-insights/more-than-a-game-11-times-may-2025-proved-sports-rule-culture/): May 2025 reminded us that iconic sports moments aren’t just watched—they’re lived, shared, debated, and made into memes. - [How Around the Horn Built the Blueprint for Sports Media’s Short-Form Revolution ](https://wsc-sports-dev.ltu.co.il/blog/industry-insights/how-around-the-horn-built-the-blueprint-for-sports-medias-short-form-revolution/): With its gamified format, Around the Horn (ATH) showed producers how to thrive in a fractured, platform-driven landscape where every... - [How to Keep Up When There’s One Game, One Hundred Clips, and a Dozen Platforms ](https://wsc-sports-dev.ltu.co.il/blog/industry-insights/how-to-keep-up-when-theres-one-game-one-hundred-clips-and-a-dozen-platforms/): Need to manage hundreds of clips across a dozen platforms? This article explores how AI unlocks speed and scale in sports content distribution. - [De-fragment Your Fan Journey: Why Content Without Cohesion Doesn’t Convert](https://wsc-sports-dev.ltu.co.il/blog/industry-insights/de-fragment-your-fan-journey-why-content-without-cohesion-doesnt-convert/): Reclaim the fragmented fan journey with personalized, cross-platform sports content powered by WSC Sports' automated video solutions. - [The Business Reboot of Sports Content Pt. 2](https://wsc-sports-dev.ltu.co.il/blog/industry-insights/the-business-reboot-of-sports-content-pt-2/): Learn how AI is powering the shift to DTC in sports, helping rights holders scale content, cut churn, and create personalized fan experiences. - [The Business Reboot of Sports Content Pt. 1](https://wsc-sports-dev.ltu.co.il/blog/industry-insights/the-business-reboot-of-sports-content-pt-1/): Cutting the Cord and Raising the Stakes: Sports Networks Are at a Crossroads in the Streaming Era - [Top Teams, Leagues, Broadcasters and Publishers Huddle Up in Athens](https://wsc-sports-dev.ltu.co.il/blog/industry-insights/top-teams-leagues-broadcasters-and-publishers-huddle-up-in-athens/): Sports leaders met at the Athens Huddle to explore how automation, content, and owned platforms are reshaping fan engagement across Europe. - [When Socials Aren’t Enough: BYU’s Blueprint for Direct Fan Engagement](https://wsc-sports-dev.ltu.co.il/blog/customer-spotlight/when-socials-arent-enough-byus-blueprint-for-direct-fan-engagement/): Relying on social media to reach fans is a bit of a gamble. That’s why Brigham Young University built their... - [Strategizing in Stockholm: Rethinking Sports Content with Leaders from the Nordics](https://wsc-sports-dev.ltu.co.il/blog/industry-insights/strategizing-in-stockholm-rethinking-sports-content-with-leaders-from-the-nordics/): Get top insights from the premiere event, where leaders in the Nordic region spoke about automation, personalization, and player-driven storytelling. - [Top Nordic Teams, Leagues, and Broadcasters Gather for Stockholm Huddle ](https://wsc-sports-dev.ltu.co.il/blog/industry-insights/top-nordic-teams-leagues-and-broadcasters-gather-for-stockholm-huddle/): Inside the Stockholm Huddle, learn how Nordic sports leaders are shaping the future of fan engagement, short-form video, and digital content. - [UEFA Champions League 2024–25: How This Season Changed Everything](https://wsc-sports-dev.ltu.co.il/blog/industry-insights/uefa-champions-league-2024-25-how-this-season-changed-everything/): From shocking upsets to a reimagined format and record-breaking engagement, the 2024-25 Champions League didn’t just entertain, it evolved. And... - [5 Ways Clubs Can Drive Fan Engagement During the Off-Season](https://wsc-sports-dev.ltu.co.il/blog/industry-insights/5-ways-clubs-can-drive-fan-engagement-during-the-off-season/): Creating content during the regular season when games are coming thick and fast presents digital teams at sports clubs with... - [Fragmented Fandom: Why International Expansion Depends on Reclaiming the Fan Funnel](https://wsc-sports-dev.ltu.co.il/blog/industry-insights/fragmented-fandom-why-international-expansion-depends-on-reclaiming-the-fan-funnel/): As the NFL nears its $25B revenue goal, the league turns to international games and digital content to fuel growth and reach new fans. - [1% Watch, 99% Scroll, Content Needs to Be as Dynamic as Your Fans Are](https://wsc-sports-dev.ltu.co.il/blog/industry-insights/1-watch-99-scroll-content-needs-to-be-as-dynamic-as-your-fans-are/): Learn how changes in fan behavior are forcing sports rights holders to adapt, and get the latest insights that emerged from our internal data. - [From Reach to ROI: This Is the Case for Building Your Own O&O Platforms](https://wsc-sports-dev.ltu.co.il/blog/industry-insights/driving-high-value-fans-to-owned-and-operated-platforms/): Learn how to build a content strategy that generates leads and engagement rather than solely focusing on views and brand... - [WSC Sports Announces Landmark Partnership with Club América, Expanding AI-Powered Video Highlights to Liga MX](https://wsc-sports-dev.ltu.co.il/blog/news/wsc-sports-announces-landmark-partnership-with-club-america-expanding-ai-powered-video-highlights-to-liga-mx/): WSC Sports, the global leader in AI-driven sports video content automation, is thrilled to announce its first direct partnership with... - [Goals, Gags, and Glory: April’s Wildest Sports Highlights](https://wsc-sports-dev.ltu.co.il/blog/industry-insights/goals-gags-and-glory-aprils-11-wildest-sports-moments/): This month's most viral sports moment didn’t even happen on the field. - [The Fan Funnel: Strategies for Growth, Engagement, and Monetization](https://wsc-sports-dev.ltu.co.il/blog/industry-insights/optimizing-the-fan-funnel-for-higher-lifetime-value/): Here’s the uncomfortable truth: if you’re not actively building your own ecosystem, you’re building someone else’s. Every impression on a... - [The NBA’s Return to NBC & The Strategy Behind Big Sports Deals](https://wsc-sports-dev.ltu.co.il/blog/sports-content-kings-podcast/the-nbas-return-to-nbc-the-strategy-behind-big-sports-deals/): On the thirteenth episode of Sports Content Kings, Aviv and Shaka are joined by Jon Miller, President of Acquisitions and... - [How Shorts, Reels, and Stories are Changing the Way Sports Fans Consume Content](https://wsc-sports-dev.ltu.co.il/blog/industry-insights/how-shorts-reels-and-stories-are-changing-the-way-sports-fans-consume-content/): Entertainment as we know it is changing. And changing fast. Screens once dominated by full-length broadcasts have transformed into rapid-fire... - [WrestleMania 41: A Global Spectacle, Shaped by the Streaming Age](https://wsc-sports-dev.ltu.co.il/blog/industry-insights/wrestlemania-41-a-global-spectacle-shaped-by-the-streaming-age/): With its debut on Netflix, WWE’s crown jewel highlights how sports and entertainment organizations are adapting to the age of... - [WSC Sports Acquires Infront Lab’s Engines 365 to Supercharge Sports Organizations' Digital Fan Engagement](https://wsc-sports-dev.ltu.co.il/blog/news/wsc-sports-acquires-infront-labs-engine-365/): WSC Sports announces it's acquisition of Infront Lab's Engines 365 in next step to provide unmatched digital solutions to sports rights holders. - [Win or Lose, Dortmund and Anderlecht Still Winning-Over Young Fans](https://wsc-sports-dev.ltu.co.il/blog/industry-insights/win-or-lose-dortmund-and-anderlecht-still-winning-over-young-fans/): Learn how Alexander Mühl from Borussia Dortmund and Stijn Van Hemelrijck of RSC Anderlecht navigate the challenge of attracting younger fans. - [Sports Fandom: Understanding the Heart of the Game](https://wsc-sports-dev.ltu.co.il/blog/industry-insights/sports-fandom-understanding-the-heart-of-the-game/): Explore the evolution of sports fandom and how advancements in AI and automation help sports organizations create unparalleled fan-centric content... - [WSC Sports & TwinSpires Bring AI-Powered Content to Horse Racing for First Time](https://wsc-sports-dev.ltu.co.il/blog/news/wsc-sports-twinspires-bring-ai-powered-content-to-horse-racing-for-first-time/): Churchill Downs harnesses WSC Sports’ automated video technology to transform fan engagement and fuel betting activity across the TwinSpires platform. - [WSC Sports Expands to Greece with Fast River Partnership Bringing Premium Sports Content to Gazzetta Readers](https://wsc-sports-dev.ltu.co.il/blog/news/wsc-sports-expands-to-greece-with-fast-river-partnership-bringing-premium-sports-content-to-gazzetta-readers/): WSC Sports is excited to announce a strategic partnership with Fast River, a leading digital advertising innovator based in Athens,... - [NBA Using GenAI Technology from WSC Sports to Automate Multilingual Content](https://wsc-sports-dev.ltu.co.il/blog/customer-spotlight/nba-launches-genai-technology-with-wsc-sports-to-automate-multilingual-content/): The innovative AI solution delivers automated voice-overs in multiple languages, generating more than 75% viewer completion rates across the league’s... - [Livescore Expands WSC Sports Partnership After Successful Discovery Network Collaboration](https://wsc-sports-dev.ltu.co.il/blog/news/livescore-expands-wsc-sports-partnership-after-successful-discovery-network-collaboration/): Livescore is scaling its use of WSC Sports’ Discovery Network to deliver automated, AI-powered video stories across 17 major competitions... - [Behind the Camera with Ian Eagle: What March Madness Teaches Us About Storytelling](https://wsc-sports-dev.ltu.co.il/blog/industry-insights/behind-the-camera-david-gavant-with-ian-eagle-the-voice-of-ncaa-march-madness/): In this interview, WSC Sports' David Gavant interviews Ian Eagle, long-time announcer and CBS and TNT Sports' lead for covering March Madness. - [A New Sports Content Standard: The Bar for What’s Essential Has Been Raised](https://wsc-sports-dev.ltu.co.il/blog/news/a-new-sports-content-standard-the-bar-for-whats-essential-has-been-raised/): Most sports organizations still patch together tools to get their content work done—but fans expect more: better stories, deeper personalization,... - [March Madness Goes Global: The Rising Impact of International Talent in NCAA Basketball](https://wsc-sports-dev.ltu.co.il/blog/industry-insights/march-madness-goes-global-the-rising-impact-of-international-talent-in-ncaa-basketball/): March Madness has been synonymous with American college basketball for decades—a high-stakes, three-week spectacle where dreams are made and legends... - [CSTV and WSC Sports On Deck to Deliver More Content to Baseball Fans in Taiwan](https://wsc-sports-dev.ltu.co.il/blog/news/cstv-and-wsc-sports-on-deck-to-deliver-more-content-to-baseball-fans-in-taiwan/): WSC Sports and CSTV announce a partnership that will generate more baseball highlights for fans of the Uni-President 7-Eleven Lions of the CPBL. - [Big 12 Conference Partners with WSC Sports to Enhance Digital Presence and Strengthen Fan Engagement](https://wsc-sports-dev.ltu.co.il/blog/news/big-12-conference-partners-with-wsc-sports-to-enhance-digital-presence-and-strengthen-fan-engagement/): Learn how WSC Sports has partnered with the Big 12 Conference to elevate the league’s digital presence. - [How the Utah Jazz Create Fan-Driven Content Across All Platforms](https://wsc-sports-dev.ltu.co.il/blog/customer-spotlight/how-the-utah-jazz-create-fan-driven-content-across-all-platforms/): Angie Treasure, Senior Director of Content for the Utah Jazz, shares content strategies, the importance of localized content, and how... - [The Taiwan Professional Basketball League and WSC Sports Net Three Year Partnership](https://wsc-sports-dev.ltu.co.il/blog/news/the-taiwan-professional-basketball-league-and-wsc-sports-net-three-year-partnership/): The Taiwan Professional Basketball League and WSC Sports announce a collaboration to automate content creation during every game. - [Tennis Australia and WSC Sports Use GenAI to Create Multi-Lingual Voice-Over Commentary for Short-Form Content](https://wsc-sports-dev.ltu.co.il/blog/news/tennis-australia-and-wsc-sports-use-genai-to-create-multi-lingual-voice-over-commentary-for-short-form-content/): Tennis Australia and WSC Sports announce a collaboration that uses GenAI technology to create content with multi-lingual voice-over commentary. - [The Cutting-Edge AI Technology WOWOW Uses for Sports Broadcasting and Streaming](https://wsc-sports-dev.ltu.co.il/blog/customer-spotlight/the-cutting-edge-ai-technology-wowow-uses-for-sports-broadcasting-and-streaming/): Learn how leading Japanese broadcast company, WOWOW Inc., leverages AI to create more content for Japanese sports fans. - [TV Azteca Taps WSC Sports to Enhance the Broadcaster’s Content Capabilities](https://wsc-sports-dev.ltu.co.il/blog/news/tv-azteca-taps-wsc-sports-to-enhance-the-broadcasters-content-capabilities/): Learn how TV Azteca is leveraging WSC Sports' AI-powered technology to transform its sports content capabilities and deliver real-time highlights. - [Top Rank's Success in Securing New Fans Using the WSC Sports Creators Program](https://wsc-sports-dev.ltu.co.il/blog/customer-spotlight/harnessing-nostalgia-to-reach-new-fans-top-ranks-strategy-with-the-wsc-sports-creators-program/): In this interview, learn how the global leader in boxing promotions works with content creators to breathe life into historic content and attract new fans. - [How the United Rugby Championship is Tackling Fragmentation](https://wsc-sports-dev.ltu.co.il/blog/customer-spotlight/how-the-united-rugby-championship-is-tackling-fragmentation/): Learn how URC leverages WSC Sports to get maximum value from its owned content and deliver short-form videos to fans in 5 countries. - [Nothing But Net Gains for easyCredit BBL on Social Media](https://wsc-sports-dev.ltu.co.il/blog/customer-spotlight/nothing-but-net-gains-for-easycredit-bbl-on-social-media/): Learn how the premier basketball league in Germany, the easyCredit Basketball Bundesliga, expanded it's social media presence by using AI. - [FZ Sports: Growing Digital Revenue 6x Through AI](https://wsc-sports-dev.ltu.co.il/blog/customer-spotlight/fz-sports-growing-digital-revenue-6x-through-ai/): In this interview with VP of Product and Tech, Rafa López, learn how the streaming company creates content for millions of fans in Latin America. - [Don’t Drop the Ball on Mic Drop Moments](https://wsc-sports-dev.ltu.co.il/blog/industry-insights/dont-drop-the-ball-on-the-mic-drop-moments/): WSC Sports’ automated solution for interviews, press conferences, and studio shows lets you instantly surface, clip, and publish the off-the-court... - [How the LPGA is Driving Fan Engagement With AI](https://wsc-sports-dev.ltu.co.il/blog/customer-spotlight/how-the-lpga-is-driving-fan-engagement-with-ai/): Golf is experiencing a renaissance—both in how the sport is played and consumed. Today’s fans don’t just want to see... - [Antwerp Huddle: How Clubs are Evolving to Reconnect with Their Fans](https://wsc-sports-dev.ltu.co.il/blog/industry-insights/antwerp-huddle-how-clubs-are-evolving-to-reconnect-with-their-fans/): Learn more about the challenges facing some of the top sports clubs in the Netherlands and strategies they're putting in place to overcome them. - [Antwerp Huddle: Winning Viewer Attention in a Fragmented Sports Media World](https://wsc-sports-dev.ltu.co.il/blog/industry-insights/antwerp-huddle-winning-viewer-attention-in-a-fragmented-sports-media-world/): Learn how three broadcast companies strategize to get fans' attention in an era when they're spending a large amount of their time on social media. - [A Look Back at 2024’s Defining Sports Moments](https://wsc-sports-dev.ltu.co.il/blog/industry-insights/a-look-back-at-2024s-defining-sports-moments/): From the Australian Open to the Heisman Trophy winner, let's look back at some of the amazing highlights and industry feats that defined 2024. - [WSC Sports in 2024: Fueling Fandom Through More Than 10m Highlights](https://wsc-sports-dev.ltu.co.il/blog/industry-insights/wsc-sports-in-2024-fueling-fandom-through-more-than-10m-highlights/): To listen to this article via our AI-generated podcast, click play on the video below. - [A League of Their Own: The Sports Clubs Creating the Best Content](https://wsc-sports-dev.ltu.co.il/blog/industry-insights/a-league-of-their-own-the-sports-clubs-creating-the-best-content/): Learn about two of the biggest European football clubs that are using AI to create great content for their fans on social media. - [How Virginia Tech's Athletic Department Uses AI in Its Content Strategy](https://wsc-sports-dev.ltu.co.il/blog/customer-spotlight/how-virginia-tech-utilizes-ai-in-its-athletics-department-content-strategy/): Learn how Virginia Tech Athletics uses WSC Sports to create engaging content—delivering highlights, personalized experiences, and more. - [Antwerp Huddle: How Industry Leaders are Innovating to Engage New Audiences](https://wsc-sports-dev.ltu.co.il/blog/industry-insights/antwerp-huddle-how-industry-leaders-are-innovating-to-engage-new-audiences/): Learn how some of the region's biggest broadcasters, teams, and federations are leveraging new technology and content to reach new fans. - [Social Football Summit ‘24: Atlético Madrid on Transforming Fan Experiences](https://wsc-sports-dev.ltu.co.il/blog/industry-insights/social-football-summit-24-atletico-madrid-on-transforming-fan-experiences/): Learn more about WSC Sports' work with Atletico Madrid and watch the full panel discussion from the 2024 Sports Football Summit in Rome. - [How Baskonia Shoots to Be the GOAT with WSC Sports Technology](https://wsc-sports-dev.ltu.co.il/blog/customer-spotlight/how-baskonia-shoots-to-be-the-goat-with-wsc-sports-technology/): Alberto Ausín, Head of Communications for basketball club Baskonia, talks about the AI technology enabling them to create highlights at scale. - [KI auf dem Platz: Wie der FC Bayern München Basketball seine Fans noch näher zum Team bringt](https://wsc-sports-dev.ltu.co.il/blog/industry-insights/ki-auf-dem-platz-wie-der-fc-bayern-munchen-basketball-seine-fans-noch-naher-zum-team-bringt/): Erfolg im Sport wird heute nicht mehr nur an Titeln gemessen, sondern an Verbindung. Fans erwarten Live-Inhalte, Emotion und Personalisierung. Für den FC Bayern München Basketball bedeutete das, die Art und Weise zu überdenken, wie Spielgeschichten schneller und skaliert über alle Plattformen erzählt werden können. - [WSC Sports Wins Award for Best Use of AI at the SportsPro OTT Awards](https://wsc-sports-dev.ltu.co.il/blog/news/wsc-sports-wins-award-for-best-use-of-ai-at-the-sportspro-ott-awards/): Learn about WSC Sports' first and second place wins at the 2024 SportsPro OTT Awards. - [WSC Sports Wins Fast Company’s Next Big Things in Tech Award 2024](https://wsc-sports-dev.ltu.co.il/blog/news/wsc-sports-wins-fast-companys-next-big-things-in-tech-award-2024/): WSC Sports has been named in Fast Company’s fourth annual Next Big Things in Tech list, honoring emerging technology that... - [Content Powerplay: How Czech Extraliga and BPA are Winning-Over New Fans with AI](https://wsc-sports-dev.ltu.co.il/blog/customer-spotlight/content-powerplay-how-czech-extraliga-and-bpa-are-winning-over-new-fans-with-ai/): Learn how Czech Extraliga, one of the leading ice hockey leagues in Europe, is creating more content and winning-over new fans on social media. - [WSC Sports Named as Core Partner in ESPN Edge Innovation Center](https://wsc-sports-dev.ltu.co.il/blog/news/espn-names-wsc-sports-as-core-partner-in-espn-edge-innovation-center/): Learn more about the recently launched, exclusive partnership, and about the long-standing relationship between ESPN and WSC Sports. - [LFP Scores Long-Term Agreement with WSC Sports to Create AI-Powered Content](https://wsc-sports-dev.ltu.co.il/blog/news/lfp-signs-agreement-with-wsc-sports/): Ligue Football Professionel, commonly known as LFP signed a five-year agreement to use WSC Sports' AI-powered platform to create content. - [Sportel Monaco 2024: Engaging Younger Audiences Through GenAI](https://wsc-sports-dev.ltu.co.il/blog/news/sportel-monaco-2024-engaging-younger-audiences-through-gen-ai/): Learn how WSC Sports unveiled Gen AI solutions at Sportel Monaco 2024 to transform sports content and engage younger audiences. - [J.League Launches AI-Powered In-App Stories with WSC Sports](https://wsc-sports-dev.ltu.co.il/blog/news/j-league-launches-ai-powered-in-app-stories-with-wsc-sports/): Learn how the J.League uses WSC Sports’ In-App Stories to deliver personalized highlights in its apps, revolutionizing fan engagement in Japan. - [SportsPro AI 2024: How Soccer is Scoring with AI](https://wsc-sports-dev.ltu.co.il/blog/industry-insights/how-soccer-is-scoring-with-ai/): Watch the session: Executives from some of the biggest teams and leagues in European football discuss how they use AI to promote their brands. - [The Rise of Vertical Video in Sports Content](https://wsc-sports-dev.ltu.co.il/blog/industry-insights/the-rise-of-vertical-video-in-sports-content/): Learn how some of the world's biggest sports organizations are leveraging vertical video to deepen the relationship with their fans. - [Borussia Dortmund Selects WSC Sports to Power Digital Content and Fan Engagement Goals](https://wsc-sports-dev.ltu.co.il/blog/news/borussia-dortmund-selects-wsc-sports-to-power-digital-content-and-fan-engagement-goals/): Borussia Dortmund have entered a multi-year agreement with WSC Sports to leverage the company's AI-powered sports content technology. - [Around the Game: A Smarter, Faster Way to Manage your Content with AI](https://wsc-sports-dev.ltu.co.il/blog/industry-insights/around-the-game-a-smarter-faster-way-to-manage-your-content-with-ai/): Learn about a new product that allows rights holders to manage their content in an all-in-one digital asset management solution designed for sports. - [Belgian Pro League Extends WSC Sports Partnership Into Fifth Season, Adds In-App Stories Solution](https://wsc-sports-dev.ltu.co.il/blog/news/belgian-pro-league-extends-wsc-sports-partnership-into-fifth-season-adds-in-app-stories-solution/): The Belgian Pro League extends its partnership with WSC Sports to include In-App Stories, and offer the platform to its teams. - [WSC Sports’ Guy Port on the Sports Cutting Edge Podcast](https://wsc-sports-dev.ltu.co.il/blog/industry-insights/wsc-sports-guy-port-on-the-sports-cutting-edge-podcast/): Host Lachy Wills spoke with WSC Sports' Guy Port, to discuss how the company's software has helped deliver short-form videos to millions of fans. - [ACC Expands Partnership with WSC Sports](https://wsc-sports-dev.ltu.co.il/blog/news/acc-expands-partnership-with-wsc-sports/): Learn how the ACC is leveraging WSC Sports' automated AI technology to drive views of games, highlights, FAST channels, and more. - [Snap Inc. Partners with WSC Sports to Expand Sports Content Creation Capabilities](https://wsc-sports-dev.ltu.co.il/blog/news/snap-inc-partners-with-wsc-sports-to-expand-sports-content-creation-capabilities/): WSC Sports’ Magicrop technology will empower teams to seamlessly bring content to fans on Snapchat while adding an additional revenue... - [What Role Do Digital Asset Management Systems Play in the Sports Industry?](https://wsc-sports-dev.ltu.co.il/blog/industry-insights/what-role-do-digital-asset-management-systems-play-in-the-sports-industry/): Explore the challenges, benefits, and actionable steps for choosing a DAM solution to streamline your workflow and increase fan engagement. - [Czech League Football Association Teams-Up With WSC Sports in Revolutionary Content Move](https://wsc-sports-dev.ltu.co.il/blog/news/czech-league-football-association-teams-up-with-wsc-sports-in-revolutionary-content-move/): The Czech League Football Association (LFA) has partnered with WSC Sports, the global leader in AI-powered video content. - [How Sports Organizations are Embracing the Creator Economy ](https://wsc-sports-dev.ltu.co.il/blog/industry-insights/how-sports-organizations-are-embracing-the-creator-economy/): Learn how WSC Sports is helping leagues, teams, and broadcasters tap into the creator economy while also providing creators licensed footage. - [Kickoff Ready: The 4-Step Content Strategy for Building Fandom](https://wsc-sports-dev.ltu.co.il/blog/industry-insights/kickoff-ready-the-4-step-content-strategy-for-building-fandom/): The new season is upon us, and fan excitement levels are through the roof. This presents sports clubs with a golden opportunity, creating content that grows audience size and revenues. - [BSC Young Boys Selects WSC Sports to Propel AI-Powered Content Strategy](https://wsc-sports-dev.ltu.co.il/blog/news/bsc-young-boys-selects-wsc-sports-to-propel-ai-powered-content-strategy/): Reigning Swiss Super League champions, BSC Young Boys, have become the latest football club to partner with WSC Sports to... - [American Athletic Conference Partners With WSC Sports to Amplify Video Content](https://wsc-sports-dev.ltu.co.il/blog/news/american-athletic-conference-partners-with-wsc-sports-to-amplify-video-content/): The American Athletic Conference has announced a multiyear partnership with WSC Sports, the global leader in AI-powered video content, to... - [Discussing Content Strategies With Sports Media Leaders in the MENA Region](https://wsc-sports-dev.ltu.co.il/blog/industry-insights/discussing-game-changing-content-strategies-with-sports-and-media-leaders-in-the-mena-region/): Interest in sports and media in the MENA region has exploded in recent years, spurred on by huge investment from... - [Euroleague Basketball to expand creators network with WSC Sports partnership](https://wsc-sports-dev.ltu.co.il/blog/news/euroleague-basketball-to-expand-creators-network-with-wsc-sports-partnership/): Euroleague Basketball (EB) is joining forces with WSC Sports, the pioneer in AI-powered sports content technology, to provide digital creators... - [Unlocking Engagement: Insights from Google on Modern Sports Fans and Viewership Trends](https://wsc-sports-dev.ltu.co.il/blog/industry-insights/how-google-poland-and-wsc-sports-use-ai-to-serve-modern-sports-fans/): In May 2024, Google and WSC Sports led a webinar discussing the trends in sports media and how AI is... - [The Future of Sports Content](https://wsc-sports-dev.ltu.co.il/blog/sports-content-kings-podcast/tech-fan-engagement-and-the-future-of-sports-content-with-david-levy-founder-ceo-of-horizon-sports-experiences/): On the twelfth episode of Sports Content Kings, Aviv and Shaka are joined by David Levy, CEO and Partner at... - [Dyn’s Digital Disruption Puts Emerging Sports in the Spotlight](https://wsc-sports-dev.ltu.co.il/blog/customer-spotlight/dyns-digital-disruption-puts-emerging-sports-in-the-spotlight/): Learn how Dyn Media uses WSC Sports to create content for German handball, basketball, volleyball, hockey, and table tennis competitions. - [WSC Sports Announces Next Phase of Growth with New Line of Products](https://wsc-sports-dev.ltu.co.il/blog/news/wsc-sports-announces-next-phase-of-growth/): Three new products headline the transformation along with an updated visual identity. - [WSC Sports' Rebrand: A Q&A with Co-Founder Daniel Shichman ](https://wsc-sports-dev.ltu.co.il/blog/industry-insights/wsc-sports-upgraded-a-qa-with-ceo-daniel-shichman-on-the-company-rebrand/): A rebrand. What does it really mean? Ask someone outside of marketing or design (the two teams that typically execute... - [German Handball Champions THW Kiel Driving App Growth with Video Content ](https://wsc-sports-dev.ltu.co.il/blog/customer-spotlight/german-handball-champions-thw-kiel-driving-app-growth-with-video-content/): THW Kiel is the winningest team in Germany's most competitive handball league, the Handball-Bundesliga. Learn about some of the innovative... - [WSC Sports Wins Best Broadcast Technology Award & Joins the Sports Technology Hall of Fame](https://wsc-sports-dev.ltu.co.il/blog/news/wsc-sports-wins-award-for-best-broadcast-technology-joins-the-sports-technology-hall-of-fame/): We’re excited to share that WSC Sports has been awarded the top prize in the category Best Broadcast Technology at... - [WSC Sports Announces New Gen AI-Specific Division](https://wsc-sports-dev.ltu.co.il/blog/news/wsc-sports-announces-establishment-of-gen-ai-specific-division/): The company announces the creation of a Gen AI-specific group to serve sports rights holders the most cutting edge tools for creating content. - [National Women’s Soccer League Partners with WSC Sports to Amplify Soccer Content](https://wsc-sports-dev.ltu.co.il/blog/news/national-womens-soccer-league-partners-with-wsc-sports-to-amplify-soccer-content/): WSC Sports, the global leader in AI-powered video content, and the National Women’s Soccer League (NWSL) today announced a partnership... - [WCOS 2024: A New Era of Content, Storytelling, and Innovation](https://wsc-sports-dev.ltu.co.il/blog/industry-insights/wcos-2024-a-new-era-of-content-storytelling-and-innovation/): In April 2024, the CAA World Congress of Sports brought together leaders from across the sports industry to Los Angeles... - [Movistar Plus+ Partners with WSC Sports to Enhance Sports Coverage](https://wsc-sports-dev.ltu.co.il/blog/news/movistar-plus-partners-with-wsc-sports/): WSC Sports has sealed a multi-year agreement with Movistar Plus+ who will employ its AI-driven technology across a host of its premium sports properties. - [Reinventing Sports Consumption](https://wsc-sports-dev.ltu.co.il/blog/sports-content-kings-podcast/reinventing-sports-consumption-with-anmol-malhotra/): On the eleventh episode of Sports Content Kings, Aviv and Shaka are joined by Anmol Malhotra, Head of Sports Partnerships... - [NASCAR and WSC Sports Expand Partnership with In-App Stories](https://wsc-sports-dev.ltu.co.il/blog/news/nascar-and-wsc-sports-expand-partnership-with-in-app-stories/): NASCAR, the sanctioning body for the No. 1 motorsport in the United States, is enhancing its NASCAR Mobile app experience... - [Harvard University Athletics Tapped WSC Sports to Provide Global Content Solutions](https://wsc-sports-dev.ltu.co.il/blog/news/harvard-university-athletics-tapped-wsc-sports-to-provide-global-content-solutions/): WSC Sports, the global leader in AI-powered video content, today announced the addition of Harvard University Athletics to access their... - [Developing & Distributing Content](https://wsc-sports-dev.ltu.co.il/blog/sports-content-kings-podcast/sports-content-kings-developing-distributing-content-with-hania-poole/): On the tenth episode of Sports Content Kings, Aviv and Shaka are joined by Hania Poole, SVP of Digital at... - [LOSC Scores WSC Sports Partnership to Propel AI-Powered Content Strategy](https://wsc-sports-dev.ltu.co.il/blog/news/losc-scores-wsc-sports-partnership-to-propel-ai-powered-content-strategy/): Ligue 1 Uber Eats side LOSC, has teamed-up with WSC Sports, the global leader in AI-driven content, to power the... - [WSC Sports Hosts Top European Teams and Leagues at 2nd Annual London Huddle](https://wsc-sports-dev.ltu.co.il/blog/industry-insights/wsc-sports-hosts-2nd-annual-london-huddle/): In one of the first major sports meet ups of 2024, WSC Sports hosted some of the top leagues and teams from Europe to discuss sports content. - [WSC Sports Ranked 16th Most Influential Sports Technology Company for 2nd Year](https://wsc-sports-dev.ltu.co.il/blog/news/wsc-sports-ranked-16th-most-influential-sports-technology-company-for-second-year/): The STA Group recently published its annual review of sports technology companies, where WSC Sports was honored to maintain its... - [The Sports Highlights You'll Want to Watch Again & Again From an Incredible 2023](https://wsc-sports-dev.ltu.co.il/blog/industry-insights/2023-sports-highlights-you-dont-want-to-from-an-incredible-year/): From Alcaraz's amazing run at Wimbledon to the Miami Dolphin's 70 point masterclass, here are the best sports highlights from 2023. - [The Next Generation of Sports Betting](https://wsc-sports-dev.ltu.co.il/blog/sports-content-kings-podcast/sports-content-kings-the-next-generation-of-sports-betting/): On the ninth episode of Sports Content Kings, CEO and Founder of Kero Sports, Tomaash Devenishek, discusses the future of sports betting. - [WSC Sports in 2023: A New Home, Awards, Growth, and a Focus on Fan Engagement](https://wsc-sports-dev.ltu.co.il/blog/industry-insights/wsc-sports-in-2023-a-new-home-awards-growth-and-a-focus-on-fan-engagement/): WSC Sports CEO, Daniel Shichman, breaks down all of the company's highlights from 2023. - [The 8 Most Eagerly Anticipated Sports Events of 2024](https://wsc-sports-dev.ltu.co.il/blog/industry-insights/the-9-most-eagerly-anticipated-sports-events-of-2024/): With the return of the Olympics, the Euros, Copa America, and much more, 2024 promises to be one of the biggest years in sports history. - [TNT Sports’ Tyler Price on Creating Authentic Narratives with AI](https://wsc-sports-dev.ltu.co.il/blog/customer-spotlight/wbd-sports-tyler-price-on-creating-authentic-narratives-with-ai/): Tyler Price explains how TNT Sports uses WSC Sports' platform to thrive in the social media landscape and evolve. - [Is Linear TV Irrelevant for Modern Sports Fans?](https://wsc-sports-dev.ltu.co.il/blog/industry-insights/is-linear-tv-irrelevant-for-modern-sports-fans/): New technologies are changing the way that we consume sports. In this concise analysis, learn about the latest trends in sports viewership. - [Vertical Growth: How LALIGA is Enhancing Its Digital Portrait with WSC Sports](https://wsc-sports-dev.ltu.co.il/blog/customer-spotlight/vertical-growth-how-laliga-is-enhancing-its-digital-portrait-with-wsc-sports/): Learn how LALIGA teams up with WSC Sports to provide vertical content to its mobile app. - [WSC Sports Wins 'Best User Experience' Award at 2023 SportsPro OTT Awards](https://wsc-sports-dev.ltu.co.il/blog/news/wsc-sports-wins-best-user-experience-award-at-the-2023-sportspro-ott-awards/): WSC Sports won the gold award for 'Best User Experience' at the 2023 SportsPro OTT Awards in Madrid. - [LEADERS WEEK 2023: Redefining the Connection Between Clubs and Fans](https://wsc-sports-dev.ltu.co.il/blog/industry-insights/leaders-week-2023-redefining-the-connection-between-clubs-and-fans/): In a saturated sports and entertainment environment, maintaining the magical connection between fans and clubs is crucial to staying relevant.... - [Next Level Sporting Experiences](https://wsc-sports-dev.ltu.co.il/blog/sports-content-kings-podcast/sports-content-kings-next-level-sporting-experiences/): In this episode Kelly talks about the fight for fans' attention, short-form content, and what IMG’s plans are for the future. - [SPORTEL 2023: Transforming Fan Experiences with AI](https://wsc-sports-dev.ltu.co.il/blog/industry-insights/sportel-2023-transforming-fan-experiences-with-ai-current-and-future-possibilities/): The sports media landscape is undergoing a significant transformation. Today’s audiences seek sports content tailored to their viewing habits and... - [USGA’s Amanda Weiner on delivering Personalized Fan Experiences with AI](https://wsc-sports-dev.ltu.co.il/blog/customer-spotlight/usgas-amanda-weiner-on-delivering-personalized-fan-experiences-with-ai-and-automation/): Managing Director of Digital Media and Ticketing for the United States Golf Association, Amanda Weiner, talks about - [WSC Sports and USC Athletics Partner to Service Video Content and Highlights to USC Properties](https://wsc-sports-dev.ltu.co.il/blog/news/wsc-sports-and-university-of-southern-california-athletics-partnership/): The University of Southern California and WSC Sports partner to deliver automated, personalized highlights to trojan fans. - [SBJ Media Innovators 2023: Talking Innovation and AI in Sport with Amazon, WWE, and ESPN](https://wsc-sports-dev.ltu.co.il/blog/industry-insights/sbj-media-innovators-2023-wsc-sports-amazon-wwe-and-espn-talk-innovation-and-ai-in-sports/): Sports Business Journal hosted its annual Media Innovators conference in New York in November, bringing together leaders from across the... - [FC Diez Media and WSC Sports Collaborate to Increase CONMEBOL Video Content](https://wsc-sports-dev.ltu.co.il/blog/news/fc-diez-media-and-wsc-sports-collaborate-to-increase-conmebol-video-content/): FC Diez Media, the IMG owned business, and WSC Sports, the global leader in AI-powered video content, today announced a... - [NHL’s Chris Foster on Amplifying Content Distribution With Automation](https://wsc-sports-dev.ltu.co.il/blog/customer-spotlight/nhls-chris-foster-on-amplifying-content-distribution-with-automation/): Whether it’s a 10-minute game recap or a 10-second snippet of a post-game interview, consumers of all ages are spending... - [WSC Sports to Scale Premium Content Distribution for Sky Deutschland](https://wsc-sports-dev.ltu.co.il/blog/news/wsc-sports-to-scale-premium-content-distribution-for-sky-deutschland/): Sky Deutschland to use WSC Sports platform to scale content across multiple properties, including the Bundesliga, English Premier League, and F1. - [FloSports Taps WSC Sports to Automate and Amplify College Sports Content](https://wsc-sports-dev.ltu.co.il/blog/news/flosports-taps-wsc-sports-to-automate-and-amplify-college-sports-content/): WSC Sports, the global leader in AI-powered video content, and FloSports, a leader in sports streaming and original content, today... - [WSC Sports to Provide Real-Time Localized Content Across Five United Media Group Markets](https://wsc-sports-dev.ltu.co.il/blog/news/wsc-sports-partners-with-united-media/): WSC Sports partners with United Media to deliver highlights to the company's core markets in Greece, Bulgaria, Serbia, Croatia and Slovenia. - [Exploring the Impact of Generative AI in Sports](https://wsc-sports-dev.ltu.co.il/blog/industry-insights/exploring-the-impact-of-generative-ai-in-sports/): As the tools used to power the industry have changed, so have the needs of modern day sports organizations and... - [Don’t Play It Safe: HockeyAllsvenskan & the Blueprint for Digital Success](https://wsc-sports-dev.ltu.co.il/blog/customer-spotlight/dont-play-safe-the-hockeyallsvenskans-blueprint-for-digital-success/): Learn how WSC Sports is fueling HockeyAllsvenskan’s digital strategy, creating new engagement opportunities inside and outside arenas. - [Webinar: Breaking Barriers in Women's Sport Through Digital Innovation](https://wsc-sports-dev.ltu.co.il/blog/industry-insights/webinar-breaking-barriers-in-womens-sport-through-digital-innovation/): Join four female leaders from the sports media industry as they talk about the latest trends in women's sports. - [How Industry Leaders are Navigating the Modern Sports Media Landscape](https://wsc-sports-dev.ltu.co.il/blog/industry-insights/how-industry-leaders-are-navigating-the-modern-sports-media-landscape/): Learn about innovations the sports media industry has been using to create a more immersive and personalized experience for fans. - [VivaTech Paris: How Canal+ Uses AI to Revolutionize Sports Broadcasting](https://wsc-sports-dev.ltu.co.il/blog/customer-spotlight/vivatech-paris-how-canal-is-using-ai-to-revolutionize-the-sports-broadcast-experience/): Damien Delautier joins Itai Epstein at Vivatech Paris to discuss how Canal+ is utilizing the WSC Sports technology in their platforms. - [The Future of Streaming Sports](https://wsc-sports-dev.ltu.co.il/blog/sports-content-kings-podcast/sports-content-kings-the-future-of-streaming-sports_/): On the seventh episode of the Sports Content Kings podcast, Aviv and Shaka Arnon sit down with Jeff Gerttula, Executive... - [Half a Billion New Fans Set to Follow 2023 Women’s World Cup as Digital Demand Soars](https://wsc-sports-dev.ltu.co.il/blog/industry-insights/half-a-billion-new-fans-set-to-follow-2023-womens-world-cup/): Learn how the FIFA Women's World Cup 2023 has seen a growth in fans, driven by digital engagement,, and short-form content. - [MLS’ Chris Schlosser on Pioneering the Digital-First Sports League with AI](https://wsc-sports-dev.ltu.co.il/blog/customer-spotlight/mls-chris-schlosser-on-pioneering-the-digital-first-sports-league-with-ai/): Using AI-technology, MLS is able to efficiently captivate the attention of their growing fanbase through hyper-personalized content. - [TF1 Teams Up with WSC Sports to Offer Personalized Video Content](https://wsc-sports-dev.ltu.co.il/blog/news/tf1-teams-up-with-wsc-sports-to-offer-personalized-video-content/): WSC Sports and TF1 have announced a partnership to use AI-driven technology to create content for their streaming platform, MYTF1. - [VivaTech Paris: How New Platforms Engage With Fans](https://wsc-sports-dev.ltu.co.il/blog/industry-insights/vivatech-paris-how-new-platforms-engage-with-fans/): Aviv Arnon joins panelists from the NBA, Orange Events, and the Hurricane Group, as they discuss the future of fan engagement. - [Recapping the First Six Episodes](https://wsc-sports-dev.ltu.co.il/blog/sports-content-kings-podcast/sports-content-kings-recapping-the-first-six-episodes/): We're recapping the first six episodes of Sports Content Kings, where Aviv and Shaka Arnon talk to some of the brightest minds in sports. - [WSC Sports Scores FEDCOM MEDIA Agreement to Elevate Basketball Content on SKWEEK](https://wsc-sports-dev.ltu.co.il/blog/news/wsc-sports-scores-fedcom-media-agreement-to-elevate-basketball-content-on-skweek/): WSC Sports and FEDCOM MEDIA announce a partnership to create AI-generated videos for SKWEEK, their basketball-focused OTT steaming service. - [TelevisaUnivision’s Olek Loewenstein on Producing International Content at Scale](https://wsc-sports-dev.ltu.co.il/blog/customer-spotlight/televisaunivisions-olek-loewenstein-on-producing-international-content-at-scale/): Using new AI-powered technology, TelevisiaUnivision is able to create content that attracts and retains the attention of their fans. - [Top Rank Boxing Partners with WSC Sports to Create Highlights and Join Program for Creators](https://wsc-sports-dev.ltu.co.il/blog/news/top-rank-boxing-partners-with-wsc-sports-to-generate-ai-powered-highlights/): WSC Sports and Top Rank Boxing announce a partnership to use WSC Sports' AI platform to create and distribute boxing highlights. - [WSC Sports and European League of Football Touchdown on Long-Term Partnership](https://wsc-sports-dev.ltu.co.il/blog/news/wsc-sports-and-european-league-of-football-touchdown-on-long-term-partnership/): WSC Sports and European League of Football partner to deliver AI-powered videos and graphics ahead of the league's sixth season. - [TelevisaUnivision to Utilize WSC Sports Platform to Create Content for 15 Soccer Properties](https://wsc-sports-dev.ltu.co.il/blog/news/televisaunivision-to-utilize-wsc-sports-ai-powered-platform/): WSC Sports and Televisaunivision announce a partnership to deliver short and long form highlights to soccer fans in the US and Mexico. - [How the ACCDN Uses AI to Increase Fan Engagement](https://wsc-sports-dev.ltu.co.il/blog/customer-spotlight/how-the-accdn-uses-ai-to-increase-fan-engagement/): Learn how the ACCDN (ACC Digital Network) is using new technology to tell better stories and capture fans' attention. - [Changing the Game](https://wsc-sports-dev.ltu.co.il/blog/sports-content-kings-podcast/changing-the-game-with-ice-cube/): On the sixth episode of Sports Content Kings, Aviv and Shaka Arnon from WSC Sports are joined by hip-hop legend,... - [WCOS: Discussing the Sports Media Landscape and What May Happen by 2030](https://wsc-sports-dev.ltu.co.il/blog/industry-insights/discussing-the-sports-media-landscape-and-what-may-happen-by-2030/): Hear from the heads of ESPN, Fox Sports, NBC Sports, and WSC Sports, as they discuss what may happen in the industry in the next few years. - [Dyn Media Partners with WSC Sports to Create Content for New Streaming Service](https://wsc-sports-dev.ltu.co.il/blog/news/wsc-sports-selected-to-provide-ai-powered-content-for-dyn-medias-new-streaming-service/): Dyn Media will use WSC Sports' AI-powered platform to create content and highlights around it's sports properties and deliver them to German fans. - [Evolving How Fans Consume Sports](https://wsc-sports-dev.ltu.co.il/blog/sports-content-kings-podcast/sports-content-kings-evolving-how-fans-consume-sports/): On the fifth episode of Sports Content Kings, Aviv and Shaka are joined by Mark Walker, Head of Business Development... - [Long-Term Partner WSC Sports Helps Drive the NBL’s Digital Transformation](https://wsc-sports-dev.ltu.co.il/blog/customer-spotlight/long-term-partner-wsc-sports-helps-to-drive-nbls-digital-transformation/): Learn how the NBL and WSC Sports have partnered together to create engaging and personalized digital content for sports fans. - [WSC Sports Wins Emmy® for AI-ML Curation of Highlights](https://wsc-sports-dev.ltu.co.il/blog/news/wsc-sports-wins-the-award-for-ai-ml-curation-of-sports-highlights-at-the-tech-emmy-awards/): At the 74th Technology & Engineering Emmy® Awards, WSC Sports took home the trophy for 'AI-ML Curation of Highlights'. - [How Clemson University is Rewriting the Collegiate Sports Media Playbook](https://wsc-sports-dev.ltu.co.il/blog/customer-spotlight/how-clemson-university-is-rewriting-the-collegiate-sports-media-playbook/): College sports media has come a long way since the days of grainy highlight reels and regional broadcasts. With fans... - [Innovation Around Hockey Viewership and Fandom](https://wsc-sports-dev.ltu.co.il/blog/sports-content-kings-podcast/sports-content-kings-innovation-around-hockey-viewership-and-fandom/): On the fourth episode of Sports Content Kings, Aviv and Shaka are joined by Dave Lehanski, EVP of Business Development... - [2023 All-Star Weekend: Maximizing Content From an Event Full of Highlights](https://wsc-sports-dev.ltu.co.il/blog/industry-insights/maximizing-content-from-an-event-full-of-highlights/): When it comes to highlights there's nothing like the NBA All-Star Game. We dug into the data to see just how much content was created. - [BYU Partners With WSC Sports to Deliver Highlights to BYU Properties and Student Athletes](https://wsc-sports-dev.ltu.co.il/blog/news/wsc-sports-and-brigham-young-university-athletics-partner-to-service-highlights-to-byu-properties-and-student-athletes/): Learn how WSC Sports is helping BYU Athletics by delivering real-time highlights, boosting engagement, and empowering student-athletes. - [Swedish Women’s Hockey League Teams Up With WSC Sorts to Highlight Women's Sports](https://wsc-sports-dev.ltu.co.il/blog/news/swedish-womens-hockey-league-partners-with-wsc-sports/): The Swedish Women's Hockey League partners with WSC Sports to scale highlights production and reach more fans. - [ATP Media to Utilize WSC Sports’ AI Video Technology to Scale Content Creation](https://wsc-sports-dev.ltu.co.il/blog/news/atp-media-partners-with-wsc-sports/): ATP Media, has partnered with WSC Sports, the leader in AI highlight creation, to support its scalable content creation and digital strategy. - [Building the Leagues of the Future](https://wsc-sports-dev.ltu.co.il/blog/sports-content-kings-podcast/sports-content-kings-building-the-leagues-of-the-future/): On the third episode of Sports Content Kings, Aviv and Shaka are joined by Dan Porter, CEO of Overtime. - [Deutsche Telekom to Use WSC Sports to Create Content for TV and OTT Platform](https://wsc-sports-dev.ltu.co.il/blog/news/deutsche-telekom-wsc-sports-partnership/): Deutsche Telekom and WSC Sports announce a partnership to create and distribute automated highlights via WSC Sports' AI-powered platform. - [CEV Partners With WSC Sports to Enhance Fan Access to Premium Volleyball Content](https://wsc-sports-dev.ltu.co.il/blog/news/cev-partners-with-wsc-sports/): The European Volleyball Confederation (CEV), the governing body for volleyball in Europe, has partnered with WSC Sports, the global leader in AI-powered sports video content, to deliver real-time match highlights and a diverse offering of near-live video content, allowing CEV to bring the sport closer to the fans and reach new target audiences across its digital ecosystem. - [WSC Sports and Google's Collaboration Featured on The Unofficial Partner Podcast](https://wsc-sports-dev.ltu.co.il/blog/industry-insights/wsc-sports-and-google-featured-on-the-unofficial-partner-podcast/): VP of Growth, Vadim Drozdovski was a featured guest on The Unofficial Partner Podcast, alongside Google's Strategic Partner Development Manager,... - [Enhancing the Live Experience](https://wsc-sports-dev.ltu.co.il/blog/sports-content-kings-podcast/sports-content-kings-enhancing-the-live-experience/): On the second episode of Sports Content Kings, Aviv and Shaka are joined by Kathryn Cochrane, Senior Product Manager at... - [Personalization in Sports: A More Immersive Experience for Fans](https://wsc-sports-dev.ltu.co.il/blog/industry-insights/the-importance-of-personalization-in-sports-providing-a-more-immersive-experience-for-fans/): Content personalization has become increasingly important in the sports industry, with platforms like TikTok leading the charge in providing personalized... - [Innovation in Legacy Media Companies](https://wsc-sports-dev.ltu.co.il/blog/sports-content-kings-podcast/sports-content-kings-innovation-in-legacy-media-companies/): On the debut episode of Sports Content Kings, Aviv and Shaka are joined by Pete Scott, VP of Emerging Media... - [Three Tech Trends for 2023: What the Future Holds for Sports Content](https://wsc-sports-dev.ltu.co.il/blog/industry-insights/three-tech-trends-for-2023-what-the-future-holds-for-sports-content/): From the Beijing Olympics to the World Cup and everything in between, sports fans had a lot to be excited... - [CCTV Utilized WSC Sports’ AI Technology to Revolutionize the Fan Experience During the World Cup](https://wsc-sports-dev.ltu.co.il/blog/news/cctv-utilized-wsc-sports-ai-technology-to-revolutionize-the-fan-experience-during-the-world-cup/): China Central Television (CCTV), China’s leading public broadcaster, and WSC Sports, the global leader in AI sports video technology, have... - [London Huddle: What’s Next in Sports Broadcasting and Streaming?](https://wsc-sports-dev.ltu.co.il/blog/industry-insights/whats-next-in-sports-broadcasting-and-streaming/): In a panel session, Pete Scott (Warner Brothers Discovery) and Dom Wedgwood (DAZN) talk about the future of sports broadcasting. - [WSC Sports: The AI Highlights Behind the 2022 World Cup in Qatar](https://wsc-sports-dev.ltu.co.il/blog/industry-insights/wsc-sports-the-ai-highlights-behind-the-2022-world-cup-in-qatar/): Relive the best moments from the 2022 World Cup, filled with unforgettable goals, thrilling matches, and historic achievements. - [2022: Reliving the Best Sports Highlights From an Unforgettable Year](https://wsc-sports-dev.ltu.co.il/blog/industry-insights/2022-an-unforgettable-year-in-sports/): From Nadal's win at the Australian Open to Argentina's World Cup victory, check out all of the most memorable sports moments from 2022. - [TV2 Norway Announces Technology Partnership to Enhance Coverage of 2022 FIFA World Cup](https://wsc-sports-dev.ltu.co.il/blog/news/tv2-norway-and-wsc-sports-enhance-coverage-of-2022-fifa-world-cup/): In anticipation of the 2022 World Cup, TV2 Norway, Norway’s leading sports broadcaster, collaborated with WSC Sports, the global leader... - [London Huddle: Spotlight on the New NBA App with Andrew Yaffe](https://wsc-sports-dev.ltu.co.il/blog/industry-insights/london-huddle-spotlight-on-the-nbas-new-mobile-app-with-andrew-yaffe/): With tens of millions of NBA fans all over the world, it’s no surprise that when it comes to content,... - [How AI Helps Reach Fans and Maximize Content Value at the World Cup](https://wsc-sports-dev.ltu.co.il/blog/industry-insights/how-ai-helps-reach-fans-and-maximise-content-value-at-the-world-cup/): As the world tunes in to watch Qatar 2022, Yitav Topaz, Vice President of Strategic Partnerships at WSC Sports, explains... - [WSC Sports Ranked 16th Most Influential Sports Technology Company](https://wsc-sports-dev.ltu.co.il/blog/news/wsc-sports-ranked-16th-most-influential-sports-technology-company/): Learn about WSC Sports' 16th place ranking in STA Group's ‘Sports Technology Annual Review and Industry Power List'. - [WSC Sports' Amos Bercovich Explains How AI Keeps the Highlights Coming](https://wsc-sports-dev.ltu.co.il/blog/industry-insights/wsc-sports-amos-bercovich-explains-how-ai-keeps-the-highlights-coming/): Meet Amos Bercovich, Team Leader for our algorithm and machine learning group. - [NASCAR’s Amy Anderson on Re-Imagining Storytelling With AI](https://wsc-sports-dev.ltu.co.il/blog/customer-spotlight/nascars-amy-anderson-on-re-imagining-storytelling-with-ai/): NASCAR has long been one of the most popular spectator sports in America, but as the world has changed so... - [Sportel Monaco 2022: Tackling Digital Strategy With Europe’s Top Football Leagues](https://wsc-sports-dev.ltu.co.il/blog/news/sportel-monaco-2022-tackling-digital-strategy-with-europes-top-football-leagues/): Watch the session below where WSC Sports' Shaka Arnon hosts Steffen Merkel, EVP of Audiovisual Rights from Deutsche Fußball Liga,... - [ESPN’s Kevin Lopes on Creating Fan-Centric Content With AI](https://wsc-sports-dev.ltu.co.il/blog/customer-spotlight/sports-content-kings-espns-kevin-lopes-on-creating-fan-centric-content-with-ai/): Over the last decade, emerging technologies have upended the traditional sports media landscape. - [Migu Utilize WSC Sports’ Advanced AI Technology to Transform Viewing Experiences for Sports Fans in China](https://wsc-sports-dev.ltu.co.il/blog/news/migu-utilize-wsc-sports-advanced-ai-technology-to-transform-viewing-experiences-for-sports-fans-in-china/): Migu, China’s leading sports broadcaster, and WSC Sports, the global leader in AI sports video technology, have announced a new... - [German Football Association Using WSC Sports to Grow DFB-Pokal’s International Standing Through Localized Highlights](https://wsc-sports-dev.ltu.co.il/blog/news/german-football-association-dfb-leveraging-wsc-sports-ai-technology-to-grow-the-dfb-pokals-international-standing-with-localized-highlights/): WSC Sports, the global leader in AI sports video technology, has announced a new partnership with the German Football Association... - [Leaders Week 2022: Finding Untapped Value in Sports Content with WSC Stories](https://wsc-sports-dev.ltu.co.il/blog/industry-insights/leaders-week-2022-finding-untapped-value-in-sports-content-with-wsc-stories/): Leaders from WSC Sports and Google come together to discuss the value of the new product, WSC Stories. - [Betsafe lkl Teams up with Wsc Sports to Enhance the Viewing Experience for Lithuanian Basketball Fans](https://wsc-sports-dev.ltu.co.il/blog/news/betsafe-lkl-implements-wsc-sports-ai-highlights-technology-to-enhance-the-viewing-experience-for-lithuanian-basketball-fans/): Celebrating its 30th season, the Lithuanian Basketball League (Betsafe LKL) has announced a wide-ranging initiative to enhance the fan experience. - [TVP Sport to Utilize WSC Sports to Enhance Coverage of 2022 FIFA World Cup for Fans in Poland](https://wsc-sports-dev.ltu.co.il/blog/news/tvp-sport-announce-technology-partnership-with-wsc-sports-to-enhance-coverage-of-2022-fifa-world-cup-for-fans-in-poland/): Ahead of the 2022 FIFA World Cup in Qatar, Poland’s leading sports broadcaster, TVP Sport, the sports division of Polish... - [WSC Sports Partners With HockeyAllsvenskan to Bring AI Highlights to Fans Across Sweden](https://wsc-sports-dev.ltu.co.il/blog/news/wsc-sports-partners-with-hockeyallsvenskan-to-bring-ai-highlights-to-ice-hockey-fans-across-sweden/): WSC Sports, the global leader in AI sports video technology, today announced it will be bringing its AI and machine... - [WSC Sports Brings High-Tech Video Capabilities To MotoAmerica](https://wsc-sports-dev.ltu.co.il/blog/news/wsc-sports-brings-high-tech-video-capabilities-to-motoamerica/): MotoAmerica, North America’s premier motorcycle road racing series, is thrilled to announce its partnership with sports video technology company WSC... - [Stock Car Pro Series and WSC Sports Bring AI Generated Race Highlights to Motorsport Fans in Brazil](https://wsc-sports-dev.ltu.co.il/blog/news/stock-car-pro-series-and-wsc-sports-bring-ai-generated-race-highlights-to-motorsport-fans-in-brazil/): Stock Car Pro Series and WSC Sports announce a partnership bringing AI and machine learning video highlights to Stock Car... - [C-USA Announces Partnership With WSC Sports for 2022 Football Season](https://wsc-sports-dev.ltu.co.il/blog/news/c-usa-announces-partnership-with-wsc-sports-for-2022-football-season/): Learn how Conference USA is transforming fan engagement with WSC Sports by delivering real-time game highlight and boosting NIL opportunities. - [ELEVEN Portugal Partners With WSC Sports to Deliver Innovative New Viewing Experiences to Football Fans](https://wsc-sports-dev.ltu.co.il/blog/news/eleven-portugal-partners-with-wsc-sports-to-deliver-innovative-new-viewing-experiences-to-football-fans/): ELEVEN Portugal, the leading sports media platform in Portugal, today announced a partnership with WSC Sports, the global leader in... - [Red Bull Munich Enhances Fan Experience with WSC Sports' AI-Powered Highlights](https://wsc-sports-dev.ltu.co.il/blog/news/red-bull-munich-to-innovate-the-digital-experience-for-ice-hockey-fans-utilizing-wsc-sports-ai-based-highlights-technology/): Learn how Red Bull Munich teams up with WSC Sports to deliver real-time, AI-powered hockey highlights for fans across all digital platforms. - [LaLiga to Revolutionize Its Global Digital Strategy with WSC Sports](https://wsc-sports-dev.ltu.co.il/blog/news/laliga-to-revolutionize-their-global-digital-strategy-and-reinvent-the-viewing-experience-for-fans-through-wsc-sports-technology/): WSC Sports is proud to announce an agreement with LaLiga, the legendary Spanish football league, to innovate the league’s global... - [Premier League: The Story of the 2021/22 Season Through Video Highlights Data](https://wsc-sports-dev.ltu.co.il/blog/industry-insights/premier-league-2021-22-telling-the-story-of-a-season-based-on-video-highlights-data/): Let's relive the story of the tightly contested 2022/21 Premier League season by diving into the data... - [9 Creative Ways Sports Brands Utilize Graphics and Effects in Social Media](https://wsc-sports-dev.ltu.co.il/blog/industry-insights/9-creative-ways-sports-brands-utilize-graphics-and-effects-in-social-media/): As a brand, how can you get fans to view and interact with your content? - [FC Barcelona to Create Personalized Basketball Highlights Using WSC Sports’ Automation Technology](https://wsc-sports-dev.ltu.co.il/blog/news/fc-barcelona-to-create-personalised-basketball-highlights-using-wsc-sports-automation-technology/): Learn how FC Barcelona partners with WSC Sports to deliver personalized basketball highlights and social content in real time for fans worldwide. - [Lega Serie A Partners with WSC Sports to Bring Real-Time Highlights to Fans Worldwide](https://wsc-sports-dev.ltu.co.il/blog/news/lega-serie-a-utilizing-ai-technology-by-wsc-sports-to-create-real-time-highlights-to-reach-and-engage-global-fanbase/): Learn how Lega Serie A is partnering with WSC Sports to deliver real-time AI-powered match highlights, enhancing fan engagement worldwide. - [The Sports Media Evolution: Where the Industry Is at and Where It's Going](https://wsc-sports-dev.ltu.co.il/blog/industry-insights/the-sports-media-evolution/): It seems that every day there is a new report of sports media rights changing from one network to another,... - [Lega Serie A Utilizing AI Technology By WSC Sports to Create Real-Time Highlights](https://wsc-sports-dev.ltu.co.il/blog/news/lega-serie-a-utilizing-ai-technology-by-wsc-sports-to-create-real-time-highlights/): Lega Serie A, the top football league in Italy and one of the world’s elite football leagues, announced today a... - [How OneFootball Utilize WSC Sports' AI Technology for User Acquisition & Experience Enrichment](https://wsc-sports-dev.ltu.co.il/blog/industry-insights/how-onefootball-utilize-wsc-sports-ai-technology-for-user-acquisition-and-experience-enrichment/): The 2022 SportsPro Live, held at The Kia Oval in London, featured over 70 industry leaders in 40+ sessions discussing... - [WSC Sports & DAZN Win Big at 2022 Sports Technology Awards](https://wsc-sports-dev.ltu.co.il/blog/news/wsc-sports-dazn-win-best-technology-for-communications-and-storytelling-award/): The two companies win joint award in the category, 'Best Technology for Communications and Storytelling'. - [Why Content Will Drive Sports Betting Growth](https://wsc-sports-dev.ltu.co.il/blog/industry-insights/why-content-will-drive-sports-betting-growth/): Sports betting has exploded over the last few years. In New York City, it was reported that $2. 4 billion... - [WSC Sports & PGA TOUR Nominated for Sports Emmy Award](https://wsc-sports-dev.ltu.co.il/blog/news/wsc-sports-pga-tour-nominated-for-sports-emmy-award/): We're proud to announce that we've been nominated for a Sports Emmy Award for our joint entry with PGA TOUR... - [Premier Sports Partners With AI Video Platform WSC Sports to Innovate Content Creation and Distribution Throughout UK & Ireland](https://wsc-sports-dev.ltu.co.il/blog/news/premier-sports-partners-with-ai-video-platform-wsc-sports-to-innovate-content-creation-and-distribution-throughout-uk-ireland/): Premier Sports will be using WSC Sports’ machine learning technology to analyze actions in real-time, index, crop, and apply graphics... - [BRAVE Combat Federation Partners With WSC Sports to Automate Real-Time Fight Highlights](https://wsc-sports-dev.ltu.co.il/blog/news/brave-combat-federation-partners-with-wsc-sports-to-automate-real-time-fight-highlights-to-engage-fans-and-grow-global-brand/): BRAVE Combat Federation, the fastest growing global Mixed Martial Arts (MMA) promotion, and WSC Sports, the global leader in AI... - [INDYCAR Brings Real-Time Automated Highlights to Fans Through WSC Sports Partnership](https://wsc-sports-dev.ltu.co.il/blog/news/indycar-brings-real-time-automated-highlights-to-fans-through-wsc-sports-partnership/): IndyCar, the sanctioning body for the NTT IndyCar Series, and WSC Sports, the global leader in AI sports video technology,... - [WSC Sports Extends Growth, Announces $100M in Series D Round](https://wsc-sports-dev.ltu.co.il/blog/news/wsc-sports-extends-growth-announces-100m-in-series-d-round/): WSC Sports secures $100M in Series D funding to fuel global expansion and innovation in AI-driven sports highlights. - [FIGC Partner With WSC Sports to Bring AI Video Highlights to the Women’s Serie A TimVision](https://wsc-sports-dev.ltu.co.il/blog/news/italian-football-federation-figc-partner-with-wsc-sports-to-bring-ai-video-highlights-to-the-womens-serie-a-timvision-2/): Federazione Italiana Giuoco Calcio (FIGC), the Italian Football Federation, announced today a 3-year collaboration with WSC Sports, the global leader... - [WSC Sports in 2021: More Than 400 Highlights Created Every Hour](https://wsc-sports-dev.ltu.co.il/blog/industry-insights/over-3-4m-video-highlights-a-year/): Looking back at 2021, it was a tremendous year for us at WSC Sports. While 2020 was a year where... - [3 Sports Changing Their Game to Suit Modern Fans](https://wsc-sports-dev.ltu.co.il/blog/industry-insights/three-major-sports-changing-their-game-to-suit-modern-fans/): Modern sports fans are having an impact on sports around the world. From the way they consume game to brand new rules being introduced. - [Setanta Sports to Use WSC Sports to Bring AI Highlights to Sports Fans in Eurasia](https://wsc-sports-dev.ltu.co.il/blog/news/setanta-sports-and-wsc-sports-partner-to-bring-personalised-ai-driven-highlights-to-sports-fans-in-eurasia/): Setanta Sports and WSC Sports Partner to bring automated highlights to the new OTT platform SetantaSports. com, serving sports fans... - [WSC Sports Ranked 33rd Most Influential Sports Technology Company](https://wsc-sports-dev.ltu.co.il/blog/news/wsc-sports-ranked-33rd-most-influential-sports-technology-company/): The STA Group and the English Institute of Sport published their ‘Sports Technology Annual Review and Industry Power List‘ in... - [Okko Sport and WSC Sports Innovate the Way Russian Sports Fans Discover and Consume Highlights With Google Web Stories](https://wsc-sports-dev.ltu.co.il/blog/news/okko-sport-and-wsc-sports-innovate-the-way-russian-sports-fans-discover-and-consume-highlights-with-google-web-stories/): Fans in Russia who search for English Premier League or La Liga on Google will now be able to access... - [WSC Sports Wins Award for Outstanding OTT Experience at the Sports TV Awards](https://wsc-sports-dev.ltu.co.il/blog/news/wsc-sports-wins-award-for-outstanding-ott-experience-at-the-sports-tv-awards/): Learn about WSC Sport's 'Outstanding OTT Experience' award at SVG Europe's 2021 Sports TV Awards! - [Basketball Champions League and WSC Sports Extend Partnership Through 2024](https://wsc-sports-dev.ltu.co.il/blog/news/basketball-champions-league-and-wsc-sports-extend-partnership-through-2024/): The Basketball Champions League and WSC Sports, the global leader in AI sports video technology, today announced the extension of... - [Globo teams up with WSC Sports to Bring AI-Generated Soccer Highlights to Fans in Brazil](https://wsc-sports-dev.ltu.co.il/blog/news/globo-and-wsc-sports-announce-innovative-partnership-to-bring-ai-generated-soccer-highlights-to-fans-in-brazil/): Learn how Globo is partnering with WSC Sports to deliver real-time AI-driven soccer highlights to fans across Brazil’s digital platforms. - [How Changing Consumption Habits are Fueling the Rising Value of Sports Highlights](https://wsc-sports-dev.ltu.co.il/blog/industry-insights/how-changing-consumption-habits-are-fueling-the-rise-in-value-of-sports-highlights/): Fan consumption habits are ever-changing in sports. This is causing a steep increase in the value of video highlights. - [OneFootball and WSC Sports Join Forces to Enhance the Digital Fan Experience](https://wsc-sports-dev.ltu.co.il/blog/news/onefootball-and-wsc-sports-join-forces-to-enhance-the-digital-fan-experience/): Partnership to bring innovative new fan experiences around short-form content, such as match highlights, to the OneFootball platform. - [WSC Sports to Power the Euro 2020 Viewing Experience for Public Broadcaster NRK in Norway](https://wsc-sports-dev.ltu.co.il/blog/news/wsc-sports-to-power-the-euro-2020-viewing-experience-for-public-broadcaster-nrk-in-norway/): WSC Sports, the global leader in artificial intelligence (AI)-driven sports video technology, today announced it will be working with NRK... - [Extreme E Teams Up With WSC Sports to Produce Race Highlights](https://wsc-sports-dev.ltu.co.il/blog/news/extreme-e-teams-up-with-wsc-sports-to-produce-race-highlights/): Extreme E will have access to WSC Sports’ cloud-based live-clipping platform Clipro, allowing the series to create and publish near-live... - [WSC Sports Wins ‘Best Broadcast Technology’ Award at 2021 Sports Technology Awards](https://wsc-sports-dev.ltu.co.il/blog/news/wsc-sports-wins-best-broadcast-technology-award-at-2021-sports-technology-awards/): We’re delighted to win the award for Best Broadcast Technology at the 2021 Sports Technology Awards! - [WSC Sports Partners With VTB United League the International Professional Basketball League Based in Russia](https://wsc-sports-dev.ltu.co.il/blog/news/wsc-sports-partners-with-vtb-united-league-the-international-professional-basketball-league-based-in-russia/): WSC Sports announced today a partnership with VTB United League, who will be using WSC Sports’ full suite of AI... - [FanDuel Group and WSC Sports Partner to Provide Sports Highlights to FanDuel Sportsbook Customers](https://wsc-sports-dev.ltu.co.il/blog/news/fanduel-group-and-wsc-sports-partner-to-provide-sports-highlights-to-fanduel-sportsbook-customers/): FanDuel Group and WSC Sports, today announced a partnership to push real-time highlights of golf events to FanDuel Sportsbook app... - [LPGA Announces Cutting-Edge Partnership With WSC Sports Aiming To Grow Fan Base To New Heights](https://wsc-sports-dev.ltu.co.il/blog/news/lpga-announces-cutting-edge-partnership-with-wsc-sports-aiming-to-grow-fan-base-to-new-heights/): The Ladies Professional Golf Association (LPGA) and WSC Sports today jointly announced a partnership introducing dynamic innovation. - [WSC Sports Named ‘Best Tech Company’ at SportsPro OTT Awards](https://wsc-sports-dev.ltu.co.il/blog/news/wsc-sports-named-best-tech-company-at-sportspro-ott-awards/): We’re delighted to win the top prize for ‘Best Tech Company’ at the 2020 SportPro OTT awards! - [Okko Sport Announces Partnership With WSC Sports to Automate Real-Time Highlights Production](https://wsc-sports-dev.ltu.co.il/blog/news/okko-sport-announces-partnership-with-wsc-sports-to-automate-real-time-highlights-production/): Okko Sport announced today a partnership with WSC Sports, the global leader in artificial intelligence (AI)-driven sports video technology. - [Tencent Announces Partnership With WSC Sports to Develop New Solutions For Chinese Market](https://wsc-sports-dev.ltu.co.il/blog/news/tencent-announces-partnership-with-wsc-sports-to-develop-new-solutions-for-chinese-market/): Tencent Holdings and WSC Sports announced today a three-year partnership to fuel the development of new video production solutions for... - [WSC Sports: The Automated Highlights Behind the NBA Playoffs](https://wsc-sports-dev.ltu.co.il/blog/industry-insights/wsc-sports-the-automagical-highlights-behind-the-nba-playoffs/): Learn how WSC Sports leveraged AI technology to create over 67,000 personalized NBA Playoffs highlights, transforming fan engagement across platforms in real-time. - [ACB Partners With WSC Sports to Automate Highlight Creation and Up Fan Engagement](https://wsc-sports-dev.ltu.co.il/blog/news/acb-partners-with-wsc-sports-to-automate-highlight-creation-and-better-engage-fans/): WSC Sports announced today an ongoing partnership with ACB, the Spanish basketball league considered to be the best in Europe. - [Belgian Pro League and New Rightsholder Eleven Sports Partner With WSC Sports](https://wsc-sports-dev.ltu.co.il/blog/news/belgian-pro-league-and-new-rightsholder-eleven-sports-partner-with-wsc-sports/): Pro League Forward announced last week a multiyear partnership with WSC Sports, to help bring fans closer to football by... - [How Sports Have Been Filling the Content Void in These Times of Social Distancing](https://wsc-sports-dev.ltu.co.il/blog/industry-insights/how-sports-have-been-filling-the-content-void-in-these-times-of-social-distancing/): What do content teams do when there's no live sport being played? Get creative that's what. Here's some top tips to fill the content void... - [FIVB Partners With WSC Sports to Enrich Video Experience for Volleyball Fans](https://wsc-sports-dev.ltu.co.il/blog/news/fivb-partners-with-wsc-sports-to-enrich-video-experience-for-volleyball-fans/): WSC Sports has announced an ongoing partnership with the International Volleyball Federation (FIVB) to create and distribute AI-powered video content. - [Digital Innovation Empowering the Growth of Women’s Cricket in Australia](https://wsc-sports-dev.ltu.co.il/blog/news/digital-innovation-empowering-the-growth-of-womens-cricket-in-australia/): We chatted with Mike Morris, Digital Commercial Manager, Cricket Australia, about how women’s cricket is reaching new heights. - [WSC Sports Partners With J.League and Imagica Live to Deliver Japanese Football to Fans](https://wsc-sports-dev.ltu.co.il/blog/news/wsc-sports-partners-with-j-league-and-imagica-live-to-deliver-japanese-football-to-fans/): Learn how J.League Media Promotion and Imagica Live partnered with WSC Sports to bring AI-powered sports highlights to Japanese football fans. - [Never Miss a Moment: How Tech & Automation Changed the USL’s Game](https://wsc-sports-dev.ltu.co.il/blog/customer-spotlight/never-miss-a-moment-how-tech-automation-changed-the-usls-game/): The United Soccer League (USL) currently has three different leagues—two of them professional and the third developmental—comprised of 120 clubs. - [7 Ways Sports Broadcasters Can Make the Most of Their Media Rights](https://wsc-sports-dev.ltu.co.il/blog/industry-insights/7-ways-sports-broadcasters-can-make-the-most-of-their-media-rights/): In sports, competition is getting fiercer. Not just on the pitch or court, but also for broadcasters who are competing... - [WSC Sports Raises $23 Million in Series C Funding](https://wsc-sports-dev.ltu.co.il/blog/news/wsc-sports-raises-23-million-in-series-c-funding/): WSC Sports announced today it has raised $23 million in Series C funding, bringing the company’s total funding to $39... - [David Stern Talks Technology and Fan Engagement With Daniel Shichman at Hashtag Sports Conference](https://wsc-sports-dev.ltu.co.il/blog/industry-insights/david-stern-talks-technology-and-fan-engagement-with-daniel-shichman-at-hashtag-sports-conference/): Learn how David Stern and WSC Sports’ CEO Daniel Shichman explored the future of sports broadcasting at the Hashtag Sports Conference. - [Former NBA Commissioner David Stern Joins WSC Sports in Advisor Role](https://wsc-sports-dev.ltu.co.il/blog/news/former-nba-commissioner-david-stern-joins-wsc-sports-in-advisor-role/): Learn how WSC Sports is expanding into new sports, regions, and markets with advisory roles from David Stern and John Kosner. - [Born Into the Digital Age, Forward Madison FC is Already Making Great Content Strides](https://wsc-sports-dev.ltu.co.il/blog/industry-insights/born-into-the-digital-age-forward-madison-fc-is-already-making-great-content-strides/): Learn how Forward Madison FC created a viral sensation, building a strong digital brand and global fan engagement even before their first match. - [Glossary](https://wsc-sports-dev.ltu.co.il/blog/industry-insights/glossary/): Welcome to the WSC Sports Glossary. Here you'll find explanations of all the major sports media industry terms and links... ## Cases - [Southeastern Conference](https://wsc-sports-dev.ltu.co.il/case/southeastern-conference/): How the SEC built a powerful content engine for the most passionate fans in college sports. - [ATP Media](https://wsc-sports-dev.ltu.co.il/case/atp-media/): Learn how ATP Media built a content engine for Tennis TV and its own digital channels, creating top content for tennis fans all over the world. - [European Volleyball Confederation](https://wsc-sports-dev.ltu.co.il/case/european-volleyball-confederation/): How the European Volleyball Confederation (CEV) turned Eurovolley.TV into a profitable OTT channel. - [Basketball Champions League](https://wsc-sports-dev.ltu.co.il/case/basketball-champions-league/): Learn the club-focused content strategy that’s driving growth for the Basketball Champions League and its teams. - [Professional Fighters League](https://wsc-sports-dev.ltu.co.il/case/professional-fighters-league/): Learn how PFL brings the inside-the-cage experience to global fans. - [TVNZ](https://wsc-sports-dev.ltu.co.il/case/tvnz/): How TVNZ uses AI to create and distribute cricket content across its digital properties at scale. - [LIGUE 1 MCDONALD'S](https://wsc-sports-dev.ltu.co.il/case/ligue-1-mcdonalds/): How LFP Media is using AI to transform Ligue 1 McDonald's and Ligue 2 BKT. - [ACC](https://wsc-sports-dev.ltu.co.il/case/atlantic-coast-conference-acc/): How the ACC uses AI in its digital workflow to cover multiple concurrent events on its busiest day of the... - [Hockey Allsvenskan](https://wsc-sports-dev.ltu.co.il/case/hockey-allsvenskan/): How HockeyAllsvenskan used WSC Sports to gain more than 50K new followers. - [FIBA 3X3](https://wsc-sports-dev.ltu.co.il/case/fiba-3x3/): Raising the profile of 3x3 basketball and engaging with fans in 100+ countries through AI powered content. - [University of Pittsburgh](https://wsc-sports-dev.ltu.co.il/case/university-of-pittsburgh/): How the University of Pittsburgh uses AI to automatically create game highlights in real-time using WSC Sports. - [NASCAR](https://wsc-sports-dev.ltu.co.il/case/nascar/): NASCAR set about revamping its offerings for fans across its mobile app, aiming to significantly reduce the time taken to feature highlights to the app’s Timeline Race Feed after the action happens on the track. - [FC BAYERN BASKETBALL](https://wsc-sports-dev.ltu.co.il/case/fc-bayernmunich/): How FC Bayern Basketball scales-up content production with AI technology from WSC Sports... - [LALIGA](https://wsc-sports-dev.ltu.co.il/case/laliga/): How LALIGA is Using AI Technology to Redefine Its Digital Content Strategy - [Cleveland Cavaliers](https://wsc-sports-dev.ltu.co.il/case/cleveland-cavaliers/): Learn how the Cleveland Cavaliers used AI from WSC Sports to create personalized video highlights on the Cavs app... ## Careers - [AI Solution Manager](https://wsc-sports-dev.ltu.co.il/career/ai-solution-manager/) - [Technical Account Team Lead](https://wsc-sports-dev.ltu.co.il/career/technical-account-team-lead/) - [BizDev Lead, Partnerbrite](https://wsc-sports-dev.ltu.co.il/career/bizdev-lead-partnerbrite/) - [IT Helpdesk](https://wsc-sports-dev.ltu.co.il/career/it-helpdesk/) - [Product Analyst](https://wsc-sports-dev.ltu.co.il/career/product-analyst/) - [Infrastructure Backend Developer](https://wsc-sports-dev.ltu.co.il/career/infrastructure-backend-developer/) - [Business Development Manager](https://wsc-sports-dev.ltu.co.il/career/business-development-manager/) - [Backend Tech Lead](https://wsc-sports-dev.ltu.co.il/career/backend-tech-lead/) - [Marketing Tech Ops Manager](https://wsc-sports-dev.ltu.co.il/career/marketing-tech-ops-manager/) - [FP&A Analyst](https://wsc-sports-dev.ltu.co.il/career/fpa-analyst/) - [BizDev Manager, New Media](https://wsc-sports-dev.ltu.co.il/career/bizdev-manager-new-media/) - [AI Team Lead](https://wsc-sports-dev.ltu.co.il/career/algorithm-software-team-lead/) - [Client Solutions & Delivery Team Lead](https://wsc-sports-dev.ltu.co.il/career/client-solutions-delivery-team-lead/) # # Detailed Content ## Pages - Published: 2026-03-18 - Modified: 2026-03-18 - URL: https://wsc-sports-dev.ltu.co.il/beta-program-terms-and-conditions/ By participating in the WSC Beta Program, you agree to the following: No Warranty: Beta features are provided "as-is" without any warranties of any kind. Limited Functionality: Beta features are experimental and may not operate fully or correctly and may contain errors or bugs. No Support or Continuation Obligation: We are not obligated to provide technical support, nor are we required to continue the Beta program or move any specific feature into final production. Right to Terminate Access: We may cease providing Beta access at any time, for any reason, and have no obligation to continue the Beta program or provide any particular features. Confidentiality: You agree to keep all Beta features, products, and related information confidential and not share them with third parties. Feedback: Any feedback, suggestions, or ideas you provide become our exclusive property. Data Collection: We will collect usage data and analytics from your use of Beta features to improve our services. Opt-Out: You may opt out of the Beta program at any time. Modification of Terms: We may modify these Beta terms at any time and we will provide you with a notice of such change. Your continued participation in the program after the receipt of such notice will be deemed as your acceptance of the new terms. Last update: March 18, 2026 - Published: 2025-01-06 - Modified: 2026-02-04 - URL: https://wsc-sports-dev.ltu.co.il/connections-tour-participation-terms-and-conditions/ PLEASE READ THESE TERMS AND CONDITIONS CAREFULLY BEFORE REGISTERING TO ONE OF THE EVENTS OF THE WSC SPORTS CONNECTIONS TOUR. By registering to attend one of the events included in the WSC Sports Connections Tour (the “Event”), you expressly acknowledge and agree that you are entering a legal agreement with WSC and have understood and agreed to comply with, and be legally bound by, these Terms. You hereby waive any applicable rights to require an original (non-electronic) signature or delivery or retention of non-electronic records, to the extent not prohibited under applicable law. IF YOU DO NOT AGREE TO BE BOUND BY ANY OF THESE TERMS PLEASE DO NOT REGISTER TO THE EVENT. 1. Sports Connections Tour. The Sports Connections Tour is a series of invite only events that brings together the foremost experts in the sports industry to discuss the future of sports and technology against the backdrop of a selection of the world's premier sporting events. Each of the Events will be hosted by WSC during such sport event and on such dates as specified in the registration page. You may only attend one of the Events, and your participation in an Event will be in accordance with these Terms. To register for an Event, you must complete the Event registration process. Event registration is on a first-come-first-served basis and subject to availability. We may also change the Event program at any time at our sole discretion. You will at all times comply with our Code of Conduct. 2. Your Ability to Attend the Event. By registering to attend the Event you represent to us that you are authorized to enter these Terms and that your attendance is in compliance with your organization’s code of conduct and policies. Unless the Event’s registration webpage specifies otherwise or we expressly inform you otherwise, you must be at least 21 years of age on the first day of the Event to participate. 3. Registration. The Event is a closed event and the registration to the Event and participation therein, is not open to the public. The registration to the Event is personal and it is available solely for the designated person who is invited by WSC. You hereby represent that the details you provided are true and accurate, and that you will notify WSC to the following email: Tour@wsc-sports. com in case of a change. In addition, you hereby consent to receive notifications from WSC or on WSC’s behalf in connection with your participation in the Event to the contact details provided by you. 4. Travel and Lodging. Your participation in the event does not require the payment of any registration or participation fee, however, unless stated otherwise in the registration page for the Event, WSC will not cover your travel and lodging expenses, which will be assumed by you. Food and drinks may be served during the Event. 5. Insurance and Equipment. Unless stated otherwise in the registration page for the event, WSC will not be providing any travel or other insurance, including with respect to any sports or extreme activities, and will not provide personal equipment (such as golf clubs or skis and poles). 6. Cancellation. WSC will send you reminders to confirm your participation in the Event. If you do not respond to the reminders within a reasonable time, WSC may cancel your participation in the Event. If you must cancel your registration, please notify us via email at the earliest to Tour@wsc-sports. com. 7. Privacy. WSC is committed to compliance with applicable privacy laws and protecting your personal information. By registering to the Event, you agree and acknowledge that we process your personal information. We will use personal information that we may collect or obtain in connection with the Event and the registration thereto in accordance with our privacy policy which is available at WSC Privacy Policy. You agree that we may use personal information that you provide or make available to us in accordance with the Privacy Policy, and hereby allow us to use such information in connection with the Event. You agree that by registering for the Event, you opt in to receive communications from our Event service providers to the extent required in connection with the Event and that we can provide your contact information to them. By participating in the Event experiences, you agree that we may derive information from recordings of your voice and images of your face and retain and use all resulting information, in each case in accordance with the WSC Privacy Policy. 8. Code of Conduct. WSC seeks, at all times, to conduct its business in a lawful, ethical and professional manner, and expects the attendees of the Event, whether they are participants, sponsors, exhibitors, speakers or vendors, to adhere to the same. WSC reserves the right to take any action which it deems appropriate against you if you do not comply with the foregoing, including prohibiting you from participation in the Event. You agree to abide by and conduct yourself in accordance with this Code of Conduct. You will behave in a way as to create a safe and supportive environment for all WSC events (webinar, live streams, etc. ) and participants (including WSC employees, moderators, attendees, vendors, sponsors, speakers, and volunteers). You will not engage in disruptive speech or behavior or otherwise interfere with the event or other individuals’ participation in the Event. You will not engage in any form of harassing, offensive, discriminatory, or threatening speech or behavior, including (but not limited to) relating to race, gender, gender identity and expression, national origin, religion, disability, marital status, age, sexual orientation, military or veteran status, or other protected category. You will not abuse any equipment of WSC or any other third party (including the Venue). You will comply with the instructions of the moderator and any WSC event staff. You will comply with all applicable laws. 9. Giveaways. Event’s participants may receive swags or giveaways. By registering and accepting any giveaways, you acknowledge you are doing so in compliance with applicable laws and your organization’s code of conduct. 10. Exhibitors; Speakers. Various third parties will also take part in the Event. These can be, exhibitors, speakers, vendors and other participants. WSC does not assume any liability for the actions of such third parties, nor for any content of giveaway provided by them. 11. Recordings. You grant us, our affiliates, and our independent contractors the right to record, film, photograph, and capture your voice and image in any media at the Event (the “Recordings”). You grant to WSC and its affiliates, agents, employees, and assigns an irrevocable, nonexclusive, perpetual, worldwide, royalty-free right and license to use, reproduce, modify, distribute, and translate, for any purpose relating to our business, all or any part of the Recordings. We may edit the Recordings, use them alone or together with other information, and allow others to use and disseminate them. To the maximum extent permitted by law, you waive any moral rights you may have in the Recordings.   12. Assumption of Risk. You acknowledge and agree that your attendance and participation in the Event is voluntary, and you understand the nature of the Event. To the maximum extent permitted by law, you agree that you solely assume the risks associated with attending and participating in the Event. 13. The Venue. The Event will be hosted by WSC at a designated venue, the details of which will be provided prior to the Event (the “Venue”). WSC is not the owner of the Venue nor is an affiliate thereof. In addition, WSC does not assume any liability for the services provided by the Venue. 14. Release of Claims. To the maximum extent permitted by law, you (for yourself, your heirs, dependents, personal representatives, assigns, and anyone else who might make a claim on your behalf or as a result of your death or injury) hereby release WSC and its affiliates, and their respective directors, officers, employees, contractors, representatives, agents, successors, and assigns, from any and all claims, demands, causes of action, suits, damages, losses, debts, liabilities, costs and expenses (including without limitation reasonable attorneys’ fees and costs) that you may have now or in the future associated in any way with the Event or the Recordings. 15. Limitation of Liability. WE AND OUR AFFILIATES AND LICENSORS WILL NOT BE LIABLE TO YOU UNDER ANY CAUSE OF ACTION OR THEORY OF LIABILITY, EVEN IF A PARTY HAS BEEN ADVISED OF THE POSSIBILITY OF SUCH DAMAGES, FOR (A) INDIRECT, INCIDENTAL, SPECIAL, CONSEQUENTIAL, OR EXEMPLARY DAMAGES, OR (B) LOST PROFITS, REVENUES, CUSTOMERS, OPPORTUNITIES, OR GOODWILL. IN ANY CASE, OUR AND OUR AFFILIATES’ AND LICENSORS’ AGGREGATE LIABILITY UNDER THESE TERMS WILL NOT EXCEED USD $100. THE LIMITATIONS IN THIS SECTION APPLY ONLY TO THE MAXIMUM EXTENT PERMITTED BY APPLICABLE LAW. WE WILL NOT BE LIABLE FOR ANY PERSONAL INJURY UNLESS SUCH IS CAUSED BY OUR NEGLIGANCE. 16. Force Majeure. We and our affiliates will not be liable for any delay or failure to perform any obligation under these Terms where the delay or failure results from any cause beyond our reasonable control, including but not limited to acts of God, labor disputes or other industrial disturbances, electrical or power outages, utilities or other telecommunication failures, earthquake, storms, or other elements of nature, blockages, embargoes, riots, acts or orders of government, acts of terrorism, or war. 17. Changes. We may cancel the Event at any time for reasons including, for example, availability or suitability of speakers or on security, health, or safety grounds, and we may deny, limit, or cancel your Event registration at any time. WSC reserves the right to make changes to the agenda or any part thereof, in its sole judgment, including the content, the schedule and the speakers. WSC will notify you of such changes via the Event’s website and/or via the contact details you provided. To the extent WSC will be required to cancel the Event, we hereby disclaim any further liability for any costs associated with the cancellation, including, without limitation for any costs associated with canceling the commute and/or accommodation reserved by you for the Event. We are not responsible for any damages, direct or indirect, resulting from such cancellation. 18. Waiver. The failure by us to enforce any provision of these Terms will not constitute a present or future waiver of such provision nor limit our right to enforce such provision at a later time. All waivers by us must be in writing to be effective. 19. Severability. If any portion of these Terms is held to be invalid or unenforceable, the remaining portions of these Terms will remain in full force and effect. Any invalid or unenforceable portions will be interpreted to effect and intent of the original portion. If such construction is not possible, the invalid or unenforceable portion will be severed from these Terms, but the rest will remain in full force and effect. 20. Governing Law. The laws of the State of New York, without reference to conflict of law rules, will govern these Terms and any dispute of any sort that might arise between the parties. The United Nations Convention for the International Sale of Goods does not apply to these Terms. Last update: January 1, 2026 - Published: 2024-04-01 - Modified: 2024-05-30 - URL: https://wsc-sports-dev.ltu.co.il/cookie-policy/ WSC Sports Technologies Lt. (together with its affiliates, and/or related companies – Collectively, ("WSC", “we”, “our” or “us”), uses certain web monitoring and tracking technologies, such as cookies, beacons, pixels, tags, and scripts (collectively, “Cookies”). These technologies are used in order to maintain, provide and improve our website at www. wsc-sports. com and Platform (as defined in our Privacy Policy) (collectively, the “Services”) to optimize our offerings and marketing activities, and to provide our website visitors and Platform users (“you”, or “your”) with a better experience. This Cookie Policy contains information on WSC’s cookie practices. If you are unable to find the information you were looking for, or you have any further questions about the use of Cookies on our Services, please email privacy@wsc-sports. com. For more information about our general privacy practices, please visit our Privacy Policy. 1. What are Cookies? Cookies are small files containing a string of characters that are stored through the browser on your computer or mobile device (for example, Google Chrome or Safari) when you visit a website. You can think of Cookies as providing a so-called memory for the website, so that it can recognize you when you come back and respond appropriately. Cookies may be set by us (first-party Cookies) or by third party providers who work with us (third-party Cookies), either for the duration of your visit (session Cookies) or for longer periods (persistent Cookies). The length of time a persistent cookie stays on your device varies between Cookies. Please note that our access and control over such third-party Cookies, beyond the scope of our Services, is limited and subject to such other websites, services and providers’ own terms and policies. You are not obligated to accept all Cookies in order to visit our Services, however, enabling Cookies may allow for a more personalized browsing experience and is required for most of our Services to work. 2. How WSC uses cookies? Cookies, both first and third party, are typically categorized as one of the following: ● Essential Cookies: these Cookies are necessary to provide you with our Services and cannot be disabled. ● Preferences & Functional Cookies: these Cookies are used to enhanced the functionality and personalization of our Services. Without those Cookies, certain functionalities will not be available. ● Performance & Analytics Cookies: these Cookies are used for gathering analytics data on how you interact with our Services so we can improve their performance accordingly. Without those Cookies, our ability to better ourselves and improve your and others’ experience will be reduced. ● Targeting & Advertising Cookies: these Cookies are used to make advertisements more relevant to you. Our advertising partners may use them to learn about your browsing habits (including your visits to our Services, the pages you have visited and the links and advertisements you have clicked) and other unique identifiers that may help identify you and your interests, in order to retarget you and serve advertisements that are relevant to you (for example If you look at one page on our Services, an advertisement may be delivered to you regarding our Services on other sites, for products referenced on that page or for similar products and services). To learn more about the specific Cookies we use and how we categorize them, please click the ‘Cookie settings’ link available on our website’s footer. You can always withdraw your consent to the use of non-essential Cookies by re-opening the settings and modifying your selection. 3. How Do We Use Cookies? We use Cookies to help our Services work, or work more efficiently, as well as to provide us with various information on your interactions and activities with our Services. Our use of functional and analytics Cookies aims to monitor, study and analyze the use of our Services, and how we could improve individuals’ user experience and continue improving our offerings and the overall performance of our Services; to explore and pursue growth opportunities by facilitating a stronger local presence and tailored experiences. Our use of advertising Cookies aims to facilitate and optimize our marketing campaigns, ad management and sales operations, and manage and deliver advertisements for products and Services more effectively, including on other websites and applications. We may combine non-personally identifiable information collected through Cookies with other Personal Data that we have about you to improve your user experience, for example, to tell us who you are or whether you already have an account with us. We may also supplement the information we collect from you with information received from third parties in order to enhance our Services, or to offer you information that we believe may be of interest to you. Where we use Cookies to collect information that is personally identifiable (i. e. , personal data), the Privacy Policy will apply in addition to this Cookie Policy. 4. How Can You Control Cookies? Except for Necessary Cookies, you may have a right to decide whether to accept or decline Cookies, depending on the law applicable to the processing of your personal data and/or your location. Where required by applicable law, we will not set non-essential Cookies unless you enable them. When first visiting our website, you may encounter our cookie banner, which allows you to control your preferences. You can change your cookie choices anytime by clicking the “Cookie Settings” button available in our website’s footer, if such a button is available in the location from which you use our Services. Most browsers have certain cookie control features (usually located in the ‘options’ or ‘preferences’ menu of your browser), which will (depending on your browser settings) allow you to decide how to handle each new cookie in a variety of ways, provide you with the ability to delete all Cookies that are already on your computer and to prevent Cookies from being placed. You can also change your mobile device settings (e. g. , iPhone, iPad, Android devices) to control whether you see online interest-based ads. Please note that any such changes may result in you having to manually adjust some preferences every time you visit a site and some services and functionalities may not work. 5. What is the Google Analytics Cookie and how is it used? Our Services uses Google Analytics, a web analysis service provided by Google Inc. (“Google”) which is based on Cookie technology. The information generated by the Cookie is usually sent to and stored in a Google server in the USA. On behalf of WSC, Google will use the generated information to evaluate your use of the website, to compile reports on website activities, and to provide the website operator with additional services connected with website and Internet use. The IP address transmitted by your browser in connection with Google Analytics is not collated with other data by Google. We have also taken measures to anonymize such IP address and to limit its retention period by default. Further information about the privacy practices Google Analytics is available at www. google. com/policies/privacy/partners/. Further information about your option to opt-out of Google Analytics is available at https://tools. google. com/dlpage/gaoptout. 6. “Do Not Track” Signals Your browser settings may also allow you to transmit a “Do Not Track” signal when you visit various websites. Whilst we do not change our practices in response to a “Do Not Track” signal in the HTTP header from a browser or mobile application, you can manage your Cookies preferences, including whether or not to accept them and how to remove them, through your browser settings and our Cookie Banner as instructed above. Please bear in mind that disabling Cookies may complicate or even prevent you from using the Services. To learn more about “Do Not Track” signals, you can visit http://www. allaboutdnt. com/. 7. Opt-Out Of Sale/Sharing For Targeted Advertising Under some US data protection laws, like the California Consumer Privacy Act (CCPA) or the Virginia Consumer Data Protection Act, our sharing of certain internet activity and device information with third parties through Cookies may be considered a “sale” or “sharing” of personal information for targeted advertising. We do so in pursuit of the business and commercial purposes described in section 3 above. For the purposes of the CCPA, in the last 12 months we have "sold" or "shared" (for targeted advertising) Internet or Other Electronic Network Activity Information, Geolocation Data, and Commercial Information with our analytics and advertising partners. 8. Modification We reserve the right, at our discretion, to change this Cookie Policy at any time. Such change will be effective immediately following posting of the revised Cookie Policy on our website, and your continued use of the website thereafter means that you accept those changes. Last updated: April 1, 2024 - Published: 2024-03-14 - Modified: 2024-05-30 - URL: https://wsc-sports-dev.ltu.co.il/terms-of-use/ PLEASE READ THESE TERMS OF USE CAREFULLY BEFORE ACCESSING THIS WEBSITE AS THEY AFFECT YOUR LEGAL RIGHTS AND OBLIGATIONS, INCLUDING, BUT NOT LIMITED TO, WAIVERS OF RIGHTS, LIMITATION OF LIABILITY, AND YOUR INDEMNITY TO US. THIS AGREEMENT REQUIRES THE USE OF ARBITRATION ON AN INDIVIDUAL BASIS TO RESOLVE DISPUTES, RATHER THAN COURTS OR JURY TRIALS, AND LIMITS THE REMEDIES AVAILABLE IN THE EVENT OF A DISPUTE. These Terms of Use apply to your access to, and use of, all or part of any Website of WSC Sports Technologies Ltd. (together with its affiliated companies - “WSC”, “we”, “our” or “us”), including https://wsc-sports-dev. ltu. co. il/ (the “Website”). By accessing or using the Website, you accept and agree to be legally bound by, these Terms of Use, together with our Privacy Policy (the “Terms”). You hereby waive any applicable rights to require an original (non-electronic) signature or delivery or retention of non-electronic records, to the extent not prohibited under applicable law. If you do not agree to be bound by these Terms please do not access or use the Website. 1. Background. The Website is intended to provide information about us, our products and services. 2. Modification. We reserve the right, at our discretion, to change these Terms at any time. Such change will be effective immediately following posting of the revised Terms on the Website, and your continued use of the Website thereafter means that you accept those changes. 3. Ability to Accept Terms. The Website is only intended for individuals aged thirteen (13) years or older. If you are under 13 years please do not visit or use the Website. If you are between 13 and 18 years of age, then you must review these Terms with your parent or guardian before visiting or using the Website to make sure that you and your parent or guardian understand these Terms and agree to them. 4. Website Access. For such time as these Terms are in effect, we hereby grant you permission to visit and use the Website provided, that you comply with these Terms and applicable law. 5. Restrictions. You shall not: (i) copy, distribute or modify any part of the Website without our prior written authorization; (ii) use, modify, create derivative works of, transfer (by sale, resale, license, sublicense, download or otherwise), reproduce, distribute, display or disclose Content (defined below), except as expressly authorized herein; (iii) disrupt servers or networks connected to the Website; (iv) use or launch any automated system (including without limitation, “robots” and “spiders”) to access the Website; and/or (v) circumvent, disable or otherwise interfere with security-related features of the Website or features that prevent or restrict use or copying of any Content or that enforce limitations on using of the Website. 6. Copyright Ownership. The Website contains copyrighted material, trademarks and other proprietary information of ours and of other third parties, including, but not limited to, text, software, photos, video, graphics, music and sound, and the entire content of the Website is copyrighted as a collective work under any applicable copyright laws (“Content”). WSC owns copyright in the selection, coordination, arrangement and enhancement of such Content, as well as in the respective original Content, if created by us. Content in the Website is provided to you for your information and personal use and you may not modify, publish, transmit, participate in the transfer or sale, create derivative works, or in any way exploit, any of the Content, in whole or in part. You may download copyrighted material for your personal use only. Except as otherwise expressly permitted under copyright law, no copying, redistribution, retransmission, publication or commercial exploitation of downloaded material will be permitted without the express permission of WSC and the copyright owner. In the event of any permitted copying, redistribution or publication of copyrighted material, no changes in or deletion of author attribution, trademark legend or copyright notice shall be made. You acknowledge that you do not acquire any ownership rights by downloading copyrighted material. 7. Information Description. We attempt to be as accurate as possible. However, we cannot and do not warrant that the Content available on the Website is accurate, complete, reliable, current, or error-free. We reserve the right to make changes in or to the Content, or any part thereof, in our sole judgment, without the requirement of giving any notice prior to or after making such changes. Your use of the Content, or any part thereof, is made solely at your own risk and responsibility. 8. Links. 8. 1. The Website may contain links to third party websites that are not owned or controlled by us. We are not affiliated with, have no control over, and assume no responsibility for the content, privacy policies, or practices of, any third-party websites. We encourage you to read the terms and conditions and privacy policy of each third-party website that you may choose to visit. 8. 2. WSC permits you to link to the Website provided that: (i) your link does not replicate any page of the Website; (ii) the hyperlink text shall accurately describe the Content as it appears on the Website; (iii) you shall not misrepresent your relationship with WSC or present any false or misleading information about WSC and shall not imply in any way that we endorse any of your services or products, unless we have given you our express prior consent; (iv) you shall not link from a website (“Third Party Website”) which prohibits linking to third parties; (v) such Third party Website does not contain content that (a) is offensive or controversial (both at our discretion), or (b) infringes any intellectual property, privacy rights, or other rights of any person or entity; and (vi) you, and your website, comply with these Terms and applicable law. 9. Privacy. We will use any personal information that we may collect or obtain in connection with your use and interaction with the Website in accordance with our privacy policy which is available at https://wsc-sports-dev. ltu. co. il/privacy-policy/ (“Privacy Policy”). You agree that we may use personal information that you provide or make available to us in accordance with the Privacy Policy. 10. Warranty Disclaimers. 10. 1. THE WEBSITE IS PROVIDED ON AN “AS IS” AND “AS AVAILABLE” BASIS, AND WITHOUT WARRANTIES OF ANY KIND. WSC HEREBY DISCLAIMS ALL WARRANTIES, EXPRESS OR IMPLIED, INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED TO IMPLIED WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTABILITY, TITLE, FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE, NON-INFRINGEMENT, AND THOSE ARISING BY STATUTE OR FROM A COURSE OF DEALING OR USAGE OF TRADE. WSC DOES NOT GUARANTEE THAT THE WEBSITE WILL BE FREE OF BUGS, SECURITY BREACHES, OR VIRUS ATTACKS. THE WEBSITE MAY OCCASIONALLY BE UNAVAILABLE FOR ROUTINE MAINTENANCE, UPGRADING, OR OTHER REASONS. YOU AGREE THAT WE WILL NOT BE HELD RESPONSIBLE FOR ANY CONSEQUENCES TO YOU OR ANY THIRD PARTY THAT MAY RESULT FROM TECHNICAL PROBLEMS OF THE INTERNET, SLOW CONNECTIONS, TRAFFIC CONGESTION OR OVERLOAD OF OUR OR OTHER SERVERS. WE DO NOT WARRANT, ENDORSE OR GUARANTEE ANY CONTENT, PRODUCT, OR SERVICE THAT IS FEATURED OR ADVERTISED ON THE WEBSITE BY A THIRD PARTY. 10. 2. EXCEPT AS EXPRESSLY STATED IN OUR PRIVACY POLICY, WSC DOES NOT MAKE ANY REPRESENTATIONS, WARRANTIES OR CONDITIONS OF ANY KIND, EXPRESS OR IMPLIED, AS TO THE SECURITY OF ANY INFORMATION YOU MAY PROVIDE OR ACTIVITIES YOU ENGAGE IN DURING THE COURSE OF YOUR USE OF THE WEBSITE. 10. 3. Applicable law may not allow the exclusion of certain warranties, so to that extent certain exclusions set forth above may not apply. 11. Limitation of Liability. 11. 1. TO THE FULLEST EXTENT PERMISSIBLE BY LAW, WSC SHALL NOT BE LIABLE FOR ANY DIRECT, INDIRECT, EXEMPLARY, SPECIAL, CONSEQUENTIAL, OR INCIDENTAL DAMAGES OF ANY KIND, OR FOR ANY LOSS OF DATA, REVENUE, PROFITS OR REPUTATION, ARISING UNDER THESE TERMS OR OUT OF YOUR USE OF, OR INABILITY TO USE, THE WEBSITE, EVEN IF WSC HAS BEEN ADVISED OF THE POSSIBILITY OF SUCH DAMAGES OR LOSSES. Some jurisdictions do not allow the limitation or exclusion of liability for incidental or consequential damages, so the above limitations may not apply to you. 11. 2. IN NO EVENT SHALL THE AGGREGATE LIABILITY OF WSC FOR ANY DAMAGES ARISING UNDER THESE TERMS OR OUT OF YOUR USE OF, OR INABILITY TO USE, THE WEBSITE EXCEED $100. 12. Indemnity. You agree to defend, indemnify and hold harmless WSC and its affiliates, and their respective officers, directors, employees and agents, from and against any and all claims, damages, obligations, losses, liabilities, costs and expenses (including, but not limited to, reasonable attorney’s fees) arising from your use of, or inability to use, the Website or your violation of these Terms. 13. Term and Termination. These Terms are effective until terminated by WSC. WSC, in its sole discretion, has the right to terminate these Terms and/or your access to the Website, or any part thereof, immediately at any time and with or without cause (including, without any limitation, for a breach of these Terms). WSC shall not be liable to you or any third party for termination of the Website, or any part thereof. If you object to any term or condition of these Terms, or any subsequent modifications thereto, or become dissatisfied with the Website in any way, your only recourse is to immediately discontinue use of the Website. Sections ‎‎6 (Intellectual Property Rights), ‎‎10 (Warranty Disclaimers), ‎‎11 (Limitation of Liability), ‎‎12 (Indemnity), ‎14 (Governing Law) and ‎‎15 (General) shall survive termination of these Terms. 14. Dispute Resolution and Governing Law. You and we agree that good-faith, informal efforts to resolve disputes often can result in a prompt, cost-effective and mutually beneficial outcome. Therefore, a party who intends to initiate arbitration or file a claim in small claims court must first send to the other a written notice. A notice from you to WSC must be emailed to legal-notice@WSC-Sports. com. By using this Website, you agree that any disputes with WSC will be resolved exclusively through arbitration, to take place in New York City, under the laws of The State of New York. The arbitration will be conducted by an arbitrator chosen by WSC and will follow the rules of American Arbitration Association. This process will apply to individual disputes only; you and WSC agree not to engage in any class or group actions. If your claim is below a $100,000, the arbitration will be based solely on written submissions. The arbitration's location in New York City is a binding aspect of this agreement. The arbitrator's decision, detailed in writing, will be final and binding. Changes to this clause can be rejected by sending written notice to WSC within 30 days of the change at legal-notice@wsc-sports. com. 15. General. These Terms shall constitute the entire agreement between you and us concerning the Website. If any provision of these Terms is deemed invalid by a court of competent jurisdiction, the invalidity of such provision shall not affect the validity of the remaining provisions of these Terms, which shall remain in full force and effect. No waiver of any term of these Terms shall be deemed a further or continuing waiver of such term or any other term, and a party’s failure to assert any right or provision under these Terms shall not constitute a waiver of such right or provision. YOU AGREE THAT ANY CAUSE OF ACTION THAT YOU MAY HAVE ARISING OUT OF OR RELATED TO THE WEBSITE MUST COMMENCE WITHIN ONE (1) YEAR AFTER THE CAUSE OF ACTION ACCRUES. OTHERWISE, SUCH CAUSE OF ACTION IS PERMANENTLY BARRED. Last update: April 1, 2024 > Stay on top of your game and stay updated on our podcast, customers, and industry insights. - Published: 2023-12-28 - Modified: 2026-05-15 - URL: https://wsc-sports-dev.ltu.co.il/blog/ Blog - WSC Sports Arena Clients Careers Blog Contact Us Request Demo BLOG All the insights at the intersection of sports, media, and technology. News GOALITOS: LALIGA’s Pioneering New Soccer Show For Kids May 15, 2026 READ MORE all customer spotlight industry insights news partnerbrite podcast Sort By Newest Oldest Cancel Industry Insights The Biggest World Cup Ever Is Changing the Rules for Broadcasters June 4, 2026 Industry Insights How Sports Properties Are Turning History Into Engagement June 3, 2026 Industry Insights From Global Buzz to Lasting Fandom: The NHL’s International Content Strategy June 1, 2026 Industry Insights How Sports Properties Can Better Serve Broadcast Partners in the Digital Age May 28, 2026 Industry Insights Fan Data in Sports: From Collection to Million-Dollar Insights May 26, 2026 Industry Insights How Global Competitions Are Rewriting the Playbook for Sports Content May 24, 2026 123…76» FUEL THE FANDOM Privacy Policy ©2026 WSC Sports Terms of Use Cookie Policy Accessibility Mode LinkedIn Instagram YouTube Facebook X - Published: 2021-12-21 - Modified: 2024-12-23 - URL: https://wsc-sports-dev.ltu.co.il/privacy-policy/ This policy describes how WSC Sports Technologies (together with its affiliated companies - “WSC”, “we”, “our” or “us”) collects, stores, uses and discloses personal data about the following categories of individuals: (i) Customer Data: personal data submitted by, or made available to us by our business customers (“Customers”) through the use of:a. Our cloud-based platform and application, including via video content and related metadata (“Platform” and “Video Content”, respectively)b. any related products, integrations, add-ons and extensions services managed and operated by WSC including any cookie, tag, pixel, SDK (together with the Platform, the “Products”). We process Customer Data on behalf of and under the instruction of the Customer, in accordance with our Data Processing Agreement with them. Accordingly, this policy - which describes WSC’s independent privacy and data processing practices as a “data controller” - does not apply to the processing of Customer Data (For more information, please refer to Section ‎10 below). If you have any questions or requests regarding Customer Data, please contact the relevant Customer or the applicable individual within Customer’s organization that is acting as an administrator of the Platform and Services (“Administrator”) directly. (ii) User Data: personal data concerning individuals acting on behalf of our Customers in respect of their engagement with WSC, and users of the Platform and our mobile application on behalf of such Customers, e. g. , the account administrator and users, billing contacts and authorized signatories on behalf of the Customer (collectively, “Users”); as well as the Customer’s business needs and preferences, as identified to us through our engagement with them. (iii) Prospect Data: data relating to visitors of our website at www. wsc-sports. com, participants at our events, and any other prospective customer, user or partner (collectively, “Prospects”) who visits or otherwise interacts with our websites, digital ads and content, emails, integrations or communications under our control (“Sites”, and collectively with the Products – the “Services”). Specifically, this policy describes our practices regarding – ● Data Collection & Processing ● Data Uses & Lawful Bases ● Data Location ● Data Retention ● Data Disclosure ● Cookies and Tracking Technologies ● Communications ● Data Security ● Data Subject Rights ● Data Controller/Processor ● Requirements under US State Privacy Laws ● Additional Notices If you are a Customer, User, or Prospect, please read this policy carefully and make sure that you fully understand it. You are not legally required to provide us with any of your personal data and may do so (or avoid doing so) at your own free will. If you do not wish to provide us with your personal data, or to have it processed by us or any of our service providers, please simply do not visit or interact with our Sites, nor use our Services. You may also choose not to provide us with “optional” personal data (fields typically marked as “not required” on forms), but please keep in mind that without it we may not be able to provide you with the full range of our Services or with the best user experience when using our Services. Any capitalized but undefined term in this policy shall have the meaning given to it in our Website Terms of Use (“Terms”). 1. Data Collection & Processing When we use the terms “personal data” or “personal information” in this policy, we mean information that may identify, relates to, describes, is reasonably capable of being associated with, or could reasonably be linked, directly or indirectly, to an individual. It does not include aggregated or anonymized information that is maintained in a form that is not reasonably capable of being associated with or linked to an individual. We collect or generate the following types of personal data in relation to the Services: ● Usage, login credentials, and device information concerning Users and Prospects (connectivity, technical and aggregated usage data, such as user agent, IP addresses and approximate location based upon such IP addresses, device data (e. g. , type, OS, device id, browser version, locale and language settings used), activity logs, session recordings, log-in credentials to the Platform, the cookies and pixels installed or utilized on Users’ and Prospects’ devices, and inferred or presumed data generated from their use of the Services) (collectively, “Usage Data”); ● Information concerning our Customers, Users and Prospects, such as contact details (name, email, phone number, position, workplace and related business insights), our communications with such individuals (correspondences, sensory information including call and video recordings, and transcriptions and analyses thereof), feedbacks received, contractual and billing details, as well as any expressed, presumed or identified needs, preferences, attributes and insights relevant to our potential or existing engagement, to the extent they constitute personal data. ● Personal data contained in Customer Data which is provided by our Customers or processed on their behalf and under their instruction. This may include any of the types of personal data described above (with respect to Users or other individuals whose data is contained in the Customer Data), in accordance with the Data Processing Addendum we and our Customers have in place. 2. Data Uses & Lawful Bases We use personal data as necessary of the performance of and to provide our Products to our Customers (“Performance of Contract”); to comply with applicable legal obligations (“Legal Obligation”); and to support our legitimate interests in maintaining and improving our Services, e. g. , in understanding how our Services are used and how our campaigns are performing, and gaining insights which help us dedicate our resources and efforts more efficiently; in marketing, advertising and selling our Products; providing customer service and technical support; and protecting and securing our Customers, Users, Prospects, ourselves and our Services (“Legitimate Interests”). Specifically, we use personal data for the following purposes and in reliance on the lawful bases for processing noted next to them, as appropriate: Customer and User personal data ● To facilitate, operate, enhance, and provide our Products (Performance of Contract; Legitimate Interests). ● To provide assistance and support, to test and monitor the Products, or diagnose or fix bugs or other technical issues, and to train our Customers and Customer-facing staff (Performance of Contract; Legitimate Interests). ● To personalize the Products, including by recognizing an individual and remembering their information when they return to it, and to provide further localization and personalization capabilities to make our Products easier to use (Performance of Contract; Legitimate Interests). ● To facilitate, sponsor and offer certain events, contests and promotions (Legitimate Interests). Customer, User and Prospect personal data ● To gain a better understanding on how individuals use and interact with our Services, which content and data they have processed through our Services, and how we could improve their and others’ user experience and the value they can generate from using the Services, so we could continue improving our products, offerings and the overall performance of our Services. ● To provide certain features of the Services related to the Video content, including through the utilization and optimization of Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning capabilities (Performance of Contract; Legitimate Interests). ● To contact our Customers, Users and Prospects with general or personalized service-related messages, as well as promotional messages that may be of specific interest to them (Performance of Contract; Legitimate Interests; Consent). ● To support and enhance our data security measures, including for the purposes of preventing and mitigating the risks of fraud, error or any illegal, criminal or prohibited activity (Performance of Contract; Legitimate Interests; Legal Obligation). ● To create aggregated statistical data, inferred non-personal data, or anonymized or pseudonymized data (rendered non-personal and non-identifiable), which we or our business partners may use to provide and improve our respective services, or for any other purpose (Legitimate Interests). ● To facilitate and optimize our marketing campaigns, ad management and sales operations, and to manage and deliver advertisements for our products and services more effectively, including on other websites and applications. Such activities allow us to highlight the benefits of using our Services, and thereby increase your engagement and overall satisfaction with our Services. This includes contextual, behavioral and interests-based advertising based on your activity, preferences or other data available to us or to our business partners (Legitimate Interests; Consent). ● To enforce our Terms or the agreement between us and our Customers, to resolve disputes, to carry out our obligations and enforce our rights, and to protect our business interests and the interests and rights of third parties (Legitimate Interests); ● To comply with our contractual and legal obligations and requirements, and maintain our compliance with applicable laws, regulations and standards (Performance of Contract; Legitimate Interests; Legal Obligation); and ● For any other lawful purpose, or other purpose that you consent to (Legal Obligation; Consent). If you reside or are using the Services in a territory governed by privacy laws under which “consent” is the only or most appropriate legal basis for processing personal data as described in this policy (either in general, based on the types of personal data you expect or elect to process or have processed by us or via the Services, or due to the nature of such processing) (“Consent”), your acceptance of our Terms and of this policy will be deemed as your consent to the processing of your personal data for all purposes detailed in this policy, unless applicable law requires a different form of consent. If you wish to revoke such consent, please contact us at privacy@wsc-sports. com.   3. Data Location We and our authorized Service Providers (defined below) maintain, store and process personal data in the United States, Europe, Israel and other locations as reasonably necessary for the proper performance and delivery of our Services, or as may be required by applicable law. WSC Is headquartered in Israel, a jurisdiction which is considered by the European Commission, the United Kingdom Secretary of State, and the Swiss Federal Data Protection and Information Commissioner (FDPIC), to be offering an adequate level of protection for personal data of individuals residing in EU Member States, the UK and Switzerland, respectively. We transfer data from the European Economic Area, the UK and Switzerland to Israel on this basis. While privacy laws vary between jurisdictions, WSC, its affiliates and Service Providers are each committed to protect personal data in accordance with this policy, customary and reasonable industry standards, and such appropriate lawful mechanisms and contractual terms requiring adequate data protection, regardless of any lesser legal requirements that may apply in the jurisdiction to which such data is transferred. For data transfers from the EEA, the UK and Switzerland to countries which are not considered to be offering an adequate level of data protection, we and the relevant data exporters and importers enter into Standard Contractual Clauses as approved by the European Commission, UK Information Commissioner’s Office, and the FDPIC (as appropriate). Notwithstanding the foregoing, where WSC processes personal data on behalf of a Customer, such personal data (which is included in their Customer Data) may only be processed in the locations as permitted in the Data Processing Agreement and other commercial agreements with such Customer (as further described in Section ‎10 below). 4. Data Retention We may retain your personal data for as long as it is reasonably needed in order to maintain and expand our relationship and provide you with our Services and offerings; in order to comply with our legal and contractual obligations; or to protect ourselves from any potential disputes (i. e. as required by laws applicable to log-keeping, records and bookkeeping, and in order to have proof and evidence concerning our relationship, should any legal issues arise following your discontinuance of use), all in accordance with our data retention policy and at our reasonable discretion. To determine the appropriate retention period for personal data, we consider the amount, nature, and sensitivity of such data, the potential risk of harm from unauthorized use or disclosure of such data, the purposes for which we process it, and the applicable legal requirements. If you have any questions about our data retention policy, please contact us by email at privacy@wsc-sports. com 5. Data Disclosure We may disclose personal data in the following instances: Service Providers: We engage selected third-party companies and individuals as “Service Providers”, to perform services on our behalf or complementary to our own. 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Your personal data and activity within the Services may also be monitored, processed and analyzed by your Administrator. If you register or access the Services using an email address at a domain that is owned by your employer or organization (our Customer), and another team within such Customer’s organization wishes to establish an account on the Services, certain information about you including your name, contact info and your general use of the Platform will become accessible to the Administrator.   Services integrations: You or your Administrator may choose... ## Posts - Published: 2026-06-04 - Modified: 2026-06-04 - URL: https://wsc-sports-dev.ltu.co.il/blog/industry-insights/the-biggest-world-cup-ever-is-changing-how-broadcasters-think-about-content/ - Categories: Industry Insights The challenge for 2026 is automating the entire content strategy around the tournament. When the World Cup kicks off this month, it will be the biggest version of the biggest sporting event on earth. More teams. More matches. More host cities. More fans entering through more screens. How will broadcasters carry the emotion of the match, then keep that emotion moving across every platform? How will they hold on to the fans they pull in during the tournament?   Four years ago, I wrote about how AI and automation were helping broadcasters keep pace with the World Cup. The question back then was essentially one of speed: how do you turn match footage into highlights, clips, and localized packages fast enough to matter? That problem is largely solved. The question broadcasters are bringing to us now is bigger and more interesting: how do you run a 24/7 digital content operation across 39 days and 104 matches, without scaling your team proportionally to match it? That move, from automating outputs to automating an entire content strategy, is what makes 2026 a different kind of tournament for rights holders. In 2022, a broadcaster might have automated 50 clips from a match. In 2026, the same broadcaster is automating every moment around the match: the pre-match build-up, the training session the day before, the press conference after, the fan reactions, the social cuts, the streaming recap. It is a different operation entirely. This year’s tournament will be defined by two important shifts. First, the scale is not just bigger. It is a quantum leap for World Cup coverage. Spanish-language broadcaster Telemundo, for example, has scheduled more than 700 hours of World Cup programming over the 39 days of the tournament. Only a portion of that will be live matches.   The rest will be everything around the matches: pregame and postgame shows, daily analysis, original programming, documentaries, free streaming channels, and social video. Second, this will be the most digital-first World Cup yet. Broadcasters are using streaming hubs to expand the scope of coverage, turning live matches, replays, highlights, and daily shows into a single experience fans can return to throughout the day. That shift is even clearer in the role YouTube and TikTok will play as FIFA’s official partners. In 2022, those platforms were places fans might go to find highlights. In 2026, they are part of FIFA’s core strategy for bringing younger fans into the World Cup experience from the start.   The message is clear: digital is being planned as part of the World Cup experience from the start, alongside the broadcast.   Together, those shifts raise the bar for World Cup coverage. Every match now has to work as a live event, a digital content engine, and a reason for fans to come back again. Here are some of the biggest trends for broadcasters this year.   The Matchday Gets the 360° Treatment  In 2022, broadcasters were still focusing on how quickly they could turn match footage into highlights, clips, and localized packages. Being quicker to post was often rewarded with more views and greater impact.   In 2026, speed still matters, but the lens is wider. The top plays are only the beginning. The broadcasters we're working with in this tournament are asking for a dramatically wider scope of automation. They want the game and everything around it.   This kind of 360° coverage creates more ways to keep fans emotionally attached to the event.   The material around the game is part of the coverage system, not just extra footage. Our own research backs this up: 78. 6% of fans say behind-the-scenes and off-field content is at least somewhat important to how they follow sports.   Streaming Keeps the Tournament Alive between Live Games For much of the world, the 2026 World Cup will not unfold in perfect viewing hours. With the tournament taking place across North America, millions of fans will experience the tournament through catch-up programs or curated recaps. Streaming platforms give broadcasters a place to organize the World Cup for fans who cannot watch everything live. Fans can catch up and stay involved in the tournament. These hubs make the tournament feel continuous, providing a clear path back into the action at any time. Creators Bring the Tournament Closer to Fans Content creators have always been part of the sports landscape, typically as outsiders commenting on the action. This year, broadcasters like DAZN are giving creators a more formal role in how the tournament is covered and shared.   DAZN48 will bring together 48 creators, one for each participating nation, to tell the story of the World Cup through social-first, fan-led content. That gives the tournament local voices, cultural context, and a more personal way into the event.   Owned Platforms Turn Attention Into Value The World Cup will create attention everywhere. The harder part is converting that attention into long-term value. World Cup fans will be all over the map. Some will stay up late to watch matches live. Others will dip in and out when a highlight hits their social feed. Others will be carried away by the hype and national fervor.   Social platforms will pull millions of fans into the tournament. But social is ultimately a funnel, not a destination. The goal is to continue that relationship in owned platforms through apps, websites, OTT products built around how fans actually follow sports. Owned platforms give broadcasters a place to make that scattered experience easier to follow. They also give rights holders something they cannot get from reach alone: a clearer view of what fans care about, what brings them back, and what keeps them engaged.   That understanding is what turns a successful tournament into a lasting audience relationship, and where the real commercial value lies.   A Bigger Opportunity for Broadcasters The 2026 World Cup will show how much sports media has changed since 2022. The tournament now gives broadcasters more ways to capture the emotion of the live match, extend it across platforms, and turn short bursts of attention into deeper fan relationships.   The opportunity is not just to cover the biggest World Cup ever. At WSC Sports, the shift we're seeing from clients reflects everything described above. They’re thinking about the World Cup in a more holistic way, less 'give us highlights faster' and more 'help us run our entire digital strategy around the tournament. ' That's a fundamentally different approach and a more interesting one to solve.   Yitav Topaz is Vice President for Strategic Partnerships at WSC Sports - Published: 2026-06-03 - Modified: 2026-06-03 - URL: https://wsc-sports-dev.ltu.co.il/blog/industry-insights/how-sports-properties-are-turning-history-into-engagement/ - Categories: Industry Insights The most valuable content in sports might already exist. Key takeaways: Archive content is evolving from a historical repository into a strategic asset for storytelling, fan engagement, and commercial growth. Younger audiences spend significantly more time with non-live sports content, increasing the value of heritage-driven formats AI-powered tools are helping sports properties transform decades of footage into discoverable, platform-native content for new generations of fans. In 2012, the Bundesliga made an important decision regarding its past – and, in many ways, also its future. The league entered into a partnership with the global sports marketing agency IMG, which became responsible for the distribution of archive content from Germany’s top football competitions. Building on the long-standing relationship, the German top flight recently extended the partnership in a multi-year agreement. As part of the agreement, IMG will continue to license archive content from the Deutsche Fußball Liga’s (DFL) extensive historical database, also known as the DFL Media Hub.   One of the world’s largest digital football archives of its kind, the DFL Media Hub contains close to 250,000 hours of content, covering over 60 years of German football history, dating back to the inaugural 1963/64 Bundesliga season. More than 12,000 hours of video material are added to the DFL Media Hub each season, providing an ever-growing resource for international media companies, brands, and partners. “IMG’s expertise and commitment have been instrumental in bringing the rich history of the Bundesliga to audiences around the world,” said Robin Austermann, head of European audio-visual rights at Bundesliga Media, the league’s sales and digital unit. “This not only preserves our heritage, but also continues to unlock new opportunities for innovation and storytelling for future generations of fans. ” https://www. youtube. com/watch? v=zZ7x_339l08 The Growing Appeal of Archive Content This forward-looking approach addresses a broader shift in how fans, particularly younger generations, consume sports content today. According to Altman Solon’s latest Global Sports Survey, 18-34-year-olds spend nearly 3x as much time on non-live formats as on live sport. In this environment, the ability to repackage and surface archive content has become a key part of modern content strategies. Recent data supports this premise. A study by data analytics firm ROAR, which analyzed the social media activity of five major sports franchises, found that “heritage-themed” content – e. g. , an “On this day... ” post that shares a legendary moment from the past – generated 50% to 125% higher engagement than non-heritage content. Still, for many rights holders, archive content remains an underutilized resource. “The sports industry, by DNA, is focused on whatever is tomorrow or next week – never yesterday and never in five years' time,” said Paola Marinone, CEO of BuzzMyVideos, a company that helps sports properties grow their YouTube channels. “The first thing I would tell any rights holder is, 'explore whatever you have in your archive, because that’s valuable. ' It’s a good entry point for funnelling the audience and being discovered by fans. ”  Putting History to Work Other properties focus on introducing young fans to iconic players and moments from the past in their preferred format: vertical video. LALIGA and Borussia Dortmund, for example, use AI to ingest their extensive video archives and automatically generate –through a tool that converts horizontal video into vertical clips – highlights from a fully indexed library of historic footage. https://www. youtube. com/watch? v=mrxGTIE6ntE “Legacy and tradition are definitely strengths. But the way you tell the story of that tradition has to evolve,” explained Alexander Mühl, director of marketing and digitalization at Borussia Dortmund. “You have to make it relevant for younger target groups. It’s not just about what we post, it’s how we present it, where we share it, and who we’re speaking to. ” Technology Meets Tradition As organizations like Borussia Dortmund and LALIGA have discovered, the value of an archive extends far beyond preservation. Historical footage can strengthen fan affinity, introduce new audiences to defining moments, support commercial partnerships, and create fresh storytelling opportunities. In an era defined by content demand, the past is increasingly becoming one of sport’s most productive sources of new engagement. The challenge is making decades of footage accessible and relevant to audiences raised on social media and short-form video. AI-powered content creation platforms help rights holders meet that challenge by automatically creating, reformatting, and distributing archive content across platforms at scale. Done well, archive activation becomes more than a nostalgia play; it becomes a way to connect the past to the future. Actionable insights: Audit your archive regularly and identify historic moments, players, and anniversaries that can be repurposed into short-form content. Reformat legacy footage into vertical, mobile-first assets designed for today’s social platforms and consumption habits. Combine archive content with current storylines to create context, deepen fan connection, and extend engagement beyond live events. - Published: 2026-06-01 - Modified: 2026-06-04 - URL: https://wsc-sports-dev.ltu.co.il/blog/industry-insights/from-global-buzz-to-lasting-fandom-the-nhls-international-content-strategy/ - Categories: Industry Insights Key Takeaways: Mega events often create spikes in international interest, but sustained fandom depends on always-on storytelling that keeps the sport culturally relevant. Short-form, market-specific content helps sports leagues turn casual international viewers into consistent fans and drive viewership. AI-powered content creation platforms enable rights holders to scale multilingual, personalized storytelling across channels without increasing operational complexity. One day into the conference finals of the Stanley Cup playoffs, the National Hockey League (NHL) was named League of the Year at the 2026 Sports Business Awards. It was the first time the NHL won the award since 2014. And the timing was not a coincidence. More than anything else, 2026 marks the return of NHL players to the Olympic stage at the Milano Cortina Games, 12 years after their last appearance in the 2014 Sochi Games. The return had an immediate impact. “Bringing back international play, it’s taken our popularity to another level,” said Steve Mayer, NHL President of content & events. “Not only among our fans, but sports fans. ” https://www. youtube. com/watch? v=yNjQ83Bda3c The numbers bear this out: Following the Milano Cortina Games, broadcasts of regular-season games averaged 453,000 viewers, up 47% from the average in the second half of the 2024/5 season. The post-Olympic ratings bump helped propel the NHL to its best regular-season average viewership since 2012-13, with an average television audience of 546,000 viewers, a 23% increase over last season. In the first round of the playoffs, ESPN averaged 1. 2 million viewers per game, up 69% from last season. The second round of the playoffs saw ESPN's average audience jump to 2. 2 million viewers per game, up 76% from 2025. .   Across North America, through the second round, the Stanley Cup playoffs averaged 3. 3 million viewers, marking the highest total North American viewership through two rounds on record. Building a Worldwide Audience For as much as the Olympics provided momentum for the NHL in North America, the league sees even bigger opportunities abroad. “We're focused on what we can be doing to grow the game on a worldwide basis,” said NHL Commissioner Gary Bettman. “That's becoming an increasing priority for us because we believe we're the most international, certainly with our player composition, of the four major sports in North America. ”  To capitalize on its international makeup, the NHL announced the return of the World Cup of Hockey. Previously held in 1996, 2004, and 2016, the next World Cup, organized by the league and the players' association (NHLPA), is set to take place in 2028, establishing a calendar of biennial global competition. Until then, the goal is to convert fleeting international fandom into sustained TV viewership. With roughly 30% of the league’s players coming from Europe, much of the effort is focused on the Old Continent. Regular-season games in Europe, played under the banner of the “NHL Global Series,” date back to 1997 – and though the league has traditionally targeted Nordic countries, where hockey is already a popular sport, it is starting to expand its European footprint. The NHL isn't only meeting European fans where they are physically; it also makes a point of speaking their language. After adding a Spanish edition of NHL. com in 2019, the league has seven non-English versions of its website. In addition, the NHL has a partnership with global sports marketing agency IMG, which manages 28 international social media channels for the league across eight markets. Driving Tune-In Through Short-Form Content The league’s most successful international channel is NHL Europe on TikTok. Active since 2022, the NHL’s European account has recently reached some impressive milestones, including Breaking past the 1 billion views barrier Averaging 1. 16 million views per video in the 2025-6 season Surpassing 2 million followers, more than any other equivalent account in North American sports.   Using TikTok as a short-form, discovery-first channel has proved effective. “Where it’s (TikTok) been really beneficial is in supporting our broadcasters in each of the markets,” said Jaka Lednik, SVP of international strategy at the NHL. “We’re able to drive tune-in and make sure that people are aware of what’s happening on our partners' channels. ”One of the ways the NHL ensures fans are aware of what’s happening is by using AI to generate localized highlight shows. The way it works is simple. AI generates the core show, then adapts it with localized voiceovers and tailored storylines. German fans, for example, get a version that showcases players like Leon Draisaitl, while fans in Sweden watch a show that prominently features the likes of William Nylander and Filip Forsberg. Scaling Global Storytelling With AI The NHL’s recent momentum shows how global events can supercharge international interest. But sustaining that attention requires far more than periodic marquee tournaments. To build lasting fandom abroad, leagues need a continuous stream of short-form storytelling that speaks to fans in their own language, highlights the players they care about most, and keeps the sport culturally relevant between tentpole moments. Executing that strategy consistently in multiple markets requires the right technology. AI-powered content creation platforms enable rights holders to instantly generate highlights, adapt narratives for different audiences, localize commentary, and distribute multi-format assets at scale across every platform.   That kind of always-on global storytelling has helped the NHL turn the Milano Cortina buzz into year-round engagement, and sets it up to collect a few more League of the Year trophies along the way, even in seasons without the Olympic spotlight. Actionable Insights: Treat major events as discovery moments and maintain momentum afterward with always-on short-form storytelling. Localize highlights around national stars to make international audiences feel personally connected to your league. Build content workflows that quickly adapt highlights for different markets, platforms, and fan interests. - Published: 2026-05-28 - Modified: 2026-06-04 - URL: https://wsc-sports-dev.ltu.co.il/blog/industry-insights/how-sports-properties-can-better-serve-broadcast-partners-in-the-digital-age/ - Categories: Industry Insights As audiences shift to social and streaming platforms, broadcasters need more than live match coverage Key Takeaways Short-form storytelling is no longer an add-on to linear broadcasts; it plays a central role in driving anticipation, discovery, and sustained engagement across digital and social platforms. Rights holders that equip broadcast partners with a steady stream of digital-first, short-form assets can extend the reach of live coverage and better align with modern viewing habits. AI-powered content creation platforms enable sports organizations to scale high-quality, multi-format content production, ensuring broadcasters receive the assets needed to stay relevant across channels. Warner Bros. Discovery will deliver more than 300 hours of coverage from Roland-Garros via multiple platforms in the US. In Europe, 215 hours of live coverage will be available on TNT Sports and Eurosport. Chinese internet giant Tencent will air every match from Paris, plus editorial programming, throughout the event.   Each year, it seems, Roland-Garros has more mouths to feed – something the French Tennis Federation (Fédération française de tennis, or FFT) is acutely aware of. “We had to question everything we were doing and ask ourselves how to better serve our broadcasters,” said Amandine Tyl, head of production and broadcast services at FFT, adding that the main challenge is to provide media partners “with the content they need in relation to their audience and changing consumption habits. Tennis is a sport with an audience that tends to be aging, so one of our goals is to rejuvenate this viewership. ” Rejuvenating the French Open's viewership, the FFT concluded, requires more digital and less broadcast-centric content. That means a focus on behind-the-scenes content and digital assets from around the Roland-Garros grounds – in 2025, Tyl noted, 4,000 or 5,000 assets were collected – which broadcasters distribute across their digital channels and platforms. Digital Payoff Offering broadcast partners content that suits their consumption patterns proved worthwhile. In 2025, Warner Bros. Discovery’s digital platforms, including Eurosport and TNT Sports social channels across Europe, recorded 883 million video views during Roland-Garros. In the US, content shared on WBD’s Bleacher Report and House of Highlights generated more than 800 million video views. https://www. tiktok. com/@tntsports/video/7645049795572174113? is_from_webapp=1&sender_device=pc Bleacher Report, TNT Sports’ digital extension, expanded the storytelling by serving fans original, exclusive content. The strategy worked so well that this year, TNT's production team will integrate more B/R-created content into its television coverage. “We saw how potent that can be during the tournament when done correctly,” said Craig Barry, executive vice president & chief content officer at TNT Sports. “We’ll continue to double down on that. ” According to Barry, B/R will execute multiple digital projects at Roland-Garros 2026, including short-form comedic segments with players led by Lucas Brody from House of Highlights. Brody will also join “The Mac Zone,” a daily, two-hour-long show hosted by John and Patrick McEnroe during the first six days of the tournament, to interact with talent, players, and YouTube viewers.   Part of Brody’s job on “The Mac Zone,” said Tyler Price, Bleacher Report’s head of content, will be generating “clippable moments that can live beyond that show”. These short-form videos will then be distributed on WBD’s other platforms to build anticipation for the tournament’s more traditional coverage. Short-Form Momentum The French Open displayed its own ability to captivate international audiences. Recognizing that it functions as a broadcaster in its own right across social media, the FFT commissioned sports marketing agency Samba Digital to manage the tournament’s official TikTok account.   https://www. tiktok. com/@rolandgarros/video/7511688154252922134? is_from_webapp=1&sender_device=pc In 2025, the coverage on the short-form video platform highlighted key moments such as standout rallies, exclusive interviews, and funny sequences, enriched by footage from training sessions, player celebrations, and celebrity appearances. The dynamic content strategy produced some strong numbers:  808,000 new followers 770 million views 44. 1 million likes  The New Content Stack The lesson from Roland-Garros is not that traditional broadcasts matter less, but that they now exist within a much broader content ecosystem. Fans increasingly discover tournaments through short-form storytelling before ever tuning into linear coverage. Supplying broadcast partners with these digital-first assets has become essential to expanding reach, engaging younger audiences, and building momentum around live coverage itself. Meeting that demand at scale requires the right infrastructure. AI-powered content creation platforms enable rights holders to rapidly generate and distribute a continuous stream of highlights, interviews, reactions, and behind-the-scenes moments in multiple formats across every platform. The result is a more dynamic content operation that helps media partners keep audiences engaged long before first serve, and long after match point. Actionable Insights: Package live moments in short, platform-native clips that broadcasters can deploy on social and digital immediately. Build a repeatable workflow for behind-the-scenes, reactions, and highlights so one match becomes multiple assets. Use AI tools to scale clipping, formatting, and distribution without adding manual production load. https://www. youtube. com/watch? v=ApP6ViUIJlQ - Published: 2026-05-26 - Modified: 2026-05-26 - URL: https://wsc-sports-dev.ltu.co.il/blog/industry-insights/fan-data-in-sports-from-collection-to-million-dollar-insights/ - Categories: Industry Insights The future of sports growth belongs to organizations that know their fans, not just their audiences. The professional sports industry is navigating a structural transition. The primary engine of growth has shifted from mass reach to individual relationship management. Historically, sports organizations operated on a broadcast model designed to reach the widest possible audience, prioritizing aggregate television ratings and gate receipts. However, the modern digital landscape, characterized by the fragmentation of media and the tightening of data privacy regulations, has rendered this traditional approach insufficient for sustainable revenue growth. As the industry enters a privacy-first era, the focus has moved to the collection, unification, and activation of fan data to create personalized journeys that drive lifetime value.   The Strategic Shift: From Rented Audiences to Owned Data Ecosystems The traditional fan acquisition funnel is currently undergoing a significant leak, primarily because sports organizations have long relied on external social media platforms to engage their fans. While these platforms provide immense reach, they effectively sit between the rights holder and the fan, controlling the algorithm and withholding the most valuable individual identifiers. This dynamic creates a rented audience scenario where every engagement requires the organization to pay the platform again for access. Migrating fans from these external platforms into owned environments, such as official team apps, websites, and over-the-top (OTT) services, is the first step in reclaiming the fan funnel. In these owned channels, organizations can capture first-party data (observed interactions) and zero-party data (volunteered preferences) to build a comprehensive fan profile. This transition is not merely a marketing preference but a financial imperative: research suggests that closing the digital gap by embracing artificial intelligence (AI), cloud computing, and data analytics could boost global sports revenues by approximately 25 percent, adding an estimated 130 billion dollars in value. https://youtu. be/kEfT1qjBiC0? si=VaJUClAXyDq13g16 The End of the Third-Party Cookie and the Privacy Revolution The urgency for owning fan data is compounded by the crumbling of third-party cookies and the implementation of strict privacy laws like the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) and the California Consumer Privacy Act (CCPA). Fans are increasingly protective of their personal information, with approximately 73 percent expressing concern about how their data is used. However, these same fans are willing to share information when the value exchange is clear and transparent. The shift toward first-party and zero-party data allows teams to build direct, year-round relationships that do not depend on big tech algorithms. By focusing on consent-based data collection, organizations move from a state of "guessing" based on broad demographics to "knowing" based on specific fan signals. FeatureThird-Party DataFirst-Party DataZero-Party DataOriginData brokers, scraped from socialObserved on owned channelsProactively shared by the fanAccuracyOften inferred or outdatedHigh (based on actual behavior)Highest (direct preference)Privacy StatusHigh risk, declining utilityTransparent, consent-basedMost privacy-friendlyExamplesInferred interests, broad demographicsTicket purchases, app clicksFavorite player, jersey size The Architecture of Fan Intelligence: Moving Beyond CRM to CDP The core challenge for many sports organizations is that fan data lives in disconnected silos. A ticketing database might hold transaction history, while a social media tool tracks likes, and an e-commerce platform monitors merchandise sales. Without a unified view, teams default to generic "spray and pray" messaging that fails to meet the personalization expectations of modern fans. The Limits of Traditional CRM in 2025 Traditional Customer Relationship Management (CRM) systems have served as the backbone of sports data strategies for decades, but they primarily store explicit, static data like names, emails, and purchase records. In 2025, CRM data alone is insufficient because it lacks the implicit behavioral signals generated across digital touchpoints, such as which highlight clips a fan watches or how they interact with a mobile app. The Emergence of the Customer Data Platform (CDP) The modern fan data stack requires a Customer Data Platform (CDP) and an Identity Graph to create a "single supporter view". A CDP aggregates every scrap of first-party data from website visits, mobile app usage, OTT viewership, social interactions, and in-stadium transactions. This creates a master database that stitches together disparate identifiers—including login IDs, device IDs, and loyalty numbers—into a unified fan identity. Identifier TypeMechanismRole in Identity ResolutionDeterministicExact matches (Email, Phone)High confidence linking of profilesProbabilisticPattern matching (Device IDs, IPs)Expanding the identity graph through behaviorTransactionalTicket IDs, Merch SKUsConnecting spending habits to digital identities This 360-degree fan identity allows organizations to move from broad segments to a "segment of one," where content and offers are tailored to the individual's exact tastes. For example, the NFL has reportedly quadrupled its unified fan profiles—from 15 million to over 70 million—by centralizing data from multiple sources, enabling true personalization across its digital ecosystem. Data Collection Strategies: The Zero and First-Party Paradigm To fuel the CDP, organizations must implement robust collection strategies that balance the need for data with the fan's desire for a seamless experience. Collecting First-Party Data through Observed Behavior First-party data collection is often passive, relying on the tracking of fan interactions across owned channels. Every highlight watched, article read, and push notification opened is a data point that informs the fan's profile. Key signals include: Content Consumption: Which players are featured in the videos a fan watches? Do they prefer short-form clips or long-form analysis?   App and Web Activity: What is the frequency of logins? Which sections of the app are visited most often?   Transaction History: What is the average order value for tickets or merchandise? Collecting Zero-Party Data through Interactive Engagement Zero-party data is collected through direct value exchange. Because fans are intentionally sharing their interests, this data is exceptionally accurate. Interactive campaigns serve as the primary vehicle for this collection: Polls and Votes: Asking fans to vote for the "MVP of the Game" reveals favorite players. Quizzes and Trivia: "Test your knowledge" games can ask for an email or favorite player pick at the end to provide results. Contests and Sweepstakes: Registering for a chance to win a signed jersey is a powerful incentive for fans to share their jersey size and content preferences. Preference Centers: Allowing fans to opt into specific content tracks (e. g. , "defense-only highlights") provides immediate, actionable data. MethodTarget DataValue Exchange for FanIn-App PollsFavorite player, MVP choiceVoice in the communityTrivia QuizzesKnowledge level, history interestEntertainment, social sharingSweepstakesJersey size, address, preferencesChance to win tangible rewardsInteractive PredictorsIntent to attend games, scoresTesting sports acumen AI-Driven Personalization: The Engine of Modern Engagement The ability to collect data is meaningless without the ability to activate it at scale. As fan expectations shift toward the algorithmic personalization found on platforms like Netflix and TikTok, sports organizations face a production bottleneck. Manually curating individualized experiences for millions of fans is impossible, leading to the adoption of AI-driven content automation. The Economics of Fan Data: Monetization and Sponsorship Data-driven engagement is not just about views; it is about building a sustainable business model that increases the Lifetime Value (LTV) of every fan.   Maximizing Lifetime Value (LTV) LTV represents the total economic contribution a fan provides over the entire duration of their relationship with the organization. This includes ticket sales, merchandise, concessions, and digital subscriptions. A model for a lifelong New York Mets fan suggests that a highly engaged supporter can generate substantial revenue over a 70-year horizon, including roughly 10,000 dollars in ticket sales and 6,600 dollars in merchandise. The LTV can be calculated using the simplified formula: LTV = (Average Value of a Purchase x Number of Purchases) x Average Length of Relation By using behavioral segmentation, teams can identify "heavy highlight watchers" and target them with high-conversion offers, such as a subscription to a premium digital service or a targeted discount on their favorite player's jersey. The Evolution of Sponsorship: From Placements to Partnerships Sponsors are increasingly demanding measurable ROI and tech integration rather than just stadium signage and logo placement. Approximately 62 percent of brands state that improved data is the key to better sports partnerships. When teams can provide specific fan personas and track engagement with sponsor-branded content, they can command higher premiums. In the MLS, social media has become a primary driver of sponsorship value, accounting for 54 percent of the league's total media value in 2024, largely fueled by the global popularity of Lionel Messi. Teams that can provide dashboards proving ROI through fan engagement and digital conversions are positioning themselves as strategic partners rather than just advertising vendors. https://youtu. be/D4-lF_6d_g0? si=C43GnWqYMVqARbmC Predictive Analytics: Plugging the Funnel with Churn Prevention In an era of fragmented attention, precision retention is often more valuable than costly acquisition. It can cost five to seven times more to acquire a new fan than to retain an existing one. Predictive analytics allows teams to identify "at-risk" fans before they lapse. The Science of Fan Churn Churn is rarely a sudden event; it is preceded by gradual changes in behavior, such as fewer app sessions, a shift to lower-engagement content, or a decline in game attendance. Churn prediction AI agents ingest fan data and forecast the probability of a fan becoming inactive. Researchers use survival analysis—a statistical method commonly used in clinical trials—to predict the time-to-churn for specific fan segments. The probability of a fan remaining active after a certain time period can be modeled as: where is the survival function. By identifying these signals early, organizations can deploy automated "win-back" campaigns. For instance, if a season ticket holder has not scanned their ticket for three consecutive games, the system can trigger a personalized offer or a concierge outreach to re-engage the fan. Churn DriverPredictive SignalRecommended ActionContent Decay50% drop in highlight watch timeSend personalized "best of" recapNo-Show RiskTicket unused for 2+ gamesOffer seat upgrade or resale creditPayment IssuesDeclined card on subscriptionTrigger proactive support nudgeEngagement DipApp not opened in 14 daysPush notification for live poll Stadium Intelligence: The Physical Touchpoint in the Data Loop While digital engagement is critical, the live stadium experience remains the heart of fandom. Modern venues are being retrofitted with Wi-Fi, biometric entry, and mobile ordering to capture data in the physical world. Wi-Fi and Geolocation as Data Sources Venues use in-stadium Wi-Fi to understand fan movement and dwell time. This data reveals which concession stands are most popular and identifies "dead zones" in the concourse, allowing for better operational management and targeted in-game advertising. Future Outlook: Personalization in 2026 and Beyond As the industry moves toward 2026, several key trends are redefining the fan engagement landscape. The Generational Shift to Personality-Driven Fandom The fandom of Gen Z has shifted from teams to individuals. Approximately 31 percent of Gen Z fans feel more connected to athletes than to teams. This personality-driven fandom is built through short-form highlights and creator content rather than traditional league loyalty. Rights holders who integrate athletes and creators into their distribution models are more likely to capture the attention of this younger demographic. The Convergence of Channels The distinction between social media, mobile apps, and live broadcasts is fading. Fans consume sports in "micro-moments"—a clip, a story, a swipe, and expect those fragments to deliver the same emotional impact as a full broadcast. The next wave of value will come from systems that unify highlight creation, personalization, and distribution across every endpoint, ensuring a consistent fan journey regardless of the platform. AI and the Accuracy Revolution The use of Generative AI (GenAI) is expected to significantly improve the accuracy of sports predictions and personalized recommendations. By 2025, advanced machine learning models will match the right bet or content with the right user with unprecedented precision, driving a 35 percent increase in user engagement. Conclusions and Strategic Recommendations The transformation of fan data from a "marketing nice-to-have" to a strategic necessity is complete. For sports organizations to realize "million-dollar insights," they must embrace a data-first culture that prioritizes ownership and automation. Prioritize Owned Channels: Reclaim the fan funnel by driving social media followers into owned apps and websites where their behavior can be tracked as first-party data. Invest in a Unified Identity: Deploy CDPs and Identity Graphs to stitch together fragmented data points into a persistent, 360-degree fan profile. Leverage AI for Scale: Use automated content generation and metadata tagging to deliver 1:1 personalization without overwhelming internal teams. Focus on Value Exchange: Collect zero-party data through transparent, fun, and interactive campaigns that offer fans tangible benefits in exchange for their preferences. Optimize for Lifetime Value: Shift from measuring reach to measuring retention. Use predictive analytics to prevent churn and maximize the long-term economic contribution of every fan. By closing the "execution gap" between data collection and content delivery, teams and leagues can move from broadcasting at their audience to conversing with their fans. This shift is the foundation for lasting loyalty and significant revenue growth in the professionalized sports industry of the future. - Published: 2026-05-24 - Modified: 2026-06-07 - URL: https://wsc-sports-dev.ltu.co.il/blog/industry-insights/how-global-competitions-are-rewriting-the-playbook-for-sports-content/ - Categories: Industry Insights Key takeaways: Major sporting events are experimenting with new formats, platforms, and creative strategies to push the boundaries of storytelling and distribution. Vertical video, gamification, and localized experiences are reshaping how global tournaments drive discovery, engagement, and habitual consumption.   AI-powered content creation platforms help rights holders scale personalized, multi-format storytelling that expands reach and deepens engagement.   Lirian Santos is a Brazilian football freestyler, model, and creator. Her joyful, engaging content, which blends sport, fashion, and culture, has earned her the nickname “Queen of Brazilian Style. ” This summer, Santos will showcase her style during the 2026 FIFA World Cup as part of a global cohort of 30 creators selected by FIFA and TikTok to cover the tournament through fan-first storytelling. The “creator correspondents” program is meant to bring fans closer to the stories of the World Cup by providing on-the-ground access to behind-the-scenes moments, including training sessions, press conferences, gameday access, bus arrivals, warm-ups, and more. In addition, correspondents will get the opportunity to use FIFA's archival footage to create content that promotes the tournament.   https://www. instagram. com/p/DYh1lfWCEAr/? hl=en&img_index=1 FIFA is taking a page from the last mega sporting event, the 2024 Summer Olympics in Paris. The games in Paris were the first time the International Olympic Committee (IOC) introduced its own creator program, collaborating with a host of creators from around the world. The results were impressive: the IOC registered a 174% increase in total engagements on its social media handles and added 32 million new followers during the games. The Olympics are far from the only event experimenting with new ways to tell stories. Across the industry, major competitions are rethinking how content is created, distributed, and experienced to address changes in fan behaviour, offering valuable reference points for tournaments like the World Cup. Here are a few examples: Euro 2024 – vertical storytelling  According to an analysis of data from over 500 rights holders, 2024 marked a turning point in sports media: for the first time, more vertical videos were created – 54% of total output – than horizontal. The trend accelerated in 2025, as vertical videos accounted for 63% of total output. Recognizing this trend, Euro 2024 placed special emphasis on vertical videos of match stories and moments throughout the tournament. Whether on its owned platforms or official social media channels, the focus on vertical storytelling paid off: Social media followers on TikTok, Instagram, Facebook, X, WhatsApp, and Threads increased by 20 million.   Euro 2024's social media channels accumulated 2. 8 billion video views and 335 million engagements during the tournament.   The tournament’s official app saw almost 13 million visits from fans.   NCAA tournament – integrating gamification and betting into the fan experience Every March, millions of people across the US fill out NCAA tournament brackets in office betting pools. The tradition is thought to have started in a Staten Island bar in 1977, but only in the mid-1980s, when “March Madness” expanded from 53 to 64 teams, did bracketology become a cultural phenomenon, giving fans a rooting interest in games and spawning an entire industry designed to help people beat their coworkers. In recent years, with the ongoing legalization of sports betting in the US, wagering on March Madness games has skyrocketed. According to data from marketing analytics company AppsFlyer and market intelligence firm Sensor Tower, the NCAA Tournament drives sharp shifts in install rates and usage of betting apps like FanDuel and DraftKings. Key findings include: The first two weeks of the 2025 tournament saw a 130% increase in new installs of sports betting apps, compared to the prior two weeks. During the first two weekends of the last year’s tournament, total sessions were up 20%, and spend was 60% higher than the two weeks that preceded March Madness. Time spent on FanDuel's and DraftKings' apps increased 40% during the weekend of the Sweet Sixteen games, compared to the prior weekend. The Australian Open – AI-powered content localization Personalizing content through localization has become an expectation in today's culture. A recent study by IBM, which draws on the insights of more than 20,000 sports fans across 12 countries, revealed that 33% of respondents believe real-time translation technology will have the most significant impact on their sports viewing experience in the coming years, particularly in markets where English is not the dominant language. The Australian Open heeded the call. Since 2025, the first Grand Slam of the tennis season has been using the first-ever large language model dedicated to sports content to provide fans with voice-over commentary in multiple languages, resulting in record-breaking numbers: During the 2026 tournament, there were more than 42. 5 million visits to ausopen. com and the Australian Open app.   The Australian Open's YouTube channel passed 3 million subscribers, making it the biggest tennis channel on the platform. The tournament's social media channels recorded over 2. 4 billion video views (up 118% year-over-year) and 94 million engagements (up 109% year-over-year) in 2026. AO social media followers in China surpassed 6 million (up 16% year-over-year) this year. “We believe in the power of storytelling to connect fans with the sport and the players,” explained Xavier Muhlebach, head of original content at Tennis Australia. “By combining cutting-edge AI technology with our passion for tennis, we’re making the tournament more accessible, inclusive, and engaging for fans around the world. ” https://www. youtube. com/watch? v=ApP6ViUIJlQ Actionable insights: Prioritize creator-led storytelling formats to extend reach beyond official broadcasts and connect with younger audiences. Design content workflows around short-form, vertical, and mobile-first outputs from the start of production. Use AI tools to localize, repurpose, and distribute content at scale across multiple languages and platforms. - Published: 2026-05-21 - Modified: 2026-05-21 - URL: https://wsc-sports-dev.ltu.co.il/blog/industry-insights/16-cities-16-world-cups-capturing-the-stories-beyond-the-games/ - Categories: Industry Insights The World Cup won’t just arrive in 16 cities. It will sound, taste, dress, and dance differently in each one. Key takeaways: The 2026 World Cup will be shaped as much by its host cities as by the matches themselves. Each location is building its own programming around the games through music, food, fashion, landmarks, and fan experiences. For rights holders, the most valuable World Cup content may happen beyond the pitch. Fan festivals, city rituals, celebrity moments, and local culture are becoming essential storytelling assets that help audiences feel connected to the tournament. AI-powered content creation tech is making local storytelling at scale possible. With activity unfolding simultaneously across 16 cities, automation is enabling rights holders to rapidly create and distribute short-form, multi-format content that captures the atmosphere of every destination. “The world game is coming to the greatest city in the world, and I'm so thrilled because fans from all over the world will get a chance not only to see some great soccer being played here, but also to enjoy our city at the same time. ” Speaking at an event in SoFi Stadium 30 days before the start of the tournament, NBA legend Earvin “Magic” Johnson urged travellers to make Los Angeles their World Cup destination. He is not the only celebrity to support LA's role as a host city. The city's organizing committee has recruited a stable of “community ambassadors,” including Snoop Dogg, Eva Longoria, and Will Ferrell, to help lead the celebration with all the glitz and glamour LA is known for. One of 16 cities chosen to host the World Cup, Los Angeles has developed a comprehensive plan to engage fans across its neighborhoods. Following the official FIFA Fan Festival at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum, 10 fan zones will extend the festivities with a series of watch parties and festivals. Each fan zone, the organizers noted, will reflect the diversity of its surrounding community, featuring food, music, and cultural showcases. “I’ve been part of a lot of major sports moments throughout my career, and I can honestly say this summer is going to be something special,” said Johnson. “From the matches themselves to the Fan Festival and Fan Zones, Los Angeles is going to deliver an unforgettable experience on and off the pitch. ” https://www. tiktok. com/@losangelesfwc26/video/7642064829154446622? is_from_webapp=1&sender_device=pc&web_id=7581393505994933768 When host cities become the story Delivering fan experiences centered around local culture, say industry experts, has become table stakes in major sporting events. “Host cities often develop an accompanying offer to help reach audiences that are perhaps less interested in the competition itself, or to generate welcoming, convivial settings,” explained David McGillivray, professor of event and digital cultures at the University of the West of Scotland. https://www. tiktok. com/@fwc26nynj/video/7564478039287926030? is_from_webapp=1&sender_device=pc&web_id=7581393505994933768 These settings are no longer just backdrops to the games; they are integral to the storyline, shaping how the competition is experienced, shared, and remembered. This shift expands opportunities for rights holders: the most compelling stories are not confined only to the 90 minutes on the pitch but also emerge from how host cities define the tournament through their own identity. Perhaps the best example of this came from the last mega sporting event, the 2024 Summer Olympics in Paris. From the opening ceremony on the Seine to using the city's monuments (Place de la Concorde, the Grand Palais, the Eiffel Tower) as competition venues, the biggest star of the Paris Games was in many ways Paris itself. To wit: one of the lasting images from Paris 2024 is of the Olympic cauldron rising off the Seine every night. “It was a spiritual moment every night with up to 40,000 people watching this thing in silence,” said Étienne Thobois, chief executive of the games' organizing committee. “It was the City of Light under the Olympic light. It was almost poetic, and I think very French. ” Where local culture meets global sports In the 2026 World Cup, 16 cities will be offering a rich, localized canvas for content that resonates far beyond the stadium. One of them is Guadalajara. The largest city in the state of Jalisco, where Tequila originated, Guadalajara is also the birthplace of mariachi music and many other Mexican customs – and it hopes to stand out as Mexico's beacon of culture during the tournament. “Guadalajara is the most Mexican host city of the World Cup,” said Pablo Lemus Navarro, the governor of Jalisco. “When we talk about Mexican symbols like mariachi, tequila, and charreada (Mexican rodeo), they all come from Jalisco. We are going to make it the most Mexican World Cup venue. ” https://www. tiktok. com/@gdl2026/video/7639818270505209109? is_from_webapp=1&sender_device=pc&web_id=7581393505994933768 Vancouver plans to do the same in British Columbia. In addition to turning the Pacific National Exhibition at Hastings Park into a fan fest of watch parties and concerts, the geodesic dome of Science World, one of the city’s most iconic landmarks, is being transformed to look like Adidas' official match ball for the World Cup. https://www. tiktok. com/@destinationvancouver/video/7636533227833789703? is_from_webapp=1&sender_device=pc&web_id=7581393505994933768 “The transformation of Science World is more than a visual transformation,” said Royce Chwin, president and CEO of Destination Vancouver, the city's official tourism bureau. “This is about creating a globally iconic image that immediately connects Vancouver to the FIFA World Cup and showcases our city’s creativity and ambition. ” From City Streets to Social Feeds For audiences following from afar, each host city becomes part of the tournament’s story. The sounds echoing through fan festivals, the street food outside stadiums, the colors filling public squares, the rituals unfolding before kickoff – all of it shapes how the World Cup is felt beyond the matches. For rights holders, that turns every moment captured around the event into an opportunity to deepen storytelling and bring fans closer to the atmosphere on the ground. https://www. tiktok. com/@fwc26kansascity/video/7538899552066145567? is_from_webapp=1&sender_device=pc&web_id=7581393505994933768 The challenge, of course, is scale. With matches, fan zones, cultural events, and city-wide celebrations unfolding simultaneously across three countries, AI-powered content creation platforms are becoming essential for turning thousands of moments into a constant stream of local narratives. Because every fan, wherever they are, deserves to experience a little Hollywood glitz and glamour during the biggest sporting event on earth. Actionable insights: Capture fan culture beyond the game: street scenes, music, food, and rituals often outperform traditional match-only storytelling. Build content workflows around host-city narratives, not just fixtures, scores, and player performances. Use AI-powered automation to publish local short-form content quickly across platforms while tournament attention peaks. - Published: 2026-05-19 - Modified: 2026-05-19 - URL: https://wsc-sports-dev.ltu.co.il/blog/industry-insights/will-fans-in-mexico-us-and-canada-approach-the-world-cup-differently-its-not-even-close/ - Categories: Industry Insights What WSC Sports’ 2026 World Cup report reveals about fan interest, viewing behavior, and content strategy across Mexico, the US, and Canada. Key takeaways: World Cup fan behavior varies sharply across the three host nations, both in how fans consume sports generally and how they follow the tournament, creating challenges and opportunities in each market. Rights holders and advertisers need to localize content, distribution, and sponsorship strategy by country. Mexico’s high multi-screen usage creates a real-time activation opportunity, where instant highlights, replays, and social-ready clips can connect sponsors to live fan conversation. Content depth should match fan intent: US and Canadian fans lean toward shorter World Cup content, while Mexican fans show a stronger appetite for extended highlights and full match replays. The 2026 FIFA World Cup is not just bigger because it has more teams and more matches. It is bigger because it is being staged across three countries with very different relationships to the sport.   And according to The 2026 FIFA World Cup Report: Engaging the Host Nations, the opportunity and challenge for sports rights holders will vary sharply from market to market. The report, based on a survey of over 1,500 sports fans across the three host countries, found significant differences in World Cup interest, viewing habits, and demand for features like personalized highlights, augmented reality, and multi-angle viewing.   As expected, the report showed that Mexico simply can't get enough of the World Cup, with 85% of respondents saying they normally follow the tournament. When it comes to fan interest, Mexico is not just ahead of the other two countries. It’s far ahead. About 79% of Mexican respondents say they are more excited than they were for Qatar 2022, and only 6% say they do not plan to follow the 2026 tournament. In contrast, the US is not nearly as enthralled by the world’s biggest sports tournament despite it being in its own backyard. Only 40% say they previously followed the World Cup, while still 38% say they do not plan to follow the 2026 tournament at all. Those numbers stand to change as the first whistle creeps ever closer. The question is, how much will the numbers change?   It’s important to bear in mind that 40% of the US sports fans is still 100 million people. And fan interest in soccer in the US is trending upward quickly. Both the MLS and NWSL broke attendance records in recent years, and stars like Lionel Messi provide global star power.   The US Women’s National Soccer Team, of course, has been a dominant force in women’s soccer for decades, winning four Women’s World Cup titles and five Olympic gold medals. US soccer saw a major spike in interest in 1994, the last time it hosted the World Cup, and could see an even bigger one this year once the World Cup arrives on home soil, especially if the US team advances deep into the elimination rounds.   The US may not be a soccer-first market, but the combination of scale, momentum, and home-country attention makes it too large to treat as a secondary opportunity.   Canada sits between the two when it comes to World Cup fan interest. About 49% of Canadian respondents previously followed the World Cup, and 46% say they are more excited than they were for Qatar 2022. In a hockey-first market, that points to meaningful tournament momentum. Ultimately, the report reveals three distinct host markets that need to be treated differently in order to turn tournament attention into sustained engagement, stronger audience relationships, and commercial value. Important Insights 1. Mexico’s multi-screen behavior creates a real-time engagement window The most striking behavioral gap in the report is multi-screen usage. In the US, 42% of respondents say they use additional screens during matches. In Canada, it’s a roughly equivalent 46%. But in Mexico, the number explodes to 89%.   Yes, in the country where 85% typically follow the World Cup, nine out of 10 are splitting their attention between two or even three screens. The numbers suggest that fans in Mexico want a fully-immersive experience. They watch the action live on one screen and supplement that experience with one or more other screens, presenting a hyper-engaged market of superfans that enjoy sharing the moment with friends and family. More than 53% of fans in Mexico are following live discussions on social channels, and 24% are discussing the game in real time in live chats while they watch games on their main screen. That makes speed a strategic requirement in Mexico. 2. More engaged fans want deeper content  The report suggests that fans' appetite for additional content beyond the 90 minutes of play depends on how deeply they are already engaged. In the US and Canada, fans who want World Cup content outside the live matches prefer short form content (less than 3 minutes). That fits the general profile for more casual fans and is largely event-driven. Mexican fans prefer extended highlights and match replays. For them, content is not just a catch-up tool. It is part of the overall tournament experience and clips will be played over and over again. 3. Canada is closer to Mexico in interest, but closer to the US in behavior In viewing interest, Canada looks meaningfully closer to Mexico than the US: 49% of Canadian respondents say they have previously followed the tournament, compared to 40% in the US, and 46% say they are more excited than they were for Qatar 2022, compared to 32% in the US. But in terms of viewing behavior, Canada looks much more like the US. Only 24% of Canadian fans say they use a paid streaming service to watch sports, compared to 37% in the US and 67% in Mexico. YouTube tells a similar story: 36% of Canadian fans list it as a top platform, almost identical to the US at 37%, while Mexico is much higher at 56%. What this means for rights holders, broadcasters, and brands The 2026 World Cup presents one of the biggest fan engagement opportunities in sports. But the opportunity will not look the same in every host country. In Mexico, fans are already engaged, already watching across screens, and already looking for more ways to stay close to the action. That market needs instant highlights, extended replays, social-ready clips, personalized content, and sponsor activations that can move at the pace of the match. In the US, the audience opportunity is enormous, but many fans will need easy entry points into the tournament: short highlights, player-led stories, explainers, cultural moments, and content that makes the World Cup feel relevant even to fans who do not follow soccer year-round. In Canada, content should help carry fans from one major moment to the next, using recaps, national-team storylines, player profiles, and digital formats that make the tournament easier to follow between matches. For the full country-by-country breakdown of World Cup interest, viewing habits, content preferences, second-screen behavior, and fan experience expectations, read the full report. - Published: 2026-05-18 - Modified: 2026-05-26 - URL: https://wsc-sports-dev.ltu.co.il/blog/news/fpt-play-vietnams-leading-iptv-and-ott-platform-partners-with-wsc-sports-to-scale-ai-powered-sports-content/ - Categories: News New collaboration brings real-time content automation and multi-platform distribution to nearly 40 million users FPT Play, Vietnam’s leading IPTV and OTT platform, announced a new partnership with WSC Sports, the global leader in AI-powered sports content technology. This partnership will enable FPT Play to scale content creation, accelerate distribution, and drive audience growth across its OTT and digital ecosystem. As one of the largest Internet television & OTT platform in Vietnam, FPT Play serves nearly 40 million users across mobile, web, and connected TV environments.   In terms of core capabilities, the partnership will enable FPT Play to: Scale real-time sports content across OTT and social platforms, automatically generating and distributing highlights and short-form video to meet fan demand for speed and relevance Expand its content offering without increasing headcount or operational complexities, using AI to streamline workflows and support higher output across competitions and formats Drive user acquisition and engagement through high-frequency, tailored content, strengthening its ability to attract and retain audiences across its digital ecosystem Notably, FPT Play leverages WSC Sports’ Discovery Network to extend its content reach beyond owned platforms, distributing highlights across a network of digital publishers to drive incremental audience growth. “With the aspiration to enhance customer experiences, FPT Play is committed to leveraging its technological strengths while expanding collaborations with leading global partners, particularly WSC,” said Ms. Tô Nam Phương, Deputy General Director of FPT Play, FPT Corporation. “Through this partnership, WSC’s AI-driven innovations will provide strong support to FPT Play in distributing an immense volume of sports content with greater speed and diversity, enabling fans to enjoy every valuable moment of entertainment. ” “FPT Play is a category leader in one of the most dynamic and fast-growing television services markets in the world,” said Chen Arnon, Business Development SEA. “This partnership is about turning every moment into a scalable content experience , powering growth across IPTV, OTT, social, and owned platforms. ” The partnership marks a significant step in WSC Sports’ expansion across APAC, establishing a foothold in Vietnam’s rapidly growing digital media market. By enabling platforms like FPT Play to operate at scale, WSC Sports continues to strengthen its role as the infrastructure powering how sports content is created, distributed, and experienced at scale. - Published: 2026-05-15 - Modified: 2026-05-15 - URL: https://wsc-sports-dev.ltu.co.il/blog/news/goalitos-laligas-pioneering-new-soccer-show-for-kids/ - Categories: News Created by WSC Studios, GOALITOS brings LALIGA to young fans through original sports IP. How do you win over the next generation of soccer fans? For LALIGA, the answer lies in creating stories around how young audiences already engage with entertainment.   That is where GOALITOS comes in. The innovative five-minute animated series for children turns LALIGA moments, news and culture into character-led stories designed to build ongoing engagement with young fans in a safe and engaging environment.   Introducing GOALITOS GOALITOS is a short animated series for children created by WSC Studios, the AI-powered creative studio within WSC Sports that builds original characters, formats, and franchises for sports media.   The series centers on three engaging animated characters, Rafa, Luna and Max, who dream of one day becoming professional soccer players themselves.   The show blends the animated characters and their interactions with real LALIGA moments and educational segments, presenting them in a way that connects with younger viewers. The series is available in English, Spanish, and Arabic and distributed through LALIGA broadcasters, the league’s own channels, and digital platforms, including YouTube.   In addition to the weekly episodes, GOALITOS will appear across LALIGA’s digital ecosystem through short-form content, in-app experiences, and interactive features, giving young fans more ways to engage with the characters, stories, and latest league moments. GOALITOS reflects an emerging approach to sports media: reaching young audiences through original, platform-ready storytelling that builds familiarity with the sport before they become traditional fans. Jorge de la Vega, general director of business at LALIGA, said GOALITOS represented a step forward in using AI to create educational programming that appeals to a younger audience. “We want to be pioneers in the industry by offering a space dedicated to young people, with the highest quality and the backing of leading technology partners,” he said.   Extending the Fan Lifecycle Sports leagues have traditionally built their audience around live competition. Today, attention is fragmented, and sports content competes with a wide range of entertainment formats long before a child develops loyalty to a team or league. GOALITOS enters at that earlier stage. It introduces characters, storylines, and recurring formats that place soccer within a child’s everyday media environment. Rather than waiting for matchday, LALIGA becomes present during the first stages of discovery. This is why WSC Sports established WSC Studios: to help rights holders build original sports franchises rooted in human creativity, deep sports storytelling expertise, and AI-powered scale.  WSC Studios combines human-led creative direction with sports-specific AI tools to expand how sports stories are told and who they reach. In that context, GOALITOS becomes more than a children’s series. It demonstrates how sports IP can extend beyond highlights and broadcasts into character-driven formats built for sustained engagement. Watch GOALITOS on YouTube here. - Published: 2026-05-14 - Modified: 2026-05-14 - URL: https://wsc-sports-dev.ltu.co.il/blog/industry-insights/building-platform-native-sports-content-strategies/ - Categories: Industry Insights Discovery in sports no longer starts with a search. It starts with a swipe. Key takeaways: Discovery in sports is now driven by short-form, platform-native content, requiring rights holders to adapt storytelling to each environment. Most TikTok consumption comes from non-followers, forcing rights holders to package content in different ways to ensure users understand the context. AI-powered content creation tech enables rights holders to scale tailored, multi-format storytelling that maximizes platform-specific engagement. In its Q1 2026 earnings letter to shareholders, Netflix announced it was launching an updated mobile experience that includes a vertical video feed. The new feature, the streaming giant explained, is meant to improve discovery across its expanding offerings, prompting prominent media outlets to refer to it as a “TikTok-like” feed. TikTok has become synonymous with discovery in recent years. A recent survey by Canadian digital marketing firm The Influence Agency revealed that 63. 1% of consumers discover new products, services, and trends on TikTok, with 73% saying short-form video is the content type most likely to grab their attention during discovery. Nowhere is this more evident than in sports. “Discovery is now social-first and mobile-first, driven by short-form video,” said Jaume Pons, head of social media and digital content at LALIGA. “TikTok is not just a distribution channel, it’s an entry point into the LALIGA ecosystem. It allows us to connect with audiences in a native, emotional, and culturally relevant way, especially with Gen Z. ” The TikTok Playbook Connecting with younger audiences is one of TikTok's main benefits, but it's certainly not the only one. To maximize these benefits, including the ability to cultivate and monetize global fandom, many organizations are reshaping their content strategies to align with consumption habits on the platform. Here are some lessons from rights holders who have been particularly successful on TikTok: Identify the right type of content “Our approach is to treat TikTok as a primary storytelling platform,” said LALIGA’s Pons. “That means prioritizing vertical, short, emotional, and immediate content. This includes highlights, goals, skills, and 'near live' clips, but also creator-driven formats, behind-the-scenes content, and player stories. ” Recent data supports this approach. A survey of 7,000 sports fans aged 18-49 across the US, UK, Germany, France, Japan, Korea, and Brazil, conducted by TikTok in collaboration with market research company Ipsos, reveals that highlights & recaps (67%) and athlete interviews (50%) are ranked highest when it comes to the types of content fans want to consume on TikTok, with 94% of fans using the platform to catch up on highlights they missed. Context and tone matter most  TikTok’s algorithm is designed to curate a hyper-personalized "For You Page,” focusing on behavioral signals (watch time, likes, shares) rather than who the user is following. This is what drives discovery. The flip side is that rights holders need to provide a frame of reference for the content they publish on the platform.   “On TikTok, most of the people who view our stuff don’t follow us,” said Sandro Gasparro, senior director of social media for the NBA’s Brooklyn Nets. “If we look at our top-performing posts, 98% of the views come from non-followers, so we have to package team content in a different way because they’re not aware of the context of what’s happening. ” While users may not be up to date with the current storylines, they expect the content to fit the more playful and bold nature of TikTok. “It’s a completely different place from Instagram and Twitter,” noted Gasparro. “I’ve had staff come up to me and say, ‘My 14-year-old cousin loves your TikTok,’ and that’s the age range we’ve cultivated for our audience. It’s truly teens who are into internet culture. ” Guide users to your owned platforms According to TikTok's and Ipsos' research, the platform’s users are a high-value segment. After viewing sports content on TikTok: 42% of fans will tune in to watch sports via TV or streaming services. 27% will purchase items promoted or worn by athletes. 23% will attend a sporting event. To capitalize on this, rights holders need to funnel TikTok users to their owned channels after the initial engagement. DAZN, for example, leveraged TikTok to amplify conversations during the 2025 FIFA Club World Cup and guided over 500,000 fans to its streaming service. “Combining DAZN’s storytelling with TikTok’s innovative platform,” said Joseph Caporoso, president of Team Whistle, a DAZN Group company, “we were able to drive tune-in for meaningful results. ” Utilize AI-powered content generation In addition to reaching new audiences and driving tangible commercial value, rights holders use TikTok to establish habitual consumption and to test content trends and fan behavior. Doing this requires a steady stream of video assets in the right format, tone, and timing, which is where AI-powered content creation platforms come into play.   “AI is a core enabler of scale and relevance,” said Jaume Pons. “At LALIGA, we use AI to automatically tag, index, and generate content in real time, especially through technologies like WSC Sports. This allows us to create thousands of clips per match, adapted to different platforms, formats, and audiences. ” Content Without Borders For rights holders, the broader lesson extends well beyond TikTok itself. Every platform rewards different formats and storytelling styles, which means content strategies can no longer rely on a one-size-fits-all approach. Adapting to that requires AI-powered tools that can instantly create and distribute content tailored to each environment, allowing organizations to match audience expectations and maximize the unique strengths of every platform. Actionable insights: Build a platform-specific playbook: tailor format, tone, and storytelling style to match how each channel’s audience consumes content. Use short-form output as a funnel: drive viewers from high-reach platforms into owned environments where deeper engagement can happen. Utilize AI to increase content production: automate clipping and formatting of key moments so all channels stay active, timely, and relevant. - Published: 2026-05-13 - Modified: 2026-05-25 - URL: https://wsc-sports-dev.ltu.co.il/blog/industry-insights/the-104-match-challenge-scaling-storytelling-for-the-biggest-world-cup-ever/ - Categories: Industry Insights The jump to 104 matches will put every rights holder under pressure to turn live moments into platform-ready stories. Key Takeaways: The 2026 World Cup’s unprecedented scale requires rights holders to build continuous, multi-platform content ecosystems. Modern coverage extends beyond live broadcasts, with creators, social platforms, and personalized journeys shaping fan engagement. AI-powered content creation platforms enable rights holders to scale real-time, multi-format storytelling across every touchpoint and sustain a 24/7 operation.   This year’s World Cup will be the biggest-ever edition of the global showcase. It will feature 48 teams – 50% more than in the previous format, which was in place from 1998 to 2022. The 32-team tournaments had 64 total matches; the 2026 World Cup will see 104 matches in 39 days. And for the first time, the event will be staged in three host countries (the United States, Canada, and Mexico), making it the largest in terms of sheer physical size. The size of the 2026 World Cup forced FIFA and Host Broadcast Services (HBS), its long-term host broadcasting partner, to adjust their production plans. The biggest change was the creation of 16 discrete production teams for the tournament's 16 venues. “We need more crews, because we need to minimize the risk of people travelling across big countries like the US, Canada, or Mexico,” explained Oscar Sanchez, head of host broadcast production at FIFA.   The camera plan is just as comprehensive. There will be premium coverage for all 104 matches, with 45 cameras per match, and things will step up in the round of 32 with additional ultra-motion and super-slow motion cameras. “We don’t just put the broadcast cameras in; we put all of the ones that are going to be creating content, because content comes in so many different ways,” said Paul King, senior producer at HBS.   The Multi-Platform World Cup World Cup content not only comes in different ways; it's also consumed through multiple channels. The 2022 World Cup in Qatar, for example, engaged 5 billion fans worldwide across linear TV, streaming services, social media, and FIFA's owned platforms, according to an official global engagement & audience report. Additional findings included:  There were 24. 41 billion total video views across all platforms during the 2022 WC. 67. 6% (16. 50 billion) were registered on streaming services, with the remaining 32. 4% (7. 91 billion) coming from social media. FIFA’s social media channels recorded 3. 6 billion total video views throughout the tournament.   The final between Argentina and France drew 1. 42 billion viewers globally, the most ever.   The average global live audience for individual matches was 175 million viewers. The 2026 World Cup could dwarf these numbers. “This (tournament) will be even bigger because we will have six billion people watching it,” said FIFA president Gianni Infantino. “Look at the Super Bowl, which is fantastic. It has what, 120 million-130 million viewers, right? A World Cup is 104 Super Bowls in one month, which is three Super Bowls a day. ” Building Continuous Narratives Just like in the Super Bowl, World Cup games are only one part of a much longer story arc. To tell this story effectively, said Dan Holt, strategy partner at media experience agency Havas Media Network, rights holders must understand that "the World Cup match will be the base layer. Meaning will be assembled elsewhere, across social feeds, watch-alongs, creator commentary, group chats, memes, and remixes. ” Some rights holders are already embracing this approach. DAZN, for instance, recently launched DAZN48, a squad of 48 creators who will serve as the streaming giant's correspondents for the tournament. Each selected creator will represent one participating nation, publishing social‑first content, daily reactions, and cultural storytelling for a global audience across DAZN and social platforms. To ensure audiences can experience the World Cup from every angle, FIFA announced that YouTube will be a “preferred platform” for the tournament. As part of the partnership, media partners will be able to access a robust library of footage, including the opportunity to publish extended highlights, behind-the-scenes footage, Shorts and video-on-demand content that resonates with viewers on YouTube to extend their overall reach and engagement. One of the key factors in driving engagement for this World Cup, note industry leaders, will be the user journeys. “What we've been doing is trying to understand the types of content people want at different times of the day,” said Andrew Haigh, executive editor at BBC Sport. “Obviously, live is always our number 1 priority, but what we're also thinking about is after live, especially when people wake up in the morning.   “How are we helping people catch up with highlights and different types of experiences, because quite a lot of people may not stay up and watch the later games. And then, throughout the day, you're going from catch-up to deeper analysis, into some of the debates, press conferences, before you get to the early evening, where you're trying to build excitement into that live experience again. So it really is a 24/7 operation. ” Executing such an operation requires the right infrastructure. AI-powered content creation platforms instantly turn live action, behind-the-scenes moments and creator footage into platform-ready assets. Just as importantly, they help sustain momentum through short-form content that keeps fans engaged throughout the day. In a World Cup defined by scale, success will depend on technology capable of making the content playbook scalable, too. Actionable Insights: Build content plans around the full fan journey, including pre-match hype, live reactions, overnight catch-up, and post-match analysis. Create platform-specific workflows for creators, YouTube, Shorts, and social feeds instead of repurposing the same asset everywhere. Use AI-powered automation to rapidly turn live moments into multi-format clips that keep narratives active between matches. - Published: 2026-05-11 - Modified: 2026-05-25 - URL: https://wsc-sports-dev.ltu.co.il/blog/industry-insights/why-the-world-cup-starts-long-before-kickoff/ - Categories: Industry Insights It’s just weeks until the first whistle, but broadcasters, teams, and leagues have already spent months competing for fan attention. There’s no real ceiling on the appetite for the World Cup. An unprecedented 6 billion people are expected to engage with the tournament this year, up from the 5 billion who watched the 2022 edition in Qatar. In the months leading up to kickoff, millions of people are already drawn into the World Cup hype, swept up in a spirit of national pride and international competition. Many fan groups have been developing new songs for the summer ahead and wearing their team’s latest uniforms. It pulls people in, regardless of their level of fandom. And for the next two months, even casual fans will be riveted by the biggest soccer stars in the world and the narratives that bring the drama to life.   It’s an extraordinary opportunity to convert casual interest into lasting fan relationships.   There are millions of people worldwide getting drawn into the excitement right now, and anyone can capture a portion of that attention.   National teams are already promoting their biggest stars and stoking the local fan base. Broadcasters are pushing the start of play, building anticipation around rivalries and key matchups. And teams and leagues are reaching into their archives for memorable moments for their players heading to international competition.   Long before kickoff, the race for fan attention is already in full swing. Build around the players driving the conversation Broadcasters and streamers with rights to the games spend months building anticipation around the tournament, trying to turn growing public interest into massive audiences once play begins. But they’re not the only ones competing for attention before kickoff. Teams and leagues, which obviously don’t have the same media rights as broadcasters, are still competing for the same rising fan attention, using their own players to drive engagement and build long-term interest, and even lure some people to their merchandise shops. Some pro-active club teams already secured fresh talent for the 2026-27 season. Some of those young players haven’t started playing for the teams yet. Their appearance at the World Cup gives fans the first chance to watch those players live, not just through highlight reels.   A standout World Cup from those younger players could drive demand for both national team shirts and their club jerseys ahead of the new season.   The buildup around a player like Harry Kane offers a clear look at how different parts of the soccer ecosystem compete for attention before the tournament begins. Build emotional investment England’s national team is already posting retrospective content celebrating Kane’s international career, while Kane himself has shared memories of his first goal for England. These types of posts, repeated across multiple players throughout the tournament build up, help build emotional investment. There's also an appetite with fans to see the new national team call-ups who are set to represent their country this summer. These younger stars are also gateways for younger fans to connect to the wider story.   Newer faces in the squad, like Aston Villa’s Morgan Rogers and Arsenal’s Noni Madueke, are also emerging as part of England’s World Cup story. Their personalities and style resonate strongly with younger fans who see themselves reflected in the players they follow. Stay part of the conversation The same pattern is playing out across leagues and clubs throughout the sport. The Premier League continues resurfacing Kane moments from his years in England with Tottenham Hotspur, while Bayern Munich and Bundesliga look to tap into the Kane hype following his second season in Germany. Even fans whose national teams are eliminated often stay attached through the players still in it. They shift their support to follow the rivalries and storylines emerging elsewhere in the tournament.   Every post reaches slightly different audiences, connecting club supporters, national team fans, and player followings into the same growing World Cup conversation. Turn attention into action As anticipation builds, teams and leagues also use the World Cup moment to drive merchandise sales, app engagement, sponsorship visibility, and traffic to their own platforms. According to a recent report on pre-season viewing habits, the period before competition begins is one of the strongest windows for merchandise sales and fan engagement, with up to 75% of fans ready to buy before kickoff. England has already featured leading stars like Bukayo Saka in promotions for the new national team uniform, directing fans to purchase through links in its social channel.   How it played out in 2022 Here's a look at how a select sample of 2022 World Cup rights holders around the globe scaled their content strategies during the last competition. Deutsche Telekom kept fans connected between matches During the 2022 World Cup, Deutsche Telekom focused on delivering highlights to fans within minutes of the final whistle across MagentaTV, MagentaSport, and social platforms. The broadcaster used rapid publishing and short-form clips to stay connected to fans as conversations around the tournament continued throughout the day. The strategy extended engagement beyond the live broadcast itself, giving fans more ways to follow the tournament between matches and throughout the day. In the Euro 2024, the broadcaster went even further, using an Out of Home (OOH) strategy to broadcast the games in thousands of public spaces. CCTV turned the World Cup into a nonstop content experience With multiple matches, storylines, and viral moments unfolding every day, fans had little chance of following everything live during the 2022 World Cup. This was especially true in China, where the five-hour time difference with Qatar meant many matches were played overnight.   Chinese broadcaster CCTV treated the tournament as more than a live event. It became a continuous stream of short-form content.   CCTV published more than 5,000 World Cup videos (80 per game) across its app and digital platforms during the tournament. CCTV created content in multiple formats, in horizontal and vertical ratios tailored to different platforms and viewing habits. TelevisaUnivision built a cross-border World Cup audience TelevisaUnivision used the 2022 World Cup to expand engagement across its Spanish-language digital ecosystem in both Mexico and the United States. During the tournament, 19. 6 million viewers streamed 40 World Cup matches on ViX, while short and long-form clips were distributed across social platforms, apps, and OTT services. The broadcaster used tailored content around different leagues, tournaments, and fan interests to keep audiences engaged beyond live matches.   TV2 Norway and TVP Sport bring World Cup highlights directly into search During the 2022 World Cup, broadcasters TV2 Norway and TVP Sport in Poland made key tournament moments instantly accessible to fans searching for updates online. Both broadcasters used a vertical video format automatically published into Google OneBox search results, allowing fans to discover World Cup moments in near-real time as the tournament unfolded, while directing audiences toward their own digital properties.   - Published: 2026-05-07 - Modified: 2026-05-07 - URL: https://wsc-sports-dev.ltu.co.il/blog/industry-insights/turning-attention-into-lasting-fan-engagement/ - Categories: Industry Insights Athlete-Driven Storytelling Matters More Than Ever Key takeaways: Rights holders strive to connect platform-specific discovery strategies with deeper engagement experiences that convert casual viewers into loyal fans. Athlete-driven storytelling is becoming one of the most effective ways to attract new audiences and strengthen long-term team and league affinity. AI-powered content creation tech helps organizations scale personalized, multi-format storytelling that drives active engagement across owned platforms. It's hardly surprising that the global market for AI in sports has grown exponentially in recent years. Estimates of the market size vary depending on methodology, but most market research firms valued it at single-digit billions in 2025, and project a double-digit compound annual growth rate (CAGR) by the mid-2030s.   What’s surprising, however, is how much of the AI market is made up of fan engagement technologies. According to one analysis, fan engagement already has a whopping 22% market share, driven primarily by AI-powered platforms that optimize digital content delivery and support both brand building and revenue growth. While sports organizations increasingly rely on AI-powered content platforms to boost fan experiences, such a high market share raises some questions. The answers may lie in research developed by Hyperset, which specializes in audience usage statistics. Their 2026 index provides an industry-wide benchmark for digital performance and details how fan engagement correlates with revenues.   The Engagement Spectrum Using a methodology that combines third-party data platforms with proprietary tools, Hyperset’s index distinguishes between three types of engagement:  Active engagement: where fans actively seek information online, interact with owned platforms, or participate in peer-to-peer discussions on Reddit. These channels are particularly important because they consistently show the strongest relationship with revenues and digital value. Semi-active engagement: subscribing to a YouTube channel, which reflects a conscious decision to receive ongoing content, but does not necessarily imply the same depth of commitment as search behaviour, website usage, or community participation.   Passive engagement: following a league, team, or player on Instagram. While passive engagement indicates awareness or affinity rather than sustained interaction, it remains an important channel for global reach and emotional storytelling. Against this backdrop, the index compares the scale, structure, and trajectory of online fan demand across major American leagues and their international counterparts. Key findings include: The biggest US leagues record similar shares of web searches and website traffic – between 51% and 56% – as a percentage of their total digital engagement The NBA remains the world’s most-searched sports league, narrowly outperforming the Premier League in monthly searches. The NFL is searched approximately 30 million times a month – the most of any league in the US. The MLS and WNBA get more traffic on their official websites than people searching for the brand, a sign of a loyal fan base. The Player Discovery Gap One area where US leagues and teams struggle, however, is taking advantage of online interest in their own players. Hyperset’s index reveals that less than 1% of search demand for elite athletes ends up on a digital platform owned by their team or league, representing a missed opportunity to reach more fans with content that is particularly compelling for them. To seize this opportunity, US leagues and teams would have to take a page from international properties, which are seeing success in North America with digital-first strategies that highlight personality-led content. The Fan Engagement Index analyzed the performance of multiple international organizations – including Formula 1, the Professional Darts Corporation (PDC), the Premier League, and LALIGA – in the US, and found that: Peak searches for the PDC in the US have doubled every two years since 2022, making it one of the fastest-growing sports in the market. The F1 website gets more traffic as a percentage of total searches for the brand in the US (57%) than in any other nation except the UK. Around 7% of the average Premier League team’s digital engagement comes from the US, and based on five-year traffic trends, engagement is growing. Digital interest in LALIGA has grown over the past five years, especially in Real Madrid and Barcelona, who get 10% of their search and website traffic from the US. This success is indicative of a holistic approach to content – one that recognizes differences in discovery habits across markets and uses them to grow the brand. “In the US, discovery is digital-first and player-driven,” explained Alfredo Bermejo Gutierrez, Director of Digital Strategy at LALIGA. “A clear example is Kylian Mbappé, whose personal brand and playing style drive huge engagement independently of Real Madrid. The same goes for Lamine Yamal. These player-led narratives resonate strongly. Our strategy is to amplify these moments while guiding new fans back into the broader ecosystem of the club and league. ” AI-Powered Fan Conversion By strategically funneling new fans into owned platforms, rights holders can transform fleeting interest into deeper connections. This transition is essential for fostering active engagement, the type most closely linked to commercial outcomes such as merchandise sales, streaming subscriptions, and maximized customer lifetime value (CLV). Executing this strategy at scale requires the right infrastructure. AI-powered content creation platforms enable rights holders to instantly generate and distribute a steady stream of multi-format, personality-led narratives that can be leveraged to direct fans into walled gardens, where the most lucrative interactions take place. Which helps explain why fan engagement technologies account for such a large share of the rapidly expanding AI in sports market. Actionable insights: Create athlete-led content tailored to different platforms, then use it to guide fans toward deeper engagement on owned channels. Track which formats and storylines generate active engagement, and prioritize content that drives repeat interactions. Use AI-powered workflows to rapidly create personalized, multi-format clips that match platform-specific discovery habits and audience behavior. - Published: 2026-05-01 - Modified: 2026-05-01 - URL: https://wsc-sports-dev.ltu.co.il/blog/industry-insights/how-rights-holders-are-turning-messaging-channels-into-fan-engagement-hubs/ - Categories: Industry Insights Sports teams are no longer just broadcasting to fans. They’re building always-on conversations through messaging platforms. Key Takeaways: Messaging channels are becoming a critical layer in modern sports fan engagement, offering direct and community-driven communication with supporters. Fans are increasingly frustrated with generic communication from clubs and would like to receive exclusive content through the official messaging channels. AI-powered content creation helps rights holders sustain these communities with a constant flow of timely, platform-ready moments that drive deeper engagement. Juliet Slot, Arsenal's chief commercial officer, represents a new type of sports executive: one who is not wed to the old definitions of sports organizations.   As such, she offers a unique perspective on the organization she works for. “We’re not a football club,” said Slot recently. “We’re a global brand that plays football and serves our supporters. We’re a ticketing business, we’re an events business, we’re an experiential business. We are a lot of things to people that they experience in a multitude of environments outside of coming to the game. ” One of those environments is messaging platforms. To ensure that Arsenal better serves its supporters on these platforms, the club announced a partnership with tech giant Meta, the parent company of Facebook and WhatsApp. As part of the partnership, Arsenal has launched an official WhatsApp channel, where fans will be able to access, among other things, new digital experiences and exclusive club content.   Facebook will support the initiative through its broader community ecosystem, giving fans opportunities to connect through discussion groups and video content. “Our partnership with Meta builds on how our supporters already come together, wherever they are in the world,” explained Slot, “and will create more ways to feel closer to our club. ” The New Fan Communication Layer Arsenal isn’t the only club leveraging messaging channels to improve its relationship with fans. Several prominent European football teams have launched WhatsApp channels in recent years, including FC Barcelona, Liverpool, Manchester United, and Chelsea, reflecting the increasing influence of messaging apps and digital communication in modern sports consumption. The importance of communication with fans cannot be overstated. A recent report by cloud communications platform Infobip, based on a survey of 1,500 sports fans across the US, Europe, and India, uncovers widespread frustration among supporters of clubs with generic, one-way communication. Key findings include: 66% of fans feel disconnected due to poor club communication, rising to 81% among those under 35. 49% of fans often feel like a number rather than a valued supporter. 30% of fans said they’re treated like a customer, not a member of a community. The report also reveals a strong appetite for deeper relationships with clubs. 66% of all fans said they would join a digital community founded by their favorite team, and among those younger than 35, this number rises to 81%. The desire to feel part of a passionate community is coupled with a growing demand for storytelling that creates connections; 78% of fans would like to receive exclusive content through the team's messaging channels. From Messaging to Deeper Engagement Another benefit of connecting with fans via messaging channels is the ability to amplify your content. In Arsenal's case, that became even more crucial with the launch of The Arsenal, the club's revamped app, in March. The app offers a slate of programming, including documentaries and a personalized ‘for you feed’ that allows supporters to tailor content based on preferred players, teams, and competitions. The app mirrors a wider trend across pro sports, where organizations are increasingly operating as their own media houses, and owned platforms are the destination for their most valuable content. The challenge Arsenal and other rights holders face is how to get fans, who spend most of their time on platforms like WhatsApp and Facebook, into their walled garden. And this, say industry leaders, is where the Meta partnership comes in handy.   “The app and the Meta deal are Arsenal’s answer to the question every rights holder is wrestling with right now: how do you own the supporter relationship without losing reach, and how do you chase reach without becoming a tenant on someone else’s platform? ” said Andy Marston, Head of Corporate Venture at The Players Fund, an athlete-led VC firm. “The answer is to do both and make sure they point at each other. Rather than competing with the app, Meta feeds it. ” Scaling Fan Conversations With AI That approach works because messaging channels create a direct, always-on line of communication between rights holders and their audiences. But sustaining that connection depends on what flows through it. Timely, relevant moments, like highlights, behind-the-scenes clips, and narrative-driven content, are what spark conversations, keep communities active, and turn passive followers into engaged participants in the club’s story. Delivering that volume and speed consistently requires the right tech. AI-powered content creation platforms enable rights holders to instantly generate, format, and distribute moments tailored for messaging environments, ensuring a constant stream of fresh content. By linking these touchpoints back to owned platforms, they form a feedback loop of engagement, helping organizations like Arsenal create more ways for fans to feel closer to the club. Actionable Insights: Treat messaging channels as engagement hubs, not just distribution tools, and use them to create ongoing conversations with supporters. Feed messaging communities with exclusive, timely content that gives fans a reason to return and participate regularly. Connect messaging platforms to your owned ecosystem so every interaction can guide fans toward deeper engagement. - Published: 2026-04-28 - Modified: 2026-04-28 - URL: https://wsc-sports-dev.ltu.co.il/blog/industry-insights/the-content-strategy-behind-successful-dtc-platforms/ - Categories: Industry Insights Owning the stream is easy. Getting people to come back again and again is the real challenge. Key Takeaways: DTC success depends on building an always-on content ecosystem that extends beyond live matches into continuous fan engagement. Personalization at scale requires AI-powered content creation to turn large content inventories into tailored daily experiences. Owning the customer relationship shifts the focus from distribution to retention, where data and storytelling work together to reduce churn. Every couple of weeks, it seems, another sports property announces a plan to launch a direct-to-consumer (DTC) streaming service. The latest to do so is UEFA. Multiple reports said the governing body of football in Europe intends to offer live games from the Champions League on the new platform, which could debut in Asia as early as next year. The news comes on the heels of the Premier League's decision to launch its own DTC channel in Singapore. The channel, Premier League Plus, will broadcast all 380 PL matches in the island city-state from the start of the 2026/27 season. The goal, according to the league, is to test whether the service could be brought to other markets in the future. “For the first time, the Premier League is going to have its own customers,” said Richard Masters, the league's chief executive. “It's going to have to deal with promotion, pricing, churn, distribution, all of those things. We’re looking to see how that might be replicable all around the world. What we do with Premier League Plus in Singapore is really about learning as well as building the business. ” Lessons From DTC Pioneers As the Premier League and UEFA prepare to broadcast their own content, there are learnings to take from some recent channels launched in the industry. Two notable ones are Ligue 1+, France’s Ligue de Football Professionnel (LFP) streaming service, and the enhanced ESPN app. With almost a year under their belt, these channels offer valuable lessons for organizations looking to take the DTC plunge. These lesson include: Build an editorial product – not just an OTT platform One of LFP's main ambitions when it launched Ligue 1+, said Cyprien Castanedo, head of media platform and innovation at LFP Media, was offering “something different compared to what we had in the previous years. We wanted an editorial product. We have archive content, the best of previous players, we try to have an offer that's tailor-made for Ligue 1 fans, so that they understand it's not just another broadcaster that bought the rights and is packaging them. ” Building an editorial identity requires owning your content pipeline. The Premier League, for example, took back control of its content by ending its long-standing partnership with marketing agency IMG in 2024 and bringing all international media production and distribution in-house. The move, explained Richard Masters, “allows us to look at different ways of developing our content for different audiences. ” Leverage AI to deliver personalized content at scale Providing each subscriber with a personalized version of SportsCenter had long been on ESPN's agenda. The launch of its new DTC app was the perfect opportunity to debut the feature, dubbed SportsCenter for You. But owning the world’s largest inventory of sports content, the network's executives found out, isn't enough to create tailored programming to all their subscribers. “The big question became, well, do we produce enough videos to do this seven days a week for as many fans as we have in the app every day? The answer was no,” said Joshua Barbarotta, senior director of digital video content at ESPN. “So we started working with WSC Sports, and our partnership with them is really what has made this possible because they’re able to scale up our entire operation. ” WSC Sports’ AI-powered platform enables rights holders, among other things, to automate the creation of short-form videos. ESPN's digital content team, which had used the technology before launching its DTC app to generate clips from more than 20 sports, ingested another dozen to the pipeline, and added 25 studio shows and self-produced video segments from 162 writers and editors to fill the content gap for SportsCenter for You.   Those efforts have translated into measurable gains. “We absolutely see that there’s higher engagement, there’s higher time spent with content that’s personalized for team fan bases,” said Barbarotta. “And we see a really high retention rate as far as SC for You is concerned, which means fans are consuming it one day and coming back the next day to consume it again. ” Fight churn with data Going DTC has many benefits, but there are also risks to this approach. Chief among them is churn, especially among 18- to 34-year-olds, who are 19% more likely to churn from streaming services than other demographics. Interestingly, young viewers also subscribe to more streaming services than their average peer (4. 2 vs. 3. 3 on average), leading research firm Ampere Analysis to describe their behavior as “subscribe, stack, churn, repeat. ” The key to breaking this cycle, per Ligue 1, is using data to create the right narratives. “If Marseille, for example, is not in the running for the title and you see (in the data) that their fans are likely to churn, you need to adjust the story. So, how do I get new narratives? It's a mix of the technology you're using and storytelling hooks to link those two. ”  This is where AI-powered content and data platforms come in. By tagging and indexing each goal, assist, or spectacular skill, every piece of short-form content transforms from passive entertainment into a powerful signal of fans' preferences, giving teams and leagues the intelligence they need to offer subscribers the right narrative at the right time to prevent churn.   From Platform to Content Engine Taken together, these examples show that launching a DTC service is less about replicating a broadcast feed and more about building a content ecosystem that continuously earns attention. AI-powered content creation platforms make this model viable, enabling a flow of relevant content that keeps fans engaged and reduces churn. Ultimately, owning the platform means owning the relationship, turning audiences into customers, and customers into long-term value. Actionable Insights: Treat every match as a content engine: plan and publish a steady stream of clips, formats, and narratives beyond the live broadcast. Use real-time signals (behavior, preferences, timing) to personalize the content fans see, and when they see it. Build workflows that continuously feed your platforms with fresh content to keep users engaged and reduce churn. - Published: 2026-04-20 - Modified: 2026-04-21 - URL: https://wsc-sports-dev.ltu.co.il/blog/industry-insights/where-highlights-meet-human-stories-how-sports-properties-can-unlock-new-audiences/ - Categories: Industry Insights From race highlights to real-time storytelling, MotoGP is turning content into its fastest engine of growth. Key takeaways:  Expanding beyond core audiences requires combining highlight-driven content with human storytelling that introduces athletes and builds emotional connections with new fans. Partnering with creators and tailoring content to specific markets helps sports properties move from awareness to deeper, more meaningful engagement. AI-powered content platforms unlock new content streams by instantly transforming live footage into platform-ready clips, enabling scalable, always-on storytelling. Two weeks before the start of the 2026 MotoGP season, a surprising piece of news came from Dorna Sports. The company, which has been the exclusive rights holder of the world’s premier motorcycle racing championship since 1992, announced it was rebranding as MetaMotoGP Sports Entertainment Group, in a move that reflects the shift in direction under new owner Liberty Media. The US media company, which has owned Formula 1 since 2017, completed its acquisition of MotoGP in July 2025. According to industry analysts, Liberty wants to model MotoGP after F1 by broadening its appeal beyond the traditional motorsport fan base – and Dorna’s name change is only the beginning. “The company name change is a statement of intent,” said Carmelo Ezpeleta, CEO of MotoGP Sports Entertainment Group. “MotoGP has grown far beyond just a championship; it has become a global entertainment property followed passionately around the world. We are building on years of continuous growth to accelerate innovation and global expansion, while always preserving the spirit and values that define our sport. ” The Digital Foundation One of the major building blocks of MotoGP’s plan is its digital strategy. The strategy combines significant investment in video content production, focusing on race highlights and behind-the-scenes footage, with a wide range of partnerships, including leveraging micro-influencers to explain the sport to new fans who might not be familiar with the nuances of two-wheel racing.   This combination proved effective so far. MotoGP’s engagement rates on social media rose by 120% from Q3 of 2024 to Q3 of 2025, with video views on its accounts up 30% during that time. “There’s a more nuanced understanding of fandom now,” said Kelly Brittain, MotoGP’s managing director of global marketing. “If you have a highly engaged fanbase on social, and they just stay on social, that’s okay. ” The next challenge facing MotoGP is to raise its profile outside of Europe. While the series hosts races in 18 countries across five continents, 14 of them take place in Europe, and most of the riders reside in Italy or Spain, where the sport is particularly popular. Since Liberty Media took over, MotoGP has made growing in the US its top priority, and there have been some positive developments recently. Fandom of MotoGP has been on the rise in the US, up 37% from Q3 2024 to Q3 2025, per data from Nielsen. Viewership increased as well, with races averaging 20% more viewers in 2025 vs. 2024. “The sport is having a bit of a moment,” said Brittain. “I still think that there is obviously so much headroom, because awareness isn’t where we want it to be. ” Broadening the Appeal To move beyond awareness in the US, MotoGP will have to appeal to more casual fans, as opposed to motorcycle enthusiasts. According to the racing series's executives, the best way to do that is to invest in storytelling that introduces the lives and lifestyles of their riders to new audiences, especially younger generations.   MotoGP is drawing on insights from bespoke market research conducted on its behalf in the US. The research, said the company's top brass, revealed that tapping into the series' potential in the US will require fueling deeper fan connections by focusing on the person under that helmet and tailoring content to the American market. “Our focus is on the human stories and on building the characters behind the races, to show just how impressive these athletes are,” said Carlos Ezpeleta, son of Carmelo and MotoGP's sporting director. “The action is there. All the passing maneuvers are there. The risk is there. And we’re very proud of this sport and the riders, of their skills and athletic ability. We simply have to better show who they are outside the garage. ” Moments That Travel A tactic that has proved successful for rights holders seeking to highlight their athletes' personalities is to focus on “mic-drop” moments. Press conferences, interviews, and studio shows are packed with emotional soundbites, raw reactions, and viral-ready storytelling. Unfortunately, these moments are often trapped in slow, manual workflows that make it nearly impossible to find, clip, and publish them at the speed and scale fans expect today. This is where AI-powered content creation platforms become essential. By indexing spoken content – speakers, mentions, context – in real-time, these solutions enable organizations to transform on-air footage into platform-ready clips in seconds, unlock a new content stream they already own, and turn post-race chaos into storytelling that drives relevance, reach, and eventually global growth.   Actionable insights: Balance highlights with storytelling: complement race clips with behind-the-scenes and personality-driven content to make athletes relatable to new audiences. Localize your content strategy: adapt formats, narratives, and distribution to specific markets to move from awareness to meaningful fan connection. Capture every moment with AI: use automated tools to instantly identify, clip, and publish standout quotes and reactions across platforms. - Published: 2026-04-17 - Modified: 2026-04-19 - URL: https://wsc-sports-dev.ltu.co.il/blog/industry-insights/the-nbas-ai-approach-to-the-fan-experience/ - Categories: Industry Insights The NBA has turned every moment on the court into a global, personalized story engine. Key takeaways: The NBA’s growth shows that scaling digital content output and embracing new formats are key to enhancing the fan experience globally. Creator partnerships and localized content strategies help leagues expand reach and connect with diverse audiences across markets and platforms. AI-powered technologies enable hyper-personalized and real-time storytelling, making games more accessible and engaging for fans worldwide. An all-time MVP race between three international players. One of the NBA’s most storied franchises became the first team to win 60 games just two seasons after losing 60 games. A perennial All-NBA player returned ten months after rupturing his Achilles tendon. And an especially compelling Rookie of the Year battle. The 2025-26 NBA regular season is in the books, and as usual, it generated plenty of storylines that fascinated audiences. The result was another record-breaking year in terms of viewership and engagement across the globe, including some pretty significant milestones:  In the US, NBA viewership for national TV games was up 89% from the 2024-5 season.   European viewership for NBA games on Prime Video increased by 184% versus comparable games on linear TV last season.   Viewership of NBA games was up 444% and 455% year-over-year in the UK and Germany, respectively. The league's 10 most-viewed players recorded more than 15,3 billion views across social and digital channels  Such milestones can and should be attributed, first and foremost, to Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, Nikola Jokić, Victor Wembanyama, the Detroit Pistons, Jayson Tatum, Cooper Flagg, Kon Knueppel, and every other player who helped shape the season's stories. But they are also a reflection of something larger. At the heart of the NBA's incredible success in the past few years is an unwavering commitment to enhancing the fan experience through digital content.   Reinventing the Content Model This commitment evolved over time. Up until the 2015-16 season, the league was focused on creating a finite amount of highlights, game recaps, and player profiles. “It was like ‘here’s the content menu and this is what you get,” said Bob Carney, the NBA's senior vice president of digital & social content. The strategy changed when the league adopted AI content creation, in what Carney called an “aha moment. ” AI-powered content creation enabled the NBA to produce an infinite amount of content and, just as important, remain flexible when it comes to format. This became evident when the league started utilizing AI-technology not only for automated game recaps, but also for content that goes against the grain. “We’re trying to focus on the net-new,” said Carney, “creating a lot of new programming that couldn’t possibly have existed before. ” A big chunk of this programming is coming from partnerships with content creators. The NBA established its official creator program all the way back in 2016, and has expanded its global pool of collaborators to over 200 this season. In recent years, the league has provided creators with thousands of hours of historical and current game footage, including access to an AI-enabled video editing suite.   “The idea here is that these creators will become like an extension of the league,“ said Carney, who noted how vital creators are for content diversity. “Over 45% of the consumption that we see on YouTube is coming from television screens, and therefore, the content needs to be longer. You need people who can create that longer-form content. If we can empower a very select group, it’s going to help us reach new fans globally. “  Speaking Every Fan’s Language Another component of the NBA's efforts to reach new fans globally is content localization. The league has been using generative AI to create voice-over commentary in multiple languages for game highlights, and deliver tailored content experiences at a global scale.   The technology relies on ground-breaking scripting capabilities and fine-tuned text-to-speech models. In a single workflow, an English-speaking highlight can become a Spanish, Japanese, or Arabic one, complete with authentic voice tones and synced emotion that make the language feel authentic and local.   According to the league, the next frontier is harnessing AI technologies to change how the game is presented. “One of the things we’re beginning to see is how we’re going to be able to, more than personalize, almost hyper-personalize, allowing people to experience the game in any way they want,” said Commissioner Adam Silver in his annual All-Star press conference. “And I think it’s going to make the game that much more accessible for fans on a global basis. ” Technology as the Gateway For rights holders, the lesson is clear: making the game more accessible is no longer just about distribution; it’s about designing the right experiences. That means leveraging flexible formats, creator ecosystems, and localization to turn every game into a continuous stream of culturally relevant, personalized content that extends far beyond the live broadcast. Making that vision operational at scale requires technology that can keep pace with modern sports storytelling. AI-powered content creation platforms enable organizations to generate, localize, and distribute content in real time, unlocking new formats and creative possibilities. This approach ensures that every storyline travels further, positioning leagues like the NBA to turn playoff drama into engagement and attract even broader audiences. Actionable Insights: - Expand your content mix: move beyond standard highlights by experimenting with new formats and creator-led storytelling to increase reach and engagement. - Localize at scale: adapt content for different languages and markets to make your storytelling more relevant and accessible to global audiences. - Use AI to personalize experiences: automate content creation and tailor outputs to deliver real-time stories across platforms. - Published: 2026-04-16 - Modified: 2026-04-16 - URL: https://wsc-sports-dev.ltu.co.il/blog/industry-insights/tokyo-summit-making-the-fan-experience-work-across-platforms/ - Categories: Industry Insights WSC Sports hosted its first Tokyo Summit, bringing together leaders from across Japan’s sports media ecosystem to explore how the fan experience is evolving across platforms. Leagues, broadcasters, and streaming platforms all face the same challenges around fan engagement and growing the value of their rights. But they rarely get the chance to talk about it together. That’s exactly the gap WSC set out to address with its first Tokyo Summit, a daylong conference built to bring those conversations into the same room. Bringing together leaders from J. LEAGUE, B. LEAGUE, DAZN, U-NEXT, and Fuji TV, the Tokyo Summit is designed to address this challenge directly. WSC’s Chief Business Development Officer, Aviv Arnon, kicked off the conference with a keynote. Fans are spread across platforms, and their expectations are shifting quickly, he said. For most organizations, production is no longer the limiting factor. What’s harder is turning that volume into something cohesive. He framed the solution as a connected system, described through WSC’s content flywheel. “Content feeds the experience. The experience generates data. That data shapes how content is distributed and monetized. ” When those pieces are disconnected, value is lost. How do you make the fan experience work across platforms? Aviv asked.   Each session explored a different part of the problem, from content and distribution to monetization and rights. How Leagues Are Building Fandom Between Games In a panel featuring Shohei Takebuchi, Promotion Brand Strategy Chief Officer at J. LEAGUE, Japan’s top professional football league, and Ryo Sakuma, Board Director at B. LEAGUE, the country’s premier basketball league, the focus was on how to stay relevant to fans every day, not just on matchdays. That means building a more constant presence across platforms, using highlights, live coverage, and a broader mix of content to stay connected to fans throughout the day. Sakuma pointed to distribution across social platforms and messaging apps like LINE, a popular messaging platform in Japan, as a key part of that strategy, describing it as “continuously exposing audiences to a shower of diverse content on multiple channels” to create daily touchpoints. Takebuchi highlighted the role of AI in scaling that output across platforms, particularly given the volume of live action across each round. “To instantly deliver moments from around 30 matches each round, the use of AI is absolutely essential. Real-time distribution across platforms is what drives higher fan engagement. ” But scale alone doesn’t solve the problem. He also pointed to the growing importance of the off-season as a key window to deepen engagement. “We prepare a substantial amount of behind-the-scenes and close-up content... and focus on how to provide enjoyment to fans during these two months. ” Together, these approaches point to a model where engagement is built continuously, not just around live moments. Inside DAZN Japan: Turning Moments Into Experiences In a session led by Kyunosuke Oshima, VP of Brand Strategy at DAZN Japan, the emphasis was on expanding the experience beyond the live broadcast itself. “Watching sports is already an experience,” Oshima said. “What we need to think about is how to expand that experience. ” That starts with what happens in the moment. DAZN has been building tools that allow fans to react, engage, and share in real time, turning key plays into something that extends beyond the stream. “Going forward, it will become standard to seamlessly share the exact moment when viewers’ and fans’ emotions peak directly to social platforms,” he said. “By capturing and widely distributing these defining moments across all sports, we can spark interest and bring more people into the experience. ” That shift is already showing results. “Engagement increased by about 1. 4 times,” he noted, highlighting the impact of real-time interaction and sharing. It also opens up new approaches to monetization. “We are creating opportunities to monetize at the moment when fans are most engaged,” Oshima said, aligning commercial value with peak attention rather than traditional ad slots. The goal, he said, is to make DAZN part of the experience itself, not just the place where games are watched. U-NEXT and Fuji TV: Building the Sports Media Ecosystem For broadcasters and streaming platforms, the challenge is balancing reach, revenue, and long-term fan growth. In a panel featuring Toshi Honda, Chief Operating Officer at U-NEXT, one of Japan’s leading subscription streaming platforms, and Kazuo Nomura, Supervising Director of Platform Content at Fuji TV, a major national broadcaster, the discussion focused on how those roles are evolving in a more fragmented, platform-driven environment. For U-NEXT, the move into sports is tied to its role as a broader content platform, using live rights to bring users in and connect them to a wider entertainment offering. ”We want to bring new kinds of experiences to the Japanese market and continue to grow it," he said.   "WSC Sports has now become an essential partner for us. ” Rather than treating sports as a standalone product, the focus is on integrating it into a larger ecosystem, where live events sit alongside other content to drive deeper engagement over time. Kazuo Nomura of Fuji TV pointed to its Formula 1 rights as an example of how that model works in practice, using free-to-air broadcasting to build broad awareness before converting more engaged fans through paid channels and streaming. Nomura emphasized the role of broadcast as the starting point for that journey. “Rather than simply getting people to watch our streams, we want to increase the number of people who experience it in person,” he said. “Our challenge is to see how many people we can get to come and check us out because of our show. ” That reach is critical for growing new audiences. “We need to create opportunities for people who don’t know the sport to encounter it,” he said. Together, these perspectives point to a more connected approach, where free-to-air, streaming, and owned platforms each play a role at different stages of the fan journey. Connecting the Fan Experience Across the day, each session focused on a different part of the problem. Taken together, the direction is clear. The fan experience no longer lives in one place. Leagues are scaling content to stay relevant between games. Platforms like DAZN are building more interactive experiences around live moments. Broadcasters and streaming services are balancing reach and monetization across channels. The challenge is making those pieces work together. That was the idea at the center of the Tokyo Summit. Not just how to produce more content or reach more fans, but how to connect the system behind it. Because when that system is connected, every moment carries more value. - Published: 2026-04-13 - Modified: 2026-04-13 - URL: https://wsc-sports-dev.ltu.co.il/blog/industry-insights/how-international-federations-win-between-events-hint-the-game-never-really-stops/ - Categories: Industry Insights For International Federations, staying relevant between major events is where the real battle for fans begins. Key Takeaways: - International Federations face growing pressure to stay relevant beyond major events, requiring consistent, year-round content strategies to maintain fan attention. - A structured, video-first approach, combining long-form, short-form, and micro-content, helps IFs engage diverse audiences and drive repeated exposure. - Scaling this model requires AI-powered tools that automate content production, enabling federations to deliver timely, multi-format storytelling at a global scale. International Federations (IFs) face a built-in challenge when it comes to fan attention. Unlike commercial sports properties that can drive interest year in and year out, IFs depend heavily on major events, such as the Olympics, for global exposure for their sports. World Athletics, the governing body for track and field and related sports, is currently on the flip side of this cycle. Almost two years removed from Paris 2024, the federation is in the midst of a year without a big event. So why is Sebastian Coe, president of World Athletics since 2015, convinced that the sport is “entering a golden age” in 2026? The answer may lie in the SportOnSocial International Federations 2026 Report by sports marketing agency Redtorch. The report ranks 44 summer and winter Olympic IFs based on their social media performance over the past year. And for the second straight year, World Athletics has secured the top spot in the ranking. The New Content Hierarchy To determine the rankings, analysts examined 315k social media posts across more than 350 pages actively managed by IFs. The analysis considered – inter alia – follower/subscriber growth rate, engagement rate, impressions per post, total video views, and views per video, with platform weighting based on insights from multiple SportOnSocial surveys over the past decade. While it finished in the top 8 across all platforms, World Athletics' success in this year’s report is attributed in large part to improved performance on TikTok, where it jumped from 9th in 2025 to 2nd. The federation’s surge on TikTok is indicative of a trend that has been gaining traction since 2022: a clear shift by IFs towards video content. Key findings include:  Video now accounts for 62% of all IF posts, up from 54% in 2022. Non-video posts have declined by -7% across all platforms. On Facebook, Reels output increased by 17% compared to 2024, and video generated 66% of the average IF engagement, up from 48% in 2024.   On Instagram, Reels accounted for 50% of all IF posts, compared to 30% for carousels and 20% for photos. IFs increased their output on YouTube across both video formats: Shorts (+38% year-over-year) and long-form videos (+11% YoY). Breaking Through the Noise As IFs pivot further towards video, note the reports' authors, their current challenge “is how to capture attention in an increasingly crowded space, where fans are overloaded with short-form content that is often consumed passively. Visibility alone doesn’t build the kind of sustained attention that keeps audiences coming back between events. The key is striking a balance between content and publishing format. ”This is precisely what World Athletics excels at. According to Paola Marinone and Bengü Atamer, founders of BuzzMyVideos, a company that helps sports organizations grow and monetize their YouTube channels, World Athletics employs a highly effective “content blitz” strategy, designed to serve different audience segments with high-quality, timely, and emotionally resonant storytelling.   World Athletics' content blitz consists of three tiers: 1. Pillar content – long-form videos (9-15 minutes), such as daily event highlights, which function as the anchor of their content strategy. 2. Micro-moment clips – short-form videos (30 seconds to 3 minutes) that typically focus on a specific performance and fuel discussion. 3. YouTube Shorts – vertical, under-60-second clips, showcasing the sport's most stunning and emotionally charged seconds to capture the attention of new, younger audiences.   Of course, capturing attention is only the first step. The real goal, as the SportOnSocial International Federations 2026 Report reminds, “is to turn attention into recognition over time. ” That can be achieved only through repeated exposure. While IFs operate with different resources, the authors conclude with some practical actions that apply to every federation: Create content that fans return to regularly: consistent formats improve the viewer experience and boost algorithmic visibility. Embed distinct brand identifiers into assets: every piece of content should have a visual fingerprint that points back to the IF. Use AI tools to scale content production: these solutions allow IFs to rapidly convert long broadcasts into short-form storytelling at the speed and scale fans expect. Consistency at Scale For many federations, staying relevant in the long stretches between major events will always remain a challenge. Attention is fragmented, competition is relentless, and sporadic visibility is no longer enough. Yet examples like World Athletics show that with a structured approach – one that balances immediacy and depth – it is possible to stay culturally present and build momentum year-round. Turning that ambition into reality requires operational scale. AI-powered content creation platforms give IFs the ability to transform live footage into multi-format stories, tailored to different audiences and platforms. By automating production and distribution, these tools help federations move from event-driven spikes to sustained engagement, unlocking the consistency needed to grow recognition and compete more effectively in the global attention economy. Actionable Insights: - Build a tiered content system by combining long-form highlights, mid-length storytelling, and short-form clips to engage different audiences across platforms consistently. - Prioritize repeatable formats: create recognizable content series with clear branding to drive habitual viewing and strengthen association with your federation. - Use AI to accelerate output: automate the conversion of live broadcasts into multi-format video content to maintain an always-on publishing cadence. - Published: 2026-04-09 - Modified: 2026-04-13 - URL: https://wsc-sports-dev.ltu.co.il/blog/industry-insights/where-tradition-meets-technology-the-masters-digital-playbook/ - Categories: Industry Insights Combining tradition, technology, and owned platforms to drive deeper fan loyalty Key takeaways:  - The Masters shows that blending tradition with emerging technology can elevate fan experiences and keep iconic events relevant in a digital-first landscape. - Owned platforms like mobile apps are becoming central engagement hubs, enabling rights holders to deliver personalized, interactive, and always-on fan experiences. - AI-powered content creation tech allows organizations to scale personalization, automate highlights, and create dynamic experiences that deepen engagement and drive loyalty. Every year since 2020, ESPN has released a promo video for the Masters at Augusta National, Georgia, featuring a cover of Ray Charles’ legendary track “Georgia On My Mind. ” This spring, the network collaborated with Georgia-born country music singer Thomas Rhett. “Timeless is what I'm really shooting for here,” said Rhett about recording his rendition. “The biggest thing for me is the history and the tradition. ” ESPN's relatively new tradition is a natural fit for the Masters. First held in 1934, golf's most famous tournament is steeped in rituals; from the green jacket awarded to the winner and the champions’ dinner to the hand-updated leaderboard and the $1. 50 pimento cheese sandwich. In recent years, though, an approach that combines tradition and innovation has emerged at Augusta National, one that uses technology to transform the fan experience. This year, for example, an AI-powered archive search tool will allow fans to reconnect with the tournament's storied history via prompts on the Masters' official app. In addition, data-driven insights – based on historical analysis and current performance tendencies – will provide fans who log into the app with a new way to watch what's happening live on-course.   The Gold Standard Augusta National’s decision to focus on its mobile app should come as no surprise. According to a recent study by data & insights generation company Stats Perform, owned apps will emerge as the leading fan engagement channel by 2030. Drawing on the perspectives of 675 sports executives from around the globe, the study offers a detailed view of the trends and themes reshaping sports media. Additional findings include: Short-form video builds fan bases: 54% of organizations use it to grow their audience, while 53% use it to boost engagement. 81% of organizations are already using or planning to use automated highlights and AI-powered content generation to meet the growing demand for short-form content. Personalization is set to become one of the most important applications of AI, with 61% of organizations planning to use it to deliver tailored experiences by 2030. Personalization at Play Whether it's delivering personalized experiences or generating short-form content, the Masters has been a pioneer in leveraging AI to build its fan base. The integrations of this year join a suite of AI-enabled features on the tournament's app, including:  - A condensed, AI-powered highlight reel of every golfer's round, based on video footage and crowd noise analysis, available shortly after they finish play. - A feature that allows users to customize their own featured groups and enjoy a personalized, chronological highlight feed of the selected players in near real-time.   "As the rest of golf grapples with fractured formats and shifting allegiances, the Masters has quietly engineered its own kind of revolution by meeting fans where they are, and where they’re going,” said Michael Harvey, head of strategy at sports marketing agency WePlay. Powering the Modern Fan Experience The Masters’ approach to innovation offers a broader lesson for rights holders: owned platforms like official apps are no longer just distribution endpoints; they are where fandom is built and sustained. As competition for attention intensifies, success depends on transforming apps into dynamic environments that deliver interactive, fast, and personalized experiences that bring fans closer to the action and deepen engagement.   Doing that at scale requires technology that can keep pace with fan expectations. AI-powered content creation platforms allow organizations to automatically generate diverse, platform-native formats, optimized for how fans consume content. The proof is in the $1. 50 pimento cheese sandwich: following this blueprint has allowed the Masters to continue to evolve while keeping Georgia firmly on every fan’s mind. Actionable insights: - Treat your app as a primary fan destination: prioritize exclusive content, interactive features, and personalized experiences that give users a reason to return daily. - Design for speed and relevance: create short-form, data-enhanced content that helps fans quickly understand key moments and stay engaged throughout events. - Use AI to scale personalization: automate highlights, tailor content feeds, and deliver real-time stories that match individual fan preferences across touchpoints. - Published: 2026-04-06 - Modified: 2026-04-15 - URL: https://wsc-sports-dev.ltu.co.il/blog/industry-insights/inside-fc-barcelonas-digital-growth-strategy/ - Categories: Industry Insights Inside Barça’s playbook for winning the digital game Key Takeaways: - FC Barcelona’s digital growth shows that sustained fan engagement comes from platform-native content, player-driven storytelling, and constant adaptation to consumption trends. - Meeting fans across every platform while guiding them toward owned channels is key to building deeper relationships and long-term audience value. - AI-powered content platforms make always-on, multi-format storytelling scalable, enabling rights holders to deliver personalized, real-time content across touchpoints. It was only right that this milestone was reached directly following a win in a thrilling Clásico.   On January 12, a day after FC Barcelona beat Real Madrid in the final of the Supercopa de España to secure its first title of the season, the Catalan club became the first sports organization in the world to surpass 25 million subscribers on YouTube. This was digital history in the making, though for Barça, it was par for the course.   One of the first clubs to establish a presence on YouTube, Barça launched its channel in 2006. Since then, it has seen exponential growth on the world’s leading video platform. In 2018, the Catalans had 5 million subscriptions. Two years later, they hit 10 million subscribers. In early 2025, Barça reached 20 million subscriptions, and a strong focus on YouTube Shorts throughout the year – with 70% more uploads than in 2024 – provided the final push to the 25 million mark. “It’s fantastic to see how a solid YouTube strategy, which includes quality content, innovation in formats, and adaptability to an increasingly demanding audience, has led to unstoppable growth and brand recognition both nationally and internationally,” said Cristina Delgado Estepa, head of YouTube sports in Spain. “FC Barcelona has been able to leverage its potential and resources to maximize and strengthen its connection with its followers, setting itself apart from the rest. ” A Holistic Digital Approach What sets FC Barcelona apart is its comprehensive digital strategy. Spearheaded by the Barça Identity Area, a department that oversees everything related to the club's brand, this strategy ensures that content is produced based on a couple of foundational principles, including: 1. Player activations It is no coincidence that the clip Barça published to celebrate reaching 25 million subscribers on YouTube featured players like Raphinha and Gerard Martín. The club regularly leverages players' celebrity – mostly through challenges, choreographies, and interviews – to amplify its content, especially across social media.   “We never miss an opportunity to bring the players into our social media plans,” said Paloma Mikadze, director of Barça Identity. “Highlighting their personality and qualities is key when we draw up our content strategy. They’re generally aware of how crucial content is in today’s landscape, and we always try to propose innovative and fresh content so they can make the most of it. ”2. Omnipresence When it comes to digital content, FC Barcelona leaves no stone unturned. Over the past few years, for example, the club has embraced the “create once, publish everywhere” approach, launching official channels on NAVER TV, a South Korean content platform with over 50 million daily active users, and on WeChat, one of the largest digital ecosystems in China, with more than 1. 3 billion monthly active users. In addition, the Catalans are exploring the connected TV (CTV) space. In October 2024, the club debuted a free ad-supported streaming television (FAST) channel called ‘TOP BARÇA’, which offers a selection of the best content generated by the club. Six months later, it launched Spanish and English versions of the TOP BARÇA channel on Amagi NOW, an all-in-one cloud media platform that provides distribution and monetization solutions in the FAST ecosystem.   3. Bolstering owned channels Barça has made a concerted effort to not only meet fans where they are, but also own their audience. Barça One, its DTC streaming service, offers over 1,500 hours of on-demand content. In 2023, the club's official website won the People's Voice Award for best websites and mobile sites in the sports category at the Webby Awards. Two years later, the FC Barcelona mobile app won the same prize in the entertainment & sports category. One of the features that helped the Barcelona app win the award is Barça Stories. The vertical video feed, introduced in 2024, allows fans to enjoy exclusive daily content related to the players, training sessions, and classic moments such as memorable goals and celebrations, reflecting the club’s ongoing commitment to creating engaging digital experiences.   From Strategy to Scale Taken together, FC Barcelona’s approach offers a blueprint for modern rights holders navigating an increasingly fragmented landscape. Success today hinges on evolving alongside platform dynamics, activating talent as storytellers, and meeting fans where they are. Just as importantly, it requires guiding fans from third-party platforms into owned environments, where richer experiences can be delivered, and long-term relationships can take root. Executing that vision demands more than strategy; it requires infrastructure built for speed and scale. AI-powered content platforms enable organizations to transform live moments into tailored, platform-native stories, delivered instantly across channels and audiences. By adopting these solutions, rights holders can move from reactive publishing to always-on engagement, and, like Barça, position themselves not just to follow digital trends, but to define them. —------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ Actionable Insights: - Build player-led content formats: create repeatable concepts (challenges, behind-the-scenes clips, quick interviews) that showcase personality and drive consistent engagement across platforms. - Distribute with purpose: adopt a “create once, publish everywhere” workflow, tailoring each asset to platform-specific formats while funneling audiences toward owned channels. - Scale output with AI: use content automation tools to generate, localize, and publish short-form content, ensuring an always-on digital presence. - Published: 2026-03-31 - Modified: 2026-03-31 - URL: https://wsc-sports-dev.ltu.co.il/blog/news/how-scripps-sports-is-automating-sponsor-tracking-across-live-broadcasts/ - Categories: News New capability delivers near real-time sponsor verification, full transparency and scalable commercial accountability across live sports. Today WSC Sports announced the launch of a new capability designed to transform how broadcasters and rights holders verify and report on sponsor exposure during live sports broadcasts. Sponsorship investments in live sports can reach millions of dollars per property, yet verification of all brand appearances has traditionally been a tedious, resource-heavy process, often resulting in delayed reporting. WSC Sports replaces those workflows with a fully automated system that detects and measures every branded on-screen graphic during a broadcast. Using advanced AI-powered logo and brand detection technology, WSC Sports identifies sponsor appearances, measures total screen time and generates accurate exposure reports in near real time. Reports can be filtered by sponsor, segment and time on screen, and include the ability to view the exact broadcast segment as it aired, combining on-screen exposure data with visual confirmation. By embedding sponsor verification directly into the broadcast workflow, rights holders significantly reduce manual work while improving reporting accuracy and consistency. Beyond verification, teams can instantly access and share brand-specific broadcast segments alongside on-screen exposure data, unlocking value beyond reporting alone. This enables rights holders to move from proof-of-performance to proactive sponsor engagement, supporting renewals, upsells and deeper commercial conversations. Fully integrated into existing broadcast operations, WSC Sports allows leagues, clubs and broadcasters to standardize reporting across multiple properties without increasing headcount. The solution is already live across several major sports properties, including Scripps Sports, which is leveraging this across the WNBA, NWSL and four NHL clubs: the Florida Panthers, Vegas Golden Knights, Utah Mammoth and Tampa Bay Lightning. "We now have complete visibility into every branded graphic, which allows us to deliver timely, data-backed reporting to our sponsors and operate with far greater confidence. ”  “Sponsor verification has historically been fragmented and reactive,” said Aviv Arnon, Co-Founder and Chief Business Development Officer at WSC Sports. “Our solution transforms exposure reporting into a real-time commercial intelligence layer. It enables rights holders not only to validate delivery, but to proactively strengthen partnerships and scale sponsor accountability across every property. ” With the launch, WSC Sports expands its AI platform into commercial intelligence, equipping rights holders with the tools to deliver precision, accountability and scalability across the sponsorship lifecycle. - Published: 2026-03-30 - Modified: 2026-04-13 - URL: https://wsc-sports-dev.ltu.co.il/blog/industry-insights/real-madrid-of-the-americas-how-flamengo-is-turning-local-dominance-into-global-relevance/ - Categories: Industry Insights Inside the strategy turning a regional powerhouse into a global, always-on brand Key takeaways: - Global growth in sports increasingly depends on adopting digital-first content strategies that extend beyond live broadcasts and meet fans across platforms year-round. - Expanding internationally requires more than distribution; it demands consistent, engaging storytelling that builds familiarity and keeps global audiences connected between live moments. - AI-powered content creation platforms enable rights holders to scale production, deepen engagement, and unlock new commercial opportunities across markets. It is very common to see Brazilian players in lists of Europe’s most expensive football transfers. It's very rare, however, to see a Brazilian player heading back home from Europe on one of those lists. Which is exactly what happened when Flamengo completed a deal to buy West Ham midfielder Lucas Paquetá for €42 million, making him the third-largest transfer of the January window and the most expensive player ever signed by a club in the Americas. Paquetá's signing was another indication of Flamengo's strong position in the Americas. With more than 45 million local supporters, around 22% of all football fans in Brazil, the Rio de Janeiro giant enjoys unrivaled national dominance. And, as if that were not enough, Flamengo is coming off a record-setting year both on and off the pitch. On the pitch, Flamengo won their ninth Campeonato Brasileiro and became Brazil's most successful Copa Libertadores team by lifting the title for the fourth time. Their results off the pitch were nothing to scoff at, either. The Rubro-Negro (red and black) cemented its status as the most popular non-European club on social media, increasing its followers to 84 million. In addition, revenues hit $391 billion in 2025, with a 32% profit margin. Big deals, bigger ambitions A significant chunk of the revenue came from betting company Betano, Flamengo's main sponsor since September. According to the club, the multi-year contract with Betano is worth $49 million annually, making it the largest sponsorship agreement in the history of Brazilian football and the ninth-ranked deal in the world currently, ahead of some European clubs. The historic deal prompted Flamengo's president, Luiz Eduardo Baptista, to say that the club wants “to be the Real Madrid of the Americas. I look at Flamengo based on the best examples in Europe. I look at what Manchester City does, what Atlético Madrid does, what Bayern Munich does, and what PSG does. But if I had to name a club I look up to in the world – if I had to pick just one – it would be Real Madrid. ” Under Baptista, the Rubro-Negro are showing that much like Los Blancos, they too have a healthy dose of vanity. In September, Flamengo asked the UN to be recognized as the world's first symbolic-cultural nation. “A nation defined not by geography, but by collective sentiment,” said club legend Zico in a speech that kicked off the campaign. “A nation with music, stories, heroes, customs, and traditions. And, most importantly, a nation spread across the planet. ”  Owning the digital experience Another thing Flamengo has tried to emulate is Real Madrid's digital content strategy. In 2025, the club launched FlamengoTV, a new streaming platform that resembles RM Play, Real Madrid's OTT service. This season, as part of a strategic plan to attract new fans in different markets, FlamengoTV will livestream all 19 home games in the Campeonato Brasileiro – in Spanish and Portuguese – free of charge to international audiences. To amplify the visibility of these livestreams, Flamengo recently partnered with Sofascore, a global platform that provides live scores, statistics, and sports insights. Under the terms of the partnership, Sofascore will deliver exclusive digital content and fan engagement initiatives across FlamengoTV, the club’s official website, social media, and other digital platforms.   “This partnership represents another important step in Flamengo’s international strategy,” said Flavia da Justa, director of communications and content at Flamengo. “We are committed to strengthening our global presence by offering high-quality digital experiences and bringing our content closer to millions of fans around the world. Sofascore’s global reach and technological expertise will help us reinforce our position as one of the most relevant brands worldwide. ” Scaling beyond borders Flamengo's international strategy offers other rights holders a lesson: the path to global growth lies in aligning content strategies with how fans actually consume sports today. While live matches remain essential, they are only part of the equation. To stay relevant across markets, organizations must complement them with a continuous flow of short-form, platform-native content that keeps fans engaged before, during, and after matchdays. This is where AI-powered content creation platforms come into play. By automatically turning live action into highlights, stories, and tailored clips, and distributing them across every channel, they enable content teams to meet demand instantly and consistently. The result is a global, always-on presence that fuels discovery, deepens engagement, and helps clubs – including giants like Flamengo – realize their ambitions. Actionable insights: - Build a consistent flow of short-form content around matches and key moments to maintain engagement with international audiences between live broadcasts. - Distribute content across multiple digital touchpoints to maximize reach in target markets and attract new fans. - Align content strategy with global expansion goals by tailoring formats and storytelling to different regions, ensuring relevance for diverse audiences. - Published: 2026-03-26 - Modified: 2026-03-26 - URL: https://wsc-sports-dev.ltu.co.il/blog/industry-insights/new-ebook-how-public-broadcasters-can-lead-the-next-era-of-sports-coverage/ - Categories: Industry Insights Inside the shift reshaping how public broadcasters deliver and distribute sports content Public broadcasters are navigating a difficult balance. Sports still deliver some of the largest audiences in media. At the same time, budgets are under pressure, audience behavior is shifting, and digital platforms are setting new expectations for how content is consumed. Our new eBook, Public Value in Play: How Public Broadcasters Can Lead the Next Era of Sports Coverage looks at how broadcasters are responding to that shift. A Closer Look at What’s Changing The eBook focuses on how the value of sports rights is shifting, and what broadcasters are doing to keep up. We bring together recent examples from public broadcasters across Europe and beyond, including France Télévisions, Channel 4, RTVE, ZDF, and TVNZ. Inside, we explore: How audience expectations are reshaping sports coverage The growing role of digital platforms alongside linear broadcast The operational pressure to produce more content with limited resources The opportunity to extend engagement beyond the live event Each case offers a different perspective on how sports coverage is evolving in practice. Why This Matters Now Broadcasters are being asked to deliver more than coverage. There is an expectation to stay present before, during, and after the live event, and to do it in ways that feel relevant to different audiences. The eBook looks at how different organizations are approaching it, and what can be learned from their experiences. - Published: 2026-03-25 - Modified: 2026-05-18 - URL: https://wsc-sports-dev.ltu.co.il/blog/news/how-the-cleveland-cavaliers-are-building-a-scalable-fan-experience-with-genai/ - Categories: News Through an expanded partnership with WSC Sports, the Cavaliers are turning content into immersive fan experiences The Cleveland Cavaliers have already built a strong foundation for digital fan engagement through their app, where fans can customize how they watch highlights. Now they’re taking the next step forward.   The team is expanding its partnership with WSC Sports, adding In-App Experiences and GenAI-powered capabilities to bring more content to fans, across more touchpoints. Reaching fans where they are With the expanded use of GenAI and In-App experiences, the Cavaliers are establishing a blueprint for how teams can generate net-new content and experiences without increasing operational complexity. Together, these capabilities allow the Cavaliers to operate across the full content spectrum, from high-volume daily publishing to premium, narrative-driven formats. 1. Turning text articles into videos With Article-to-Video, written content becomes immediately actionable. Post-game blogs and editorial stories are automatically transformed into videos, making them usable across social platforms and mobile environments where most consumption now happens. This allows the Cavaliers to extend the reach of existing content without adding production time. Every story can reach fans in the format they prefer. 2. Scaling storytelling With AI Voice Over, the team can create narrated video assets to support premium storytelling at scale.   The capability allows the Cavs to create recurring content franchises around player performance, produced in multiple aspect ratios and languages. It also introduces a repeatable model for content that can grow over time, rather than relying only on one-off posts. 3. Bringing Content Into the App Experience Through WSC’s plug-and-play SDK, content moves directly into the Cavaliers’ owned environment where design, branding, and user journeys are fully aligned. The team can launch new in-app experiences quickly, with full control over branding and user experience. This creates a tighter connection between content and engagement, allowing fans to interact with highlights and stories inside the app, not just on external platforms. The video below discusses the original collaboration between the Cleveland Cavaliers and WSC Sports that helped the Cavs achieve new levels of fan engagement. New Content Without Added Complexity The new capabilities give the Cavaliers the ability to create and deliver new content experiences without increasing operational complexity. Editorial turns into video. Video becomes part of a recurring format. That format is distributed across platforms and integrated into the app experience. All within the same system. WSC Sports CEO and co-founder Daniel Shichman said the expanded partnership shows what’s possible when advanced AI capabilities are applied across the full content lifecycle.   “The Cavaliers are creating new content types and fan experiences that connect editorial, video, and premium storytelling within a single system. ” - Published: 2026-03-24 - Modified: 2026-04-13 - URL: https://wsc-sports-dev.ltu.co.il/blog/industry-insights/the-rising-value-of-non-live-sports-content/ - Categories: Industry Insights Changing Fan Behavior Is Redefining Sports Media Value Key takeaways: - Non-live content is becoming a core value driver: as viewing habits evolve, highlights, clips, and other digital formats are increasingly central to engaging fans beyond live broadcasts. - Younger audiences, particularly fans under 35, spend significantly more time with non-live formats, making short-form and on-demand content essential for growth. - AI-powered content creation platforms allow rights holders to scale short-form production, turning live moments into continuous, multi-platform fan engagement. The American author and cultural critic Chuck Klosterman once tried to explain what stands at the core of the attraction to “liveness” in sports. “We don’t crave live sporting events because we need immediacy,” he wrote. "We crave them because they represent those (increasingly rare) circumstances in which the entire spectrum of possibility is in play. They’re the last scraps of mass society that are totally unfixed. ” That quality ensured that premium live sports remained appointment television long after streaming had rendered the term obsolete. Driven by sports’ unique ability to attract large, dedicated audiences in a fragmented landscape, media rights prices have experienced a massive, long-term increase, with live sports generating most of the value in any broadcasting rights deal.   Now, however, there are signs that this bonanza may be coming to an end. An analysis by Deloitte's Sports Business Group revealed that while the global value of sports media rights increased at a compound annual growth rate of 7. 1% between 2014 and 2019, growth is expected to slow to just 2. 7% from 2021 to 2027. And a big part of that is the growing share of non-live content, especially among younger fans. Why Non-Live Is Gaining Ground According to the 7th edition of Altman Solon’s Global Sports Survey, non-live sports content increasingly carries standalone value. Drawing on the insights of 250 sports executives and 6,000 fans across the US, UK, Germany, Spain, Italy, and France, the study reveals that as sports consumption continues to grow, non-live formats complement live broadcasts, creating new opportunities to monetize assets beyond traditional games/events. Key findings include: - Sports viewing remains strong across age groups, most notably among fans aged 25-34, where total consumption is the highest of any cohort and has increased 6% compared to three to five years ago. - Younger fans are less likely to watch full live games: only 39% of 18-24-year-olds typically watch an entire game/event, compared with 61% among fans aged 65 and over. - 18-34-year-olds spend nearly 3x as much time on non-live formats as on live sport, elevating their role in capturing younger fans’ attention and monetizing that engagement. “Media consumption,” conclude the report's authors, “is no longer anchored in traditional TV and a live-first model. Format preferences now vary widely by age group. This requires sports to evolve into a multi-format, multi-channel ecosystem, where each format must stand on its own and non-live formats are built and valued in their own right. ” How Rights Holders Are Adapting Some rights holders are already embracing this approach. Streaming giant DAZN, for example, provides viewers with a wide range of non-live content – including shows, documentaries, highlights, and more – and is constantly adding to its offering. In 2025, DAZN partnered with Manchester City to create a dedicated environment for non-live club content, and integrated FIFA+, FIFA’s own streaming service, into its platform. The next step in the partnership between DAZN and FIFA will be relaunching FIFA+ as the new “Global Home of Football” this year. The new service, which will be available on DAZN’s platform, intends to combine live and on-demand top-tier football content, highlights, and exclusive behind-the-scenes access from more than 100 men’s and women’s national teams, while delivering an experience tailored to fans' individual preferences. Industry leaders have endorsed this strategy. “The current media landscape – with shifting audience habits, plateauing media revenues, and challenging socio-economic factors – means that no value can be left on the table,” said Tim Lunn, media rights director at Deloitte's Sports Business Group. “The next generation of successful rightsholders will recognise this and be best able to future-proof their property in the long-term. ” AI and the New Content Workflow While the thrill of live competition remains the heartbeat of sports, the way fans engage with it is evolving. As attention increasingly flows toward short-form storytelling delivered across various digital platforms, non-live content is becoming a powerful companion to the live product. Rights holders that recognize this shift can extend the lifespan of every game, transforming fleeting moments into ongoing stories that keep fans connected between events. Turning that vision into reality requires the ability to produce and distribute content at scale. AI-powered content creation platforms enable organizations to automatically transform live footage into highlights, trending clips, and snackable narratives in multiple formats. By fueling channels with a steady stream of engaging moments, rights holders can ensure that live drama and non-live storytelling work together, keeping the full spectrum of possibilities in play. Actionable insights: - Build a consistent pipeline of non-live content by repurposing live moments into highlights, recaps, and behind-the-scenes clips across digital platforms. - Prioritize mobile-first formats to capture younger audiences who increasingly engage with sports through snackable content rather than full broadcasts. - Use AI-powered tools to automate content creation and distribution, ensuring timely, scalable delivery of engaging assets across all fan - Published: 2026-03-22 - Modified: 2026-03-22 - URL: https://wsc-sports-dev.ltu.co.il/blog/industry-insights/athletes-as-superheroes-building-personal-brand-loyalty-through-animation/ - Categories: Industry Insights How animated ‘superhero’ branding and storytelling around athletes boosts engagement, advocacy, and loyalty in modern sports marketing. _______________________________________________________________________________________________________________ Key takeaways Personal branding is winning. WSC’s 2025 fan study finds 10. 4% of Gen Z fans prefer athlete-led content over team loyalty, a clear signal of personality-first fandom. (Gen X/Y lean team-first. ) Animation supercharges this trend by giving players a signature visual identity and narrative. Cartooning amplifies unique traits (celebrations, colors, moves) and lets teams tell origin stories and episodic arcs around athletes. Metrics matter: track not just raw views, but depth (completion, shares, repeat engagement), fan activation (follows, subscriptions, merch sales tied to animated content), and conversion to owned channels. ________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ The new frontier in fan engagement is personality-first content. According to WSC Sports’ 2025/26 Fan Engagement Study, roughly 1 in 10 Gen Z fans now puts athletes ahead of teams when deciding what sports content to follow. In other words, Gen Z cares almost as much about “what LeBron James does off-court” as “what the Lakers are doing on it. ” This has massive implications for fan economics: athletes with strong personal brands can directly influence fan spending and loyalty, whether through their own channels (podcasts, social media), branded merchandise, or even NFTs. Animation is emerging as a powerful lever for personality-first branding. By turning a player into a stylized cartoon superhero, teams can emphasize that player’s signature attributes – think Patrick Mahomes’ red cape and laser eyes, or a LeBron cartoon dunking moons – in ways that live footage can’t. It lets creative teams highlight an athlete’s unique “mythology” (signature moves, color schemes, even favorite hobbies) and weave narrative arcs (origin stories, serialized shorts) that deepen the emotional connection with fans. This article explores how rights holders can implement athlete-focused animation while measuring real business value. We’ll cover the Gen Z fan-data, creative strategy (signature skins and storytelling), production pipelines (automation vs custom), and key metrics (advocacy, depth, and conversion). The goal: to help teams treat their players as living brands – superheroes with their own loyal followings. The rise of personality-first fandom Sports fandom has traditionally revolved around teams and competitions, but today’s younger fans are more athlete-centric. WSC’s study found that 10. 4% of Gen Z fans now prioritize athlete-led content over team news (versus fewer than 1% for older groups on this specific item). In fact, the study concludes that “fans will follow athletes more than teams or leagues”. This reflects social media realities: many Gen Zers subscribe to athletes’ personal channels, memes, and stories alongside (or instead of) team accounts. Why does this matter? Athletes with strong personal brands have direct influence and monetization power. Examples abound: Kylian Mbappé or Serena Williams don’t just lift team revenues via wins; they sell jerseys, secure personal sponsorships, and drive online engagement on their own. A USC Annenberg study on “athlete-owned media” notes that athletes are becoming creators and distributors themselves, building new revenue streams by choosing how their stories are told. When athletes present themselves authentically (or even playfully, via animation), they tap into parasocial relationships – fans feel a personal bond with the athlete-character. This translates into loyalty: fans are more likely to buy content, merchandise, or NFTs tied to a player they “know” as a person. In practice, brands and teams are responding by boosting athlete-focused content: Netflix’s “Drive to Survive” centered F1 drivers, the “ManningCast” gave Peyton/Eli their own show, and leagues create hero highlight reels. Now, animation offers a step further: teams can create a distinct visual signature for each star. Giving players a “signature” look through animation Consider how a superhero has a recognizably unique look (Superman’s cape, Batman’s cowl). Animation lets a player wear a signature costume or color scheme that reinforces their brand. A basketball player known for fiery dunks might have an animated “flame jersey”, or a baseball slugger’s cartoon might sport a giant bat. By stylizing hair, facial features, and gear, animators can accentuate the qualities fans already talk about. This makes each clip instantly about that player’s persona. Animation studios in sports emphasize that it “embellishes the inherent mythology” of athletes. The 2Tall Animation founder Greg Walter says they use “exaggerated” cartoon details – Easter eggs and lore that hardcore fans recognize – to deepen fan identity. For example, an animated clip of a player’s celebration could linger on a personal symbol (like a dedicator’s name on the jersey) or unique body movement. These creative flourishes strengthen the emotional bond: fans see themselves in the insider detail. Technically, character design can come from various approaches. Teams might use stylized 2D animation (hand-drawn or vector art) for a comic-book effect, or 3D models/skins rendered with game-engine tools for a hyper-detailed avatar. Motion capture (or even simplified pose-tracking) can ensure the animation flows naturally from real play data. Emerging pipelines even allow data-driven animation: for instance, using player tracking metadata (like from NBA or NFL sensors) to drive a 3D model’s movements in real time. Regardless, the key is consistency: once a “skin” and motion library is defined for a star, new clips can apply that same template, giving the player a cohesive brand look. IP and usage note: Using a player’s likeness requires licensing from the league, team, or the athlete’s own management. Rights holders must clear logos, uniform designs, and the player’s image. This is no different from commercial endorsements: when creating an “animated LeBron,” for example, rights deals are needed for his likeness. Narrative storytelling beyond the stats Animation isn’t just about visuals; it opens narrative possibilities. Fans don’t just want highlights – they want stories. Teams can use animated shorts to build mini-series around their heroes. For example, a one-minute comic vignette might dramatize a player's humble hometown beginnings, their signature move’s “origin story,” or a quirky superstition (e. g. , always tap the crossbar before a free throw). Unlike a written bio or a static photo, an animated origin story is immersive and sharable on platforms like TikTok. These stories “touch the heart” of fans in ways raw footage might not. USC’s research on athlete media highlights that when athletes “own the narrative” of their story, it forges deeper connections with fans. By personifying players in animated tales, teams humanize them – showing struggles, humor, or personality quirks. That generates parasocial empathy: fans start caring about the athlete’s journey, not just their game performance. Formats for this include: - Origin vignettes: Short clips that explain a nickname or number choice. E. g. , “Why LeBron is King” – a two-minute cartoon of his early career and impact. - Episodic shorts: Regular drops (seasonally or monthly) like “Superstars As Legends” with cliffhangers, prompting fans to follow along. - Social character reveals: Animated intros to a new signing or player transfer, to boost hype (imagine a short cartoon highlighting a rookie’s college feats as a teaser). A narrative library can be a content gold mine. These clips are ideal for social feeds (Instagram Reels, TikTok) and for in-stadium screen breaks. And they can be localized or personalized by language, demographics, or even player stats, using templated text and voiceovers (with tools like WSC’s Studio Shows workflows that automatically caption and dub video segments). Business impact Why go to all this trouble? Because well-executed animated branding moves metrics. Anecdotally, fans share cartoons widely – creating new word-of-mouth (“advocacy”) that game highlights alone may not spark. If personalization is part of the strategy, McKinsey notes it typically yields a 10–15% lift in revenue. In a sports context, “personalization” could mean showing each fan more of their favorite player’s animations based on their profile or past behavior. ________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ FAQ Q: How is athlete-focused content different from team branding? A: Athlete-focused content highlights an individual’s story, style, and personality, making fans feel connected to “their favorite player” as a person. It complements (not replaces) team branding. For Gen Z especially, research shows a significant cohort now follows players over teams. Q: Do animated athlete videos really drive revenue? A: They can indirectly. Animation increases engagement depth and sharing, which can translate into more merch or subscription sales. McKinsey notes personalization (serving content that fans find individually relevant) typically boosts revenue by ~10–15%. Animated content tied to a player’s brand is a form of personalization. Q: What metrics should teams watch to know this is working? A: Beyond likes, track completion rate of videos, share counts, repeat views by the same fans, and any uptick in sign-ups or merchandise purchases linked to the player’s animated campaigns. These show true engagement and ROI, not just vanity metrics. - Published: 2026-03-15 - Modified: 2026-05-24 - URL: https://wsc-sports-dev.ltu.co.il/blog/industry-insights/from-brackets-to-buzzer-beaters-the-digital-dna-of-march-madness/ - Categories: Industry Insights Three Structural Advantages That Make the NCAA Tournament a Natural Fit for the Digital Era Key takeaways:  - The most successful sports properties identify the elements of their product that naturally resonate with modern digital consumption habits. - Formats built around unpredictability, storytelling, and must-see moments translate especially well to digital platforms and younger audiences. - AI-powered content creation platforms help rights holders scale those moments into a continuous stream of short-form content across channels. One of the biggest talking points in the run-up to March Madness this year has been expansion. Ever since NCAA president Charlie Baker told reporters in late February that he would like to see the tournament expand, pundits, fans, and people in college hoops have voiced their (mostly negative) opinions about the potential move. Even former Duke coach, the legendary Mike Krzyzewski, chimed in, saying, “I don’t think you mess with something that’s gold. ” Whether or not the NCAA Tournament expands at some point, chances are it will still be treated as a national treasure in the US. The reason is simple. Not only has March Madness been a celebrated sporting event since the 1970s, but three main attributes make it uniquely equipped to thrive in the digital era. These attributes are: 1. It attracts younger audiences  The NCAA tournament is built on the emotional connection between fans and their alma mater. These connections tend to be strongest in the first years after graduation, which explains why 68% of US adults aged 18-34 planned to follow at least one NCAA tournament (men’s or women’s) in 2025, according to data from market research firm The Harris Poll.   Those fans are interested in both the games and the spectacle around them. Last year, popular messaging app Snapchat decided to capitalize on that by providing pregame, postgame, and locker room content from March Madness. The result: significant growth in Snapchat’s brand familiarity and momentum among NCAA basketball fans.   2. Gamification and betting are baked into the experience Every March, millions of people across the US fill out NCAA tournament brackets in office betting pools. The tradition is thought to have started in a Staten Island bar in 1977, but only in the mid-1980s, when March Madness expanded from 53 to 64 teams, did bracketology become a cultural phenomenon, giving fans a rooting interest in games and spawning an entire industry designed to help people beat their coworkers. In recent years, with the ongoing legalization of sports betting in the US, wagering on March Madness games has skyrocketed. According to data from marketing analytics company AppsFlyer and market intelligence firm Sensor Tower, the NCAA Tournament drives sharp shifts in install rates and usage of betting apps among Americans. Last year, for example, apps like FanDuel and DraftKings had an engagement rate of 95% on the first day of the tournament. Additional findings include: - The first two weeks of the 2025 tournament saw a 130% increase in new installs of sports betting apps, compared to the prior two weeks. - During the first two weekends of the 2025 tournament, total sessions were up 20%, and spend was 60% higher than the two weeks that preceded March Madness. - Time spent on FanDuel's and DraftKings' apps increased 40% during the weekend of the Sweet Sixteen games, compared to the prior weekend. 3. It regularly produces Cinderella stories The single-elimination format allows smaller schools and underdogs to make incredible runs, making for an ideal event for casual fans. These runs typically include upsets, buzzer-beaters, and must-see moments that catch viewers' eyes and, in some cases, even capture the nation’s attention, giving the NCAA the ultimate storytelling framework.   Turning March Madness Into a Digital Platform The NCAA was quick to capitalize on the tournament's inherent advantages. Already in 2012, it launched March Madness Live, a digital platform that functions as both a streaming and second-screen destination, allowing users to access live coverage from the NCAA’s broadcast partners and serving up a selection of additional content and features.   The results were striking. March Madness Live set records for live streams and hours of video consumption every year, and reached new heights in 2023, with a 20% year-over-year improvement in average watch time (122 minutes) and a 29% increase in completed brackets in the Bracket Challenge, where fans predict the outcome of every game.   In the past few years, the NCAA enhanced March Madness Live with features that reflect changes in consumption habits, especially among young generations. These features include: - The perfect bracket tracker widget, which enables fans to follow the journey of all the remaining perfect brackets in real-time and see how every game impacts the quest for the first-ever perfect bracket. - A swipeable vertical video feed of short-form content. The bite-sized narratives offer highlights, behind-the-scenes snippets, trending clips, and legendary performances that capture the essence of March Madness moments. Scaling Moments With AI For rights holders across sports, the takeaway extends beyond college basketball. Every property has distinctive elements that resonate with modern audiences. The key is identifying those elements and building digital destinations that amplify them, pairing live coverage with interactive tools, personalized feeds, and exclusive content that deepen engagement and keep fans inside official ecosystems. Delivering that volume of content requires the right tech. AI-powered content creation platforms automatically generate, format, and distribute clips across all channels, allowing rights holders to produce far more assets without expanding teams. By turning live broadcasts into a steady stream of reusable moments, organizations like the NCAA can extend the lifespan of every game, ensuring the next upsets and buzzer-beaters are converted into gold. Actionable insights: - Identify the elements of your sports property that naturally resonate in the digital era, and build your content strategy around them. - Use owned platforms to amplify those strengths with interactive features, personalized feeds, and exclusive digital-first content. - Scale storytelling with AI-powered tools that turn live broadcasts into a constant stream of short-form moments for every channel. - Published: 2026-03-13 - Modified: 2026-04-13 - URL: https://wsc-sports-dev.ltu.co.il/blog/industry-insights/the-end-of-the-3-hour-broadcast-why-gen-alpha-prefers-snackable-sports/ - Categories: Industry Insights When the Highlight Becomes the First Screen Key takeaways: •Long-form live broadcasts are not disappearing - but for Gen Alpha, they’re no longer the default “entry point. ” The default is the feed: short, vertical, on-demand moments designed for mobile. •WSC’s 2025/26 Fan Engagement Study signals a tipping point: 60% of fans cite mobile, personalization, and short-form as the forces shaping sports consumption through 2030 - a headline-worthy shorthand being: “the future is short-form. ” •Snackable sports wins because it reduces cognitive load, fits multitasking behavior, and leverages motion design, overlays, and animation to make moments instantly understandable. •The operational playbook is clear: automate live clipping and metadata, publish in platform-native formats, personalize at scale, then measure depth (completion, repeat engagement) - not just reach. The “3-hour broadcast” isn’t dead; it’s being reframed. For younger audiences raised on algorithmic discovery, the full game increasingly functions as the source material for a high-velocity content layer: micro-highlights, explainers, vertical Shorts/Reels, and interactive formats that travel faster than any linear feed. The implication for rights holders is not “make everything shorter. ” It’s to build a content operating model that turns live events into snackable packages continuously, while maintaining credibility, editorial judgment, and an owned-channel strategy that converts fleeting discovery into lasting loyalty. What the 2025/26 WSC study says about the short-form future WSC’s 2025/26 Fan Engagement Study (surveying 1,050 U. S. sports fans across Gen X, Millennials, and Gen Z) describes short-form as a parallel universe of attention that increasingly rivals live viewing for younger fans. The headline finding you can’t ignore: Across all fans, 60% cite mobile, personalization, and short-form as the key forces shaping sports consumption through 2030. That’s the study-backed foundation for the blog headline “60% of fans say the future is short-form” - because short-form is explicitly named among the dominant forces (alongside mobile-first and AI-driven personalization). The same section on “biggest shift by 2030” adds crucial nuance:- Mobile-first viewing dominates for Gen Y and Gen X, while Gen Z treats it as baseline behavior rather than a “trend. ”- Gen Z points to AI-driven personalization (18. 7%) and short-form, on-demand highlights (18. 7%) as defining the next wave of fan experience. - The report’s strategic guidance is blunt: “Fans don’t wait for content anymore... they expect it in their feeds... within minutes,” and for younger audiences short-form isn’t just a supplement - “it is the experience. ” This is the core takeaway for marketers: if your content model assumes fans will always arrive through the full broadcast, you’re optimizing for yesterday’s funnel. Why Gen Alpha gravitates to snackable sports WSC’s study doesn’t survey Gen Alpha directly (it starts at age 18), but the driver patterns it documents (feed-first discovery, short-form habit loops, and personalization expectations) align with what child media research shows about younger kids’ device access and short-form exposure. Attention isn’t “shorter” - it’s more interrupted Snackable sports slots into a world where attention is frequently fragmented by notifications, multitasking, and rapid context switches. Research on heavy media multitasking suggests it is associated with greater susceptibility to distraction and weaker filtering of irrelevant information. In that environment, a 12-second “what just happened” clip has a structural advantage over a long broadcast segment that requires sustained focus. Cognitive load favors segmented storytelling Cognitive load research in multimedia learning points to a practical lesson for sports content: when information arrives too quickly or in overly dense streams, comprehension suffers. Mayer and Moreno describe ways to reduce cognitive load, including techniques that effectively segment material and manage limited processing capacity across channels. Snackable formats are segmentation in action: fewer concepts, clearer visuals, and tighter narrative per unit of time. Motion design and animation can outperform traditional angles for comprehension Sports broadcasts are optimized for realism and continuity; kids and younger viewers often benefit from clarity and emphasis. A classic review of animation research notes that animation can help when it makes change over time explicit - but it can also overload viewers if it moves too fast or lacks cues for what matters. That’s why the most effective “snackable sports” often uses overlays, simplified spatial views, telestration-style graphics, or animated “altcasts” that turn complex action into readable visual language. Mobile-first mechanics and the formats that win Short-form isn’t just shorter video - it’s video built for mobile behavior. Vertical-native platforms are operating at massive scale YouTube Shorts reports 2 billion logged-in monthly users and 70 billion daily views (Google’s own product communications). Meta reports Reels plays exceed 200 billion per day across Facebook and Instagram. Pew reports that among U. S. teens, YouTube daily use is 73%, and about six-in-ten visit TikTok daily. These aren’t “side channels. ” They’re where discovery and habitual viewing happen. Push/pull behavior and algorithmic discovery change the funnel Snackable sports is typically “pull” (scroll-driven discovery) that must be converted into “push” (owned-channel re-engagement via app, newsletters, or membership). Platforms also reinforce personalization: TikTok describes how its For You feed ranks content based on user interactions and signals to form a uniquely personalized feed. Formats that consistently fit Gen Alpha style consumption A practical short-form portfolio usually includes: Micro-highlights (6-30 seconds)Single moment, immediate payoff. Vertical is a primary output, with 9:16-first planning with captions and platform-specific design to lift completion and sharing. Explainers (15-45 seconds)Rules, rivalries, “why this matters,” simplified to reduce cognitive load. (This is where motion design and in-clip text are high leverage. ) Animated altcasts and kid-focused presentationsKids-centric broadcasts are a growing format category. The NFL and CBS announced a Nickelodeon Super Bowl alternate telecast, extending the kids-focused model into marquee events. ESPN’s expanded agreement with Sony’s Beyond Sports describes more animated telecasts across major leagues to broaden audiences through family co-viewing experiences. Interactive polls and lightweight participationPrograms like NBA ID promote fan voting and moment selection, reinforcing that interactivity can be part of the snackable layer. Building the snackable pipeline with automation and personalization Snackable sports is a workflow problem before it becomes a creative problem. The content lifecycle has to run fast enough to hit the moment while it is still culturally relevant. The key trade-off: speed vs editorial control Automation increases output and responsiveness, but it also raises the stakes on quality control: brand safety, context accuracy, and consistent formatting. The durable model is “automation + editorial,” using automation to capture moments at scale and human craft where narrative value is highest. Personalization makes short-form economically meaningful Short-form without personalization becomes noise quickly. McKinsey reports personalization can lift revenues by 5–15% (with outcomes dependent on sector and execution), which is why many sports organizations treat personalization as retention infrastructure rather than a “nice-to-have. ” PwC and Visa-style “connected fan journey” thinking also emphasizes omnichannel data strategies and connected experiences that meet fans how, where, and when they want. FAQ Is the long-form broadcast actually ending? No - it’s changing roles. Live games stay culturally central, but younger audiences often engage through short-form first and use the full broadcast as optional depth. Consider short-form as a parallel attention universe - not a total replacement. What’s the single most important metric for snackable sports? Completion rate is a strong starting point because it measures depth, not just reach - then pair it with repeat engagement and owned-channel conversion to connect consumption to retention. Why does vertical video matter so much? Because mobile feeds are the discovery engine. Vertical-social formats are becoming a major share of output and recommends treating 9:16 as first-class with captions and safe-zone design. - Published: 2026-03-11 - Modified: 2026-03-11 - URL: https://wsc-sports-dev.ltu.co.il/blog/industry-insights/what-an-iconic-tv-show-can-teach-rights-holders-about-thriving-in-the-digital-era/ - Categories: Industry Insights Nearly six decades after its debut, Match of the Day is showing that even the most traditional sports brands can grow by embracing digital distribution and faster highlights. —------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ Key takeaways: - As viewing habits shift toward mobile and on-demand consumption, meeting fans where they already consume content ensures long-standing brands remain relevant. - Delivering highlights quickly across digital platforms allows rights holders to transform live events into ongoing digital experiences that extend far beyond scheduled broadcasts. - AI-powered content creation platforms allow sports organizations to scale production and distribution, ensuring the right moments reach fans quickly and in the formats they prefer. —------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ When Gary Lineker bid farewell to Match of the Day (MOTD) in late May, there were some concerns about the future of the BBC's flagship football program. The concerns were not unfounded. The former England striker had hosted the show for 26 years, and his name became synonymous with the brand. Five months later, the Telegraph reported a 10% drop in MOTD's TV ratings, linking it directly to Lineker's exit. Turns out, the reports of MOTD's decline were greatly exaggerated. While the show's average weekly audience on linear TV in December stood at 6. 88 million – 770,000 fewer than in December 2024 – the BBC gained 1. 52 million viewers per week by making Premier League highlight clips available on its digital platforms (iPlayer, sports app and website) more than two hours before the traditional broadcast. “We are meeting audiences on their terms, and it’s great to see how many people are enjoying that,” said Alex Kay-Jelski, director of BBC Sport. “By evolving the format and embracing digital platforms, we’re engaging more people than ever and increasing the reach of this iconic show. Match of the Day plays a huge role for millions of football fans, whether that be on TV, iPlayer, or people’s phones. ” The Making of a Football Tradition MOTD has played a big role in the UK since it premiered in August 1964. A few months earlier, the BBC launched BBC Two, which not only allowed for more sports coverage, but also introduced new electronic cameras using the 625-line ultra high frequency (UHF) system. This enabled feeding live football from around the country to a television center in London, where the footage could be recorded, edited, and broadcast on Saturday evening. By the early 1970s, wrote Richard Haynes, professor of media sport at the University of Stirling, “Match of the Day had become firmly established in the weekend viewing habits of millions of households. The MOTD brand has expanded over the years to a second edition on Sundays, and the programme has created household names of various presenters and commentators, and brought female sports broadcasters in the 1990s. ” After losing the Premier League highlights to ITV in 2001, forcing MOTD to make do with occasional FA Cup ties, the BBC won them back ahead of the 2004/5 season – and has held the rights since then. Its latest contract with the Premier League, which went into effect this season, allows the BBC to stream highlights on its digital platforms from 8 pm, whereas previously it was only able to distribute the entire MOTD programme from 10:30 pm. Turning Highlights Into Digital Growth The ability to distribute highlights earlier has proved decisive. Not only is the drop in linear viewing being offset by digital growth, with overall reach up by roughly a third, but the strategy showed the BBC is adapting to modern viewing habits and meeting the demand for near-instant access to sports content. As a result: - Total digital requests are up 36% this season to 61. 9 million, compared to 45. 4 million in 2024/5. - Digital consumption of MOTD has almost doubled since the 2022/23 season, when the total figure was 33. 1 million. - The average number of individual accounts accessing MOTD content in an average week is up 21% year-over-year, from 1. 39 million to 1. 69 million. The BBC’s new content strategy extends to other properties as well. In the past year, the broadcaster has secured multi-year digital rights to bring fans across the UK highlights from the Bundesliga and LaLiga. “These additions strengthen our already extensive global football offering,” said the BBC's Alex Kay-Jelski, “and puts us in a fantastic position to bring fans closer to the players and moments that matter – all in one place. ” Powering Real-Time Sports Storytelling For sports rights holders, the lesson is straightforward: audience habits rarely stand still. Fans now expect immediate access to key moments, often on mobile devices and digital platforms rather than traditional broadcasts. Organizations that prioritize digital distribution and short-form storytelling can extend their reach far beyond scheduled programming, ensuring their content remains relevant in an environment defined by speed, convenience, and constant connectivity. Executing this at scale, however, requires more than editorial instinct. AI-powered content creation platforms can automatically transform live game footage into short-form clips, highlight packages, and formats optimized for modern consumption. By automating production and distribution, rights holders can keep pace with real-time demand, ensuring that even legacy brands, like Match of the Day, become synonymous with innovation. —------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ Actionable insights: - Make key moments available on digital platforms immediately after events to capture peak fan interest and social conversation. - Focus on short, snackable highlight clips optimized for apps, websites, and social feeds where modern audiences increasingly discover sports content. - Use AI-powered tools to generate and distribute clips in real time so editorial teams can focus on storytelling rather than manual editing. - Published: 2026-03-10 - Modified: 2026-03-15 - URL: https://wsc-sports-dev.ltu.co.il/blog/industry-insights/from-media-rights-to-fan-relationships-soccers-next-business-model/ - Categories: Industry Insights At the FT Business of Football Summit, industry leaders discussed how data, digital platforms, and fan relationships are reshaping the sport’s business model. The global soccer industry is shifting from a B2B rights economy to a direct-to-consumer fan economy. As digital platforms become popular destinations for people to enjoy sports content, teams and leagues are putting greater focus on building direct relationships with fans. That was one of the key messages out of the FT Business of Football Summit in London last week, where broadcasters, team and league executives, investors, and technology companies gathered to discuss the sport’s future, including senior leaders from the Premier League, LaLiga, and UEFA. Here are some of the key themes that emerge from the conference.   From Rights Holders to Data Owners Historically, soccer leagues and teams generated revenue by selling broadcast rights, sponsorship inventory, and licensing agreements to third parties. Those partners then monetized the fan relationship.   Today, clubs increasingly see fan relationships and the data behind them as central drivers of long-term growth. As one participant explained: “We've got to become not sellers of rights or not holders of rights, but holders of data. ” Building around that idea requires clubs to rethink how they manage technology, operations, and the fan experience itself. The Data Paradox teams have made progress in learning more about their fans by developing first-class fan apps but there's so much more they can learn. And turning the information they collect into actionable insights has remained a challenge.   One participant said teams were still working out what data points are most important. "The biggest challenge that a lot of us face is what's useful data rather than what's data. And I don't think we are yet right at the point where we understand that. " Rights holders see significant gaps at the end of the fan journey.   “There is just not enough understanding of the fan base in order to drive all the way through from awareness, trust, all the way to conversion,” another participant said.   ________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ ________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ The Matchday Blind Spot Even among the most loyal supporters, teams often lack a complete view of the fan experience. Organizations typically know who purchased a ticket and when they entered the stadium. Many other parts of the matchday journey remain invisible. One executive described the issue: “We provide free transport to the stadium. We don't know when they get on the train, when they arrive... if they buy chicken, buy a beer, we don't know who they are, what they bought. ” From Selling to Serving Fans Another theme focused on how teams engage their audiences. For years many soccer clubs promoted the same products to every supporter, whether it was the new team jersey or other merchandise.   A global audience is more fragmented than ever, and fans increasingly expect more tailored experiences. One participant shared a telling example of the shift in practice: “We have a whole segment of supporters who told us, ‘We will never buy a shirt from you. Stop sending me emails asking will you buy my first, second, third kit. ’” Teams are working on understanding what fans actually want and how those preferences are different between generations and by geographic location.   Women’s Soccer as a Growth Opportunity Women’s soccer presents an opportunity to build new commercial models. The women’s game continues to attract younger audiences and strong digital engagement, making it easier for teams and leagues to enter modern fan ecosystems.   One participant described the opportunity: “We can actually use the fact that we started later to go straight to the future. ” The mistake, another participant said, was approaching women’s soccer in the same way as the men’s game. “They sell it like it's men's soccer with the same KPIs... and that's not what you're selling. ” The next phase of growth will depend on commercial strategies built specifically for the women’s game. Learning From Other Industries Participants also encouraged soccer to learn from industries that have already built advanced audience ecosystems. Take the retail world as an example. Retailers like Amazon, Walmart, and Tesco use purchases and loyalty programs to collect substantial shopper data,. They use that data to build media networks that allow brands to advertise using the retailer’s first-party shopper data.   “They've managed to define their own ecosystem and define their own value themselves... Now sport doesn't have that transactional data, but it's got something that's arguably more important... which is emotion and high attention. " Entertainment provides another lesson. A speaker with experience in the music industry emphasized the importance of emotional connection. “You can't just sell the 90 minutes on the pitch,” the participant said. “if what you're selling is brand equity... you need to give more emotional storytelling in the same way as a consumer brand would. " Balancing Monetization and Fan Experience Digital platforms such as club apps and social channels are essential fan engagement spaces. These platforms also represent growing commercial opportunities. One speaker summarized the tension: “It's a tricky balance when you want to make sure your digital channels are staying as pure as possible for fan engagement, but equally you're bringing in the revenue from commercial sponsors. ” Overcoming Legacy Tech Today’s top teams and leagues are prioritizing fan relationships, data capabilities, and direct engagement.   The next chapter of soccer will depend on how effectively teams combine technology, storytelling, and fan insight to create meaningful experiences both inside and beyond the stadium. - Published: 2026-03-09 - Modified: 2026-03-09 - URL: https://wsc-sports-dev.ltu.co.il/blog/industry-insights/what-rights-holders-can-learn-from-f1s-content-ecosystem/ - Categories: Industry Insights Formula 1’s content machine shows how storytelling, short-form video, and automation can transform audience reach. —------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ Key takeaways: F1’s audience growth shows that modern sports brands expand reach by building year-round content ecosystems, not relying solely on live events. Short-form, platform-native storytelling keeps narratives alive between races and lowers the barrier for new, younger audiences to engage. AI-powered content creation platforms enable rights holders to scale engagement, convert attention into fandom, and drive long-term commercial value. —------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ The 2026 Formula 1 season, which kicks off this weekend, was preceded by the release of the eighth season of Drive to Survive. Since launching in 2019, Netflix's globally acclaimed behind-the-scenes docuseries has been credited with turbocharging the popularity of F1, especially among younger generations, drawing attention from publications such as The New Yorker, The New York Times, Esquire, and more. For good reason, too. According to F1, it now has 827 million fans worldwide, a 63% increase compared to 2018. Drive to Survive is responsible for a sizable chunk of this fan base; data from market research company Morning Consult revealed that 22% of F1 fans in the US said the series was a “major reason” they started following the sport. While Drive to Survive has a claim to be one of the most influential TV documentaries ever, it's only one part of a broader strategy. Under owner Liberty Media, which took over in 2017, F1 has made a concerted effort to diversify its audience by positioning itself at the intersection of fashion, status, and personality, and becoming part of the cultural zeitgeist through collaborations with high-profile brands and engaging digital experiences. Building Beyond the Track On the brand collaboration front, F1 partnered with the likes of LEGO, global fashion brand Tommy Hilfiger, and luxury goods conglomerate LVMH (Moët Hennessy Louis Vuitton), among others. Then there was F1 75 Years in Motion, a pop-up event at Selfridges, the iconic Oxford Street retailer, featuring vintage apparel worn by legendary teams and drivers, collectables, and art and photography tracing the sport’s cultural impact over the years. F1 75 Years in Motion opened in late June, two days before F1 the Movie hit cinemas in the UK. A joint project of Apple Original Films and F1, the film – starring Brad Pitt as an aging driver making a comeback to the sport – was a box office success, earning more than $630 million globally. A crossover with EA's F1 25 game, allowing millions of gamers to race as APXGP, the fictional team at the heart of the film’s story, only amplified the hype around F1 the Movie. Building on the film's momentum, F1 announced a five-year partnership with Apple, which became the sport's exclusive broadcast partner in the US from 2026. “We’re going to bring everything that Apple has to offer,” said Eddy Cue, the company's senior VP of services. “Podcasting, music, Apple News, obviously Apple TV. We have so many touch points with our customers, and we’re going to bring all of the capabilities, (just) like we did with the movie. ” The New Face of F1 Fandom F1's efforts have yielded results. What was once a technically driven sport for male enthusiasts is now attracting new audiences; in 2025, 43% of F1 fans were under the age of 35, and female representation rose to 42% – up from 37% in 2018. According to F1's 2025 global survey, based on more than 100,000 responses from self-identified, highly engaged fans in 186 countries, fans are increasingly drawn to the variety of stories and engagement options the racing series offers: 59% of emerging fans say fashion and style are important to their fandom 70% of Gen Z respondents feel that Formula 1 represents a status or image that appeals to them. 61% of fans engage with F1 content daily. Among Gen Zers, 60% regularly consume F1 content on YouTube or Twitch, which function as entry points to fandom. “For a long time in Formula One, there was no interaction with the outside. It was very closed – you could only see it on TV,” said Bernie Collins, an analyst for Sky Sports and former head of race strategy for the Aston Martin F1 team. “Now they’ve done the best, I think, with social media interaction, with short clips, with trying to get short-form content out there that people can consume really easily. ” To ensure content consumption doesn't happen exclusively on third-party platforms, F1 recently relaunched its official website and app. The redesigned platforms enable fans to personalize their experience and introduce modern and familiar such as mobile-first stories and vertical videos. The result: since the relaunch, more time is being spent on F1. com and the official mobile app, with total content views up 17% compared to 2024. Scaling Storytelling With Automation This evolution underscores a broader lesson for rights holders: audience expansion is no longer driven by live coverage alone. Consistently publishing snackable content reinforces brand identity, keeps narratives alive between weekends, and lowers the barrier to entry for new fans. Short-form videos, in particular, allow organizations to tap into cultural conversations, extend storylines, and remain visible long after the final whistle or checkered flag. To execute that consistently, you need the right tech. AI-powered content creation solutions enable organizations to automatically generate and distribute clips across channels while funneling them back to owned platforms, where personalization turns casual viewers into known users. With this strategy, the 2026 F1 season will thrive not only on Drive to Survive’s storytelling power, but on the entire digital ecosystem around it. —------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ Actionable insights: Don’t let momentum drop after matchday or race weekend; plan short-form storylines, personality-driven clips, and cultural tie-ins that keep your property visible daily. Produce vertical, square, and captioned edits tailored to modern platforms to maximize discoverability and reach new demographics. Pair every high-performing clip with clear pathways to your app or website, where registration, personalization, and targeted offers can turn casual viewers into loyal fans. - Published: 2026-03-08 - Modified: 2026-03-08 - URL: https://wsc-sports-dev.ltu.co.il/blog/industry-insights/what-highlight-data-reveals-about-the-growth-of-womens-sports/ - Categories: Industry Insights As women’s sports surge globally, highlight data reveals how the moments defining the game are reaching more fans than ever. Across leagues and competitions worldwide, women’s sports are gaining unprecedented momentum. The scale of that growth is visible in the numbers: More fans are showing up – the WNBA set a new single-season attendance record in 2025. Revenues are climbing – global women’s elite sports generated $1. 88 billion in revenue in 2024, nearly doubling year-over-year, according to Deloitte. Brands are investing – sponsorship deals are reaching new heights, including a record-breaking $28 million jersey partnership in the NWSL. But there’s another way to measure the rise of women’s sports. Look at the moments being shared. As sports consumption increasingly shifts toward short-form highlights on social media and sports apps, the volume of clips created around a competition offers a revealing signal of its visibility and reach. To capture the largest audience, rights holders have to meet fans where they are most open to sports highlights. And over the past year, those moments around women’s sports have multiplied dramatically. The Data Behind the Moments Data from the WSC Sports platform offers a window into how the storytelling around women’s sports is evolving. The numbers from 2025 tell a striking story. Videos created - up 73. 7%The surge in output reflects the rapid expansion of digital storytelling around women’s competitions. Highlights created during live matches - up 172. 3%The increase suggests that moments from women’s sports are increasingly entering the real-time social conversation around the game. Videos created per game - up from 9 per game to 23. 6 per gameThe growth shows how each match is now generating far more shareable moments and storylines for fans to follow. The Rise of Player Stories One of the most striking shifts in the data is the growth of player-focused highlights. Videos centered on individual women athletes increased 146. 1% year-over-year in 2025 on the WSC Sports platform. Increasingly, audiences follow athletes as closely as they follow teams. As more highlights focus on individual performances, female athletes are appearing more frequently in the clips circulating across social media and sports platforms. As a result, the visibility of female athletes is increasing dramatically, as the overall rise of women’s sports demonstrates. More of the moments fans see and share now revolve around the athletes themselves. Where Fans Are Watching the Game The growth in the number of highlights is also changing how those moments reach fans. Short-form, mobile-first video formats are expanding. On the WSC Sports platform, vertical and social-native formats saw some of the fastest growth over the past year. Vertical video (9:16) highlights increased 130%, while 4:5 formats grew 161%. These formats are designed for the platforms where many fans now experience sports: Instagram, TikTok, YouTube Shorts, and other mobile-first feeds. As more highlights are created in these formats, moments from women’s sports appear more often in exactly the places new audiences discover athletes and teams. More Moments, More Visibility Attendance, revenue, and sponsorship all point to the rising momentum behind women’s sports. The data on highlights goes a long way in explaining it. Every game-changing play becomes another opportunity for fans to discover and follow the players behind the action. And as those moments circulate, they introduce new fans to the athletes and competitions shaping the future of the game. The story of women’s sports is growing. Increasingly, it’s being told in more moments than ever before. - Published: 2026-03-05 - Modified: 2026-03-05 - URL: https://wsc-sports-dev.ltu.co.il/blog/industry-insights/the-world-baseball-classic-as-a-model-for-new-formats/ - Categories: Industry Insights A global tournament that demonstrates how legacy sports can create modern fandom. —---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Key takeaways: Established leagues can drive growth by introducing new and innovative formats that create culturally powerful, shareable moments. Short-form, personalized content transforms iconic moments into scalable international engagement engines. AI-powered content creation tech enables rights holders to scale short-form storytelling in real time without increasing production complexity or cost. —------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ The rise of new sports leagues in recent years has been well documented. Driven by venture capital and Gen Z-focused strategies, these leagues have become a global phenomenon, disrupting traditional models across all sports. What is less documented is how established organizations themselves have disrupted the industry with a similar playbook: introducing new and innovative formats that capture global audiences. From the NBA Cup in basketball and the expanded FIFA Club World Cup in football to the 4 Nations Face-Off in hockey and the Laver Cup in tennis, these formats increase discoverability, relevance, and engagement. While the trend is a nascent development, the approach isn't novel. The blueprint was laid out in an event that will celebrate its sixth edition this week: the World Baseball Classic (WBC). The 2026 WBC guarantees a spectacle of world-class baseball. Team USA’s roster, for example, features 30 players combining for 65 MLB All-Star Game selections. Japan, the reigning champion, will lean on superstars Shohei Ohtani and Yoshinobu Yamamoto. Other contenders include the Dominican Republic, Venezuela, Puerto Rico, and Mexico. Whoever wins, it will be a unique experience, and Major League Baseball will be better off for it. The architecture of a modern classic First held in 2006, the WBC is a joint operation of MLB and MLBPA (Major League Baseball Players Association). It is sanctioned by the World Baseball Softball Confederation as the sport’s official World Championship, which gives it the appropriate aura. “The WBC has been a great way to advance the game because it's a World Cup competition,” said Jim Small, MLB's senior VP of international and WBC president. “It helps grow our international engagement. ” According to Small, MLB employs a three-pillar international strategy to ensure long-term engagement: Create opportunities for participation in baseball Deliver the right content, on the right device, at the right time Organize compelling live events The WBC falls under the last two pillars. The 2026 tournament will be held at four sites (San Juan, Puerto Rico; Tokyo, Japan; Houston, Texas; and Miami, Florida), reflecting MLB’s commitment to bringing top-tier baseball to diverse locations. As for the content, if previous editions are any indication, the 2026 WBC will provide more than enough moments to draw existing and new fans. Proof of concept on the biggest stage Perhaps the most iconic WBC moment came in the 2023 final between the USA and Japan. In the bottom of the ninth, with two outs and Japan leading 3-2, the stars aligned for the dream matchup: Shohei Ohtani and Mike Trout – two of the greatest players ever and Los Angeles Angels teammates at the time – squared off in one of the more memorable at-bats in recent baseball history. That at-bat alone recorded more than 27 million views on official YouTube and social media channels. 600 million people worldwide followed the 2023 WBC on social media, and 500 million watched at least part of it. “It was a proof of concept that was 16 years in the making,” said Small. “Each of Japan’s seven games rated over 40 (in viewership metrics). The Super Bowl does 40 in the United States, so that’s seven Super Bowls. ” Following the success of the previous tournament, Netflix acquired the media rights to the 2026 WBC in Japan. In the US, FOX Sports – which aired its first WBC in 2023 – will broadcast all 47 games of this year's edition on its linear TV channels and streaming apps. MLB, for its part, will rely on personalized coverage to regain audiences that have grown accustomed to consuming sports content on third-party platforms. Last year, the league launched My Daily Story, a personalized video recap for any fan logged into their MLB account on the app or website. Leveraging generative AI functionality, My Daily Story creates highlight reels based on explicit signals, e. g, data the user provided about their favorite teams and players, and implicit behavior, such as watching certain types of baseball content, to deliver the moments fans want to see most. From live moments to digital assets For established sports organizations, promoting exciting formats like the World Baseball Classic is not simply about adding inventory; it's about creating culturally resonant moments that travel across borders and platforms. Short-form storytelling plays a vital role in this. Iconic at-bats, dugout reactions, and national celebrations are what convert casual observers into engaged fans, long before they ever tune into a full broadcast. Executing that strategy at scale requires the right infrastructure. AI-powered content creation tech enables rights holders to automatically clip and distribute key moments across every digital touchpoint, while guiding audiences back to owned channels where deeper personalization can take place. This way, when the next unforgettable WBC showdown captures global attention, MLB won’t just gain views; it will convert the attention into lasting audience growth. —------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ Actionable insights: Identify likely high-impact matchups and storylines in advance, and automate workflows so iconic moments can be published within seconds. Package highlights in multiple formats to ensure key moments resonate across markets, languages, and platforms. Use social distribution as the top of the funnel, but embed clear pathways to apps and websites to deepen engagement. - Published: 2026-03-03 - Modified: 2026-03-05 - URL: https://wsc-sports-dev.ltu.co.il/blog/industry-insights/data-is-the-new-designated-player-how-mls-is-building-a-unified-fan-view/ - Categories: Industry Insights Why unifying ticketing, content, and behavioral data is becoming MLS’s most important competitive advantage. —------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------Key takeaways: Without a unified customer view across ticketing, matchday interactions, retail, and content, even fast-growing leagues struggle to fully understand – and monetize – their audiences. Customer data platforms enable leagues and clubs to move from passive data collection to active personalization, automating engagement across all touchpoints. AI-powered content and data technologies transform video into real-time behavioral intelligence, enriching fan profiles with signals that make individualized marketing at scale possible. —------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ Major League Soccer’s 31st season, which kicked off last month, will probably struggle to eclipse the achievements of its predecessor. In 2025, the league set new benchmarks for fan engagement across viewership, attendance, digital, and social platforms, cementing its position as a growing force in North America and beyond. Here are a few numbers to put it into perspective: The 2025 regular season ranked second-highest in total attendance in MLS history, with 11. 2 million fans and average crowds of 21,988 per match, resulting in ticketing revenue reaching an all-time high. During the regular season, MLS games averaged 3. 7 million viewers per week – a 29% increase over 2024. The MLS Cup final delivered record-breaking consumption, with over 4. 6 million viewers across all platforms. League and club social media accounts registered a record 13. 7 billion impressions in 2025, up 17% from a year earlier. MLS channels now reach over 109 million followers — a 10% year-over-year. In one area, though, there was not enough progress. According to “MLS – Club Fan Data Assessment 2025,“ an internal audit conducted to evaluate how the league's teams collect, manage, and utilize fan data, two main challenges remained: Teams lacked a full customer view from purchase behaviour, content engagement, game day activities, etc. Actioning data to automate and personalize the fan journey and experience was too difficult and time-consuming. A league-wide data reset To address these challenges, MLS recently partnered with StellarAlgo, a Calgary-based company that provides a customer data platform (CDP) tailored for sports organizations. StellarAlgo was no stranger to the league. It has been working with the LA Galaxy since 2017, and helped the club improve single-game ticket revenue, move fans up the ticketing product ladder, and maximize conversions and customer lifetime value. As part of the new partnership with MLS, the league and its 30 clubs will have access to StellarAlgo’s CDP, allowing them to gain fan insights and deliver more personalized experiences through: A unified, single fan view. League data will be shared with clubs, including new fan records and deeper insights into existing fans, thereby deepening the understanding of fan interests. Detection of ideal engagement opportunities. Based on unified fan data, StellarAlgo’s CDP will recommend when to engage fans and suggest sports-specific plays to support ticket, merchandise, and fan loyalty objectives. Easier fan activation and measurement. MLS clubs will be able to easily activate fans, using no-code segmentation and reporting on results, revenue, and ticket growth. Expanding the data playbook The collaboration builds on StellarAlgo’s work with major sports leagues across North America, including the NBA, NHL, and Minor League Baseball. “Leagues and teams are looking to collaborate more closely around the shared view of the fan,” said Vincent Ircandia, StellarAlgo’s CEO. “The fact is fans expect more personalization. These audiences aren’t homogenous, so teams are looking to the leagues to give them more support. ” To fully meet fans' expectations, rights holders must amplify their CDPs with an essential component: real-time content metadata. By tagging and indexing each piece of video content they publish, sports organizations can feed CDPs with rich insights that can be used to personalize every interaction with fans across all touchpoints. Some organizations are already doing that. The NBA's Cleveland Cavaliers, for example, uses WSC's content platform to create a myriad of video assets. When published, these assets unlock valuable first-party data about fans' content preferences – e. g. , what players or play types (dunks, three-pointers, blocks) a user cares about most – which can be used to personalize future offers. Where AI meets the fan journey The lesson is clear: personalization requires more than isolated data points. The fan journey only becomes truly individualized when information from ticketing, retail, streaming, owned channels, and partners is brought together into a single view. But transactions alone don’t tell the full story. To understand intent, affinity, and momentum, rights holders must also see how fans interact with content and factor that behavior into every decision. This is where AI-powered content and data platforms come in. By automatically tagging and indexing every highlight, clip, and recap, video content becomes a continuous stream of behavioral signals that enrich fan profiles in real time. Those insights allow teams and leagues to personalize faster, act smarter, and measure impact more precisely. If MLS builds on that foundation, the league’s 31st season will be its most personalized one yet. —------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ Actionable Insights: Make sure every highlight, clip, and recap is indexed. Structured metadata turns everyday publishing into a stream of behavioral signals that can feed your CDP. Align content output with commercial goals. This involves understanding priority segments and producing tailored content journeys that support specific revenue objectives. Monitor how specific content types correlate with downstream actions (ticket purchases, merchandise sales, registrations) and refine your editorial strategy based on what actually drives fan activation. - Published: 2026-03-02 - Modified: 2026-03-03 - URL: https://wsc-sports-dev.ltu.co.il/blog/news/wsc-sports-expands-partnership-with-club-america-strengthening-digital-innovation-across-latin-america/ - Categories: News Multi-year renewal through 2027 expands WSC Sports’ role across social platforms and Club América’s mobile experience Across Europe’s biggest football leagues, automated highlights, vertical video experiences, and personalized content have become the standard for engaging modern fans. In Latin America, Club América, the most followed and successful soccer club in North America, has been building toward that same benchmark. Now, with a renewed and expanded partnership through 2027, the Club is taking the next step. We’re proud to announce the renewal and expansion of our partnership with Club América, The multi-year agreement reinforces WSC Sports’ growing presence in Mexico and across Latin America, while deepening the Club’s ability to connect with millions of fans across social and owned platforms. WSC Sports will continue powering Club América’s digital content operations while expanding its role across social platforms and into the Club’s new mobile app experience. Scaling a Proven Model WSC Sports technology already powers digital operations across many of Europe’s leading leagues and clubs. Through this extended agreement, Club América continues to leverage those proven capabilities while advancing its direct-to-fan strategy through its mobile app. The renewal coincides with the launch of the Club’s new app, marking the next phase in strengthening its direct relationship with supporters. Powered by WSC Sports’ In-App Experiences, the app introduces: Vertical, story-driven video inside the app - A scrollable, short-form video experience designed to increase dwell time and repeat usage. Localized and personalized content - Video experiences tailored to fan preferences to increase relevance, retention, and engagement. Plug-and-play SDK integration - Rapid deployment with customizable branding and scalable architecture to support future product and audience growth. By extending its AI-powered content model from social platforms into its owned mobile environment, Club América is reinforcing its broader digital strategy. “Club América sets the standard for scale and fan connection in Mexican football,” said Raul Fernandez, BizDev Team Lead at WSC Sports. “This expanded partnership reflects a shared focus on delivering moments faster on social platforms, while also creating richer, personalized experiences inside owned digital environments. ” Driving the Next Phase of Digital Growth in Latin America Club América’s renewal signals the direction digital fan engagement is heading in Latin America, with greater focus on scalable automation and stronger owned experiences. As WSC Sports continues to expand across the region, partnerships like this demonstrate how proven global models can be adapted to meet the enormous passion of Latin American football audiences. Through 2027 and beyond, the focus remains clear: deliver moments faster, deepen personalization, and strengthen the direct connection between clubs and their fans. - Published: 2026-02-26 - Modified: 2026-04-15 - URL: https://wsc-sports-dev.ltu.co.il/blog/industry-insights/modern-loyalty-programs-in-sports-from-season-tickets-to-year-round-engagement/ - Categories: Industry Insights How memberships, personalization, and data are redefining fan retention Why sports loyalty programs are being reinvented Sports loyalty used to be easy to define: fill seats, reward season-ticket holders, and keep donors happy. Today, fandom is more fragmented — and more global — than the legacy model was built for. Teams now need loyalty strategies that work for in-arena regulars, occasional attendees, and fans who may never set foot in the venue but still want to feel close to the club. At the same time, loyalty has become a data and retention priority. In a privacy-first environment, teams are being pushed toward data they collect directly from fans (like app usage, ticketing, and email opt-ins) and data fans intentionally share (like preferences via surveys, polls, or profiles). This matters because modern loyalty is increasingly measured in lifetime value and recurring engagement, not just single transactions — and keeping fans engaged over time requires ongoing touchpoints beyond game day. From season tickets to memberships and “always-on” value A major shift underway is that “tickets” themselves are being reimagined as flexible memberships. PwC describes how season tickets have long delivered predictable revenue and guaranteed access, but many organizations are now moving to flexible memberships and subscription passes, layering perks, credits, and loyalty benefits to increase perceived value. This is not just a pricing innovation — it’s a behavior change strategy. Memberships create more opportunities to keep fans engaged through the off-season (and between games) because the “product” becomes an ongoing relationship rather than a schedule of events. In practice, the membership trend shows up in programs like the St. Louis Cardinals “Ballpark Pass,” tiered season memberships from the San Jose Sharks, and fan clubs such as the Golden State Warriors “Dub Club,” all cited as examples of the broader “season tickets to membership programs” shift. The big idea: loyalty is becoming a connected fan experience The most important evolution is conceptual: modern “loyalty programs” are increasingly designed as connected fan experiences — not just rewards catalogs. In a widely cited whitepaper on the connected fan journey, Visa frames the goal as seamless movement across the fan journey, with connected experiences benefiting fans (richer experiences) and rightsholders (better ability to innovate and unlock opportunities). This notion of “connectivity” aligns with how many teams are now building loyalty: link identity (a login), engagement (content and community), and commerce (tickets, merch, partners) into a continuous loop. That connected loop also depends on a unified view of the fan. A “360° fan identity” is a single profile combining first-party sources (ticketing, apps, merchandise, loyalty programs) and behavioral signals (clicks, watch time, engagement). The loyalty program becomes one of the cleanest ways to capture and reinforce that identity because it gives fans a reason to sign up, stay signed in, and keep interacting. What the Minnesota Golden Gophers show about experience-based loyalty One example of loyalty evolving beyond “points for purchases” is the University of Minnesota’s approach to benefits and experiences. The “2025–26 Gopher LOYALTY PROGRAM” is positioned as an experience-based benefits program that allows active donors to select unique experiences, emphasizing customization (“personally customized benefit package”). It is available to active donors making an annual gift of $100 or more. Operationally, the structure blends identity, status, and choice: Benefit selection order is based on “Gopher Score Rank,” and the number of selections is tied to membership levels. The base package includes a “Gopher Sports Pass” (free admittance for two to a set of regular season home events across multiple sports) and in-venue discounts such as concessions and fan shop savings. Additional partner-style benefits appear in the benefits list (for example, a Domino’s offer and hotel discount listed as part of the program benefits page). This design matters because it nudges loyalty away from a narrow “buy more tickets, earn more points” model and toward a year-round value proposition built on access, experimentation, and personalized choice. As Mark Coyle puts it in a program testimonial, the logic is that each fan is unique and should be able to customize what they want from the program. What the Edmonton Oilers’ LOILTY Rewards shows about global, behavior-based loyalty A second example shows the “inclusive, always-on” shift even more explicitly. On the official National Hockey League team site, the Edmonton Oilers Hockey Club describes LOILTY Rewards as a free program where fans can earn points for attending games, shopping with partners, and more, redeemable through loiltyrewards. com or the venue app. What makes this program a modern loyalty case study is how broadly “loyal behavior” is defined. Earning actions include: Completing a profile and filling out surveys. “Check in for the broadcast” when watching or listening to games (a direct path to rewarding remote fandom). Commerce and partner integrations: concessions and merchandise purchases (including at ICE District Authentics), plus partner shopping and other events at Rogers Place. Even the FAQ language signals the strategic intent: the program is “designed for all Oilers fans across the globe,” explicitly acknowledging that fandom “comes in all forms,” regardless of how many games you attend or where you live. The effect is that loyalty becomes less about ticket spend and more about a trackable relationship — identity, engagement, and value exchange — that can scale globally. Data, personalization, and the 5–15% upside The “why” behind modern loyalty programs is increasingly tied to personalization and retention economics. Loyalty programs are one of the most practical ways to gather: First-party data: observed interactions like ticket purchase records, merchandise, and app usage. Zero-party data: preferences the fan intentionally gives you through surveys, polls, and profile details. Those inputs enable personalized experiences that can be delivered across channels — especially if loyalty is connected into a broader “single fan profile” strategy. On the business impact side, the 5–15% number is well-supported — with an important caveat: it is not “sports-only,” but it is a widely cited benchmark for personalization effectiveness across industries. McKinsey & Company summarizes that personalization can reduce acquisition costs, lift revenues by 5 to 15 percent, and increase marketing ROI by 10 to 30 percent. A separate McKinsey analysis adds that personalization “most often” drives 10 to 15 percent revenue lift (with results varying by sector and execution quality). For sports organizations, the implication is straightforward: loyalty programs are a scalable mechanism to capture the data needed for personalization, and personalization is one of the most defensible arguments for why a loyalty program should exist beyond “gimmicks. ” When loyalty is treated as infrastructure (identity + data + content + commerce), it can support repeat engagement, better targeting, and more relevant offers — all of which are central to improving fan lifetime value over time. Finally, modern loyalty requires enough content and touchpoints to stay “always-on. ” This is where content operations intersect loyalty strategy. WSC Sports positions its platform as an AI-tailored content system for creating and distributing personalized content experiences — including automated content creation and metadata enrichment — which can support loyalty experiences by feeding members a steady cadence of relevant moments. A practical KPI lens for modern sports loyalty programs Modern loyalty programs should be evaluated like a retention system, not a campaign. The most useful measurement approach connects three layers: Top of funnel:Measure membership growth and identity quality: account sign-ups, opt-ins, and profile completion (because profiles and surveys are often where zero-party data is created). Middle:Measure engagement behaviors that indicate year-round relationship strength: content consumption, check-ins (including remote/broadcast check-ins), survey participation, and repeat participation in interactive features. Bottom:Measure value creation and retention: redemption rate (are rewards meaningful? ), partner/commerce participation, and longer-horizon retention outcomes tied to lifetime value (renewals, repeat spending, sustained engagement). The strategic thread across all of these is the same: loyalty works best when it helps a fan feel known and rewarded while also helping the club build a more connected, data-backed picture of the relationship. That “connected fan journey” framing — where fans gain richer experiences and rightsholders gain resilience and innovation capability — is increasingly the core definition of what “loyalty” means in modern sports. - Published: 2026-02-24 - Modified: 2026-03-03 - URL: https://wsc-sports-dev.ltu.co.il/blog/industry-insights/from-rights-to-results-how-forward-thinking-public-broadcasters-are-winning-with-sports/ - Categories: Industry Insights From LaLiga in Spain to cricket in New Zealand, public broadcasters are proving that innovation turns sports rights into audience growth. This is the third part of a three-part series, Public Value in Play: How Public Broadcasters Can Lead the Next Era of Sports Coverage. Read part 1 and part 2 of the series. Earlier this year, a piece of history was made. For only the second time in 35 years, LaLiga returned to free-to-air TV in Spain, after public service broadcaster Radiotelevisión Española (RTVE) reached a sublicensing deal with rightsholder DAZN. As part of the agreement, RTVE will air one live fixture each matchday on its Teledeporte terrestrial channel for the remainder of the 2025-26 season. Spanish broadcast regulations demand that one LaLiga match per round of fixtures must be made available on free-to-air TV. Until the middle of January, DAZN aired the weekly free match as part of its ‘freemium’ content offering, which requires account sign-up. Now, with RTVE's free-to-air coverage, this match is expected to attract significantly more viewers. The deal with DAZN strengthens RTVE's sports portfolio, which has been growing recently. According to reports, the Spanish public has invested over €360 million to secure the rights for premium competitions in the coming years, including the Copa del Rey, the 2028 and 2032 Summer Olympics, the 2026 and 2030 Winter Olympics, and the Tour de France through 2030. “We are driven by sports as a promoter of values,” said Rosana Romero, director of RTVE Sports, adding that the broadcaster’s “unwavering commitment to sports continues to inspire and motivate us. This is a great opportunity to go further, to improve both linear and digital content in line with our responsibility as a public service. ” Designing Digital-First Success Fortunately, the blueprint for improving public broadcasters' digital content is already there. Last September, French public broadcaster France Télévisions (FTV) reported that implementing a three-pillar digital strategy helped it achieve record-breaking digital engagement for its coverage of the 2025 Roland Garros. The three pillars were: Multi-court livestreaming: all 16 courts were streamed simultaneously, enabling fans to watch any match, at any time, on any device, with personalised commentary and graphics. A 24/7 Roland Garros channel: the bespoke digital channel – part of france. tv, FTV's streaming service – featured exclusive behind-the-scenes footage, influencer commentary, and a live chat. Real-time clipping: instant creation of highlights, recaps, and best-point compilations, published across france. tv and social media channels in real time. The results were striking: 46 million total viewers across linear and digital – an all-time high. More than 5 million viewers aged 15–24 tuned in – up 8% from 2024. 82 million video views on digital platforms – +70% vs. 2024. 415 million social video views – a 130% increase from 2024. “This year’s Roland Garros was historic both on and off the court,” said Nicolas Vinoy, director of digital offering at France Télévisions. “While tennis fans witnessed one of the greatest finals of all time (Carlos Alcaraz vs. Jannik Sinner), we were rewriting the playbook for how to cover a Grand Slam event in the streaming era. ” Scaling Coverage Smarter TVNZ, New Zealand’s public broadcaster, used a similar playbook for its coverage of international cricket. After taking over the rights to all BLACKCAPS (the men’s national team) and White Ferns (the women’s national team) home games, TVNZ needed a way to: Create and publish in-match highlights across multiple formats and platforms. Fill its streaming service, TVNZ+, with engaging content. Connect with younger audiences through short, relevant, vertical content. Turn content into a lever for fan acquisition To achieve these goals, TVNZ adopted WSC Sports’ AI-powered content creation platform. The platform enabled full highlight automation, including graphics, resizing, and cropping; the creation of diverse content types, from recaps to milestone player moments; multi-platform publishing across the entire TVNZ digital ecosystem, including social media channels; and integration in Google Search via Web Stories. The impact was far-reaching: TVNZ scaled its content production – creating 4,500 cricket videos – without increasing headcount. Over 370,000 streams of WSC-powered cricket content on TVNZ+, cementing it as the home of cricket fans. 25% click-through rate on Web Stories: creating vertical content not only helped TVNZ appeal to younger audiences across social media platforms, but was also key to making cricket content more discoverable and accessible on Google. 18 million impressions for cricket-related content on TVNZ's social media channels. “The integration of WSC Sports for our cricket coverage has delivered substantial efficiencies,” said Max Middleton, senior social media editor at TVNZ. “What used to take at least 15 minutes per clip can now be done in seconds, freeing us up to produce a high volume of content throughout a match. The content we create via WSC Sports has generated millions of impressions, increasing reach and engagement across our social platforms. ” Public Value, Reimagined Taken together, these use cases show that the future of public sports broadcasting will not be decided by rights alone, but by what broadcasters build around them. Securing premium rights guarantees reach; transforming them into dynamic, digital-first experiences guarantees relevance. Innovation is no longer an optional layer. It is the mechanism through which public value is delivered. The structural challenges outlined in the first article (shrinking budgets, audience fragmentation, rising expectations) are real. Yet broadcasters like TVNZ and France Télévisions demonstrate that they are not insurmountable. By embracing AI-powered content workflows, public media can scale output, modernize production, and meet younger audiences where they are – all without increasing costs. Public service broadcasting was founded on the principle of universal access. In the streaming era, that principle must evolve to include engagement. When public broadcasters combine regulatory advantage with digital innovation, sports become more than programming; they become a catalyst for renewed prominence, stronger ROI on public investment, and leadership in the next era of sports coverage. - Published: 2026-02-23 - Modified: 2026-02-23 - URL: https://wsc-sports-dev.ltu.co.il/blog/news/welcome-to-the-arena-the-new-home-of-wsc-sports/ - Categories: News For years, sports content teams have been asked to do more. More formats. More platforms. More speed. More relevance. All while maintaining the standards, storytelling, and emotional pull that make sports matter in the first place. Content operations didn’t become more complex by accident. It’s been the result of rapid changes in fan behavior — which is becoming more fragmented, demanding, and complex every year. Fans don’t just watch games anymore. They scroll, swipe, share, react, and engage across platforms, time zones, and moments. They expect to get all the action not only during live play, but before kickoff, after the final whistle, and everywhere in between. To meet those massive expectations takes both great ideas and the infrastructure required to bring them to life. It also requires strategic change. One that prioritizes creating experiences fans want to come back to, rather than producing another piece of content or generic highlight. That’s why we built Arena, the new home for all of WSC Sports’ innovative content automation solutions, designed to put fandom at the heart of the creation. Watch the announcement: Why we built it  Arena is the culmination of a multi-year evolution in how sports content is created, managed, and distributed. Over a decade ago, WSC Sports pioneered content automation with products like AVGen, Clipro, and Graphics Engine. Each of them pushed the industry forward, helping sports organizations create and distribute highlights at scale. But for years, those capabilities lived side by side, and not as a unified workflow. Arena raises the bar. After more than two years of focused development, Arena brings ingestion, indexing, AI-powered creation, and large-scale distribution into one fully synchronized platform. One place where content flows seamlessly, decisions happen faster, and creativity has room to scale. It’s an entirely new, unified system designed for sports content. From moments to experiences Modern sports content isn’t only about producing more clips. It’s about creating different personalized experiences. Arena supports storytelling from every angle, both from the game or anything that happens around it. It’s purpose-built for short-form, long-form, live-adjacent, and on-demand formats. Designed for social platforms, owned channels, broadcast environments, and anywhere else fans engage with sports content. AI plays a critical role, not as a replacement for creators and editors, but as leverage. Arena removes friction from the process so teams can focus on what matters: crafting narratives, reacting in real time, and building emotional connections with fans. Every workflow in Arena is designed with the end fan experience in mind. Speed matters, but relevance matters more. Scale matters, but quality is always top priority. Inside Arena: one, unified system Arena replaces fragmented legacy products with a single, synchronized workflow. Ingestion, automated indexing, creation, and distribution no longer live in separate systems. They operate as one continuous workflow, designed for real-world sports operations. Arena was built alongside our clients. Throughout development, leading rights holders worked directly with the platform. Their feedback shaped the flows, interfaces, and capabilities. The result is a system built for the full lifecycle of sports content — from pre-configured rules, to real-time moments, and automated publishing. At the core of Arena are multiple distinct, high-performance creation flows: Create enables content teams to generate on-demand highlight compilations in seconds. Different variations of one video can focus on different points of interest. Users have full customization of the content output, including format, dimensions, and enhancement layers; along with large-scale instant distribution to virtually any publishing channel — whether that’s proprietary or a 3rd party. Rules powers automated, trigger-based video generation tied to live events that take place before, during or after the game, allowing organizations to consistently scale their content output without compromising speed or relevance. Both flows are integrated into the asset management Library, which hosts and organizes all assets — including in-game footage, interviews, studio shows, photos, and more — in one fully indexed location. By linking historical and live content directly to the creation engines, Arena enables content editors to pull from a vast universe without leaving their active workspace. The result is continuity and context instead of constant handoffs. Arena also extends beyond creation. Strategic distribution and collaboration are supported through the Partner Portal, which enables rights holders to activate commercial relationships and maximize partnership value as part of the same workflow by providing commercial partners secure access to content collaboration environments. This integration is especially visible in the evolution of Clipro. What began as a live clipping and real-time indexing product evolved into a fully customizable storyline creation studio. By embedding access to the asset Library and Graphics Templates directly into the live creation environment, users get a holistic solution for custom storyline creation and enhancement. Arena removes the operational gaps that once slowed production. The focus shifts away from managing products and toward perfecting the story. Built for the biggest stages Arena is trusted by the biggest names in the industry. Leagues, federations, broadcasters, and teams that operate under the highest standards and pressure. That trust comes from years of proven performance, category-defining innovation, and a relentless focus on the needs of rights holders. Arena is the go-to content creation solution for sports organizations worldwide. It’s the answer to real operational challenges faced by sports organizations every day. As fandom continues to evolve, Arena is built to evolve with it. And we have a lot in store for 2026. Stay tuned! - Published: 2026-02-22 - Modified: 2026-02-23 - URL: https://wsc-sports-dev.ltu.co.il/blog/industry-insights/beyond-impressions-the-new-metrics-that-matter-for-fan-engagement/ - Categories: Industry Insights By looking beyond impressions and likes and instead tracking metrics tied to retention, participation, and conversion, you build a foundation of loyal fans who will stick with you for the long haul. Introduction: beyond vanity metrics in sports marketing For decades, sports marketers have kept score with big numbers – TV ratings, attendance counts, social media likes, “impressions” – believing these totals equated to success. While reach and visibility still have value, they no longer cut it on their own. A team might boast millions of followers or a viral highlight with millions of views, but what do those numbers really mean if fans scroll past or never come back? In today’s digital era, raw follower counts and one-off view counts are vanity metrics – they may look impressive, but they often fail to reflect genuine fan interest, loyalty, or revenue potential. Forward-thinking organizations now realize that the real victory lies in repeat engagement and fan advocacy. As one WSC Sports article put it, “today’s most valuable sports audiences aren’t defined by follower counts, but rather by how many come back, engage deeply, and advocate for their brand. ” These innovators are shifting from vanity metrics like followers, impressions, views, and clicks to “relationship metrics” that gauge true connection – for example, repeat video views per user, average watch time or completion rate, and conversions to owned platforms. In short, success is no longer just about how many people you reach; it’s about how engaged and loyal those people are. Why Traditional Metrics Fall Short Vanity metrics such as broadcast ratings or social media likes provide a broad sense of reach, but they can be very misleading. A high follower count doesn’t guarantee that those followers are paying attention or taking action. A packed stadium on opening day doesn’t mean fans will return next season. And a viral post that racks up impressions might be quickly forgotten the next day. These surface-level numbers can lull organizations into a false sense of security – you think you’re winning, while your fans might actually be drifting away or engaging superficially. Moreover, vanity metrics often belong to platforms, not the teams themselves. For instance, a league might get millions of views on TikTok or YouTube, but those impressions are happening on third-party platforms where the league doesn’t control the data or direct relationship with the fan. As the saying goes, “every impression on a third-party platform is borrowed attention. ” You can’t deeply know or reach those viewers again without paying the platform for access. In contrast, bringing fans into your own ecosystem (apps, websites, newsletters) turns them from passive eyeballs into known individuals you can continually re-engage. Consider this analogy: vanity metrics are like scoreboard points in the first quarter – they tell you who’s ahead early, but not who will ultimately win. New engagement metrics are more like tracking possession, momentum, and teamwork – the deeper factors that predict who will succeed by game’s end. To build enduring fan loyalty (and revenue), sports brands must look beyond the quick hit of views and instead cultivate ongoing relationships. The new metrics that matter for fan engagement Let’s explore the modern fan engagement KPIs that go “beyond impressions. ” These are the metrics that reveal how invested fans truly are, and they are far better indicators of retention and lifetime value than any vanity stat. Essentially, these fall into a few categories: repeat engagement, content depth, owned-channel conversion, and community advocacy. Together, they form a new playbook for measuring fan success. 1. Repeat engagement & frequency of interaction One of the strongest signs of an engaged fan is that they keep coming back for more. Instead of asking “How many total views did we get? ”, ask “How often is each fan engaging? ”. Metrics to track here include: return visits to your app or site, daily or monthly active users, and repeat video views per user. For example, if the average fan watches, say, 5 highlight clips per week or opens your app every day, that indicates a far more loyal following than a one-time viral spike. Repeat engagement shows habit formation – your content has become a regular part of the fan’s routine. Sports teams should measure things like average sessions per user, videos watched per fan, or games watched per month. An upward trend in these numbers means fans aren’t just dropping in; they’re developing a loyalty loop with your brand. This kind of habitual engagement is gold for lifetime value – a fan who engages regularly is more likely to buy merchandise, subscriptions, or tickets down the line. Crucially, repeat engagement often happens on owned channels (where your most loyal fans reside). If you can convert passive followers into registered users or subscribers, you can track and encourage their ongoing activity. As WSC Sports notes, the longer you wait to transition fans to platforms you own, the harder (and more expensive) it becomes to win them back later. So, track those conversion rates and then nurture the engagement frequency of every fan who signs up. 2. Content completion rate & watch time It’s not enough that a fan clicked on a video or started watching a live stream – did they watch the whole thing? Content completion rate (what percentage of a video or article was consumed) and average watch time are key quality metrics. These indicate depth of interest. For instance, if one fan watches a highlight reel to the very end while another scrolls away after 5 seconds, the first fan clearly found the content more compelling. High completion rates signal that your content is hitting the mark and holding attention. Sports marketers should keep an eye on metrics like average view duration, percentage of video completed, or scroll depth on written articles. A rising completion rate means fans are genuinely interested in your content, not just clicking and bouncing. It can also inform your content strategy – if short-form videos see 90% completion but long-form ones see 50%, that’s a hint about fan preferences. Completion and watch time also correlate with algorithmic success on social platforms, but more importantly, they correlate with fan satisfaction. A fan who consistently watches full highlights or reads entire articles is more likely to feel connected and come back for the next piece. It’s a sign of trust and relevance. These metrics move you beyond counting “views” and toward understanding engagement quality. 3. Conversions to owned channels (O&O) Perhaps the most game-changing metric for sports organizations today is the rate at which fans move from public, third-party platforms to your own controlled channels. This could be a social media follower signing up for your newsletter, a YouTube viewer downloading your official app, or a casual site visitor creating an account for your fantasy league or loyalty program. Each such conversion is a win: you’ve turned anonymous eyeballs into a known fan with whom you can build a direct relationship. Why does this matter? Because on owned channels, you control the content, the data, and the monetization. You’re no longer at the mercy of algorithm changes or rising ad costs to reach your audience – you have them in your arena now. As one WSC Sports strategy piece bluntly put it, “if you’re not actively building your own ecosystem, you’re building someone else’s... Every impression on a third-party platform is borrowed attention. ” The goal is to convert that borrowed attention into loyal engagement in your own ecosystem. Key KPIs here include: click-throughs from social to your website/app, account sign-ups, newsletter subscriptions, app install rates, and percentage of total engagement happening on owned vs. external platforms. A healthy fan engagement strategy will show a steady funnel: large reach on social funneling fans into owned channels where a smaller but more active community resides. Remember, having 100,000 fans you can reach directly (email, push notification, etc. ) is far more powerful than 1,000,000 fans who only see you in a crowded feed. It also opens the door for monetization – once fans enter your ecosystem, you can offer them merchandise, tickets, subscriptions and track exactly who converts. In practice: Many top teams use social content as a hook but measure success by the follow-up actions. For example, a club might post a highlight clip on Instagram, but the real KPI is how many viewers tapped the link to watch extended highlights on the team’s site or signed up for an account to get personalized videos. Those conversion metrics directly tie to revenue opportunities (and are a good signal of serious interest). 4. Community participation & advocacy (shares, comments, UGC) A truly engaged fan doesn’t just consume passively – they participate and advocate. That’s why modern fan engagement metrics look at community-oriented behaviors: sharing content with friends, commenting and starting conversations, creating their own content related to your brand, and otherwise publicly showing their affiliation. These actions indicate a deeper emotional investment because the fan is essentially saying, “This team/content is part of my identity, and I want others to know or join in. ” Some valuable metrics in this realm are: share rate (what percentage of fans share a piece of content or tag a friend), comment volume and sentiment, user-generated content submissions (e. g. fans making their own highlight mashups or TikToks about the team), participation in polls or votes, and referrals (fans getting other fans to sign up). Even something like Discord or community forum activity can be a goldmine metric – if thousands of fans are chatting about your team daily in your controlled community, that’s far more meaningful than the number of likes on your last post. Community engagement metrics capture what might be called the advocacy level of your fanbase. Are your fans just watching, or are they championing your brand? For example, Nielsen reported that behaviors like live-chatting, co-watching streams, and other second-screen activities surged as fans formed digital communities during the pandemic. And when the NBA launched its NBA ID platform to foster a fan community with personalized content and interactive polls, the league saw digital engagement jump by over 40% year-over-year. That growth was driven largely by shareable content and live social activations – proof that when you encourage fans to participate, you boost overall engagement. Furthermore, younger generations especially gravitate to interactive, community-driven experiences. Gen Z fans, for instance, engage in second-screen activities (like posting or chatting during games) at a rate about 10% higher than older fans. They don’t want to just watch sports; they want to comment, meme, and share moments in real time. Deloitte’s research similarly shows that Gen Z craves personalized and participatory fandom – 61% watch live sports with others, and half are simultaneously engaging on social media while watching. All of this means that to capture and measure fan engagement today, you should be looking at those community metrics. A rise in shares, comments, and UGC is a clear signal your fans feel a sense of belonging and want to actively represent your team. So, while loyalty and sentiment metrics may be a bit more abstract, they complete the picture of fan engagement impact. By tracking things like percentage of fans registering as “members,” average spending per fan, and advocacy rates, teams can directly tie engagement efforts to revenue outcomes. For instance, if increasing repeat content engagement by 20% correlates with a 10% uptick in merch sales or subscription renewals, that’s a clear ROI on engagement. It shifts the scoreboard from just eyeballs to lifetime value added. (Infographic suggestion: This would be a great place to include a visual “Old vs New Metrics” Finally, beyond day-to-day engagement, it’s crucial to measure metrics tied to long-term loyalty and fan lifetime value. After all, the ultimate goal of deep engagement is to foster fans who stick around for years, spend more, and bring others into the fold. How do you quantify something as abstract as loyalty? Through proxies and cumulative metrics such as retention rates, renewal rates (for season tickets or subscriptions), loyalty program activity, and even Net Promoter Score (NPS) or other fan satisfaction indices. 5. Loyalty, sentiment & lifetime value indicators For example, if you launch a loyalty or membership program, track what percentage of fans join and remain active in it. Monitor year-over-year renewal of season ticket holders or streaming service subscribers as a loyalty gauge. Merchandise repeat purchase rates can also reflect loyalty (a fan who buys gear every season is highly invested). If you run fan surveys, metrics like NPS (willingness to recommend the team/brand) or emotional sentiment analysis on social media can provide a window into fan love for the brand. One particularly powerful metric is Customer Lifetime Value (CLV) or in this context, Fan Lifetime Value – the total economic value a fan brings over their entire relationship with the club. Fans who engage more deeply and emotionally will have higher LTV: they attend more games, buy more merchandise, consume more media, and attract more fans via word of mouth. In fact, research backs this up: customers with an emotional bond to a brand have been found to have three times higher lifetime value on average and significantly higher referral rates. In sports, a fan who feels a strong connection (say, through belonging to a community or loyalty program) is far more valuable than a casual follower. One internal analysis cited by WSC Sports found that fans with strong emotional connections are up to 3× more valuable over their lifetime than casual fans. Why depth matters: From Engagement to Revenue Focusing on these new metrics isn’t just a feel-good exercise – it has serious business implications. When you deepen fan engagement, you are essentially increasing the lifetime value and loyalty of your audience, which translates to more stable and growing revenues. Fans who come back often, consume content fully, join your platforms, and advocate for you will naturally spend more and stick around through ups and downs (like losing seasons). There’s evidence across industries that prioritizing community and loyalty yields higher returns. According to McKinsey, brands that build engaged communities – leveraging what they term a “community flywheel” of user content, shared values, and customer-led growth – outperform their peers in growth and customer value metrics. In sports, this means a club centered around fan community will see stronger engagement and monetization than one chasing vanity stats. We’ve also seen that a strongly connected fan is likely to be worth multiples of a casual one over time. By one survey, emotionally connected customers not only have 3× higher value, but will recommend the brand at significantly higher rates – that’s free word-of-mouth marketing from your most loyal fans. Consider the fan funnel from initial interest to long-term fandom. If you optimize for impressions at the top, you might fill the funnel with a lot of people, but most will leak out with little to show. If instead you optimize for conversion and retention (the middle and bottom of the funnel), you might start with fewer people, but you’ll keep a much larger percentage of them engaged and investing in your brand over time. In the end, 100 deeply engaged fans will generate far more value... - Published: 2026-02-19 - Modified: 2026-02-18 - URL: https://wsc-sports-dev.ltu.co.il/blog/industry-insights/when-regulation-meets-relevance-sports-as-a-strategic-asset-for-public-broadcasters/ - Categories: Industry Insights Sports rights are giving public broadcasters a rare chance to pair regulatory mandate with cultural relevance. This is the second part of a three-part series, Public Value in Play: How Public Broadcasters Can Lead the Next Era of Sports Coverage. Read part one here. The final of the Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) 2025 yielded great ratings for the tournament's broadcast partners. M6, a private French channel, said the final was watched by 3. 4 million viewers. beIN SPORTS reported audience figures peaked at 756,000 across the Middle East and North Africa. In Italy, an average of 903,132 viewers watched the match on digital channel Sportitalia. And in the UK, 2. 4 million tuned into public broadcaster Channel 4’s coverage. Channel 4's coverage of the AFCON final was the culmination of a historic deal with The Confédération Africaine de Football (CAF). For the first time, the tournament was available to watch for free in the UK. And the public, including younger generations, was thrilled; the final delivered a 19% share of the 16-34 audience, up 614% on the overnight slot average for the coveted demographic. The numbers reinforce public broadcasters' position in the sports ecosystem. “We still make up a really important part of the sports broadcasting lens,” said Pete Andrews, head of sport at Channel 4. “I know everything is fragmenting, but the power of the public service is still there, which is really important. ” Regulation as a Competitive Advantage The power of public service broadcasting in sports stems, first and foremost, from regulatory frameworks. Numerous jurisdictions maintain statutory frameworks designed to reconcile the monetization of broadcast rights with the principle of universal access for major sporting events, such as the Olympics, the FIFA World Cup, etc. In the UK, for example, the Media Act 2024 ensures that sporting events “of national interest” are widely available to audiences for free. The Audiovisual Media Services Directive (AVMSD), an EU regulation, allows member states to determine that events “of major importance for society” will be broadcast on free-to-air channels, even if exclusive rights have been purchased by pay-TV operators. A good illustration of how this works comes from Germany. Deutsche Telekom recently secured the rights for the 2026 FIFA World Cup and will air all 104 matches on its streaming service, MagentaTV. However, 60 of those matches will also be shown on ZDF and ARD, the two main public broadcasters, including all the German national team games, the tournament's opening match, the two semi-finals, and the final. Big Moments, Bigger Expectations Tentpoles like the FIFA World Cup present opportunities and challenges. Marquee sports events, said Tim Banks, CRO at Grass Valley, a technology provider for the live media industry, remain “one of the last truly shared cultural experiences, yet the role of live sports production becomes more demanding. The distributed production environment must be agile enough to support a whole ecosystem of alternate cuts and short-form expressions at breakneck speed. ” In some countries, this new packaging of moments is already built into the regulations. In Germany, for example, a reform treaty that came into effect last December restricts public broadcasters from publishing text-based content on their owned platforms (websites, apps, and on-demand players), shifting the focus to video-based content to modernize, streamline, and digitize public service media. The reform, said ZDF's director-general Norbert Himmler, “will enable us to further expand our offerings and to continue to advance the streaming network together with ARD. At the same time, the requirements for the use of text in online offerings pose major challenges for us. This limits our news offerings and increases bureaucratic effort. ” Turning Constraints into Momentum One field where the new requirements won’t limit ZDF's offering, or increase its bureaucratic effort, is sports. Thanks to a partnership with WSC Sports, the German broadcaster can leverage AI to automate the creation and distribution of sports content across all channels, including owned platforms, enabling it to fully comply with regulations without increasing headcount. But it goes beyond compliance. Rights to major sporting events give public media a rare advantage in today’s landscape: guaranteed reach, mass discoverability, and cultural relevance. Simply airing the live feed, though, is not enough to capitalize on that attention. AI-powered content creation tech allows broadcasters to provide a constant stream of highlights, narratives, and moments from sports spectacles, turning universal access into sustained engagement and, most importantly, bolstering their offerings to the general public. The third and final article in this series will detail, through concrete use cases, how forward-thinking broadcasters are embracing innovation and AI-powered technologies to overcome structural media challenges and seize the opportunities that sports rights create. - Published: 2026-02-18 - Modified: 2026-04-09 - URL: https://wsc-sports-dev.ltu.co.il/blog/industry-insights/the-pga-tours-audience-first-approach-to-content-strategy/ - Categories: Industry Insights The PGA TOUR is redefining how golf is experienced across platforms by turning fan behavior into product innovation. LeBron James has been hearing about the golf bug for years. He never paid much mind to it. “I was like, 'Well, it's not gonna get me. I don't like golf at all. Who wants to be outside all day walking around? ’” he told Steve Nash, his co-host on the podcast Mind the Game. But last summer, James got bitten. And since then, he's been watching more golf than basketball. To wit: after a game against the Utah Jazz, James was asked by a reporter if he thought Utah guard Keyonte George was playing at an All-Star level this season. “I watch golf these days, so I'm the wrong guy to ask about that,” he said. “(George) played great tonight, played great the last time we played them, he's playing good ball. But yeah, I'm more into the Bryan Bros, Grant Horvat, Bryson DeChambeau, and the rest of those guys. ” Now, thanks to an expanded partnership between the PGA TOUR and Amazon Web Services (AWS), James and other golf fans will be able to track their favorite players more easily. As part of the partnership, AWS has built a new “favorite players hub” that's featured on the PGA TOUR’s website and mobile app. The personalized hub auto-curates each player's highlights, storylines, and real-time stats, ensuring fans always have the most relevant information. From Tee to Tailored: What Fans Actually Want The new favorite players hub is the latest enhancement to echo an approach LeBron James knows all too well: Know Your Personnel (KYP). In basketball, KYP is a core coaching principle that emphasizes understanding players' (teammates and opponents) preferences and tendencies to make better in-game decisions. The PGA TOUR appears to have applied this principle to golf fans, catering to their interests and tastes. According to a recent global study commissioned by IBM, golf fans have unique tastes and interests. Drawing on the insights of more than 20,000 sports fans across 12 countries, the study revealed that: Sports apps are particularly popular among golf fans, with 36% using the PGA TOUR app or official tournament apps. 56% of golf fans follow influencers, mostly to consume in-depth analysis. Golf fans are more likely than other sports fans to use interactive viewing technology. These findings align with those of Fan Forward, an ongoing fan outreach initiative launched by the PGA TOUR in 2024. With feedback from over 50,000 fans – avid, casual, and non-golf sports fans – Fan Forward has enabled the tour to gain a better understanding of what fans want to see more of, and quickly innovate to create immersive digital experiences that offer deeper and more personalized engagement. Turning Insights Into Interactions As a result, the PGA TOUR's owned platforms now include the following fan experiences: AI shot commentary The newest addition to TOURCAST, the tour's 3D interactive platform, AI shot commentary debuted in THE PLAYERS Championship in March. TOURCAST allows fans on the PGA TOUR’s app and website to see shot trails and data surrounding every single shot. The new commentary feature provides written context for every shot, expanding the tour's coverage of 30,000-plus shots hit during a given tournament. In addition to describing every shot, AI shot commentary explains what that shot means for each player based on their current performance and how it relates to the broader competition. The tour acknowledged this is a direct response to Fan Forward, which revealed that the 18-34 demographic wants to see “greater integration of stats and data” in the viewing experience. Automated story generation A feature that creates personalized content for users of the PGA TOUR mobile app, enabling event recaps for all players in a field. “Our goal has always been to make sure every player gets coverage,” said Scott Gutterman, senior vice president of digital and broadcast technologies at the PGA TOUR. “Generative AI is a tool we can use to scale across our events to create content based on the performance of any player at any given point of time. ” “Rapid Rounds” Through Fan Forward, the tour learned that 44 % of casual fans and 42% of core fans want to see more highlights and round recaps – the highest share among six content improvement options. The result: the tour and its media partners – CBS Sports, ESPN, Golf Channel, and NBC – introduced select rapid-fire versions of full player rounds, available to fans across owned platforms in the hours after play has been completed for the day. Scaling Relevance With AI The PGA TOUR’s approach offers a clear lesson for rights holders navigating an increasingly crowded attention economy: listening is no longer optional. By actively studying fan behavior and responding with tangible product changes, the tour has turned insight into advantage. Understanding what different audiences value, and acting on it quickly, is how sports organizations stay relevant when every swipe presents another option. Across sports, the signal from fans is strikingly consistent. They want experiences that feel personal, intuitive, and rich in context, with the best moments surfaced effortlessly. AI-powered content creation tech makes that possible at scale, transforming raw action into tailored highlights, recaps, and storylines across platforms. And when content adapts to fans, as the PGA TOUR shows, even non-fans find themselves catching the golf bug. Actionable insights: Study what fans actually watch, not just what you publish. Track which players, moments, formats, and lengths drive completion and replays, then use those signals to prioritize future content output. Let audience behavior guide format decisions. If short clips, specific shot types, or certain golfers consistently outperform, shift focus toward those patterns instead of defaulting to traditional highlight packages. Regularly review content performance data with editorial teams so insights from fan engagement translate into smarter packaging and more relevant storytelling across platforms. - Published: 2026-02-17 - Modified: 2026-05-17 - URL: https://wsc-sports-dev.ltu.co.il/blog/news/the-fandom-flywheel-building-the-operating-system-for-sports-media-in-2030/ - Categories: News, Partnerbrite A blueprint for connecting moments, data, and revenue in an always-on sports economy The foundations of sports media are shifting. Fans move fluidly across platforms and distribution is fragmented. Great content on its own no longer sustains growth. What if every live sports moment could power something larger? That’s the idea behind the flywheel model for sports media, a system designed to turn content into data, data into insight, and insight into sustained revenue growth. In a recent live session, WSC Sports CEO and co-founder Daniel Shichman outlined where the industry is heading and what rights holders need to build now to be ready for 2030. At the center of that vision is an operating system designed for an always-on world. Turning moments into a continuous system Live sport is still what anchors the fan experience. What has changed is how value is created around it. Growth now happens in the buildup before the game and in the reactions and sharing that follow. In that environment, strong campaigns alone won’t cut it. Organizations need the right infrastructure behind them. That’s where the flywheel comes in. Content decisions reflect real-time performance, while distribution adapts to audience behavior. Commercial strategy follows engagement data. Rather than operating in silos, teams work within a connected system that gains strength over time. “Sports media has moved beyond one-off moments,” said Shichman. “The future belongs to organizations that can turn every moment into a signal, and every signal into smarter decisions. That’s the flywheel. ” Operating in an always-on environment Always-on sports media is already changing how rights holders operate and how success is measured. “2030 is not a distant milestone,” Shichman said. “The challenge for rights holders is building the infrastructure to keep that flywheel moving, consistently and at scale. ” The organizations that win will be those that can adapt in real time and turn that momentum into sustained growth. The role of automation and AI Automation and AI are what allow this system to operate at scale. Technology gives editorial teams leverage, accelerating production, adapting formats in real time, and connecting performance directly to business outcomes. Editors still define the voice and direction, while automation keeps the system moving behind the scenes. When content, data, and monetization work together, decisions are clearer and the impact is greater. Extending the flywheel to sponsorship activation WSC Sports’ recent acquisition of Partnerbrite strengthens the commercial layer of the flywheel by adding sponsorship activation directly into the operating system. Rights holders can move from engagement signals to measurable sponsorship impact within the same workflow, creating a clearer link between fan attention and revenue. Preparing for 2030 By 2030, the leaders in sports media will be those who connect content, data, distribution, and monetization into a single system. The live game will always be the core. The real advantage will come from how the ecosystem around it works together and compounds over time. “The future of sports media isn’t about chasing the next platform,” said Shichman. “It’s about building a system that gets stronger with every fan interaction. ” The flywheel model is designed to deliver that system, helping rights holders turn individual moments into sustained momentum and measurable growth. - Published: 2026-02-16 - Modified: 2026-02-16 - URL: https://wsc-sports-dev.ltu.co.il/blog/industry-insights/what-the-new-x-games-league-reveals-about-scaling-emerging-sports/ - Categories: Industry Insights The X Games’ shift to XGL shows how emerging leagues turn big moments into year-round, tech-powered growth. When you turn 30, your priorities often change. Things that didn't seem essential in your 20s, like year-round employment and economic opportunities, suddenly become urgent. Take the X Games, for example. The action sports franchise, which celebrated its 30th anniversary in 2025, recently announced the locations of the first stops in the new X Games League (XGL), with the next significant milestone – the XGL summer draft – coming in March. Launching in Sacramento, California, in June 2026, XGL represents a shift in the organization's operational mode. The current event model will change to a year-round league format, featuring eight city-based teams (four summer XClubs and four winter XClubs) that will bring a drafted roster of ten male and female athletes to compete in various disciplines across skateboarding, BMX, snowboarding, and skiing. The inaugural XGL summer season will be followed by the first winter season in 2027, with both of them including 3 stops. “In essence, we've used Formula 1 as a model for this new league,” said Jeff Moorad, executive chairman of X Games. “By leveraging the incredibly valuable X Games brand, we will create a durable, global business that will be good for athletes, fans, investors, and sponsors. ” “A sharper focus on two-way dialogue with fans” On the sponsors' front, things are moving in the right direction. With a stated goal of signing multiyear deals, as opposed to the event-by-event deals it had so far, XGL has already landed its first founding sponsor – energy-drink maker Monster Energy. In November, the two sides signed a three-year deal that extends Monster’s run as the X Games’ official energy drink since 2014, and provides the league with what it needs most to scale: annual recurring revenue. Another source of annual recurring revenue is media rights deals. Here, too, XGL is making progress. ESPN, which founded the X Games in 1995 and maintains a minority interest in the company, will air more than 100 hours of XGL action over the next two years in the US. In addition, the league signed a multi-year global broadcast partnership with streaming giant DAZN to reach a wider audience worldwide. The real challenge, though, is to keep these audiences engaged between competition days. The change to a league format, which allows for season-long storylines, should help with that – and future plans include “a sharper focus on two-way dialogue with fans. ” To do that, XGL would have to take a page from other emerging leagues, which rely on technology to create immersive content experiences. SailGP’s Tech-First Blueprint A great example of this is SailGP. The international racing series is at the forefront of integrating AI, with features such as AI cameras that analyze more than four billion data points to capture the most exciting content from each race. SailGP also leverages artificial and virtual reality (AR and VR) to enhance the experience on its mobile app, allowing fans to watch the race come to life through 360-degree viewing angles, on-water graphic overlaps, and live catamaran tracking. The results? In its fifth season, SailGP cemented its position among the world’s fastest-growing sports organizations, closing 2025 with impressive numbers across the board: 215 million total broadcast audience for the season, an average of 18 million viewers per race. The series surpassed 1. 65 billion views on its social media accounts – a 90% increase from season 4 – and recorded 20. 7 million engagements on these channels. Total followers across major social platforms reached 2. 7 million. This momentum helped SailGP generate more than $200 million in revenue in 2025 – a 68% increase from the previous season. Valuations of SailGP teams also continued to climb. In the race series' first two seasons, teams were sold for $5-$10 million; in 2025, Muse Capital was the lead investor in an Italian team that joined at a $45 million valuation, and according to SailGP, the latest team valuations are “well in excess” of $60 million. Growth Favors the Digitally Bold Emerging leagues don’t scale by waiting for fandom to mature; they do it by engineering it. SailGP and XGL both recognize that audiences drawn to new properties expect more than competition – they want narrative, interaction, and novelty year-round. By investing early in immersive, digital-first experiences, organizations can turn fleeting attention into sustained engagement, sponsor confidence, and long-term revenue. AI-powered content creation platforms make that possible without increasing headcount. By automatically generating and distributing short-form assets across platforms and formats, rights holders can stay present all year long, keep fans invested, and deliver consistent value to partners. Even when they turn 30. Actionable Insights: Build a content cadence that sustains storylines year-round, using short-form video to keep fans engaged beyond competition days. Design content with sponsors and partners in mind, ensuring highlights, behind-the-scenes moments, and athlete narratives are easily adaptable for branded activations. Utilize AI-powered content workflows to automate clipping, formatting, and distribution across platforms, allowing teams to concentrate on creative strategy and fan engagement. - Published: 2026-02-11 - Modified: 2026-02-11 - URL: https://wsc-sports-dev.ltu.co.il/blog/industry-insights/mandate-vs-market-the-challenges-facing-public-broadcasting/ - Categories: Industry Insights As viewing habits shift, public broadcasters are rethinking how they deliver sports to remain relevant and impactful. This is the first part of a three-part series, Public Value in Play: How Public Broadcasters Can Lead the Next Era of Sports Coverage. A couple of weeks before the Milano Cortina 2026 Winter Olympics, sports fans in France knew they were in for a treat. Not only did France Télévisions, the national public service broadcaster (PSB), assure the games would have “virtually 24-hour coverage” on its linear channels, but it also announced the launch of a new digital channel, which would offer – alongside live content – exclusive programming outside event broadcast windows. The new channel, 'Francetv Sport,' builds on the momentum of the public broadcaster's sports coverage last year. “In 2025, 60 million French people watched sports on France Télévisions,” said Stéphane Sitbon-Gomez, director of antennas and programmes at France Télévisions. “With this new free digital channel, we wish to continue our role as a public service in favour of free and universality for all. ” Francetv Sport is also a proponent of innovation. The channel will include an interactive feature that allows online viewers to discuss Olympic moments with commentators and analysts through a live chat called ‘the live zone. ’ “We’re taking inspiration from Twitch,” explained Nicolas Vinoy, director of digital offering at France Télévisions. “The difference is that we have the video. ” Where innovation meets public service The convergence of sports and innovation in public broadcasting is not surprising. Since the advent of television, public broadcasters and sports have had a symbiotic relationship. From global events like the Olympics and the FIFA World Cup to local leagues and emerging competitions, public broadcasters help bring sports to the widest possible audience, ensuring sporting moments remain a shared cultural experience while gaining prominence in return. The symbiosis extends to economic vitality as well. According to an independent study commissioned by the European Broadcasting Union (EBU) from Oxford Economics, the economic impact of public service media (PSM) sports broadcasting contributed €4. 9 billion to Europe’s GDP and supported over 60,000 jobs in 2022. Additional benefits include: PSM’s wide-reaching coverage generates significant additional income streams for sports organizations through sponsorship and advertising revenue. PSM exposure helps maintain a sport’s fan base or, in the case of an emerging sport, grow the fan base, thereby generating higher gate receipts and merchandising revenues, on top of sponsorship income. PSM sports coverage is a catalyst for wider societal benefits, such as promoting grassroots sports participation, health, and wellbeing. Shrinking budgets, shifting audiences Despite the benefits of PSM sports coverage, broadcasters worldwide are facing two significant challenges in the 21st century. The first is budget cuts. US stations are not alone; research revealed that BBC funding was cut by 25% between 2010 and 2021, and data from the EBU shows that other European broadcasters are also struggling with shrinking budgets, with total funding for public media in the 27 EU member states decreased by 7. 4% over the past decade. The impact on public broadcasters' sports offerings has been significant. France Télévisions, for example, had to sell nine out of fifteen matches in the 2026 Six Nations Championship to TF1, a private television channel, due to budget cuts. In Germany, public broadcasters' spending on sports rights was recently capped at 5% of their total expenditure. The second main challenge faced by public broadcasters is new consumption habits, especially among younger generations. WSC Sports' 2025/26 fan engagement study, based on a survey of 1,050 US sports fans, reveals that sports viewership trends have changed dramatically: Streaming services are now the primary viewing platform for younger fans, with 65% of Millennials and 55% of Gen Zers selecting them as their main sports destination. Personalization has become a make-or-break feature: more than half of fans have canceled or switched streaming services due to poor personalization. Gen Z is more likely than any other generation to choose short-form sports content over live games. Sports as major opportunity Sports also represent one of the clearest paths forward for public broadcasters facing these pressures. As audiences fragment and budgets tighten, major sporting rights remain among the few assets that consistently draw mass attention. The challenge is amplification: ensuring that these moments reach audiences in the formats, frequencies, and contexts they now expect. This is where digital transformation becomes decisive. AI-powered content creation platforms allow public broadcasters to produce significantly more sports content with leaner teams, while tailoring it to modern consumption habits. Automated short-form storytelling helps extend the value of live rights far beyond broadcast windows, aligning public service mandates with the realities of today’s media landscape. The next article in this series will detail how public broadcasters, by virtue of owning premier sports rights, can use current content approaches to navigate disruption and unlock greater public value. - Published: 2026-02-10 - Modified: 2026-06-02 - URL: https://wsc-sports-dev.ltu.co.il/blog/industry-insights/from-gut-to-signal-monetizing-moments-in-the-age-of-real-time-sponsorship/ - Categories: Industry Insights, Partnerbrite Moments were always the real currency of sports media. The industry just spent years pricing something else. Sports sponsorship has spent years selling space. The next phase of growth comes from monetizing moments, aligned with how fans actually pay attention. Long before today’s conversations about dynamic inventory and real-time attribution, the business of sports media was built around fixed windows, predetermined placements, and broad assumptions about attention. It worked because there were no better tools. But it stalled because fan behavior never actually matched the model. Looking back, the mismatch is obvious. Fans engage in bursts. Emotion spikes around decisive plays, not evenly across a broadcast. Yet sponsorship continued to be sold as space rather than aligned with moments. For anyone working in sports media today, that gap is no longer theoretical. It defines where growth comes from next. The limits of instinct-led sponsorship During my years running MLB Productions, I saw both the power and the limits of instinct-led sponsorship. One of the projects I remain proud of is MasterCard Presents: The Major League Baseball All-Century Team. It was a season-long campaign that lived across highlights, long-form storytelling, fan voting, and a culminating on-field moment that brought generations of legends together. “We knew which players mattered and which moments would land emotionally,” I’ve often said when reflecting on that project. “What we didn’t have was a way to see that instinct perform in real time or adapt it once it hit the audience. ”The campaign worked because it respected the emotional logic of the sport. Fans felt it in the ballpark and at home. But from a business standpoint, sponsorship inventory was locked early. Once the campaign launched, it moved forward largely unchanged, even as fan response evolved week to week. That wasn’t a creative failure. It was a structural one. Why it matters Sports attention doesn’t behave like inventory grids. A walk-off hit, a last-second shot, or a decisive defensive stand concentrates emotion, focus, and intent in a way the surrounding minutes never will. When monetization ignores those spikes, rights holders are forced to sell against averages instead of moments of peak value. “The industry spent years optimizing for predictability,” I often tell teams. “Fans have never watched sports that way. ”As brand partners demand clearer attribution and performance signals, treating every second as equal becomes increasingly difficult to defend. When moments become inventory This is the context behind WSC Sports acquiring Partnerbrite. The acquisition is not about adding another sponsorship layer. It represents a shift in how highlights function inside the commercial system. Moments no longer wait to be monetized later through broad packages. They can be identified, matched, and activated when attention peaks. Picture an NBA game-winning buzzer-beater. The highlight is clipped and published within seconds. At that same moment, a sponsor can be aligned automatically. A fan in Chicago might see that play paired with an offer relevant to their location, the timing of the moment, and the platform where they are already watching. “That’s the difference,” I’ve said. “Relevance isn’t assumed anymore. It’s tested immediately. ”Instead of asking whether a logo appeared on screen, rights holders can evaluate how specific plays drove engagement, conversion, and downstream value. What rights holders should do next This shift requires more than new tools. It requires a change in commercial thinking. The next phase is not about expanding sponsorship menus or squeezing more placements into a broadcast. It’s about reorganizing inventory around moments rather than minutes. Highlights should be treated as signals of intent and opportunity, not just content units. Commercial teams should plan around decisive plays, emotional spikes, and contextual relevance. “Once you start valuing moments the way fans experience them, the business model follows,” I often say. “If you don’t, you keep selling averages while audiences behave in extremes. ” Building forward, not starting over Looking back at my time in MLB ballparks and the campaigns tied to those moments, I don’t see an era that needs replacing. I see a foundation built on storytelling, trust, and respect for the audience. What was missing was a direct line between moments and measurable action. That line now exists. The opportunity for sports media leaders is to connect craft with accountability, using technology to support instinct rather than replace it. When moments are valued the way fans experience them, sponsorship stops being static and starts moving at the speed of the game. David Gavant currently serves as Content Executive for WSC Sports and is a former Executive Producer for NBA Entertainment, MLB Productions, NBC Sports, and CNN Sports. - Published: 2026-02-02 - Modified: 2026-05-17 - URL: https://wsc-sports-dev.ltu.co.il/blog/industry-insights/why-wsc-sports-was-the-obvious-partner-for-where-sponsorship-is-headed/ - Categories: Industry Insights, Partnerbrite Partnerbrite CEO Nick Lockwood on the partnership with WSC Sports and the opportunity to redefine how sports content drives commercial impact. Myself and our CTO Marcus Treacy, and all the Partnerbrite team, are delighted to be part of the WSC Sports family and have had such a warm welcome. The partnership announcement has made lots of impact already, but this partnership is about far more than an announcement. It reflects a shared belief that sponsorship and sports media need to evolve, and that digital can no longer sit on the sidelines. It has to be central to how sponsorship delivers value. For too long, sponsorship has struggled to keep pace with how audiences actually consume sport. Brands invest heavily in rights and partnerships, but digital activation is often treated as an add-on rather than a core commercial driver. At Partnerbrite, we have always believed this is where the biggest opportunity sits. WSC Sports sees the same gap and, more importantly, has the scale and infrastructure to help close it. Turning attention into measurable results One of the most exciting opportunities we see together is the shift from content to commercial impact. Sports content already commands attention, emotion, and loyalty at a level few other channels can match. The challenge has been turning that engagement into measurable outcomes. This is where Partnerbrite’s performance-led approach meets WSC’s global content engine. Together, we can help rights holders and brands unlock more value from the content they already own by connecting it directly to real business results. The first true Sports Media Network A big factor in our thinking was how WSC Sports will be able play a key role in helping Partnerbrite scale in the US. The size, maturity, and innovation of the US sports market make it a critical focus for us. WSC’s footprint, relationships, and understanding of that ecosystem give us the ability to move faster and work with partners at a much greater scale than we could alone. We are also aligned on a bigger ambition. Both Partnerbrite and WSC Sports believe there is a genuine opportunity to build the first true Sports Media Network. Retail media has shown what happens when data, media, and commerce are connected properly. Sport has the same potential, but it is powered by something even stronger: fandom, content, and intellectual property. When those elements are combined with performance marketing and measurement, the upside is enormous. A partnership already in motion Another important thing for the success of the partnership is that it is already grounded in reality. Partnerbrite and WSC Sports share a number of clients, including Tottenham Hotspur, Cricket Australia, and Chelsea FC. These are sophisticated rights holders who are actively looking for more joined-up, performance-led sponsorship solutions. From day one, teams on both sides have been working together on live projects to create a more seamless, integrated offering for brands and rights holders. This is not a theoretical partnership - the work has already started! One of my favorite things since the announcement is how many clients or people in the industry have messaged and said the partnership makes total sense. So we must be onto something! Why culture fit makes a difference Lastly, but most importantly, the cultural fit mattered. From the very first meetings with WSC Sports' leadership team - Daniel, Aviv, and Vadim - it was clear the DNA was aligned. WSC Sports may be a business of more than 600 people, but it still operates with the energy and ambition of a startup. There is a strong sense of momentum and a willingness to roll up sleeves and get things done. That mindset mirrors Partnerbrite’s own approach and for us was vital. We want to be somewhere where things get done and get done quickly! - Published: 2026-02-01 - Modified: 2026-02-08 - URL: https://wsc-sports-dev.ltu.co.il/blog/industry-insights/identity-at-scale-the-content-strategy-powering-borussia-dortmunds-global-growth/ - Categories: Industry Insights How identity-led storytelling and AI help Borussia Dortmund grow globally. Key takeaways: - Borussia Dortmund's global popularity shows that sustainable growth comes from amplifying a club’s identity, not reinventing it. - Utilizing historical game footage is a great way to educate younger fans about an organization's heritage and tradition. - AI-powered content creation platforms make identity-driven storytelling scalable across markets without increasing headcount. Borussia Dortmund is having another great season. On the pitch, the black & yellow are ranked second in the Bundesliga, and are well-positioned to qualify for the round of 16 in the Champions League. Off the field, Dortmund continues to find new ways to engage and grow its global fan base, with the latest being a Spanish-language Instagram channel. The new channel, @ElDortmund, is a natural extension of the club’s English-language accounts on Instagram and X, @BlackYellow, which have 8. 7 million followers combined. According to sports marketing agency SPORTFIVE, which is responsible for managing @BlackYellow's, about 12% of the club’s English-language followers are Spanish speakers, with most of them coming from Latin America. “The launch of @ElDortmund is a testament to Borussia Dortmund’s growing popularity around the world and specifically in the Americas among Spanish speakers,” said Marc Lingenhoff, managing director of Dortmund's U. S. office. “Given that some of soccer’s most passionate fans speak Spanish, we cannot wait to meet them where they are and engage with them in their native language as fußball meets fútbol. ” Local DNA, global fans How does a football club from the 9th biggest city in Germany become so popular globally? Success on the field certainly helps. BVB, as Borussia is known in its homeland, has won five Bundesliga titles in the last 30 years, and is one of only seven teams to play in the Champions League each of the past 10 seasons. However, other European clubs have been just as successful, if not more so, as BVB during this time. So what differentiates the black & yellow? It starts with identity. Nestled in the Ruhr Area, once the industrial heart of Germany, Dortmund is a blue-collar city – and so is its football team. According to Alexander Mühl, director of marketing and digitalization at BVB, the club's brand model is structured around four attributes: - Intensity: our intensity creates an unparalleled football experience. - Authenticity: a clear message that we don't pretend to be something we're not. - Binding force: for many people, we are simply part of their identity, and we are very proud of that. - Ambition: when BVB takes the field, we want to be at the top, or, at the very least, we want to be sure that we have given everything to be at the top. The second key differentiator is BVB's ability to preserve the core of its brand and use it to attract new audiences. Or, as Mühl put it, “offering fans who have been proudly following the club for decades maximum identification, and presenting ourselves to young people and international target groups in such a way that they say, 'OK, that's interesting, I want to develop a connection there. ’” Making history feel current Content plays a big part in developing these connections. Last April, for example, BVB and the NFL's Pittsburgh Steelers announced an innovative partnership to further efforts in each other’s markets through content collaborations. The Steelers and BVB share more than colours; both clubs have strong roots in the coal and steel industries, and are known for their passionate fan bases, which is evident in every piece of content the partnership produces. Another pillar of BVB's digital content strategy is its video archive. As a club steeped in heritage and tradition, it was looking for a way to educate younger fans about its history via historical game footage. In October 2024, BVB partnered with WSC Sports, whose AI-powered content creation platform enables the club, among other things, to provide fans with iconic moments from the past at ease. WSC's ability to create platform-specific versions of each story was one of the main draws for BVB. “Legacy and tradition are definitely strengths. But the way you tell the story of that tradition has to evolve,” explained Mühl. “You have to make it relevant for younger target groups. It’s not just about what we post, it’s how we present it, where we share it, and who we’re speaking to. We’re following our fans’ behaviors to guide everything from channel strategy to editing style. ” Tech that protects identity Forward-thinking clubs grow by leaning into what makes them unmistakable. BVB’s global appeal isn’t built on chasing trends, but on consistently expressing its identity across every touchpoint. By incorporating their values into storytelling, clubs can turn who they are into a magnet for new fans, meeting global audiences with content that feels real, not generic. AI-powered content creation platforms make that approach scalable. By automating the creation, management, and distribution of multi-platform video content, solutions like WSC Sports help clubs stay true to their voice while keeping pace with modern consumption habits. For Dortmund, that means the same black & yellow DNA travels effortlessly, right through @ElDortmund, where fußball naturally becomes fútbol. Actionable insights: - Audit your brand DNA and codify it for content teams. Clearly define values, tone, and visual cues so every market, language, and platform tells the same story. - Localize content where fans already are, not just where you want them to be. Use audience data to justify language-specific channels and tailor formats, pacing, and references accordingly. - Activate your archive as an always-on growth engine. Use AI tools to surface historic moments, repackage them for short-form platforms, and educate younger fans at scale. - Published: 2026-01-29 - Modified: 2026-02-04 - URL: https://wsc-sports-dev.ltu.co.il/blog/industry-insights/the-new-home-advantage-how-rights-holders-win-by-showing-up-in-fan-communities/ - Categories: Industry Insights The real wins happen where fans actually talk Key takeaways: - Highly engaged micro communities offer deeper, more meaningful fan relationships than broad social platforms built around passive scrolling. - Rights holders create real value on community platforms by contributing content that sparks conversation, not promotion, around defining moments. - AI-powered content creation platforms enable organizations to consistently fuel these spaces with timely, short-form assets tailored for each community at the scale fans expect. The new year is a peak time for trend reports. One of the more interesting reports for brands is Kantar's annual marketing trends, which identifies what will shape the industry in the upcoming year. In its 2026 report, the marketing data company predicts – among other things – that micro communities will become a major force in social media marketing. “Faced with crowded and impersonal spaces,” the report's authors note, “people are moving towards micro communities where they talk and belong in more meaningful ways. Here, brands win by showing up with tangible value (not promotion) and authentically engaging with people’s interests. In China, where many social trends originate, brands using micro community platforms achieved a 25% higher marketing ROI. ” In the sports industry, the growing trend toward micro communities is reflected in the rise of niche leagues and competitions. Rather than casting a wider net, niche sports focus on providing highly specific fan communities with bespoke content experiences that deliver substantial value. This approach has now spread to mainstream sports, with some of the biggest leagues in the world fostering connections with grassroots communities. Where sports conversations actually happen Reddit has emerged as the go-to platform for fostering these connections. Sports communities on Reddit are thriving, with over 1,000 sports-themed topic pages – known as subreddits – bringing together deeply engaged fans. The numbers are impressive: - 20. 4B screenviews in the sports category between July 2023 and July 2024 – up 26% year-over-year. - Engagements jumped 35% across sports-subreddits in 2024. - 249 million monthly engagements (posts, votes, comments) in sports communities. In 2024, Reddit launched a partnership program to help major sports leagues identify the right content and voice for subreddits. Among the first program partners was the NFL, an early adopter of the platform. When the NFL began collaborating with Reddit in 2019, r/NFL (pro football's subreddit) had 1. 4 million subscribers. Today, as a result of the league’s engagement with the community, it has 12 million. The NFL and Reddit recently extended their partnership through the 2026-27 season. As part of the collaboration, the league will post more from its own account, u/NFL, and focus on growing international communities. “There’s a whole lot of NFL conversation happening with a large group of our most avid fans,” said Brent Lawton, VP media strategy at the league's office. “So we felt like we should try and figure out how we can be a part of it. ” From observers to participants Other leagues and organizations in the US have also joined the fray. MLB, the NBA, the PGA Tour, and NASCAR joined Reddit's partnership program to strengthen their relationships with the platform's passionate fan communities. Through these partnerships, Redditors gain access to “Ask Me Anything” (AMA) Q&As with athletes and executives, behind-the-scenes clips, video highlights, and more special content posted by these organizations throughout their season. Last season, Serie A became the first major European football league to partner with Reddit. Looking to connect directly with its global supporters, Italy's top flight posts exclusive content, AMAs, and match highlights on the existing Serie A subreddit. Like all other subreddits, the page continues to be managed by moderators and remains entirely independent, showing that leagues are not jittery about relinquishing control for the right level of engagement. “Fans are joining in conversations and engaging. They’re spending more time, and they’re not just aimlessly scrolling through – people are really engaged,” said Christine Wixted, head of sports content partnerships at Reddit. “You really find an unduplicated audience on Reddit. A lot of people who come on to Reddit aren’t on TikTok or aren’t on X, so you really get to kind of reach that new fan base. ” Turning moments Into dialogue Platforms built around active participation give rights holders something today’s passive feeds rarely can: genuine dialogue. In communities where fans gather to debate lineups, dissect highlights, or relive unforgettable plays, every post becomes an invitation to connect. By consistently fueling these conversations with timely, high-value moments, organizations not only stay visible – they become part of the culture that keeps these communities thriving. AI-powered content creation tech makes that cadence achievable. By automatically generating multi-format short-form assets tailored for each community, they help rights holders show up with substance everywhere their fans already gather. That steady presence deepens affinity, strengthens identity, and builds the kind of loyalty that only grows in places people feel are their own – a powerful reminder that in sports, personal spaces create lasting connections. Actionable insights: - Show up where real conversations happen: identify fan-led communities (like subreddits) around your league or teams and contribute value-driven content that sparks discussion. - Package moments for participation, not just reach: share highlights, behind-the-scenes clips, and AMAs designed to invite opinions, debate, and fan storytelling. - Use AI to increase content production without added headcount: automate clipping, formatting, and distribution of key moments so community channels stay active, timely, and relevant. - Published: 2026-01-28 - Modified: 2026-05-17 - URL: https://wsc-sports-dev.ltu.co.il/blog/news/wsc-sports-acquires-partnerbrite-to-unify-content-creation-and-sponsorship-activation/ - Categories: News, Partnerbrite A single platform connecting sports content, fans, and brands. Key takeaways - WSC Sports now connects sports moments, content creation, and sponsorship activation in a single workflow. - Rights holders can activate and measure sponsorships without sharing or exposing fan data. - Brands gain targeting, transparency, and accountability that match digital media expectations. - Automation and self-serve tools reduce operational effort while supporting scale and personalization. - The enhanced platform unlocks new revenue tied directly to real-time fan engagement. WSC Sports has acquired Partnerbrite, adding a campaign execution and audience activation layer to its AI-powered content automation, management, and distribution platform. This marks WSC Sports’ second acquisition in less than a year, WSC Sports enables rights holders to automate the creation and distribution of sports content at scale, connecting live moments to fan audiences across digital channels. Partnerbrite lets sponsors and agencies activate campaigns through self-serve tools, executing targeted sponsorships without manual coordination. The combined platform uniquely enables this level of activation while allowing rights holders to retain control of their first-party fan data. These capabilities enable timely, relevant, and measurable sponsorship. Nick Lockwood, co-founder and managing director of Partnerbrite, added, “Partnerbrite was built to modernize sponsorship. Joining WSC Sports accelerates that mission, combining activation with world-class content technology to help rightsholders unlock significant incremental revenue and brands to engage fans in the moments that matter most. ” Why now? Sponsors want more transparent and flexible ways to allocate their budgets. For years, sponsorship spend functioned as a black box. Brands committed resources without clear visibility into how budgets were used or what they delivered. Now, sponsors expect control, measurement, and accountability. The standards set by digital media are carrying over into sponsorship. At the same time, sponsorship activation still relies heavily on manual execution. That makes it difficult to adapt in real time or meet modern performance expectations. In an environment defined by live moments and nonstop content, that gap is no longer sustainable. Reconnecting content and activation Historically, content creation and sponsorship activation have operated as separate workflows. Content is produced and distributed through one system. Sponsorships are planned and executed through another. Reconnecting these workflows changes how sponsorship works. The content created every day becomes the surface for activation. Targeting, execution, and measurement flow from the same system. When content, data, and activation live in one place, sponsorship becomes easier to execute, easier to measure, and easier to optimize. Turning sports moments into measurable impact Together, WSC Sports and Partnerbrite create a direct path from sports moments to measurable business impact. Partnerbrite team joins WSC Sports but will continue to operate under the Partnerbrite brand, bringing deep expertise in sponsorship activation and sports content monetization. For WSC Sports, the acquisition strengthens its role as a platform that connects content, fan audiences, and commercial outcomes. Rights holders gain simpler execution and new revenue opportunities tied to real-time fan engagement. Brands gain sponsorship activation that meets modern digital marketing standards for targeting, transparency, and measurement. The result is a sponsorship model built for how fans engage today, and for how value is created in sports going forward. Why this matters Sports sponsorship delivers some of the most engaged audiences in media. Turning that attention into measurable outcomes has always been harder. Brands now expect sponsorships to perform with the same precision and accountability as digital media. To meet that shift, WSC Sports recently acquired Partnerbrite. The acquisition connects content creation directly to sponsorship activation, closing a long-standing gap in the sports media ecosystem. Automated content no longer stops at distribution. It now extends to commercial outcomes. Moments of peak fan engagement can flow into targeting, execution, and measurement through a single workflow, without adding operational complexity. > The analysis of videos created by all NFL rights holders includes content volume, automation, and formats from 2025/26 compared to 2024/25 regular season - Published: 2026-01-27 - Modified: 2026-02-04 - URL: https://wsc-sports-dev.ltu.co.il/blog/industry-insights/vertical-is-the-new-baseline-2025-26-nfl-regular-season-content-trends/ - Categories: Industry Insights The analysis of videos created by all NFL rights holders includes content volume, automation, and formats across the 2025/26 compared to the 2024/25 regular season Why this matters The 2025/26 NFL season confirms a shift in how content reaches fans. Increases in volume, automation, and vertical formatting show that rights holders have moved to a model of speed and platform-native delivery. Key takeaways - Hyper-Density is Required: Rights holders now average 75. 1 clips per matchup. This volume allows teams to cover multiple storylines simultaneously for every game. - Automation is the Baseline: With a 69. 9% automation rate, AI is the standard method for scaling production. It allows for a 31. 5% increase in output without adding manual overhead. - Vertical-First Strategy: 9:16 is now the majority format. Rights holders are prioritizing vertical video to reach the fans who discover content through social algorithms. The data: vertical and automation The most significant shift in the 2025/26 season was the move toward mobile-first delivery, evidenced by a 125. 7% surge in 9:16 (Vertical) video. Vertical is now the lead format for fan engagement. Rather than reformatting horizontal broadcast footage, rights holders are producing vertical content as the primary way to drive social discovery on TikTok and Reels. This volume is supported by AI, which handled nearly 70% of all content this season. Rights holders produced 158,463 videos, a 31. 5% increase, while keeping manual work constant. This automation engine enables the 46. 5% spike in post-game content speed; it allows clips to hit feeds the moment the game ends. The game itself remains the main draw. Data shows a 44% growth in game-focused action. Fans prioritize high-stakes plays delivered in real-time over lifestyle or behind-the-scenes content. Download the full report Tracking the Season’s Most-Clipped Players While the final score remains the ultimate measure of a game, the way fans consume the NFL regular season has become increasingly player-centric. In a vertical-first ecosystem, individual "micro-moments", a signature throw from Josh Allen or a breakaway run by Saquon Barkley, act as the primary engagement hooks on social media. By leveraging AI to automate clips for high-volume "story engines" like Patrick Mahomes and rising stars like Caleb Williams, rights holders can satisfy the demand for personalized content that follows a fan’s favorite player from the opening snap to the final whistle. Below are the 30 players who dominated the digital conversation this season, representing the most-clipped athletes across the league: Josh Allen — Buffalo BillsDrake Maye — New England PatriotsMatthew Stafford — Los Angeles RamsJalen Hurts — Philadelphia EaglesPatrick Mahomes — Kansas City ChiefsBo Nix — Denver BroncosCaleb Williams — Chicago BearsTrevor Lawrence — Jacksonville JaguarsJustin Herbert — Los Angeles ChargersDak Prescott — Dallas CowboysBaker Mayfield — Tampa Bay BuccaneersSam Darnold — Minnesota VikingsJordan Love — Green Bay PackersJonathan Taylor — Indianapolis ColtsJared Goff — Detroit LionsDerrick Henry — Baltimore RavensBijan Robinson — Atlanta FalconsAaron Rodgers — New York JetsJames Cook — Buffalo BillsBryce Young — Carolina PanthersDaniel Jones — New York GiantsJahmyr Gibbs — Detroit LionsDe’Von Achane — Miami DolphinsCameron Ward — Tennessee TitansJaxson Dart — New York GiantsSaquon Barkley — Philadelphia EaglesLamar Jackson — Baltimore RavensChristian McCaffrey — San Francisco 49ersTua Tagovailoa — Miami DolphinsJaxon Smith-Njigba — Seattle Seahawks > How the Australian Open used the 1-point slam, a million-dollar format to create viral moments, guaranteed storylines, and a Gen Z-native fan funnel entry point. - Published: 2026-01-26 - Modified: 2026-06-04 - URL: https://wsc-sports-dev.ltu.co.il/blog/industry-insights/the-1-point-slam-how-the-australian-open-built-a-gen-z-native-fan-funnel/ - Categories: Industry Insights This new format makes every rally a match point, perfectly sized for a viral TikTok video. What is the 1-Point Slam? The Australian Open 1-Point Slam is a high-stakes, fast-paced exhibition event that debuted its "million-dollar" format during the AO Opening Week. The event was designed for maximum drama and "TikTok-style" brevity: - Every match consists of one point. - Prize money for the winner: $1 million AUD - Mixed Field: The 48-player bracket included 24 top pros (men and women) and 24 amateurs and celebrities. - Short on-court pre and post-match interview, all the players sitting on the sidelines. - Service Choice: Players play Rock, Paper, Scissors - Serving Handicap: Professional players are allowed one serve. Amateurs are permitted the standard two. The Road to a Million-Dollar Miracle The ultimate winner was amateur Jordan Smith, a 29-year-old Sydney-based tennis instructor. Smith’s improbable run included an upset of Australian Open champion Jannik Sinner and a final victory against WTA world No 117 Joanna Garland. The field itself reflected a collision of worlds: alongside tennis stars such as Nick Kyrgios, Carlos Alcaraz, and Coco Gauff were a television host, a former jockey, a video-game influencer, and Taiwanese entrepreneur Jay Chou, reportedly worth $100 million. In the age of Jake Paul boxing spectacles and influencer-driven leagues like Kings League and Baller League, the Australian Open translated it to its own event. The 1-Point Slam fused elite sport, creator culture, and storytelling into a native property. Here’s what made the event so relevant. Built as a Social-Media-Native Format Tennis remains one of the most conservative global sports. Rule changes take years, and the five-set Grand Slam format is increasingly misaligned with the short attention spans of Gen Z and Gen Alpha. The sport has made several attempts to modernize. Patrick Mouratoglou’s UTS challenged match structure; the ATP Next Gen Finals experimented with scoring; the Davis Cup was radically overhauled; Roger Federer launched the Laver Cup as a team-based spectacle; and the US Open introduced a fast, celebrity-driven mixed doubles event. The 1-Point Slam represents the Australian Open’s own answer to this challenge. Without overhauling the sacred core of the main draw, the AO created a high-impact side event. The concept flips the Grand Slam model: instead of long, attritional matches, it delivers the shortest match possible: one point. Combined with extreme stakes ($1 million prize), the format compresses tension and drama into moments that last... seconds. Every rally is a match point, perfectly sized for a TikTok video. The byproduct is powerful: 47 instant match-point highlights, engineered to flood social platforms. Design To Guarantee Storylines The "David vs. Goliath" setup, where amateurs compete directly against world-class professionals for a life-changing prize was bound to garner massive attention. Layered on top was the pressure of a one-point format. The ingredients were all there. Star power amplified the spectacle, while the mixed-gender format introduced a twist: women could (and did) beat men. You could see Iga Świątek unleash a forehand winner to eliminate world No. 22 Flavio Cobolli. By the quarterfinals, the bracket told its own story: six female professionals, one male professional, and one amateur still standing. By holding qualifiers for amateur players in every Australian state, the tournament also successfully generated massive local engagement before the main draw even began. Add short on-court interviews and the visual of all participants watching from the sidelines, and the format came with storytelling baked in: context, reactions, and every outcome immediately humanized. A Masterclass in Optimizing the Top of the Fan Funnel Overall, the 1-Point Slam stands out as a smart, Gen Z-native activation. And a textbook execution of the sports fan funnel. Tennis Australia’s core objective remains unchanged: the Australian Open main draw is the primary product. In that context, the challenge is not reinvention but progression: guiding fans from discovery to engagement to monetization, from first exposure to tickets and merchandise. The Different Stages of the Fan Funnel The 1-Point Slam was designed as the discovery layer. It wasn’t built for the hardcore tennis or Australian Open fan. Those audiences were always going to watch the main tournament. Instead, it targeted new and casual fans with a format optimized for reach, shareability, and cultural relevance. By staging the event during Opening Week, just days before the main draw, Tennis Australia maximized the number of fans entering the top of the funnel at exactly the right moment. From there, the handoff is natural. Some of those newly acquired fans will watch highlights from the main draw. Others will tune in live, follow players, or engage on social media. Over time, a portion will convert: buying tickets, purchasing merchandise, or becoming repeat viewers. This obviously also requires efforts by the organizers at the middle and bottom of the fan funnel (for more insights, read our dedicated article breaking down every stage of the funnel). The 1-Point Slam was a great strategic effort. It widened the funnel, modernized first contact with the sport, and ultimately strengthened the long-term value of the Australian Open fan base. - Published: 2026-01-25 - Modified: 2026-02-04 - URL: https://wsc-sports-dev.ltu.co.il/blog/industry-insights/turning-investment-into-fandom-building-a-sustainable-ecosystem-in-mena/ - Categories: Industry Insights Why the next phase of MENA’s sports boom depends on converting capital and star power into everyday fan engagement Key takeaways - MENA’s sports strategy has successfully attracted global attention, but long-term growth now depends on strengthening domestic leagues and everyday fan engagement. - Infrastructure upgrades and marquee signings raise visibility, yet consistent storytelling is essential to make local competitions culturally relevant. - AI-powered content creation helps rights holders scale localized, multi-format storytelling that meets global standards and nurtures sustainable regional fandom. On the second weekend of January, the Middle East and North Africa region (MENA) was the place to be for football connoisseurs. In Morocco, the Africa Cup of Nations boasted a lineup of four high-quality quarter-final matches. In Kuwait, PSG won the Trophée des Champions (the French Super Cup) after beating Marseille in dramatic fashion. And in Saudi Arabia, Barcelona outdueled Real Madrid in a thrilling Clásico to retain the Supercopa de España. This trend is only set to continue. The MENA region has established itself as the go-to destination for major sporting events: Morocco will co-host (with Portugal and Spain) the 2030 FIFA World Cup, with Saudi Arabia following four years later; the 2027 FIBA Basketball World Cup will be held in Qatar; and Egypt is preparing a bid for the 2036 Summer Olympics. What distinguishes the region as a global hub for sports, said Mohamed Hashem, sports lead for Middle East and Africa at global management consultancy Kearney, “is its forward-looking approach. Free from legacy constraints, countries across the region are testing new frameworks that align sports with broader economic and societal ambitions. ” The investment playbook behind the momentum These frameworks are exploring multiple avenues to invest in sports. According to global strategy consulting firm Altman Solon, which dedicated a chapter to the Middle East’s sports growth in a recent report, entities in the region take four investment pathways: 1. Acquiring stakes in international clubs and leagues Early deals were often led by royal family members targeting elite football clubs, such as PSG and Manchester City. Over the past decade, this has evolved into a more strategy-driven approach where sovereign wealth funds and government-controlled vehicles deploy capital into properties that can hold annual events in the region (like LIV Golf, Formula 1 races, ATP & WTA tournaments), which generate local job opportunities and boost tourism. 2. Sponsoring international clubs and leagues Middle Eastern entities leverage high-visibility partnerships – especially jersey sponsorships and naming rights – to attach their brands to the world’s biggest fan bases. State-owned airlines and oil companies are central actors, turning clubs, leagues, and competitions in different sports into global billboards for broader national projects. 3. Hosting top international events By bringing in tentpole sporting events, countries in the region can compress years of brand building into a handful of moments that are broadcast worldwide. These events are not treated as one-off spectacles but as anchors in broader development plans, integrated with investments in infrastructure, real estate, and entertainment districts to ensure that venues and surrounding areas remain active long after the trophies are lifted. 4. Investing in growing domestic ecosystems This involves channeling capital into facilities, academies, grassroots programs, and women’s and youth platforms. By investing heavily in local ecosystems, the region aims to gradually close that gap and deepen engagement with domestic leagues. Early returns on a long-term bet These investments yielded results. Altman Solon's report revealed that the region's focus on sports has led to increased interest in sports viewership, especially among younger generations: - Among 16-24-year-olds, interest in watching sports rose from 27% in 2021 to 36% in 2024. - Gen Zers in MENA generally show higher interest in sports compared to their European and American peers. - Sports viewers in the region show greater interest in European football leagues than in domestic leagues. Given this interest in sports, note the report's authors, the challenge facing MENA countries “is to further expand sports fandom domestically and strengthen the local sports ecosystems. Investment in local leagues, star signings, and improved fan experiences could help further increase engagement with regional teams. ” Scaling fandom through technology That next step is already underway. Across the region, leagues are benefiting from world-class stadiums, elite training facilities, and marquee signings – Cristiano Ronaldo in the Saudi Pro League, Roberto Firmino in Qatar, to name of few – that raise both quality and visibility. To translate this into fandom, organizations must match global standards off the pitch too and deliver a constant flow of multi-format content that fits how modern fans follow sports. This is where AI-powered content creation tech becomes essential. By automatically identifying key moments, generating platform-specific assets, and distributing them at scale, rights holders can stay present between matchdays. The result is a richer, more consistent fan experience that mirrors top leagues worldwide. With the right execution, MENA won’t just host football’s biggest moments – it will become a destination for connoisseurs because of its local leagues. Actionable insights: - Use short-form, platform-native video to spotlight local league moments between marquee events, keeping domestic competitions visible and relevant year-round. - Treat star players as storytelling anchors, but build content ecosystems around clubs, rivalries, and matchday narratives to sustain engagement beyond signings. - Leverage AI-powered workflows to create, format, and distribute content at scale, ensuring regional leagues meet the same content standards as top global competitions. > How the College Football Playoff national championship game between Indiana and Miami became dozens of stories across social media, using multiple formats to reach every type of fan. - Published: 2026-01-22 - Modified: 2026-02-04 - URL: https://wsc-sports-dev.ltu.co.il/blog/industry-insights/one-game-dozens-of-stories-how-the-college-football-championship-became-a-multi-platform-story-engine/ - Categories: Industry Insights The College Football Playoff national championship between Indiana and the University of Miami was more than the action on the field. It lived on phones, in family reactions, celebrity moments, and behind the scenes. In today’s sports ecosystem, a championship game deserves more than one match summary highlight clip. It’s a living, remixable story told from dozens of perspectives, in dozens of formats, for dozens of audiences. Here’s how the CFP coverage turned one game into a layered digital experience and how it can inspire other rightsholders to pursue modern sports storytelling. Key Takeaways - The CFP final proved that angle diversity matters as much as highlight quality. - Mobile footage, fan reactions, and behind-the-scenes access added emotional depth beyond the TV broadcast. - The most effective coverage balanced casual fandom, cultural crossover, and core fan needs. Pre-Game Content: Building the Anticipation From the team bus arrival to warm-ups and pre-game rituals, pre-game content laid the emotional groundwork long before kickoff. Mascots, cheerleaders, routines: it all added texture. Take-away: Storytelling starts well before the opening kickoff. Pre-game content creates anticipation and gives fans reasons to emotionally invest early. The Prayer Moment: Intimacy Before Impact A quiet, intimate prayer just before the game revealed a deeply personal side of the sport. Just belief and focus. Take-away: Intimate moments reveal depth. Faith, reflection, and vulnerability add emotional contrast to the spectacle. Celebrities Show Up: Culture Meets Competition The Rock shared a message as a former Miami player. DJ Khaled appeared on the field pre-game. Lil Uzi Vert explained how he became an Indiana fan. Each moment pulled in a different audience. Take-away: Celebrity involvement creates instant cultural relevance and opens the door to new, more casual audiences beyond traditional sports fans. Cultural Crossover: Music, Movies, and Fandom Indiana’s band playing Lord of the Rings music became a moment of its own. This is where sports meeting pop culture. Take-away: Cultural crossover moments broaden reach and pull new fans into the top of the funnel. Sideline Phone Footage: Absolute Cinema Watch the iconic, game-winning drive from Indiana quarterback Fernando Mendoza. The video is shot on a phone from the sidelines. The proximity, the shake, the immediacy. You can almost feel the athleticism and physicality of the play. Take-away: Mobile footage captured from the sidelines can sometimes be more powerful than the TV broadcast. Raw angles add authenticity and cinematic energy. Use them to diversify your content mix. Family Cam: The Most Universal Emotion Few moments resonate more than parents watching their child reach the pinnacle of their career. Fernando Mendoza’s parents became part of the broadcast narrative as their son delivered on the biggest stage. Take-away: Family emotions transcend teams and leagues. These moments humanize athletes and invite casual fans into the story. The Traditional Camera: Context at Scale The live TV feed stitched together multiple storylines at once: the play itself, the family reaction, on-field celebrations, crowd shots, opposing fans’ despair, and iconic commentary. Take-away: The traditional broadcast still plays a vital role. It captures multiple narratives simultaneously and anchors the moment in real-time history. Split-Screen Storytelling: One Moment, More Context Split screens layered emotion and information: commentator reactions, player focus, interviews paired with the key play. Even a mic’d-up mom joined the storytelling. Take-away: Split-screen formats enhance emotion and context, allowing multiple narratives to unfold simultaneously. Fan Zone: Winning Together Indiana students packed into the university arena for a massive watch party. As the Hoosiers sealed the title, the camera captured pure release, pure joy. Take-away: The story doesn’t only live inside the stadium. Capturing fans watching elsewhere expands the narrative and reinforces the collective nature of sports fandom. Fan-Generated Content: Let the Audience Tell the Story Fans around the world shared their own reactions, celebrations, and watch-party moments. They turned the championship into a global, participatory event. Take-away: Inviting fan submissions adds new storylines while strengthening community and engagement. Behind-the-Scenes: The Details Fans Crave Ever wondered how the confetti moment comes together? Behind-the-scenes footage revealed the mechanics behind the magic. Take-away: Behind-the-scenes access satisfies fan curiosity and adds appreciation for the production itself. The POV Camera: Celebrate Like a Player A POV camera captured postgame celebrations as if you were inside the helmet. Immersive, personal, and great way to shout out the sponsoring technology provider. Take-away: POV angles create immersion and offer natural opportunities to showcase technology partners. Emotional Interviews: Context After the Chaos Post-game interviews captured raw emotion while answering the questions fans were asking: What did this mean? How did it feel? Take-away: Post-game interviews extend the life of the moment. Emotion plus context deepens fan connection. The 30-Minute Highlight: Serve the Core Fan Not every fan wants quick cuts and cultural moments. Core fans want the game: every snap, every drive, uninterrupted. Take-away: Long-form highlights serve your most dedicated audience and maximize ad opportunities on YouTube. Don’t neglect them. One Game, Infinite Stories The 2026 CFP national championship was one game. But the coverage showed how a single game can live across platforms, formats, and emotions. In today’s attention economy, relevancy means reshaping the same moments for different audiences. The final whistle ends the game on the field, but the story continues everywhere else. For more inspiration on different angles for sports content, check out our analysis of the 2025 ATP Finals and the 2025 Europa League final coverage. - Published: 2026-01-21 - Modified: 2026-02-04 - URL: https://wsc-sports-dev.ltu.co.il/blog/industry-insights/mapping-the-correlation-between-highlight-volume-and-all-star-voting/ - Categories: Industry Insights What the Top 30 Most-Clipped Players Reveal About Fan Voting Patterns Why it matters In the modern NBA, highlights have replaced the traditional "national TV game" as the primary discovery engine for fans. As the league debuts its USA vs. World format for the 2026 All-Star Game, our December data reveals that international players are effectively using automated content to bypass geographic barriers. When a player like Deni Avdija or Shai Gilgeous-Alexander generates a high volume of instant, localized highlights, they aren't just gaining views. They are converting a global audience into a voting bloc. In 2026, the speed of content distribution is directly determining the starting lineup. Key takeaways - The global over-performance: International stars account for 36% of the Top 30 most-highlighted players (11 out of 30), significantly outperforming their total league population of roughly 26%. - Team synergy drives discovery: The Oklahoma City Thunder lead the league with 3 players in the Top 30 (SGA, Holmgren, Williams), proving that a concentrated team-wide content presence correlates with massive jumps in All-Star ballots. - The rookie fast-track: High-impact social clips allowed Cooper Flagg to crack the Top 10 for highlight volume in his first month, bypassing the traditional "wait-your-turn" veteran hierarchy to challenge for an All-Star starting spot. The NBA All-Star Game has always been a reflection of fan sentiment. However, the 2026 voting returns reveal a growing shift: the undeniable correlation between highlight volume and global voting power. At WSC Sports, we analyzed the top 30 most-highlighted players from December. By overlaying this "on-court output" with the latest fan voting leader boards, we can see exactly how the "Highlight Economy" is fueling the historic USA vs. World theme of this year's game. (Scroll down to see the list of top 30 players) 1. International dominance (by the numbers) In a league where roughly a quarter of players are international, December highlight data shows a massive "over-performance" by global stars. Top 10 data: International players hold 40% of the Top 10 spots for highlight volume (Jokic, SGA, Wembanyama, Doncic). Top 30 data: 11 out of the 30 most-highlighted players are international (36%). The trend: This "Highlight Density" is the engine behind why global stars like Luka Doncic and Giannis Antetokounmpo are currently leading their respective conferences in total votes. International fans are "voting with their views. " 2. Team synergy: who is "winning" the month? Stardom is rarely a solo act. Our December data shows that certain teams are dominating the social feed by pairing multiple high-volume stars. Oklahoma City Thunder (The lead): Leading the pack with 3 players in the Top 30 (SGA, Chet Holmgren, Jalen Williams). This reflects their status as a "League Pass" darling and explains why their young core is surging in All-Star ballots. The pairs: Several teams landed two players in the Top 30, showing a concentrated content presence: - NY Knicks: Jalen Brunson & Karl-Anthony Towns - Minnesota Timberwolves: Anthony Edwards & Rudy Gobert - Denver Nuggets: Nikola Jokic & Jamal Murray 3. The "highlight snub" index Our data identifies players who are producing "All-Star volume" highlights but haven't yet captured the "All-Star volume" of votes. The snubs: Jalen Johnson (Hawks), Deni Avdija (Trail Blazers), and Jalen Duren (Pistons) all cracked the Top 30 for highlights in December. The disparity: Deni Avdija, for instance, finished in 5th place in the West frontcourt voting, ahead of legends like Kevin Durant. This proves that accessibility—delivering his highlights to a global audience—is actively closing the gap between small-market reality and All-Star stardom. The 2026 takeaway The data from December proves that the "fan funnel" has evolved. Stardom is no longer a slow burn built over years of national TV appearances; it is a high-velocity race built on vertical video. By automating the delivery of every great play, we don't just create highlights. We create voters. *************** Top 30 most-clipped NBA players in December Jalen Brunson, New York KnicksNikola Jokic, Denver NuggetsDonovan Mitchell, Cleveland CavaliersShai Gilgeous-Alexander, Oklahoma City ThunderKarl-Anthony Towns, New York KnicksCooper Flagg, Dallas MavericksAmen Thompson, Houston RocketsAnthony Edwards, Minnesota TimberwolvesJalen Johnson, Atlanta HawksVictor Wembanyama, San Antonio SpursLeBron James, Los Angeles LakersKevin Durant, Houston RocketsCade Cunningham, Detroit PistonsTyrese Maxey, Philadelphia 76ersLuka Doncic, Los Angeles LakersRudy Gobert, Minnesota TimberwolvesJamal Murray, Denver NuggetsStephen Curry, Golden State WarriorsKawhi Leonard, Los Angeles ClippersJaylen Brown, Boston CelticsShaedon Sharpe, Portland TrailblazersKeyonte George, Utah JazzScottie Barnes, Toronto RaptorsDeni Avdija, Portland TrailblazersChet Holmgren, Oklahoma City ThunderDesmond Bane, Orlando MagicJalen Williams, Oklahoma City ThunderJalen Duren, Detroit PistonsBrandon Ingram, Toronto RaptorsDe'Aaron Fox, San Antonio Spurs - Published: 2026-01-20 - Modified: 2026-02-04 - URL: https://wsc-sports-dev.ltu.co.il/blog/industry-insights/the-most-valuable-sports-audience-the-industry-keeps-missing/ - Categories: Industry Insights Investment in women’s sports is soaring, but understanding the women who power it is still lagging behind Key takeaways: - Women represent one of sports’ most powerful consumer segments, yet many rights holders still fail to reflect their motivations, identities, and expectations. - Female fans are driven by storytelling that highlights athletes’ personalities, journeys, and leadership, not just results, stats, or standings. - Rights holders that tailor content experiences to women’s lived realities can unlock deeper engagement, stronger loyalty, and significant commercial upside. Women’s sports is having a moment, and deep-pocketed investors were among the first to recognize it. Over the past few years, key figures like Alexis Ohanian (the co-founder of Reddit), Bob Iger (Disney CEO) and his wife, TV journalist Willow Bay, Joe Lacob (the owner of the Golden State Warriors), and Vivek Ranadivé (owner of the Sacramento Kings) have all invested record sums in women’s teams and leagues, accelerating their growth. But none of them has matched the impact of Michele Kang's investment. The billionaire, who owns three women’s football teams in the US, UK, and France, recently launched the Kang Women’s Institute. Partnering with US Soccer, Kang has committed to investing $25 million in the institute, which aims to assess the current and emerging needs of female players at every level through scientific research. Currently, only 6% of published research in sports is focused on women. “For too long, women have trained, played, and recovered using models built for men. That ends now,” said Kang. “This Institute will put female athletes at the center and build the evidence, systems, and standards that will allow women and girls to reach their full potential. This is not just about closing a research gap; it’s about creating a future where every player has the knowledge, care, and opportunity to thrive. ” Why women’s fandom deserves center stage According to a new study by The Collective, Wasserman’s women-focused advisory business, female athletes are not the only ones who need to be put front and center in sports. Drawing on the insights of over 7,100 women across 10 countries, the study offers a new perspective on women’s experiences as sports fans, encouraging leagues, teams, and organizations to rethink women’s fandom in a way that unlocks the full power of their loyalty and spending power. Women's spending power and fandom, The Collective's report underscores, is on an upward trajectory: - Women will control 75% of global discretionary spending by 2030 and lead the majority (85%) of household purchasing decisions. - 72% of women worldwide consider themselves avid sports fans. - Nearly half (48%) of women fans are the primary decision-makers for sports-related purchases. Any yet, note the authors, “despite the immense economic influence women hold as both consumers and sports fans, many still feel unseen and misunderstood by leagues, teams, and brands. The industry, as it stands today, will never unlock the full economic value of women unless it sees – and serves – 'her'. ” Why legacy fan models no longer work At the heart of the issue is the industry's reliance on outdated fan frameworks that were historically built for men, namely stats and stadium-first strategies. As a result: - 66% of female fans say professional women’s sports leagues do not understand or appeal to them, and 72% say the same about men’s sports leagues. - Less than 30% of Boomer and Gen X women sports fans say sports organizations understand them. - 53% of Gen Z women say the lack of attention to women fans has made them less likely to engage. Rather than expecting women to adapt to frameworks that don't always fit them, rights holders should create an ecosystem that allows female fans to engage on their terms. That means creating narratives that present athletes as multi-faceted individuals: leaders, parents, entrepreneurs, and creators. “Women are story-driven consumers: athletes’ journeys, on-field or court resilience, and off-field leadership resonate as much as performance,” the authors contend. “Across studies, women rank talent, personality, and leadership as the top reasons they follow athletes. That means storytelling isn’t secondary. It is the product. ” Smarter content platforms serve women fans better Women today represent one of the most powerful consumer forces in sports, yet the disconnect is clear: their economic stake is surging while emotional relevance still lags. When leagues and teams default to legacy fan models, they miss the opportunity to reflect how women experience sport. Organizations that invest in storytelling rooted in identity, personality, and lived reality don’t just gain women's attention; they earn trust, loyalty, and measurable commercial return. This is where AI-powered content creation tech becomes a competitive advantage. By instantly transforming moments that showcase athletes’ character, creativity, and journeys, rights holders can deliver platform-native stories at the speed and scale women expect. When content consistently reflects what resonates, discovery turns into devotion. With investors already placing big bets on women’s sports, the next frontier is meeting female fans where they engage. Actionable insights: - Audit your content mix to ensure athlete storytelling (personal journeys, off-field lives, values) is as prominent as highlights and statistics. - Build platform-specific short-form formats that surface personality and emotion, not just performance, especially for social and creator-led channels. - Use content data and audience signals to actively segment and personalize experiences for women fans, instead of relying on legacy, one-size-fits-all fan models. - Published: 2026-01-19 - Modified: 2026-06-04 - URL: https://wsc-sports-dev.ltu.co.il/blog/industry-insights/inside-the-australian-opens-tech-driven-playbook-for-elite-events/ - Categories: Industry Insights A behind-the-scenes look at how technology is redefining fan engagement at one of sport’s most innovative majors Key takeaways: - Elite sporting events must treat technological innovation as a core content strategy, enabling moments to travel globally and live beyond broadcast windows. - Short-form, platform-native storytelling is now the primary way landmark moments are discovered, shared, and emotionally experienced by global audiences. - AI-powered content creation allows rights holders to scale multilingual, culturally authentic storytelling in real time without increasing production complexity or cost. Could an exhibition match steal the thunder from the Grand Slam it precedes? The 2026 Australian Open put that question to the test. On January 17, the night before main-draw action begins, the legendary Roger Federer took the court at Rod Laver Arena along with three other icons – Andre Agassi, Patrick Rafter, and Lleyton Hewitt – for a match dubbed “Battle of the World No. 1s,“ as part of the tournament's inaugural opening ceremony. The opening ceremony, which also featured a performance by Crowded House, is the latest innovation of the season’s first major. In a world where short, social moments are the primary driver of fan engagement, Federer's return to the Australian Open is the stuff of dreams. Capitalizing on such an event takes deliberate planning. From detection and creation to distribution, amplification, and measurement, every stage is crucial and requires the right tech. Thankfully, the AO is renowned for pushing the boundaries, especially when it comes to new technologies. Progress as a competitive edge First held in 1905, the Australian Open has always been a proponent of change. Before setting up home at Melbourne Park in 1988, the tournament was played in five Australian cities, as well as in New Zealand. The courts have also evolved. For most of its history, the AO was played on grass courts; between 1988 and 2007, it was played on a cushioned hard surface called Rebound Ace; and in 2008, it transitioned to a cooler Plexicushion hard court. The tournament's track record of technological innovation was born out of necessity. To protect players from intense heatwaves and ensure play continues in case of thunderstorms, the Australian Open built three retractable-roof arenas, more than any other Grand Slam. During the COVID-19 pandemic, in an effort to limit on-site personnel, the AO became the first major to use automated electronic line calling (ELC). This ingenuity is now baked into the tournament’s culture. Since 2022, Tennis Australia has invited early-stage companies to pilot their technology at the Australian Open, as part of an incubator called AO StartUps. It was the first Grand Slam to enter the metaverse and to offer fans "art ball" NFTs. And through its partnership with IT firm Infosys, the AO has leveraged AI to enhance the fan experience across all touchpoints. The results have been striking: - Australian Open YouTube content had more than 152 million views during AO 2025, equating to more than six million hours watched. - More than 7,000 pieces of content were created and published to AO social channels during AO 2025, resulting in more than 1. 7 billion impressions, over 1. 1 billion views, and nearly 45 million engagements. - There were more than 40 million visits to ausopen. com and the Australian Open app during AO 2025, generating 18 million video views across both platforms. Speaking the fan’s language A primary driver of the Australian Open's impressive numbers is content localization. The 2025 AO marked the first time Tennis Australia leveraged WSC Sports’ LSM (large-sports-model) – the first-ever large language model dedicated to sports content – to generate voice-over commentary in multiple languages, allowing fans to experience the tournament's best moments in their preferred language. The technology uses ground-breaking scripting capabilities and fine-tuned text-to-speech models. In a single workflow, an English-speaking highlight can become a Spanish, Japanese, or Arabic one, complete with authentic voice tones and synced emotion that make the language feel authentic and local. “We believe in the power of storytelling to connect fans with the sport and the players,” explained Xavier Muhlebach, head of original content at Tennis Australia. “By combining cutting-edge AI technology with our passion for tennis, we’re making the tournament more accessible, inclusive, and engaging for fans around the world. ” Powering the modern mega-event Elite events don’t stay elite by standing still. The Australian Open’s long-standing commitment to innovation shows how modern technology reshapes not just operations, but storytelling itself. By investing in advanced content capabilities, global tournaments can deliver moments instantly, travel further than broadcast windows allow, and ensure that landmark occasions resonate far beyond the stadium, in every market and time zone. AI-powered content creation platforms sit at the center of that evolution. They enable organizations to scale short-form storytelling while tailoring it to local languages, rhythms, and cultural nuance – so fans everywhere can follow narratives as they unfold and feel part of the same moment. With that foundation, Federer’s return to the Australian Open becomes a moment the whole world can experience together. Actionable insights: - Identify which moments matter most – turning points, star performances, ceremonies – and design content strategies that amplify them globally - Build localization into your content workflow from the start, using AI tools to deliver multilingual, culturally relevant versions without slowing production. - Treat AI-powered content creation as infrastructure, not experimentation, so teams can publish faster, personalize at scale, and stay present across fan touchpoints in real time. https://www. youtube. com/watch? v=ApP6ViUIJlQ - Published: 2026-01-19 - Modified: 2026-02-08 - URL: https://wsc-sports-dev.ltu.co.il/blog/industry-insights/the-same-game-changing-ai-now-applied-to-studio-shows-and-spoken-content/ - Categories: Industry Insights WSC Sports’ automated solution for studio shows lets you instantly surface, clip, and publish the best on-air moments — before they’re old news. Studio shows are packed with emotional soundbites, raw reactions, and potentially viral clips — yet most of that gold never sees the light of day. Why? Because it’s buried under hours of footage, stuck behind manual workflows, or lost in translation. Learn more about the new offering from WSC Sports, and why it's gotten the backing of elite on-air talent, like ESPN's Adam Schefter and Peter Schrager. Schedule a demo: There’s a quote. Somewhere in that 47-minutes of footage. Maybe it was funny. Maybe it was fiery. Maybe it was exactly what your fans, your editors, or sponsors would’ve loved to have posted in that moment. But instead, you or your team are sifting through a mountain of tape — rewinding, scrubbing, transcribing, translating, guessing. By the time you clip it, clean it, caption it, and format it, it’s old news. It’s a familiar grind. If studio show content is part of your workflow, then you know the pain. They're long. They’re chaotic. And they often go underused — not because they’re not valuable, but because they’re just too damn hard to work with. The result? Some of your best content gets stuck in the editing room or is simply forgotten. Well, not anymore. Studio shows deserve smarter tools At WSC Sports, we’ve spent over a decade building automation tools for the world’s leading sports organizations, and powering everything from real-time highlights to full-package distribution. Now, we took everything we learned from automating game highlights — real-time indexing, smart tagging, auto-clip generation — and applied it to what's being said. So, instead of losing hours to logging, clipping, and captioning; you can have ready-to-publish content in minutes. Because spoken commentary and analysis should be fueling fan conversations in real time. A workflow built for social storytelling This new solution automates the heavy lifting — so your team can focus on the stories worth telling, not the footage you need to sift through. With WSC Sports, you can turn the best moments on-air into ready-to-publish content in minutes. Here’s what you can do now:Instant content discovery: search by speaker, keyword, or topic. The AI indexes everything in real-time — speakers, mentions, context — so you can jump straight to the moments that matter. Let the system show you what’s worth sharing: a smart, star-rating system identifies questions and responses with the highest potential to go viral. No more guessing. Social-ready by default: clips are auto-formatted for every platform. WSC's “Magicrop” keeps speakers perfectly framed for vertical. Captions are burned in, styled, and optimized for audio-off. Break-down language barriers: instantly translate captions — or even dub the speaker’s voice — to connect with global audiences in their native language. One library, every moment: split-screen templates let you pair a press quote with in-game footage in seconds. And all of it lives in one searchable, AI-powered media hub for reuse and re-packaging. It actually moves the needle Some of the results from deploying the solution are: -67% increase in press content output (Australian Open) -114% increase in interview and ceremony views -46% increase in postgame press conference performance -25% increase in watch time after adding captions Spotlight: on one occasion, a client beat-out their league’s official channel (who isn’t a WSC Sports user) to publish a viral clip by 10 minutes — and it made all the difference in terms of reach, views, and engagement. Control the narrative. Without losing time. In an age when moments go viral in seconds, the organizations that win are the ones that move fast and stay on message. This solution was built for digital, social, comms, and media teams who want to scale storytelling — without getting buried by playback and post. It puts narrative control back in your hands. And it does it at the speed of news. From live ingestion to social-ready clips, it turns your content workflow into an engine for engagement. Actionable Insights -Reframe content from interviews and shows as social fuel: don’t treat them as archives — but rather, as living content engines. When indexed in real time, they become searchable libraries of storylines and quotes your audience actually cares about. -Prioritize speed over polish: a 30-second quote, posted quickly with captions and vertical framing, beats a 2-minute, over-edited clip every time. Speed is the difference between relevance and regret. -Measure results: track views, engagement, and share velocity on postgame content — and compare performance with and without automated, fast-to-publish workflows, captions, translation, or split-screen packaging. Small tweaks often yield big spikes. Let’s make it work for you Let us show you how it works with your content. Reach out, and let’s turn your content into ready-to-post videos so you can experience the speed, scale, and stories you’ve been leaving on the table. Schedule a demo and see it in action > Trends in AI are reshaping sports technology. - Published: 2026-01-18 - Modified: 2026-02-04 - URL: https://wsc-sports-dev.ltu.co.il/blog/industry-insights/sports-technology-revolution-how-genai-is-creating-billion-dollar-opportunities/ - Categories: Industry Insights Trends in AI are reshaping sports technology. Key takeaways: - Sports firms trail in personalization: only ~30% use AI-driven marketing, versus 92% in retail. Many teams/leagues are rushing to catch up via AI-driven content. - Fan engagement is booming: by 2025 US sports streaming audience will exceed 90M, and 82% of fans use a sports app during live games. Bite-sized personalized content (highlights, stats) dramatically lifts retention. - The sports tech market is huge and accelerating. The AI-in-sports segment alone is projected to triple from about $8. 9B (2024) to $27. 6B by 2030. The broader sports tech industry (media, venues, gear) is estimated at ~$27B in 2025, on track for ~$139B by 2032. - Key GenAI opportunities include: 1) Personalized AI video (WSC Sports powers millions of custom highlights), 2) Athlete performance tech (wearables + AI coaching), 3) Automated broadcasting (AI cameras, synthetic commentary), 4) Data-driven sponsorships (AI boosts brand exposure ~30%), 5) AI betting (smarter odds, +15–20% win rates), 6) Dynamic merchandising/CRM (personalization drives ~15% revenue lift). - Investment is surging: ~$52B in sports tech deals in H1 2025 and ~$12. 5B through Oct 2025 (the 2nd-biggest year on record). New funds are targeting “fan-first” solutions – investors have deployed ~$64B from 2021–2025, with most capital now chasing fan engagement and media. Introduction: The perfect storm for disruption in sports technology The global sports industry is already enormous (>$521B in revenue in 2024) but now stands at the brink of a tech-fueled boom. Analysts calculate that closing the current digital gap – by embracing AI, cloud and data analytics – could boost sports revenues by roughly 25% (an extra ~$130B). This comes as fan behavior shifts radically: US viewers streaming sports monthly will top 90M by 2025, and younger audiences live on mobile and social media. Leagues are responding with direct-to-fan services (bypassing legacy TV), and technology breakthroughs in generative AI are making new experiences possible. In short, insatiable fan demand + evolving business models + maturing GenAI tools has created a “perfect storm” for sports tech disruption. What’s Driving the Sports Tech Surge? Explosion of fan demand for digital content: Modern sports fans are glued to their devices, even at live games. Over 82% of fans now use a sports app while watching events, consuming real-time stats, clips and social feeds. This means there is massive appetite for on-demand, personalized content. At today’s events fans often stream and share content live from the stands. Digital engagement is skyrocketing – by 2025 more than 90M US viewers will stream sports monthly. Teams and broadcasters recognize that on-demand “snackable” content and interactive features (instant highlights, multi-angle views, live polling) are now table stakes. If they fail to serve fans through mobile apps, social, and new media, engagement and revenues will suffer. Shift toward direct-to-fan models: Traditional TV bundles are breaking up. Many leagues are reclaiming rights to stream games directly (via apps or partnered platforms), and tech giants (Amazon, Apple, etc. ) are buying sports content. PwC notes that several major US leagues now stream directly to consumers. This fragmentation means sports content is no longer a few national channels – it’s everywhere fans look online. Crucially, it lets teams capture first-party data (on which fans watch which content) instead of ceding fan info to cable companies. Industry analysts suggest this trend could turn local games into global franchises as tech platforms merge distribution with fan analytics. GenAI capabilities maturing: We’re past the beta stage for generative AI. Large language and video models can now produce highlights, commentary and graphics in real time. Morgan Stanley estimates generative AI could cut TV production costs by ~30% – a sign that major efficiencies are on the way. In sports, startups like WSC Sports use AI to edit games live, creating custom highlight reels without human editors. GenAI has proven itself a “force multiplier” in content creation, instantly personalizing fan media at scales impossible before. In short, the AI tools exist today to automate much of the storytelling pipeline – from rewriting game recaps to generating multi-language commentary – meeting fans’ demand for an infinite stream of fresh content. Billion-Dollar Opportunities: Personalized AI-Generated Content (with WSC Sports as core case): AI-driven content personalization is delivering huge engagement and revenue lifts. WSC Sports reports that tailored content can drive triple-digit increases in video consumption. For example, YouTube TV’s “Key Plays” feature (built with WSC) lets viewers catch up on games by watching only the crucial highlights – a consumer-favorite innovation that even won a technical Emmy. Other leagues see similar gains: the NBA’s new personalized highlight stories have tripled app engagement and increased total video views by ~700%. Spain’s LaLiga saw a 70% jump in app sessions after launching in-app personalized clips. WSC’s AI platform is a big part of this revolution: in H1 2025, WSC’s partners generated over 8 million video clips via AI (a 52% year-over-year surge), all without adding staff. These bite-sized, fan-specific videos not only keep fans hooked but open direct monetization (targeted ads, sponsorships, impulse merchandise). In essence, by matching the right clip to the right fan in real time, teams can convert attention into subscriptions, ticket purchases and ad revenue much more efficiently than before. Athlete Performance Optimization (AI coaching, wearables, recovery tech): AI is transforming training and sports science. According to market research, the “AI in sports” segment (analytics, performance, player tracking, etc. ) was about $8. 9B in 2024 and is forecast to reach ~$27. 6B by 2030. Wearable devices form a core part of this: the sports wearables market was ~$1. 75B in 2023 and is projected to reach ~$6. 4B by 2032. These devices (GPS vests, biometric sensors, smart equipment) stream data to cloud AI systems. For instance, Catapult’s new Vector 8 system fuses body-worn sensors with AI analytics in the cloud, giving coaches instant insight into each player’s speed, fatigue and injury risk. AI models can then prescribe individualized training loads or flag overuse patterns to prevent injuries. On the field, this means teams can push performance without burning out athletes. Off the field, better health and performance translates to higher winning percentages – and retaining multimillion-dollar talent. The business case is clear: a small performance edge often means huge gains, and AI-powered analytics are the way to get that edge. Broadcast & Production Automation (live camera ops, synthetic voice casting): Generative AI is next shifting the broadcast booth. Autonomous camera systems (e. g. Pixellot, NVIDIA’s AI rigs) can film and livestream matches without human operators, and AI can now generate play-by-play commentary in real time. These advances promise major cost savings. Morgan Stanley points out that AI tools could cut TV/film production costs by ~30%. For sports, this means a single crew could produce dozens of customized broadcasts at once. Imagine a league using AI to simultaneously run feeds for fans in different regions or languages, each with personalized overlays. Though adoption is early, broadcasters see the potential: AI-driven graphics packages, automated highlight reels, and even AI referees for offside calls are all being tested. The bottom line is automation in production allows far more content to be created at scale – a huge value-add for broadcasters and rights-holders. Smart Sponsorship and Ad Targeting (computer vision + fan sentiment): Sponsorships are becoming data-driven. Modern AI can analyze every frame of a broadcast and social media to measure how long and how often brand logos appear, giving marketers precise ROI metrics. Machine learning on fan demographics and behavior then matches sponsors to audiences at a granular level. This trend is taking off: industry surveys find ~48% of sports sponsors plan to integrate AI by 2025, since AI-powered campaigns can boost brand exposure by up to ~30%. In practice, a team might use AI to deliver dynamic ads – for example, showing different auto ads to viewers based on their region or interests. Computer vision tools can even adapt stadium billboards in real time. All this creates smarter sponsorship deals: brands pay premium rates when they know exactly who saw their logo and how fans felt about it. In essence, AI turns passive logo placement into an active, measurable advertising channel, unlocking new revenue on the sponsorship side. Betting and Predictive Analytics (real-time odds, behavioral ML): Sports betting is already big, and AI is making it bigger. GenAI-driven analytics now underpin cutting-edge sportsbooks and trading algorithms. For example, AI models can ingest live game data (statistics, tracking, even social sentiment) to update odds continuously with unprecedented precision. The results are tangible: one industry study found AI-powered prediction tools can increase a bettor’s success rate by ~15–20% on average. From the sportsbooks’ view, this transforms risk management. Morgan Stanley predicts that digital enhancements (like betting and fantasy) could increase fan-engagement revenue by ~23%. Crucially, AI also personalizes the bettor experience: it can recommend bets that fit each user’s history and preferences, driving 20–30% higher conversion versus one-size-fits-all offers. The market reflects the excitement: WSC Sports projects the AI-in-sports (betting) sector will grow from about $10. 8B in 2025 to over $60B by 2034. In short, AI is elevating betting from guesswork to a data science, greatly increasing handle and margins. AI in Merchandising & CRM (dynamic stores, content-to-commerce): Finally, AI is revolutionizing the retail side of sports. E-commerce platforms for teams and leagues increasingly use AI to create personalized shopping experiences. For example, AI can recommend merchandise based on a fan’s favorite players or suggest a jersey right after showing a highlight clip of that player. Chatbots and virtual assistants engage fans 24/7, converting casual interest into purchases. These tactics work: McKinsey reports that personalization can drive up to ~15% revenue uplift in e-commerce. On the CRM side, AI segments fan databases and automates marketing (e. g. triggering a ticket offer when a team is on a winning streak). Some clubs even use AI to dynamically price tickets and concessions in real time. All of this turns passive fandom into more sales. In aggregate, these AI tools plug gaps in the fan funnel – from seeing a highlight, to buying a jersey, to renewing a subscription – magnifying each monetization opportunity. Case Study: How WSC Sports Uses GenAI to Scale Personalized Video for Millions WSC Sports exemplifies the power of AI in sports content. Its AI-driven platform plugs into a team’s live video feed and instantly creates highlight videos customized for any audience. Media teams at rights holders feed WSC the raw broadcast, and the platform’s GenAI engine slices, dices and tags every play. The result: teams and leagues can publish dozens of personalized clips per game across social media and apps. The scale is staggering – in H1 2025 WSC’s network generated over 8 million video clips via AI (a 52% increase year-over-year). This was achieved without growing editorial teams, because the AI automation handles the volume. Teams report that this flood of snackable content has deepened fan engagement: viewers spend far more time on team apps and re-engage on off-days. For example, the NBA’s in-app engagement tripled once such highlights were offered. The WSC case shows the business payoff: AI allows rights-holders to create one- to two-minute highlight “stories” instantly for each fan segment, turning every game into a continuous stream of monetizable content. This not only keeps fans hooked but opens new revenue – for instance, by embedding targeted ads into each clip or driving subscriptions to premium content bundles. Where the Investment is Going: VC activity, M&A, top-funded startups After a lull in 2023–24, investment in sports tech has skyrocketed. In H1 2025 alone there was roughly $52 billion in sports tech deal value (M&A + VC). The SportsTechX VC report shows $12. 5B in disclosed deal flow through Oct 2025 – already the 2nd-biggest year on record (only the post-COVID 2021 peak was higher). Notably, investors have unveiled 28 new sports-dedicated funds in 2025 (with ~$9. 5B committed), signaling strong confidence. Much of the money targets “fan” tech: 75% of 2025’s funding went to fan engagement and media companies (streaming platforms, content creation, gamification). We’ve also seen blockbuster financings: DAZN raised $1. 8B for streaming consolidation. On the M&A front, consolidation continues: in 2025, Sportradar’s acquisition of IMG Arena (to combine betting data and streaming) was a marquee $978M deal. All told, these flows underscore that VCs and corporates see sports tech – especially AI-driven fan media and data – as a prime growth sector. Challenges to Solve: Data fragmentation, regulatory hurdles, IP ownership Despite the promise, several challenges loom. Data fragmentation is a big issue: fan data is spread across teams, leagues, broadcasters and apps, making it hard to build unified profiles. Privacy regulations (GDPR, etc. ) also complicate collecting and using personal data. Regulatory scrutiny is rising in areas like betting (different jurisdictions have varying rules on AI in gambling) and player data (how much do athletes control their biometric data? ). Intellectual Property is another question: when AI re-edits a game or generates a highlight reel, who owns that new content? Rights holders and tech providers need clear agreements. Finally, there are talent and trust issues: teams must ensure coaches and staff understand AI tools, and fans must trust AI-driven content (e. g. knowing an AI commentator is not fabricating facts). Addressing these legal, technical and cultural challenges – through standards, partnerships and transparent practices – will be key to unlocking the full value of sports GenAI. The Next 3–5 Years: AI-powered personalization, owned fan data, and revenue growth Looking ahead, AI-powered personalization and fan data will be the biggest differentiators. Teams are building direct channels (apps, social, VR experiences) to own their relationships with fans. With first-party data in hand, they’ll use GenAI to tailor almost everything: from fully customized broadcasts (choosing commentator and camera feeds per fan) to AI wellness coaches for amateur athletes. The demographic push is clear: younger fans (Gen Z and millennial) are the group most likely to spend more on sports when offered “digital-first” engagement. We already see the payoff: Formula 1’s AI enhancements delivered a ~40% jump in digital video consumption, a sign that fans flock to smarter content. Over 3–5 years we expect teams and leagues to monetize this trend – converting more of their audience into subscribers, buyers and advertisers. AI will also deepen in analytics: expect tools that can visualize every play with AR for fans, or help coaches simulate opponents. In summary, the next few years will see sports franchises leveraging AI to become entertainment platforms as much as athletic competitions, with significantly higher lifetime value per fan. FAQs What is GenAI’s biggest role in sports? GenAI excels at personalizing and scaling content. It can turn raw game data into customized video highlights, articles or even simulated analyses for each fan. As WSC Sports notes, GenAI is “a force multiplier” that meets fan demand for endless, tailored content. Beyond media, GenAI supports advanced analytics – for example, generating instant player scouting reports or automated game summaries. In short, its biggest impact so far has been on enhancing the fan experience by automating... - Published: 2026-01-15 - Modified: 2026-02-04 - URL: https://wsc-sports-dev.ltu.co.il/blog/industry-insights/inside-psgs-tech-first-vision-for-global-fan-engagement/ - Categories: Industry Insights How PSG is turning data, content, and AI into a scalable global fan engine Key takeaways: - Modern sports organizations win by unifying fan data across platforms and content, creating a complete, actionable view of every supporter. - Top clubs like PSG show that innovation is an ecosystem where technology, content, and fan engagement reinforce each other. - AI-powered content creation tech turns video into data, enabling personalization at scale and transforming engagement into long-term commercial value. Last season, Paris Saint-Germain's long-awaited goal of winning the Champions League was realized in spectacular fashion: a 5-0 win over Inter Milan in the final. But while winning the game's biggest prize was always part of the plan, at least since Qatar Sports Investments acquired the team in 2011, it was not the culmination of QSI's ambitious project, which aims to turn PSG into “the club of the new generation. ” Attracting the new generation requires, among other things, embracing tomorrow’s technologies. To that end, the club has created PSG Labs, a program dedicated to sports innovation, with locations in Paris and Doha. Launched in March, PSG Labs invites select partners to accelerate the development of breakthrough technology across three focus areas: the fan experience, its stadium and training venues, and health and performance. “Paris Saint-Germain has always been at the forefront of innovation, both on and off the pitch,” said Nasser Al-Khelaifi, the club’s president. “PSG Labs is a natural extension of our ambition to shape the future of sports. By collaborating with the brightest innovators from around the world, we can accelerate game-changing ideas and set new benchmarks for the entire industry. ” Where fan emotion meets data One new benchmark PSG has already set is its stadium environment. The club partnered with crowd analytics company CrowdIQ to develop a proprietary Atmosphere Index. The system captures crowd noise, movement, reaction timing, and sensory data, integrates seamlessly with PSG’s CRM and ticketing software, and provides a measurable, actionable performance indicator that helps enhance the experience at Parc des Princes. PSG is leveraging technology to enhance the fan experience outside the stadium as well. In May, the French powerhouse launched a new fan-centric platform called “PSG World” (psgworld. io), which integrates digital and blockchain-based tools to strengthen the relationship with its global fan base. Created in partnership with RTB Digital, a Web3 digital media company, PSG World acts as a virtual meeting ground for the clubs' supporters. It offers a place to engage in pre- and post-match commentary, access exclusive media, co-create content, and build cross-border communities. It also addresses an issue facing most sports organizations: limited ownership of fan data. Building direct relationships at scale “As we look ahead, our mission is to deepen our connection with fans – not just in France, but around the world,” said Pär Helgosson, head of PSG Labs. “We have all these fans running for us, but they're not always on our platforms. The challenge is to build a direct channel – to capture more data, understand our fans better, and engage them in more relevant ways. ” PSG World is only part of the answer. In October, following the success of its inaugural edition, PSG opened applications for batch #2 of PSG Labs, inviting applicants to propose solutions across strategic innovation challenges. Among the priorities for batch #2 were a 360° fan data platform and AI-powered content creation, challenges that may seem unrelated, but are really two sides of the same coin. AI-powered content creation technology provides sports organizations with a vital piece of the fan data puzzle: real-time content metadata. By tagging and indexing each piece of content they produce, these solutions turn video content into numerous data points – for instance, which players’ highlights or what type of plays (skills, dribbles, goals) fans prefer – that can be used to personalize every interaction. Context is the new currency The common thread in PSG's ambitious project is the importance of collecting fan data. But raw data alone can’t reveal what truly drives fans. Rights holders need context – the kind that comes from stitching together insights from in-stadium experiences, CRMs, ticketing, owned platforms, and an often overlooked component: real-time content metadata. This is where AI-powered sports content and data technologies become essential. These solutions not only supply a constant stream of granular content insights, but also allow organizations to activate this data by automatically creating and distributing personalized videos across every fan touchpoint. With the Champions League winners setting the pace, the path to a smarter, more connected data ecosystem has never been clearer. Actionable insights: - Treat content as a data source, not just an output: tag and analyze what fans watch, share, and skip to inform personalization decisions. - Design content workflows that connect platforms: align stadium, social, owned channels, and CRM insights to create consistent fan experiences. - Use automation to scale relevance, not volume: deploy AI tools to deliver the right player-highlights, moments, and storylines to each fan segment efficiently. - Published: 2026-01-14 - Modified: 2026-02-04 - URL: https://wsc-sports-dev.ltu.co.il/blog/industry-insights/how-afcon-is-putting-tomorrows-sports-media-playbook-into-practice/ - Categories: Industry Insights Why AFCON is winning casual fans and redefining how major tournaments grow audiences Key takeaways: - Major tournaments can accelerate growth by reducing access barriers and designing experiences that welcome casual fans alongside traditional, core audiences. - Content now functions as the primary discovery layer, using platform-native storytelling to spark interest and cultural relevance before demanding fan commitment. - AI-powered personalization enables rights holders to deliver tailored content at scale, meeting rising fan expectations without adding operational complexity or cost. In recent weeks, as part of our “2026 and Beyond: Sports Industry Leaders on What’s Next” series, we've shared insights from across the ecosystem on themes that will define the future of sports media. As the Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) in Morocco approaches its final stages, it's a good time to examine how some of these themes shape major events, and what other organizations can learn from them. 1. Targeting casual fans A recent US consumer insights survey conducted by S&P Global revealed that about a third (36%) of Americans consider themselves avid sports fans. The rest identify as casual fans (43%) or as non-fans (21%). According to industry leaders, sports content is disproportionately skewed toward avid fans, which means casual fans and potential fans – who represent significant growth opportunities – are typically underserved. “As sports options continue to grow and media rights continue to increase, rights holders are going to have to cast a wider net to grow the ecosystem and generate a return on their investment,” said Jordan Levin, formerly chief content officer at the NFL and currently professor of practice at the University of Texas. “In a world where sports represent the final piece of monoculture, it’s a group that actually wants this stuff more than ever. ” Recognizing this, the Confédération Africaine de Football (CAF) has made a concerted effort to target underserved fans. It started with making it easy for fans to get involved. Before the tournament, CAF launched a diaspora tour, sending a message that AFCON belongs to Africans everywhere. During the tournament, fan zones in host cities ensure that AFCON is woven into daily life, with live screenings, music, and digital experiences tied to content creation. Another tactic that helps attract casual fans is accessibility. In December, CAF accepted a bid from British free-to-air television Channel 4, marking the first time the tournament was available to watch for free in the UK. Other markets where AFCON is shown on free-to-air TV include South Africa, Nigeria, Cameroon, Côte d'Ivoire (Ivory Coast), Greece, and Norway. 2. Content as a discovery tool Accessibility and experiential fan zones can only go so far without discovery. And in a world where social media is rapidly becoming the engine of brand discovery, argue industry leaders, sports organizations need to focus on creating platform-ready content that's geared more toward generating interest and engagement than driving revenue. “While content can drive purchases, its most important role is to serve as the discovery layer, to expose sports to as many people as possible,” said Débora Llamas, who manages the TV channel of ACB, the Spanish basketball league. “Submitting it to drive sales is useful, but content is your best tool to reach more fans. ” AFCON 25 is a good example of this. Whether through video podcasts or brand campaigns that involve pan-African influencers, the lead-up to the tournament was marked by the creation of creative content that celebrates the joy, passion, and defining moments of AFCON across all fan touchpoints. 3. The personalization imperative The evidence is mounting: personalization is no longer just the cultural zeitgeist – it's a make-or-break feature. WSC Sports' 2025/26 Fan Engagement Study found that more than half of fans have canceled or switched streaming services due to poor personalization. In addition, 62% of Millennials are likely to purchase merchandise or tickets through links on personalized highlights, proving that tailored content can directly impact organizations' bottom line. “Explicit personalization is the defining competitive edge,” said John Barbarotta, senior director of digital video content at ESPN. “Fans expect platforms to know which teams, players, and moments they care about most and to surface that content instantly and intelligently. Those who can put that notion at the forefront of their content strategy will win. ” That strategy is on full display at AFCON 2025. Through a partnership with smartphone manufacturer TECNO, one of the tournament's sponsors, CAF provides fans with a personalized recap engine that compiles decisive moments from each match. The engine, called Ella Match Highlight, automatically creates recaps based on each fanʼs preferences, giving users direct control over what they wish to watch. A blueprint in motion AFCON 2025 offers a real-world example of how modern sports organizations are evolving. By lowering barriers to entry, using content to spark discovery, and treating personalization as a baseline expectation, the tournament has not only laid the groundwork to reach audiences beyond its traditional fan base, but also set a clear benchmark for event-led fan engagement. For sports organizations navigating what comes next, Morocco provides a compelling blueprint. Actionable insights: - Design content specifically for casual and first-time fans, prioritizing clarity, emotion, and context over stats-heavy narratives meant for hardcore audiences. - Treat short-form video as a discovery engine, optimizing formats, hooks, and distribution for social platforms rather than pushing direct conversion. - Use AI-driven tools to automate personalized moments and highlights, allowing small teams to deliver tailored experiences consistently and at scale. - Published: 2026-01-13 - Modified: 2026-02-04 - URL: https://wsc-sports-dev.ltu.co.il/blog/news/sky-sport-deutschland-expands-wsc-sports-partnership-to-austria/ - Categories: News Broadcaster to Deepen AI Integration and Explore GenAI Storytelling Across DACH Region Why this matters Sky Sport is scaling its digital operation to reach fans in Germany and Austria simultaneously by extending and expanding the partnership with WSC Sports. This expansion moves the partnership beyond standard highlight clips, focusing instead on platform-specific content and the integration of GenAI. By adding Austria to the agreement, Sky is ensuring that localized, real-time content becomes the standard across its entire DACH footprint. Key takeaways - Regional growth: The partnership now officially covers Austria, localizing the digital experience for a new audience. - Standardized automation: AI is now the primary engine for Sky’s real-time digital workflows, indexing every match by player and team. - Next-Gen tech: The two-year extension includes active testing of GenAI to increase storytelling flexibility and sponsorship integration. Scaling the DACH fan experience Sky Sport is using automation to solve a capacity problem. By using the WSC Sports Essentials platform, Sky has removed the manual steps that traditionally limit how much content a team can produce during a live broadcast. Every match is indexed as it happens, allowing Sky to deliver clips to social media, their mobile app, and OTT services without waiting for a manual editor to scrub through footage. This expansion also serves as a testing ground for GenAI. Sky and WSC Sports are exploring how to use generative tools to create more versatile stories from match footage. Automation allows Sky to embed sponsorship and branding elements into these clips at a volume that manual production couldn't sustain. According to Aviv Arnon, Co-Founder and Chief Business Development Officer at WSC Sports, this move is a testament to a "shared vision for smarter, faster, and more engaging content" for one of the most respected brands in European sports media. By centralizing these tools across Germany and Austria, Sky ensures their coverage remains consistent. As audience habits continue to favor mobile and social feeds, Sky is using this partnership to remain the primary source for sports content across every screen in the region. Summary By centralizing these tools across Germany and Austria, Sky ensures their coverage remains consistent. As audience habits continue to favor mobile and social feeds, Sky is using this partnership to remain the primary source for sports content across every screen in the region, turning live broadcasts into a continuous stream of monetizable digital assets. - Published: 2026-01-12 - Modified: 2026-04-15 - URL: https://wsc-sports-dev.ltu.co.il/blog/industry-insights/the-end-of-the-format-tradeoff-in-sports-video/ - Categories: Industry Insights Horizontal or vertical? If you’re posting sports videos, it’s a daily dilemma. Key takeaways - If a video doesn’t adapt to how fans are watching, it loses attention before the content gets a chance to land. - Even minor interruptions like letterboxing or awkward transitions chip away at completion rates and, ultimately, repeat viewing. - Leading the fan experience means removing constraints, not adding features. Fans expect videos and highlights to fill the screen they’re watching. Anything less creates friction, pulling fans out of the moment. That gets complicated when the same highlights need to work across multiple screens. Horizontal video works well on desktop, OTT, and broadcast screens. On a phone, it shrinks to fit, wasting screen space and impact. Vertical video is a clean fit for phones, but breaks down elsewhere, forcing crops, padding, or visual compromises. Content teams can, of course, use both formats. But that means duplicating effort and losing speed. Which version goes out first? Which platform matters more in the moment? The very process of choosing introduces a tradeoff. Something is always lost, whether it’s reach, efficiency, or the quality of the fan experience. WSC Sports removes the format tradeoff from sports video With multi-aspect ratio playback, one highlight now adapts automatically to both 16:9 and 9:16 viewing. Instead of creating separate versions for different screens and platforms, content teams can publish once, knowing the video will fill the screen naturally in either orientation. As formats shift, the viewing experience stays focused on the action itself. The frame adjusts automatically to follow the play, so the moment remains clear and uninterrupted whether fans are watching horizontally or vertically. This capability is unique in the sports industry. No other sports technology company offers dynamic ratio switching that works across both playback and creation. Formats no longer dictate how highlights are produced or how they are experienced. Fans get a smoother, more immersive viewing experience that feels natural on every screen. Content teams get a simpler, more consistent way to deliver it at scale. This functionality is currently available through the WSC Sports native SDK video player. When the format disappears, engagement takes over Fans don’t give their attention away for nothing. When video feels intuitive, they stay with it. When it doesn’t, they move on. Does the video respond intuitively when they rotate their phone? Does anything interrupt the action or force them to adjust? When those transitions are seamless, fans stay longer with each highlight. They move more naturally from one moment to the next. Over time, those small shifts add up. Fans who consistently have smooth, uninterrupted viewing experiences are more likely to return, watch again, and build habits around the content they trust. This is how engagement grows into loyalty, through experiences that respect how fans choose to watch. Experience is where competitive advantage is built Removing the need to choose between vertical and horizontal video puts both fans and content teams on stronger footing. Experience stops being a constraint teams work around and becomes something they can deliver at scale. This is what it means to lead in both user and client experience. A better experience for fans. A better way of working for teams. And a clear advantage for organizations that want to stay ahead as fan expectations continue to rise. Conclusion The question of horizontal or vertical has shaped sports video for years. Not because it mattered to fans, but because technology forced teams to choose. With multi-aspect ratio playback, that tradeoff disappears. The same video now adapts to how fans are watching, without forcing creators to choose or compromise. That’s not just a nice feature. It’s a step forward in how sports experiences are built, delivered, and scaled. Actionable insights Build fan experiences that respond automatically to how fans are viewing. Track where viewers abandon highlights across devices to identify experience gaps that content quality alone won’t solve. Use the time gained from eliminating duplicate formats to improve movement selection across platforms. ********** Fred Goldberg is a product marketing leader focused on building and scaling digital platforms that enable meaningful audience experiences. With a passion for how data, personalization, and product design shape the way fans discover and engage with content, he explores ways complex technologies can be translated into intuitive, high-impact experiences at scale. - Published: 2026-01-11 - Modified: 2026-02-04 - URL: https://wsc-sports-dev.ltu.co.il/blog/industry-insights/the-new-olympic-funnel-creators-short-form-and-owned-platforms/ - Categories: Industry Insights Creators spark the hype. Owned platforms turn it into loyalty. Key takeaways: - Creator-led, short-form storytelling has become essential for introducing major events to younger, platform-native audiences long before competition begins. - Third-party platforms drive discovery at scale, but the real value is converting that reach into engagement on owned platforms. - AI-powered content creation tech enables rights holders to scale platform-specific storytelling, maintain consistency, and keep fans engaged before and after the event. Lindsey Vonn, the legendary Alpine skier, is a huge fan of the Law & Order franchise. She even got a cameo on the original series once, playing an office assistant who provides a clue in a case involving a terrorist. In late September, when the 27th season of Law & Order: Special Victims Unit premiered, Vonn marked the occasion with her first-ever TikTok dance video – prancing around with two other skiers to the sound of the show's iconic theme song. “Good thing I had my experienced teammates to help me for my first time,” she wrote in the caption, referring to the U. S. ski team, which is preparing for the 2026 Winter Olympics in Italy. At 41, after coming out of retirement, Vonn is trying to make her fifth U. S. Olympic team. And thanks to a new partnership between U. S. Ski & Snowboard and YouTube, fans will get a close look at her journey to Milano Cortina. As part of the partnership, YouTube creators will produce exclusive, behind-the-scenes content to spotlight the stories and personalities of America’s top skiers and snowboarders during the lead-up to the games. “Snowboarding and freeskiing attract some of the youngest and most engaged audiences in sports,” said Sophie Goldschmidt, president of U. S. Ski & Snowboard. “By bringing top creators into our pre-Olympic events, we’re expanding our digital footprint. ” The Olympic digital arms race U. S. Ski & Snowboard is not the only organization expanding its digital footprint ahead of the Winter Olympics. NBCUniversal, which owns the U. S. media rights to the Olympic Games through 2036, recently unveiled its Milan Cortina Creator Collective – a multi-platform social creator program that will expand its coverage of the Olympics beyond NBC and Peacock. Recruited in partnership with YouTube, Meta, and TikTok, over 25 prominent creators will receive “unprecedented on-the-ground access to the athletes and competitions” to tell the stories of the Winter Olympics through their eyes. Over the course of the games, which will take place across multiple venues and regions, select groups of creators will also travel to the clusters of Milan, Cortina, and Livigno. To draw a broader audience into the games, NBC tapped creators from diverse categories, including lifestyle, comedy, music, and other non-sports backgrounds. “Creators participating in our program will offer their communities a unique and engaging perspective that will further showcase everything from the wintry competitions to Italian food, fashion, and more, all in celebration of the Winter Olympics,” said Gary Zenkel, president of NBC Olympics. From Paris to Milan: a repeatable playbook The Milan Cortina Creator Collective builds on the success of NBC’s Paris Creator Collective, which garnered over 300 million views across social platforms. All in all, Paris 2024 content across NBC Sports social channels delivered: - a record 6. 55 billion impressions – a 184% increase vs. the Tokyo Olympics and 53% above the Rio Olympics. - a 497% increase in social video viewership over the Tokyo Olympics and 566% over Rio. - 4. 7 million new followers to the full portfolio of NBC's accounts and channels. The games in Paris were also the first time the International Olympic Committee (IOC) introduced its own creator program. The IOC's program was part of a strategic focus on platform-specific content that connected with diverse audiences worldwide, particularly younger generations. Through collaborations with creators and 13 leading digital platforms, the IOC registered a 174% increase in total engagements on its social media handles and added 32 million new followers during the games, bringing its total to 151 million. More impressively, the record-breaking engagement wasn't limited to third parties. The IOC was able to translate the success on social media into fantastic results on its owned platforms: - The Paris 2024 app was the No. 1 sports app in over 70 territories. - Olympics. com had more than 325 million unique users during the games. - The official website produced and published more than 148,000 content assets, resulting in 3 million hours of video watch-time. The infrastructure behind modern event storytelling In today's media environment, short-form, creator-led storytelling has become the front door to major events. It meets new audiences where they already spend time, then guides them toward owned platforms where deeper relationships can form. That shift enables rights holders to collect first-party data, deepen engagement, and create a real value exchange. AI-driven content creation technology makes this playbook scalable. These solutions give organizations the ability to instantly package moments into formats that feel native everywhere fans engage, including their own apps and sites. When discovery and destination finally align, momentum compounds. And with Lindsey Vonn leading the way, Milano Cortina 2026 is already telling a story fans won’t want to miss. Actionable insights: - Use creators and short-form formats on social platforms to introduce athletes and narratives well before major events begin. - Build clear pathways from third-party platforms into owned apps, sites, and newsletters where deeper engagement happens. - Use AI-powered tools to rapidly clip, format, and distribute content so every moment works across platforms without overloading content teams. - Published: 2026-01-10 - Modified: 2026-02-04 - URL: https://wsc-sports-dev.ltu.co.il/blog/industry-insights/machine-learning-sports-predictions-behind-big-wins/ - Categories: Industry Insights How AI and Machine Learning Are Reshaping Sports Betting, Fantasy Picks, and Odds-Making Key takeaways - Modern machine learning (ML) tools have supercharged sports betting and fantasy play - Top platforms like DraftKings, Pikkit, SharpSports use ML to analyze massive data (lines, props, player stats) and personalize recommendations - Unlike static guesses, ML systems continuously adapt to new data – spotting injuries, weather changes or public “dumb money” swings in real time - Bettors can get AI-powered alerts for overlooked edges, though caution is needed to avoid overfitting or blind faith in the model Introduction: The Rise of Algorithmic Intuition in Sports Betting Once confined to spreadsheets and gut calls, betting is being transformed by AI. Today’s machine learning models function like ever-learning analysts: they ingest play-by-play stats, injury updates, weather, fan trends and oddsmakers’ line moves to surface hidden patterns. AI-powered prediction tools can drive an increase in successful bets for data-driven bettors. In practical terms, a casual bettor with ~50% pick rate may rise toward ~60% using ML insights. These gains have a real impact: even a few percentage points of extra accuracy can turn break-even gamblers into long-term winners. No wonder the market for AI-driven betting analytics is exploding – projected to jump from about $1. 7B in 2025 to $8. 5B by 2033 as sportsbooks and apps race to integrate smarter odds and advice. Early adopters are already seeing it. DraftKings’ tech chief says the company uses ML for everything from odds pricing to same-game parlay analysis. Fantasy platforms rank contests and suggest lineups with ML routines dating back to the 2010s. Even new apps like Pikkit and Rithmm claim to use AI to sync users’ bets and tailor predictions to each user’s history. In short, what was once “intuition” is steadily becoming a calculated, adaptive process powered by algorithms. How Machine Learning Works Machine learning in betting is pattern learning, not magic. At its core, an ML model is trained on historical data – think thousands of past games, player stats, weather conditions, injuries, and odds – to find statistical regularities. For example, an ML model might learn that running backs who exceed 20 carries in cold dome games often hit an “over” on rushing yards. Unlike a one-time regression formula, these models continuously retrain: each new game’s outcome becomes fresh input. When a star player is injured or conditions change, the model updates its weights (via techniques like reinforcement learning or continual training) so its future predictions adjust on the fly. Importantly, ML models can be ensemble systems: dozens of sub-models combining stats, simulations, and even textual data (like news reports) to gauge probabilities. They then output calibrated win chances or point forecasts. This is much more dynamic than a fixed “SAG/RPM” stat line; it’s more like having a deep learning version of sabermetrics working in real time. In practice, that means milliseconds of computation can replace hours of manual research, finding patterns no human could catch. Tools & Apps to Know DraftKings AI (and Tipico) Big sportsbooks are embedding ML behind the scenes. DraftKings, for instance, uses machine learning for odds feeds and same-game parlays, and even for personalizing its app widgets and marketing offers. Tipico’s execs also acknowledge AI is coming for oddsmaking: computers are “learning to take game vagaries into account” (altitude, weather, etc. ) even if human oversight still flags anomalies. In short, major U. S. sportsbooks and DFS platforms see AI as a core tech now. Sharp Sports Not to be confused with ML “sharpness,” SharpSports is an API platform to aggregate bets across multiple sportsbooks for a user. It’s used by apps that track real-time odds and lines (although SharpSports itself focuses on data integration rather than prediction). Think of it as plumbing: it helps other apps fetch your bet history and available lines so that analytics tools can run their ML on that data. Pikkit Pikkit is a popular social betting app (26K+ downloads) that lets you sync your bets across FanDuel, DK, Caesars, etc. It uses ML to analyze your personal betting trends and even gives “personalized recommendations” based on your history (users praise its spot-on prop and pick suggestions). Pikkit also offers community features: you can see friends’ bets and copy them. The ML engine behind it crunches your portfolio to highlight strengths/weaknesses, so you bet smarter over time. Outlier. bet & Rithmm These are emerging AI-driven apps. Outlier. bet runs advanced data analytics and real-time insights on props across sports. Rithmm claims “AI to deliver personalized betting strategies based on your betting history,” covering moneylines, spreads and player props. They typically offer free tiers (with paid “Pro” plans) and promise that ML helps you find +EV bets. BettingPros’ Sharp AI An AI sports betting chat assistant (seen in a help article), Sharp AI accesses odds and projections in real time. It can “scan thousands of possible bets” to suggest high EV opportunities. You can ask it things like “Top 5 NBA props today” or “Which team has the best value in Week 18”, and it gives back predictions and key stats. It’s basically an AI tipster that culls data behind the scenes so you don’t have to crunch spreadsheets. Playbook (Action Network) Playbook is an AI tool by Action Network that turns posts or screenshots into wagers. It uses ML to parse user queries and market data, acting as a voice-activated advisor. Vegas Insider cites it as a leading consumer AI assistant for bettors. (Other note-worthy tools: OddsJam for odds comparisons; FanGraph’s Edge SDK; DraftKings’ and FanDuel’s own AI modules; and many specialist prop-prediction apps. The AI betting space is growing fast. ) What Sets ML Apart Dynamic vs Static Prediction Traditional handicapping often uses fixed models (e. g. team A’s past 3 games vs team B’s past 3). By contrast, ML models update continuously. If the weather changes or an injury drops after kickoff, the AI recalculates win probabilities on the fly. Today’s bookmakers literally use AI to tweak lines in real time – for example, a QB injury can swing a total by 3 points instantly as the model digests the news. Humans simply can’t rerun complex probability models dozens of times a game; machines can. Exploiting Hidden Signals ML can spot patterns humans miss. It ingests behavioral data (like public vs. sharp betting splits, social media sentiment) together with matchup stats. For instance, an ML system might learn that sudden betting volume on every pitch of a baseball game is a red flag, whereas a human might only notice a break-in-play after it’s too late. By blending signals (injuries, fatigue, even seemingly random game “quirks”), AI captures edge events. This is why top AI models can consistently beat the closing-market odds by a few percentage points: they’re early at flagging value that others overlook. Faster Adaptation AI doesn’t pause. A model outperforms static formulas by being adaptive. Got a surprise starting lineup? The ML model is retrained (or uses fresh inputs) to see new player stats. Facing high winds? The system checks historical weather impacts on totals automatically. The result is often superior odds-setting: for example, Tipico notes that AI still needs time to learn every oddity, but it’s rapidly improving at adjusting lines for factors like altitude and in-game momentum. This speed gives bettors a fighting chance: an injury update no longer sits unprocessed until morning analysis; it’s baked into the next odds shift. How Models Are Trained On the surface, sports ML models look simple: feed game results into an algorithm, tune it, and run predictions. Under the hood there’s rigorous testing. Data scientists start with cleaned data: box scores, play-by-play logs, player tracking, weather feeds, sportsbook lines and customer betting patterns. They engineer features (e. g. yards per carry, rest days) and train models (regression, random forests, neural nets, etc. ) to predict outcomes or stats. Each model is validated by backtesting: run it on historical seasons to see how it would’ve done. Promising models then get A/B trials: maybe 1% of live traffic see the new AI-predicted odds and the rest see the old model. The team compares outcomes and tunes weights until confidence is high. Feedback loops are key. A loss isn’t wasted – it refines the model. If an ML system misses an injury, the data engineers input that knowledge so future predictions account for similar clues. Many sportsbooks build internal “testing platforms” where new ML models run silently against old ones to gauge lifts. The goal is continuous iteration: better algorithms, more features (e. g. newer tracking stats), and regular retraining as more games happen. This scientific approach (split-testing, backtesting, real-time monitoring) is one reason top betting models stay robust rather than overfit. Caution Flags AI is powerful, but not foolproof. Overfitting is a real risk: a model might find a spurious correlation in past data (say, one team’s wins coincidentally align with a meteor shower) that won’t hold next season. If blind faith follows, it can lead to losses. Models also suffer “black-swan” surprises: sudden rule changes, geopolitical events, or injuries can render predictions stale. As one expert warns, “even the best machine learning systems make mistakes” because real games have randomness (injuries, red cards, lineup changes) that data can’t fully predict. There’s also false confidence. A model might spit out a probability like 90% — but that reflects what it “knows,” not reality. Bettors must remember margins of error. Responsible use means treating ML as an advisor, not an oracle. Never bet more than you’re willing to lose, even on high-probability picks. And beware “quiet environments”: if everyone piles on an AI-predicted favorite, the value can evaporate. In short, use AI insights wisely. Think of it as another data-driven opinion among many, rather than a guaranteed paycheck. The Road Ahead The future of sports betting is clearly algorithmic. Many envision every app as an ML-powered advisor. Within the next few years, sportsbooks may present personalized lines and bet offers. Imagine logging into an app and seeing a customized parlay tailored to your history (“We know you like NBA unders – here’s a 3-team parlay with extra cover probabilities just for you”), or an alternate prop price hit trigger based on your risk profile. Marketers are already eyeing this: personalized promotions in sports apps are predicted to yield 20–30% higher revenue than generic ones. We’ll also see more integration of real-world context. Augmented reality overlays of win-probability charts during live broadcasts, or voice-assistant betting coaches (à la Siri for betting) are on the horizon. And regulatory frameworks will evolve to ensure fairness (e. g. clarity on how bets are priced by ML). The overall trend is that data will keep flowing faster and players will have more control: if you can beat the books with an edge, chances are you’ll do it by using the same tools as the sharp syndicates – namely, AI. As one industry summary puts it, the question is no longer if but when every bettor has a “sports betting assistant” in their pocket. FAQs How reliable is ML in betting? ML models have shown impressive accuracy, often outpacing traditional stat-based methods. For example, modern AI can correctly pick game winners around 75–85% of the time, far above the ~50–60% from older models. In practice, AI-powered bettors often increase their win rate by ~10–20% over gut picks. That said, “reliable” doesn’t mean 100%. Models still err on unpredictable games. Experienced bettors use AI as a tool, combining its insight with their judgment. Is AI used in legal sportsbooks? Absolutely. Leading sportsbooks use AI behind the scenes to set and adjust odds, monitor risk, and even detect suspicious betting. DraftKings explicitly uses ML for pricing odds and same-game parlays, and many books employ algorithms to instantly update lines for injuries and weather. So while you may not see it, any price you bet on today is likely at least touched by an AI model before you lock it in. Can fans build their own models? Yes. There are open tools and data sources to get started. Many hobbyists use Python libraries (Pandas, scikit-learn, TensorFlow) or R to train models on public data. Leagues like NBA, NFL and MLB offer stats APIs; plus there are free feeds for odds movements and weather. With enough data and care to avoid overfitting, a motivated fan can prototype a model. However, competing with sportsbooks is tough – data quality, execution speed, and bankroll management are big challenges. Which sports benefit most from ML? In general, any data-rich sport can benefit, but popularity matters. American football (NFL/college) and basketball have deep stat databases and heavy betting interest, so they see the largest ML investment. Soccer (football globally) and baseball also yield a lot of data (pitch tracking, player metrics). Emerging areas like esports are ripe for ML too, because digital games generate real-time data. Niche markets (like horse racing or props in less-tracked leagues) can be tougher due to sparse data. One market report notes football betting dominates AI tools thanks to massive fan data, while basketball and horse racing also use AI models extensively. What are the risks? Aside from model errors, there are practical and ethical risks. Relying on AI can give a false sense of security — even a 95% chance is not a guarantee. There’s also risk of data issues (bad data, or leaks of proprietary algorithms). On the bettor side, a big concern is problem gambling: if AI predicts a string of likely wins, one might be tempted to over-bet. Responsible gambling practices are crucial. Regulators may also step in if they think AI tools create unfair advantages or violate odds disclosure rules. In short, use AI as a smart assistant, not a cure-all. What’s the future of ML in fantasy? ML will only get more embedded in fantasy sports. Expect AI coaches that help you draft lineups by analyzing thousands of stat streams and injury reports. Daily fantasy sites already use ML for contest recommendation and player projections; going forward they’ll personalize suggestions (e. g. “try stacking players from this high-prop game”). We may also see auto-team adjustment features (where your lineup can auto-swap to maximize projected points if a late scratch hits). The future fantasy champion is likely the one who leverages AI as a drafting and in-season advisor, turning reams of data into consistent points. > As fan expectations shift toward 1:1 personalization, AI-powered content and data platforms are essential for knowing and keeping your fans. - Published: 2026-01-08 - Modified: 2026-02-04 - URL: https://wsc-sports-dev.ltu.co.il/blog/industry-insights/how-sports-organizations-are-delivering-11-personalization/ - Categories: Industry Insights AI is turning every fan into a segment of one. Key takeaways: - 1:1 personalization is the modern expression of relationship marketing, shifting sports from broad messaging to individual fan experiences at scale. - Unified fan profiles alone aren’t enough; understanding what content fans consume is essential to delivering relevance, driving engagement, and boosting retention. - AI-powered content creation tech turns every play, moment, and show into data-driven assets that power personalization, loyalty, and long-term value. When Leonard Berry, a marketing professor at Texas A&M University, coined the term “relationship marketing” in 1983, he didn't think much of it. He just thought it would make more sense for businesses to focus on serving existing customers rather than spending their entire budget on acquiring new ones. Little did he know that he was laying the foundation for the future of marketing, embodied in the concept of 1:1 personalization. 1:1 personalization is a marketing strategy that tailors experiences and messages to individual customers, treating each person as a "segment of one" rather than a part of a larger group. It relies on numerous data points, such as purchase history, online behavior, and demographics. These insights are used to create highly relevant content, product recommendations, and other interactions tailored to each customer’s specific interests. In the AI era, technology is taking 1:1 personalization to the next level. AI decisioning models can recommend content, channels, and timing for each customer, and Gen AI tools enable brands to scale content creation without adding staff. These developments have not escaped the notice of the sports industry. Forward-thinking organizations are leveraging AI to deliver experiences that feel personal to every fan. And it starts with the richest league in the world - the NFL. From unified data to personalized journeys The NFL has been using a centralized data platform to personalize the fan experiences since 2022. In April, just ahead of the 2025 draft, the league teamed up with software company Adobe to scale content creation, marketing, and 1:1 personalization. The partnership is part of the NFL’s Technology Innovation Hub, a new initiative designed to incorporate technology into football and enhance fan engagement. As part of the partnership, the league utilizes Adobe's real-time Customer Data Platform (CDP) to create a single, unified view of each fan, including their behaviors, preferences, and interactions with the brand. Leveraging additional Adobe products, the NFL orchestrates and delivers personalized journeys across touchpoints. Then, based on the analytics the software provides, the marketing team can continuously refine every fan’s journey to drive stronger engagement. This level of insight has proved vital. A good example of that was the release of the 2025 schedule in May. “We orchestrated communications across the league and all 32 clubs, delivering personalized content and tailored offers based on each fan’s favorite team,” said Josh Rabenovets, vice president of fan engagement at the NFL. “What could have been a routine, transactional announcement became a shareable cultural moment that drove record engagement, higher ticket sales, and revenue for many clubs. ” Personalization at SportsCenter scale Delivering personalized content to fans of a specific league is one thing; doing it across all sports is another. That's what ESPN learned when it launched its new direct-to-consumer app, which includes a product called “SportsCenter for You. ” Having the world’s largest inventory of sports content, the network's executives quickly discovered, isn't enough to provide tailored programming to all their subscribers. “The big question became, well, do we produce enough videos to do this seven days a week for as many fans as we have in the app every day? The answer was no to that,” said Joshua Barbarotta, senior director of digital video content at ESPN. “So we started working with WSC Sports, and our partnership with them is really what has made this possible because they’re able to scale up our entire operation. ” WSC's AI-powered platform enables rights holders, among other things, to automate the creation of short-form videos. ESPN's digital content team, which had used the technology to generate clips from more than 20 sports before launching its DTC app, ingested another dozen to the pipeline, and added 25 studio shows and self-produced video segments from 162 writers and editors to fill the content gap for SportsCenter for You. Those efforts are already translating into measurable gains. “We absolutely see that there’s higher engagement, there’s higher time spent with content that’s personalized for team fan bases,” said Barbarotta. “And we see a really high retention rate as far as SC for You is concerned, which means fans are consuming it one day and coming back the next day to consume it again. ” Turning every clip into insight WSC’s platform takes this evolution a step further. Beyond scaling production, it enriches each organization’s CDP with real-time content metadata, tagging and indexing every play, interview, and studio moment with precision. This provides a deeper understanding of individual viewing patterns, allowing rights holders to map fan intent and deliver experiences tailored to each supporter’s exact tastes. As fan expectations shift toward 1:1 personalization, adopting AI-powered content and data platforms is no longer optional for rights holders that want to stay relevant. Organizations that embrace these tools can deliver truly personal moments at scale, turning everyday interactions into lasting loyalty. In many ways, it’s a return to the heart of relationship marketing, where knowing the fan is the foundation of keeping them. Actionable insights: - Tag, index, and analyze what fans actually watch to inform programming, distribution, and personalization decisions. - Use behavioral insights to tailor clips, formats, and timing to individual preferences, not broad audiences. - Leverage AI to scale clip creation and distribution so content teams can focus on strategy, storytelling, and creative differentiation. - Published: 2026-01-06 - Modified: 2026-02-04 - URL: https://wsc-sports-dev.ltu.co.il/blog/news/nbb-renews-partnership-with-wsc-sports-to-deliver-ai-powered-basketball-content-in-brazil/ - Categories: News New two-year partnership will accelerate content creation, distribution, and fan engagement across NBB’s digital platforms The Novo Basquete Brasil (NBB), Brazil’s first-division professional basketball league, has renewed its collaboration with WSC Sports to scale real-time, AI-powered content across its digital platforms. Following a successful partnership between 2018 and 2021, the NBB has once again selected WSC Sports to deliver automated detection and tagging of key plays, branded highlight creation, and multi-platform distribution, enhancing fan engagement while opening new sponsorship and monetization opportunities. Through this new two-year partnership, the NBB will leverage WSC Sports’ platform to automatically generate and distribute real-time digital fan experiences, personalized clips, and highlights from every game, bringing fans closer to the action and amplifying the reach of Brazilian basketball across platforms. WSC Sports’ AI technology will automatically detect and tag key plays, create branded highlight videos, and optimize content for distribution across NBB’s social channels. This allows the NBB to engage fans in real time while keeping creative control. The partnership also enables the NBB to embed sponsor and brand elements across video content, creating new monetization opportunities. The NBB’s partnership with WSC Sports unlocks a powerful suite of AI-powered capabilities: Real-time, personalized content at scale: Automatically generate and publish video highlights from every game. The platform ingests, indexes, and distributes content by team, player, or key moment, enabling fast-turnaround storytelling while giving NBB’s content teams the option for full creative control with manual editing tools. New monetization and branding opportunities: WSC Sports' platform allows NBB to scale sponsorship and brand integration efforts with automatic embedding of logos, branded messages, and creative elements across video content, unlocking new revenue streams and promotional formats. AI-powered archive access with DAM: The NBB team can breathe new life into its deep video archive through WSC Sports’ Digital Asset Management (DAM) capabilities. AI-powered tagging, search, and editing make it easier than ever to surface, organize, and repurpose historical moments, unlocking richer storytelling and modern fan engagement opportunities. Multi-platform publishing: Instantly distribute content to fans across all major social media platforms, ensuring highlights are where the audience already is. Driving growth for Brazilian basketball With basketball’s popularity growing rapidly across Latin America, this collaboration marks a major step forward in modernizing NBB’s content strategy and expanding the sport’s footprint both locally and globally. “Partnering with WSC Sports allows us to scale how we tell the story of Brazilian basketball,” said Douglas Carraretto, Head of Communication at NBB. “The platform’s automation and AI technology mean we can deliver more highlights, faster, and reach fans on the platforms they love. It’s about taking our content to the next level while continuing to grow the game across Brazil. ” Accelerating LATAM momentum The partnership with the NBB continues WSC Sports’ momentum in Latin America, where the company works with leading leagues, broadcasters, and teams to deliver AI-powered fan experiences, boasting a strong presence across the region, including Argentina, Chile, Colombia, Peru, and Mexico. Within Brazil, WSC Sports' partners include the Federação Paulista de Futebol, along with key media and broadcasters such as Canal Goat, Globo, CazeTV and more. “We’re proud to welcome the NBB to the WSC Sports family,” said (Amir Gelman, General Manager) at WSC Sports. “Basketball is growing fast across LATAM, and the NBB is leading the way in Brazil. Together, we’ll make sure every play, every highlight, and every story reaches fans in real time and in the most engaging way possible. ” This partnership represents another major step in how sports organizations across LATAM are leveraging automation and AI to scale storytelling, grow audiences, and redefine what modern sports engagement looks like. > Learn how Lisa Ramuschkat became an essential voice in German sports media and her work helping women athletes in Germany and beyond. - Published: 2026-01-05 - Modified: 2026-02-04 - URL: https://wsc-sports-dev.ltu.co.il/blog/industry-insights/lisa-ramuschkat-media-personality-angel-investor-female-role-model/ - Categories: Industry Insights WSC Sports’ Content Strategy Lead Merav Savir sat down with the dynamic Lisa Ramuschkat to discuss her journey from pro athlete to sports media professional. They examine attitudes about women athletes, audience engagement, and the untapped commercial potential of women’s pro sports. Key takeaways -Career reinvention rarely follows a linear path. It often starts by staying close to what you know and saying yes before you feel ready. -The German market is increasingly defined by intentional visibility. Athletes, clubs, and organizations that actively shape their presence across media and digital platforms are setting the pace for sustainable growth and long-term relevance. -The next phase of growth will be shaped by organizations willing to invest early, build audiences deliberately, and design fan experiences that reflect the culture of women’s sports rather than replicating men’s models. Lisa Ramuschkat began her career as a professional field hockey player in Germany’s Bundesliga. Over the past decade, she has emerged as a leading voice in the country’s sports media landscape, working with platforms including Sky Deutschland, SPORT1, Magenta Sport, EuroLeague Basketball, and the DFL. Alongside her on-camera work, she founded the podcast Team Lisa to highlight women in sport, engages in speaking and event moderation, and invests in initiatives that empower female athletes and entrepreneurs, such as the women’s football club FC Viktoria Berlin. In the interview with WSC's Merav Savir, she reflect on the abrupt end of her playing career, her reinvention in sports media, and how those experiences shape her views on women’s sports and audience engagement. Identity shift after sports For years, everything in Lisa’s life revolved around field hockey. Then, without warning, it was taken from her. A coach told her she would not play again under his tenure, and “my career was over from one day to the next. " Watch the full interview: Reinvention through media The next major chapter in Lisa’s life happened almost by accident. She joined a German TV network just as it began experimenting with social media. When the station was asked to produce native video content, someone needed to step in front of the camera. No one volunteered. Except for Lisa. “I was like, okay, I guess I wouldn’t mind. I want to try it. ” Saying yes opened the door to live broadcasting and on-camera roles across major sports platforms, and to a media career that has now spanned more than a decade. Women’s representation and responsibility Lisa’s growing visibility in sports media sharpened her view of how women athletes are perceived. Social media offers more control over representation, but with that control comes responsibility. She saw that tension while hosting the field hockey European Championship. Many athletes called for stronger commercial support, yet kept their social media profiles private, limiting the exposure they were asking for. The disconnect was hard to ignore. “Do you want to be relevant? Then that’s a part of what you have to do,” she says. Visibility, especially in women’s and niche sports, does not come automatically. Photo by Lucy Binder. Creative by Jacqueline Zink The why behind Team Lisa The Team Lisa podcast grew out of a tension Lisa felt early in her TV career. Producers told her to “be yourself” on camera, but only up to a point. Authenticity was encouraged, as long as it fit within narrow boundaries. “So you’re saying be yourself, but don’t really be yourself,” she says. Rather than keep adjusting herself to meet those expectations, Lisa created a space of her own. One where she could speak freely, ask the questions she cared about, and reflect her perspective without compromise. At first, she assumed that building something successful would require male athletes and mainstream reach. But that idea didn’t last long. What she was drawn to instead was creating room for voices that were consistently overlooked. “I want a platform for those who are unheard,” she says. “For those who everyone is looking down upon. ” Optimism for women’s sports Through her investment in Viktoria Berlin, alongside backing from Monarch Collective, a major US-based female-led VC, Lisa has seen firsthand the commercial possibilities of women’s football in Germany. “This is legit business. You can make money here. And you’ve been ignoring this side of the industry - and society - for way too long. ” She is equally energized by recent structural shifts in Germany, including the formation of a new women’s football league framework that gives clubs greater autonomy to market themselves, tell their own stories, and build audiences on their own terms. She also sees creative potential of women’s sports fandom, particularly experiences that move away from copy-paste versions of men’s games and create space for connection, culture, and new audiences. This, to her, is where the next chapter of women’s sports will be written. Photo by Begum Ünal A message to the next generation After years of hosting conversations with women in sport, Lisa has started to hear the same doubts surface again and again. “So many women lack inherent confidence and self-belief,” she says. “And I’m so tired of it. ” The women she admires most are not the ones without fear, but the ones who act in spite of it. “We’re all scared,” Lisa says. “Nobody you see on TV is better or stronger. They just found a way to do it scared anyway. ” That belief sits at the center of Team Lisa. It’s proof that fear does not disqualify ambition. “There is so much joy on the other side of fear,” she says. “You just have to walk toward it. ” Watch the entire interview with Lisa Ramuschkat. Actionable Insights - Treat visibility as a responsibility, not a byproduct, especially in women’s and niche sports where demand must be cultivated, not assumed. - Build platforms and fan experiences on their own terms rather than defaulting to copy-paste models from men’s sports. - Normalize fear as part of growth and focus instead on creating environments where people feel supported to act in spite of it. Cover photo by: Lisa > Relive 11 unforgettable sports highlights from December 2025, featuring insane goals, viral fan moments, clutch shots, and jaw-dropping athletic feats. - Published: 2026-01-04 - Modified: 2026-02-04 - URL: https://wsc-sports-dev.ltu.co.il/blog/industry-insights/11-sports-highlights-from-december-2025-you-wont-want-to-miss/ - Categories: Industry Insights December 2025 delivered unforgettable moments across basketball, football, hockey, and beyond. From jaw-dropping skill to pure crowd energy, here are 11 highlights that lit up the sports world. 11. The Cutest Raptors Fan Steals the Show During a timeout in Toronto, this young Raptors fan brought the arena to life with some elite dance moves, instantly winning over the crowd. 10. Arab Cup Frenzy Football chaos at its finest. This bizarre and dramatic sequence unfolded during the Arab Cup clash between Bahrain and Sudan. You really have to see it to believe it. 9. Martin Terrier’s Scorpion Kick Masterpiece Martin Terrier produced a goal for the ages for Bayer Leverkusen against FC Köln, finishing a difficult cross with a stunning scorpion kick. Terrier later called it the best goal of his career, sealing a 2–0 win. 8. Shaedon Sharpe Takes Flight Shaedon Sharpe put Russell Westbrook on a poster with this outrageous dunk, showcasing his elite athleticism in spectacular fashion. 7 & 6. The “67” Moment The LSU basketball team sent their home crowd into absolute delirium after hitting the symbolic 67-point mark, creating one of the loudest moments of the month. For more context on the 6 7 trend, read our recent blog post. 5. Lucy Bronze’s Ice-Cold Chip Pure class. Chelsea star Lucy Bronze delicately chipped the AS Roma goalkeeper in a Women’s Champions League match, delivering a finish that oozed confidence and technique. 4. Moroccan Magic: Bicycle Kick Beauty In the Africa Cup of Nations opener, Morocco made a statement. They scored twice, including this stunning bicycle kick from Ayoub El Kaabi. 3. Catch of the Year? Pittsburgh Steelers running back Kenneth Gainwell somehow secured a deep-ball catch while lying on the ground, popped back up, and sprinted into the end zone for a miraculous touchdown just before halftime against the Detroit Lions. 2. Steph Curry Breaks Physics (Again) As if it were routine, Steph Curry casually drilled a shot from beyond full court during pregame warmups. Another reminder that the usual rules don’t apply to him. 1. Through-the-Legs OT Winner Adam Jiříček sealed the Czechia vs. Finland showdown at the World Junior Hockey Championships with an outrageous through-the-legs overtime winner. Simply sensational. - Published: 2026-01-03 - Modified: 2026-02-04 - URL: https://wsc-sports-dev.ltu.co.il/blog/industry-insights/why-more-teams-are-switching-to-ai-powered-sports-analytics/ - Categories: Industry Insights How AI is reshaping performance, content, and fan engagement across the sports industry. Introduction: breaking the limits of traditional analytics Not long ago, sports analytics meant a coach with a clipboard, a stack of stat sheets, and perhaps some simple video breakdowns. Traditional methods are now hitting a hard ceiling. The reason? The sheer volume and complexity of modern sports data. Today, every movement on the field can be tracked – player GPS coordinates, ball trajectories, biometric sensor readings – generating a tsunami of information in every match or practice. Consider the NFL: the league’s new AWS-powered “Digital Athlete” platform captures about 500 million data points per week, dwarfing what older systems collected in an entire season. No human can manually sift through that in a meaningful timeframe. As one sports tech leader put it, “the sheer volume of data means somebody can’t sit there with a clipboard or Excel. This is absolutely a job for high-performance computers, machine learning, artificial intelligence. ” In other words, classic approaches struggle to capture the real-time insights now crucial to winning. Traditional analytics – think basic box scores or even the “Moneyball”-era focus on historical averages – also falls short of capturing dynamic, real-time patterns. It’s one thing to know a basketball player’s season scoring average; it’s another to analyze their fatigue level, matchup-specific efficiency, and injury risk during a game. Human coaches and analysts, no matter how experienced, have cognitive limits. They can miss subtle cues: a barely perceptible change in an athlete’s gait, a complex interaction of defensive rotations, or the optimal lineup against a particular opponent’s style. Manual observation and simple stats cannot fully capture the complexity of elite sports performance in real time. There are simply too many variables interacting at once on the field. This is where AI-powered analytics enters, breaking the bottleneck. Advanced algorithms excel at processing massive datasets and finding patterns invisible to the naked eye. For example, in Formula 1 racing, teams now analyze millions of telemetry data points per second to fine-tune race strategy and even predict the optimal pit-stop window – tasks impossible without AI. In team sports like basketball, computer vision models track every player and the ball, mapping out defensive formations and suggesting adjustments on the fly. AI systems don’t get tired or biased; they crunch data 24/7, freeing human experts to focus on creative strategy and decision-making. In short, sports organizations have realized that to compete at the highest level, augmenting human intuition with machine intelligence is a must. The rest of this article explores what that AI-driven sports analytics revolution looks like today, why teams are embracing it, and how it’s transforming everything from player performance and scouting to fan engagement and revenue. What “AI-powered sports analytics” means today “AI-powered sports analytics” isn’t just a buzzword – it’s an umbrella term for a range of cutting-edge technologies now deployed across professional sports. At its core, it means using artificial intelligence – often machine learning (ML) and deep learning models – to analyze data and generate insights far beyond what traditional analysis could achieve. In practical terms, this spans multiple domains: Performance analytics AI systems ingest data from wearables (GPS trackers, heart-rate monitors), video feeds, and game statistics to assess and improve athlete performance. They can detect patterns and anomalies in play that correlate with fatigue or injury, identify optimal training routines, and even provide biomechanical analysis of an athlete’s technique through computer vision. For instance, in tennis and soccer, AI vision models track player movements and ball physics to evaluate tactics and suggest adjustments on the fly. Predictive modeling Modern sports AI doesn’t just report what happened – it predicts what will happen. Teams use ML models trained on historical and real-time data to forecast things like game outcomes, player development trajectories, and injury probabilities. These predictive analytics help coaches plan strategies and front offices make roster decisions with probabilistic evidence. One example: AI-driven predictive models in rugby now leverage player kinematic data (how players move) to predict injury risk and recommend preventive measures. Scouting & recruitment analytics AI is supercharging talent identification by sifting through far more data than any scouting department could handle. Machine learning can evaluate player performance across leagues (and even across sports), finding undervalued players who have the stats or playing style that fit a team’s needs. It incorporates variables like biomechanics and game situations, not just headline stats. In hockey, AI scouting tools have flagged promising players who human scouts overlooked, ultimately giving teams a competitive edge and reducing the risk in draft picks. In soccer, some clubs use AI to analyze hundreds of potential recruits, factoring not only skill metrics but also injury history and even personality fit (via psychometric data), to narrow down ideal targets. Content, media & fan engagement AI-powered analytics isn’t confined to on-field performance – it’s also revolutionizing how sports content is created and delivered. Generative AI and automated video editing tools are now able to produce highlights, captions, and even commentary at lightning speed. AI can tag and index every event in a game (goal, dunk, touchdown, etc. ) in real time, then auto-produce video clips tailored to different platforms and audiences. This means a single game can instantly spawn dozens of highlight reels – a 15-second Instagram clip, a 3-minute YouTube recap, a personalized montage for a specific fan – with minimal human intervention. During the 2024 Olympics, an AI-generated virtual commentator delivered personalized daily recap videos to fans, with highlights packaged in 7 million different possible ways. AI in sports media also extends to personalizing fan experiences (recommending content based on fan preferences) and even managing operations like smart camera angles and real-time graphics during broadcasts. In essence, AI-powered sports analytics today means leveraging machines to do what they do best – ingest vast data, recognize patterns, and even generate content – to augment human roles in sports. It’s important to stress that AI isn’t replacing coaches, scouts, or content creators; rather, it’s empowering them with deeper insights and freeing them from grunt work. A coach armed with an AI injury-risk dashboard or a scout with an ML-generated shortlist of high-potential players can focus their time on the human elements (strategy, relationship-building) with confidence that they aren’t missing hidden data insights. And as we’ll see, the uptake of these AI tools is accelerating rapidly across the sports world. Industry adoption data: are teams really going AI? With so much hype around AI, it’s fair to ask: How many teams are actually using these AI-powered analytics, and how all-in are they? The short answer – based on the latest data – is that the vast majority of professional sports organizations worldwide are adopting AI in some form, and quickly. Let’s look at the numbers: Nearly 3 in 4 teams use real-time analytics As of mid-2025, an industry analysis noted that three out of four professional teams rely on real-time analytics for performance and strategy. In other words, 75% of teams (across various sports) have already integrated live data analysis – a hallmark of AI-driven workflows – into their competitive operations. This is no longer just the domain of wealthy elite clubs; even smaller market teams, including many in global football and niche sports, have adopted tools to track live performance metrics and guide decisions in real time. 89–90% expect AI to shape operations Surveys by major consulting firms report near-unanimous agreement among sports executives: AI will be transformative. In one report, 89% of sports execs said they expect AI to significantly impact their business operations within the next three years. Another found that 90% of senior sports leaders believe AI will have a medium or high impact on the industry by 2030. This essentially means nine out of ten decision-makers foresee AI as a game-changer – a strong consensus that we’re entering an AI-driven era. Actual usage is expanding fast It’s not just intent or expectation – actual implementation is surging. In a 2025 survey of 675 sports media professionals, 81% of executives said they had expanded their use of AI in the past year to improve efficiency and reduce costs. Teams that once dabbled in basic analytics are now investing in full-scale AI platforms for areas like player development, scouting, and fan personalization. The fact that four out of five execs increased their AI use in just one year highlights how quickly this tech is maturing from experimental to essential. Leagues and federations are on board Beyond individual teams, entire leagues are building AI into their infrastructure. The NFL’s Digital Athlete platform and the Premier League’s AI-focused data partnership with Stats Perform are prominent examples. When leagues adopt AI systems for officiating, injury prediction, or automated content, it brings all member clubs into the AI era at once – raising the baseline for the entire competition. Use cases extend beyond teams It’s not just teams that are leaning into AI. Broadcasters are using it for automated commentary, closed-captioning, smart replays, and personalized viewing. Fans are interacting with AI-powered platforms for scores, highlights, and chatbot experiences. And sponsors, too, are tapping AI-driven insights for targeting and measurement. The takeaway: AI is no longer a back-office tool – it’s becoming foundational across the sports ecosystem. We’ve moved past the question of if AI will be adopted. The only question now is how each team, league, and broadcaster chooses to implement it. Use case cluster 1: performance analytics (Player Tracking, Load Management, Biomechanics) AI in player performance analytics is perhaps the most mature and widespread application in sports. Teams are relentlessly seeking advantages in how players train, recover, and perform — and AI has unlocked a new level of insight here. Player tracking & movement analysis Every player’s on-field movement can now be transformed into data. Using computer vision and wearables, teams collect granular data on speed, distance covered, acceleration, positional heatmaps, and more. AI models analyze this data to assess player positioning and tactics. In the NBA, cameras track players’ XY coordinates on the court multiple times per second. AI algorithms digest this to reveal defensive lapses or spacing inefficiencies that coaches can address. In soccer, AI and tracking data have revolutionized understanding of team shape — evaluating how well a defensive line maintains structure or how a pressing strategy is performing, with far more objectivity than the coach’s eye. These insights feed directly into coaching decisions like formation tweaks or substitution timing. Advanced models even generate metrics like “expected possession value” or “defensive impact,” quantifying off-ball movement and contributions not captured by traditional stats. Load management & injury prevention One of the highest-value use cases of AI is keeping players healthy. By analyzing training loads, game intensity, sleep and recovery data (often from wearable sensors), AI models can flag when a player is at risk of overexertion. For example, the NFL’s league-wide Digital Athlete system aggregates data from all 32 teams — including sensor data from pads and optical tracking — and uses machine learning to identify injury risk patterns. This creates an AI profile of each athlete’s workload and sends alerts when trends show danger signs. Teams can act proactively. If a player is cutting or accelerating at a rate historically linked to hamstring injuries, coaches can adjust their training or rest schedules. Soccer clubs using platforms like Zone7 or Kitman Labs have predicted injuries days or weeks in advance by detecting subtle fatigue signals or biomechanical changes invisible to the human eye. This predictive, preventive approach flips traditional sports medicine on its head. Fewer injuries not only improve performance — they save money. Top leagues collectively lose hundreds of millions each year to injured players. Preventing just a few major injuries can return massive value. Biomechanics & technique optimization AI and advanced sensors have also entered the world of biomechanics, helping teams analyze and optimize how athletes move. High-speed cameras and IMUs (inertial measurement units) capture movement mechanics in fine detail — from a pitcher’s throw to a sprinter’s stride. AI models compare this motion data to an athlete’s baseline or an ideal standard. In sports like baseball or cricket, smart balls and bat sensors track angle, speed, and spin, allowing AI to identify inefficiencies or early signs of fatigue. In gymnastics and track, AI video analysis can score technique against KPIs and offer feedback in real time. This is like having a super-intelligent coaching assistant that never sleeps. And it’s not just for elite athletes — many youth and academy programs use biomechanics AI to spot future stars based on how they move, or to help near-elite athletes reach that next level. The bottom line AI-powered performance analytics gives teams a data-rich, real-time window into each athlete’s condition and capabilities. Coaches and performance staff now monitor live dashboards tracking acceleration bursts, jump count, and player load — with AI surfacing outliers like “Player X’s lateral quickness is down 5% today. ” Training can now be truly personalized. Two players might follow entirely different practice and recovery plans based on AI-derived insights. The result? Fewer injuries, better performance, and more wins. That’s why virtually every big-budget team — and a growing number of smaller clubs — have embraced AI as a core part of their performance strategy. Use case cluster 2: scouting and recruitment Finding the right talent has always been the lifeblood of sports success. Traditionally, scouting was a mix of human intuition, experience, and basic stats. Now, AI is augmenting scouts in a way that allows clubs to cast a wider net and make smarter recruitment decisions. Data-driven scouting reports Modern scouting departments can tap into global databases of players with AI filtering the signal from the noise. Machine learning models evaluate players on metrics that correlate with success for a given team’s playstyle. For example, a soccer club might use AI to identify midfielders in smaller leagues with high pressing efficiency and pass completion under pressure — traits that wouldn’t pop from a basic stat sheet. AI can rank thousands of players by similarity to a team’s ideal profile. One outcome: clubs are discovering talent in overlooked places. In hockey, AI has helped teams spot promising players whose skating speed, shot patterns, and other underlying metrics projected them to excel — even if their headline stats didn’t stand out. Predictive potential and “Moneyball 2. 0” AI doesn’t suffer from cognitive biases that human scouts might have — like overvaluing physical prototypes or players from well-known schools. It looks strictly at data patterns. In baseball, for instance, AI might analyze a pitcher’s spin rate, release mechanics, and even sentiment analysis of interviews to predict long-term success. If a journeyman pitcher’s metrics match those of past breakout stars, a GM might make a data-informed signing. Some teams are now using AI models that combine performance stats with biometric and personality indicators to generate NBA or NFL success probabilities — supporting scouts’ intuition with real predictive rigor. Widening the talent funnel Because AI can process global, multilingual data — including translated scouting reports and video — teams can scout players in regions where they have no boots... - Published: 2025-12-31 - Modified: 2026-02-04 - URL: https://wsc-sports-dev.ltu.co.il/blog/industry-insights/why-2026-belongs-to-moments-not-matches/ - Categories: Industry Insights In 2026, sports media success will be defined by how moments are turned into quick, relevant, and measurable value. Why it matters Sports media leaders are facing a paradox. Fans are more engaged with sports than ever, yet harder to reach, harder to retain, and quicker to disengage when experiences feel generic or slow. Our 2025/26 Fan Engagement Study shows, for example, that over half of Millennials and Gen X have already canceled a sports streaming service due to weak personalization, while Gen Z increasingly consumes sports through short, social moments rather than full broadcasts. The implication is clear. Matches are, at this moment, no longer the main unit of competition. Moments are. They drive discovery, retention, commerce, and cultural relevance. That’s why more and more leading sports organizations stop treating moments as byproducts of live coverage, instead managing them as assets. Key takeaways Moments now outperform matches as the primary driver of attention and fan engagement. Speed, relevance, and personalization directly affect retention and revenue. AI enables creative scale and measurable ROI without linear growth in cost or headcount. Five things sports rights holders must get right in 2026 1. Start treating moments as experiences, not clips What’s broken: Most sports rights holders still plan around matches and react to moments. When decisions are made on the fly, moments lose speed and consistency at the exact time they matter most. What to do instead: Define moments as experiences. Identify which moments matter most - turning points, star performances, controversy, firsts - and plan for them deliberately. Build a shared moment taxonomy across broadcast, digital, and social so execution is aligned before kickoff, not argued after. 2. Fix ownership: moments cannot live in silos What’s broken: Moments fall between teams. The broadcast captures them. Digital repackages them. Social races to publish them. Product measures them. No one owns the outcome. What to do instead: Assign ownership of moment strategy by outcome, not platform. Who decides what matters, how fast it moves, and where it appears first? AI helps collapse silos by creating a shared, real-time source of truth that feeds every endpoint simultaneously. 3. Own the full moment lifecycle What’s broken: Most organizations think about moments only at the point of publishing. What happens before detection and after distribution is often fragmented or inconsistent. What to do instead: Treat moments as a lifecycle, a journey instead of just a clip. From detection to creation, distribution, amplification, and measurement, every stage should be connected. That means: - Designing moments with their end goal in mind, not just their first post - Ensuring moments travel coherently across platforms, formats, and audiences - Learning from how moments perform and feeding that insight back into the next cycle 4. Acknowledge your competitive reality What’s broken: Rights holders still assume they control distribution because they control rights. In reality, platforms and creators already dominate how moments travel. They understand pacing, tone, and feed-native storytelling better than most traditional media operations. If a moment does not arrive fast, framed, and culturally fluent, it is effectively invisible. What to do instead: Compete on framing. Speed is assumed. What separates winning moments is how they’re packaged. Creators and platforms succeed because they present moments that are emotional, culturally fluent, and immediately clear. If a moment arrives without context or point of view, it will be overtaken by someone else’s version of the story. So the goal isn’t just to move faster. It’s to own the interpretation of the moment before the internet does. That means: - Ship moments with a point of view: why it matters and what makes it culturally relevant . - Design for feed behavior: pacing, captions, format, tone, and context built for scroll-first discovery. - Create versioning by intent: one moment can produce multiple angles - hype, controversy, humor, analysis, player-first, fan-first - depending on audience and platform. - Operate like a creator studio, not a broadcast extension: fewer approvals, clearer narrative rules, and formats that can be executed instantly. - Embrace the shift: Creators are now part of how sports content reaches fans. Attention already flows through their voices. The competitive gap is no longer whether to work with creators, but how structured and repeatable those relationships are, from formats and guardrails to rights, monetization, and measurement. AI enables this by turning one moment into many feed-native executions, in real time, without linear growth in headcount or cost. That’s how rights holders stay culturally present, not just ״officially correct. ״ 5. Measure the moment, not the megaphone What’s broken: Volume and reach still masquerade as success. They are easy to report and hard to defend. What to do instead: Shift measurement to impact. Track which moments drive return visits, session depth, subscriptions, and purchases. Personalized highlights already show significantly higher conversion intent, especially among Millennials. AI-powered analytics connect moments to outcomes and make ROI visible, not assumed. What happens if rights holders don’t adapt If you don’t own and shape the moments deliberately, others will through platforms or algorithms that move faster and speak the language of the feed more fluently. When moments arrive late or without context, they fade quickly, regardless of how important they were on the field. And when their impact cannot be clearly tied to engagement, retention, or revenue, investment naturally shifts to places where the value is easier to prove. The real risk in 2026 is not underproducing content, but producing at scale without clarity on what actually matters. > Casual fans represent two-thirds of all sports fans. As sports media pursues the top third, the casual fan represents one of the biggest opportunities. - Published: 2025-12-29 - Modified: 2026-02-04 - URL: https://wsc-sports-dev.ltu.co.il/blog/industry-insights/the-overlooked-opportunity-casual-fans/ - Categories: Industry Insights This is chapter 6 of our 6-part series “2026 and Beyond: Sports Industry Leaders on What's Next”, bringing the voices of industry leaders from WSC Sports Madrid Huddle to wrap up 2025. While the sports media industry obsesses over engaging die-hards and converting cord-cutters, some see a massive blind spot. "There was a big national Siena College poll of sports fandom done recently,” says Jordan Levin, former Chief Content Officer at the NFL, “that showed that out of everybody who would consider themselves a sports fan, about a third are avid or diehard fans and the rest follow socially or when convenient". "Nearly all sports media is targeted towards that top-third of fans,” Levin explains. That breakdown of fan ‘types’ - where casual fans make up the majority - is also a theme that was uncovered in “The 2025/26 WSC Sports Fan Engagement Study: How Gen X, Y, and Z Are Redefining Sports Fandom. " Levin went further to mention some of the prevalent content that we all know and love, but that would absolutely not appeal to the casual fan, “from podcasts that spend 90 minutes breaking down the cap implications of an NBA trade, The Athletic, to everything betting-related. But who is actually appealing to the other two-thirds of sports fans? " It's the old 80/20 rule, inverted. The industry is fighting over the 20% while ignoring the 80%. "As sports options continue to grow and media rights continue to increase, rights holders are going to have to cast a wider net to grow the ecosystem and generate a return on their investment," Levin argues. "In a world where sports represent the final piece of monoculture, it's a group that actually wants this stuff more than ever. " Debra Llams of ACB frames it through the lens of content's primary purpose: "While content can drive purchases, I still believe that its most important role is to serve as the discovery layer, to generate interest and engagement, to expose the sports to as many people as possible. Content is your best tool to reach more fans, acquire more fans, and submitting it to drive sales is useful, but the best quality of content is to get more fans. " And there are specific, underserved audiences hiding in plain sight. Jordi Mompart of FC Barcelona points to the data: "When we check our data we see that only 20-25% of our fans are women. Sports and technology is too male, and I'm not saying this for corporate responsibility—I'm saying this also because it's the market to grow. There is such a huge opportunity when we analyze data to check that the market to grow is to start creating products and start creating things appealing for women and women being more involved in the business. " Levin also cautions against abandoning what works in pursuit of what's shiny: "A lot of rights-holders have ignored their local rights and their presence in local markets in lieu of shinier objects and richer promises in national or international markets. That's a mistake. One thing that I think is behind the MLB's surging interest is rooted in baseball clubs being marketed as a local market's team, while at other leagues everything is geared towards the national or international conversation. Baseball has actually grown by focusing smaller, by becoming pillars in a community. " The strategic implication is uncomfortable: most sports organizations are over-serving their most engaged fans and under-serving everyone else. The casual fan, the potential fan, the lapsed fan, the female fan who's been told this product isn't for her—these audiences represent the growth opportunity. But serving them requires different content, different entry points, and the willingness to create experiences that aren't optimized for the hardcore 33% who will watch regardless. This can only be done by adopting a technology-driven strategy that enables the scale it requires. Squeezing more value from existing super-fans is tempting. But making sports even more accessible, welcoming, and engaging for the two-thirds of potential fans the industry has been ignoring might just be the better business decision. To 2026, and beyond Standing in front of the Madrid Huddle audience, Bob Carney of the NBA was asked what comes next. His answer wasn't about a specific technology or platform. It was about pace. "I don't know what's next," Carney admitted. "I try to stay on what I call the cutting edge of what scales, and just always trying to find that line every day. Because it's easy to get distracted, especially in the Gen AI age. It's very easy to get distracted by all the shiny toys that keep showing up every day. " His focus? "I think perfecting a lot of what we discussed during this Huddle is what's next. Because we're not there yet, right? It's early days . It's getting really good. It's getting what I would call usable and publishable, which is a major milestone. " This might be the most important insight for 2026: there is no finish line. And no one way to get there. For some, because of how fast things change, it makes much better sense to work in 5-year visions instead of constantly-disrupted yearly plans. For others, it means launching a platform in eight weeks when circumstances demand it. Or reacting quickly to the departure of a huge star by becoming a media production house. Or shifting from broadcast-first to mobile-first to AI-assisted production without losing six months to committee meetings. LFP Media went from crisis to one million subscribers in months. RCD Mallorca integrated more than a dozen digital assets in one project. The NBA produces localized game recaps in three languages within minutes of final buzzers. These aren't stories about having the biggest budget or the most resources. They're stories about moving fast. The technology exists and will continue to provide the solutions needed to meet fans’ demands. The playbooks are being written in real-time. The fans are already consuming sports in new ways, whether the industry adapts or not. 2026, and the years ahead, won't be who has the best plan. It will be who adapts fastest. In an industry that traditionally moved on decade-long rights cycles and annual planning processes, speed is now the sustainable lifeline. > Learn about new capabilities in AI powering sports into a new era, with more personalized fand experiences. - Published: 2025-12-28 - Modified: 2026-02-04 - URL: https://wsc-sports-dev.ltu.co.il/blog/industry-insights/ai-sports-revolution-12-innovations-changing-everything/ - Categories: Industry Insights The sports industry is entering an AI-powered era: faster decisions, healthier athletes, and more personalized experiences at massive scale. Artificial Intelligence (AI) is transforming sports on and off the field at a blistering pace. From training elites to engaging fans at home, AI’s influence spans athlete performance, content creation, team operations, and fan experience. Sports teams now deploy AI to dissect player performance, detect injury risks early, and fine-tune coaching decisions, while business departments use it to automate highlight reels, personalize fan content, and optimize social media and customer support. The result is a sports industry rapidly embracing data-driven innovation: the global AI in sports market is projected to surge from $8. 9 billion in 2024 to over $27. 6 billion by 2030. Those who invest in the right AI technologies today are positioning themselves for a decisive competitive edge in the near future. In this article, we explore 12 game-changing AI innovations revolutionizing sports. Each innovation is presented with: A concise titleAn explanation of how it works and the core AI technologies involvedReal-world examples from teams or vendorsThe key impact on sports business or performanceWhether it is a CURRENT reality or a FUTURE frontier. These innovations span everything from AI-driven coaching and injury prediction to generative AI commentary, automated officiating, instant highlights, smart ticketing, fan data analytics, betting algorithms, front-office intelligence, immersive AR/VR fan experiences, and chatbot engagement. Sports tech executives, innovation leads, strategists, and decision-makers can use this landscape to inform their strategic vision. Let’s dive in. 1. AI coaching platforms (CURRENT) AI-driven coaching platforms leverage computer vision and machine learning to act as “digital trainers,” analyzing athlete technique and providing real-time feedback. Cutting-edge pose estimation models can track an athlete’s movements via video and evaluate their form without any wearables. For example, the BeOne Sports app uses a smartphone camera to capture an athlete’s motion and then compares it against optimal movement patterns, identifying strengths and correcting flaws. This kind of AI coach dissects techniques frame-by-frame — whether it’s a tennis backhand or a weightlifting squat — and delivers objective, data-driven feedback. Beyond elite training, AI coaching benefits everyday users by preventing injuries through form correction. Computer vision eliminates subjective bias, giving athletes clear metrics on angles, timing, and posture. One live example is BeOne Sports partnering with Rice University’s sports medicine program to set new standards for injury prevention and performance using mobile motion-capture AI. Some platforms even integrate wearable sensor data with video, merging 3D kinematics with heart rate or fatigue metrics for a comprehensive coaching plan. Impact: personalized coaching at scale, higher-quality training routines, and unprecedented measurement precision, available to athletes of any level with just a camera. 2. GenAI personalized sports commentary (FUTURE) AI-generated multilingual commentary uses live event data (shots, passes, scores) to produce real-time match commentary in multiple languages and styles. This innovation promises personalized play-by-play narration for fans worldwide. Imagine watching a game and choosing a commentary style — casual fan-chat, dramatic radio announcer, or highly technical analysis — or getting commentary in your native language for any match. Generative AI makes this possible using large language models (LLMs) trained to produce real-time sports commentary tailored to each fan. In a pioneering example, Germany’s Bundesliga tested an AI-powered live commentary (ticker) that ingests match event data and generates instant text updates in multiple languages and tones. In one demo, a single goal produced multiple commentary entries seconds later: a formal English journalist voice, a slangy Gen Z tone, and German — all automatically generated. The system even offers persona choices (“Sports Journalist,” “Casual,” “Bro”) to resonate with different audiences. At Wimbledon 2023, IBM debuted AI commentary for tennis highlights using an LLM trained on the “language of tennis,” paired with computer vision that recognizes events like aces or break points. The AI narrated highlight clips with tennis-specific verbiage, providing audio commentary for matches without human commentators. Impact: personalized fan experiences, broader accessibility, and scalable coverage (including matches without broadcasters). This is emerging via pilots, so it’s labeled FUTURE. 3. Real-time injury prediction (CURRENT) Injuries can derail a team’s season, or an athlete’s career, so AI is being used to predict and prevent injuries before they happen. This innovation relies on predictive modelling fed by a mix of data: player workload statistics, biomechanics (from video or wearables), schedules, sleep and wellness logs, and more. By spotting subtle patterns, AI systems can flag when an athlete is at risk of injury so coaches can intervene proactively: rest a player, adjust training, or change workloads. One prominent example is the NFL’s partnership with Amazon Web Services to create the “Digital Athlete” platform. The system simulates football scenarios in a virtual model to understand injury mechanisms and predict risk. Using machine learning and computer vision, it processes data from high-speed stadium cameras and combines it with years of historical injury data. The NFL reported its lowest concussion rate on record in 2024, a 17% decrease from the prior year, attributed in part to AI-driven rule changes and training adjustments. The platform can even simulate how rule changes would affect injuries by “playing out” thousands of season scenarios. Outside football, Zone7 works with soccer and rugby clubs, analyzing huge volumes of performance data to predict injury risk at reported accuracy levels. Teams using such platforms have reported large reductions in injuries and days lost, improving as the algorithms learn more. These systems also forecast likely injury locations (hamstring, ankle, etc. ) and severity, enabling targeted interventions. Impact: healthier players, fewer games lost, longer careers, and major financial savings. This is a CURRENT reality across many leagues and clubs. 4. Computer vision officiating and rule automation (FUTURE) Bad calls and human error by referees can change championships. AI is stepping in to make officiating more accurate — and eventually automate certain calls — using computer vision and sensor fusion. Tennis was a pioneer with Hawk-Eye, using motion-capture cameras and algorithms to determine line calls. The technology is now reliable enough that professional tennis is eliminating human line judges. The ATP Tour announced that by 2025 all out-of-bounds calls will be made by an automated system. Baseball has been testing an Automated Ball-Strike (ABS) system (“robo-umpires”) in the minors since 2019, using high-speed cameras and AI to judge the strike zone. While rollout to MLB has moved slowly, an automated strike zone that adjusts to each batter is widely expected in the coming years. Basketball and soccer are seeing partial automation, too. The NBA has used camera-based systems to assist certain calls and is experimenting further. FIFA introduced semi-automated offside technology at the 2022 World Cup: AI tracked player positions at the moment of a pass and alerted VAR officials within seconds. Review time dropped significantly and accuracy improved, though humans still make final decisions. The benefits are clear: higher consistency, fewer missed calls, and fewer controversies. However, challenges remain, including occlusion in crowded scenes and the speed-versus-accuracy tradeoff. Impact: an impartial “fifth referee” that improves fairness and produces richer live data overlays. It’s FUTURE because full automation at scale is still being refined. 5. Autonomous highlight generation (CURRENT) Sports content is king, and AI is now generating video highlights automatically in real time. Instead of a human editor sifting through footage after the game, AI systems using computer vision and event detection identify key moments (goals, dunks, touchdowns) and stitch them into highlight reels within seconds. This innovation is already widely adopted by leagues and broadcasters to feed the demand for instant highlights across social media and apps. A standout player in this space is WSC Sports, whose AI platform ingests live broadcast streams, logs important actions, and produces customized highlight videos tailored to different audiences and platforms. For example, it can generate a “Top 10 Plays” clip for YouTube, a 15-second star-player montage for Instagram, and a personalized reel of every goal your favorite team scored — automatically and almost instantly. The AI analyzes the video feed frame by frame using object recognition (ball, players, scoreboard) and audio signals like crowd noise and commentator excitement to gauge importance. It then uses editing algorithms to cut footage cleanly and add context graphics. Impact: faster content, more content, and more personalized content at scale — without an army of editors. This is firmly CURRENT and already reshaping sports media. 6. AI scouting across amateur footage (CURRENT) Finding the next superstar used to mean traveling scouts and endless tape review. Now, AI is turbocharging scouting by analyzing amateur and youth footage at scale, spotting talent that human scouts might miss. This innovation uses computer vision to evaluate performance from video and predictive analytics to project potential — an AI “talent scout” that never sleeps. A prime example is the mobile app AiScout, which lets prospects upload videos performing standardized drills (dribbling, sprinting, shooting). The AI measures metrics like speed, agility, technique, and accuracy, then compares them against professional benchmarks. Clubs across top leagues have partnered with the platform to scout beyond their academies, and the system has reportedly helped many players secure professional trials or call-ups. Behind the scenes, the AI uses pose estimation (body mechanics), object tracking (ball movement), and contextual understanding (shot quality, drill success). Some systems also estimate stamina by analyzing acceleration and recovery patterns. Impact: a more meritocratic talent pipeline, lower scouting costs, less bias, and a wider global net. This is a CURRENT capability and expanding rapidly. 7. AI ticketing & demand pricing (CURRENT) Stadium ticketing is shifting from fixed prices to dynamic pricing driven by real-time data — similar to airlines. AI ticketing systems analyze opponent quality, team performance, weather, day of week, and even social media buzz to set prices that maximize attendance and revenue. Many teams and leagues already use AI-driven dynamic pricing. Algorithms continually learn from sales patterns and update prices across ticketing platforms. If a team goes on a winning streak, prices may rise; if bad weather is forecast, the AI may lower prices or launch targeted offers to avoid empty seats. Secondary-market prices can also inform pricing decisions. FIFA announced that the 2026 World Cup will use dynamic pricing, marking a major shift from prior tournaments. AI ticketing also goes beyond pricing: it can optimize when to send offers, which bundles to present, and to whom — by analyzing fan segments and behavior. Impact: higher yield per seat, better attendance optimization, and more tailored offers. This is already CURRENT across many franchises. 8. AI fan identity resolution across platforms (FUTURE) Teams are awash in fan data — ticketing, apps, merch, social media — but it often lives in disconnected silos. Fan identity resolution uses AI to unify these data points into a single “360° fan view. ” This innovation uses machine learning and data reconciliation to merge records even when identifiers differ, using deterministic matching (same phone number) and probabilistic matching (similar names, shared addresses, device patterns). Identity graphs can also use behavioral signals, such as device logins that connect otherwise separate accounts. The Seattle Seahawks showcased the value of this by partnering with an AI-driven customer data platform that unified fan records, reduced duplicates, and uncovered previously unrecognized fans. With a cleaner unified view, teams can personalize offers and content far more effectively. Once a 360° profile exists, segmentation algorithms tailor experiences: Fans who open the app daily get a different journey than discount-driven attendeesLapsed fans can receive reactivation offersMerchandise buyers can be targeted with relevant drops and player content Impact: always-on personalization across millions of fans — content, tickets, commerce, and engagement journeys. This is labeled FUTURE because many organizations are still implementing it and overcoming fragmented infrastructure. 9. Betting odds generation via AI (CURRENT) Sports betting is all about probabilities, making it a natural fit for AI. Machine learning models now crunch massive datasets — team and player stats, weather, injuries, matchups, and even sentiment — to calculate and adjust betting odds continuously, including during live games. AI can instantly update win probabilities if a star player gets injured mid-game, react to betting volume surges, and detect unusual patterns that may indicate fraud or match-fixing. Technologies include predictive models, Monte Carlo simulations, and deep learning approaches. Many betting platforms also use AI for personalization, recommending wagers based on a user’s history. Impact: more dynamic, responsive betting markets and a scalable live-betting ecosystem. This is decidedly CURRENT across major sportsbooks. 10. AI for front-office decision-making (CURRENT) Front offices now use AI to support roster moves, contracts, player development forecasting, and tactical planning — evolving “Moneyball” into machine learning and big data. AI models can: Forecast player development trajectoriesEvaluate trade proposals and roster constructionSimulate strategy scenarios (4th down decisions, pitcher pulls, lineup combinations)Detect fatigue and performance risksIdentify undervalued players via hidden performance indicators Many teams across major leagues invest heavily in analytics departments and proprietary models. AI-driven scenario simulation has influenced real-world strategy, including more aggressive decision-making in football where analytics often supports it. Impact: faster, more objective, more predictive decision-making — a crucial advantage in competitive environments. This is firmly CURRENT. 11. AI-powered mixed reality and AR fan experiences (FUTURE) AR and mixed reality are bringing fans closer to the action through immersive experiences: giant domes for shared viewing, AR overlays that show player stats, and interactive virtual activations. A leading example is Cosm’s shared reality venues. In 2024, Cosm opened a massive LED dome in Los Angeles capable of immersive 360° sports viewing. Multiple live camera feeds are stitched into a panoramic experience using advanced rendering engines and AI-driven processing. The result is a group experience that feels like being at the event, even from across the country. On mobile, AR apps let fans point phones at the field to see overlays, use navigation arrows in venues, and participate in interactive activations. Brands and clubs have experimented with AR booths, hologram-like experiences, and skills challenges with virtual player avatars. AI is the “intelligence layer” making AR/MR more interactive and personalized — understanding what users are looking at, pulling context, and rendering objects that appear properly placed in real environments. Impact: deeper engagement, premium experiences, and new revenue formats. This is labeled FUTURE because the most transformative consumer-grade experiences (including widespread AR glasses in venues) are still emerging. 12. Language-based AI chatbots for fans (CURRENT) AI chatbots now power customer service and fan engagement across apps, websites, and messaging platforms. Using natural language processing — increasingly generative AI — these bots answer questions, provide schedules and stats, help sell tickets, and interact with fans 24/7. Examples include: League chatbots that deliver scores, schedules, and stats on demandTeam chatbots answering arena policies and game-day logisticsConversational ticketing assistants that help fans find seats through natural languageBots that learn preferences and proactively send relevant updates Operationally, chatbots reduce support costs and improve responsiveness by handling thousands of inquiries simultaneously. Impact: always-on support, faster answers, and scalable personalization. This is an established CURRENT reality, and many teams are upgrading to more natural GenAI-driven conversations. Innovation matrix: where these 12 innovations fit These innovations span four key domains of sports technology: Performance: AI coaching, injury prediction, AI scoutingContent: AI commentary, highlight generationOperations: AI officiating, dynamic pricing, AI odds, front-office... > Learn how AI sports predictions are replacing traditional models with higher accuracy, real-time updates, and personalized insights for fans and bettors. - Published: 2025-12-27 - Modified: 2026-02-04 - URL: https://wsc-sports-dev.ltu.co.il/blog/industry-insights/ai-sports-predictions-for-2026-why-traditional-methods-are-now-obsolete/ - Categories: Industry Insights Generative AI is transforming sports predictions with richer data, real time updates, and personalized insights that traditional models cannot match. Key takeaways - AI models process far more data than humans or basic stats, including tracking, biometrics, weather, and sentiment, which helps them spot patterns traditional methods miss. - Modern systems update predictions in real time, powering live probabilities, micro bets, and dynamic “what if” scenarios that static pre-game picks cannot handle. - GenAI enables personalization at scale, delivering tailored tips and explanations for different user types, while also supporting responsible betting tools and integrity monitoring. AI Sports Predictions have surged into the mainstream, promising unprecedented accuracy and insights. In 2025, advanced machine learning and generative AI (GenAI) systems are not just experimental tools, they’re fundamental to how fans, bettors, and teams forecast outcomes. Public trust in these models is growing as they consistently outperform traditional methods. This article will expose the limitations of legacy sports prediction systems and showcase how GenAI is ushering in a new era of accuracy, personalization, and real-time adaptability in sports forecasting. Introduction: the rise of AI sports predictions and public trust Not long ago, relying on AI to predict game results was considered a gimmick. Today, it’s a competitive necessity. The global sports analytics market is projected to exceed $22 billion by 2030, driven largely by AI adoption in leagues like the NBA, NFL, and Premier League. In sports betting specifically, the AI market is booming, expected to grow from $10. 8 billion in 2025 to over $60 billion by 2034 (21% CAGR). This explosive growth reflects an insatiable demand for data-driven insights, and fans and bettors are increasingly turning to AI models for guidance. Machine learning models can now predict game winners with 70–80% accuracy, levels that match or exceed expert human analysts. What was once the exclusive domain of billion-dollar teams is now accessible to everyone through AI-powered tools. For example, free services like ChatGPT or Google’s Gemini can analyze matchups in plain language, offering prediction insights that rival those of professional pundits. As a result, public trust in AI models is rising, many bettors would rather see what an algorithm says than rely on a lone analyst’s gut feeling. Crucially, these AI systems have proven their worth with real results. Industry analysts report that modern AI models reach 75–85% accuracy in picking game winners, whereas traditional statistical models plateaued around 50–60%. In practice, this means AI can correctly predict outcomes far more often than older methods, transforming sports forecasting from an art into a science. Beyond just win-loss picks, AI enhances the breadth of insights available. Fans now see win probabilities updated in real time, personalized betting tips, and even AI-generated commentary explaining the context behind stats. With each success, from correctly calling a Super Bowl upset to helping a casual bettor win their fantasy league, trust in AI predictions deepens. The stage is set: GenAI has emerged from novelty to necessity, and it’s time to examine why it leaves traditional methods in the dust. How traditional sports predictions worked (and their limitations) Before the AI revolution, sports predictions relied on a mix of human expertise and simple statistical models. A typical traditional prediction workflow looked like this: Human analysts and basic stats: Seasoned experts would study a handful of factors like recent team performance, head-to-head records, and player injuries. They’d apply personal knowledge and intuition to these stats. Many sportsbooks employed veteran oddsmakers whose “feel for the game” guided the betting lines. Rule-based and statistical models: Some predictions used basic mathematical models. For example, linear regressions or logistic regressions might take a few inputs (home vs away, team offensive/defensive ratings, etc. ) to estimate win probability. Rating systems like Elo were also popular, updating team strength scores after each game to inform future matchup predictions. These models were relatively simple, treating each factor independently and often ignoring nuanced interactions. Matchup history and trends: Legacy methods put heavy weight on historical patterns. If Team A had beaten Team B in 5 of their last 6 meetings, an expert might favor Team A, sometimes without deeper analysis. Trends like “west coast teams struggle in 1:00 PM games on the east coast”, while sometimes meaningful, could also introduce confirmation bias if not backed by robust data. In their time, these approaches had value, but they carried inherent limitations that are glaring by today’s standards: Limited data and variables: Traditional models only digested a narrow slice of data. A human might consider 5 to 10 factors at most (e. g. starting pitcher stats, a star player’s injury, weather if it’s an outdoor game) but ignores hundreds of other variables that could be predictive. Simpler models can’t handle nonlinear relationships, so they often miss complex patterns. For instance, an expert might not notice that a soccer team performs poorly on artificial turf after long travel, but an AI could, if given enough data. Static, pre-game predictions: Legacy predictions were typically set before the game and remained static. Once an analyst published their pick or a sportsbook set the odds, the model wasn’t adjusting for new developments. If a star striker pulled a hamstring in warm-ups or a sudden downpour hit the stadium, the pre-game prediction quickly became outdated. Real-time adjustment was left to bettors or live oddsmakers scrambling to react. Cognitive bias and subjectivity: Human forecasters are prone to biases, recency bias (overweighting recent performances), favoritism towards popular teams, or narrative biases (“Team X has destiny on their side this year”). These biases cap human prediction accuracy. Studies show even expert analysts struggle to beat about 60% accuracy due to emotional and cognitive biases, rarely breaking the 65% accuracy barrier. Emotions can cloud judgment (for example, a pundit sticking with an underperforming favorite team out of loyalty). One-size-fits-all outputs: Traditional predictions weren’t personalized. A newspaper’s betting tips or a TV pundit’s picks were broadcast to everyone, from sharp bettors to casual fans, without tailoring. Similarly, early sportsbook odds treated the betting public as a monolith. There was little sense of personalization, if you were a risk-averse bettor or loved long-shot parlays, you had to figure that out yourself. The lack of personalized insight meant missed opportunities and engagement, which we’ll contrast with GenAI’s approach later. In summary, legacy methods laid the groundwork but fail to meet today’s demands. They can’t ingest the firehose of data now available, they don’t adapt on the fly, and they carry the baggage of human error. As sports have grown more data-rich (think player tracking, advanced metrics) and fast-paced (live betting on your phone), the old ways are simply too sluggish and shallow. Next, we’ll see how GenAI blasts past these limitations. Why traditional methods fail today: bias, stagnation, and generic outputs The shortcomings of traditional sports prediction models have become more pronounced in the modern era. Here’s why these legacy methods are now considered obsolete: Lack of real-time adaptability: Perhaps the biggest weakness is the inability to adjust to events as they happen. A static prediction made hours or days before a game cannot account for last-minute changes, a sudden injury, a lineup change, or evolving weather conditions. Human oddsmakers have to manually adjust odds when big news breaks, and they might miss subtler shifts during play. By contrast, AI models excel at continuous recalibration. Modern systems ingest real-time data (plays, scores, injuries) and update win probabilities on the fly. Traditional approaches simply cannot keep up with the pace of live sports in 2025. Cognitive bias and emotional influence: Human predictions are inherently prone to bias. Experts might cling to outdated narratives (“Team Y always chokes in playoffs”) or be swayed by media hype. These biases lead to systematic errors, for example, consistently overrating big-market teams or star players. Data shows that even seasoned analysts rarely exceed about 60% accuracy largely due to such biases and the limited scope of human memory. In today’s data-driven environment, gut feelings often get it wrong, especially when confronted with unexpected scenarios. Fallible human judgment can’t consistently parse the signal from the noise like an objective algorithm can. Poor personalization and generic models: Traditional prediction services offered the same analysis to everyone. This one-size-fits-all approach fails to serve individual needs. A novice bettor and an experienced high roller see the same odds and tips, even though their decision processes differ greatly. There’s no concept of tailoring the advice or odds to a user’s behavior. As a result, engagement suffers, generic content doesn’t excite savvy users who crave deeper insights, nor does it properly guide newcomers who might need simpler context. Studies have found that platforms using advanced personalization (leveraging AI) see a 35% increase in user engagement versus generic offerings. Clearly, the old methods weren’t tapping into the potential of personalization at all. Limited data utilization: Legacy statistical models and human analysts alike could only handle a relatively small number of variables. They often ignored rich data like player tracking coordinates, biometric data, or sentiment analysis from news and social media. This means valuable predictive signals were left on the table. For example, a human might note a team’s average points scored, but a traditional model wouldn’t know a player’s sleep quality (now measurable via wearables) or a subtle tactical change seen through tracking data. The inability to incorporate diverse data sources meant traditional predictions missed patterns that, while subtle, could swing the outcome prediction. Inflexibility to new types of bets: Today’s sports landscape has moved beyond simple win/lose bets. There are micro-bets (next play outcomes), player prop bets, fantasy projections, etc. Traditional methods struggle with these because they require granular, situation-specific predictions. A human isn’t going to manually predict the probability of “next basket is a 3-pointer” for an NBA game, and a basic model trained only on game outcomes won’t either. GenAI thrives in these micro-prediction environments, whereas old methods falter or require enormous manual effort to cover every niche. In short, traditional models fail the modernity test, they are too static, too biased, and too generic. Sports betting and analysis have evolved into a high-tech domain that demands real-time, unbiased, and user-tailored predictions. The good news is that Generative AI and machine learning have stepped in to fill these gaps, as we’ll explore next. How GenAI improves on traditional methods The new generation of AI sports prediction systems addresses legacy shortcomings head-on. GenAI models, especially those powered by deep learning and large datasets, bring transformative improvements in several key areas: Deep learning for complex pattern recognition Unlike linear models or human intuition, deep learning networks can recognize complex, non-linear patterns in the data that were previously invisible. Neural networks (ANNs) and advanced architectures like Transformers and LSTMs excel at finding subtle correlations, for instance, how a particular basketball team’s performance dips on the second night of back-to-back road games when facing a top-5 defense. A recent study on NCAA basketball demonstrated this power: a Transformer-based model outperformed traditional models by capturing temporal dependencies in player tracking data (i. e. , understanding the sequence of events and momentum swings during games). In soccer, hybrid deep learning approaches (combining convolutional neural nets with Transformers) achieved 75 to 80% accuracy in predicting match outcomes by processing time-series data of play sequences. These architectures can digest orders of magnitude more information than any person or older stat model, from play-by-play sequences to complex interactions between players. In simple terms, GenAI can spot patterns like “when Player X runs over 11km in a match, their team’s win probability jumps” or “Team A’s odds improve significantly if they force at least 2 turnovers in the first quarter. ” Such multilayered insights come from analyzing thousands of games with hundreds of factors simultaneously, exactly what deep learning was designed for. The result is a predictive power that far exceeds traditional linear or rules-based logic, because sports are not linear systems. They are complex, dynamic, and sometimes chaotic, a perfect playground for deep learning to find signal in the noise. Multi-modal inputs: from biometrics to social sentiment Generative AI sports models don’t just look at box scores, they devour multi-modal data from diverse sources and formats: Player and ball tracking data: Modern models ingest optical tracking and GPS data (for example, NBA player movement coordinates recorded 25 times per second) to understand spatial patterns. This can reveal defensive positioning mistakes or fatigue (slower movement) which impact predictions. Biometric and health data: Wearable sensors (like heart-rate monitors, GPS vests, sleep trackers) feed into AI models to measure fatigue and fitness levels. If a soccer team’s key midfielder has a high fatigue index and reduced sprint distance in recent matches, an AI model flags that as impacting the upcoming game, something old models would miss. These biometric inputs allow AI to account for injury risk or tired legs in real time. Weather and field conditions: GenAI systems automatically include weather forecasts and even field condition data. Sudden change to heavy rain? The AI will downgrade passing-heavy football teams’ win probabilities accordingly. Windy day in a baseball game? The home run projections adjust on the fly. Traditional models might include a generic weather factor, AI treats it with nuance, even pulling in live weather API data during a game. News and sentiment analysis: Some GenAI sports models now parse news articles, player interviews, and social media sentiment. Natural language processing (NLP) techniques gauge the “mood” around a team. For instance, AI can quantify if a team is surrounded by positive momentum or swirling in controversy, based on media tone. While hard to measure, sentiment can affect player psyche and thus performance. Ingesting this unstructured data gives contextual awareness. An example: if an AI picks up trade rumor turmoil in a team (via news), it might slightly temper that team’s expected performance due to off-field distractions. Massive historical databases: AI thrives on data volume. GenAI models are trained on decades of historical data, every game, play, and statistic available. They learn from countless scenarios: comebacks, blowouts, clutch moments, choke jobs, etc. By “seeing” millions of combinations of circumstances, the AI forms a holistic understanding that a human expert could never replicate by memory alone. By integrating these multi-modal inputs, GenAI produces a 360-degree analysis. For example, a generative model might output: “Team A has a 78% win probability, factoring in their superior fitness levels (biometric data), strong passing accuracy (stats), rainy home field advantage (weather), and a recent morale boost after a coaching change (news sentiment). ” This richness of input is a game-changer. Legacy models dealt mostly in numbers (scores, averages), GenAI absorbs images, text, stats, sensor readings, everything but the kitchen sink, to leave no stone unturned. Real-time recalibration and adaptability One of the most exciting leaps with AI models is their ability to adapt predictions in real time. Sports are fluid, and AI finally enables fluid predictions too: Continuous in-game updates: GenAI-driven systems update win probabilities and projected scores with every play or meaningful event. As an example, modern live-betting models will adjust a team’s win chance immediately when a key player gets injured in-game or if momentum shifts after a big play. They ingest the play-by-play feed, recompute... > How AI and automation are leveling the playing field in sports media, enabling leagues and teams of any size to scale content faster and smarter. - Published: 2025-12-23 - Modified: 2026-02-04 - URL: https://wsc-sports-dev.ltu.co.il/blog/industry-insights/technology-as-the-great-equalizer/ - Categories: Industry Insights This is chapter 5 of our 6-part series “2026 and Beyond: Sports Industry Leaders on What's Next”, bringing the voices of industry leaders from WSC Sports Madrid Huddle to wrap up 2025 For decades, content production scale was a function of budget. The richest leagues and clubs could produce more, faster, and better. That era is ending. Bob Carney, the NBA's SVP of Digital and Social Content, describes what's now possible. "A few minutes after each game, you will see a three-minute game recap on the NBA's app in French, Spanish, and Portuguese. " But it's not just dubbing — it's the entire workflow that's automated. "It's analyzing the entire game, writing a script in English, taking that script, translating the script in a number of different languages, then doing an automated narration in all the different languages, then compiling the highlights, then cropping it, marrying it all together for our team to then publish. " The NBA is also producing a daily 30-minute highlight show called "NBA Rundown" that's ready "two hours after the last game ended. " As Carney noted on the stage at the WSC Sports Madrid Huddle, "It's not only the video, it's the graphics, the dynamic graphics, the sidebar that goes with it. It has press conferences and interviews and top stats and top dressers and storytelling can really be adjusted to what you want to do. " Also at the WSC Huddle, John Barbarotta, Senior Director of Digital Content at ESPN, spoke about the next wave of AI: "Don't be afraid to fully embrace AI and automation as core accelerators of content production. Most AI is only as strong as the prompts, systems, and editorial judgment behind it, meaning humans remain essential to shaping, training, and elevating what these tools can do. ” Importantly, he added, "the organizations that blend human creativity with scaled automation should unlock massive gains in speed, relevance, and output. " This is something that Barbarotta reiterated in The 2025 WSC Sports Fan Engagement Study on How Gen X, Y, and Z Are Redefining Sports Fandom. Get the report: Jared Hoffman, Content Creator and Executive at Warrior Media, also gave his thoughts on how the industry is poised to change: "The critical trend is the lowering cost of content creation and the increasing skill level of native content creators. I think we are increasingly getting into a world where teams themselves will have leverage over their leagues, especially the big teams. There are more and more cost-effective ways for teams to produce and monetize themselves rather than needing the heft of a larger league to help them do so. The cost of creating your own clips, highlights, and insights used to be so prohibitively expensive that you needed a third party to take the risks, but now that barrier is gone. " For smaller organizations, this is transformative. "It used to be that smaller leagues and organizations did not have the resources to match the scale of content operations bigger organizations had," says Lina Gustafson of HockeyAllsvenskan, "but more and more we see the technology is making that possible. " Jaume Pons of LALIGA framed it as fan-driven innovation: "We know fans' expectations for a more immersive and personalized experience mean we always have to keep innovating. Fans are demanding, and the technology will have to keep up — and as soon as it does, sports organizations are always right there to use it. Cause fans don't want to wait. If fans want it, then there is business related, so the solution will follow. " But technology isn't replacing humans; it's enabling them to do more. Alessandro Reitano of Sky Deutschland pushed back on the automation-as-replacement narrative: "I was talking to my team recently and I was talking about when we started working with WSC Sports back in 2014. My team has tripled in size since then. People think that AI will replace people, but it's just creating more opportunities. It's creating so much more work. It's creating a bigger business for us. " Think of like Moneyball: Yes, having a bigger budget is great. But the democratization of smart strategies brings everyone closer. In 2026, organizational size and budget matter less than willingness to adopt new tools. A mid-tier club with good technology partners can now produce at scale that would have required a top-five league's resources until not too long ago. The question isn't whether your organization is big enough to compete. It's whether you're moving fast enough to leverage what's now possible. To get more content like this, check out the next and final chapter in this series, The Overlooked Opportunity — Casual Fans. - Published: 2025-12-22 - Modified: 2026-02-04 - URL: https://wsc-sports-dev.ltu.co.il/blog/industry-insights/how-short-form-content-turns-a-regional-tournament-into-a-global-property/ - Categories: Industry Insights AFCON 2025 shows how global media partnerships, diaspora audiences, and short-form storytelling can turn a regional tournament into a worldwide event. Key takeaways - Major events grow faster when short-form storytelling pushes them beyond broadcast and into global discovery. - Diaspora audiences are powerful growth drivers when served with culturally relevant, digital-first content. - AI-powered content creation lets rights holders scale short-form output across platforms, markets, and languages without adding operational complexity. The 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON), which kicked off on Sunday in Morocco, has already made history. Even before the opening match, AFCON 2025 set new records in the number of stadiums hosting matches, ticket sales, sponsorships, and revenue. And, most crucially for the tournament's global reach, it signed some historic media rights agreements. First, French broadcaster Canal+ announced it will become the first broadcaster to air AFCON matches in multiple languages, including English, French, Portuguese, and different local African languages. Then, the Confédération Africaine de Football (CAF) accepted a bid from British free-to-air television Channel 4, marking the first time the tournament is available to watch for free in the UK. For non-African rights holders, AFCON is a compelling proposition. The tournament regularly features stars from the world's best leagues, who can draw audiences outside of the continent. The 2025 edition will feature 32 Premier League players, headlined by Liverpool winger Mohamed Salah, around 50 players from Ligue 1, 21 Serie A players, 19 Bundesliga players, and 16 players from LaLiga. The diaspora dividend There's another reason the rights for AFCON 2025 have been purchased by more than 150 TV channels worldwide: the African diaspora. With more than 170 million people of African descent living abroad, the diaspora is recognized by the African Union as Africa’s “sixth region. ” According to the World Bank, Africans abroad contribute an estimated $95 billion annually to the continent in remittances, and their financial strength and cultural influence are only growing. That’s especially true in the UK and France. Approximately 3. 5 million Africans reside in France, accounting for 48% of the country's immigrant population. In the UK, estimates put the African diaspora at 1. 5 to 2 million, with more than 600,000 African-born immigrants living in London. In both cases, many of these immigrants maintain cultural and economic ties to their country of origin, making them the prime audience for AFCON matches. Recognizing this, CAF launched a diaspora tour with promotional events in London and Paris ahead of AFCON 2025. The program included live music, cultural activations, honors to legendary African players who left their mark on European football, and a special appearance by the Africa Cup of Nations trophy. The message was loud and clear: AFCON is a shared heritage belonging to Africans everywhere. Turning heritage into engagement This powerful message is echoed through CAF's digital content strategy. After signing a sponsorship deal with TikTok ahead of AFCON 2021, CAF leaned into short-form video. By AFCON 2023, it was using short-form video to deliver broad, global coverage to fans on and beyond the continent. The results were impressive: - During AFCON 2023, CAF's account on TikTok garnered over 8. 8 million followers. - 390,000 videos featuring #AFCON2023 and related hashtags were shared. - These videos generated 3. 6 billion views on TikTok alone, underscoring the tournament's popularity. The focus on the African diaspora continued in the lead-up to AFCON 2025. In early December, CAF launched a video podcast titled “Diaspora Talks. ” The podcast explores topics like African identity, the role of the African diaspora in the continent's football culture, and AFCON stories through panel discussions with players, ex-players, and football executives, with standout moments available on CAF's official social media channels. Scaling hype with smart technology Short-form storytelling has become a strategic tool for rights holders preparing global tentpole events. AFCON 2025 shows how culturally-rooted, emotionally-resonant content can frame a tournament’s identity, activate audiences, and warm up casual viewers weeks before kickoff. For content teams, the takeaway is simple: celebrating heritage, players’ journeys, and shared culture creates relevance that traditional marketing alone can’t deliver. Executing this strategy can be challenging, and creativity alone is not enough. AI-powered content creation platforms allow rights holders to instantly turn classic matches, video podcasts, and cultural moments into short-form assets, optimized for every channel. That scalability lets content teams focus on narrative, not logistics. It ensures events like AFCON 2025 celebrate history and set the stage to make even more of it. Actionable Insights: - Plan short-form content around cultural moments, not just matches. Highlight player heritage, fan rituals, and identity-driven stories that travel globally. - Design content specifically for discovery. Prioritize mobile-first formats and platforms where global communities already engage daily. - Build a repeatable short-form workflow that turns every game, interview, and activation into platform-ready clips to maintain momentum between match days. - Published: 2025-12-21 - Modified: 2026-02-04 - URL: https://wsc-sports-dev.ltu.co.il/blog/industry-insights/what-novembers-most-clipped-nba-players-reveal-about-fandom/ - Categories: Industry Insights Decoding digital fandom using WSC Sports’ content data on Luka Dončić, Giannis Antetokounmpo, Nikola Jokić, and more. Key takeaways -The athlete-first era is data-backed: with nearly a third of Gen Z prioritizing players over teams, stars like Giannis Antetokounmpo and Nikola Jokić now function as standalone entry points into the NBA ecosystem. -Content archetypes matter: fandom can be different, when it revolves around different players. Data shows that Luka Dončić clips revolve around action-drive highlights, while they connect with Jaylen Brown through broader game narratives. -Automation is the engine of scale: to meet this player-first demand, leading rights holders use AI to generate over 50 unique pieces of content per game, ensuring each star’s story reaches fans in real-time, across formats and platforms where discovery actually happens. Why it matters Fandom has shifted. According to our Generational Fan Study, 31% of Gen Z fans now feel more connected to individual athletes than to teams. In this era where fans care more about their favorite players, understanding who drives attention, and why, has become the new front door to sports engagement. This shift is visible beyond our survey. Learning about new sports increasingly happens through athlete-led feeds, short-form videos, and creator-driven ecosystems where players, not teams, are the primary storytelling unit. By analyzing how fans engage with stars like Luka Dončić or Giannis Antetokounmpo, rights holders can move from a generic content output to one that is more personalized to the fan. Sports archetypes in the digital age To understand these patterns, we analyzed content generated across three core categories: -Action highlights: individual plays such as dunks, assists, or defensive stops -Game highlights: period-based or full-game narratives -Player-focused highlights: content built entirely around an athlete’s persona and momentum By combining these categories, we can see not only which players drove the highest content volume in November 2025, but also why they generated buzz. Each archetype reflects a different path into fandom, whether through plays, games, personalities, or team identity. 1. The “personal brand” stars Giannis Antetokounmpo, Nikola Jokić, James Harden, Luka Dončić These athletes act as digital Trojan horses into new audiences. For Giannis, nearly 50% of the content created about him is player-focused, meaning the buzz is deeply personal and tightly tied to his individual brand rather than the team context. These are portable stars. Fans follow the name, the personality, and the moments, regardless of jersey. This aligns with the broader shift toward relevance and personalization as the primary drivers of engagement. 2. The “team and game narrative” stars Tyrese Maxey, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, Jaylen Brown, Karl-Anthony Towns These players serve as the digital front door to their franchises. Tyrese Maxey is the clearest example. He has the highest relative share of team-focused content in the top ten, acting as a consistent buzz engine for the 76ers rather than an isolated global brand. Jaylen Brown represents a different variation. He is the most game-heavy player in the dataset. Content about him is almost always woven into the story of a Celtics game, reinforcing his role in driving engagement tied to live events. 3. The “king of plays” vs. the “balanced profile” Luka Dončić - the king of plays: Luka dominates “action” content – driven by individual highlights that travel well across social feeds and other platforms, aligning closely with how younger audiences consume NBA content. Donovan Mitchell and Cade Cunningham - the balanced profile: both players perform consistently across Player, Game, and Action categories. They do not rely on a single narrative extreme, making them versatile assets for rights holders activating multiple formats and entry points. Turning player insights into commercial impact By identifying whether a star functions as a personal brand or a team engine, organizations can tailor AI-driven content workflows to real fan behavior. Whether it’s a vertical “action” clip for social feeds or a localized highlight for a specific market, the objective remains the same: use the athlete to open the door, and relevance to keep fans inside. Personal brand stars drive discovery and reach, while team engines sustain habitual engagement around live moments. For rights holders, the mandate is clear: move away from legacy broadcast workflows and toward an automated, always-on ecosystem that reflects how fans actually follow the game. In the next era of fandom, success is measured by outcomes. Engagement quality, dwell time, and fan acquisition matter more than raw production volume. To read more about changing fan behaviors get the full 2025-26 Generational Fan Study. - Published: 2025-12-18 - Modified: 2026-02-04 - URL: https://wsc-sports-dev.ltu.co.il/blog/industry-insights/from-boxing-day-classics-to-always-on-engagement-unlocking-the-archive-advantage/ - Categories: Industry Insights Key takeaways -Archive content is a high-performing engagement asset that fuels nostalgia for older fans and discovery for younger audiences. -Games with rich tradition highlight how timeless moments can outperform live content when resurfaced strategically across modern digital platforms. -AI-powered content creation tech enables rights holders to scale archive storytelling by indexing, clipping, and distributing historical footage automatically and efficiently. Christmas is all about traditions. This year, however, millions of Britons will have to break with one of the most cherished holiday traditions: a full slate of Premier League games on Boxing Day. In late October, the Premier League announced that the 2025/6 season will feature just one match on December 26 — Manchester United vs. Newcastle — due to “the expansion of European club competitions. ” For many British fans, this is hard to get over. “We are creatures of habit, and it’s part of tradition for a lot of families,” said Gavin Buckland, an author and football statistician who has worked with the BBC and Everton FC. “It’s something you look forward to. When the new fixture list comes out, one of the first things Premier League supporters do is see who their club has on Boxing Day. ” Thankfully, there is also good news. For one, the period between Christmas and New Year (27th-30th December), known as Twixmas in the UK, will see 15 top-flight fixtures take place. And, perhaps more importantly for traditionalists, the lore of Boxing Day football appears to be irresistible: the Premier League has assured that next season there will be more matches on this bank holiday. How football claimed Boxing Day While Boxing Day was recognized as a bank holiday in 1871, football was a big part of the festive season even before that. In the Victorian era, noted Martin Johnes, a professor of modern history at Swansea University, “football was played on Christmas day because it was a day off and there was a tradition of public working-class events. It was also at times played on Boxing Day, meaning two games in two days. ” As gifts, decorations, and television made communal entertainment less attractive, the appeal of Christmas Day football waned. Boxing Day football, on the other hand, remained a regular feature in England since the sport turned professional in 1888. And over the years, it has created numerous unforgettable moments and matches. One of these matches was a six-goal thriller (3-3) between Manchester United and Sheffield Wednesday on the Premier League’s first Boxing Day in 1992. Eight years later, Thierry Henry scored his first Premier League hat-trick on Boxing Day to lead Arsenal to a 6-1 win against Leicester City. Other memorable games include an eight-goal classic (4-4) between Chelsea and Aston Villa in 2007, as well as Manchester United's 4-3 comeback win against Newcastle in 2012, in Alex Ferguson’s final Boxing Day match. Classic games, endless value All-time classic Boxing Day matches are the equivalent of Christmas films that people rewatch every year, such as “Home Alone,” “Elf,” and “It's a Wonderful Life. ” Unfortunately, say industry leaders, many rights holders are neglecting the demand for archive content, though it often outperforms current content. “The sports industry, by DNA, is focused on whatever is tomorrow or next week; never yesterday and never in five years' time,” said Paola Marinone, CEO of BuzzMyVideos, a company that helps sports clubs grow and monetize their YouTube channels. “The first thing I would tell any rights holder is, 'explore whatever you have in your archive, because that’s valuable. ' It’s a good entry point for funneling the audience and being discovered by fans. ” Some organizations have recognized this. LALIGA, for instance, has ingested its extensive video archive into the WSC's platform and can now automatically create highlights from a fully-indexed library of historical gameplay. The NBA uses WSC to provide select influencers access to more than 25,000 hours of game footage, which they can use to create content for their accounts and the league's social media and owned channels. Activating the past at digital scale Tapping into decades of unforgettable matches doesn’t just satisfy nostalgia; it builds a powerful bridge between eras. When rights holders unlock their archives, they give lifelong supporters a chance to relive emotional highs while allowing younger fans to discover these iconic moments as if they were brand-new. What once felt familiar becomes fuel for renewed engagement, enriching the fan experience significantly. AI-powered content creation tech makes that possible at scale. By ingesting vast libraries of historical footage, indexing it, and effortlessly transforming long-forgotten moments into platform-ready shorts, they let rights holders breathe new life into the past. Even in a season with only one Boxing Day match on the slate. Actionable insights: -Audit your video archive and identify evergreen moments (classic matches, iconic goals, player debuts) that can be repackaged for seasonal and cultural moments. -Treat archive content as a discovery tool, not just nostalgia: reformat historic footage into short-form clips optimized for social, mobile, and OTT platforms. -Use automation and AI-driven workflows to clip, tag, and distribute archive highlights at scale, ensuring consistency without adding manual production load. > Sports leaders from the Madrid Huddle explain why winning in 2026 means hybrid distribution, aggregation, and being everywhere fans already are. - Published: 2025-12-17 - Modified: 2026-02-04 - URL: https://wsc-sports-dev.ltu.co.il/blog/industry-insights/the-hybrid-future-distribution-everywhere/ - Categories: Industry Insights This is chapter 4 of our 6-part series “2026 and Beyond: Sports Industry Leaders on What's Next”, bringing the voices of industry leaders from WSC Sports Madrid Huddle to wrap up 2025. The most successful sports media strategy in 2026 will be taking advantage of every channel and platform — whether that’s the live broadcast, your own app, or 3rd party platforms. "Being at the forefront of innovation is a must in today's sports media landscape, and we feel that in CANAL+ we are doing that as much as possible," said Matthieu Montigaud, the French broadcaster's Lead Sport Product Manager. "With the help of the right technology partners, we offer fully interactive experiences to fans, allowing them to choose from various camera angles, statistics, highlight packages, formations, rankings, and more. We are trying to always push the limits of innovation to get more engagement, more community, more interactivity. " But CANAL+'s real innovation is in their aggregation model. "We are producer, distributor, and also aggregator," Montigaud explains. "Now we have Netflix, Apple TV+, Paramount+, Bein Sports — all in the same bundle. In 2023, it was the first time ever Apple TV+ allowed anyone to play content directly into their app. We were the first in the world to have this kind of integration. " Jared Hoffman of Warrior Media captured the philosophical shift: "Walls are your enemy. Encourage the audience, within reason, to drive your brand. You're not the only one who has to do it anymore. ” This was also part of the findings from The2025/26 WSC Sports Fan Engagement Study: How Gen X, Y, and Z Are Redefining Sports Fandom, which was discussed during the Madrid Huddle. Get the report: This omnipresent approach is exactly what saved LFP Media. "You need to penetrate the market, and for this you need the help and the support of the big guys who are already there," says Martin Aurenche. "What we've been successful at is to be on any of the platforms, on any homepage of those platforms who were carrying the service. During the whole summer they pushed the brand very strongly, and the service to their customers. " The result? Cyprien Castanedo described it as "hyperdistribution. " League One Plus now appears on Orange, SFR, Free, Prime Video, DAZN, Molotov, and more. Which was a move that made sense, "because a League One Plus customer on the distributor side is also a One Football customer or a Molotov customer, they are pushing the offer and they are becoming a bit like your marketing agency. " For established broadcasters like Sky Deutschland, this means embracing what might have once seemed like competition. Alessandro Reitano, Sky's SVP of Sports Production, puts it directly: "We are the platforms which are aggregating tons of content for every flavor of this population. As long as you have the meaningful content, and whatever you don't have, bring it on your platform so that your customer sticks on your platform. " The old binary choice between owning the customer relationship or licensing to a broadcaster — is dissolving. The new model is both simultaneously, creating a web of access points where fans can encounter your content wherever they already spend time. Forcing fans to come to a single destination is an obsolete strategy. Becoming impossible to avoid across the entire digital landscape is the way to go. For more content like this, check out the next article in this series, Technology as the Great Equalizer. > AI-powered localization helps organizations reach global fans with real-time translation, cultural nuance, and storytelling that feels truly local. - Published: 2025-12-16 - Modified: 2026-02-04 - URL: https://wsc-sports-dev.ltu.co.il/blog/industry-insights/speak-their-language-how-ai-powered-content-localization-is-democratizing-sports/ - Categories: Industry Insights Key takeaways -Real-time translation is becoming essential to serving increasingly diverse, global sports audiences. -True localization goes far beyond words, requiring tone, emotion, and cultural nuance to make international fans feel genuinely included. -AI-powered content platforms now make scalable, authentic multilingual storytelling possible, turning global reach into a sustainable competitive advantage. It's no secret that the Brooklyn Nets are rebuilding. A big part of the rebuilding playbook in American sports is taking as many bites of the apple as possible, with the apple being the draft. And the Nets follow this playbook to the letter; in the 2025 NBA draft, they became the first team in history to make five selections in the opening round. Three of these picks are international players — coming from Russia, France, and Israel — whose addition draws attention from their respective communities in New York. To capitalize on this attention, YES Network, the regional sports home of the Nets and the Yankees, recently partnered with speech synthesis and translation firm CAMB. AI. With testing set to begin in 2026, the collaboration will allow fans to select their preferred language when streaming games. “New York’s considered the most diverse city in the world with a massive multilingual audience,” said Jason Feneque, Senior Director of Distribution at YES. “So the next step for us was naturally to find a partner with capabilities to better engage the YES viewer. The Nets roster is extremely diverse. The Yankees roster is diverse with Spanish speakers from Puerto Rico, the Dominican Republic, Venezuela, and Panama. Each Spanish-speaking country has its own unique dialect that CAMB. AI can personalize for the viewer. ” The era of multilingual experiences Personalizing the viewing experience through AI-powered multilingual translation has become an expectation in today's culture. A recent study by IBM, which draws on the insights of more than 20,000 sports fans across 12 countries, revealed that 33% of respondents believe real-time translation technology will have the most significant impact on their sports viewing experience in the next 2-3 years – particularly in markets where English is not the dominant language. Recognizing this, global sports marketing agency IMG has included translation technology in its Digital Trends 2026 report. Now in its eighth year, the report explores the technologies and strategic developments expected to shape the sports and media landscape over the next 12 months. This year’s edition highlights the growing influence of AI, with advancements in real-time translation detailed under the title “The world speaks one language. ” However, the report implores rights owners not to forget one fundamental point: that "content localization has never been about translation; it is about cultural relevance. ” "The language barrier is as much about tone as it is about the words used. Marketing teams within sport wouldn't adopt a one-size-fits-all approach to targeting fans in the United States and Australia just because they both speak English. ” From vision to execution Some rights holders have already embraced this approach. The NBA and the Australian Open, for example, leverage WSC Sports’ LSM (large sports model) — the first-ever large language model dedicated to sports content — to generate voice-over commentary in multiple languages for game highlights, and deliver tailored content experiences at a global scale. The technology uses ground-breaking scripting capabilities and fine-tuned text-to-speech models. In a single workflow, an English-speaking highlight can become a Spanish, Japanese, or Arabic one, complete with authentic voice tones and synced emotion that make the language feel authentic and local. “We believe in the power of storytelling to connect fans with the sport and the players,” explained Xavier Muhlebach, Head of Original Content at Tennis Australia. “By combining cutting-edge AI technology with our passion for tennis, we’re making the tournament more accessible, inclusive, and engaging for fans around the world. ” Tech that makes sports borderless By allowing fans to experience sports in their own language, rights holders aren’t just expanding reach; they’re removing long-standing barriers. AI-driven multilingual translation turns global fandom into a shared, inclusive experience where every supporter can follow storylines, understand context, and feel emotionally connected. It’s about giving every fan, whether local or international, an equal seat at the table. Technologies that enable this shift are quickly becoming foundational. AI-powered content creation platforms now deliver commentary that captures cadence, humor, and cultural specificity — not merely literal translation. They produce highlights and stories that sound native to each region, preserving the emotion and nuance that make sports compelling. As New York — arguably the world’s most linguistically rich city — reminds us every day, embracing diversity doesn’t dilute the experience. It elevates it. Actionable insights -Audit your current content output by language and market, then identify one high-impact format (highlights, reels, live clips) to localize first. -Focus on moment-based localization: key plays, player reactions, and fan-favorite personalities for faster global impact. -Ensure translated content is published natively across platforms (not reposted generically) to maximize discovery and engagement. > Rugby faces a digital crossroads. Growth now depends on short-form, social-first content and AI-powered scale to reach modern fans. - Published: 2025-12-15 - Modified: 2026-02-04 - URL: https://wsc-sports-dev.ltu.co.il/blog/industry-insights/the-conversion-challenge-why-rugby-is-at-a-digital-crossroads/ - Categories: Industry Insights Key takeaways -Rugby’s growth depends on meeting modern fans with fast, relevant, and accessible digital-first content experiences. -Short-form content, social distribution, and platform-native formats are now central to how new audiences discover and engage with rugby. -AI-powered content creation tech gives rights holders the scale, speed, and personalization needed to compete in a crowded global sports landscape. Is rugby having its come-to-Jesus moment? It depends on who you ask. In the last year, the rugby community has been preoccupied with R360, a proposed global league aiming to revolutionize the sport. The new league, which plans to launch in October 2026, is set to include eight men's teams and four women's teams that will compete in “grand prix” style events around the world. According to reports, around 200 players have already signed pre-contracts with R360. But not everybody is thrilled about the initiative. In early October, the biggest rugby unions in the world joined forces to fight the rebel league, announcing that players who join R360 will be ineligible for international selection, essentially ruling them out of the 2027 World Cup in Australia. In a sport geared towards international competition in general, and the World Cup in particular, this could be a kiss of death. Ironically, the imbalance between club and international play is exactly what the people behind the R360 are trying to fix. “Clubs are being propped up by the international game,” said England's 2003 World Cup winner, Mike Tindall, one of the founders of R360, “and are feeling the strain. ” The cost of the status quo The strain rugby clubs are feeling stands at the heart of a new report by strategy consultancy Oliver & Ohlbaum. The sport's potential, notes the report, is huge: there are around 40 million highly engaged rugby fans across the top 10 markets in the world, the men’s World Cup regularly attracts an audience of over 200 million people, and the game generates $2. 3 billion in annual revenue. Yet this doesn't translate to a year-round product: - International rugby brings in more revenue from 67 matches a year than club rugby from over 700 games a year in the top markets. -Almost all the top clubs are running at annual operating losses; in 2023/24, the combined losses across England’s PREM Rugby and France’s Top 14 totaled $100 million. - Club rugby tends to attract relatively small TV audiences. In the UK, for example, average free-to-air (FTA) audiences fell by 57% between the 2018/19 and 2024/25 seasons. “Rugby just isn’t moving fast enough,” said Mark Oliver, Chairman and Co-founder of Oliver & Ohlbaum. “The fundamental issue is the current system isn’t working, with the game running at a loss globally, outside the men’s World Cup. Rugby stakeholders have spent too much time focusing on trying to eke out incremental commercial returns without doing enough to engage fans and followers more regularly and meaningfully. ” Engagement as a growth strategy One stakeholder that is prioritizing fan engagement is Six Nations Rugby. The biggest annual international competition regularly attracts TV audiences in excess of 5 million per match in the UK and France, but is constantly looking for ways to elevate the experience it offers through cutting-edge technology, data-driven insights, and fan-centric innovation. Recently, Six Nations Rugby announced a new collaboration with French IT consultancy Capgemini, which will become its official digital transformation partner. Over the next five years, Capgemini plans to leverage generative AI innovations to help viewers better understand key match moments through enhanced data integration and enhance the viewing experience of fans. The deal with Capgemini is the latest step in Six Nations’ revamp, which includes a new partnership with TikTok. As part of the partnership, the TikTok users will have access to a wealth of bespoke content, from match highlights and training clips to fan reactions and creator videos. “TikTok will play an important role in helping celebrate the game and its stars,” said Sarah Beattie, chief marketing officer at Six Nations Rugby, “as well as foster that incredible sense of community that rugby instinctively generates through compelling content. ” Showing up at digital scale As rugby wrestles with reform and the push toward a more sustainable club ecosystem, the key lies in how consistently it can show up for fans. The sports that are thriving today aren’t just fixing their structures; they’re building year-round relevance by turning the moments actually happening on the pitch into short-form storytelling that gives fans what they’ve been missing: a steady, modern rhythm of engagement that matches how they consume everything else. This is where technology becomes the difference-maker. AI-powered content platforms give rights holders a way to automatically package live action into multi-format clips for every market, app, and fan. When a sport can surface its best moments in real time, in the formats people already like, it stops relying on a handful of marquee events to carry the load. If rugby’s come-to-Jesus moment has arrived, this is the move that turns reflection into real momentum. Actionable insights -Audit your current video output and repackage key moments into short, platform-native clips optimized for TikTok, Reels, and Shorts. -Build content workflows around speed and timeliness, and prioritize rapid publishing for social-first distribution during live events. -Use AI tools to automate clipping, tagging, and distribution, so your team can scale output without increasing headcount. > Gen Z has proven that they prefer to 'follow' games versus 'watching' them. Hear what top industry leaders say about what real-time engagement now requires. - Published: 2025-12-14 - Modified: 2026-02-04 - URL: https://wsc-sports-dev.ltu.co.il/blog/industry-insights/following-vs-watching-the-gen-z-reality/ - Categories: Industry Insights This is chapter 3 of our 6-part series “2026 and Beyond: Sports Industry Leaders on What's Next”, bringing the voices of industry leaders from WSC Sports Madrid Huddle to wrap up 2025. One lesson that shone through the most from the Huddle was: if you're designing sports content for someone sitting on their couch watching a 90-minute match, you're already behind. Bob Carney of the NBA saw this shift coming years ago. "We got to a point in 2022 where 80% of our video views were vertical video," he recalls. "And at the exact same moment in time, we were relaunching the NBA app. " The decision to embrace vertical video was about recognizing that, "our app is going to sit right next to all the other social media apps on everybody's phone, and we're going to be using social media to drive people to our app. So the content experience, the consumption experience needs to be familiar. " Marc Ciampa of the New Jersey Devils noticed a similar evolution in the NHL. "More and more, younger audiences will 'follow' the game live but not necessarily watch it," he explains in response to the results of “The 2025/26 WSC Sports Fan Engagement Study: How Gen X, Y, and Z Are Redefining Sports Fandom”, which was discussed in Madrid. "They'll get real-time updates through highlight clips and commentary. But they are still connecting in real-time, just maybe not plopped down in front of the couch watching the broadcast. " This distinction between "following" and "watching" is crucial. It doesn't mean young fans care less — it means they engage differently. "Focus on creating real-time, always-on access that fits how younger audiences actually consume sports," Ciampa advises. "They still care about the product, but they connect through short moments on apps and social media. " Get the full Fan Engagement Study: The implications go beyond just creating more highlights. "Right now, too many rights holders are still building content for traditional viewing habits instead of how people consume sports today," Ciampa continues. "They rely heavily on polished, long-form, broadcast-driven material when fans are engaging through quick updates, personality moments, and immediate context around what just happened. The miss is assuming that posting highlights alone is enough; audiences need analysis, storytelling, access, and real-time connection. " But this doesn't mean abandoning substance for clickbait. Jordan Levin, former Chief Content Officer at the NFL, offers a crucial guideline: "Focus on stories, not just hot takes, headlines and hype reels. Always remember to ask yourself: Why does this matter? Why is it important? Why is it different? Why should I care? Regardless of format or platform, if you're not telling stories and getting an audience to care, then it's all just noise in a world of endlessly expanding choices competing for this audience's attention. " The tactical playbook, according to John Barbarotta of ESPN, is straightforward but demanding: "Meet them where they are. Tailor your content to each specific platform through an understanding of the audience and their user behavior. This demo engages with high volume, high relevance, and constant iteration. Success depends on meeting them natively, not expecting them to come to you. " The organizations winning with Gen Z are recognizing that "following" the game is its own valid form of engagement — and one that requires constant content updates, personality-driven storytelling, and the acceptance that most young fans will almost never watch a full broadcast. And that's okay, as long as you're building products and content strategies around that reality rather than pretending it doesn't exist. To get more content like this, stay tuned for the next chapter in our series, "The Hybrid Future: Distribution Everywhere. " > Sports leaders debate the player paradox: Gen Z follows athletes, but teams endure. Learn how leagues balance star power with sustainable fandom. - Published: 2025-12-09 - Modified: 2026-02-04 - URL: https://wsc-sports-dev.ltu.co.il/blog/industry-insights/the-player-paradox-stars-vs-sustainability/ - Categories: Industry Insights This is chapter 2 of our 6-part series “2026 and Beyond: Sports Industry Leaders on What's Next”, bringing the voices of industry leaders from WSC Sports' Madrid Huddle to wrap up 2025. Perhaps no topic generated more passionate debate at the Madrid Huddle than the role of individual athletes in content strategy. On one side: the undeniable reality that younger fans increasingly follow players, not teams. On the other: the existential risk of building your brand around assets that can transfer to competitors. "We are well aware that the younger the fan, the more they are into players," says Ashley Hover of the Premier League in response to the results of the "2025/26 WSC Sports Fan Engagement Study: How Gen X, Y, and Z Are Redefining Sports Fandom”, which was discussed in Madrid. "And with the right technology, we are easily serving our fans content about precisely what they prefer. So the mind-shift has already happened. We see leagues, clubs, and players alike understanding that this is an ecosystem that is benefiting from working together. " Get the full Fan Engagement Study: For Julien Segui, Head of Content at EuroLeague, the evolution is even more fundamental. "Athletes should be viewed not as partners for content distribution but as integral players in the content creation ecosystem. They are, many of them, simply creators. " He points to a documentary EuroLeague produced about Nigel Hayes-Davis, who approached the league in March saying, "I'm going to win the EuroLeague" and asked to be mic'd up throughout the playoffs. Amazingly enough, Hayes-Davis did go on to win the championship, along with finals MVP. "The opportunity to tell the stories of players that can connect with the regular fan and beyond the fan — I think that was the purpose of us going there," added Segui. Tomas Olabarri of Publicis puts it bluntly: "The lives of the people behind the sport are maybe the most interesting thing for younger audiences. Young fans may watch a fraction of a game once, a highlight one more time, but they can't get enough clips of Lamin Yamal's life. " Anouk Mertens of Neo Studios (the production team behind "Welcome to Wrexham") identifies another crucial shift: "Gen Z turns to TikTok and Instagram always, so sports content falls into that pattern naturally. But maybe even more importantly, and we even see it on LinkedIn — people don't like to follow and engage with 'logos. ' They prefer connecting with human beings, and the athletes are all active on social platforms. So that's who sports organizations need to work with to get to younger generations. " And the content ecosystem is expanding in unexpected directions. "When fans say they want different angles, to me this does not only mean camera angles," notes Liam Davies of Braincup Media. "Yes, you have sports with angles from drivers or refs, but I think for example that independent creators give just that, too, in a way—different angles, by giving different perspectives. Watching a streamer while you're watching a game or a match is something that while it is big, we will see it developing further. " But not everyone is convinced this player-first approach is sustainable. "Not everyone has the biggest stars in the world, and players come and go," cautions Lucia Alcaraz of Liga F. "So the best way to tap into young fans' habits is to include the players in the storytelling of the clubs, but never forget that the clubs are here to stay, they have history, community. Players should play a role, but as part of the story of the club. " Deacon Smith of DAZN has seen the downside firsthand. "Some players carry an entire market with them, and when they leave, teams and leagues must be preemptive with that. If you're reacting after the player has left, the horses literally left the barn. If you have an athlete who captures an audience for you, you must use that time to capitalize on that attention and help those fans identify with you. Cause once they're gone, they're gone, and now it's reacquiring them from scratch. " Martin Aurenche of LFP frames it as a question of narrative hierarchy. "The team's stories are the most important thing, and telling their stories is part of the infrastructure of a good league. Tell the story of the clubs, the stadiums, the cities, the communities, the history—and the players are a part of it. Otherwise, you are risking having a huge churn in fans, because players move teams. Move countries. And you risk starting from scratch. So yes, clubs should include players, but it has to be around the teams and their stories, show the fans that the players themselves are proud to play for the team—this will help strengthen the team itself. " The pragmatic middle ground may come from an unexpected source: Kings League's Martino Armanini. "There is not really another way — Yannick Sinner has his own YouTube channel, Erling Haaland has his own YouTube channel. They all build their own brands, and monetize them on their own channels. And so, organizations will have to capitalize on that, because it's a tide that lifts all boats. As your players are becoming bigger, you can tap into that potential. " But Armanini adds a crucial caveat: "There is probably a critical mass after which you will not follow more players. I mean, how many players can you follow? 10, 20, 100? So if you get to the maximum, the investment on that content will start to yield a diminishing return, which makes me a little skeptical on the validity of this business model in the long, long, long run. So to me, it means to never give up on the team- or league-driven content. Your players are part of your product, part of your brand. " Andrea Ballo of Juventus offers a real-world case study. "After Cristiano Ronaldo left, we had to fill a huge hole—and we did that by scaling our content output, more originals, more short videos, developed a creator lab. We used to be all in, 100% only reliant on broadcast media deals, and now it is one leg in our entire content strategy. " The resolution to this tension isn't choosing one side. It's accepting that both are true simultaneously: young fans do follow players, and sustainable brands require institutional storytelling. The delicate secret sauce lies in leveraging individual star power while continuously weaving those stars into larger narratives that outlast any single career. It requires scale, speed, advanced personalization capabilities, and a healthy dash of human-led creativity. All the things the Madrid Huddle has in abundance. To get more content like this, stay tuned for the next chapter in our series, "Following" vs. "Watching" - The Gen Z Reality. - Published: 2025-12-07 - Modified: 2026-02-04 - URL: https://wsc-sports-dev.ltu.co.il/blog/industry-insights/2026-and-beyond-sports-industry-leaders-on-whats-next/ - Categories: Industry Insights This is chapter 1 of our 6-part series “2026 and Beyond: Sports Industry Leaders on What's Next”, bringing the voices of industry leaders from WSC Sports Madrid Huddle to wrap up 2025. The phone call came in early March 2025. France's top football league had just lost its broadcast partner mid-season, and Martin Aurenche, Chief Media Officer of LFP Media, had a problem: how do you distribute live sports rights when nobody will buy them? "We had to find a way to broadcast our games for next summer onwards," Aurenche recalls. What happened next would become one of the most instructive case studies in sports media's rapidly evolving landscape. Within weeks, LFP Media made a decision that would have seemed impossible just years earlier— they would launch their own direct-to-consumer platform and distribute League One matches themselves. The timeline was punishing. "The most interesting thing in terms of the product itself was how you can launch a D2C service in a domestic market in like 8 to 10 weeks," says Cyprien Castanedo, LFP's Head of Media Platform & Innovation. By August 15th, League One Plus was live. By the third weekend of competition, they had exceeded one million subscribers — a milestone they'd originally targeted for the end of the season. "I don't want to dramatize too much," Aurenche adds, "but without the equipment we bought a year ago we just would have to go on an OTT service only. But thanks for having acquired this equipment, we were able also to go on a more traditional way by distributing a linear channel. " The LFP story isn't just about crisis management. It's a preview of where the entire sports media industry is heading: faster product cycles, hybrid distribution models, personalized experiences, and the uncomfortable reality that adaptation speed now matters more than organizational size. At WSC Sports' Madrid Huddle to wrap up 2025, industry leaders from across the ecosystem gathered to discuss everything that comes next. Their insights reveal an industry in the middle of fundamental transformation — and the clock is ticking. The personalization mandate If there's one thing that separates the sports media of tomorrow from the sports media of yesterday, it's this: scale without personalization is increasingly worthless. "Explicit personalization is the defining competitive edge," says John Barbarotta of ESPN in response to the results of “The 2025/26 WSC Sports Fan Engagement Study: How Gen X, Y, and Z Are Redefining Sports Fandom”, which was discussed in Madrid. . "Fans expect platforms to know which teams, players, and moments they care about most and to surface that content instantly and intelligently. Those who can put that notion at the forefront of their content strategy will win. " Get the full study: It's not just about competitive advantage anymore; it's about survival. "To manage in a reality of re-acquisition of fast-moving fans, sports organizations must build and maintain an ever-evolving database," explains Sandra Rodriguez-Navia of Liga F. "This is no longer a nice to have, but something anyone who is engaging with fans must advance towards right now. " The shift from broadcast to database thinking represents a fundamental change in how sports organizations understand their relationship with fans. Mateo Garcia of Condor Media frames it emotionally: "Fans dream about playing for the team, and the next best thing is to get the feeling that the team knows them. That's the power of personalization. When you give them content that makes them feel that you know them, they will respond with more engagement and even more purchases. " For organizations like the NBA, this has meant rethinking content distribution entirely. Bob Carney, the league's SVP of Digital & Social Content, describes how the NBA evolved from having "approximately 200 different consumer-facing touchpoints" that "all had the exact same content plan because we only had a limited amount of resources to actually create content. " The partnership with WSC Sports allowed them to "create a custom content plan for all 200 of those different touchpoints," which "dramatically changed our business. " The scale of the challenge becomes clear when you look at the numbers. Carney notes that "75% of our consumption was happening outside the US," leading the NBA to realize "we are dramatically underserving our global fan base. " The solution? Automated, localized content that could serve different markets in their native languages within minutes of games ending. Acting on the insights you can derive from the data is crucial. Jordi Mompart, Director of Barça Vision at FC Barcelona, points to the gap many organizations face: "We have more than 500 million fans of FC Barcelona registered in social networks, but we have only between 10 and 20 million in our CRM. So what do we do with the rest, with those that we don't have? We are not able to identify. " Barcelona's answer involves zero-party data monetization — using surveys and fan consent to gather information that can be anonymized and shared, creating value for fans, sponsors, and the club simultaneously. It's the kind of creative thinking that turns the data challenge into a revenue opportunity. The message is clear: in 2026, every fan interaction should inform the next one. Organizations that treat their audience as an undifferentiated mass will lose ground to those who understand each fan's preferences, viewing habits, and emotional connections. To get more content like this, check out the next chapter in our series, The Player Paradox — Stars vs. Sustainability. - Published: 2025-12-06 - Modified: 2026-02-04 - URL: https://wsc-sports-dev.ltu.co.il/blog/industry-insights/ai-in-sports-15-ways-genai-will-dominate-the-next-decade/ - Categories: Industry Insights Key takeaways -AI is revolutionizing all aspects of sports. From coaching and training to content creation, officiating, and business operations, GenAI is enhancing decision-making, performance, and fan engagement at an unprecedented level. -Hyper-personalization is next up. Athletes receive customized training and injury prevention; fans enjoy tailored broadcasts, interactive experiences, and gamified content; front offices run smarter with AI-optimized strategy and logistics. -The competitive edge is shifting. Teams and leagues that embrace AI now will gain long-term advantages in performance, revenue, and fan loyalty, while those that delay risk falling behind in the data-driven sports era. Artificial Intelligence (AI) is poised to revolutionize professional sports in the 2025-2035 era. Generative AI (GenAI) – systems that create new content and insights – is emerging as a game-changer across coaching, player performance, fan experience, and business operations. From AI coaches drawing up game plans to automated commentators, no facet of sports will remain untouched. The global AI in sports market is already surging toward tens of billions of dollars, reflecting an industry racing to harness AI for a competitive edge. Below are 15 breakthrough applications — some already in play, others on the horizon — that will transform how sports are played, managed, and experienced over the next 10 years. 1. AI coaches and tactical masterminds GenAI is changing the art of coaching and game strategy. Today’s coaches are starting to use AI as a "virtual assistant" that analyzes opponents and suggests novel tactics. Generative models can simulate thousands of “what-if” scenarios to recommend optimal plays or lineup tweaks. In the near future, expect real-time AI-generated strategic suggestions during games, viewed via AR headsets. 2. Hyper-personalized athlete training and performance GenAI enables training programs tailored to each athlete. Systems integrate wearables, performance data, and injury history to dynamically optimize training. Real-time fatigue alerts, AI-analyzed motion capture, and personalized daily routines are becoming standard for elite athletes. 3. Next-gen scouting and talent identification AI systems now analyze massive video and performance datasets to uncover hidden talent. Tools like AiSCOUT let players submit videos and receive skill evaluations against pro benchmarks. By 2030, scouts could use "digital twins" to simulate how a prospect might perform at the pro level. 4. Automated sports content generation AI is automating match reports, highlight reels, and commentary. Platforms already generate highlight packages and text summaries in seconds, even for lower-tier matches. This unlocks coverage for niche sports and makes content creation scalable across platforms. 5. Personalized broadcasts and AI commentary AI allows fans to customize broadcasts with preferred commentators, camera angles, and overlays. Real-time data, predictive graphics, and even synthetic voices are now part of the viewing experience. Soon, fans will watch interactive, AI-personalized broadcasts tailored to their preferences. 6. AI-powered fan engagement and gamification From chatbots to AR trivia and digital souvenirs, AI is enhancing fan interaction. Personalized highlights, game predictions, and AI companions are already live in apps. The future includes immersive fan experiences where GenAI simulates alternate game outcomes or lets fans "play" key moments in VR. 7. Robot referees and AI rule enforcement AI is streamlining officiating with precision. From Hawk-Eye in tennis to automated offsides in soccer, AI is already making live calls. Future officiating will combine real-time data, computer vision, and physics models to assess complex fouls or simulate rule changes for fairness. 8. Injury prevention and smart recovery AI identifies early signs of injury risk by analyzing biomechanics and workload. Teams use predictive dashboards to monitor players in real-time. In the future, digital twins of athletes will help test training loads safely, while AI-powered rehab tools will guide recovery more effectively. 9. AI-driven betting and fantasy sports AI is reshaping sports betting with real-time odds modeling and personalized wagering insights. Micro-betting and AI fantasy lineup optimization are already widespread. Expect betting advisors, AR overlays, and auto-generated content around your bets by 2030. 10. Immersive virtual training environments AI and VR combine to create realistic training simulations. Platforms already let players practice against AI-modeled opponents. The next wave includes real-time biomechanical feedback, generative VR drills, and full mixed-reality arenas for elite and amateur athletes. 11. AI in front office decisions and operations AI is streamlining scheduling, negotiations, and roster planning. Tools optimize season schedules in minutes. Future AI GMs could simulate trade outcomes and salary cap scenarios. Smart venues and marketing teams are also using AI to maximize revenue and efficiency. 12. Smart equipment and AI-optimized gear Sports gear is being reimagined by generative AI. From AI-designed shoes to custom rackets and smart helmets, performance and safety are being enhanced through simulation-based design. By 2030, athletes may wear fully personalized, AI-crafted equipment tailored to their bodies and sport. 13. AI for mental coaching and cognitive performance AI coaches now guide visualization, focus, and recovery via chatbots or apps. Cognitive training games adapt to athlete stress levels and learning styles. Future systems will monitor mental wellness, simulate pressure scenarios, and offer personalized mindset support on demand. 14. Safeguarding fair play: AI against doping and cheating AI is analyzing biometric data and betting markets to detect doping or match-fixing. Predictive modeling helps spot suspicious patterns. In the long term, AI will monitor fairness in officiating, training assistance, and even enforce equitable scheduling and game rules. 15. AI in sports business and fan analytics From dynamic pricing to sponsorship ROI tracking, AI is powering smart sports business decisions. Personalized offers, smart stadiums, and internationalized advertising are just the beginning. AI will optimize everything from marketing spend to merchandise sales and energy usage. Final thoughts: embracing the GenAI sports revolution The 2025–2035 decade will witness GenAI elevating every layer of sports. Organizations must act now: invest in data infrastructure, launch pilot AI projects, and define ethical guardrails. Done right, AI will amplify the human drama of sports, not replace it. The champions of tomorrow won’t just train harder – they’ll train smarter, with AI by their side. Game on. > MLS’s rise shows how tech, strategy, and calendar moves built global reach, fan growth, and momentum ahead of the 2026 World Cup. - Published: 2025-12-05 - Modified: 2026-02-04 - URL: https://wsc-sports-dev.ltu.co.il/blog/industry-insights/how-mls-became-a-global-player-lessons-in-strategy-and-digital-ambition/ - Categories: Industry Insights As Major League Soccer turns 30, a new book explores how the league’s digital-first strategy, global partnerships, and calendar realignment have set the stage for global relevance. Here’s what other sports leagues can learn. Key takeaways: -MLS's evolution shows how a unified digital home can expand global reach, strengthen brand identity, and create the conditions to attract top talent. - Strategic tech partnerships — from AI-driven commentary to automated highlights — demonstrate how innovation directly boosts discoverability and engagement. - Aligning operations with global calendars amplifies competitiveness, and with the 2026 World Cup approaching, MLS is positioned for unprecedented momentum. Back in February, when MLS kicked off its 30th season, ESPN marked the milestone with an article that posed one overarching question: Where will the league be in another 30 years? According to a new book, “The Rise of Major League Soccer: Building a Global Giant,” the answer is: among the world’s top football leagues. Co-authored by Norm O’Reilly, Dean of the College of Business at the University of New England, and Rick Burton, Professor of Sport Management at Syracuse University, the book dives into the decisions, partnerships, and influences that have positioned MLS for long-term success. “It’s a case study in how vision, strategy, and persistence can build something truly global,” explained Burton. “There are key takeaways, learnings, and best practices that sport business professionals can apply in their own work. We wanted this to be both a useful resource and a compelling story. ” Streaming First: MLS’s Defining Shift The story they're telling has two main components. The first is digital reach. Burton & O’Reilly dedicate an entire chapter to the landmark 10-year deal MLS signed with Apple TV in 2022, which saw the tech giant become the exclusive global home to all the league's games. The deal, which was recently revised, was a forward-looking move, the authors contend, since digital streaming is clearly the future of television. As the book quotes: “Radio made baseball. TV made the NFL. Digital will make MLS. ” The Apple deal was also one of the building blocks — alongside the 1994 World Cup, soccer-specific stadiums, and the David Beckham signing — that made Lionel Messi’s arrival in the MLS possible. “This is where the Messi factor really comes into play,” noted O’Reilly. “Now, it doesn’t matter where you are — whether you’re in Spain or Argentina — if you want to follow your old star, you can easily do it through Apple. ” The MLS's commitment to digital technology has become even stronger following the Apple deal. Since 2023, the league has collaborated with several sports- and broadcast-centric technology companies to grow its audience. “Whether that's the work we're doing with Camb. AI to offer fans commentary in multiple languages, or in the creation of highlights with a company like WSC Sports, we believe that technology can really have an impact,” said Chris Schlosser, Senior Vice President of Emerging Ventures at MLS. The impact has been significant. In its 30th regular season, the league set new benchmarks for viewership and digital engagement: -MLS games averaged 3. 7 million viewers per week – a 29% increase over 2024. -League and club social media accounts registered a record 13. 7 billion impressions in 2025, up 17% from a year earlier. -MLS channels now reach over 109 million followers – a 10% year-over-year increase -Son Heung-min and Thomas Müller have provided a 182% lift in impressions and 193% lift in engagements across MLS, LAFC, and Vancouver Whitecaps FC channels since arriving. Aligning With the Global Game To reach the next step, said O’Reilly, “the league has to attract top global talent in their prime, not just players at the tail end of their careers. And the first piece — the Apple deal and digital reach — might help lead to that second goal, because it brings in the kind of money that allows you to compete for top talent. If MLS can align its player transfer windows with the global football calendar, that could elevate the league to a whole new level. ” That's exactly what the league has done. In November, after more than a year of internal discussions, MLS owners voted to flip the calendar so that the season would begin in July and run through May, instead of playing from February through December, as is the current practice. The new format, which starts in July 2027, has various strategic benefits: -It will allow MLS teams to operate in sync with the global transfer market, creating more opportunities to acquire and sell top talent. -Teams will be able to fully integrate new signings before the start of the regular season. -The new schedule is aligned with the FIFA calendar, significantly reducing conflicts around league matches and national team games, especially during summer tournaments. -The league's most exciting stretch — the end of the regular season and the playoffs — will no longer clash with college football and the NFL. A blueprint for modern league building In its first 30 years, MLS has shown how forward-thinking structural decisions can transform a league from a domestic upstart into an international force. This mindset — bold, experimental, digitally fluent — is what separates the organizations shaping the next era from those merely adapting to it. As the league approaches its showcase moment — the MLS Cup final on Saturday — an even bigger opportunity is on the horizon. With the US set to host the 2026 FIFA World Cup (alongside Canada and Mexico), MLS is in a perfect position to continue its ascent. “The 1994 World Cup changed soccer in North America,” said O’Reilly. “The 2026 World Cup is going to take it to an entirely new level, and MLS will be the biggest beneficiary of that growth. ” Actionable insights -Design a truly global content strategy. Make every asset (highlights, interviews, behind-the-scenes moments) accessible across platforms and regions so fans can follow your product from anywhere. -Use technology to scale personalization. Automated multilingual commentary, instant highlight creation, and adaptive formats help you reach diverse audiences without overwhelming internal teams. -Map content to your competitive calendar. Align major storylines, player arrivals, and tentpole moments with global cycles to maximize relevance, discoverability, and engagement. > From college sports to the major leagues, and even a few snow-covered fields, November had it all. Here are the top 11 highlights from the sports world that you won’t want to miss. - Published: 2025-12-04 - Modified: 2026-02-04 - URL: https://wsc-sports-dev.ltu.co.il/blog/industry-insights/11-sports-highlights-from-november-2025-that-you-wont-want-to-miss/ - Categories: Industry Insights From college sports to major leagues, and the appearance of snow on the field, November had it all. Here are the top 11 highlights from the sports world that you won’t want to miss. From college sports to the major leagues, and even a few snow-covered fields, November had it all. Here are the top 11 highlights from the sports world that you won’t want to miss. 11. Wawrinka's vintage backhand winner Facing Lorenzo Musetti in the Round of 16 of the Athens Open, Stan Wawrinka hit a down-the-line backhand winner, reminiscing of his glory days. Pure pleasure. 10. Van de Ven with the 80 meters dash to score Tottenham defender Micky Van de Ven was already known as one of the fastest players on Earth. He lived up to his reputation when he sprinted down the whole pitch with the ball to score one of the goals of the season for Spurs. 9. Jaguars’ Cam Little sets NFL record with 68-yard field goal Cam Little approached his potential NFL-record kick calmly. Indoors on natural grass at Allegiant Stadium, he knew nothing would interfere with a 68-yard try and he just had to strike it cleanly. The Jaguars’ second-year kicker drilled it, clearing the crossbar with room to spare, setting a new NFL record by two yards in a win over the Raiders. 8. Díaz brilliance from an impossible angle Luis Díaz scored a stunning solo goal against Union Berlin, keeping the ball in play with a sliding touch, beating a defender, and curling a shot from a tight angle into the top corner. The strike was widely praised as a Bundesliga goal-of-the-season contender for its skill and audacity. 7. Madness in the Canadian snow David Rodríguez of Atlético Ottawa scored a spectacular overhead bicycle-kick while snow blanketed the pitch. The goal, dubbed the “icicle kick,” leveled the match and, combined with another strike in extra time, helped Ottawa secure a dramatic 2–1 victory in the 2025 Canadian Premier League Final. 6 7. The 6 7 moment The clip shows Cleary University trailing Oakland University 67–13 late in the third quarter. When Oakland hits 67, the student section erupts in an exaggerated, meme-driven celebration they were clearly waiting for, turning the moment into a hilarious blend of internet culture and live sports. For more context on the 6 7 trend, read our recent blog post. 6. Benfica’s bizarre own goal A moment to forget for Benfica’s Tomás Araújo, who sent the ball in his own net after the opponent’s penalty miss. 5. A scintillating goal featuring a nutmeg and a roulette Arsenal Academy player Max Dowman produced a moment of brilliance against Bayern’s youth team when he nutmegged a defender, passed another one with a roulette and chipped the keeper to seal the Gunners’ victory. 4. Arizona State's no look game winner With the score tied near the end, Marley Washenitz of Arizona State launched a long, off-balance prayer of a shot. It dropped as the buzzer sounded, giving ASU a 56-53 win. 3. Cristiano Ronaldo’s crazy bicycle kick goal Commentators around the world were stunned late on as 40 year old Cristiano Ronaldo leaped into the air to produce an overhead kick that few others can match. 2. Sargiunas goes full T-Mac with 9 points in 9 seconds Ignas Sargiunas from Lithuania knocked down three three-pointers in the final 9 seconds including the buzzer-beater in a miracle finish. 1. The Dallas Cowboys devouring a Thanksgiving turkey on the field Probably the best turkey interview ever, capped off by Jake Ferguson sticking his hand in the turkey and taking a bite with his teammates. - Published: 2025-12-04 - Modified: 2026-02-04 - URL: https://wsc-sports-dev.ltu.co.il/blog/industry-insights/where-entertainment-meets-sports-using-cultural-crossovers-to-reach-non-traditional-fans/ - Categories: Industry Insights Key Takeaways -Pop-culture crossovers are becoming powerful gateways for sport-curious audiences, drawing new fans who value cultural moments more than final scores. -Rights holders increasingly rely on athletes and celebrities to extend their reach beyond traditional fandom and spark broader cultural relevance. -AI-powered content creation helps organizations convert these crossover moments into constant, tailored short-form content that fuels discovery and engagement. To say that the 2025-6 season has been good for Arsenal would be a huge understatement. The Gunners sit atop the Premier League and the Champions League's league phase table. They didn't lose a match between September 1 and December 3, winning 14 out of 17 games, including signature wins over Atlético Madrid and Bayern Munich. And at the end of November, the club announced a first-of-its-kind partnership with streaming service Paramount+. As part of the partnership, Arsenal players, club legends, and prominent fans will create exclusive content and social media campaigns to promote some of Paramount+’s iconic series, such as SpongeBob, South Park, and Yellowstone. The first of these, set around the return of the hit drama Landman, will feature players Eberechi Eze, William Saliba, and Gabi Martinelli in conversation with lifelong Arsenal fan and content creator Sharky. The announcement came a week after Paramount+ secured the rights to broadcast Champions League matches in the UK from 2027 to 2031. The proximity of the two events was not a coincidence. Merging the worlds of sports and entertainment is a great way — for all rights holders — to reach new demographics, starting with a cohort of fans that marketing leaders refer to as “sport-curious” consumers. Understanding the Sport-Curious Mindset The term "sport-curious" was coined by marketing agency Horizon Media. These individuals are typically Gen Zers who engage with sports in an exploratory way, primarily through social media and streaming platforms. “These aren't the traditional sports fans of previous generations,” said Kerry Bradley, Senior Vice President at Horizon Sports & Experiences. “They are consumers with diverse interests, who prioritize engaging content over just wins and losses. ” A recent Horizon report identified five dimensions of sports culture that can attract sport-curious consumers: fashion, tech Innovations, equality & identity, comedy, and entertainment. According to a survey conducted for the report, 57% of Gen Zers are more interested in the cultural moments of sports events than their outcomes. A good illustration of this is Taylor Swift's relationship with Kansas City Chiefs tight end Travis Kelce. In the 2023 NFL season, during which the two started dating, viewership was 15% higher in early Sunday games and 9% higher in late Sunday games when Swift was in attendance. “Obviously, she’s brought a great deal of attention to the league,” said NFL commissioner Roger Goodell. “Her fanbase, all those young fans that are coming in, it’s a plus for the NFL. ” Sports and Culture Fully Converge The NFL is not the league to recognize the convergence of sports and pop culture. Last year, as part of an effort to grow its brand in the US, the Premier League launched a five-part digital series titled The Crossover. The series centers around American celebrities, musicians, and athletes — such as country music star Chase Rice and fashion designer Guillermo Andrade — who share their Premier League fan journey, the best and worst moments as fans, and more. The 2024 Paris Olympics were another case where pop culture figures were employed to draw new audiences. Snoop Dogg was named an official NBC Olympic correspondent and captivated viewers along with his new BFF, Martha Stewart, while comedians Kevin Hart and Kenan Thompson guided spectators through the games with Olympic-themed in-studio competitions, conversations, and interviews on Peacock. “The crossover between pop culture and sports goes both ways,” said Kim Donlan, a marketing lecturer at Boston University. “New sports figures are emerging as pop culture icons, capturing the attention of sport-curious audiences. Ilona Maher, a standout rugby player, and B-Girl Raygun, the Australian breakdancer, have made a significant impact with their performances and personalities (the fact that I know this, and it shows up in my social feed, is proof that the sport-curious trend supports engagement and revenue). ” From Moments to Multi-Format Content The intersection of culture and sports reflects a broader shift: many younger viewers meet sports through personalities, humor, and storytelling long before they commit to a club or league. Pop culture figures act as on-ramps, while athletes increasingly serve as ambassadors for entertainment properties far beyond the pitch. When these worlds collide, they generate moments that travel fast — especially when rights holders keep the momentum alive with a steady drumbeat of short-form content that captures the spirit of each crossover. AI-powered content creation platforms make that possible. By instantly turning standout clips, personality-driven interactions, and behind-the-scenes moments into multi-format assets, they help organizations meet fans where their curiosity actually starts. And for a club like Arsenal, whose season is already playing out like a Hollywood script, this approach ensures its momentum resonates well beyond matchdays. Actionable Insights -Build cultural bridges: identify pop-culture moments, personalities, and trends your athletes naturally align with, and create content that introduces your sport to new, sport-curious audiences. -Develop crossover-ready assets: treat non-game storytelling (fashion, humor, identity, behind-the-scenes interactions) as primary content engines, not secondary add-ons. -Automate momentum: use AI-powered content creation tech to instantly turn culturally relevant moments into multi-format clips that drive engagement across every platform. > This report breaks down how Gen Z, Millennials, and Gen X engage with sports and what organizations must change to drive growth in 2026. - Published: 2025-12-03 - Modified: 2026-02-04 - URL: https://wsc-sports-dev.ltu.co.il/blog/industry-insights/the-2025-2026-generational-fan-study/ - Categories: Industry Insights This report breaks down how Gen Z, Millennials, and Gen X engage with sports and what organizations must change to drive growth in 2026. Get the full report: Why it matters The 2025/6 WSC Sports Generational Fan Study is the only report that quantifies how different generations find, engage with, and value sports content. It shows that audience growth depends on timing, context, and adaptability, rather than a single fan journey or channel. In 2025, discovery moved fully into the feed. Loyalty followed content that felt relevant, not just available. Organizations that still operate on fixed schedules or generalized formats are falling behind. This report gives sports leaders a clear view of the changes underway and what systems will be needed to succeed in 2026. Key takeaways -62% of fans discovered a new team, player, or league through short-form video -Millennials are the most commercially valuable audience and the most likely to disengage when content feels irrelevant -Fans expect personalization and ignore formats that don’t match their behavior -AI performs best when used to adapt content to the fan, not just to speed up editing -Multilingual and interactive content are now standard expectations WSC Sports surveyed 1,050 US fans to understand generational differences in content behavior. The 2025/6 Generational Fan Study explores not just what fans watch, but how their preferences, expectations, and value positions vary across Gen Z, Millennials, and Gen X. Key insights from the study 1. Millennials are the commercial core of sports media Nearly half of Millennial respondents watch sports daily. Eighty-five percent identify as die-hard or regular fans. This group leads in subscriptions, purchasing intent, and willingness to buy through personalized highlights. They are also the fastest to leave when content misses. That combination of scale, reliability, and volatility makes them the most valuable — and most demanding — segment in the market. 2. Gen Z’s fandom is social and personality-driven For Gen Z, loyalty is built around athletes, not teams. They follow people, not organizations. Their fandom forms through short clips, creator content, and social trends — not through tradition or geography. Gen Z is more likely than any other group to choose short-form over live games. Their behavior is fluid, high-frequency, and shaped by platforms where attention is earned in seconds. 3. Streaming dominates, and YouTube connects the generations Streaming is now the primary viewing platform for younger fans, with 65 percent of Millennials and 55 percent of Gen Z selecting it as their main sports destination. YouTube stands out as the only channel with consistent usage across all age groups. It supports live, long-form, and short-form content in one place, making it the most flexible and scalable path to reach fragmented audiences. Summary The 2025/6 WSC Sports Generational Fan Study makes it clear that audience growth now depends on understanding and responding to generational differences. A single content strategy does not work across all segments. The most effective organizations are shifting from volume-based thinking to behavior-based systems. The future of fan engagement belongs to those who build with that in mind. - Published: 2025-12-02 - Modified: 2026-02-04 - URL: https://wsc-sports-dev.ltu.co.il/blog/industry-insights/from-tiktok-to-spotify-the-atps-roadmap-to-modern-sports-storytelling/ - Categories: Industry Insights From TikTok to Spotify, the ATP is rewriting its content playbook to connect with younger fans through creators, platforms, and AI-powered storytelling that never misses a moment. Key takeaways -The ATP’s revamped content strategy is built on platform-native storytelling, tapping TikTok, Overtime, and Spotify to meet younger fans where they are. -By showcasing tennis through creators, behind-the-scenes moments, and short-form content, the ATP can deepen discovery and pull new fans into the funnel. -AI-powered content technology is becoming essential to maintain an always-on presence, amplify every story from the tour, and fuel continuous engagement. The most-watched TikTok video from the 2025 Nitto ATP Finals in November, with 3. 3 million views, is a clip of Carlos Alcaraz accepting the year-end "number 1" trophy, as his proud father captures the moment on his phone. The second most-watched clip from the season-ending championship, with 1. 2 million views, does not involve a tennis star. It stars Luca Campolunghi, an Italian digital creator known for his comedy, fun challenges, and lifestyle content. Campolunghi wasn't there by chance. He was invited to the season finale in Turin for the debut of the Tennis Creator Network, which brings together a selection of dynamic creators as part of a new partnership between the ATP and TikTok. The collaboration will also focus on player engagement, helping more ATP athletes build a presence on TikTok to give fans exclusive behind-the-scenes access to the sport. The partnership with TikTok builds on ATP’s work with Overtime, a youth-focused media brand whose social media accounts boast over 100 million followers. In the last few months, Overtime has been producing short-form tennis content, which has generated over 60 million views — indicating the ATP’s revamped digital and content strategy is working. Modernizing tennis content for younger audiences “This is about growing our audience, and in particular, targeting men’s tennis fans who might not be following the ATP week in and week out, more kind of dipping in and out around the Grand Slams,” said Andrew Walker, Senior Vice President of Brand and Marketing at the ATP. “So it’s bringing those fans — Gen Z and Millennials primarily — into the ATP funnel, by finding ways to create cool content and serve it on platforms and channels on which they’re already living. ” Reaching young fans has been a top priority for the ATP in recent years. After a 2016 Nielsen study found that men's tennis' TV audience is the second-oldest in pro sports, the ATP tested and ultimately adopted multiple new rules — for instance, instituting a 25-seconds serve clock and allowing coaching during matches — meant to speed up the game and appeal to the next generation of sports fans. Over the past year, the ATP's efforts to engage younger audiences have increased. A global marketing campaign, titled "It all adds up," and an evolved logo were launched. And, following fan and brand research commissioned last year, which revealed that the tour's footprint on the apps and in the digital spaces that millennial and Gen Z tennis fans inhabit wasn't big enough, the ATP initiated a series of content partnerships to build deeper connections with fans. Next-level distribution through new partners Teaming up with Overtime and TikTok was just the beginning. In early November, the ATP and Spotify announced a global collaboration to bring fans closer to the sport. As part of the collaboration, the ATP will distribute original tennis programming on Spotify, which is seeing a rise in sports video content consumption. One of the first projects will be a behind-the-scenes documentary on the 2025 Nitto ATP Finals, set to debut before the end of the year. The deal appears to be a win-win for both parties. “Put simply: ATP gets distribution and discovery; Spotify gets premium sports narratives to fuel a fast-growing format," explained Carlo De Marchis, a C-suite executive with 35+ years in sports & media tech. "The bet is that Spotify’s recommendation engine can convert music-first users into sports-story watchers — and that the 'lean-back' nature of video podcasts fits tennis’ global, tour-based cadence. ” The tour’s global coverage was also enhanced. A multi-year strategic partnership between ATP Media, the broadcast and media arm of the tour, and Japanese technology conglomerate Sony will elevate the fan experience through augmented reality and data-driven storytelling. In addition, Sony will assist in redesigning Tennis TV, the ATP's official streaming service, including launching a new Tennis TV mobile app in early 2026. Scaling engagement through smart technology The ATP’s digital evolution shows how quickly rights holders can expand their reach when they meet young fans (through creators, behind-the-scenes access, and platform-specific storytelling) where they are. This shift works only when organizations build a real-time content engine that fuels every platform with a steady stream of short-form content, something that’s impossible to sustain manually. That’s where the right technology becomes transformative. AI-powered content creation platforms can automatically generate multi-format clips, tailor narratives to different audiences, and distribute them across every digital touchpoint, turning a single moment into hundreds of personalized stories. The result, as the ATP proved, is a digital presence that stays active long after match point. Actionable Insights -Build creator-led content pipelines: collaborate with personality-driven storytellers who can translate your sport’s moments into platform-native formats that resonate with younger audiences. -Distribute programming where discovery already happens: expand beyond traditional channels by experimenting with video podcasts, behind-the-scenes series, and platform-specific content. -Use AI to maintain an always-on presence: adopt content tools to automatically clip matches, localize stories, and generate multi-format assets at scale. > Discover how the PFL growth strategy fuels its global rise in MMA through smart content, innovation, and athlete-first storytelling. - Published: 2025-12-02 - Modified: 2026-04-20 - URL: https://wsc-sports-dev.ltu.co.il/blog/customer-spotlight/when-passion-meets-production-what-i-saw-behind-the-scenes-at-the-pfl-championships/ - Categories: Customer Spotlight WSC Sports Marketing Content Lead, Simon Ironmonger, shares insights into the people behind the Professional Fighters League... If you ever want a reminder of just how electric live sport can be, go to a Professional Fighters League event. In August 2025, I was back in Charlotte, North Carolina (home to our friends at NASCAR and the ACC), for one of the biggest nights in mixed martial arts: the PFL World Championship Finals. And while the fight card alone was exciting enough to justify flying halfway across the world, this trip was about something deeper. It was about the people behind the production. The ones who turn a fight night into a global moment, who welcomed us in as if we were part of the team. While much of this story is about MMA, innovation, and fan engagement... it’s mostly about an exceptional team behind the scenes. Immersing myself in the PFL world Whenever I travel to film a client's story, I try to immerse myself in their world as much as possible, both as the organization and as a fan. My earlier trip to Paris with the LFP taught me how important that dual perspective is. Charlotte only reinforced it. For the fan side, I went all in: Downloaded the PFL app. Consumed fighter profiles. Watched endless Shorts on YouTube. 🫣 Even practised my own hypothetical cage entrance at home (which, for the record, will never see the light of day). But the other side, on the organizational level, is where the real learning happens. Who captures what footage? Where does each piece of content go? How do they measure success? How does a single night translate into hundreds of digital moments? And how does the league keep fans engaged throughout the year? You can only truly understand how everything unfolds by being there. By asking questions. By standing next to the people who make the magic happen. The people behind the production There’s something special about spending time with a team that is exceptionally good at what they do. And the PFL’s production and digital group is exactly that. From the moment we arrived, the hospitality and openness were at a different level. Mike Chioditti, Chris Kaiser, Jesse Linhares, Michael Negron (and many others I didn’t get a chance to meet directly) each play a crucial role in turning a PFL event into a spectacle that feels bigger than any one moment or fighter. This isn’t a small operation. It’s a coordinated orchestra involving broadcast, operations, storytelling, camera crews, social teams, editors, analysts, and tech partners all working in sync. But what stood out most wasn’t the scale, it was the precision. The calmness. The sense that even in the chaos of fight night, everyone knew exactly what they needed to do. A league built for modern fans The PFL set out to do things differently from other combat sports organisations. One of the things I instantly connected with was the familiarity of its structure. They’ve modelled their season, playoff, and championship formats on the tried-and-tested soccer format. Win your local league, you make it to the regional events, progress there and you get a shot on the biggest stage. This makes it instantly more familiar for fans of the world's most followed sport, so it's a great way to connect and build new PFL fans. But what truly separates them is how they think about content. On-site, we watched how their team captures every punch, kick, takedown, walkout, stare-down, and celebration, not just for broadcast, but for the thousands of digital decisions that follow. Clips for social, features for YouTube, highlights for partners, assets for fighters, micro-stories for fans in every region of the world. And then there’s the ref cam. A fan favorite for obvious reasons, it puts you inside the cage in a way no traditional angle can. In Charlotte, we got the chance to interview Jason Herzog, one of the sport’s top referees. He explained that technology like this isn’t just cool, it’s educational, it brings fans closer, it builds understanding and it grows the sport. We’re excited that WSC Sports is able to ingest those additional feeds from inside the ring and distribute it wherever the PFL wants. And that’s the common thread across everything the PFL team does: every piece of content is designed to meet fans where they are, whether that’s in the U. S. , Spain, Africa, the Middle East, or elsewhere. They know their fan base, they know their platforms. They know speed matters and they know authenticity matters even more. It’s easy to watch a final product online and assume it just comes together. It doesn’t. It comes from people. People who care, who prepare weeks in advance, people who move at seemingly impossible speed without sacrificing quality. Seeing the PFL team in action didn’t just give me a better understanding of MMA production, it gave me a deeper appreciation of why this league has grown so fast and so globally. Sitting down with Donn Davis We also got the chance to sit down with PFL Founder and Chairman Donn Davis, who gave super interesting insights about how he got started and where he wants to take the PFL. Donn talked about the challenge of building something new in a deeply established sport, the importance of great partners, and the wins the PFL has already achieved on its journey to becoming a global MMA powerhouse. Experiencing the championship night Nothing prepares you for the energy of a live MMA championship. Walking through the arena, moving between broadcast trucks, backstage corridors, fighter warm-up areas, production rooms, and the cage itself... you feel the intensity everywhere. Fighters’ families pacing nervously, commentators rehearsing their storylines, officials going through final checks, fans building a wall of noise even before the first strike is thrown. Everywhere you go, there’s emotion, hope, fear, adrenaline. And everywhere you look, there’s a story waiting to be told. These are the moments the PFL team captures so well, the humanity behind the violence, the Rocky stories behind the fighters, the local heroes behind every crowd reaction. Filming inside that environment gives you something you can’t script. Something real and raw, and that’s exactly what we hoped to bring to the short film we produced from the event. And if you’d like to go deeper into the PFL’s growth strategy, their approach to content, or why they’ve become one of the most globally connected MMA leagues in the world, we’ve put together a full written case study you can read as well. Huge thanks again to everyone at the PFL for the access, the collaboration, and the hospitality. Mike, Chris, Jesse, Michael, Donn — thank you for letting us into your world for a few days. Can’t wait for the next trip! > Sports podcasts are going visual. See the platforms, trends, and AI tech turning shows into clip-driven discovery engines. - Published: 2025-12-01 - Modified: 2026-02-04 - URL: https://wsc-sports-dev.ltu.co.il/blog/industry-insights/sports-podcasts-go-visual-the-platforms-trends-and-tech-driving-discovery/ - Categories: Industry Insights Sports podcasts are turning into visual-first franchises, with people finding their favorite pods through clips, thumbnails, and social feeds as much as full episodes. Key Takeaways: - Video is now the dominant podcast format, with younger audiences discovering shows through clips, thumbnails, and platforms built for visual storytelling. - Sports video podcasts are exploding in popularity, attracting new demographics and driving major investments from platforms like Spotify, YouTube, and Amazon. - AI-powered content creation tech enables scalable discovery, helping media companies clip, adapt, and distribute podcast moments across digital touchpoints. Bill Simmons is widely regarded as one of the most influential figures in the history of sports media. Whether through his writing, digital innovation, or entrepreneurial ventures, Simmons has left a permanent mark on the industry. One thing, though, has remained beyond his grasp despite years of effort: a long stint on TV. That could change in 2026. Spotify and Netflix recently announced a new partnership that would bring 16 video podcasts from Spotify Studios and The Ringer, the website and podcasting network that Simmons founded, to the streaming giant next year. Nine of the shows in the deal are sports podcasts, including The Bill Simmons Podcast, reportedly one of the most downloaded sports podcasts of all time. For Netflix, this is just the beginning. According to reports, the streamer wants to have 50 to 75 video podcasts set for early 2026, underscoring the evolution of the medium. “What began as an audio-only medium has become a visual-first content format, essentially the modern-day counterpart to certain types of television programming that can also live in audio,” said Michael Calvin Jones, SVP of Digital Talent and Creators at talent agency Wasserman. Where Audio Meets Video The convergence of audio and video in podcasts is in full swing. A 2025 study by Cumulus Media, the second-largest radio broadcaster in the US, and Signal Hill Insights, a research firm specializing in audio, reveals that 72% of podcast consumers prefer podcasts with video, and 42% actively watch the video while listening to the show. Additional findings include: - 34% of Americans listen to or watch podcasts for at least one hour every week. - 19% of Americans are "heavy podcast consumers," meaning they listen to or watch podcasts for more than six hours a week. - Continued interest in video podcasts keeps YouTube as the leading podcast platform in the US for the third straight year; 39% of weekly podcast consumers use YouTube the most for podcast consumption, compared to 21% who use Spotify and 8% who listen on Apple Podcasts. - YouTube acts as a discovery engine: 44% of weekly podcast consumers who listened to a new podcast in the past 6 months found it on YouTube. - 42% of weekly podcast consumers who have listened to/watched podcasts on YouTube say they have consumed a podcast on YouTube because of the thumbnail. In the 18-34 cohort, that number goes up to 57%. Sports Pods Set the Pace Sports shows have been at the forefront of the video revolution in the podcast space. Recent data released by Spotify shows that sports video podcast consumption on the platform has increased more than four times year-over-year, with a 53% quarter-over-quarter rise. The report suggests that the sports podcast market is growing across demographics, with female audience share surging 353% year-over-year. Media companies have taken notice. Wondery, a podcast studio owned by Amazon, paid more than $100 million for exclusive ad-sales and distribution rights to New Heights, a video podcast hosted by NFL champion brothers Jason and Travis Kelce, and entered a multiyear deal for the Mind the Game series with LeBron James. Broadcast station owner Sinclair announced upcoming sports video podcasts in its Upfronts pitch to advertisers, following the success of The Triple Option and Throwbacks, which feature former NFL players. “We’re getting to the point where the word podcast means something almost different from what it did years ago,” said Matt Schwimmer, the CEO of Playmaker HQ, home to video podcasts like Shaquille O'Neal's The Big Podcast and Jalen Brunson's and Josh Hart's Roommates. “It’s really a digital content series, for lack of a better term, and it’s video-first these days. ” The TikTokification of Podcasting The transformation to a video-first medium has led to what some industry leaders call “the TikTokification of podcasting. ” Surveys conducted by MIDiA Research, a UK-based intelligence company, found that 47% of TikTok, Instagram, or YouTube Shorts users watch podcasts via short clips. And since social media is now a key discovery engine for podcasts, the ability to clip and distribute them across these platforms has become critical. As short-form content becomes the front door to podcasts, media organizations need tools that can keep pace. AI-powered content creation technology makes it possible to instantly identify standout moments, generate clips in multiple formats, and distribute them across every relevant channel. That’s how sports video podcasts break through the noise, and why 2026 might finally be the year Bill Simmons becomes a mainstay on (streaming) television. Actionable Insights - Design for video-first consumption: record podcasts and studio shows with visuals in mind – clean framing, multiple angles, personality moments – to maximize clip potential across platforms. - Build a short-form clip pipeline: turn episodes into steady bursts of highlights, reactions, and quotable moments optimized for YouTube Shorts, TikTok, and Reels. - Use AI-powered tools to scale distribution: automate clipping, formatting, and publishing so every episode generates dozens of platform-specific assets that drive discovery and new listeners. > How Real Madrid unifies fan data and real-time content insights to personalize at scale and grow direct-to-consumer revenue. - Published: 2025-11-30 - Modified: 2026-02-04 - URL: https://wsc-sports-dev.ltu.co.il/blog/industry-insights/inside-real-madrids-blueprint-for-a-complete-fan-view-that-powers-dtc-revenue-streams/ - Categories: Industry Insights Besides winning titles, Real Madrid is building one of the most sophisticated digital businesses in sports. This blueprint shows how a unified fan data foundation, enriched by real-time content insights, is turning engagement into scalable revenue. Key Takeaways: - Unified fan data is an essential for today's successful sports organizations. Specifically for clubs, centralized data infrastructure is key to understanding who their fans are and how they behave across every touchpoint. - Content insights unlock personalization at scale. Enriching CDPs with real-time metadata on what fans watch enables smarter targeting and more relevant content experiences. - AI-powered content and data tech is the accelerator. Automating the tagging, distribution, and personalization of video allows rights holders to activate fan data faster and convert engagement into long-term value. Real Madrid's 2024-25 season was, by its standards, unremarkable. After winning the FIFA Intercontinental Cup in December, Los Blancos lost to arch-rivals Barcelona in the Copa del Rey final, got bounced in the Champions League quarter-finals, and finished second in La Liga. Only in June did Real win another title, albeit not on the pitch, as it topped the latest social media rankings published by the CIES Football Observatory. With over 470 million followers across X, Instagram, Facebook, TikTok, and YouTube, Real edged out Barcelona (427 million followers) on the 100 most-followed clubs list, cementing its position as the most popular football club in the world. For comparison's sake, Manchester United (third on the list) and Paris Saint-Germain (fourth) boast 234 and 199 million followers, respectively. While having a big digital footprint is essential for brand awareness, it's no longer the end-all, be-all for leading football brands, argue industry experts. Forward-thinking organizations, said Hisham Shehabi, Chief Operating Officer at consulting firm N3XT Sports, are more interested in customer value optimization (CVO), which “depends on how digital touchpoints enhance the way they do business. ” Benchmarking Yourself Against Pure-Play Retail That's exactly how Real Madrid operates. In 2019, Real hired Michael Sutherland, a former executive at HP, as a Chief Transformation Officer to help the club grow its digital revenue. The biggest transformation during his five-year tenure was changing the way the club measures itself: from comparing business outcomes with those of rival football clubs, to benchmarking itself against pure-play retail and media & entertainment brands. “To be a digital leader,” said Sutherland, “we needed to take a close look at fan engagement and how that has shifted over the years, audience development, and ultimately commercialization of that audience through building DTC revenue streams. We had to better understand our audience and how to sell directly to them. This required a new engagement infrastructure. ” With that in mind, Real began using a real-time customer data platform (CDP). Leveraging the platform's ability to consolidate and unify data from every touchpoint — including email, website, app, and turnstiles and concessions at the Santiago Bernabéu — the club can now track omnichannel customer journeys, segment the global fan base much more effectively, and use actionable insights to inform decision-making. Serving Every Fan – Their Way This is especially important for a club with such a large and diverse fan base. “Having a proper data infrastructure and activation layer for our data,” said Israel García, Director of Digital Strategy at Real Madrid, “has helped us to build a greater sense of community with our fans, who we can now target with the right content and products at the right time. ” For instance, the CDP enables Real to detect behaviors — like frequent consumption of free digital content — that suggest certain fans are prime candidates for a premium upgrade. The results speak for themselves: Real not only leads Football Benchmark’s 2025 clubs’ valuation with an enterprise value of €6. 3 billion, but is also the first club to generate over €1 billion in operating revenue in one season. With its data strategy foundation established, Real wants to take its personalization efforts to the next level; particularly when it comes to serving content to its fans. “Our next step is to fine-tune our personalization strategy,” said García. “I see a great opportunity for generative AI technology here, as it will allow us to amplify our global content with more variations. ” The Missing Link in Fan Intelligence To truly amplify their content, rights holders must supercharge their CDPs with a vital link: real-time content metadata. By tagging and indexing each goal, assist, or spectacular skill, every piece of short-form content transforms from passive entertainment into a powerful signal of fans' preferences, giving teams and leagues the intelligence to personalize every touchpoint with precision. This is why elite clubs seek AI-powered content and data solutions. These platforms integrate seamlessly with existing marketing stacks, automatically enriching fan profiles with detailed content insights. By closing the loop between data, real-time content metadata, and engagement, rights holders can finally build a 360° fan view and reach the outcomes they favor — which is the ultimate goal for Real, both on and off the pitch. Actionable Insights - Turn every piece of content into data. Tag and index every action on the pitch so every video view becomes a signal that strengthens personalization. - Feed your CDP with real-time insights. Integrate content metadata into your existing fan profiles to refine segmentation and target fans based on what they actually consume. - Automate personalized content variations. Use AI-driven workflows to deliver different edits of the same moment across markets, languages, and platforms without adding workload to your team. > Donn Davis, CEO of the PFL, talks tech and how AI powers year-round storytelling beyond fight nights, and the league’s plan for global MMA growth. - Published: 2025-11-26 - Modified: 2026-02-04 - URL: https://wsc-sports-dev.ltu.co.il/blog/industry-insights/donn-davis-the-pfl-founder-and-chairman-disrupting-the-mma-world/ - Categories: Industry Insights Donn Davis founded the Professional Fighters League (PFL) in 2017. He launched it the following year and has been serving as the league’s chairman since then. The PFL is the first major mixed martial arts organization in which individual athletes compete in a regular season, post-season and championship, rather than the promoter-based format, more commonly associated with UFC and boxing. Why the PFL Exists: A League Built for the Underserved When he first envisioned the PFL, Davis relied on a simple yet powerful founding thesis: fans, fighters, and commercial partners were being underserved in the fastest-growing sport on earth. The PFL would be their platform. “Six hundred and fifty million fans, thousands of fighters, there’s more opportunity than just the UFC. (... ) The UFC is a great company, but MMA deserves another great company," he claims. Today, the PFL ranks among the fastest-growing combat sports leagues in the world. In this exclusive video interview for WSC Sports, Davis breaks down how the PFL is using technology to scale its business, reshaping the fan experience, and using content as a primary driver of reach and relevance beyond the fight nights. Why 30 Fights a Year Isn’t Enough “We have to fill every day with great content, great storytelling, great highlights," says Davis. The PFL stages about 30 live events each year. That leaves 335 other days to engage fans, build brand equity, and stay relevant in a world where attention moves fast. “We're a seven-year-old company, so think of us as still a middle school kid. We've got to make our name on a global basis, and we have to make our name to everybody: commercial partners, fans, media partners," explains Davis. "And you can't do that with just thirty live events a year. ” To maximize the reach of each event and engage in year-long storytelling, the PFL uses WSC Sports. The league works with twenty media partners around the world for live events and is now able to produce countless pieces of content for social and digital platforms. Unseen Moves, Unmatched Moments Davis points to two kinds of content that matter most: the kind that reveals the human side of the fighters — misunderstood athletes with stories that rival any mainstream star, and the kind that makes you say “I’ve never seen that before. " A perfect example that Davis references was seen in a PFL Africa event, where he witnessed a so-called question mark leg kick for the first time. While we might all be familiar with Hail Mary plays in the NFL or Home Runs in the MLB, the PFL manages to bring unseen content to the masses. Understanding the Now, Now, Now Generation Understanding your fan base is crucial to produce relevant content. Davis shared insights about PFL fans and their expectations. "Sixty percent of our fan base are 18 to 35," says Davis. "They ain't waiting for hours. They want it now, now, now. ” That’s where infrastructure becomes decisive. To meet the pace of modern fandom, the PFL uses WSC Sports to power its entire highlight operation. Everything from live fight clips to multi-language story packages is automated, formatted, and ready to post in seconds. This in turn helps the PFL turn every fight into a full-funnel content machine. At the same time, the partnership allows the PFL to focus on what it does best. Davis sees partnerships as the multiplier to meet the demands of modern fandom without burning internal bandwidth. WSC Sports powers the fan-connection infrastructure, while the PFL focuses on building its brand, audience, and narrative. From Local Leagues to a Global Tournament Structure With MMA being one of the fastest-growing sports, the PFL is eyeing new demographics across the globe. “When I think about PFL over the next five years, what excites me the most are two words: global and growth," says Davis. The league recently launched three new local leagues in Africa, Europe, and the Middle East, and plans to add PFL Pacific, PFL Asia, and PFL Latin America in the next three years. The next milestone? A truly global MMA Champions League, inspired by the tried and tested European formats in soccer. A structure that hasn’t existed in MMA until now. “That's what we want to build with PFL, that demands more storytelling, more technology to make the sport easy to understand for fans," explains Davis. Making a Mark, Not Just Another League At the end of the day, Davis aims to leave a mark on the MMA world. With plenty of space to grow and serve fans, the PFL is not engaging in disruption for the sake of it. Rather, the league is engaging in a true differentiation strategy, with new technology and new format. This pioneer attitude is turbocharging its worldwide growth. While many martial arts organizations focus on building a fight calendar, Davis is on a course to create a global sports league with storytelling at the center. The PFL aims to be a co-leader in MMA five to ten years from now. With WSC Sports as a core partner, the PFL can tell the right story to the right fan, on the right platform. And in a sport where every punch could go viral, the PFL is bracing itself for global relevance. - Published: 2025-11-26 - Modified: 2026-02-04 - URL: https://wsc-sports-dev.ltu.co.il/blog/industry-insights/from-hours-of-work-to-ai-what-editing-on-3-4-inch-tape-taught-me-about-todays-automated-highlights/ - Categories: Industry Insights How my early years at CNN Sports and the Atlanta Hawks explain why automation gives today’s creators more time, more flexibility, and more room to tell great stories. Sports content used to require hours of tape logging, manual sorting, and late-night edits before a single moment of storytelling could begin. Today, WSC Sports automates that entire foundation, giving editors and creators time to focus on ideas, voice, and narrative. Looking back at the early years shows how much the industry has progressed and why automation matters for every team that wants to reach fans with personalized, timely content. Key Takeaways -What’s in this article: A personal story about learning to edit highlights at CNN Sports as a teenager in the 1980s and my first encounter with Glenn “Doc” Rivers while producing the Atlanta Hawks season film. -What developed from that experience: Creating content in that era required weeks of manual tape work, detailed organization, and long nights before storytelling could begin. Producing the Hawks film helped me understand how much effort went into building the foundation of any highlight reel. -The WSC Sports connection: today, our platform now automates everything that slowed creators down in the past. It gives editors back their time, makes content more scalable, and creates room for deeper storytelling. The Early Days at CNN Sports In the summer of 1983, the NBA draft took place. At that time, I was still a teenager working at CNN Sports on Techwood Drive in Atlanta. I walked into the newsroom every day with the feeling that anything could happen. The tape decks were humming, producers were shouting across the room, and I felt like I had discovered the place where I belonged. I learned to edit highlights on three-quarter-inch tape machines. There was no Command Z. Every edit mattered because whatever ended up in the show stayed there. It taught me responsibility, precision, and the importance of staying calm under pressure. I was still attending high school in the morning and cutting highlights for a national network late at night. Those early years became my real apprenticeship. They taught me to trust my instincts and to recognize that storytelling can come from anyone willing to put in the work. Meeting Glenn “Doc” Rivers at the Omni My first major assignment arrived when the Atlanta Hawks asked me to produce their 1982-83 season highlight film. I still remember the feeling of walking into the Omni in downtown Atlanta. For a teenager, the building felt larger than life. It smelled like popcorn, concrete, and history. Bill Needle, the Hawks PR director, greeted me with real warmth. Stan Kasten, the 31-year-old General Manager, made me feel like I had earned the seat I was sitting in. They explained the project. Every player would receive a dedicated segment that combined stats, storytelling, and a music-driven highlight piece. Then Bill introduced me to a young guard who stood quietly near the wall. He had just been drafted early in the second round. His name was Glenn “Doc” Rivers. He was lean, focused, and carried the quiet confidence of someone who understood the work ahead of him. I had no idea this rookie would become an NBA champion coach and one of the defining voices in the league. But I remember thinking that he carried himself like someone who planned to stay for a long time. Producing that first highlight film required days and weeks of manual preparation. Every game came on two tapes, one for each half. An 82-game season meant roughly 164 tapes. If a game went into overtime, an extra tape would appear on my desk. Some games came with partial handwritten logs, but many arrived without any notes at all. I watched every second and logged each moment myself. I built a b-roll for every player. I organized stacks of tapes across the room and created a system that only I understood. Only after all of this work could I begin shaping the actual story. When the Hawks brought me back the following season for the 1983-84 year-ender, I finally had enough footage to create a dedicated music video segment for “Doc. ” This became one of my favorite pieces from those early years because it captured both his growth and my own. Actionable Insights -Review your current workflow to identify which steps still require manual setup or organization. -Track how many hours your editors spend preparing material compared to time spent storytelling. -Explore automated tools that eliminate prep work, so your team can focus on creativity and output. -Test personalized content variations to understand what resonates most with your fan base. > Organizations collect fan data but rarely use it. Learn how Barcelona, Mallorca, and WSC Sports turn insights into real value and engagement. - Published: 2025-11-25 - Modified: 2026-02-04 - URL: https://wsc-sports-dev.ltu.co.il/blog/industry-insights/why-fan-data-is-still-the-sports-industrys-biggest-missed-opportunity/ - Categories: Industry Insights At WSC Sports' Madrid Huddle, FC Barcelona and RCD Mallorca revealed how they're turning fan signals into real value. Key Takeaways: -The execution gap is real: Most clubs collect fan data but lack the infrastructure to activate it - treating engagement like "teenage sex" where "everyone talks about it, nobody really knows how to do it. " -Sponsors want partnerships, not placements: Modern sponsors demand tech integration, qualified user data, and measurable adoption - not just jersey logos and stadium visibility. -Content + data + automation = scalable monetization: Clubs that intertwine automated content delivery with fan intelligence can personalize experiences at scale without becoming tech companies. Sports organizations are swimming in content and attention. But when it comes to the thing that will get them through the next era of fandom, most are still thirsty. That thing is fan data. And not in the abstract, dashboard sense, but as a living asset that powers every meaningful fan relationship a rights holder can build. And at the WSC Sports Madrid Huddle to close 2025, the message from FC Barcelona and RCD Mallorca was clear: sports organizations must move on from chasing “more signals” to turning signals into value. The kind of value fans can feel, and businesses can measure. But first, someone had to say the quiet part out loud. Everyone's doing it (except they're not) "I think fan data is like teenage sex," said Tomer Coreanu, Director of Product at WSC Sports, borrowing a line from psychologist Dan Ariely. "Everyone talks about it. Nobody really knows how to do it. Everyone thinks everyone else is doing it. So, everyone claims they are doing it. " It got a laugh. But the reason it landed is because it's true. If that sounds harsh, it's because the stakes have flipped quietly. Reach used to be the game. Now the upside is still reach — but at the cost of ownership. Every fan you "engage" on a rented platform leaves behind data you don't control, and a relationship you can't deepen without paying again. The untapped audience isn't just the people who haven't found you yet. It's also the people who have — but who you still don't really know. Watch the full discussion: The scale myth: you don't need Barcelona's budget, you need their discipline One of the most useful parts of the session was how cleanly it cut through scale myths. Not every club can build a Barcelona-sized data engine. But every club needs one. RCD Mallorca framed it bluntly. They're a first-division club on an island paradise with rising demand, but not Barcelona budgets. As Roger Forns, their Technology & Innovation Director, put it: "Of course our financials cannot be compared to Barça's ones. It's obvious. So we are looking for different revenue streams and one of them is data. " (someone said “Billy Beane”? ) That line matters because it reframes data from "marketing nice-to-have" to strategic necessity. When rights holders talk about growth, they usually mean three things: grow attention beyond match day, convert that attention into repeat behavior, and turn repeat behavior into commercial value. Data is what connects those three dots. Not because data itself is monetizable in isolation, but because it lets you serve different fans differently, at scale, without guessing. You know, these truths that traditional B2C/DTC brands have adopted years ago. For Mallorca, though, that meant starting from zero. "A year and a half ago, we were in very different place, with scattered information that was heterogeneous. So for us it was starting from very basic," Forns explained. Their roadmap was unglamorous but essential: single sign-on, a new identity platform, a CDP (customer data platform), and new digital touchpoints like a business club app and a loyalty program launching within months. They're even integrating offline retail stores into the ecosystem. The takeaway? You don't need to be Barcelona. You need to know who your fans are, what they do, and how to talk to them like individuals instead of a crowd. From archive to asset: Barcelona's content playbook Barcelona offered a different kind of lesson — one about latent value hiding in plain sight. Jordi Mompart, Director of Barça Vision, described it simply: "We have 1 million images and videos in our archive. Three years ago, we decided to start extracting value from this archive. It started with an auction in Sotheby's, New York, with an NFT that was sold for $700,000. " But the bigger move wasn't the NFT. It was what came after: treating digital content like fan data, because they function the same way. Both are archives of potential value until you activate them. Barcelona launched a digital trading card game — similar to Pokémon - that turns club moments into collectible experiences for fans worldwide. "Why worldwide and why digital? " Mompart asked. "Because we have fans in Singapore, in Nigeria, in South America. They don't have the chance to buy, let's say, physical cards. " The lesson isn't "everyone should launch cards. " It's that once you understand who a fan is, what they care about, and when they show intent, your content stops being output and starts being inventory. You can package it, personalize it, and sell it in ways that fit different segments — superfans, casuals, international followers, even lapsed supporters. And critically, you can do that on your own terms, in your own environment. The sponsor shift: from visibility buyers to tech partners Here's where the business case gets sharper. Traditionally, sponsors paid for brand association and visibility — logos on jerseys, LEDs in stadiums, that sort of thing. But as Mompart explained, "Nowadays, sponsors are looking for much more than visibility. They are looking for tech integration. They're looking for adoption of the products. They are looking for joint projects and we, the clubs, should be prepared for this. " This isn't just theory. When Spotify became Barcelona's main sponsor, the conversation wasn't just about reach. It was about second-party data sharing, market expansion, and co-developed products. For Mallorca, the shift is already visible. "Sponsors are already approaching us requesting to have a minimum number of registered users," Forns noted. "But we know that it's only the first step. Afterwards they will want to have qualified users. " In other words, it’s the transformation of sponsors to partners. And clubs that can't deliver data-driven engagement, personalized reach, and measurable outcomes are being priced out of the conversation entirely. Owned platforms aren't vanity - they're leverage The session kept circling back to the same strategic axis: owned and operated platforms are where data becomes durable. Mompart pointed to a telling example. "My sons are on Discord hours every day. E-gamers, people looking for information, there are many reasons to spend a lot of time in channels that are different from the traditional ones, and we should pay attention to that. They create content and there is a lot of behavioral data there to pay attention. " That tension is the modern job: be where fans are, but don't disappear inside those platforms. This is why personalization and automated delivery came up so often in the discussion. Segmentation without execution is just a spreadsheet. Execution without automation caps out fast. The practical playbook clubs described was simple in logic, complex in operations: -Identify meaningful segments (from demographics to intent and affinity) -Map content types and journeys to each segment -Automate distribution across owned surfaces to keep the fan loop alive -Measure value in business terms, not vanity ones Barcelona has already consolidated isolated data lakes into a single platform, ready for AI on top. Mallorca is integrating more than a dozen digital assets into one ecosystem. Both are racing to turn fragmented signals into unified intelligence. The 50% you're ignoring Perhaps the most striking moment came when Mompart made a point he says he makes at "every single conference. " "When we check our data we see that, let's say, only 20–25% of our fans are women. This environment is too male dominant. And I'm not saying this for an individual or a corporate responsibility. I'm saying this because it's a market to grow. There is such a huge opportunity when we analyze data and start creating products that appeal to new audiences. " This isn't sentiment. It's arithmetic. Barcelona's women's team has won three European championships in the last five years. Women in Catalonia are buying jerseys "like crazy" and are more involved than ever. In Barcelona's e-commerce data, women are active buyers. The untapped audience isn't always overseas. Sometimes it's the half of your local market you've been ignoring. You can just automate it The reason this was a panel on an event by WSC Sports - an industry-leading content-automation company - is because, as Coreanu put it, the industry has spent years solving content creation - but data is still "like oil that is buried under the ground and needs to be extracted somehow. And it's very hard to find those streams. " That is, until you drill right into your content. The realization for WSC came from talking to partners like Barcelona and Mallorca. "We understood that intertwining the content, the experiences, and the data, is something that can create a 1 + 1 + 1 equal 10," Coreanu explained. "And we are the only ones that are able to do it because we have the data, we have the content, we have the connection with the fans, and we have the opportunity then to create a really strong infrastructure that will enable the entire ecosystem to really lean into this era. " The challenge to be solved here is that of an execution gap - to give clubs, leagues, and broadcasters the same content-driven data activation and monetization capabilities that the major consumer platforms have built over the last decade, without forcing them to "just give it away. " As Coreanu put it in his closing thought, looking into 2026: enable every organization, no matter the size, "to have the monetization capabilities that major platforms have, and it starts by really owning their data. " The real game Mompart had one more thing to add before the session ended - something that reframed the entire conversation. "We are a sports club, so our main goal is to score goals," he said, with a laugh. "So we have no idea - let me exaggerate a little - about how to make money with data. We have a lot of data. Maybe we have a strategy for that, but we need companies to come to us and say, 'We'll make money for you,' because our goal is scoring goals, not the rest of the things. " That's the real insight. Clubs shouldn't have to become tech companies to capture the value of their fan relationships. They should be able to focus on what they do best - creating moments worth caring about - while platforms and partners handle the infrastructure that turns attention into ownership. Fragmentation isn't slowing down. Competition isn’t getting kinder. So the only sustainable edge left is ownership of the relationship. Data is how you earn it. Owned experiences are where you keep it. And automation is what makes it scalable. The untapped audience is waiting. The question is whether you'll meet them with a guess, or with intelligence. Actionable Insights -Start building qualified audiences, not just bigger ones: Push one step deeper than “views” by adding email capture, SSO prompts, or light registration moments around high-intent content. The goal is turning unknown fans into known users so future engagement stops relying on guesswork. -Map your content to actual fan segments: Don’t treat your entire audience like a single persona. Identify 3–5 meaningful segments — new fans, superfans, locals, international followers, commercial partners — and assign content journeys to each. Even basic segmentation unlocks higher retention and more dependable behavior patterns. -Automate the repetitive links between content and data: Use automation to turn every highlight, moment, or clip into a data signal. Trigger personalized recommendations, surface related moments on owned platforms, and keep loops alive without manual effort. This closes the execution gap and frees teams to focus on strategy rather than daily production. > How one tennis match sparked dozens of stories online—see how digital teams turned Sinner vs. Alcaraz into a masterclass in multiplatform storytelling. - Published: 2025-11-24 - Modified: 2026-02-04 - URL: https://wsc-sports-dev.ltu.co.il/blog/industry-insights/one-game-dozens-of-stories-how-the-nitto-atp-finals-ignited-social-media/ - Categories: Industry Insights This year’s Nitto ATP Finals championship match was a reminder of how quickly tennis coverage is changing. If you still think one match equals one recap, you're forgetting about the significant way that short-form content can create reach, resonance, and revenue for your organization. Let’s take a look at how the digital teams covering the tournament transformed a single tournament into dozens of stories, and what that evolution means for content creators trying to stand out in today’s attention economy. Key Takeaways: -The Sinner–Alcaraz final generated dozens of unique content moments, tailored to different platforms, tones, and types of tennis fans. -Rights holders maximized engagement by capturing both on-court and off-court moments, then remixing them into cinematic slow-motion highlights, emotional snapshots, and lighthearted behind-the-scenes stories. -The future of tennis storytelling is both real-time and real variation: telling the same moment many ways to meet fans where they are. What does it look like to cover a major tennis event on social media in 2025? It looks like highlights and lowlights adapted for different fans, platforms, and moods. It includes raw reactions, iconic meet-ups, behind-the-scenes glimpses, and press conference snippets, all drawn from the same elite tennis event. Champagne Chaos From Every Angle Jannik Sinner’s victory champagne shower was captured from different angles, in different formats. The same moment carried different emotions depending on who held the camera and how close they were to the spray. Popcorn Rally Gets the Cinema Treatment That Sinner–Alcaraz rally was already wild in real time. Slowed down, it became pure gold. Every step, stretch, and gasp gained weight, turning a tennis exchange into a moment of high drama. Take-away: Slow-motion adds narrative power. It transforms great rallies into moments fans want to feel, not just watch. When Worlds Collide: Sports Icons Celebrate the Champion The Italian tennis federation captured a standout moment when Juventus manager Luciano Spalletti hugged Sinner courtside. In a country where calcio commands the culture, this crossover pulled in a massive second audience. Another Italian sportsman, F1 rising star Kimi Antonelli, was spotted in the arena in Turin, and later congratulated Sinner on the court. Similarly, this type of content allows the tennis rightsholders to tap into the F1 fanbase. Take-away: Cross-sport interactions create instant cultural relevance. These collisions bring new communities into the story. One Match Point, Many Formats The final point of the match was posted in multiple versions. There was a split-screen that captured Sinner and his team exploding at the same time. There was the handheld courtside angle. There was the polished TV broadcast. One moment. Many emotional entry points. Take-away: Reformatting iconic moments for different audiences extends their life and multiplies their impact. The Team Photo That Stole the Show Sinner did not just bring his new girlfriend on court. He brought the dog too. The team photo instantly shifted from champion imagery to wholesome chaos, and fans loved it. Not every story needs a trophy. Some only need a pet. Take-away: Off-court emotion is content gold. Family, friends, and pets open the door to casual fans. Pre-Match Rituals: Juggling Included Pre-match content delivered another layer of storytelling. Alcaraz, juggling tennis balls grabbed attention. A side-by-side warm-up view of both players built anticipation. These moments were short, fun, and deeply shareable. Take-Away: Storytelling starts long before the first serve. Rituals and quirks give fans a reason to care before the match even begins. A Friendship Story in the Press Room Even after the trophy lift, the storytelling continued. During the press conference, the conversation shifted to the friendship between Sinner and Alcaraz. The rivalry on court mixed with the camaraderie off it, echoing memories of Federer and Nadal. Take-Away: Press conferences are more than formalities. They are a space to extend narratives and humanize players long after the last point. The Match Ends, But the Story Doesn’t This was one match between two young superstars. One night in Turin. But the digital coverage proved that every rally, reaction, and relationship can become a story worth sharing. Limiting yourself to one highlight reel means leaving entire layers of fandom behind. Sports fandom moves at the speed of social culture now. Blink and the moment is already onto its next remix. The storytellers who succeed are those who scale variety, not just volume, and who understand that the match ends on the court but continues everywhere else. If you enjoyed the different ways this event was covered, check out how the 2025 Europa League final and the 2026 College Football National Championship were covered. > Explore 7 computer vision breakthroughs reshaping sports in 2025, from tactics and AI referees to AR overlays, safety, scouting, and VR training. - Published: 2025-11-22 - Modified: 2026-02-04 - URL: https://wsc-sports-dev.ltu.co.il/blog/industry-insights/computer-vision-sports-analytics-7-game-changing-applications-you-havent-seen/ - Categories: Industry Insights Key Takeaways -Computer vision is already reshaping how sports are coached, officiated, and packaged for fans, with real-time tracking and automated understanding of play becoming standard infrastructure. -The biggest value shift is real-time plus personalization. Vision data now powers instant tactical insight, biomechanical optimization, safer player management, and fan-facing overlays that make broadcasts feel interactive and tailored. -CV is expanding what content can be. The same tracking that supports teams is enabling new formats like animated alt-casts, automated highlights, and immersive AR experiences that reach younger and more casual audiences. Computer vision is transforming sports analytics in 2025, elevating how games are played, coached, and experienced. From real-time strategy aids on the sidelines to AI referees, what was once futuristic is now becoming standard on and off the field. The market for computer-vision tech in sports is surging, driven by teams and leagues seeking competitive edges, and by broadcasters and startups reimagining fan engagement. In this article, we highlight seven cutting-edge (and sometimes under-the-radar) applications of computer vision in sports analytics that are changing the game. Each showcases how advanced AI vision, including real-time pose tracking and augmented reality, is unlocking new insights and capabilities. We'll explore how computer vision provides real-time tactical feedback, optimizes player biomechanics, automates officiating, scouts hidden talent, powers immersive fan overlays, enhances player safety, and creates virtual training simulators. Backed by recent examples and data, these seven applications demonstrate how broad this transformation has become, across soccer, basketball, baseball, motorsport, and beyond. Real-Time Tactical Feedback and Visualization One of the most impactful uses of computer vision in sports is real-time tactical analysis, giving coaches and players instant insights during a game. High-speed cameras and multi-object tracking algorithms can now identify and follow every player and the ball, updating positions and events live. This data can be streamed to sideline tablets and AR displays to inform coaching decisions on the fly. In the NFL, many teams now have analytics staff feeding coaches live tendencies. In one recent example, a team adjusted defensive play-calling mid-game based on real-time AI alerts, leading to multiple crucial stops. These systems blend deep learning with object tracking, effectively giving coaches a second set of eyes that spots patterns human observers might miss. Computer vision also powers visual overlays that make complex tactics easy to grasp under pressure. Some NBA teams have experimented with AR visor displays in practice that highlight defensive gaps and optimal positioning in a heads-up display style. Instead of scribbling on whiteboards, coaches can show players where to move or which opponent to watch via live graphics superimposed on the field of play. In soccer, optical tracking systems installed in top leagues capture sub-second skeletal data for all players. This yields real-time performance metrics such as speed, spacing, and attack patterns, accessible to teams during matches. The same tracking drives 3D tactical replays and heatmaps that can be reviewed at halftime to adjust formations. Coaches describe it as a live playbook where AI highlights exactly how the game is unfolding. Even at lower levels, adoption is growing. Coaches can now review tracking heatmaps that update almost instantly during play. All of this is fueled by techniques like multi-person pose tracking, identity re-identification, and predictive modeling running in real time. The result is a new era of data-driven strategy where gut instinct is supported by instant visuals and stats. Broadcasters and fans also benefit. Advanced systems create augmented graphics in real time to illustrate tactics through live shot charts, passing lane overlays, and possession heatmaps. Viewers can see probabilities and diagrams generated the moment a play unfolds. This kind of visualization, once limited to video games, is now part of live sports. Player Biomechanics and Form Correction Sports have always been decided at the margins of human performance, and computer vision is now zooming in on those margins. By analyzing motion in fine detail, AI vision systems help optimize technique, prevent injuries, and extend careers. The key technology is markerless pose estimation and 3D motion capture. High-speed cameras combined with deep learning models trained to recognize joint positions can capture exact movements without bodysuits or sensors. Modern systems track 20 or more key points on the body in real time, producing data on joint angles, limb velocity, balance, and timing. Coaches and trainers get biomechanical insights during normal practice or live games instead of relying on lab setups. Major League Baseball has become a leader here. Many clubs have installed markerless motion-capture systems in stadiums to analyze pitching and batting mechanics. These systems create full 3D models of athletes and measure elbow angles, shoulder rotation, stride length, and release points with millimeter accuracy. By flagging subtle changes in form, they alert coaches to mechanical flaws or fatigue before performance drops or injuries occur. Computer vision is so precise it can detect nearly invisible adjustments. In tennis, 3D motion analysis has revealed tiny shoulder-angle tweaks that reduce strain and add serve speed. Across baseball, biomechanical feedback has become a core part of training and injury prevention. Other sports are adopting similar approaches. In track and field, AI tracking tools measure body points of sprinters and runners, delivering real-time posture and acceleration metrics. Tennis players use markerless motion capture to refine swings and footwork, and consumer apps now bring basic pose tracking to weekend athletes for golf swings or lifting form. Beyond performance gains, biomechanics systems are invaluable for injury prevention. By monitoring motion patterns over time, teams can catch dangerous technique changes early and intervene before they lead to long-term damage. Vision analysis has become a sports scientist’s microscope, refining how athletes move so they train smarter and stay at peak form. Automated Officiating and Foul Detection A missed call can change a season, so leagues are turning to computer vision to assist officiating. Automated systems use high-speed cameras, recognition models, and 3D tracking to make split-second rulings with extreme accuracy. Goal-line technology in soccer is a clear success story. Multiple cameras track the ball’s 3D position within millimeters, and if it fully crosses the line, the referee receives confirmation immediately. This provides objective goal calls with minimal disruption. Semi-Automated Offside Technology has pushed this further. By reconstructing player skeletons in real time using tracking cameras and syncing with ball sensors, the system can determine offsides within seconds and generate a 3D animation for review. This reduces long VAR delays and improves transparency. Tennis has arguably gone the farthest. Electronic line calling powered by vision-based ball tracking has replaced human line judges at major tournaments. High-speed camera arrays triangulate ball bounces with sub-millimeter precision, producing instant in or out calls and virtual replays. Beyond ball tracking, computer vision is moving into foul and event detection. Experimental systems can scan video for collision patterns that indicate trips, pushes, or illegal contact. While fully automated foul calling is still being tested, AI already supports human referees by flagging potential incidents for review. Judged sports are also exploring AI assistance. Early pilots in events like snowboarding have used vision models trained on past footage to evaluate trick height, rotation, and landing quality. The intent is not to remove human judges, but to provide consistent, data-driven second opinions. So far, the results have been strong. Calls are more accurate, interruptions are reduced, and explanations for fans are clearer. Leagues are still careful about how much authority to give AI in subjective cases, but the trajectory is steady. Cameras and algorithms are becoming standard partners in officiating. Talent Identification from Amateur Video Scouting the next superstar used to require expensive travel and endless games watched in person. Computer vision is democratizing this process, turning smartphone video into a potential tryout. AI scouting apps analyze amateur footage of young athletes, evaluating skills, physical attributes, and execution quality, then flagging promising players to professional scouts. This opens doors for talent outside elite pipelines. One standout example is a soccer scouting platform that lets players upload drill videos. Vision algorithms measure sprint speed, acceleration, jump height, agility, shot power, accuracy, and fatigue patterns over repetition. The AI scores players, gives feedback, and uploads results into a database clubs can review. Several professional teams across Europe and North America already use these systems to widen their scouting funnel. The technology goes beyond basic stats. Pose estimation evaluates technique, and action recognition measures how skills are executed. Drill sequencing can be scored for fluidity and quickness, then ranked against global benchmarks. Validation work with sports scientists suggests these metrics are reliable enough for serious talent discovery. Importantly, AI scouting is inclusive. Athletes in regions far from scouting hubs can still get noticed if their video performance stands out. The process is also cost-efficient. Clubs can sift through thousands of AI-scored submissions and focus travel and live scouting on the most promising prospects. AI will not replace human scouting for intangibles or full-game context, but it widens the funnel and reduces bias created by geography or exposure. Expect more success stories of players discovered through computer vision in the coming years. Fan Engagement Overlays and AR Experiences Sports are spectacles as much as competitions, and computer vision is amplifying the experience for fans. AR overlays in broadcasts and interactive stadium apps are creating richer, more personalized viewing. Broadcasters have long used vision to place graphics accurately on the field, such as first-down lines. Now the overlays are dynamic and player-specific. Fans can enable AR viewing modes that label players and display live stats next to them as they move. Some services overlay play diagrams and probabilities in real time, showing likely shot success or tactical spacing as the action unfolds. These features are generated live by computer vision systems analyzing the feed and tracking data. The result is an information-rich stream that adds context without needing extra commentary. AR is also arriving in stadiums. Fans can point phones at the field and see overlays such as live car positions in motorsport or pitching stats in baseball. These experiences rely on accurate court and field recognition so graphics lock into real-world space. Alternate broadcasts are another frontier. Recent animated game streams, including cartoon-style NFL and NHL presentations, use real tracking data to render players as animated characters in real time. The underlying CV systems capture positions and actions, which animation engines transform into entirely new viewing formats designed for younger fans. Computer vision supports hyper-personalization too. AI can identify moments tied to a fan’s favorite players, fantasy roster, or betting interests, then surface custom overlays and automated highlight reels. In short, computer vision is making sports more immersive, interactive, and personal. It adds layers of meaning without pulling attention away from the game itself, and it gives fans control over how they experience live action. Enhanced Safety and Injury Detection Computer vision is helping make sports safer by identifying injury risks earlier. By monitoring movement patterns and fatigue indicators, AI can flag subtle changes a trainer might miss. A major focus is preventing non-contact injuries such as muscle strains and ligament tears. Vision models analyze gait, stride, and joint angles over time. Slight changes in movement can indicate fatigue or imbalance linked to elevated injury risk. With this insight, teams can adjust workloads before a small issue becomes a major tear. In baseball, markerless motion capture helps estimate joint load for pitchers. The AI can detect delivery deviations and mechanical stress patterns associated with high injury risk, allowing teams to intervene early. There are signs this is working. Across several leagues, adoption of real-time motion analytics has been associated with reduced soft-tissue injury rates, supported by smarter training and rest decisions. Computer vision also supports acute injury detection, especially concussions. High-angle cameras and models trained on past incidents can flag heavy impacts, dangerous landings, or visible disorientation, prompting faster medical response. Rehabilitation is another major benefit. Vision systems compare return-to-play movement patterns to baseline mechanics, checking for asymmetries or compensations invisible to simple timing drills. This helps prevent re-injury by confirming full recovery rather than relying on subjective observation. Finally, CV improves safety by monitoring equipment and environmental conditions, spotting defects or wear that could lead to accidents. Overall, computer vision acts as an always-watching safety net, giving teams a better chance to prevent injuries instead of just reacting to them. Training Simulators Using Synthetic Data Computer vision is enabling ultra-realistic training through synthetic data and simulation. The idea is simple: capture real game data, then recreate competition virtually so athletes can train against lifelike opponents and scenarios. Baseball offers a vivid example. VR batting simulators use real pitcher tracking data, including speed, spin, release point, and arm angle, to generate lifelike 3D reps in a headset. Hitters can face virtual versions of specific pitchers before a game, training timing and recognition without physical fatigue. Simulation also supports strategic prep. Teams can build virtual twins of games and run what-if scenarios through generative models. Coaches can explore how plays might perform against different defenses, using data-driven representations of player behavior. Synthetic data also improves the AI models themselves. By training on both real and simulated clips that vary uniforms, lighting, and stadium conditions, vision systems become more robust. Better models mean better feedback for teams and more accurate simulations. Some sports are already building full virtual practice environments. Quarterbacks use VR to replay reps and read defenses in immersive settings. As computer vision and AR hardware advance, players may train with live visual cues during scrimmages or face simulated defenders in mixed-reality drills. Training is no longer limited to what can be recreated physically. With computer vision and synthetic data, athletes can practice against any style, tactic, or opponent at any time. The long-term outcome is clear: teams enter games more prepared because they have already trained for a wider range of situations than real-world practice allows. > Black Friday is now a sports holiday. Learn how Amazon uses live games, shoppable ads, and short-form clips to drive fan engagement and sales. - Published: 2025-11-21 - Modified: 2026-02-04 - URL: https://wsc-sports-dev.ltu.co.il/blog/industry-insights/what-rights-holders-can-learn-from-amazons-black-friday-playbook/ - Categories: Industry Insights Key Takeaways -Beyond retail Black Friday is becoming a key sports moment, with streamers like Amazon proving that live games can anchor a full day of fan engagement, commerce, and cross-platform storytelling. -Shopping and sports consumption are converging, as interactive ads and QR-enabled offers turn engaged viewers into ready buyers, especially on a day built around deals. -Short-form content is the next major unlock, giving rights holders a way to extend Black Friday engagement by pushing platform-specific clips that guide fans toward timely promotions. It seems only natural that the first NFL event to be broadcast globally on Prime Video would be the third annual Black Friday game. After all, the term Black Friday has become, as the New York Times once put it, “a conceptual synonym for the idea of ‘sale,’” and nothing embodies the idea of sale more than Amazon. And so, the game between the Philadelphia Eagles and Chicago Bears on Nov. 28 will be available for streaming in over 240 countries and territories worldwide, with no subscription or Prime membership required. It won't be the only sporting event on the docket. In addition to the Eagles-Bears game, Prime Video will air the return of “The Skins Game,” featuring the top six golfers in the world, and an NBA doubleheader. All in all, Prime Video will air more than 12 hours of live sports on Black Friday to fans around the world. “Black Friday is becoming one of the best sports holidays of the year,” said Jay Marine, Head of Global Sports at Prime Video US. “We cannot wait to provide fans with best-in-class coverage and a full day of action, holiday deals, and surprises. ” Merging Commerce With Fan Engagement Marketing Black Friday as a sports holiday is a relatively new concept. While the day after Thanksgiving has long offered fans a busy schedule – with college football, high school football, and college basketball games – it was never intertwined with pro sports, like Thanksgiving Day and the NFL or Christmas Day and the NBA. All that changed in 2023, when Amazon came up with the idea of airing an NFL game on the biggest shopping day of the year. For Amazon, this made sense on multiple levels. For one, broadcasting an NFL game on Black Friday is a way to drive shoppers away from brick-and-mortar retailers and towards Amazon. In addition, viewers can take advantage of special sales promotions during the game via interactive ads and QR codes that link to some of Amazon’s best Black Friday deals. “Amazon is making a smart move by merging commerce with its NFL viewing experience,” said Randy Bapst, CEO of AiBUY, which develops in-content shopping solutions. “Sports fans are very engaged viewers, so they’re the optimal target for this type of interactivity – and from our research, they’re a demographic that’s open to live shopping. ” The Return of Shoppable Television Live shopping is an e-commerce format in which viewers can watch someone present products and purchase them in real time. In TV terms, the experience is called “shoppable television. ” Considered the holy grail of advertisers since the 1990s, the idea of shoppable television – best expressed by the slogan “selling Jennifer Aniston’s sweater” to viewers watching Friends – has endured decades of disappointment. And then came the first Black Friday game. According to television data firm EDO, consumers who saw a retail ad during the 2023 Black Friday game were 127% more likely to engage with the brand than the retail primetime average. And the 2024 game performed even better: - Black Friday viewers were 51% more likely to search for brands or products advertised during the game than during other NFL Thanksgiving games. - Engagement with interactive ads increased 10% from 2023, according to Amazon’s click/scan rates. - Interactive ads were 11 times more effective in driving engagement than QR codes during the Black Friday game. “Completing your holiday shopping while enjoying your favorite sports and indulging in Thanksgiving leftovers is as brilliant as it gets,” said Jim Williams, the CEO and founder of LJC, a media consulting firm. “It’s a sponsor’s dream to reach fans with enticing deals they can purchase directly from their phones while watching an NFL or NBA game. ” Tech That Turns Sports Moments Into Sales For rights holders, the lesson from Amazon’s Black Friday playbook runs deeper than just airing games on the day. The real opportunity lies in turning every type of content – whether it's a full match, highlights, or behind-the-scenes moments – into gateways that connect fandom with shopping in real time. AI-powered content solutions make this possible at scale. By automatically creating and distributing personalized, multi-format assets across every fan touchpoint, rights holders can transform excitement around live moments into shoppable experiences – on Black Friday or any other day of the year. Because when fandom meets frictionless commerce, every highlight becomes a conversion opportunity. Actionable Insights - Use big shopping moments as content triggers by creating short-form clips tied to key plays, player storylines, or holiday themes that can be paired with targeted offers across your owned channels. - Build “shoppable moments” into your content workflows, embedding clear paths to purchase inside highlight reels or social assets, whether via interactive ads, QR links, or platform-native commerce tools. - Prepare multi-format content bundles in advance so you can quickly surface personalized clips around live events and deploy them during peak engagement windows, boosting fan attention and conversion. > Gen Alpha sports fandom is created by moments. See how celebrations and memes turn on-field highlights into viral trends that capture young fans. - Published: 2025-11-20 - Modified: 2026-02-04 - URL: https://wsc-sports-dev.ltu.co.il/blog/industry-insights/celebrations-memes-and-67-turning-on-field-moments-into-gen-alpha-fandom/ - Categories: Industry Insights For today's youngest fans, the path to fandom can start with a meme. Learn how celebrations and trends born on social now decide what captures Gen Alpha's attention. Key Takeaways - Gen Alpha drives sports culture through moments: celebrations and memes born on social platforms now shape what this generation watches, shares, and cares about. - Short, scroll-friendly highlights are the new entry point to fandom. On-field celebrations that echo Gen Alpha trends can quickly turn into viral content that boosts visibility and sparks discovery. - Turning live moments into digital storytelling is essential. The winners will be rights holders who transform celebrations into real-time, platform-native clips that meet Gen Alpha where they already are. Green Bay Packers defensive end Rashan Gary had two sacks against Aaron Rodgers and the Pittsburgh Steelers in Week 8 of the NFL season. And he busted out special celebrations for both. On the first sack, Gary did “The Belt,” which was made famous by Rodgers during his time with Green Bay. On the second one, in the fourth quarter, Gary hit the “67” (pronounced “six-seven”) celebration... . and the internet went crazy. The 67 trend has taken on a life of its own with Gen Alpha. Dictionary. com recently selected 67 as its 2025 word of the year, though their lexicographers admit “it’s meaningless. ” The phrase first appeared in the song “Doot Doot (6 7)” by Skrilla, and went viral after it was used in TikTok edits featuring Charlotte Hornets star LaMelo Ball, who is 6-foot-7. The term comes with an accompanying hand gesture – weighing two options with your palms – which kids, and apparently also star athletes like Rashan Gary, enjoy making while yelling it. 67 is far from the only example of an on-field celebration that draws from, and is meant for, Gen Alpha. From "aura farming" and "clock it" to "throw that wham in a circle," many NFL players are turning to Gen Alpha memes on TikTok for inspiration on celebrations. Which makes a lot of sense when you consider this generation’s unprecedented cultural power. Culture Moves at Gen Alpha Speed “Each generation shapes culture, but Gen Alpha is reshaping the very mechanics of influence,” explained Monica Chun, President of Acceleration Community of Companies (ACC), a consolidator of media and marketing agencies. “They see, share and shape trends all at the same time. They are the first generation to wield this power from such a young age, and they're only just getting started. ” This power is particularly evident in player celebrations. According to “Alpha Rising: The World’s Gateway Generation is Already in Charge,” a recent report by ACC, moments matter more than makers in Gen Alpha’s media landscape. Blending insights from focus groups with findings from surveys of Gen Alpha members aged 11-14, the report suggests that today’s tweens care less about who the creator is and more about whether the content is relevant and repeat-worthy. Viktor Gyökeres' mask celebration is a good illustration of this. A late bloomer, Arsenal’s new striker became one of football's most prolific goal scorers in the last couple of years, and his iconic goal celebration made him extremely popular among Gen Alpha members. Wayne Rooney’s eldest son, Kai, even used it after scoring for Manchester United’s under-16s in a prestigious youth tournament in July. Winning Over the Silent Scrollers Gen A, said Jo Redfern, a strategy consultant who specializes in younger generations’ digital behavior, “has seen how putting your personal life online can quickly go wrong, so they're more guarded. This is what sports can work with. If rights owners look closely at what young fans care about, they will see that they’re dialed into trends, to moments, to players. So don’t just beg them to like and comment. Instead, feed their scroll with conversations, moments worth celebrating, and they'll amplify. ” Delivering those moments at scale requires the right technology. With an AI-powered content creation solution, every celebration – a mask reveal, a viral hand gesture, a sideline dance – can instantly be transformed into dynamic, platform-specific clips that keep young fans watching, sharing, and coming back for more. Because if “67” taught us anything, it’s that the smallest spark can ignite the next big wave. Actionable Insights - Build a celebration-driven content workflow. Track emerging digital trends and have templates ready to instantly clip, caption, and distribute celebrations that tap into Gen Alpha culture. - Lean into platform-specific storytelling. Adapt every moment – from sack dances to goal masks – into vertical, short-form formats that fit how young fans consume content. - Let players be the creative spark. Collaborate with athletes to spotlight gestures, inside jokes, and memes they already love, and let AI scale those moments across all fan touchpoints. > How the NBA grew a massive fanbase in Brazil using localization, creators, and AI. Plus what other sports leagues can learn from its global strategy. - Published: 2025-11-17 - Modified: 2026-02-04 - URL: https://wsc-sports-dev.ltu.co.il/blog/industry-insights/how-the-nba-won-brazil-and-what-other-leagues-can-learn-from-it/ - Categories: Industry Insights The NBA's popularity in Brazil has been the result of a deliberate strategy that's focused on access, local culture, and technology. Let's unpack how the league built a large fanbase where football is king, and what other rights holders can learn from it. Key Takeaways -Localization drives global growth: tailoring content to reflect regional culture, humor, and language unlocks deeper resonance in emerging markets. -Digital strategy matters as much as distribution: short videos, creator collaborations, and platform-specific storytelling are crucial to attracting fans worldwide. -AI enables hyper-localized content at scale: automated multi-format content creation and language adaptation help teams and leagues to grow globally without growing headcount. Every year, it seems, the NBA becomes more international. There are a record 135 international players on NBA rosters this season — the fifth consecutive season with at least 120 international players — representing 43 countries across six continents. Records are being set on the coaching front, too, with four international head coaches currently employed, after the Portland Trail Blazers named Brazilian Tiago Splitter as their interim head coach. Splitter's appointment feels somewhat serendipitous, since Brazil is one of the league’s most dynamic international growth markets. “Brazil is a priority market for the NBA with a passionate fan base that has grown over the last years,” said Matt Brabants, the league's Senior Vice President of Global Media Distribution & Business Operations. “We are seeing really strong engagement with fans in Brazil on digital and social platforms. ” The numbers speak for themselves: - In 2021, NBA Brazil’s social media channels (Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, and YouTube) had more than 4. 7 million followers. That number now stands at 8. 4 million followers. - Outside the US, Brazil is the top market in NBA League Pass subscriptions and 2nd market in year-over-year subscriber growth. - There are 32 NBA Stores in Brazil, making it the league’s number 1 brick-and-mortar destination in the world. That doesn’t include Brazil’s NBA Store Truck, the league’s only mobile store on the planet. Meet Fans Where They Watch The obvious question is, how did the NBA become so popular in a country so synonymous with football? It starts with access. “One of the key pillars for us internationally is to reach fans wherever they’re consuming content,” said Brabants. “Whether it’s through our NBA app, League Pass, or through third-party platforms – we want to be as accessible as possible. ” The effectiveness of this approach was on display during last season's playoffs. Amazon Prime, which holds the rights for NBA games in Brazil, partnered with local network Band to broadcast the NBA Finals for free. The collaboration was facilitated by Sportingbet, one of the league's official partners, in an effort to make the NBA even more accessible in Brazil. This effort extends beyond broadcasting games. In the last three finals, the league hosted a fan event called NBA House in São Paulo, which included game viewing parties, mascots, dance teams, live music, meet-and-greets with former NBA players, skills challenges, and stores stocked with league merchandise. The 2024 installment, for example, drew more than 45,000 fans. “99% of our fans will not have an opportunity to see an NBA game in an NBA arena,” explained Kelly Flatow, Head of Events Group at the league's office. “So one of the things that we’re very focused on is: ‘How do we bring authentic NBA experiences to our fans around the world? ’ “There’s an opportunity to tap into and bring to our fans what they love about the brand, and that’s about fashion, music, technology, and lifestyle. ” Localized Content, Local Connection That's particularly true in Brazil. Last season, for instance, ESPN Brazil aired a special broadcast for Game 4 of the Western Conference Finals, led by comedian Renato Albani, Neymar Jr. , singer Felipe Araújo, and influencers Sofia Espanha and Natália Guitler, demonstrating that the NBA is already deeply rooted in Brazilian culture. The inclusion of high-profile influencers was deliberate; Brazil, a country with a population of 212 million, is known for its social media prowess. According to sports marketing agency Samba Digital, the NBA has tapped into this culture by crafting a hyper-localized digital strategy, built on collaborations with local content creators, Portuguese-language content, and platform-specific formats for YouTube, TikTok, and Instagram. “We need to meet fans where they are,” said Brabants, “and we have to be realistic about the fact that in many of these countries around the world, we’re going to be reaching fans with live games but predominately through content in and around the game, including short-form content, highlights, and other content that we produce. ” Scaling Local Content With AI That strategy only works when rights holders produce content that truly resonates with the fans they're trying to reach. That means adapting highlights, interviews, and social content into the languages, humor, and storytelling styles of the local market to ensure fans feel seen, not just targeted. Doing this consistently across dozens of markets requires the right technology. AI-powered content creation solutions can take every standout moment and instantly generate and distribute multilingual, platform-ready short-form content tailored to local tastes. It’s the kind of scalable creativity fueling the NBA’s explosive rise in Brazil — and the playbook any league can run. Actionable Insights -Build content formats that highlight local stars, creators, and cultural touchpoints, not just the main product -Treat short-form content as your primary gateway for new fans, optimizing for native platforms in each region -Adopt AI-powered solutions to create content instantly in multiple languages and formats - Published: 2025-11-15 - Modified: 2026-02-04 - URL: https://wsc-sports-dev.ltu.co.il/blog/industry-insights/from-sidelines-to-screens-how-gen-ai-is-powering-the-future-of-sports/ - Categories: Industry Insights As Gen AI reshapes everything from playbooks to push notifications, the sports world is entering an era where every moment becomes content, and every fan expects it personalized. Key Takeaways -Gen AI is transforming the entire sports ecosystem; not just coaching and performance, but content creation and fan engagement at scale. -Personalization has become a fan expectation, with younger audiences especially demanding content that reflects their interests in real time. -Rights holders who leverage Gen AI tools to build a personalization engine for sports content can create deeper relationships with fans and eventually unlock new revenue opportunities. Imagine a Gen AI tool that not only understands what’s happening in an NFL game, but can also tell the coach which plays to run based on the defensive alignment. The NFL is already using AI to enhance the product on the field. An application called Digital Athlete leverages machine learning (ML) to help teams predict injuries. The NFL combine app now includes an AI assistant that lets scouts ask questions and instantly get responses about player statistics from the NFL Combine. However, when it comes to analyzing the game, football has long presented a special challenge for Gen AI tools. According to experts, the challenge has been met, and Gen AI tools are on the verge of reshaping the NFL. “I feel pretty confident saying some team is going to win a Super Bowl in the next few years utilizing AI at a significantly higher rate than it has ever been used before,” said Ryan Paganetti, Head Coach Research Specialist at the Las Vegas Raiders. “AI can come up with ideas that you might otherwise never have thought of and really move the needle. ” Gen AI has become a needle mover across many sports. Tennis IQ, a platform used by coaches on the ATP Tour, makes recommendations during matches based on patterns of play. Sportsbox AI, a company specializing in 3D motion analysis, has helped four of the top 10 golfers in the world. In the NBA, teams are experimenting with Gen AI to simulate plays, automate film breakdowns, and optimize player performance. Where Gen AI Meets the Fan But the impact of Gen AI extends well beyond on-court performance. The NBA, for example, is leveraging Gen AI to elevate the fan experience. The league recently announced it plans to launch “NBA Inside the Game,” a new basketball intelligence platform that will introduce new AI-powered stats that capture aspects of basketball performance that have not been measured previously, including: -Defensive box score: AI algorithms track which defender is responsible for each offensive player in real-time, enhancing the traditional box score by identifying the primary defender when stats are recorded. -Shot difficulty: the difficulty of attempted shots will be quantified with new stats such as Expected Field Goal %, which accounts for various factors such as the shooter's orientation and setup, court positioning, and defensive contest. -Gravity: measures the level of attention a player receives from the defense, including how closely they're guarded with or without the ball, to quantify the space they create for teammates. The NBA is not the only league using Gen AI to help fans dive deeper into their games. The Premier League recently announced it will integrate Adobe Firefly into its website and app, enabling fans to create images and videos of their favorite clubs and players. The website and app, launched in July, are designed to deliver engaging experiences via features like “The Premier League Companion,” an AI assistant that helps fans explore over 30 seasons of stats, 300,000 articles, and 9,000 videos, delivering tailored insights and content discovery at scale. Preference-Driven Content Wins AI-powered personalized insights and content discovery are central to today's fan journey. A new report by consulting and IT services firm Capgemini – based on a global survey of over 12,000 fans in 11 countries across North and South America, Europe, and APAC – reveals that Gen AI is becoming the ultimate sports concierge, providing content tailored to individual preferences. Key findings include: -54% of fans have replaced traditional search engines with Gen AI tools, such as ChatGPT, as their main source for all sports-related information -59% of respondents trust sports content generated by Gen AI tools. -67% of fans want Gen AI tools to aggregate in one place all sports-related information from websites, online search engines, and social media platforms - 64% of fans want Gen AI to deliver sports content that matches their taste - 54% of fans want Gen AI to compile personalized highlight reels in real time2 “As technology evolves, unlocking new ways for fans to curate their own unique experience, will be a blend of real-time data with immersive, interactive opportunities,” explained Pascal Brier, Chief Innovation Officer at Capgemini. “The challenge is to ensure that these innovations deepen the emotional connections that make sport so powerful for passionate supporters. ” Tech Built for the New Rules of Engagement Fans are giving rights holders a clear direction: they want content shaped for them, not the masses. Rights holders can now respond by building dynamic content pipelines that continuously turn live play into platform-specific, fan-specific videos – whether that’s real-time highlight reels or behind-the-scenes clips. When every fan gets a feed tailored to what they love, engagement stops being a guessing game and becomes a repeatable result. That’s where content creation platforms powered by Gen AI come into play. By transforming every worthy moment into a ready-to-publish asset, these platforms enable teams and leagues to deliver personalized highlights and narratives at scale across various platforms. It’s how sports organizations can fuel deeper loyalty today, while shaping a future where Gen AI drives outcomes – on and off the field. Actionable Insights - Turn live moments into multiformat clips tailored for each platform to meet fans where they are and when attention spikes. - Leverage Gen AI tools to personalize highlights based on player affinities, local markets, and viewing behavior to drive repeat engagement. - Feed content insights back into your marketing stack, enabling smarter segmentation and fan journeys that evolve with behavior. > AI coaching is reshaping elite sports with injury prediction, personalized training, and data-driven insights that boost performance and keep athletes healthy. - Published: 2025-11-15 - Modified: 2026-02-04 - URL: https://wsc-sports-dev.ltu.co.il/blog/industry-insights/the-2-5b-secret-how-ai-coaching-is-transforming-elite-sports-performance/ - Categories: Industry Insights AI has quietly moved from experimental tech to essential coaching intelligence in elite sports. This article breaks down how it’s reshaping performance, strategy, and the way champions are built today. Key Takeaways -AI is now a core part of elite sports, powering injury prediction, tactical insights, and personalized training that give teams an edge once reserved for early adopters. -The sports AI market is exploding, with billions invested and top teams integrating tools like Zone7, Kitman Labs, WHOOP, and Second Spectrum into daily decision-making. -Human coaches remain essential, but AI amplifies their expertise—offering deeper data, safer workloads, and smarter strategies while raising new questions about privacy and ethics. In elite sports, victory often comes down to the smallest of margins. Coaches and athletes are constantly hunting for that extra 1% advantage – and now many are finding it in artificial intelligence. What was once a “secret weapon” reserved for early adopters is quickly becoming standard gear in training facilities and locker rooms worldwide. From predicting injuries weeks in advance to crafting hyper-personalized training plans, AI-driven coaching tools are quietly reshaping how champions are made. It’s a revolution happening behind the scenes – an industry already worth over $2. 5 billion and climbing – and it’s changing the game in every sense. From Gut Instinct to AI Insight: The Rise of the AI Coach For decades, top coaches were celebrated for their intuition and experience — the ability to read the game and their athletes. But today a new ally has joined the coaching staff: artificial intelligence. In fact, some clubs are creating entirely new roles for it. Recently, for example, Manchester City hired a Harvard research scientist as their lead AI strategist, a sign of how crucial data science has become to top teams. The reason is simple: AI can detect patterns and subtleties that even the keenest human eyes miss, turning what used to be guesswork into a predictive science. As one 2025 analysis put it, “the age of guesswork in sports is over. ” Modern AI systems crunch data from games, practices, wearables, and more – not only telling coaches what did happen, but predicting what’s likely to happen next. It’s a shift from reactive to proactive coaching. In a game of inches and seconds, these insights can mean the difference between a championship season and an injury-plagued flop. This embrace of AI has been driven by the never-ending quest for marginal gains. Elite sport has always evolved by adopting new tech – from video analysis to GPS trackers – and AI is the next evolution. Football (soccer) provides a vivid example: clubs known for innovation are constantly looking for ways to gain an edge. They’ve tried everything from altitude tents to cryotherapy; now they’re feeding decades of game footage and biometric data into machine-learning models. The goal? Find trends no human scout could spot, or foresee an injury before it strikes. If a slight change in a striker’s acceleration pattern historically precedes a hamstring pull, the AI can raise a red flag to the training staff. If an opponent’s formation shows a vulnerability to certain attacking patterns, the AI might suggest a tactical tweak. In essence, coaches are starting to use AI like chess grandmasters use advanced pawns – as force multipliers for their strategy. The human coach is still very much in charge (as we’ll discuss, human intuition and ethics remain vital), but they’re now backed by a powerful analytical assistant that never sleeps. And the sports world is taking notice. A $2. 5B (and Growing) Industry What was once a niche experiment is now big business. The artificial intelligence in sports market was valued at $2. 2 billion in 2022, and it’s projected to explode to $29. 7 billion by 2032 – a staggering 30. 1% annual growth rate. In other words, the “secret” is out, and investors are racing to seize a share of this opportunity. By some estimates, over $2. 5 billion has been poured into sports technology startups and platforms in just the last couple of years. Why? Because teams and leagues are increasingly willing to spend on any technology that can keep their superstars healthy, give coaches better intel, and ultimately deliver wins (and the revenue that comes with winning). The economics are easy to understand. Injuries alone cost professional teams huge sums – one analysis found that injured players’ salaries cost teams around $500 million in a single year. Losing a star player at the wrong time can tank a season (and with it, ticket sales and championship hopes). If an AI system can even modestly reduce that risk, teams see it as money well spent. Likewise, a slight boost in a player’s performance – running a bit faster, recovering better between matches, making smarter decisions on the field – can translate into major competitive advantage in leagues where everyone is already elite. That’s why team owners, venture capitalists, and even athletes themselves are investing in AI coaching tech. For example, wearable tech pioneer WHOOP raised $200 million at a $3. 6 billion valuation in 2021, with backers including superstar athletes like Kevin Durant and Patrick Mahomes. The market is reflecting a reality: data-driven performance optimization is becoming as integral to sports as the games themselves. Importantly, this boom isn’t just about money – it’s about adoption. Dozens of professional teams have quietly integrated AI into their operations. One AI platform focused on injury prevention, for instance, is used by over 50 professional clubs worldwide. Across the NBA, NFL, European soccer, and even Olympic programs, an arms race is underway to stockpile data and algorithms. The result is an emerging ecosystem of companies and tools – each addressing a piece of the performance puzzle – collectively forming that multi-billion dollar industry. Let’s explore how these technologies are actually being used on the field and in training, and the impact they’re having on performance. Injury Prevention: Staying One Step Ahead of the Next Injury If there’s one thing that keeps coaches and managers up at night, it’s injuries. An ill-timed hamstring pull or torn ligament can derail a team’s entire season. Traditionally, sports medicine has been reactive – treat the injury after it happens and hope for the best. AI is turning that paradigm on its head, shifting to a predictive, preventive approach. Today, some teams start their day not just with a coaching meeting, but with an injury risk report generated by AI. And the results have been nothing short of game-changing. One of the pioneers in this area is Zone7, a platform often described as a “crystal ball” for injury risk. Zone7’s AI system ingests mountains of data – from players’ GPS tracking and game stats to sleep logs and even weather conditions – and looks for patterns that precede injuries. The system can then flag players who are entering a “danger zone” of injury risk. For example, Spanish soccer club Getafe CF began using Zone7 in 2017, and within the first season they saw a 40% reduction in injury volume. By the second season, as the AI got smarter with more data, injuries were down 66% compared to before. In practical terms, they went from three injuries to one – a massive improvement. The head of performance at Getafe noted, “of every three injuries we had two seasons ago, we now have only one. ” That kind of result turns heads in the sports world. It’s no surprise that other teams followed suit: Scottish champions Rangers FC and MLS clubs like Real Salt Lake and Toronto FC adopted the same system, and Zone7 now works with 50+ clubs globally. The AI doesn’t just say “high risk” in general – it even indicates which body part is most likely to get injured and how many days of recovery might be needed if it happens, giving coaches very actionable insight on how to intervene. In the U. S. , the high-contact world of the NFL has turned to data for help as well. The league partnered with Amazon Web Services to create the “Digital Athlete,” a highly sophisticated AI simulation platform. Using 38 ultra-high-definition cameras in every stadium (shooting in 5K at 60 frames per second), they capture each play from every angle. This feeds into machine-learning models that simulate millions of game scenarios – like a virtual crash-test dummy for football players. The AI looks for how and when injuries occur in these simulations, helping identify risk factors. Thanks to insights from this system, the NFL introduced small rule changes (for example, tweaks to kickoff formations) and training adjustments. The result? In 2024 the NFL recorded its lowest concussion rate on record – a 17% drop in concussions versus the previous year. The league’s ability to simulate 10,000 seasons worth of games under proposed rule changes helped them proactively design a safer game without waiting for trial-and-error in the real world. That’s AI literally rewriting the playbook to protect players. AI-driven injury prevention isn’t limited to predicting pulled muscles or concussions; it’s informing the entire training process known as load management. Teams carefully monitor how much stress (physical and even mental) each athlete endures, aiming to keep them in an optimal zone – enough to improve, not so much that they break. Machine learning excels at spotting the subtle tipping points in these loads. For example, Sparta Science has introduced AI-powered force plates that athletes jump on; the system analyzes their jump dynamics to flag strength imbalances and fatigue that precede injury, then prescribes personalized exercise adjustments. And Kitman Labs, another leader in this space, combines everything (game stats, practice workload, recovery metrics, injury history) into one intelligence platform. By analyzing all that data, Kitman’s AI helps coaches tailor training to each athlete’s needs in real time. In one early use case, a professional rugby team that implemented Kitman’s system reported 30% fewer injuries and 10% higher player availability over two seasons. These reductions aren’t just medical statistics – they translate to more star players on the field when it counts. Perhaps most impressively, AI injury prevention systems have proven their worth in keeping championship teams intact. English football club Liverpool FC, for instance, reportedly adopted an AI-driven approach (including tools like Zone7) after suffering an injury crisis. The next season, they saw a 30% reduction in days lost to injury among players. Over in Major League Soccer, 2022 champions Los Angeles FC leveraged similar analytics and achieved a 53% drop in overall injuries, including a 69% reduction in non-contact injuries (the types AI is especially good at predicting). To sports executives, those numbers are jaw-dropping – they mean fewer lineup disruptions, more consistency, and better performance when it matters. Injuries will always be part of sports, but AI is helping teams stay one step ahead of misfortune. What was once the “holy grail” of sports science – reliably preventing injuries – is finally coming within reach. Data-Driven Tactics and Game Intelligence Staying healthy is one side of the coin; outsmarting the opponent is the other. Here, too, AI is making a decisive impact. Coaches have always studied film and stats to devise tactics – think of legendary NFL coach Bill Belichick dissecting hours of game tape, or soccer managers parsing through scouting reports on opponents. Now imagine giving those coaches a supercomputer assistant that can break down every play, every formation, every tendency of every team in the league, and do it in seconds. That’s essentially what modern AI-powered analytics platforms are offering. Consider the NBA, where the small court and continuous action provide a perfect playground for big data. Every movement of the players and the ball can be tracked. The league’s analytics partner Second Spectrum deploys advanced computer vision systems to log millions of data points each game – soon to be billions of data points as their new “Dragon” platform rolls out. This data deluge isn’t just for show. It enables entirely new layers of strategy analysis. Coaches can receive real-time readouts of things like player spacing, defensive alignment, or how fatigue might be affecting shot probability. In fact, during NBA games, Second Spectrum’s AI is already generating augmented reality graphics for broadcast that show, say, the live probability of a shot going in or the speed of a player’s cut. But behind the scenes, those same insights feed into coaching decisions: Who needs to be subbed out before their performance drops? Which opposing lineup is our current strategy struggling against? AI can flag these in ways that even a whole team of assistant coaches might miss in the heat of the game. As one report noted, this technology is giving coaches real-time insights into player fatigue, injury risk, and performance optimization that were impossible just a few years ago. In other words, the sideline is getting smarter. A remarkable recent example of AI-assisted strategy comes from an unexpected source: women’s professional soccer. In 2025, Laura Harvey, head coach of the NWSL’s OL Reign (Seattle’s top women’s team), made waves by openly admitting she used ChatGPT as a tactical brainstorming partner. Frustrated with her team’s results, she asked the AI language model questions about her team and potential tactics – essentially using it as an analytical sounding board. One prompt was, “What formation should you play to beat NWSL teams? ” The AI, digesting available data and known patterns, suggested that her squad try a back-five defensive formation against certain opponents. This was an unconventional move, but Harvey and her staff found merit in the suggestion. They did their own analysis to validate it (“AI proposed, humans disposed” – a theme we’ll revisit) and implemented the new formation in matches. The outcome? The Reign, who had been near the bottom of the standings in 2024, climbed to fourth place in 2025 as they headed into the season’s final stretch. Harvey noted that while the AI didn’t spell out every detail (“it didn’t tell you how to play it or what exactly to do” on the field), its high-level suggestion spurred a tactical shift that correlated with improved results. It’s a striking case of a coach using a generative AI tool to get outside her own tactical box – and it paid off in wins. If a chatbot can help a coach go from last place to playoffs, it certainly grabs the attention of other coaches. Beyond these anecdotes, more formal uses of AI in game strategy are emerging. Machine learning models can simulate thousands of “what-if” scenarios for upcoming games: for example, if a football coach wants to know how an opponent might respond to a no-huddle offense in rainy weather, they can simulate it. According to research, AI models that collaborate with soccer clubs have been able to recommend formation tweaks (like adjusting how a team defends corner kicks or counter-attacks) that outperformed the team’s original tactics about 90% of the time in simulations. Some clubs are using “collective dynamic” models that track the movement patterns of all 22 players on the pitch to identify weaknesses in real time. And it’s not just theory – many of these ideas are being tested quietly by teams in training sessions or lower-stakes games. Even in American... - Published: 2025-11-13 - Modified: 2026-02-04 - URL: https://wsc-sports-dev.ltu.co.il/blog/industry-insights/tapping-into-creator-culture-the-nfls-playbook-for-reaching-the-next-generation/ - Categories: Industry Insights The NFL is creating an entirely new playbook focused on creators. Here's how that change is helping the league win the next generation of fans and what it means for everyone else. Key Takeaways -Partnering with creators allows rights holders to reach younger, digital-native audiences who crave authenticity, relatability, and interactive storytelling. -The NFL’s creator program proves that fan engagement thrives when leagues embrace diverse voices and expand their storytelling beyond traditional broadcasts. -AI-powered content tools can help rights holders scale creator-driven storytelling across platforms, tailoring every piece to fans’ unique interests and behaviors. About an hour before the week 1 game between the Chargers and the Chiefs, Roger Goodell made an appearance on the pregame show. It all looked very familiar, apart from two things: the NFL commissioner joined the Brazilian show, which made sense given that the game was held in São Paulo; and he was hosted by YouTube creator Casimiro Miguel and his friends from CazéTV, which was fitting since it was YouTube's first exclusive NFL broadcast. The livestream on CazéTV's YouTube channel was one of four creator-led altcasts, dubbed "Watch With" streams, offered by the video platform and the NFL for the Chargers-Chiefs game. While altcasts take viewers away from the main broadcast, they're a great way to reach younger audiences. “It adds so much to the experience, particularly for the young fans,” said Goodell. “It’s a new audience, and a bigger audience, and that’s what we’re all about. ” Multiple watchalong streams were only one part of the offering for young fans. The American pregame show was hosted by YouTube creators Kay Adams and Peter Overzet. One of the sideline reporters was Deestroying, a former pro football kicker turned creator. And during the game, YouTube debuted new content from creators such as MrBeast, Haley Kalil, Michelle Khare, and Marques Brownlee, who together have more than 475 million subscribers. Creators Take the Field The NFL's love affair with creators started in the 2023 season, with the launch of its “Creator of the Week” program. In its first year, the program provided 27 creators with access to games, behind-the-scenes areas, and exclusive experiences. The campaign generated eight YouTube Shorts per creator, resulting in: More than 160 million impressionsOver 50. 8 million views11 viral videos with more than 1 million views eachOver 2. 2 million engagements Since then, the NFL has expanded the program, making creator content an essential component of its marketing strategy. The target audience of this content is casual fans, primarily Gen Zers and Millennials, who prefer hearing directly from authentic, relatable voices. “Even on our own channels, the creator content actually outperformed some of our own lead content,” said Ian Trombetta, SVP of Social, Influencer, and Content Marketing at the NFL. From Influence to Connection: What Drives Gen Z Engagement That's not a coincidence. According to a study by the creator agency Whalar, which surveyed 2,000 people ages 18 to 40 in the US and UK, creators and influencers foster a sense of community, belonging, and trust among younger generations. Key findings include: Gen Zers and Millennials are twice as likely as Boomers to trust influencers62% of Gen Zers and Millennials trust product recommendations of people who follow the same content creators63% of young consumers trust content from creators as much or more than content from big organizations Recognizing this, the NFL started pairing players and creators with common interests. The fact that most NFL players are young and grew up following different creators helped them embrace these collaborations, which spotlighted aspects of football culture that resonate with a broader audience than typical NFL viewers. From the get-go, the league partnered with creators from diverse categories, including gaming, food, music, fashion, lifestyle, comedy, and other non-sports backgrounds. “Those also happen to be huge passion points for the players,” said Trombetta. “You can start to see where all these intersect. There’s limitless opportunity for us to tell those types of stories. ” Supercharging Creator Storytelling The lesson for rights holders is clear: tapping into creator-led storytelling isn’t a nice-to-have anymore; it’s how you break through the noise. Younger fans don’t want polished, corporate messaging. They want voices that feel authentic, formats that fit their feeds, and stories that blend sports with culture, humor, and lifestyle. By weaving athletes into those narratives, organizations can build new entry points into their sport and enhance the fan experience. To truly unlock the potential of creators, organizations need the right technology. AI-powered content solutions can instantly transform creator assets into multi-format clips, adapt them for different platforms, and personalize distribution based on fan interests, creating a powerful content pipeline. And when creators’ voices are amplified this way, their relatability doesn’t just draw attention; it builds lasting connections. Actionable Insights -Collaborate with creators who share your audience’s passions. Pair athletes with creators from lifestyle, music, or gaming to tell stories that feel authentic and relatable. -Turn creator content into a pipeline, not a campaign. Develop ongoing partnerships that generate consistent, multi-format content across social and owned platforms. -Use AI-powered tools to amplify reach. Automate personalization, formatting, and distribution so each creator-driven moment connects with the right fans, on the right channel, at the right time. > Generative AI is transforming sports media workflows through dubbing, localization, and automated storytelling that keeps pace with the game. - Published: 2025-11-12 - Modified: 2026-02-04 - URL: https://wsc-sports-dev.ltu.co.il/blog/industry-insights/the-new-phase-of-ai-in-sports-media-from-automation-to-content-generation/ - Categories: Industry Insights Generative AI is moving beyond the buzz and into the real workflows of sports media. This piece looks at how dubbing, automated writing, and intelligent localization are reshaping how creative teams produce and adapt content at scale. In sports media, automation has already changed the way content is produced and distributed. What used to take hours of manual editing can now be done in minutes with AI tools that automatically detect, clip, and publish key moments across platforms. But a new phase is emerging; one that builds on this foundation of speed and scale. Generative AI (GenAI) is beginning to reshape how content is adapted, localized, and repurposed, creating entirely new efficiencies for sports organizations worldwide. Breaking the Language Barrier For global sports brands, localization has always been a challenge. GenAI is rapidly changing that. Leagues like LaLiga and Formula 1 are already using AI dubbing and multilingual captioning to make their content accessible to fans across continents — no extra crews, no manual subtitling. From a single workflow, an English-language highlight can become a Spanish, Japanese, or Arabic one, complete with authentic voice tones and synced emotion. These tools are also being adopted by broadcasters and streaming services. DAZN, for instance, has explored AI-driven dubbing and voice cloning to deliver live commentary in new languages. What was once an annoying post-production task now happens instantly, keeping pace with the live moment instead of following it. Fans everywhere get the same story, in the moment, without waiting for translation. Video That Writes Itself GenAI is also changing the way written content is created. Publishers like ESPN and The Athletic are testing systems that can turn video feeds and play-by-play data into readable summaries and game recaps that appear as on-screen articles. This type of content isn’t cannibalizing sports journalism, but creating those short, surface-level narratives that are quite monotonous to produce, so editors can focus on more in-depth storytelling. The impact is subtle but important. It means every game, no matter the league or market size, can now be documented and shared. AI handles the routine reporting. Humans bring insights. The Goal: A Smarter Creative Cycle GenAI is setting a new standard for how sports organizations and media outlets produce and adapt content. Rather than creating massive volumes of content, the focus is on better alignment between content, context, and audience. Every innovation in dubbing, captioning, or automated storytelling pushes the industry closer to that balance where creativity and technology operate as a single, seamless workflow. The shift is already underway. As AI systems learn to understand tone, intent, and audience preferences, sports organizations will spend less time reproducing moments and more time shaping how those moments are experienced. The result is a creative process that can move as fast as the game itself. - Published: 2025-11-10 - Modified: 2026-02-04 - URL: https://wsc-sports-dev.ltu.co.il/blog/industry-insights/the-night-hank-aaron-made-history-how-one-swing-shaped-my-love-for-sports-and-storytelling/ - Categories: Industry Insights Fifty-one years later, the night Hank Aaron broke Babe Ruth’s record reminds us why the most powerful sports stories begin with human connection. The story of Hank Aaron’s record-breaking home run reveals what makes sports storytelling timeless. It also shows how the same emotional foundations that moved fans in 1974 continue to guide innovation at WSC Sports today. For me, that moment was in Atlanta, Georgia, with my childhood hero, Hank Aaron. I worshipped Hank. I begged my dad to take me to Braves Picture Day that September in 1973, the kind of day when kids could step onto the field and meet their heroes. Hank was sitting on 713 home runs, and I proudly wore this oversized button that read, “C’mon Hank 715! ” I kept it on my dresser all winter long, dreaming about the day he would break Babe Ruth’s record. That fall, Atlanta–Fulton County Stadium felt like the center of the baseball universe. Each home run carried the weight of history. When the 1974 season began, I worried Hank would break the record on the road. He tied Babe Ruth with number 714 in Cincinnati on Opening Day. I was heartbroken. Over the next few games, no home runs. The dream was still alive. April 8, 1974. My dad, a few friends, and I sat along the first-base side under the second deck as a light drizzle fell. The air was heavy with anticipation. In the bottom of the fourth, with Darrell Evans on first, Al Downing threw his second pitch. Hank’s wrists, quick as lightning, turned on it. A high drive. Deep left center. And then... history. Milo Hamilton’s radio call still echoes in my head: It was the first time I understood the power of sports. The power of a shared moment. The power of heroes. Why That Night Still Matters Fifty-one years later, I still have the button and the same feeling. That night was not only about a record. It was about connection. Between generations. Between teammates. Between a city and a player who carried the hopes of fans and the weight of a nation’s history. Hank’s grace under pressure defined what authenticity looks like in sports. Even now, when I work on projects at WSC Sports that use AI to help leagues tell their stories in real time, that lesson stays with me. The most powerful stories are still the most human ones. From Broadcast to Algorithm In 1974, one swing captured the world’s attention through a few television cameras and radio microphones. Today, WSC Sports technology allows fans everywhere to relive similar moments instantly on their phones, in their feeds, and in any language. The goal remains the same. Amplify emotion, and preserve the integrity. Technology can certainly do the amplifying, but it cannot replace the raw, human emotion. When I think of Hank’s 715th, I remember the pause after the crack of the bat. No commentary, no overproduction, only the roar of the crowd. That silence became its own form of storytelling. Even in an era of automated highlights and AI-generated commentary, emotion leads the story. That's what fans remember. > Explore how Gen AI is revolutionizing sports betting in 2025 — boosting accuracy, personalization, and engagement across every fan touchpoint. - Published: 2025-11-08 - Modified: 2026-02-04 - URL: https://wsc-sports-dev.ltu.co.il/blog/industry-insights/ai-sports-betting-revolution-how-genai-is-generating-300-higher-accuracy-in-2025/ - Categories: Industry Insights Learn how Gen AI is driving unprecedented accuracy, hyper-personalized fan experiences, and real-time engagement that’s reshaping how fans watch, wager, and connect with sports. Not long ago, the idea of artificial intelligence in sports betting was an experimental novelty. A “nice to have” for tech-savvy sportsbooks. Fast-forward to 2025, and Generative AI (GenAI) has become a core competitive edge in the industry. From mainstream sportsbooks to cutting-edge betting apps, AI-driven tools are now table stakes for success, fundamentally transforming how bets are set, analyzed, and experienced. The AI in sports market is projected to surge from $10. 8 billion in 2025 to over $60 billion by 2034 (21% CAGR), reflecting insatiable demand for data-driven insights and immersive content. In sports betting, GenAI has moved beyond hype to hard results — delivering unprecedented accuracy in predictions, highly personalized user experiences, and new levels of real-time engagement that were unimaginable just a few years ago. In this forward-looking analysis, we’ll explore how GenAI is revolutionizing sports betting accuracy (with up-to-date data on its impact), reshaping content personalization and engagement (especially for Gen Z bettors), and driving innovation across B2C platforms, B2B tech providers, and AI infrastructure alike. We’ll also discuss the crucial risks and regulatory considerations that come with an AI-driven betting boom. By the end, it will be clear why GenAI has evolved from a fringe experiment to an essential pillar of sports betting strategy in 2025, and what industry leaders must do now to stay ahead in this AI-fueled era. Defining “Accuracy” in 2025: More Than Just Win-Loss Predictions When we talk about dramatically improved accuracy from AI in sports betting, it encompasses several interrelated metrics that have all leapt forward in 2025: Predictive Win Probability. Sportsbooks and bettors now leverage AI models that calculate dynamic win probabilities for teams or players with far greater precision. These models ingest a myriad of inputs (historical stats, real-time game data, weather, injuries, etc. ) and update continuously during games. The result is highly calibrated probabilities that mirror real outcomes more closely than ever before. For example, modern live-betting models can integrate player tracking data, social media sentiment, and even fatigue indicators to adjust a team’s win chance on the fly. This level of accuracy means both bookmakers and bettors get a clearer picture of how likely a bet is to succeed at any given moment. Bet Success Rates. From the bettor’s perspective, “accuracy” ultimately means winning bets more often. AI has made significant strides here by arming bettors with smarter tools and predictions. Instead of gut instinct or basic stats, users now have AI assistants flagging subtle patterns and advantageous odds. Data-driven betting decisions are paying off – analysts have found that AI-powered prediction tools can drive a 15–20% increase in successful bets for users. In practical terms, a casual bettor who might historically hit ~50% of their picks might improve to ~60% with AI-guided insight. That difference is massive in sports betting, turning break-even bettors into profitable ones. It’s no wonder a leading platform saw its prediction accuracy jump 28% after implementing an AI model tracking 50+ variables, especially improving picks on underdogs and point spreads. Odds Calibration and Risk Management. Accuracy isn’t only about predicting the right winner; it’s also about setting the right price. Sportsbooks use AI to finely calibrate odds so that they closely reflect true probabilities (with a margin for the house). In 2025, bookmakers’ AI models constantly adjust lines as new data arrives – and these adjustments are far more precise than in the past. Sophisticated neural networks plus calibration techniques have led to odds that better mirror real outcomes, reducing the sportsbook’s exposure to unexpected results. One gold-standard measure of accuracy, the Closing Line Value (CLV), shows that top AI models beat the final market odds by about 3–7% on average, proving they consistently identify mispriced bets before the market corrects. For sportsbooks, this means fewer costly surprises and more confidence that their lines are accurate and competitive. Personalized Bet Suggestions. A more holistic view of accuracy in 2025 includes how accurately a platform can match the right bet with the right user. AI-driven personalization engines analyze each user’s behavior to serve up the wagers or content they are most likely to engage with – essentially predicting user preferences with high accuracy. If a bettor typically favors NBA underdog parlays, the AI will “accurately” surface similar opportunities at just the right time. This tailored approach has proven effective: platforms using advanced personalization see a 35% boost in user engagement, and tailored offers can drive 20–30% higher revenue versus one-size-fits-all campaigns. In short, AI’s accuracy extends to engaging the customer with content and bets that resonate, which in turn drives higher conversion and loyalty. Taken together, these facets define what accuracy means in sports betting circa 2025. It’s about getting the probabilities right, helping bettors make better choices, and delivering the most relevant options to each user. The days of crude estimates and generic odds are fading; in their place, AI is ensuring that every percentage point and every recommendation is as precise and personalized as possible. The GenAI Accuracy Leap: Real-World Data on AI’s Impact It’s one thing to claim AI improves betting accuracy – it’s another to see it quantified. Fortunately, recent reports and case studies provide hard evidence of the GenAI revolution in numbers. And those numbers are eye-popping: Figure: Pre-AI vs. GenAI Prediction Accuracy. AI-driven prediction models in 2025 achieve significantly higher correct prediction rates compared to older methods. Industry analysts note that modern AI models can reach 75–85% accuracy in picking game winners across major sports, whereas traditional statistical models often plateaued closer to ~50–60%. This chart illustrates a hypothetical accuracy jump (from ~60% to ~80%) reflecting the kind of improvements seen as AI systems matured. Such gains underscore why executives are touting “triple-digit” percentage improvements in predictive performance with GenAI. 62% Increase in Betting Accuracy. One industry roundup measured that AI-based predictions led to a 62% boost in betting accuracy for users, meaning bettors following AI insights significantly outperformed those using conventional approaches. This kind of leap can turn a marginal betting strategy into a reliably profitable one, radically altering the bettor’s long-term outcomes. User Success Up, Sportsbook Edge Maintained. It might sound paradoxical, but both bettors and books benefit from AI. Bettors enjoy more wins (as noted by the 15–20% uptick in successful bets with AI tools), while sportsbooks use the same tech to sharpen their lines and hold margins. The key is that AI reduces “dumb money” mistakes on both sides. Bettors stop making easily avoidable errors, and bookmakers plug leaks where lines might have been way off. The net effect is a more efficient market. Indeed, AI-driven odds are so precise now that any bettor who can still beat them consistently really has to have an edge – often by using AI themselves. It’s an arms race of algorithms, and everyone is upgrading. 300% Higher Accuracy? The title of this article highlights “300% higher accuracy,” and while every sport and metric differs, in certain contexts this is barely an exaggeration. Consider micro-level predictions: a human bettor’s chance of correctly calling the exact sequence of events in a game (like a series of play-by-play outcomes) might be almost random, say 10–20%. An AI model synthesizing thousands of games of data can boost that to 40%+ – a 200–300% increase in accuracy for those granular bets. Or take personalized offers: a few years ago, targeting offers was guesswork, and maybe 1 in 10 promotions hit the mark; with AI segmentation, 3–4 in 10 do – again, on the order of 3x better accuracy in relevance. These are illustrative, but they show how GenAI is making previously impossible precision a reality. Ultimately, AI isn’t making sports betting easy or risk-free – but it is making it far more exact. Predictions are no longer wild guesses but probabilities grounded in deep analysis. The data confirms it: whether it’s smarter odds, higher hit rates, or razor-sharp personalization, GenAI is delivering measurable improvements that have validated its essential role in the sports betting toolkit for 2025 and beyond. Gen Z and the New Betting Experience: Real-Time, Personalized, Content-Rich For the generation raised on smartphones, streaming, and TikTok, the traditional betting experience just doesn’t cut it. Gen Z bettors (and their millennial counterparts) are rapidly reshaping the sports gambling market with demands for immediacy, personalization, and immersion. To engage these digital natives, sportsbooks are harnessing GenAI to create real-time, content-rich, micro-betting experiences that align with Gen Z’s habits and preferences. First, consider attention spans and content consumption: Younger fans notoriously prefer highlights and bite-sized content over full games. A survey found that over half of 18–34 year-old NBA and MLB fans would rather watch highlights than entire games. This is the SportsCenter generation on steroids – and if a betting app doesn’t cater to that, Gen Z will scroll away. That’s why modern betting platforms are integrating short-form videos, live graphic visualizations, and snappy updates into their interfaces. For example, some apps now show instant highlight clips or story-style updates for games you’ve bet on, rather than just a dull scoreboard. The goal is to match the rich media environment Gen Z is used to: visual, interactive, and continuous. In mobile experiences, video-heavy, personalized content can triple engagement in a year’s time – precisely the kind of lift sportsbooks seek to keep young bettors on their apps longer. Equally important is the rise of micro-betting – wagering on in-game events, minute by minute. Gen Z loves it. Why? It offers the instant gratification and continuous engagement that this demographic craves. Instead of placing a bet before a game and waiting three hours, micro-bettors might wager on the outcome of the next drive, the result of this power play, or even the next pitch. It turns every moment of a match into a potential thrill. Platforms have leaned into micro-markets for fast-paced sports like basketball, soccer, and esports, which are naturals for this format. And GenAI is the engine making it possible – auto-generating odds for each micro-event, handling rapid data updates, and even generating on-the-spot content (like a quick animation or commentary) to accompany the bet. The result is a seamless blend of live sports and interactive gaming. One industry analysis described it well: “Every moment of a game becomes an opportunity for interaction and excitement, keeping Gen Z fans more connected than ever. ” Figure: Gen Z Bettor Journey with GenAI Touchpoints. Today’s young bettors experience sports gambling as a personalized, interactive journey across three phases. Pre-Game, GenAI delivers tailored previews and tips – for example, a push notification with a video highlight of their favorite player alongside a data-driven bet suggestion. In-Game, micro-bets and real-time AI-driven content keep them engaged: they might use a chatbot to find an interesting prop bet, then watch an automatically generated highlight clip of a big play moments after it happens. Post-Game, AI provides a recap of bets (maybe a summary video of how their bets played out) and personalized offers for next time (like a promotion on a team they showed interest in). Each touchpoint is optimized by AI to be fast, relevant, and fun – exactly what Gen Z demands. Another Gen Z hallmark is social and conversational interaction. This generation is used to chatting in group texts, Discord channels, and comment sections while watching sports. Betting is becoming a part of that social fabric, and AI is stepping in here as well. New AI-powered betting chatbots and agents are emerging that live in messaging apps or group chats. Imagine texting friends about the game and typing, “What are the odds the Jets score next? ” – and instantly everyone sees the odds and a button to place that bet. Another tool can respond to natural language prompts like “Show me the best plus-EV NFL props tonight” and return not just suggestions but execute the bets automatically. This chat-based, conversational interface aligns perfectly with how Gen Z communicates. It lowers the barrier for new bettors by letting them interact with a friendly AI “betting buddy” rather than navigating complex menus. It’s betting woven into their everyday digital life. Finally, Gen Z cares about personalization and authenticity. They expect the apps they use to know them (without being creepy) and to cater to their interests. GenAI algorithms crunch user data to ensure that a Gen Z bettor who primarily follows, say, European soccer will see a homepage full of EPL and Champions League betting content – not a random hodgepodge of sports. This goes beyond content filtering; AI can tailor the type of bets (e. g. , more prop bets if they prefer those), the language/tone of messaging (maybe more playful for a younger vibe), and even responsible gaming nudges appropriate for their profile. The payoff for platforms is huge: tailored experiences drive retention – personalized betting offers can boost engagement by nearly 50%. For Gen Z, it means betting starts to feel like an extension of their fandom and identity, not just a transactional activity. In summary, Gen Z is pushing the sports betting industry to innovate on speed, personalization, and multimedia engagement – and GenAI is the critical technology making it happen. The sportsbooks that win with Gen Z will be those that provide real-time everything, from odds to content, and make the experience as interactive and personalized as the other apps on a young fan’s phone. As we’ll see next, the core innovations in GenAI for sports betting are aligning exactly with these needs, heralding a new era of betting that feels more like a personalized streaming service than a trip to the bookie. Core GenAI Innovations Transforming Sports Betting 1) Deep Neural Predictive Models The foundation of AI’s impact on betting is the might of modern predictive modeling. Using deep neural networks and machine learning, these models analyze vast datasets (years of historical results, play-by-play data, player and team stats, etc. ) to forecast outcomes with uncanny accuracy. Unlike traditional models that might consider a handful of factors, today’s AI models crunch dozens if not hundreds of variables – from obvious ones like team form and injuries to nuanced signals like a referee’s tendencies or even social media sentiment preceding a game. For example, a GenAI model might notice that a certain NBA team performs poorly in late games of road trips and that this correlates with their coach shortening his rotation (something buried in game logs). It incorporates such patterns into its win probability predictions, yielding a more informed outlook than any human could synthesize. Crucially, these AI models learn and self-improve over time. They use techniques like reinforcement learning and continual updating with new data. By 2025, many bookmakers’ models are “live” 24/7, updating predictions continuously during a match. If a star player rolls an ankle in the second quarter, the model updates the win probability in seconds, recalibrating all related odds. We also see ensemble models – multiple AI systems voting or combining forecasts – which smooth out errors and push accuracy even higher. The result: top models achieve around 75–85% accuracy in... > How emerging leagues like TGL, SailGP, and MLS use AI and innovation to redefine fan engagement and sports identity. - Published: 2025-11-05 - Modified: 2026-02-04 - URL: https://wsc-sports-dev.ltu.co.il/blog/industry-insights/turning-experimentation-into-identity-how-emerging-leagues-are-winning-fans-with-technology/ - Categories: Industry Insights From AI-powered golf arenas to data-driven sailing and MLS’s global tech collaborations, emerging leagues are using technology to reinvent what it means to be a fan. Key Takeaways -Emerging leagues are redefining innovation in sports, using technology not as an add-on but as the foundation of their identity. -From AI-driven analysis to immersive AR and VR experiences, new leagues are transforming how fans watch, interact, and connect with sports. -Experimentation fuels growth: by embracing technology early, these organizations are building a foundation for fan engagement and setting new standards for the entire industry. By any traditional measure, the inaugural season of TGL was a resounding success. The indoor golf league, co-founded by Tiger Woods and Rory McIlroy, averaged 498,000 viewers across ESPN and ESPN2, up 10% over the programming it replaced in comparable windows in 2024. All in all, TGL reached 23. 4 million viewers for its matches in season 1. Season 2's opening match, scheduled for December 28, will consequently air on ABC, the league’s broadcast network debut. But what really stands out is the age of TGL’s audience. With a median age of 52 — 13 years younger than what the PGA Tour draws — TGL is on par with the Premier League and NHL, trailing only the NBA among major US stick-and-ball sports. In the coveted 18-49 demographic, TGL is ranked second (behind the NBA) with 41% of its viewers falling within that range. Which is not surprising, given the role advanced technology plays in the competition. The Course of the Future Technology's role in TGL starts with its venue. All league matches are played inside the SoFi Center, a 250,000-square-foot built-for-broadcast golf arena in Palm Beach Gardens, Florida, with 73 camera sources in, around, and above the field of play to provide footage for ESPN and TGL’s social media and content teams. To put this in context, a standard NFL broadcast features around 35 cameras. The field of play, roughly the size of a football field, is divided into two sections: the ScreenZone and the GreenZone. Each team tees off from a real grass tee box to start each hole, hitting into a 64-by-53-foot simulator screen. When the ball lands within approximately 50 yards of the pin, the players transition to a physical, custom-built GreenZone, which features a 360° rotating turntable and can adjust its topography using nearly 600 actuators. “For a long while, I’ve thought that technology would become infused into the act of playing sports and not just used around it,” said Andrew Macaulay, TGL's chief technology officer. “TGL is, I believe, the first real implementation of that. Over time, I could see more technology being infused into the act of playing golf on a real outdoor golf course. This digitization of golf – and other sports – will benefit both players and the fans. ” Charting New Waters Through Technology Another emerging sport leveraging digitization for the benefit of competitors and fans is SailGP. The international racing series is at the forefront of integrating AI, with features like: - AI-powered anti-crash technology that warns teams of an impending collision, while anomaly detection tech enables teams to proactively manage the catamaran’s moving parts should an issue with a particular component arise. - AI-led analysis and diagnostics, processing billions of data points, allow SailGP’s catamaran engineering teams to identify parts that might be about to fail and preemptively replace them. - AI cameras on SailGP’s F50 catamarans analyze more than four billion data points to capture the most exciting content from each race. In addition to using AI, SailGP employs artificial and virtual reality (AR and VR) to enhance the fan experience on its mobile app. Fans at the venue can point their smartphones at the race to see live, interactive graphic overlays on the water, including race stats, catamaran tracking, and boundary lines. At home, fans can follow the VR experience through 360-degree viewing angles, on-water graphics, overlaps, and leaderboards. While technology is central to their operation, said Melissa Lawton, Chief Content Officer at SailGP, “We don’t do it for its own sake. We do it because sailing is a really cool sport, and we want to open the doors for more people to enjoy and understand it. We have a mission, and many of these innovations help us work towards this. ” Innovation as a Playbook You'd be hard-pressed to find a league that places more value on innovation than MLS. Since striking a landmark 10-year deal with Apple TV in 2022, MLS has been focused on growing its global audience. To that end, the league invited emerging sports and broadcast-centric technology companies to take part in its Innovation Lab program. As part of the program, MLS is co-developing a bunch of products it believes can transform surface-level engagement into long-term commercial value. A good illustration of this is the collaboration with Camb. AI. The audio dubbing and translation service received hundreds of hours of footage from MLS to train its AI translation models, so that the league could soon offer local commentary in every market where Apple is available. “Whether that's the work we're doing with Camb. AI, with Edge Sound to see if we can process AI sound differently, or in the creation of highlights with a company like WSC Sports,” said Chris Schlosser, Senior Vice President of emerging ventures at MLS, “we're starting to see real use cases, and that's what's so fascinating to us. ” From Underdogs to Disruptors For emerging sports and leagues, innovation isn’t a luxury; it’s a survival strategy. When you’re not yet part of the establishment, you have to build relevance one breakthrough at a time. That’s why organizations like TGL, SailGP, and MLS aren’t just adopting new tech — they’re turning experimentation into identity and technology into storytelling. From AI-powered content to immersive experiences that redefine what fan engagement looks like, technology helps these organizations reach fans who crave interaction, personalization, and novelty. In the long run, their bet on technology will pay off. Because in a world where attention is fleeting, the only sustainable edge is to keep reinventing the experience. Actionable Insights -Experiment with technology: start small by testing new tools that enhance storytelling and fan interactivity. -Turn tech into narrative: don’t just showcase innovation; use it to tell stories that highlight your sport’s uniqueness and bring fans closer to the action. -Design for curiosity: create content experiences that invite participation. Immersive, personalized, and dynamic moments keep fans exploring long after the final whistle. > The return of "NBA on NBC" and the evolution of 𝘐𝘯𝘴𝘪𝘥𝘦 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘕𝘉𝘈 mark a new era where shows extend the life of every game across platforms. - Published: 2025-11-04 - Modified: 2026-02-04 - URL: https://wsc-sports-dev.ltu.co.il/blog/industry-insights/inside-the-nbas-influence-on-the-next-generation-of-sports-broadcasting/ - Categories: Industry Insights Key Takeaways -Programming around the games – from studio shows to altcasts – is becoming a key driver of discovery, engagement, and cultural relevance. -Off-court storytelling, authentic banter, and studio moments can attract new audiences and transform broadcasts into must-watch entertainment. -AI-powered content creation enables rights holders to amplify broadcast magic across platforms, turning fleeting moments into lasting engagement opportunities. After 23 years, “NBA on NBC” is finally back. The return of NBA games to the network that aired Michael Jordan's greatest moments is one of the main storylines of the 2025-26 season, which kicked off last week. And while “NBA on NBC” 2. 0 promises to invoke nostalgia – e. g. , by reintroducing the iconic “Roundball Rock” theme music and reviving the late Jim Fagan's “Voice of God” through AI — there's also a buzz around its production innovations and on-air talent. The biggest name on NBC's roster of on-air talent is, in a kind of poetic justice, Jordan. His Airness made his debut during the Rockets-Thunder game on opening night, in the first installment of MJ: Insights to Excellence, a series of interviews that will air throughout the season. According to his new colleague, NFL analyst Cris Collinsworth, the series "will be a deep dive into the brain of Michael Jordan," which sounds like a basketball fan's dream. As for the viewing experience, NBC announced a bunch of new features, which will be available on its streaming platform, Peacock, including: -Peacock Performance View: a new viewing mode providing fans with real-time stats that break down the game. -Peacock ScoreCard: a first-of-its-kind, “bingo meets fantasy sports” experience that gives fans the option to choose a game card based on a team or theme, and then earn points depending on what happens during the game. -Courtside Live: a new feature coming in the second half of the season, which allows fans to watch the game from a coveted courtside seat and insider angles. Inside the NBA House Perhaps the most intriguing production innovation NBC will offer is “On the Bench. ” Drawing inspiration from the networks' NHL coverage, where analysts worked between team benches, “On the Bench” dedicates one analyst to each team and positions them near the assistant coaches to provide unique insights. The format will be used exclusively during games streaming on Peacock, giving users new ways to get into the game. While NBC is banking on industry-first formats and big names, the NBA's other new broadcast partner, Amazon Prime, is highlighting in-depth analysis and its new studio. Dubbed the "NBA House," the 13,000-square-foot studio aims to push the boundaries of sports broadcasting with over 2,300 LED screens, 22 cameras, and a regulation half-court basketball floor, where analysts like Dirk Nowitzki, Blake Griffin, and Steve Nash can demonstrate plays and concepts. “We want to give insight,” said Griffin. “We want to give an actual analysis for pre-game, halftime, and post-game. We want to highlight some of the lesser-known storylines around the NBA. The TNT guys are great. It’s one of the best sports shows on TV. Part of the humor of that show is that they don’t know who some of these guys are. That show is untouchable, but we’re making sure people are actually learning something. ” The Gold Standard of Sports TV The untouchable show is, of course, Inside the NBA, the gold standard when it comes to sport TV shows. Hosted by Ernie Johnson and starring Charles Barkley, Shaquille O'Neal, and Kenny Smith, the halftime and postgame studio show has been a television staple for over three decades due to its ability to generate countless must-watch moments. Whether it's a squirt gun battle that breaks out in the studio, O'Neal failing a spicy chip challenge, or three-point shootouts on the set, Inside the NBA is responsible for some of the most epic moments in sports television history: After 36 years on TNT, Inside the NBA moved to ESPN this season, as part of a sub-licensing agreement between parent companies Disney and Warner Bros. Discovery. All worries about the show changing at its new home disappeared with the first broadcast. The show's producers ran a montage of Barkley joking about the move to ESPN, and after he called it “the greatest sports network ever,” a photoshopped image of him kissing a donkey’s rear end, which had the ESPN name on it, flashed on the screen. Turning Broadcast Magic Into Always-On Content Inside the NBA has proven that sports studio shows can become as iconic as the competition. Drawing in fans with humor, storytelling, technologically advanced sets, or new ways to cover the game, this type of programming can create moments that transcend the box score. The challenge for rights holders will be to ensure these moments don’t fade when the cameras stop rolling. That’s where technology comes in. With AI-powered content creation solutions, every nostalgic segment, unscripted banter, or in-studio game of “Horse” can be transformed into short-form stories optimized for every platform and audience. It’s how rights holders can turn broadcast magic into always-on content, reaching fans who may never tune into the full game but can’t resist the moments that define it. Actionable Insights - Think beyond the game: develop original programming that expands your audience and turns broadcasts into cultural experiences. - Build for amplification: capture spontaneous or entertaining on-air moments, then repurpose them as short-form content to drive discovery and engagement. - Use AI to scale storytelling: leverage AI-powered content tools to automatically tag, edit, and distribute multi-format clips across every fan touchpoint. > Get at insider's look at the production behind an iconic MLB - MasterCard campaign and learn how its principles still shape today's sports content. - Published: 2025-11-03 - Modified: 2026-02-04 - URL: https://wsc-sports-dev.ltu.co.il/blog/industry-insights/mlb-memorable-moments-with-ray-liotta-when-storytelling-felt-personal/ - Categories: Industry Insights David Gavant, Content Executive at WSC Sports, looks back on the night his crew shut down Dodger Stadium to film Ray Liotta and how that partnership helped define what authentic brand storytelling still means today. It was close to midnight in Los Angeles when the stadium lights inside Dodger Stadium lurched to life. The stands were empty, the field... perfectly still. My team, David Check, Mitch Sherr, and a group of skilled camera operators and producers, had been granted the run of the stadium for a single night. We were there to film Ray Liotta, whose voice had already defined baseball storytelling for a generation through his fictionalized portrayal of Shoeless Joe Jackson in Field of Dreams. He stepped in front of the camera with quiet focus, reading lines that would introduce a five-part television series celebrating the greatest moments in Major League Baseball history. The project was called MasterCard Presents MLB Memorable Moments, and it would air nationally on FOX. Fans were invited to vote for their favorite milestones, from Jackie Robinson’s first game to Cal Ripken Jr. ’s “Ironman’ streak. That night, something clicked and it felt less like production and more like preservation. Building a Story Worth the Stadium The set was simple: one actor, one camera, a script written in the language of respect. Liotta delivered every line with care, never forcing emotion, never overselling nostalgia. He understood that baseball stories land best when spoken quietly and honestly. Behind the camera, our focus was on authenticity. Every angle had to feel earned. Every line had to serve the story. MasterCard’s sponsorship gave us the means to tell that story, but never dictated its shape. That freedom was what made the project work. When the broadcast aired the fans were treated to more than a commercial. They saw themselves reflected in a collection of shared memories. A Partnership Rooted in Respect MasterCard’s partnership with Major League Baseball had already been established, but the Memorable Moments campaign gave it new life. The program invited fans to vote online and at ballparks for the plays that stayed with them, transforming a sponsorship into genuine participation. Each vote became an expression of fandom rather than a response to advertising. By joining fans in celebrating the history and emotion of the game, MasterCard built a connection rooted in shared appreciation and helped show how brands could engage audiences through involvement and respect. When Sponsorship Becomes Storytelling The magic of a lasting partnership is trust. MasterCard trusted MLB to protect its brand integrity. MLB trusted MasterCard to elevate its storytelling. That mutual respect let creativity breathe. Every strong sponsorship operates within that framework. It moves past exposure into contribution. When we wrapped filming that night, the stadium fell silent. The crew stood still for a moment. The stillness carried its own applause. We knew the footage would hold up because it felt honest. It looked and sounded like the game. The Long Game Years later, when MasterCard renewed its MLB partnership, it reaffirmed what Memorable Moments had already proven. That a sponsor can become part of a league’s cultural story without overshadowing it. The campaign’s philosophy continues to shape modern sports storytelling. Interactive fan voting, personalized highlights, and branded content that invites participation all trace back to the same idea: stories last longer when they feel shared. Today’s technology allows fans to relive moments seconds after they happen. Yet the principle behind Memorable Moments still applies. Sponsorships are strongest when they add meaning, rather than annoying noise around the game. The Craft Behind the Moment People sometimes ask what I remember most from that Dodger Stadium shoot. It wasn’t the cameras or the lights. It was the rhythm — the pace of setup, the concentration on every take, the patience in every frame. Production, at its best, mirrors the game itself: it's deliberate, detail-driven, and built on preparation. In sports content today, we talk a lot about speed and automation. But those tools only succeed when the craft behind them remains intentional. That night was all intention. Every shot served the story. The goal wasn't to create a flashy video; rather something that fans would remember and feel nostalgia for years later. Actionable Insights The lessons from Memorable Moments still apply to how leagues and brands work together today. -For leagues: Invest in creative partnerships that expand your story without compromising your voice. The best sponsors elevate, they do not dominate. -For brands: Measure meaning as carefully as metrics. The impressions that last are emotional, not statistical. -For storytellers: Find stillness inside speed. Technology will keep evolving, but the audience will always respond to truth. David Gavant is a Sports Content Executive at WSC Sports, focusing on how storytelling and technology combine to bring the emotion of sports to fans around the world. - Published: 2025-11-01 - Modified: 2026-02-04 - URL: https://wsc-sports-dev.ltu.co.il/blog/news/wsc-sports-expanding-its-global-hq-in-new-york-and-london/ - Categories: News Built to support sport, wherever it’s followed Sports organizations are being asked to deliver more than highlights. They are expected to run always-on content operations that support growth, sponsorship value, and fan experiences across an expanding mix of platforms and formats, with the same teams and the same live pressure. To support that reality, WSC Sports is expanding its global HQ in New York City and growing its London office. These expansions strengthen how we partner with customers day to day, especially as more leagues, teams, broadcasters, and digital platforms extend WSC across additional departments and use cases. Why It Matters The sports media operating model has changed. Content strategy now intersects with commercial strategy, audience strategy, and product experience, often inside the same organization and on the same timeline. As customers scale their content output and personalization efforts, the work shifts toward tighter collaboration, faster rollout cycles, and more support across live windows. Expanding our teams in New York City and London helps us meet that demand with stronger coverage, closer partnership, and more capacity to deliver across complex workflows. Key Takeaways - WSC Sports is expanding its global HQ footprint in New York City to support growth across customer success, partnerships, and product collaboration. - WSC Sports is growing its London office to deepen support for organizations across the UK and Europe, where multi-market distribution and localized publishing are central to performance. - WSC Sports operates globally, with offices in London, Sydney, Tel Aviv, Bangkok, Tokyo, Seoul, and Beijing, alongside our global HQ in New York City. New York City, a stronger foundation for global scale New York City remains a key hub for sports business, media, and technology, and it plays an important role in how WSC Sports aligns company strategy with customer outcomes. As more organizations adopt WSC Sports beyond a single team, execution becomes more involved. You need shared standards, reliable governance, and workflows that can scale across brands, regions, and business units without slowing down. Expanding our global HQ presence in New York City supports that kind of partnership. It increases our ability to work closely with customers as they expand WSC Sports into new functions, connect systems across their stack, and build content operations that can keep pace with live demand. London, built for the realities of European sports media The European market moves fast and it moves differently by country. Rights holders often publish across languages, territories, and platform ecosystems that require more nuance than a single distribution playbook. Growing our London office helps us stay closer to customers navigating that complexity. It also improves collaboration during live and post-match publishing windows, supports deeper implementation work, and brings more regional context into how we plan and execute with partners. A global footprint that matches how fandom behaves WSC Sports’ expansion in New York City and London sits within a broader global presence designed around the way sports actually travels. Fans follow leagues, athletes, and storylines across borders, and platforms reward speed and relevance regardless of time zone. That is why we have teams in Sydney, Tel Aviv, Bangkok, Tokyo, Seoul, and Beijing, alongside London and our global HQ presence in New York City. This footprint helps us support partners with real-time coverage, local market understanding, and closer day-to-day collaboration. What’s next WSC Sports’ focus stays consistent: help sports organizations produce and personalize content at scale, with workflows that teams can run reliably under live conditions. Expanding in New York City and London is a direct investment in that mission and in the partners building the next chapter of the fan experience. If you want to learn more about how WSC Sports can support your organization, reach out through our website and we will connect you with the right team. - Published: 2025-10-31 - Modified: 2026-02-04 - URL: https://wsc-sports-dev.ltu.co.il/blog/industry-insights/11-sports-highlights-from-october-2025-that-you-wont-want-to-miss/ - Categories: Industry Insights With all five major US leagues in action and European football in full swing, these are the best sports moments from October. 11. Alcaraz with the 'feathery' touch The top six men's players in the world convened in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia (and fans tuned in on Netflix) for a compact tournament with massive prize money on the line. It was a redemption moment for Alcaraz who had recently lost to Fritz in the Laver cup. He would later go on to win the tournament, but it was this point in the semi-finals match that demonstrated Alcaraz's unparalleled finesse and control. Check it out at the 5:10 mark. 10. Ryan McMahon with the dangerous catch in the Yankees' dugout Known simply as "the rivalry" to some, largely attributed to the 100+ year old "Curse of the Bambino", the Yanks faced off against the Red Sox in this year's AL Wild Card Series. Watch infielder Ran McMahon put his body on the line for this magnificent second out of the inning. 9. The Hurdle, and the Touchdown College football is back, and it's plays like this that get the student section hyped for the new season. Watch as Montana State running back Julius Davis goes up and over the defender to score six. 8. Ja'Marr Chase in Triple Coverage No stranger to highlight reels across the internet, Ja'Marr Chase remains an anchor for the Cincinatti Bengal's offense. In this Week 5 matchup, Chase caught this dart from backup QB Jake Browning. His first of two touchdowns on the day. 7. Alexia Putellas with the Perfect Strike As if you needed another reason to tune into women's soccer. Alexis Putellas showed absolute brilliance scoring the opening goal in Barca's latest UEFA Champions League matchup against Bayern Munich. They would go on to dominate and win 7-1. Check out the goal in the first clip, as well as the rest of the highlights from the game. 6. A'ja Wilson Calls Game With the game tied, A'ja Wilson sealed the victory hitting this tough game-winner against the Phoenix Mercury to go up 3-0 in the WNBA Finals. 5. A Costly Mistake In a clip worth of the number one spot on the NOT top plays of the month, we couldn't resist including this in our recap from October. Around the 75 minute mark, a long-range shot from Cape Verde's Sidny Carbal went straight through the Libyan keeper's legs, rolling softly into the net. While Libya led most of the game, it would end up in a draw. That's rough! 4. Mbappe Takes on the Entire team On October 10th France faced off against Azerbaijan at the Parc des Princes in Paris for a Group D World Cup qualifier. France were heavily favored to win (in large part to the unmatched play of Mbappe). Watch him dribble past seven defenders here for the insane goal. 3. Kick to the face! Switching to combat sports, Australia's Quillan Salkilld faced off against Afghani-born Nasrat Haqparast at UFC 321 in Abu Dhabi. Salkilld took the fight on only a few days' notice, then made quick work of Haqparast with a head-kick at the 2:30 mark of round 1. WARNING: this clip contains footage of a real combat sports knockout that some viewers may find graphic or disturbing. Viewer discretion is advised. 2. Welcome to the NBA, Cooper Flagg The NBA is officially back and fan's are finally getting a glimpse of this year's number one pick in action for the Mavs. The young man is off to a fast start so far showing everyone what all the hype's been about. Check out this monster dunk, which propelled a 13-o Dallas run and eventual 139-129 win. 1. Dodgers - Blue Jays Go 18 Innings We couldn't just pick one highlight to close out the list. This year's World Series has been special following a historic year for the MLB in terms of ratings and fan engagement. Check out ALL the highlights from the game that tied the record for the longest World Series game ever played. - Published: 2025-10-27 - Modified: 2026-04-27 - URL: https://wsc-sports-dev.ltu.co.il/blog/customer-spotlight/how-orange-spain-is-turning-premium-sports-into-a-strategic-advantage/ - Categories: Customer Spotlight Daniel Lopez Nieto, Community & Social Media Manager at Orange Spain, explains how a non-traditional sports media rights holder is successfully using football content to change its brand perception. Orange Spain didn’t step into the premium sports market to play catch-up. It moved in with the intention of redefining its role in the digital ecosystem. In a crowded space where most providers compete on price, bandwidth and content offerings, Orange saw an edge in something less transactional: the experience. Holding sublicensed rights to LaLiga and LaLiga 2 Hypermotion competitions in Spain, the company faced an unusual challenge. It had access to top-tier matches, but not complete production control, and faced common rights restrictions related to timing. For Orange, these limitations forced clarity. It meant they had to build something that differentiates them from other, more-traditional sports media rights holders. Orange didn’t need to become a broadcaster to do what the others do. It needed to find a way to turn those LaLiga matches into digital assets, short-form video, real-time highlights, and tailored content experiences to support its broader customer goals. Scaling Smarter, Not Harder Orange built its approach around automation. With more than 80 matches available each season across the top two divisions of Spanish football, the content team couldn’t afford to rely on manual workflows. Instead, they integrated WSC Sports to help them clip, edit, and distribute game moments across dedicated new digital channels. "We started off with the main goal of establishing a presence within the sports ecosystem,” said Daniel Lopez Nieto, Community & Social Media Manager at Orange Spain. “But we had to be realistic about what we could handle with the resources available. Automation was the only way we could match the ambition we had for our football offering. " The WSC Sports system automatically detects and tags plays, applies branding, and prepares content in the format required by each desired platform. More than half of Orange’s football content now flows through automated pipelines. The team hasn’t grown, but the output has, along with the results. Same Games, Different Content Sublicensing means working with constraints. Orange doesn’t own the footage, so it can’t treat it like an in-house production. But with the right tools, it doesn’t have to. WSC Sports ingests the same broadcast feed, giving Orange the ability to create its own new content, content that feels timely, platform-native, and brand-aligned. Turning Engagement Into Impact Since launching its football initiative with WSC Sports, the impact has been clear. These aren’t just nice numbers, they’re proof that content built for speed, quality, and platform fit drives measurable outcomes. Video content created using the WSC Sports platform received 127 million views vs just 40 million views for other content posted on the same channels in the same time period. Likewise, video completion rate for WSC Sports videos outperforms others. On TikTok, for example, 2. 4% watched 100% of the video when it was created by WSC Sports, vs just 0. 5% completion rate for other non-WSC Sports video. “We are proud of the reach and engagement rate our football content receives. We know these two metrics are key to getting more awareness about our brand offerings and services. ” Lopez Nito said. “We’ve already noticed an increase in subscribers to OrangeTV from our football social media channels, so the next phase is to improve that flow, by creating even better content and experiences for our users,” Lopez Nito added. The more relevant Orange’s content engine becomes, the more likely fans are to stay, explore, and return. Market Reframing Orange Spain is proving that telecommunications companies can do more than deliver connectivity. They can design content ecosystems that keep subscribers engaged, loyal, and spending. By combining access, automation, and audience insight, Orange has created a model that feels modern and strategic. It’s not broadcasting. It’s not social media. It’s a new kind of experience, one that has helped shift perceptions of the Orange brand, and built for people who want football moments on the platforms they already visit everyday. - Published: 2025-10-26 - Modified: 2026-02-04 - URL: https://wsc-sports-dev.ltu.co.il/blog/sports-content-kings-podcast/sports-strategy-and-sustained-success/ - Categories: Podcast On the fourteenth episode of Sports Content Kings, Aviv and Shaka are joined by Stan Kasten, President and Co-Owner of the LA Dodgers. Key Takeaways -Three pillars, one operating system: product (team), customer (venue experience), brand (community) drive every decision—and results. -Distribution evolves every ~25 years; content endures: own the content, adapt formats (live, clips, modular viewing), and you’ll find the right delivery. -From fragmentation to personalization: today’s channel maze gives way to tailored broadcasts and DTC fan relationships powered by data. Kasten’s approach to team building is rooted in three simple ideas. The product is the team itself. The customer is the fan who fills the seats and expects a first-class experience. And the brand is the community connection that keeps those fans emotionally invested. He’s spent decades applying this structure across franchises and leagues, and he insists that every element must work in balance. “A good team can overcome bad marketing,” he said. “A bad team can’t be saved by good marketing. ” At Dodger Stadium, that balance plays out through investment in the roster, a revitalized ballpark, and a commitment to fans who return night after night because they feel seen, valued, and part of something bigger. Watch here or listen on any platform The Evolution of Sports Media Kasten has witnessed every era of sports distribution, from radio, cable, streaming, and now social media and everything else digital. The pattern repeats roughly every 25 years: technology shifts, but fan desire for live experiences remains constant. Ted Turner once told him to invest in content, not hardware. That advice still guides his philosophy. When the Dodgers launched their own television network, it wasn’t just about broadcasting games. It was about controlling the team’s story and ensuring it reached fans where they are, whether that’s through full broadcasts, short highlights, or emerging formats that haven’t been invented yet. As Kasten put it, “You have to watch it live. There’s a different ending every night. ” That unpredictability is what keeps sports irreplaceable in the entertainment landscape. Navigating fragmentation and personalization Modern fans have more ways to watch than ever, but that abundance can create confusion. Some games stream on one service, others on another, and schedules shift constantly. Kasten views this as a temporary phase in a much larger transformation. Eventually, technology will make discovery seamless, and personalization will define the fan experience. The Dodgers are preparing for that future now. They envision direct-to-consumer models where broadcasts, content, and fan engagement adapt to each individual’s preferences. The next logical step in connecting with fans one by one is personalization; understanding what draws them in, and improving the product with every interaction. That approach aligns with Kasten’s belief in staying curious. Whether through AI, stadium innovation, or new storytelling formats, he wants his organization to stay ahead of the next evolution rather than defend the old one. Sustained success through patience and conviction Every organization Kasten has led reflects the same principles: invest in development, empower people, and stay focused on the long view. With the Braves, he rebuilt a losing franchise through the farm system, eventually creating 14 straight division titles. In Washington, he reintroduced baseball to a city that had gone decades without it. And in Los Angeles, he balanced immediate competitiveness with future depth. The Dodgers’ fan-first infrastructure, from SportsNet LA to the center-field plaza, is built on the idea that reinvesting in fans fuels everything else. The same philosophy drove the creation of Demand Analytics, a spinout helping 18 teams better understand pricing and audience behavior. When it comes to management style Kasten believes you should hire good people and let them do their jobs. The hard part is having the conviction to stick to that philosophy when results take time. He compares it to course corrections on a rocket — adjustments happen, but the direction stays steady. Looking ahead For Kasten and the Dodgers, there's no “window” to win. The expectation is to contend every year. Sustained excellence is part of a long-standing culture. That mindset extends beyond baseball. It’s about how an organization adapts, learns, and leads through change. “We have to stay open to the next thing,” Kasten said. “If we sit back and keep doing what worked yesterday, that’s how you fall behind. ” When Shohei Ohtani joined the Dodgers, his message after winning a championship captured the entire philosophy: “Nine more to go. ” Kasten smiles when he tells that story not because while it might sound like a cheesy slogan; it's actually the real mentality of the organizations. - Published: 2025-10-26 - Modified: 2026-02-04 - URL: https://wsc-sports-dev.ltu.co.il/blog/industry-insights/how-athletes-are-building-brands-with-content/ - Categories: Industry Insights Just before the MLB postseason started heating up, David Gavant sat down with Josh Booty to talk about his path from a 1st round MLB draft pick to NFL quarterback, the lessons learned from both sports, and how technology is reshaping the way athletes build-up their brands. Booty’s story begins in Shreveport, Louisiana, where his father and Denny Duron founded Evangel Christian Academy. The new school had no seniors, little experience, and thirty players going up against powerhouses with triple the roster size. To compete, they had to innovate. Those early years became a crash course in leadership, strategy, and timing. The deep shotgun bought time for a small offensive line and gave a teenage quarterback the space to see the whole field. In hindsight, that system helped influence passing offenses across the entire South. Repetition over mystique Booty grew up with coaching in his DNA. His father was a college quarterback, and his neighbors included Terry and Craig Bradshaw. One day, Booty asked Terry how he developed such a strong arm. “He said, ‘Because I throw a lot,’” Booty laughs. “So that’s what I did. Every day, all day. ” Those reps paid off. By his junior year, Booty was throwing 97 miles an hour and breaking state passing records. A stint under former Triple-A shortstop Rami Kujan added another layer of discipline. “He showed me how to look like a pro — how to take BP, how to move in rhythm,” Booty says. “I learned to be efficient. No wasted motion. ” It’s a through-line that connects both sports. Fielding mechanics became pocket mechanics. The rhythm of a shortstop mirrored the timing of a quarterback. Preparation, in any form, translated. Choosing the Marlins By 1994, Booty faced a rare decision: LSU or the big leagues. He’d signed with LSU for baseball and football, but the Florida Marlins — an expansion franchise with ambitious ownership — offered a record signing bonus. “With that kind of opportunity, you can’t say no,” he says. “I loved both sports, but baseball was my first love. And when you’re a first-round pick, you go chase it. ” Booty climbed the Marlins’ system, earning a World Series ring in 1997 and learning early lessons about business, patience, and timing. Four years later, though, football called again; this time through family. A return to Baton Rouge Booty’s brother Abram was playing receiver at LSU, and the idea of lining up together was too strong to resist. He walked into the football offices and told then-coach Gerry DiNardo, “I’m here, I want to play. ” A year later, Nick Saban arrived, and LSU’s transformation began. Playing under Saban and Jimbo Fisher reignited Booty’s passion for the game, and showed him that football was as much mental as physical. “Fans see game day,” he says. “Players live Monday through Saturday. You watch more film than you throw. It’s like prepping for a midterm every week. ” That structure, that process, is what Booty carried with him long after the games ended. The modern fan’s highlight reel Today, Booty still follows the MLB season closely, but like most fans, he lives in the highlights. “Life’s busy,” he says. “I’ll catch the clips first, then tune in for the big games. ” He keeps an eye on the Dodgers and Yankees, with Shohei Ohtani and Aaron Judge as his current favorites. “Ohtani reminds me of my two-sport days,” he says. “He’s doing things we’ve never seen before. ” That way of consuming sports — through clips, notifications, and storylines — reflects the broader evolution of fandom. Fans still crave the drama of October baseball, but how they get there has changed. When athletes became their own networks One of the biggest shifts Booty has seen is in how players tell their stories. In his era, media exposure ran through traditional channels. Today, athletes create, edit, and distribute their own narratives. “It used to be a reporter’s version of your story,” he says. “Now players can tell it themselves. They can build a character, create a brand, and let fans see who they really are. ” He points out that even high school athletes now have recruiting reels and personal highlight pages that can reach college coaches instantly. “When I was a kid, I didn’t even know who Tiger Woods was until we were both finalists for a national award,” Booty says. “Now, a sophomore offensive lineman in Detroit can be seen by every coach in America before lunch. ” For players today, content is currency. And while Booty admits he’s not a fan of “self-promotion for the sake of it,” he sees the necessity. “If your coach isn’t pushing you, you have to find ways to be seen,” he says. “That’s just the era we’re in. ” Highlights Are Growing Fandom Booty rejects the idea that short-form clips pull viewers away from live broadcasts. If anything, he says, they pull fans closer. “It makes me want to watch more,” he explains. “If I see the Greek Freak take three dribbles and dunk from the three-point line, I’m watching his next game. Highlights create curiosity. They make you a fan. ” It’s a philosophy echoed across modern sports media: highlights don’t shrink the pie; rather, they expand it. They’re the entry point, the first touch in the fan relationship, leading back to the full broadcast and the emotional core of live competition. The same playbook, a different field Josh Booty’s career stretches from a small high school in Shreveport to the world’s biggest stages in baseball and football. He’s lived the evolution of both the athlete and the fan; from the handwritten wristband to the algorithmic feed. The platforms have changed, but the formula hasn’t: preparation, repetition, and timing still decide everything. Whether it’s mastering a play call or shaping a brand, success comes from knowing what to do, when to do it, and how to make it look effortless once the lights turn on. > Discover how MLB blends tradition with technology — from hickory bats to AI-powered content — to redefine fan engagement and innovation. - Published: 2025-10-23 - Modified: 2026-02-04 - URL: https://wsc-sports-dev.ltu.co.il/blog/industry-insights/from-hickory-bats-to-ai-mlbs-culture-of-continuous-innovation/ - Categories: Industry Insights Baseball has always been rooted in tradition, but its staying power comes from constant reinvention. From the first hickory bats to AI-powered highlights, MLB’s history is proof that innovation is a major reason why the game endures. Key Takeaways: -Innovation is the reason baseball continues to thrive. MLB shows that legacy and progress can coexist, creating lasting value for fans and the sport alike. -Early tech adoption can redefine an entire industry. MLB’s pioneering move into streaming with MLB. TV set the standard for how sports leagues deliver live content globally. -Personalization is the next big play for fan engagement. MLB’s AI-powered “My Daily Story” feature proves that tailored, short-form video experiences drive deeper emotional connection and daily engagement. Innovation is not the first thing that comes to mind when you think of baseball. Consider the speech Terrance Mann (played by James Earl Jones) gives as he tries to convince Ray Kinsella (Kevin Costner) to keep the baseball field he built on his cornfields in Iowa in the 1989 classic ‘Field of Dreams,’ one of the most memorable monologues in modern cinema: “People will come, Ray. The one constant through all the years, Ray, has been baseball. America has rolled by like an army of steamrollers. It has been erased like a blackboard, rebuilt, and erased again. But baseball has marked the time. This field, this game: it’s a part of our past, Ray. It reminds us of all that once was good, and could be again. Oh... people will come, Ray. People will most definitely come. ” While the game is often portrayed as an enduring cultural legacy, Major League Baseball has historically embraced change. “Innovation has been part of our culture,” said Chris Marinak, chief operations and strategy officer at MLB. “If you talk about innovation and change, particularly for traditional businesses, I think we’re a pretty good example of how you can grow a business and innovate, but still retain the tradition and history that make the game so special. ” With that in mind, here are some of the most impactful innovations in MLB's long history of ingenuity. The Evolution of Bats Throughout baseball's history, bats have undergone numerous transformations. From hickory to ash to maple bats. From bats featuring an unusually long barrel (“bottle” bats) to thin-handle bats. From bats with an axe-like handle to knob-less bats. And last but not least: the “torpedo” bat model, which made headlines this year after Yankees hitters used it to smash 15 homers during their season-opening series against the Brewers. Torpedo bats were devised by Aaron Leanhardt, a former MIT physicist who is currently a field coordinator with the Miami Marlins. According to Leanhardt, the evolution of bats is “the nature of our business. Ultimately, it just takes people asking the right questions and being willing to be forward-thinking. ” Sabermetrics: Moving From Basic, to Advanced Metrics Data has always played a crucial role in baseball analysis. There was only one problem: executives and scouts relied on the wrong data. In that sense, what the sabermetrics movement did was less a revolution than a quantum leap in data analysis: from evaluating players based on vanity stats like batting average, home runs, and RBIs, to employing advanced metrics such as on-base plus slugging, wins above replacement, and fielding independent pitching. The most famous proponent of advanced metrics was, of course, Billy Beane. The former general manager of the Oakland Athletics is the protagonist of the 2003 bestselling book Moneyball, an account of the A's use of sabermetrics to gain an advantage over richer rivals. But it was Bill James, the godfather of sabermetrics, who captured the essence of the movement when he said, “There will always be people who are ahead of the curve, and people who are behind the curve. But knowledge moves the curve. ” MLB. TV: The First to Live-Stream In August 2002, as Billy Beane began changing the way front offices do business, MLB became the first professional sports league to live-stream a regular-season game via a new product: MLB. TV. To put this in perspective, this was two and a half years before the first video appeared on YouTube and four and a half years before Netflix added a streaming option to its DVD rental service. What started as an experiment quickly became the gold standard for sports streaming. It also became a business, as other rights holders wanted to use MLB. TV's technology. In 2017, Disney decided to acquire the technology for $3 billion. “It's mind-boggling to think how early we were back then,” said Noah Garden, MLB's Deputy Commissioner, on the 20th anniversary of the first MLB. TV stream. “We knew we were onto something early, because it was sticky and people kept coming back and it kept growing. ” AI-Powered Personalized Content A new study conducted by IBM revealed that fans prioritize content tailored to their preferences. That's especially true among younger audiences; fans aged 18-29 rank personalization as the most important aspect of sports content. Recognizing this, MLB has recently launched “My Daily Story” — an AI-powered personalized video recap based on each fan's favorite teams and players, similar in format to Instagram Reels or TikTok — on its app and website. The result: the MLB app registered its most-trafficked season ever, with daily traffic increasing by +18% over 2024. “Using gen AI, we can deliver a much more enhanced experience,” said Josh Frost, senior vice president of product at MLB. “There’s a psychological aspect to personalization. If I know something is built for me, it should be more valuable. And that connection is so important these days. ” Actionable Insights -Treat innovation as an ongoing mindset, not a one-off project. MLB’s evolution shows that staying relevant means continually experimenting with new formats, technologies, and fan touchpoints. -Use data and AI to deepen fan connection. Personalized, highlight-driven experiences demonstrate how real-time data and automation can make content feel uniquely tailored to every fan. -Blend heritage with progress. Like MLB, find ways to honor your sport’s traditions while introducing innovations that enhance storytelling, accessibility, and engagement across digital platforms. > Learn how WSC Sports’ In-App Stories helps rights holders enhance content delivery and maximize opportunities for monetization. - Published: 2025-10-21 - Modified: 2026-02-04 - URL: https://wsc-sports-dev.ltu.co.il/blog/industry-insights/in-app-stories-the-vertical-video-experience-driving-fan-engagement/ - Categories: Industry Insights A shift is happening in the way sports teams, leagues, and broadcasters create content. There’s an increasing need to convert traditional, horizontal broadcast footage into vertical videos to capture the attention of younger audiences. So, while platforms like TikTok and Instagram are excellent resources for serving content to current fans and attracting new ones, there’s a growing need for organizations to publish content directly on their owned and operated (O&O) channels. Unlike social media platforms, apps give rights holders the ability to collect first-party data from their users. The data can be used to develop personalized content based on a user’s behavior, thus tailoring the experience for each person. This level of personalization is proven to increase the amount of time users spend in apps, while also bolstering downloads and subscriptions. Learn how NASCAR, LALIGA, and the Philadelphia 76ers Are Using In-App Stories: Automatically Integrate Vertical Videos Into Your App In-App Stories gives rights holders the technical capability to create and insert vertical videos into their apps (and other digital platforms) to create the types of entertaining experiences that users are familiar with from social media. On the backend, the WSC Sports platform uses advanced AI technology to analyze sports competitions from live or non-live footage. The technology recognizes every player and key play that happens during a game, tags them with rich metadata, and then saves the videos to the platform’s library. Using WSC Sports' In-App Stories SDK, clients can integrate those videos (either automatically or manually) into their mobile apps, and share them as tappable stories, swipeable shorts, or standard 9x16 video. Editors can also add elements of interactivity, like polls, quizzes, custom text, and links that direct users to wherever they like. For example, to merch stores, live broadcasts, or websites. Transforming Fan Data into Revenue: The In-App Stories Advantage By combining an understanding of fan preferences with data-driven knowledge about prior purchases, geo-locations, and more, rights holders can create personalized experiences for their fans, presenting them with tickets, merch, and third-party offers that serve a dual goal: enhancing user satisfaction and experience, while driving revenue growth. For advertisers, In-App Stories opens a door to connect with fans via the most popular sports videos in the world, and deliver messages to highly targeted audiences made up exclusively of sports fans. The experience is further enhanced by the real-time production and delivery of relevant content, which ensures attention is captured during peak moments of engagement. As a result, the likelihood of an interaction and conversion is significantly increased. Moreover, with In-App Stories, advertisers get the precision to target specific fan demographics, ensuring that the right message reaches the right audience at the right time. In-App Stories in Action The impact of In-App Stories is backed up by real-world success stories from some of the biggest names in sports. LALIGA is a prime example. After recognizing younger audiences have a preference for bite-sized vertical video highlights, the league partnered with WSC Sports to enhance the fan experience on their relaunched app. With the solution in place, LALIGA achieved a remarkable 70% increase in app sessions and over a 30% increase in average time spent in the app. The surge in engagement solidified LALIGA’s position as the most followed European football league on social media, and one of the most influential leagues in the entire world with over 200 million followers across 16 social media accounts. In 2024, another major sports league, NASCAR, implemented WSC Sports’ technology to deliver live highlights and driver-focused stories that have proved to be a fan favorite. In addition to using stories to enhance the content on their app, NASCAR also uses WSC Sports’ platform to populate race highlights into their race timeline feature. The result has been a remarkable spike in efficiency. Videos are now delivered to the timeline 80% faster, which allowed them to more than double the number of videos on the feed to a total of 13,000 videos—a remarkable 65% growth year over year. Belgian Pro League Implements In-App Stories The league recently extended its five-year partnership to include WSC’s In-App Stories product and will use it to deliver more content to fans on their owned and operated platforms. The Pro League will also use stories as real estate to create new monetization inventory and advertising opportunities. Over the course of the partnership, they achieved tremendous growth across digital channels and AI-powered video played key role. In 2023, the league shared almost 20,000 videos with its clubs—a 107% increase year-over-year, providing teams with more content to engage fans and amplify noise around the league. "WSC Sports’ technology played a major role in the record growth of the league in recent seasons, as we've doubled down on content production across all platforms and formats in multiple languages. " Said, Lorin Parys, Chief Executive Officer at the Belgian Pro League. "Now, we’re thrilled to add the capabilities of In-App Stories to help us meet our fans’ expectations and deliver more of the content they want, where they want to consume it,” Parys, added. In-App Stories offers a dynamic solution for sports organizations, enabling them to consistently engage audiences and deliver meaningful value. With ongoing enhancements and innovations, our platform ensures you have the cutting-edge tools needed to captivate fans and maximize advertising potential. - Published: 2025-10-20 - Modified: 2026-02-04 - URL: https://wsc-sports-dev.ltu.co.il/blog/industry-insights/shai-gilgeous-alexander-tops-first-ever-stars-behind-the-highlights-report/ - Categories: Industry Insights The new report ranks the top 20 players with the most highlights created by NBA rights holders using the WSC platform. Why It Matters Programming follows attention. This ranking shows where fan attention concentrates by measuring the total number of videos created around each player during the 2024-25 season. Use it to plan slates, personalize feeds, and point sponsorships toward the names that drive viewing. Download the full report Get the complete top-20 ranking, analysis, and recommendations. Key takeaways -Shai Gilgeous-Alexander is no. 1. SGA leads the list with 54,691 videos created around his performances, ahead of Nikola Jokić and Stephen Curry. -International stars carry major weight. Eight of twenty players are internationals (SGA, Jokić, Giannis, Dončić, Şengün, Siakam, Anunoby, Towns) and they account for 41. 3% of the Top-20 total. Notably, #1, #2 and #4 are international. -A younger top ten. Anthony Edwards, Jalen Brunson, and Tyrese Haliburton break into the top tier, signaling a generational shift in what fans watch. Fans don't stop watching when the horn sounds. They keep up through short, vertical video across TikTok, Instagram, YouTube Shorts, and team apps. This report captures that behavior and turns it into a simple, comparable signal. We analyzed millions of clips created by all NBA rights holders across the WSC Sports network during the 2024-25 season. We then ranked the top 20 players by total videos created about them. That metric reflects where attention actually goes, independent of jersey sales or speculation. SGA Tops the Ranking -SGA leads the league in total videos created. Jokić and Curry follow, underscoring the pull of international and legacy stars alike. -Concentration at the top means programming around a small group of players can move overall performance. -New names in the top ten show that emerging stars now shape the feed as much as established icons. How rights holders can use this -Program around leaders. Give the top five priority placement across pre-game teases, in-game quick cuts, and next-day compilations. -Personalize by player and language. Many fans follow players first. Build “for you” feeds and alerts around these names to lift return visits. -Plan for peak windows. Align resources to expected surges so every star moment ships in minutes, not hours. Download the full report Get the complete top-20 ranking, analysis, and recommendations. - Published: 2025-10-18 - Modified: 2026-02-04 - URL: https://wsc-sports-dev.ltu.co.il/blog/industry-insights/the-ltv-strategy-how-smart-sports-orgs-turn-data-into-dollars/ - Categories: Industry Insights In the sports industry, Lifetime Value (LTV) represents the total economic value a fan contributes to an organization over the entire duration of their relationship. And it's increasingly becoming a metric that industry executives are honing in on. This includes both direct revenue and indirect revenue components. Direct LTV comes from money that fans spend out-of-pocket on the team: ticket purchases, merchandise, streaming or subscription packages, memberships, and so on. Indirect LTV, on the other hand, comes from the value fans generate through their engagement and attention: their eyeballs on ads and sponsor content, their social media advocacy, and the network effects of them bringing friends into the fold. In essence, every way a fan interacts with the club — whether buying a jersey or simply watching a highlight video that plays a sponsored pre-roll ad — feeds into that fan’s lifetime value. And beyond transactions, an engaged fan delivers value by boosting brand exposure (through word of mouth or social sharing) and even by providing referral value (influencing others to become fans or customers). In short, LTV encapsulates all the direct spending plus the indirect economic impact that a single fan drives for the organization. A key point in defining LTV is that it’s not a one-time snapshot, it’s cumulative over time. This means increasing a fan’s LTV is about cultivating a longer, deeper, and more frequent relationship. For example, a season ticket holder who spends $1,000 each year on tickets, $200 on merchandise, and consumes content that generates another $100 of ad revenue annually could be worth many thousands of dollars over a decade-long fandom. Compare that to a casual fan who might only buy a single game ticket or watch a few highlights — the difference in LTV is huge. Research consistently shows it’s far more profitable to retain and deepen engagement with existing fans than to constantly acquire new ones. It can cost significantly more to acquire a new customer than to retain an existing one, and existing customers (or fans) tend to spend more than new ones. Sports are uniquely positioned here — fandom tends to be long-lasting, even lifelong, which gives clubs a massive opportunity to maximize each fan’s value over time. Building emotional loyalty is especially powerful: fans with an emotional connection to a sports brand can have dramatically higher LTV than those who are merely “satisfied. ” The takeaway is clear: fan LTV is the sum of everything a fan brings in, and growing it means extending and intensifying the fan’s engagement through both spending and attention. Why LTV Matters More Than Ever in a Saturated Attention Economy Today’s sports fan operates in a saturated attention economy — they have endless entertainment options and distractions at their fingertips. From streaming services and video games to TikTok feeds and social media, sports teams are not just competing with other sports for fans’ time, but with every other form of content out there. In this environment, simply acquiring a fan’s attention once isn’t enough. The real battle is keeping that fan’s focus and loyalty over the long haul. This is why maximizing LTV (Lifetime Value) has become so crucial. If you don’t continuously engage your fans, you risk losing them to the noise of the attention economy — and every moment they’re not engaging with you is a moment they’re engaging with something (or someone) else. As we like to say, “reach is plentiful, but retention is perilous” in the modern landscape. In other words, you might accumulate large follower counts or one-off views on third-party platforms, but if those fans aren’t coming back to your channels and converting into lasting relationships, their value disappears almost as quickly as it came. Focusing on fan LTV means focusing on long-term relationship-building rather than short-term wins. That long-term approach is more important than ever. Why? Because quick hits of attention (a viral video, a single sold-out game) are fleeting — sustainable growth comes from habitual engagement. Sports businesses that fixate only on immediate revenue (like pushing a pricey one-off pay-per-view, or over-monetizing in the short term) often miss the larger prize of an expanded, loyal fanbase that drives revenue for years. One vivid example came during the COVID pandemic: some leagues tried to charge fans extra for one-time digital content to make up for lost ticket revenue, but many of those efforts flopped due to fan pushback. Forward-thinking organizations realized it was better to engage and grow fan relationships during that time, even if it meant sacrificing short-term dollars, because that engagement would pay off in future loyalty. As one industry analysis put it, “focusing on short-term revenue means missing out on a greater longer-term prize. ” The attention economy has also raised fan expectations. Modern fans — especially younger ones — demand on-demand, personalized, and constantly updated content. They consume sports in smaller, faster snippets (highlight clips, social media posts, meme-worthy moments) and expect a steady stream of it 24/7, not just on game days. If a team isn’t feeding that appetite, fans will get their fix elsewhere. This is why an LTV-centric strategy goes hand-in-hand with an “always-on” content approach. The more consistently and personally you engage a fan, the more time they will spend within your ecosystem — and the more opportunities you have to monetize that engagement (through ads, merch offers, subscriptions, etc. ). Conversely, every time a fan’s journey with your brand is interrupted or diverted (say, they watch highlights on a third-party platform instead of your app), you lose a bit of potential LTV. In short, maximizing LTV is about winning and holding fan attention over the long run. In a world of fractured attention, that continuity of engagement is gold. It leads to higher retention rates, more frequent interactions, and a deeper emotional connection — all of which translate into greater lifetime value per fan. Barriers to LTV Growth: What’s Holding Teams Back? If boosting fan lifetime value were easy, everyone would be doing it. In reality, sports organizations face several common barriers to growing LTV: -Disjointed & Siloed Data. Many teams still struggle with fragmented fan data that lives in disconnected systems — ticketing databases here, CRM over there, social media stats elsewhere. This lack of a unified view makes it hard to truly know your fans. Traditional CRMs capture some basic info (email, purchase history) but miss the rich behavioral signals from digital engagement. The result is an incomplete picture: you might know a fan’s favorite team and that they bought tickets last year, but you have no idea that they watched 50 highlight videos on your app this month. These data silos prevent organizations from seeing each fan’s full journey, so they end up treating fans in aggregate or with one-size-fits-all approaches. It’s a major barrier to personalization and LTV growth when a single supporter view remains elusive. -Campaign-Driven Mindset vs. Continuous Engagement. A lot of sports marketing is still organized around one-off campaigns — a season ticket renewal drive, a one-time merch email blast, a marketing push around the playoffs, etc. While campaigns are important, an over-reliance on this mindset can hurt LTV. It leads to sporadic engagement spikes rather than a steady drumbeat of interaction. Fans might get a flurry of outreach when the team wants to sell something, then hear nothing for weeks or months. This stop-start approach is the opposite of what today’s fans expect. In the attention economy, engagement has to be always-on and value-driven, not just sales-driven. Organizations stuck in a “campaign-only” mentality often fail to establish the habitual usage and ongoing dialogue that increases a fan’s lifetime value. -Static Fan Segments & Generic Outreach. Even when teams do segmentation, it’s often static and simplistic — like grouping fans by demographic or by a single attribute (e. g. , season ticket holders vs. single-game buyers) — and then blasting each group with the same generic message. Modern fans, however, are anything but static; their behaviors and interests evolve constantly, and they expect brands to keep up. Broad segments result in generic experiences that today’s consumers largely tune out. The problem is that without the right data infrastructure, many teams can’t easily micro-segment or personalize at scale, so they fall back on stale categories like “casual fans” or “avid fans” and blast out identical offers. That approach stunts LTV growth because it fails to deepen the engagement with each fan on an individual level. Beyond these major barriers, we should also acknowledge organizational inertia and siloed teams (e. g. , digital, ticketing, sponsorship not coordinating around a unified fan strategy) as challenges. But the three issues above – fragmented data, short-term campaign thinking, and static segmentation — are often the biggest culprits preventing clubs from improving retention and monetization. The encouraging news is that all of them can be addressed with the right strategy and tools. Leading sports organizations are already attacking these barriers by investing in data platforms and adopting a more fan-centric, always-on mindset. The first step is recognizing that old approaches won’t unlock new value. If your content strategy is still just traditional broadcasts and basic social posts, you’re losing ground in the battle for attention. To grow LTV, teams must evolve past those legacy habits. LTV Growth Levers: How to Turn Engagement into Value Increasing fan LTV comes down to pulling the right levers that boost fan engagement, spending, and loyalty over time. Here are three of the most powerful levers smart sports organizations are using to turn data into dollars: 1) Behavioral Segmentation: From One-Size-Fits-All to One-in-a-Million Instead of lumping fans into broad buckets, leading teams are leveraging behavioral segmentation — grouping fans based on how they actually behave and engage, rather than just who they are on paper. This means segmenting by things like content consumption patterns, purchase history, game attendance, app usage, loyalty program activity, and more. By analyzing these behaviors, you can identify segments such as “heavy highlight watchers,” “merchandise buyers,” “international social-media followers,” “season ticket VIPs,” and “fantasy league players. ” These segments are dynamic and often cut across demographics. The goal is to capture the nuances of fandom: for example, two fans might be the same age and gender, but one only ever watches clips of a certain star player while the other buys every new jersey — those are different segments with different value propensities. Behavior-based segmentation is powerful because it reveals where the value lies. Perhaps you discover a segment of fans who watch almost every video you post and attend a couple of games a year — they might be ripe for an upsell to a membership or subscription. Or you find a segment that only engages during playoffs – they might need off-season reactivation. Critically, behavioral segments let you tailor strategies: you can target high-engagement fans with premium offers, and low-engagement fans with win-back campaigns. With a unified fan profile (often via a CDP or an identity graph), teams can analyze patterns and even predict which fans are likely to be high LTV or at risk of churning. Machine learning models can crunch dozens of signals (e. g. , a fan’s watch time, click patterns, and spending) to score fans on LTV potential or churn risk. Teams like the Seattle Mariners have used such models to stitch together messy data and identify subtle segments — like finding “superfans” versus disengaged fans — that human intuition alone would miss. Ultimately, behavioral segmentation lets you treat fans less like a monolith and more like individuals. Fans aren’t a monolith. They consume sports in different ways and at vastly different levels of intensity. By embracing that reality, sports orgs can craft content and offers that resonate much more deeply with each segment. For example, you might create one campaign specifically for a “lapsed fan” segment (those who haven’t engaged in 6+ months) featuring nostalgic content to draw them back, and a different campaign for a “loyal app user” segment that promotes a new premium video series. The days of blasting the same newsletter to a million people are fading. Segmenting by behavior is the first step to unlocking more LTV, because it sets the stage for highly relevant personalization and targeted re-engagement – the next levers in our playbook. 2) Personalized Fan Journeys: Right Content, Right Offer, Right Time Segmentation by itself is just the start — the real art (and science) is using those segments to deliver personalized fan journeys. This means crafting interactions and touchpoints that are tailored to each fan’s interests, behaviors, and lifecycle stage. Instead of a generic journey where every fan gets the same emails or app notifications, a personalized journey adapts based on signals the fan provides. Did they watch a lot of highlights featuring a certain player? Send them more content (or an offer on a jersey) related to that player. Did they click on a ticket offer but not purchase? Follow up with a limited-time discount for that game. Have they not opened the app in a while? Trigger a push notification with a “welcome back” highlight reel of recent exciting moments. Essentially, personalization operationalizes the segmentation data into actionable, automated engagement. The elements of personalization in sports can include: content personalization (e. g. , allowing app users to select their favorite players and plays to generate a custom highlight reel), timing personalization (sending messages at the optimal time for each fan — something AI can optimize based on past behavior), channel personalization (reaching fans on the platform they prefer — email, mobile app, SMS, social, etc. ), and offer personalization (tailoring what you’re offering — merch, discount, content, event invites – to what that fan is most likely to value). When done right, personalization makes the fan feel like the experience was made just for them. And that drives both greater engagement and greater propensity to spend. Fans are far more likely to respond to an offer that aligns with their interests than to a generic blast. Executing this at scale sounds daunting, but that’s where technology comes in. With the right automation and AI tools, sports organizations can now deliver one-to-one personalized content to millions of fans. Content automation platforms can generate countless variations of highlights and videos tailored to different preferences — e. g. , creating a unique highlight reel for every fan based on the players or moments they care about. On the delivery side, integration between content systems and engagement platforms (CRM, CDP, marketing automation) allows triggers that send the right piece of content to the right fan at the right moment. For example, integrations with tools like Braze or Salesforce mean that when a fan hits a certain milestone or behavior, a personalized video can be automatically delivered via push or email. The impact of personalization on LTV is twofold: it boosts engagement metrics (retention, frequency of interactions, content consumption) and it drives conversion metrics (higher spend, upsell, cross-sell). Fans who feel “known” by the club are more likely to stick around and participate. Across industries, companies using personalization see meaningful increases in revenue on average. In sports, personalization is translating into higher subscription signups, more merchandise sold, and greater use of owned platforms. The bottom line: personalization turns data into dollars by moving... - Published: 2025-10-15 - Modified: 2026-02-04 - URL: https://wsc-sports-dev.ltu.co.il/blog/industry-insights/what-ea-sports-can-teach-rights-holders-about-building-fan-ecosystems/ - Categories: Industry Insights Key Takeaways: -Sports consumption is evolving into an interactive ecosystem. EA Sports is blurring the boundaries between gaming, streaming, and fandom, creating spaces where fans watch and participate. -Content and community now drive engagement. By integrating real-world data, storytelling, and social features, EA Sports keeps fans immersed year-round. -The future of fan connection is hybrid. Combining real-world sports moments with virtual experiences offers rights holders a blueprint for sustaining attention in an always-on digital landscape. It's getting hard to keep track of the headlines coming out of EA Sports. The biggest news came in late September when EA Sports' parent company, Electronic Arts, announced it was being sold in a $55 billion deal to a group of private investors, led by Saudi Arabia's public investment fund (PIF). But while analysts have been debating the price tag and PIF's motives, gamers have been busy with new games, features, and innovations. It starts with the launch of FC 26. The new iteration of the FC franchise (formerly FIFA) overhauls gameplay based on community feedback, and introduces archetypes, inspired by greats of the game, to bring more individuality on the pitch. The release of NHL 26 is another example of innovation, with real-world puck and player tracking data directly influencing player attributes, elevating the experience with intensity and strategic depth. The latest experience announced by EA Sports is perhaps the most telling. To celebrate the start of the NHL season, EA Sports collaborated with Prime Video, bringing the hit docuseries FACEOFF: Inside the NHL directly into NHL 26 via a two-week event inspired by the show, where players can earn themed rewards by completing challenges in Hockey Ultimate Team. The New Playbook for Fan Engagement The collaboration with a streaming giant like Prime Video is indicative of EA Sports' direction. “Our vision for EA Sports is to occupy a bigger and broader role,” said EA Sports president Cam Weber in a recent interview with the Financial Times. “We’re partnering with clubs and leagues and going beyond that with content for our fans to consume. We have an aggressive plan to really grow the amount of sports and the amount of content. ” As part of the plan, EA Sports partnered with MLS and Apple TV, the home of MLS Season Pass, to stream regular-season games in the FC mobile app. In addition, thanks to a crossover between Apple Films' F1 movie and EA's F1 25 game, gamers can race as APXGP, the fictional team at the heart of the film’s story, and enjoy several gameplay scenarios that recreate some of the most exciting on-track battles from the movie. The company's most ambitious project, though, is the EA Sports app. Soft-launched in the fall of 2024, the app aims to attract audiences who crave more social, interactive, and always-on sports experiences. Key features include: -Community ‘arenas’ allow fans to connect and engage with others, share achievements, and celebrate victories together -A discovery feed, which enables fans to stay up-to-date with the latest news, stats, and highlights from their favorite sports and teams -Play, a feature that invites fans to participate in interactive challenges before, during, and after live games, competing against friends and other fans to earn status and rewards One App to Unite Them All “We have a great opportunity to create a one-stop shop for sports fans and our entire gaming community,” Weber told the Financial Times, adding that the EA Sports app will eventually include “all the gaming content that they normally would consume, whether that be on Twitch or our platforms, and statistics, video content, and lifestyle content from all their favorite clubs, leagues, and players. ” To ensure the app's reach extends beyond the gaming community, EA Sports recently announced a new partnership with The Athletic. Users can now get premium editorial coverage from The Athletic directly through the EA Sports app, including: - Written content on global football, the NFL, college football, and more, featuring a mix of match reports, tactical explainers, insight, news updates, and opinion. - Short-form videos and social content from The Athletic’s video and audio network. “The EA Sports app is a foundational step in the future of sports fandom — reimagining how the next generations of fans will connect to the sports, teams, and athletes they love,” said David Tinson, Chief Experience Officer at EA. “By combining high-quality news and insights from The Athletic with the interactive capabilities of EA SPORTS, we’re blending real and virtual sports in a unified platform that will meet the evolving needs of sports fans everywhere. ” From Highlights to Hubs By building a unified platform for fans, EA Sports is signaling what the future of sports engagement looks like: fluid, interactive, and alive with constant storytelling. But the next frontier isn’t just about housing all experiences in one app; it’s about fueling that space with a steady stream of short-form moments that surprise, entertain, and keep fans coming back for more. In today’s attention economy, motion is the new magnet. That’s where AI-powered content technology becomes essential. It empowers organizations to turn live action into personalized, platform-ready stories that are native to fans’ feeds. By merging speed with creativity, these tools make it possible to deliver experiences that feel as alive as the game itself, proving that real and virtual sports can now play on the same team. Actionable Insights: - Think beyond broadcasts: integrate gaming, streaming, and fan communities into your content strategy to create continuous engagement, not just event spikes. - Turn every live moment into interactive content: repurpose plays, highlights, and storylines into short-form, swipeable formats that mirror the experiences fans expect on their favorite apps. - Blend data and creativity: use insights from fan behavior to personalize digital experiences, mixing real-world sports with virtual participation to keep audiences emotionally and digitally invested. > NBA digital content trends 2024–25: Vertical video surged 38%, showing how automation, mobile workflows, and storytelling redefine engagement. - Published: 2025-10-13 - Modified: 2026-02-04 - URL: https://wsc-sports-dev.ltu.co.il/blog/industry-insights/vertical-video-hit-38-of-nbas-total-video-production-for-the-2024-25-season/ - Categories: Industry Insights Mobile-first, event-driven workflows reshaped the season, based on millions of videos created in 2024-25 across all NBA rights holders on the WSC Sports platform. Why it matters Fans are consuming moment-driven, mobile-first experiences. Rights holders that pair real-time automation with editorial depth are leading the conversation. The 2024–25 season proved one thing; success in the next season depends on how well you can: Plan for peaks and program for the unexpectedPublish instantly, while moments still trendDeepen quickly, adding narrative and context in the first two hours post-gameLocalize by star and market, to capture attention where it concentratesAlign sponsors with the moments and and players that move fans Key takeaways -Vertical is a primary output. Treat 9:16 as first-class with safe-zone design, captions, and platform-specific thumbnails to lift completion and share rates. -Event beats routine. In-game and immediate post-game storytelling outperforms fixed-cadence posts; plan for buzzer-beaters, milestones, returns, and playoff swings. -Automation + editorial = scale with quality. Let automation capture every moment in real time, then apply human craft where narrative value is highest. Key highlights and what they mean Vertical-social formats reached 38. 2% of all output (9:16 + 4:5). 9:16 output rose 25. 6% to 544K and now holds 32. 35% share, while 4:5 jumped 38. 3% to 99. 1K and reached 5. 89% share. Together, vertical-social formats account for roughly 38% of all content, reflecting heavier mobile feed consumption. The faster 4:5 growth signals deliberate optimization for feeds where taller frames win attention without full-screen takeover. This confirms a mobile-first center of gravity. Vertical should be the default deliverable, with horizontal reserved for broadcast and long-form needs. Post-Game Output +17. 9%: Context and Recaps Gaining Ground: Real-time still leads on volume (828. 5K, +9. 7%), but post-game is accelerating faster (411. 9K, +17. 9%), showing fans lean into context, recaps, and narrative packages after the buzzer, so plan a two-wave cadence: publish instant moments during play, then drop deeper recap pieces in the first 30–120 minutes to capture peak interest and search. The season’s data points to a durable operating model: program for moments, publish instantly, and deepen quickly. Build vertical-first templates, pre-wire “if-this-then-that” packages for high-stakes events, and use automation to cover everything while editorial teams focus on premium stories. Localize by star and region to capture cross-border surges, and align sponsorships to player + moment to monetize where attention concentrates. Download the Full NBA 2024–25 Content Trends Report Get the complete breakdown formats, timing, subject mix, and workflow recommendations for 2025/26. Download the Full Report > Scale personalized fan journeys with AI. like real-time highlights, tailored content, and higher engagement without growing your team. - Published: 2025-10-11 - Modified: 2026-02-04 - URL: https://wsc-sports-dev.ltu.co.il/blog/industry-insights/one-fan-many-stories-scaling-personalized-journeys-without-scaling-your-team/ - Categories: Industry Insights In the age of digital fandom, sports fans expect truly personalized, one-to-one experiences from their favorite teams and leagues. Whether it’s a highlight reel of a favorite player or game updates tailored to specific interests, today’s fans want content that feels made “just for me. ” The challenge for rights holders is obvious: how do you deliver millions of unique fan journeys without multiplying headcount? That’s the personalization paradox: sky-high expectations vs. finite resources. The good news: AI-driven content automation solves this. By using automated video creation and intelligent metadata, sports organizations can deliver thousands (even millions) of personalized experiences in parallel, without ballooning staff or budget. This article explores why traditional personalization falls short, how automation changes the game, and what an end-to-end automated fan lifecycle looks like in practice, with real-world examples from the Cleveland Cavaliers, LaLiga, and the NFL. The Personalization Paradox: Sky-High Expectations, Limited Team Resources Modern fans grew up with algorithmic feeds and on-demand content. They watch beyond the broadcast, including highlights, player-specific clips, interviews — and they want it all in real time, across their preferred channels. But true 1:1 personalization doesn’t scale with manual workflows. A league might have millions of fans while a club’s digital team has only a handful of creators. Manually curating individualized experiences becomes impossible. Consider the night after a big win: sending each fan a highlights package centered on their favorite players and moments would require editing thousands of unique videos by hand. The result, too often, is generic, one-size-fits-all content that underwhelms fans who expect more. Where Scaling Breaks: The Limits of Manual Workflows Content Creation Bottlenecks Editing a single highlight or social cut can take hours. Multiply that by players, games, markets, and formats and the math collapses. AI platforms now auto-create and tag millions of clips per year — a scale humans can’t match. Segmented Campaign Overload As segments multiply, so do versions of copy, creative, and sends. Managing dozens is feasible; managing hundreds or thousands isn’t. Personalization at the “segment of one” is well beyond manual capacity. Fragmented Data and Siloed Teams Fan data often lives in disconnected systems (ticketing, merch, CRM, social). Without a unified view and real-time activation, teams default to generic messaging instead of individualized experiences. Real-Time Delivery Demands Sports are real-time. The value of a personalized clip decays by the minute. Manual production and scheduling simply can’t keep pace with the speed of the game. Bottom line: manual personalization collapses under the volume, speed, and complexity required. To win attention without burning out your team, you need automation. The Solution: Automation and AI for Personalization at Scale 1) Automated Content Creation AI systems ingest live feeds, detect key moments, and auto-produce polished clips within seconds. Every clip is enriched with metadata (players, action type, game context), creating a searchable library ready for instant assembly into custom reels — in any format or aspect ratio. 2) AI-Driven Segmentation & Decisioning Move from static segments to dynamic, data-driven personalization. Models detect interests (e. g. , a fan’s favorite player or content length preference) and auto-select the right assets for each individual. Marketers set strategy and guardrails; the system adapts in real time. 3) Automated Delivery & Journey Orchestration Trigger-based journeys fire in real time (e. g. , “team wins → send personalized winning-moment clip 10 minutes after final whistle”). Integrations with CRM, CDP, and mobile marketing platforms populate messages with each fan’s unique video or offer — no manual scheduling at the moment of impact. Result: mass personalization without mass staffing. Your team orchestrates; the machines execute at scale. Personalizing the Fan Lifecycle: Pre-Game to Off-Season Pre-Event: Hyper-Personalized Hype Interest-Based Teasers: Player spotlights or throwback reels aligned to each fan’s preferences. Dynamic Newsletters: One template, many versions — localized info for locals, context for international fans. Personalized Countdown: Auto-generated short videos (favorite players, rivalry moments) building anticipation. In-Game (Live): Real-Time Highlights and Alerts Instant Clips: Key plays delivered seconds after they happen, targeted to fans who care mostCustomized Feeds: App/second-screen streams that prioritize each user’s preferred plays or playersContextual Enhancements: Real-time stats, in-venue prompts, and personalized sponsor/merch placements Post-Event: Recaps, Rewards, and Nudges Personalized Recap Videos: Edits that reflect what each fan watched (or missed) and who they followSmart Follow-Ups: Dynamic email/push with modular content and tailored CTAs (tickets, merch, subs)Engagement Prompts: Surveys, “play of the game” votes, and quizzes that feed back into profiles Off-Season: Year-Round Journeys Archive Journeys: “On this date” and nostalgia packages, auto-assembled from tagged archives. Loyalty & Profile Building: Trivia and “choose your favorite” interactions that both entertain and learn. Reactivation Programs: Triggered journeys that win back quiet segments with personalized hooks. Season Prep: Personalized schedules, targeted offers, and segments primed for conversion The Tech Stack for Personalization at Scale (Signals, Content, Segment, Delivery, Feedback) Signals: Real-time behavioral and profile data unified in a CDP or fan data platform. Content: AI-generated/auto-tagged media (video, graphics, offers) that’s instantly retrievable. Segment/Decisioning: Rules + models match fans to content continuously, with business guardrails. Delivery: Integrated email, push, in-app, OTT, social — formatting auto-optimized per channel. Feedback: Engagement loops back as new signals, improving personalization over time. Examples in Action: Personalized Journeys at Scale Cleveland Cavaliers: Build-Your-Own Highlights & App GrowthThe Cavs’ app lets fans personalize their highlight feed by choosing favorite players and play types. Powered by automated clip generation, fans spend 20+ minutes per session and app downloads surged after launch, all without adding a massive video team. LaLiga: Custom, Mobile-First HighlightsLaLiga’s app delivers short, vertical, story-style highlights tailored to each fan’s club and player preferences, with localization for different regions and languages. Personalization meets format, driving engagement among mobile-first audiences. NFL & Global Leagues: Personalization for Worldwide Audiences With international expansion, leagues need localized and personalized content at scale. Automated systems generate market-specific packages (language, commentary, cultural context) and individualized recaps for fans across the globe. Conclusion: Personalization Scaled, Team Unburdened Every fan can have a unique journey without a massive content factory behind the scenes. AI and automation make it practical to meet expectations while keeping teams lean and focused. The payoff: higher engagement, deeper loyalty, and stronger monetization across tickets, merch, and subscriptions. Start with high-impact use cases (e. g. , automated personalized post-game videos), integrate your data and delivery tools, and let the feedback loop fine-tune the experience over time. “One fan, many stories” goes beyond just a slogan, it’s a scalable operating model for modern fan engagement. - Published: 2025-10-08 - Modified: 2026-02-04 - URL: https://wsc-sports-dev.ltu.co.il/blog/industry-insights/from-local-heroes-to-global-ambassadors-building-familiarity-that-travels/ - Categories: Industry Insights As global competitions blur the lines between local fandom and international exposure, the real opportunity for sports organizations lies in turning that visibility into lasting connection. Key Takeaways: -International competitions create powerful opportunities for rights holders to showcase athletes, deepen the connection with fans, and accelerate global audience growth. -Localized, short-form storytelling helps global fans connect emotionally with players, turning fleeting tournament moments into lasting engagement. -AI-powered content technology enables rights holders to scale multilingual, personalized content across markets, transforming global exposure into meaningful, measurable fan relationships. The caption read, “From the rink to the pitch”. The photo, posted in late August by Inter Milan, showed five top European NHL players with Nerazzurri players and head coach Cristian Chivu at Inter’s training ground. The occasion: a new partnership between Serie A and the National Hockey League, designed to promote NHL players’ return to the Olympics at the 2026 Winter Olympics in Milan. The return of the best players in the world to the Olympic stage is one of the main storylines of the 2025-26 NHL season, which kicked off this week. It has been a long time coming; NHL players have not been at the Olympics since 2014 in Sochi. The League anticipates that 160-180 of its players will compete in Milan, and the question of who will secure a spot on their respective national team will be a hot topic of discussion leading up to the roster announcements around New Year's. But it goes deeper than that. The NHL has its eyes set on expanding its global footprint, and the league believes that giving players greater exposure can accelerate its growth — even if it means stopping play for nearly two weeks during the Olympics. “Ultimately, in terms of balancing the pros and cons,” said NHL Commissioner Gary Bettman, “we decided it was important to go back and be on what is one of the most visible platforms in the world. ” Building on the Olympic Momentum While the Olympics are the crown jewel of the NHL's global expansion plan, it's only one part of a far broader strategy. In February, the league replaced its All-Star Game with the 4 Nations Face-Off, an international tournament featuring four national teams – Canada, Finland, Sweden, and the US – with NHL players filling the rosters. The one-off event drew massive viewership across North America and, perhaps more importantly, was broadcast in over 200 countries. During the 4 Nations Face-Off, the NHL announced the return of the World Cup of Hockey in 2028. Previously held in 1996, 2004, and 2016, the 2028 tournament will be organized by the league and the players' association (NHLPA) to establish a calendar of biannual international best-on-best play. “There’s a collective desire from players to not only represent their countries, but also to grow the sport outside of North America,” said Rob Zepp, Senior Director of International Strategy and Growth at the NHLPA. With roughly 30% of the league’s players coming from Europe, much of the effort is focused there. Regular-season games in Europe date back to 1997, and have been played under the banner of the "NHL Global Series" since 2017. And though the league has traditionally targeted countries where hockey is already a popular sport, such as Sweden, Finland, and the Czech Republic, it plans to hold games in new markets in the near future. Building Digital Bridges The NHL isn't only meeting European fans where they are physically; it also makes it a point to speak their language. In 2011, the league launched websites in Czech, Finnish, French, German, Slovak, and Swedish. A Spanish-language NHL. com was added in 2019, giving the league seven non-English language owned platforms. In addition, the league has recently renewed its partnership with global sports marketing agency IMG. The extended agreement will see IMG continue to manage 28 international social media channels for the NHL across eight markets. The players, for their part, are fully on board, augmenting goals, assists, and saves highlights with personality-driven content fans have come to expect. “We’re all thinking about, ‘How can we take this sport and grow it in a meaningful way? ’” said the NHLPA’s Rob Zepp. “And from a player perspective, ‘How can we utilize all these moments and opportunities and platforms to build familiarity and shine a light on the players who bring the product to life and help them grow their platforms, both as an individual but also as a collective? ’” Technology Meets Strategy The answer to both questions lies in building a consistent short-form content pipeline that makes every moment count. By turning each performance, jaw-dropping skill, and behind-the-scenes peek into stories in formats and languages that resonate locally, organizations can amplify both individual athletes and the collective product — expanding their reach while making global fans feel truly connected. Scaling that type of operation across multiple territories is only possible with the right technology. AI-powered content creation solutions enable organizations to instantly generate, personalize, and distribute multi-format clips across every fan channel, complete with automated voiceovers in multiple languages. It’s how rights holders can translate international storylines into global engagement. The start of a new season, especially one that includes an event like the Olympics, is a great time to prove just how powerful that approach can be. Actionable Insights -Turn international competitions into storytelling opportunities: capture and repurpose player-driven moments to build emotional connections with fans in every market. -Localize your content strategy: go beyond translation; adapt tone, visuals, and references to reflect each region’s culture and fan preferences. -Automate at scale: use AI-powered content tools to generate and distribute multilingual, short-form clips that amplify global reach while staying authentic to local audiences. - Published: 2025-10-08 - Modified: 2026-02-04 - URL: https://wsc-sports-dev.ltu.co.il/blog/industry-insights/when-one-signing-opens-a-new-market-turning-star-power-into-a-content-strategy/ - Categories: Industry Insights Key Takeaways: -Star players can open doors to new markets, but converting global attention into lasting engagement requires localized, data-driven storytelling. -Turning international signings into growth engines means packaging every player-driven moment into short-form content that resonates with regional audiences. -AI-powered content creation tech enables rights holders to scale multilingual, personalized assets across markets, turning global signings into long-term brand expansion opportunities. In his first nine matches with Los Angeles FC, Son Heung-min recorded eight goals and three assists. He averaged a goal contribution every 66 minutes, the second-best mark in the MLS after Lionel Messi. Teammates rave about his unselfishness and willingness to do all the intangibles. In short, the acquisition of the former Tottenham captain and Korean national — for an MLS record transfer fee of $26. 5 million — has been a boon for LAFC on the pitch. His potential contribution off the pitch is even higher. The commercial benefits Son brings are undeniable: he is widely considered to be the most famous Asian footballer on the planet, has the highest brand value in South Korea, consistently attracts Korean fans to his teams (there are an estimated 12 million Tottenham fans in South Korea; nearly 25% of the country's population), and just landed in a city that's home to around 250,000 Korean-Americans. If all this reminds you of Shohei Ohtani's impact on the Los Angeles Dodgers' popularity on both sides of the Pacific, that's no coincidence. “In conversations with LAFC’s ownership, they look at Ohtani’s signing as the model of what they can do with Son,” said Kathryn Schloessman, President and CEO of the Los Angeles Sports & Entertainment Commission. “They see this as a huge opportunity to really expand the brand. ” The Son Effect in Action There are already signs that this is happening. According to LAFC, Son's jersey was the highest-selling of any athlete in the world in the first two weeks after his signing announcement. Ticket prices for his home debut reportedly rocketed from $300 to $1,500. Viewership of LAFC matches on MLS Season Pass was up 61% across Son's first four games. And the team has signed a new Korean-language radio deal with LA’s KYPA-AM. But it doesn't end there. “The commercial opportunities are staring LAFC in the face,” said Sasi Kumar, founder of sports marketing agency Red Card Global. “The obvious thing for LAFC is to tour Asia, and they should actively look in different markets for brand and content partnerships. LAFC’s commercial team will be working overtime to sell digital assets, image rights, and work with global brands like Samsung and Kia. ” The Son effect is also expected to provide a financial windfall for the league as a whole. The MLS has already announced new multi-year broadcast deals in South Korea with streaming platform Coupang Play and pan-regional sports streaming service SPOTV. While MLS games are available in South Korea through Apple TV’s MLS Season Pass streaming service, the recent agreements will give fans in Son's native country easier access to his matches. The New Geography of Fandom MLS isn't the only organization leveraging athletes' popularity to further establish itself in remote markets. Formula 1, which has seen increased viewership in New Zealand since homegrown driver Liam Lawson (Racing Bulls) secured a permanent seat in 2024, just signed a three-year rights extension with Sky NZ. Starting from 2026, Sky NZ will air every practice, qualifying session, and race live on its Sky Sport platform and Sky Sport Now streaming service. Maybe the most intriguing case of how an organization can build on a new signing to expand its brand internationally is Yang Hansen. In June, the 7-foot-1 center became the first Chinese player selected in the first round of the NBA draft in nearly 20 years, when the Portland Trail Blazers took him with the 16th pick. A few weeks later, 5. 2 million people in China watched the Blazers play against the Memphis Grizzlies in the Las Vegas Summer League — nearly five times the US audience for No. 1 pick Cooper Flagg’s debut. The Blazers have only started to scratch the surface of the interest Yang generates. In the first month after the draft, the team's retail sales have increased by 1,091% and its TikTok account has gained more than 30 million views. If Yang turns out to be even remotely as good as Yao Ming, who starred for the Houston Rockets in the 2000s and once drew 200 million Chinese viewers to a regular-season game, Portland's marketing team is in for a wild ride. Scaling Global Stories with AI Expanding into new territories by spotlighting local athletes can dramatically increase rights holders' global reach. Yet, simply securing broadcast slots won’t unlock the full potential of these athletes. The real opportunity lies in turning every moment into a connection point. By wrapping goals, assists, and overtakes into culturally relevant, short-form content that resonates in their homeland, organizations can transform international signings into powerful engines of engagement. That’s where AI-driven content creation solutions come in. They empower organizations to instantly generate and distribute personalized, multi-format clips across all fan touchpoints, complete with automated voiceovers in local languages to reach regional audiences authentically. It’s how organizations like the Trail Blazers, Formula 1, and LAFC can ensure international signings' impact goes beyond the standings, turning star power into sustainable global growth. Actionable Insights -Turn new signings into visual storytelling: develop ongoing content series around players’ journeys, cultures, and fan interactions to engage audiences beyond matchday -Localize for impact: adapt highlight clips, interviews, and social content to regional languages to deepen connection in new markets -Automate to scale: use AI-powered content creation tools to quickly generate and distribute multi-format, multilingual assets across all global fan touchpoints > Rights holders are winning with micro communities; using AI and personalized content to turn niche fan passion into lasting growth. - Published: 2025-10-08 - Modified: 2026-02-04 - URL: https://wsc-sports-dev.ltu.co.il/blog/industry-insights/the-new-competitive-advantage-the-rise-of-micro-communities-and-what-it-means-for-rights-holders/ - Categories: Industry Insights In the new era of fandom, the biggest growth stories are coming from the sports that are most connected. Across the industry, rights holders are discovering that the real competitive advantage lies in cultivating micro communities of deeply invested fans. Key Takeaways -Niche sports organizations are shifting from chasing broad reach to nurturing highly engaged micro communities built around shared passions and identities. -Success now depends on delivering continuous, targeted content experiences that deepen fan loyalty and reflect each community’s unique culture. -AI-powered content creation technology enables rights holders to scale personalized storytelling for micro communities, turning engagement into long-term growth. In just its fifth season, SailGP has lived up to its reputation as the Formula 1 of sailing. With an average of around 20 million live or near-live viewers for its global broadcasts, a social media following that more than doubled in the past couple of years, and a broadcast agreement with CBS that delivers 54 hours of coverage in the US, the international racing series has become one of the world’s fastest-growing sports. SailGP is not the only niche sport making waves. The 2025 Volleyball Nations League (VNL) showcased the sport's rapid growth with record-breaking audiences across the globe. In key markets such as Brazil and Turkey, the VNL outperformed some of the world’s most established sports properties, including Wimbledon, The Open Championship, and F1 races. Much of the VNL's success can be attributed to private equity giant CVC Capital, which invested $300 million to create Volleyball World, a joint venture with the International Volleyball Federation that manages the sport’s commercial operations. Other fringe sports are also finding backing. ESPN, for example, recently acquired a minority stake in the Premier Lacrosse League, and Qatar Sports Investments bought the World Padel Tour in 2023. Why Everyone’s Betting on Emerging Sports The obvious question is: why the sudden interest in niche sports? The answer is twofold. From an investment perspective, sports teams and leagues are considered appreciating assets. In 2024, per financial advisory firm Oaklins, there were 410 M&A transactions in the sports industry, 45% of which involved private equity firms. And, since opportunities to enter mainstream leagues and competitions are limited, investors are willing to bet on niche sports. From a cultural standpoint, the rise of niche sports reflects a growing trend toward micro communities. This phenomenon can be seen across music, food, art, technology, and other fields as well: modern consumers move fluidly between various micro communities built around very particular interests and values. Demographic patterns play less of a role in these groups. Instead, people make decisions based on lifestyle and personal preferences. “Today, micro communities are where culture is being shaped,” said Kris Tait, Chief Business Officer at Croud, a global media, creative, and data agency. “Brands need to dig deeper into what truly drives consumer behavior. It’s not about casting the widest net; it’s about casting a precise, targeted net to reach the right consumer. This way, brands can build communities that convert into loyal audiences. That’s the new competitive advantage. ” What Sports Can Learn from Retail The retail industry is a good illustration of this shift. In sportswear, challenger brands are outperforming legacy players, particularly in niche categories, by focusing on micro communities. In luxury beauty, niche brands are driving the growth by adapting to consumers, and the gap between them and traditional companies like Dior, Chanel, and Estée Lauder is growing wider. The same thing could happen in sports, argue some industry leaders. “For decades, the playbook for sports broadcasting was crystal clear – attract the biggest audience possible, deliver the same experience to everyone, and sell reach to the highest bidder,” said Matt Stagg, a sports, media, and entertainment technologist. “Reaching smaller communities with high-quality content was dismissed as economically unviable. But that logic no longer holds. ” The next logical step for rights holders, according to Stagg, is to provide “highly engaged, highly specific fan communities with content experiences built around them, and not just repackaged for them. This isn’t a pivot away from the big broadcast moments. But it’s a clear signal that the next major breakthroughs won’t all be coming from the top down. ” From Highlights to Habit-Forming Content To capitalize on this momentum, niche sports organizations need to nurture their communities. That starts with content creation: not just seasonal broadcasts, but a steady stream of creative, snackable stories that showcase the sport's uniqueness and feed fan enthusiasm year-round, turning curiosity into lasting loyalty. Scaling this kind of strategy requires technology that matches the pace of fan demand. AI-driven content creation tech makes it possible to automatically transform live action into multi-format assets and instantly distribute them across every digital touchpoint. That’s how rights holders can amplify their presence, unlock monetization, and strengthen connections in ways that keep micro communities thriving. Actionable Insights -Map your micro communities: identify emerging fan clusters built around shared values, regions, or interests — and tailor your content to each. -Build always-on storytelling loops: don’t wait for major events; feed every community year-round with short-form content that matches their rhythm and tone. -Use AI to personalize at scale: automate content tagging, repurposing, and localization so every fan feels seen, no matter where they’re watching. > Learn how top sports organizations like Arsenal and MLB use unified data and AI to create fan experiences and drive engagement across channels. - Published: 2025-10-07 - Modified: 2026-02-04 - URL: https://wsc-sports-dev.ltu.co.il/blog/industry-insights/how-elite-organizations-use-every-data-point-to-deliver-tailored-fan-journeys/ - Categories: Industry Insights The smartest organizations think less like teams and more like retailers, using every fan interaction as a data point. This article explores how clubs like Arsenal and leagues like MLB are unifying data, leveraging AI, and turning insight into personalized fan experiences that drive real business growth. Key Takeaways: - Unifying fan data unlocks deeper engagement: sports organizations can’t personalize experiences without consolidating data from every digital touchpoint. - Collecting first-party data from disparate sources and creating a unified view of every fan enriches fan profiles, connecting behaviors on and off the field for smarter engagement. - AI-powered content and data tech close the loop by feeding vital metadata into marketing systems, turning fan understanding into continuous growth. Arsenal was one of the first clubs in the Premier League to invest heavily in data. Back in 2012, it acquired an analytics company called StatDNA, the first step in building an in-house research team that has had a profound impact on its player recruitment. One of the Gunners' recruits this summer, Viktor Gyökeres, exemplifies what Arsenal's data and analytics team does best: spot outliers in lesser-known leagues who can play at the elite level. It took Arsenal's commercial team some time to catch up to their colleagues, but they now appear to be on the right path. Last year, Arsenal entered a partnership with NTT DATA, an IT service and consulting company that specializes in digital transformation. NTT Data will provide data analytics tools, machine learning solutions, and real-time integrations to enhance the club's digital operations, with a focus on creating a highly personalized fan experience. The collaboration reflects a shift in thinking among the top brass at Arsenal. “We’re not a football club. We are a retailer, physical and digital,” explained Juliet Slot, Arsenal’s chief commercial officer. “We’re a ticketing business, we’re an events business, we’re an experiential business, (and) we also do football. We’re a global brand that people experience in a multitude of environments outside of coming to the game. ” Turning Fragmented Data into Actionable Insights Global brands that operate in multiple environments (think Amazon) typically deliver tailored customer journeys. In sports, this requires a deeper understanding of who your fans are, what they value, and how to reach them; or, in other words, first-party data. The challenge sports organizations face is twofold: collecting first-party data from disparate sources and creating a unified view of every fan. Unfortunately, there's a significant gap between the data capabilities of sports organizations worldwide. According to a recent study by consulting firm N3XT Sports, which evaluated hundreds of teams, leagues, and international federations in terms of digital maturity and first-party data strategy, many organizations lack the infrastructure to gather and unify fan data across their digital touchpoints. Key findings include: - While 88. 6% of organizations collect first-party data on their website, other digital touchpoints are often untapped: only 54. 4% collect fan data via a mobile app, 65. 1% through ecommerce, and 69. 9% via ticketing. - OTT-streaming (38. 2%) and fantasy-gaming (19. 1%) products are vastly underutilized for fan-data collection. - Sports properties that demonstrate high digital and data maturity, underpinned by a customer data platform (CDP), generate higher revenues compared to those whose digital transformation is still in its infancy. The Next Frontier of Fan Understanding A good illustration of the value of CDPs is the partnership between Major League Baseball (MLB) and Adobe. After years of leveraging Adobe's platform to segment audiences based on behaviors and provide fans with customized experiences, MLB recently piloted the software company's new offering, Real-Time CDP Collaboration, which enables marketers to generate richer insights about consumers through data collaboration. “As the CDP has evolved to not only sustain (data use) on a team-to-fan level and a club-to-league level, we’ve started thinking about our data as something that can enhance some of the broader partnerships that we have at the league level,” said Will Edmondson, vice president of strategy and insights at MLB. “The opportunity to look externally and partner with some of our national brands is extremely compelling. ” The last piece of the fan data puzzle is real-time content metadata. By tagging and indexing each piece of content fans consume, sports organizations can turn video content into numerous data points. For example, which players’ highlights or what type of plays (e. g. , skills, dribbles, goals) do fans watch the most? This, in turn, can be used to personalize content and enrich each fan's unified view. Context Is the Key to Personalization To unlock the full potential of their audiences, sports organizations need more than raw fan data – they need context. Collecting and unifying insights across ticketing, e-commerce, streaming, owned platforms, and external partners provides most of this context, but to get a truly panoramic view of every fan, rights holders must be able to analyze their content consumption as well. This is where AI-powered sports content and data technologies come into play. Seamlessly integrating with existing marketing stacks, they continuously feed them with rich content insights and enable organizations to leverage this data by automatically generating and distributing personalized videos across every touchpoint, paving the way for deeper engagement and expanded monetization opportunities. Sounds like the retailer's dream, doesn't it? Actionable Insights -Audit your fan data ecosystem: map where your fan data lives across ticketing, ecommerce, apps, and OTT, then identify how to unify it under one system. -Enrich your profiles with context: pair fan behavior data with content metadata to better understand what motivates engagement and spending. -Activate insights through content: use AI-powered creation tools to turn fan data into tailored stories, highlights, and campaigns that strengthen loyalty and drive measurable ROI. > Plug your leaky fan funnel by uniting content and data to deliver personalized experiences that drive loyalty, retention, and lifetime value. - Published: 2025-10-04 - Modified: 2026-02-04 - URL: https://wsc-sports-dev.ltu.co.il/blog/industry-insights/the-fan-funnel-is-leaking-heres-how-to-plug-it/ - Categories: Industry Insights In the sports industry, fan engagement funnels have long promised to turn casual observers into loyal, paying supporters. In theory, a fan goes from initial awareness of a team or league, to interest and conversion (like a ticket purchase or app signup), into sustained engagement, monetization (spending on subscriptions, merch, etc. ), and ultimately lifelong loyalty. In practice, however, this traditional fan funnel is leaking at every stage. Teams and leagues are pouring resources into social media, marketing, and CRM campaigns, yet too often fans drop out before they ever reach monetization or loyalty. The result is lost lifetime value – missed ticket sales, unsubscribed apps, and untapped sponsorship revenue. The core problem is that most sports organizations today suffer from disconnected data, underleveraged content, and shallow personalization in their fan outreach. A fan might see a viral highlight on Instagram (awareness) but never be guided to the team’s owned platforms (conversion). Or a person who bought a game ticket (conversion) receives the same generic follow-up as everyone else, leading them to ignore emails and disengage rather than becoming a repeat customer. Gen Z fans in particular have little patience for one-size-fits-all approaches – they expect real-time, personalized, and platform-native content experiences. If your funnel isn’t built for how modern fans behave, they’ll slip right through the cracks. This article diagnoses the major inefficiencies causing fan funnels to leak – and proposes how a unified content + data strategy, powered by solutions like WSC Sports, can plug those leaks and maximize fan lifetime value. The Traditional Fan Funnel: From Awareness to Loyalty Marketers often describe a funnel that customers move through, and sports fandom is no different. At the top is Awareness, where a potential fan first encounters your brand or content. If interest is piqued, the fan moves to Interest/Acquisition, then Conversion, where they take a tangible step like registering, buying, or subscribing. After converting comes Engagement, where the goal is to keep fans active and emotionally invested. Strong engagement opens the door to Monetization, where fans spend on tickets, merchandise, or subscriptions. Finally, Loyalty/Advocacy represents long-term fandom — repeat engagement and word-of-mouth growth. This funnel represents the ideal fan journey. Every stage is important, but ultimately the value of a fan is realized only if they reach monetization and loyalty. Unfortunately, many fan funnels are highly inefficient: plenty enter at the top, but few make it to the bottom. Where Fans Fall Out – Key Leaks in the Journey 1. Social-to-Owned Platform Drop-Off One of the biggest leaks happens between social media and owned platforms. Sports teams can reach tens of millions on TikTok or Instagram — but those platforms are rented land. If you don’t capture fans beyond that “like” or view, they disappear into the digital ether. Fans often encounter barriers: no clear path to take the next step, or landing pages that feel generic or unworthy of their attention. Millions of potential fans vanish here before ever entering your ecosystem. 2. One-and-Done Customers with No Follow-Up Even when a fan converts (buys a ticket, downloads an app), the journey often stalls due to lack of follow-up. Without timely, relevant, and personalized communication, new fans quickly lose interest. Treating all fans the same is a huge leak — 72% of consumers engage only with marketing that’s personalized to their interests. A first-time buyer should not receive the same messaging as a die-hard supporter. 3. Lack of an Engagement Habit (No “Always-On” Content) Another common leak is the absence of consistent, always-on content. Many organizations focus on marquee moments — championships, drafts — but ignore daily engagement. Modern fans are “always-on. ” They consume sports content every day, not just on game day. If you’re not continuously showing up in their feeds, they’ll forget about you and fill their time elsewhere. 4. Siloed Experiences and Data Blind Spots The most insidious leak comes from fragmented fan experiences. If your ticketing, merch, and digital teams operate in silos, fans feel unknown and undervalued. A unified fan identity doesn’t exist in many organizations. Without it, personalization and relevance suffer. Fans receive irrelevant messages — and disengage. The Modern Fan (Especially Gen Z) Demands More The traditional funnel wasn’t designed for today’s digital-native fans. Gen Z expects real-time, personalized, and seamless experiences across platforms. Real-Time, Always-On Content Younger fans expect instant highlights and updates — “real-time is the new baseline. ” Leagues like the NBA and NASCAR already deliver this through automated, rapid content workflows. If your pipeline is slow or inconsistent, fans will look elsewhere. Their attention is fleeting — miss the moment, and they’re gone. Personalized, Relevant Experiences Gen Z expects algorithm-level personalization, not generic content. They engage when experiences match their interests — by player, team, or preferred format. Personalization drives engagement, conversion, and loyalty. Without it, your funnel will continue to leak younger audiences. Multi-Platform, Seamless Journeys Fans fluidly move between platforms from watching a game to scrolling highlights to chatting on Discord. If those experiences feel disconnected or redundant, they’ll churn. A modern funnel must account for every entry point and make it easy to move between touchpoints. Eliminate friction — or lose fans mid-journey. Value Before Monetization Gen Z is skeptical of hard sells. They’ll pay, but only after receiving genuine value first. Build trust through content and community before pushing offers. The Cleveland Cavaliers, for example, let fans customize highlight feeds in their app — creating value and engagement that naturally lead to monetization opportunities. Reclaiming the Fan Funnel with Unified Content and Data The fix is integration — uniting content and data into one connected system that guides fans through each stage. Unified Content Creation & Distribution A plugged funnel starts with an always-on content engine. Platforms like WSC Sports use AI to automate real-time highlights, giving fans instant access to what they care about. Automation delivers speed and scale — ensuring every key moment is covered and no fan touchpoint goes dry. NASCAR, for instance, cut highlight turnaround time by 80%. Unified Fan Data & Identity Every content interaction generates valuable behavioral data. By unifying this data into a single fan profile, teams move from guessing to knowing. The NFL, for example, quadrupled its unified fan profiles — from 15 million to over 70 million — by centralizing data from multiple sources. That kind of insight makes true personalization possible. A Better Model – The Integrated Loop When unified content and data come together, the funnel becomes a continuous engagement loop: -Top of Funnel (Awareness to Acquisition): Capture first-party data early with compelling CTAs on every piece of content. -Mid Funnel (Conversion to Engagement): Use personalized content to nurture habits and drive deeper interaction. -Bottom of Funnel (Monetization and Loyalty): Deliver value-driven, context-aware offers that feel natural and rewarding. This loop continuously feeds itself. Content fuels engagement, engagement generates data, and data informs better content and monetization. Tactical Steps to Plug Your Fan Funnel Leaks 1. Turn Content into Micro-Conversions Every post or clip should lead somewhere — to your app, your site, or a signup. Audit your content for missed conversion points and add clear next steps. 2. Convert Social Followers into Identified Fans Stop chasing vanity metrics. Run campaigns that turn anonymous followers into known users via signups, contests, or exclusive content. Make it seamless with single sign-on and tailored landing experiences. 3. Unify the Fan Identity Across Channels Implement single sign-on and data unification tools so fans have one profile across all touchpoints. A connected identity enables smarter segmentation and more relevant communication — no more “spray and pray. ” 4. Automate Personalized Highlights and Content Use automation and AI to scale personalization. Generate highlight reels by fan preferences (player, team, region) and deliver them instantly. Format matters too — mobile-first, vertical videos now dominate consumption. 5. Build a Continuous Feedback Loop Adopt “next-best-action” logic: use data from each interaction to inform the next. AI can predict churn risk and suggest the right intervention — like serving highlight offers to inactive users or retargeting engaged segments. 6. Identify & Activate High-Value Fan Segments Use your data to pinpoint super-fans and reward them with exclusive content, perks, or early access. High-value fans drive most revenue and advocacy — keeping them engaged is essential to a healthy funnel. Conclusion: From Leaky Funnel to Lasting Fandom The fan funnel may be leaking, but with the right strategy, you can turn it into a closed-loop growth system. By integrating content and data, personalizing experiences, and delivering consistent value, sports organizations can guide fans from awareness to lifelong loyalty — and reclaim full control of the fan relationship. The result: higher lifetime value, deeper emotional connections, and sustainable commercial growth. It’s time to patch the leaks, and let the fandom flow. > Streamers are redefining sports media by blending fandom, entertainment, and interactivity to reach younger audiences and reshape engagement. - Published: 2025-10-02 - Modified: 2026-02-04 - URL: https://wsc-sports-dev.ltu.co.il/blog/industry-insights/from-fans-to-power-players-the-most-influential-streamers-in-sports/ - Categories: Industry Insights Streamers aren’t just watching the game, they’re changing it. By blending entertainment, commentary, and community, they’re redefining how a new generation experiences sports. Key Takeaways -Streamers have become central to sports consumption, offering authenticity, interactivity, and a community feel that traditional broadcasts struggle to match -Younger fans gravitate toward content creators who blend commentary, entertainment, and personality, making streamers vital gateways to new demographics -To unlock real value from partnering with streamers, rights holders must pair streamer reach with strategies for engagement, data collection, and monetization Sports have long attracted celebrity attention, from A-listers attending marquee events to passionate fandom. Over the past decade, however, the ties between celebrities and the sports world have grown stronger, with many of them deciding to invest in pro teams. Football, in particular, is sparking intense interest, with the likes of Ryan Reynolds, Reese Witherspoon, Matthew McConaughey, Drake, and Will Ferrell investing in teams worldwide. You can now add another name to the list. Ibai Llanos, one of the most popular streamers in the world, has founded a new club, Ronin FC, which just started its inaugural season in the Catalan fourth division. The move is not only historic, marking the first time that a streamer owns an 11-a-side football team, but also indicative of the increasing influence of content creators in the industry. On that note, let’s take a look at the most influential streamers in sports today: Casimiro Miguel In the 2025 season of Brazil's Série A, every matchday includes two games that can be viewed without a subscription. One is shown by the broadcasting giant TV Globo. The other airs on CazéTV, the YouTube channel of Casimiro Miguel, 31, who provides a blueprint for connecting with younger audiences – 38% of Brazilian sports fans aged 18-24 watch CazéTV – through digital, interactive, multi-dimensional experiences. If you've been following Casimiro's story, this is hardly a surprise. Since launching in 2022, CazéTV has been regularly broadcasting high-profile leagues and sporting events, including the Olympic Games in Paris, the NFL International Series, Bundesliga and Ligue 1 games, and more. In 2026, CazéTV will stream all 104 matches of the FIFA World Cup, cementing its position as the top digital sports platform in Brazil. Mark Goldbridge Before Brent Di Cesare adopted the stage name Mark Goldbridge, he was just a Manchester United fan thirsty for interactions after games. His go-to place was the BBC's message board, but it was too slow, so in 2014 he launched a YouTube channel. At first, Goldbridge would upload only prediction and match reaction videos. Then, at the request of his subscribers, he started streaming himself watching and talking about live games, pioneering the watchalong format in the UK. Today, Goldbridge remains the most prominent English-language exponent of the genre, with just under 3. 5 million subscribers on YouTube across three channels. This has led the Bundesliga to reach an agreement with Goldbridge to stream 20 live matches on one of his channels (That’s Football) this season – the first time a top league has handed broadcasting rights to a digital content creator in Europe. Jimmy O’Brien Best known for breaking down baseball moments with humorous videos, Jimmy O'Brien has built a digital sports media empire in the past few years. He founded his company, Jomboy Media, in 2017 after launching a podcast called “Talkin’ Yanks” with his best friend. Two years later, when the Houston Astros' sign-stealing scandal broke, a video analysis by O’Brien, in which he read lips and identified other cues in an Astros game, propelled him to YouTube fame. Since then, Jomboy Media has expanded its offering, which now includes “The Warehouse Games,” a league modeled after classic backyard games. The Warehouse Games is nearing 400 million all-time views, and was a big part of Major League Baseball's recent decision to acquire a minority stake in Jomboy Media, in a deal that will integrate Jomboy Media’s content across the league’s digital channels. Ibai Llanos In 2021, when Lionel Messi left FC Barcelona for Paris Saint-Germain, every news outlet on the planet was competing for the right to get an exclusive interview with the legend. Messi chose Llanos’s Twitch channel. With good reason, too: at the time, Llanos had 7. 8 million followers on Twitch, several high-profile players (Sergio Agüero, Sergio Ramos) ranked among his fans, and he had already streamed La Liga and Copa América games on his channel. Fast forward to today, and Llanos is the most followed Twitch streamer in the world, with 19. 8 million followers. His YouTube channel is not far behind with 14. 9 million subscribers. In July, he hosted La Velada del Año 5, the fifth edition of his annual influencer boxing spectacle, which became the most-viewed Twitch stream of all time, attracting more than 9. 3 million peak concurrent viewers. How to Leverage Streamer-Led Feeds Streamers are no longer fringe players in sports media; they are shaping how younger fans consume, discuss, and experience games. Their authentic voices and interactive formats attract audiences that traditional broadcasters struggle to reach. For rights holders, this is a glimpse into the future of fandom. The next challenge is turning the reach streamers provide into real value. Doing that requires building engagement, data collection, and monetization strategies for streamer-led feeds. Those who crack this model won’t just borrow attention — they'll create gateways to loyal, revenue-generating audiences. Actionable Insights -Collaborate with streamers to amplify reach by repurposing their most engaging moments into short-form clips that capture attention on multiple platforms -Use streamers’ interactivity as inspiration for creating more fan-driven experiences, such as polls, live chats, or watchalongs, within owned channels -Build a clear funnel from streamer engagement to your platforms by layering data capture, personalized offers, and premium content opportunities > Music, fashion, and lifestyle now define sports and fans just can't get enough. Here's how AI helps rights holders scale non-game storylines. - Published: 2025-10-01 - Modified: 2026-02-04 - URL: https://wsc-sports-dev.ltu.co.il/blog/industry-insights/off-the-field-into-the-feed-the-rise-of-non-game-content-in-sports/ - Categories: Industry Insights In the industry today, the biggest stories often happen beyond the scoreboard. From fashion tunnels to music collaborations, fans are consuming more non-game content than ever, and it’s reshaping how rights holders connect with audiences both on and off the field. Key Takeaways: -Fans are increasingly interested in non-game content; with music, fashion, and interviews now integral to the sports experience -Younger audiences drive demand for lifestyle-driven storytelling, making behind-the-scenes access and cultural crossovers powerful tools for engagement - AI-powered content creation enables rights holders to scale non-game storytelling into multi-format clips, fueling discovery and deepening fan connections In the past few years, it's quite common for Super Bowl halftime shows to draw more audience than the game itself. Kendrick Lamar's performance at Super Bowl LIX, for example, averaged 5. 8 million more viewers than Philadelphia’s victory over Kansas City. Usher's set at Super Bowl LVIII also surpassed the game's average. The trend extends to highlights, too: in the 2020s, all halftime shows generated significantly more views on YouTube than the games' recaps. It's no wonder, then, that live music at sporting events is becoming the new norm; and not only at marquee events. But it goes deeper than just live acts. As competition for their attention and spending intensifies, fans have gained unprecedented leverage. And this leverage has fundamentally altered how they perceive sports consumption, whether they are at the venue or watching from home. Fans have come to expect more than just a game or a race; they demand a comprehensive entertainment experience. To meet this demand, said Guy Carrington, executive creative director at Done + Dusted, which produced the halftime show at the final of the FIFA Club World Cup, rights holders have started to blend sports, entertainment, music, fashion, and celebrity, to the point that “it feels like now those worlds are much closer together. ” From Lifestyle to Fashion: What Fans Crave Recent studies show that fans — especially younger audiences — approve of this fusion: - According to data from research firm Ampere Analysis, 40% of fans aged 18-34 watch non-game content online, such as behind-the-scenes footage, interviews, and sports documentaries. This number drops to 30% among fans aged 35-54 and 20% among those aged 55-64. - A global survey by IBM reveals that for American football fans, golf fans, and tennis fans, behind-the-scenes or lifestyle content is the third most popular type of content (after analysis/predictions and game reactions/highlights). - 58% of Gen Zers and women responding to Formula 1's 2025 global fan survey said lifestyle and fashion are part of their fandom. Formula 1 isn't the only sport where fashion plays a big role. In the NBA, style functions as both a platform for players to express themselves and a fan magnet. “It’s content that our consumers are incredibly interested in,” said Lisa Piken Koper, head of apparel and sporting goods at the NBA, adding that stories and videos on the players’ looks are some of the league’s highest-performing on its social media platforms and its app. How Style Became a Sports Storyline Most of these stories and videos cover NBA tunnel fits – a term used for the outfits players wear while walking in and out of the locker room before and after games. Several Instagram accounts chronicle NBA tunnel style, with the most prominent being LeagueFits, which currently has one million followers. The league has also jumped on the fashion bandwagon, partnering with the likes of Louis Vuitton and Kim Kardashian to create capsule collections. The rise of tunnel fits has not escaped the attention of industry experts. “Every sport should be looking at this and saying, ‘Okay, here’s our demographic today, where’s our demographic going? ’” said Laurel Walzak, a professor at Toronto Metropolitan University who specializes in global sports media. “What are their motivations for watching us? What are their motivations for following us? How can I get them to share more content? ’” Some rights holders are already looking for answers. The NFL, for instance, operates an Instagram account called NFL Style, which regularly posts player looks, and published a video series titled “Behind the Fit. ” ESPN recently signed Katie Feeney, a sports and lifestyle content creator with over 14 million social media followers, and launched the third iteration of its Creator Network, adding five established social media creators covering sports, culture, and lifestyle. Amplifying Sports Through Lifestyle and Culture For today’s fans, following a sport isn’t just about what happens on the field — it’s about all the stories around it. Rights holders who lean into that can turn lifestyle, fashion, and culture moments into viral short-form content that sparks curiosity, attracts new demographics, and draws casual followers closer to the heart of the sport. It’s not about replacing the game; it’s about amplifying it. AI-powered sports content creation technology turns this opportunity into something actionable. By instantly transforming live moments, behind-the-scenes footage, and cultural crossovers into scroll-stopping clips optimized for every platform, rights holders can keep pace with fans’ expectations, meet them where their passion truly lies, and stay relevant in the fast-moving world of fandom. Actionable Insights -Spotlight culture-driven moments: capture and package fashion, music, and lifestyle crossovers into short-form content that resonates with younger, digital-first fans. -Extend storytelling beyond the game: use behind-the-scenes access, player personalities, and non-sport narratives to deepen engagement and broaden audience reach. -Leverage AI for scale: automate the creation of clips, reels, and stories across platforms to ensure every cultural moment becomes a shareable asset. > Explore September 2025 sports highlights featuring football, Formula 1, tennis, and athletics: top plays, world records, and must-see viral clips. - Published: 2025-10-01 - Modified: 2026-02-04 - URL: https://wsc-sports-dev.ltu.co.il/blog/industry-insights/11-sports-highlights-from-september-2025/ - Categories: Industry Insights Football leagues kicked off in full force, Formula 1 and tennis reached their peak, and the World Athletics Championships in Tokyo produced unforgettable performances. Here are September’s top 11 highlights from around the sporting world. 11. Buongiorno? Buongiorno! Sometimes, the story lies in the confusion. Napoli manager Antonio Conte was hilariously caught off guard when asked about his player, Buongiorno. The journalist meant, “How is Buongiorno doing? ” but Conte, thinking she asked “Good morning, how are you? ”, answered “Me? ” The clip went viral instantly, proving that context and timing are everything in digital storytelling. 10. 14th World Record for Mondo Duplantis Armand “Mondo” Duplantis continues to redefine excellence. At the 2025 World Athletics Championships in Tokyo, he cleared 6. 30 meters to claim his 14th world record, further cementing his dominance in pole vaulting. 9. One of the Most Dramatic 1500m Finals in History Jake Wightman looked set to become a double world 1500m champion, but Isaac Nader had other plans. The finish was decided by just 0. 02 seconds, with Nader taking gold in 3:34. 10 and Wightman silver in 3:34. 12. 8. Alcaraz? ! How? Carlos Alcaraz pulled off a shot against Brandon Nakashima in the Tokyo Open quarter-finals that left fans questioning physics. The Spaniard continues to deliver moments of brilliance that redefine what is possible on a tennis court. 7. Rashford’s Stunner Against Newcastle: A Rocket Marcus Rashford produced one of the goals of the month with a thunderous strike against Newcastle that rocketed into the top corner. 6. The Wildest Derby d’Italia... Ever? Seven goals, drama from start to finish, and a winner in stoppage time. The Derby d’Italia between Juventus and Inter will be remembered as one of the most chaotic and entertaining in recent memory. 5. Oblique Seville Becomes New 100m King Oblique Seville’s triumph ended a run of four straight world men’s 100m titles for the United States. The Jamaican sprinter also ended his nation’s nine-year wait for a global 100m gold, with Usain Bolt watching proudly from the stands. 4. Hadjar Can’t Find His Way to the Podium Formula 1 rookie Isack Hadjar wasn’t quite sure where to go as he walked out to his first-ever podium. The lighthearted moment perfectly captured the thrill and confusion of achieving a career milestone. 3. Ronaldinho Casually Announces Dembélé as Ballon d’Or Winner In classic Ronaldinho fashion, the Brazilian legend casually declared Ousmane Dembélé the next Ballon d’Or winner, sparking a wave of reactions from fans around the world. 2. Europe Triumphs on American Soil at the Ryder Cup Europe secured their first Ryder Cup victory on American soil since 2012, capping off a historic performance that saw teamwork and composure prevail under pressure. 1. Is This the Closest Line Call Ever? Carlos Alcaraz and Casper Ruud inspected the replay after Alex Michelsen’s serve was called in during match nine at the 2025 Laver Cup. The ball was in by a fraction, leading to one of the closest line calls tennis has ever seen. Sport never fails to surprise, and September proved once again that drama, brilliance, and emotion remain at the heart of every competition. - Published: 2025-09-30 - Modified: 2026-02-04 - URL: https://wsc-sports-dev.ltu.co.il/blog/industry-insights/survey-55-of-fans-discover-new-teams-players-or-leagues-through-short-form-video/ - Categories: Industry Insights Our 2025/26 Pre-Season: Viewing Habits and Trends report shows that pre-season content needs to be fast, personal, and native to each platform because fans are making choices well before kickoff. Why It Matters The 2025/26 Pre-Season: Viewing Habits Trends Report quantifies how fans behave in the weeks before the start of the season, and provides a blueprint for rights holders to maximize value during this critical period. It shows which formats drive discovery, which platforms move fans to act, and when intent peaks. Put it to work by shifting your calendar earlier, prioritizing vertical, short-form content, tailoring it by player and team, and directing audiences to owned apps where watch time and first-party data grow. Key Takeaways -Move the calendar up. Treat pre-season as its own campaign with clear goals for discovery, opt-ins, and early spend. Align budget, creative, and staffing to start earlier. -Win discovery on mobile, then deepen in owned channels. Lead with vertical short form and athlete-led stories in the feed, and give fans a clear path into your app for fuller experiences. -Personalize at scale and measure by cohort. Tailor by player and team, adjust supply based on what each segment watches, and track pre-season conversion and retention for those groups. What the Data Shows Ahead of NBA preseason tipoff, the 2025/26 Pre-Season: Viewing Habits Trends Report surveyed 350 U. S. fans in July 2025 to track behavior in the lead-up, and the findings are clear: fans are already watching, discovering, and spending. Some of the highlights: -75% of respondents say they’re just as or more likely to buy merch, tickets, or subscriptions during the pre-season -59% say seeing great content at the start makes them more likely to follow a team -55% have discovered a new team, player, or league through short-form platforms like TikTok and YouTube Shorts -68% skip content that isn’t about their team or favorite player. Get all of the findings and practical playbooks, including platform preferences, monetization cues, and pre-season content strategies. Three Moves to Make Now Shift the calendar forward. Two-thirds of fans consume pre-season content weekly. Launch stories and series earlier to bank attention and affinity. Lead with short-form. Use TikTok, Reels, and Shorts to drive discovery and nudge team loyalty. Cut for vertical and pace for the feed. Personalize at scale. With 68% of fans skipping generic clips, target by player and team. Build segments. Measure watch time and conversion by cohort. Summary The season starts in fans’ feeds, inboxes, and apps long before the first whistle. If your pre-season plan is not fast, personalized, and built for the scroll, you are already behind. Pre-season is no longer warm-up. It is go time! - Published: 2025-09-29 - Modified: 2026-02-04 - URL: https://wsc-sports-dev.ltu.co.il/blog/industry-insights/helicopters-music-and-storytelling-the-olympics-that-changed-sports-television/ - Categories: Industry Insights The 1992 Summer Olympic Games in Barcelona marked a cinematic breakthrough in how the world watched sports. David Gavant, Content Executive at WSC Sports, reminisces on the innovation, artistry, and risks that turned NBC Sports’ coverage into a blueprint for modern sports storytelling. Putting Barcelona Center-Stage Barcelona’s Mediterranean coast was a character fixture in NBC Sports’ nightly Olympic coverage. Fishing boats slipping out at dawn. Locals gathering at seaside cafés. Sailboats drifting into golden horizons. Each morning, these “scenics” opened the Today Show, blending Catalonia’s beauty with John Williams’ iconic “Olympic Fanfare and Theme”. For weeks leading up to the Games, crews filmed these vignettes at sunrise, creating the illusion of real-time glimpses. The result was a resounding effect on the way sports fans viewed the games, solidifying the Olympics as a cultural moment that would be remembered for decades to come. When Sports Became Cinema Barcelona also introduced technological breakthroughs that changed sports television. For the first time, NBC deployed the Wescam gyro-stabilized camera, a system usually reserved for Hollywood blockbusters. Mounted on helicopter noses, it delivered sweeping, vibration-free shots with full, 360 degree rotation. Thanks to special clearance from Spanish authorities, helicopters flew as low as 500 feet, giving viewers the sensation of soaring over terracotta rooftops and the Mediterranean Sea. For producers like me, befriending the helicopter crew and finally seeing these shots firsthand was unforgettable. It felt like sports television had crossed into cinema. Crafting the Illusion of Live Behind the curtains, NBC orchestrated Olympic television like cinema. Those “wake-up” scenes of Barcelona life, the bread vendors, cyclists, families at cafés, all shot weeks in advance. Editors built highlight packages that flowed seamlessly with live action. Producers plotted music cues and transitions with the precision of film directors. NBC’s approach was also about perception and timing. Under Executive Producer Dick Ebersol’s vision, Barcelona became the proving ground for what he called 'plausibly live', coverage that was not always truly live but packaged so artfully that it felt immediate to viewers watching in the U. S. Even when an event had wrapped earlier in the day, the way it was edited, presented, and scored gave the broadcast the urgency of a live moment. That sense of live-ness, even when technically tape-delayed, was a hallmark of Barcelona’s coverage and a philosophy that carried into future Olympics. It was another example of NBC treating sports not just as results but as stories to be told. Risk, Experimentation, and the Triplecast Barcelona also saw NBC attempt a bold new model: the Olympics Triplecast, a pay-per-view package delivering wall-to-wall live coverage across three channels. The experiment failed commercially, yet it foreshadowed today’s multi-platform streaming universe. Risks do not always succeed in the moment, but they create the foundation for future innovation. Technology mattered, and trust did too. Spanish officials granted unprecedented flight permissions. International crews bonded over long shoots. Pilots, producers, and editors all pushed boundaries together. For me, those relationships fueled a curiosity that lasted decades. And now, more than thirty years later, I am finally standing in the very place that sparked it. I am in Cadaqués, Spain, the fishing village that opened every night of NBC’s Olympic coverage in 1992. For three weeks, those helicopter shots of the harbor, the tiled roofs, and the Mediterranean horizon became the first images millions of Americans saw before diving into the Games. I had only seen Cadaqués from above, but the village stayed with me ever since. For three decades I carried the itch to see it in person, and this trip, complete with the original NBC tease and new photos of me here today, is the reason I am writing this story now. What began as a television image has come full circle into real life. Actionable Insights Barcelona '92 provided the blueprint for the way sports are covered today. It was a masterclass in how to connect fans to something bigger than the competition itself, and that's something that still resonates for rights holders today. Here are some additional lessons that are still applicable to content teams today: Make the setting part of the story. NBC framed Barcelona itself as a character. For rights holders today, that means weaving culture, place, and atmosphere into coverage. Fans don’t just want results; they also want context, identity, and a sense of belonging. Leverage technology to elevate emotion. Helicopter shots and gyro-stabilized cameras in 1992 were game changers. Today, AI-driven highlights, AR graphics, and personalized feeds can have the same impact if used not just for utility but to heighten drama and immersion. Master timing and perception. “Plausibly live” made pre-recorded coverage feel urgent and immediate. In the digital era, that translates to delivering highlights within seconds, in the right format for each platform, while still making them feel fresh and essential. Experiment boldly, even if you fail. The Triplecast didn’t succeed commercially, but it anticipated the streaming world. Every experiment — from subscription models to direct-to-fan apps — lays groundwork for future success. > How sports can win Gen Z: deliver short-form, personalized, always-on content that matches the speed and culture of their digital lives. - Published: 2025-09-25 - Modified: 2026-02-04 - URL: https://wsc-sports-dev.ltu.co.il/blog/industry-insights/meeting-fans-where-they-scroll-how-rights-holders-can-unlock-gen-zs-commercial-potential/ - Categories: Industry Insights Sports are now formally competing with virtually every other form of entertainment. From Netflix, to YouTube and TikTok. To capture this generation’s attention (and wallets), rights holders must deliver fast, personalized, and culturally relevant content that matches the pace of their digital lives. Key Takeaways: -Sports must match the excitement and interactivity of platforms Gen Z loves to stay relevant in the attention economy-According to a recent study, Gen Zers prefer short-form, always-on, multi-platform content and expect instant, personalized experiences-AI-powered content creation tech enables sports organizations to produce content at the speed younger fans expect and in the formats they crave After months of preparation, the timeline has been set: Kings League, Gerard Piqué's innovative football enterprise, will enter the US market in Q1 2026. And while the American expansion represents Kings League’s biggest challenge yet, the goal remains the same: to captivate Gen Z with a format that prioritizes entertainment, fan involvement, and digital experiences. Launched in January 2023, Kings League currently operates nine leagues, including two for women under the banner of Queens League, across four continents. The seven-a-side, 40-minute format was designed to attract the 18-35 demographic, with unique rules intended to boost scoring, prominent streamers running the teams, and matches broadcast live on YouTube, Twitch, and TikTok. The idea is simple: to survive in the attention economy, you have to be as exciting as the platforms Gen Z cares about. “For these kids, football is not competing against basketball or tennis in terms of getting audiences as it was in the past,” said Piqué. “Football is competing against Netflix, HBO, Amazon Prime, TikTok, YouTube, Instagram, all these platforms that offer entertainment, so the sport needs to be entertaining. ” Gen Z by the Numbers: Understanding the Always-On Generation Generation Z has been a source of fascination for many industries since its oldest members reached adulthood. Born between 1997 and 2012, Gen Zers represent 25% of the world’s population and $7 trillion in purchasing power. Numerous studies have been conducted to gauge this demographic, with one of the latest being Gen Z Culture Decoded, which covers the cohort's cultural interests, habits, and preferences. Based on a survey of 2,000 US-based respondents aged 16-27, the study focuses on Gen Z’s evolving media consumption and digital behavior. Key findings include: -Social platforms and YouTube are the starting point for discovery for more than 71% of Gen Zers. -Gen Z is “always on”: more than 55% of Gen Z consumers are engaged in online activities at any given time. -Throughout the day, Gen Z is hyper-connected, partaking on average in seven online activities. Social media leads the way, with at least 74% using it at all times. - 79% of Gen Zers said adding a shorts feature to a streaming service would increase their weekly streamer app usage. “This research confirms that Gen Z demands short-form, engaging content across all platforms,” said Paul Pastor, Co-Founder and CBO of Quickplay, a leader in OTT cloud transformations and one of the sponsors of the survey. “The study clearly illustrates that streamers need to integrate short-form content into their portfolios to remain relevant to this influential audience. ” How Formula 1 Captures Gen Z's Attention One sport that echoes the findings of Gen Z Culture Decoded is Formula 1. According to the 2025 Global F1 Fan Survey, which drew over 100,000 respondents from 186 countries, 74% of Gen Zers watch F1 short-form content between races. This content is not limited to highlights; younger audiences are also interested in personality-led narratives and cultural dimensions. Additional insights include: -60% of Gen Zers regularly consume F1 content on YouTube or Twitch, which function as entry points to fandom. -Gen Zers' top motivators for following F1 are the thrill and speed of the races, being a fan of certain drivers, and being a fan of specific teams. -58% of Gen Zers consider fashion and style important in their F1 fandom. “This survey isn’t just a snapshot, it’s a signal to the marketplace,” said Werner Brell, CEO of Motorsport Network, which co-authored the research. “Gen Z, women, and US fans are driving an always-on, connected, and culturally powerful era for F1. It points to how we can better serve fans and seize the commercial opportunities for the sport’s future. ” From Live Broadcasts to Scroll-Stopping Moments Serving Gen Zers means understanding that beyond the live broadcast, fandom now lives across formats, platforms, and moments. To unlock Gen Z’s commercial potential, sports organizations can show up where they are, speak their language, and deliver experiences that feel personal, cultural, and instant. That starts with building a content ecosystem that mirrors how this audience engages: fast, fragmented, and always on. AI-powered content creation technology makes this possible. With the right tech stack, organizations can transform raw footage into clips, edits, and personalized narratives at the speed fans expect and in the formats they crave. Formula 1 and Kings League aren’t just chasing Gen Z; they’re earning their attention by turning every storyline into a scroll-stopping moment. > In the ultra competitive battle for top recruits, universities are stepping up their game and offering what was once unthinkable: branding opportunities. - Published: 2025-09-24 - Modified: 2026-02-04 - URL: https://wsc-sports-dev.ltu.co.il/blog/industry-insights/building-student-athlete-brands-why-content-creation-is-essential-to-maximizing-nil-potential/ - Categories: Industry Insights Three years ago the NCAA reversed its long-standing rules that prohibited student athletes from signing endorsement deals. Now that NIL (name, image, and likeness) rules have been fully rolled out, let's look at some of the biggest names in the game. Key Takeaways: -Creative teams play a pivotal role in boosting student-athletes’ visibility, making them more marketable and attractive for NIL partnerships-Content-driven storytelling signals to recruits that schools are invested in helping athletes succeed on and off the field-AI-powered content creation scales highlights, multilingual commentary, and personalized clips, maximizing student-athletes’ chances to secure valuable NIL opportunities In his first season as the starting quarterback of the Texas Longhorns, Arch Manning is the most talked-about athlete in college sports. It's hardly a surprise. The nephew of NFL legends Peyton and Eli, Arch is not only a member of football’s royal family, he's also a 6-4, 219-pound “modern-day Manning, equipped with the footspeed that Peyton and Eli would’ve cut a Faustian deal for,” according to The Athletic. It's only natural, then, that Manning is leading college sports in NIL value by a wide margin. Per On3, the monetary value of his name, image, and likeness is $6. 3 million. The site estimates that over 50 athletes will bring in a minimum of $1 million this season, which is a huge increase from 2024, when only the top 20 reached this valuation. Here are the top five ranked athletes on On3's NIL 100: 1. Arch Manning School: University of Texas Class: Sophomore Sport: Football Position: Quarterback Social media following: 512K Top brand partnerships: Uber, EA Sports, Red Bull, Warby Parker, Raising Cane's, Vuori, Panini America NIL valuation: $6. 3 million 2. Carson Beck School: University of Miami Class: Senior Sport: Football Position: Quarterback Social media following: 167K Top brand partnerships: Chipotle, EA Sports, Beats by Dre, The Dairy Alliance, Powerade NIL valuation: $4. 7 million 3. Jeremiah Smith School: Ohio State University Class: Sophomore Sport: Football Position: Wide Receiver Social media following: 874K Top brand partnerships: Nintendo, adidas, Lululemon, 7-Eleven, Red Bull, American Eagle Outfitters NIL valuation: $4. 2 million 4. AJ Dybantsa School: Brigham Young University Class: Freshman Sport: Basketball Position: Small Forward Social media following: 835K Top brand partnerships: Nike, Redbull, Fanatics NIL valuation: $4. 1 million 5. Garrett Nussmeier School: Louisiana State University Class: Senior Sport: Football Position: Quarterback Social media following: 350K Top brand partnerships: Powerade, EA Sports, Raising Cane's NIL valuation: $4 million Why NIL Infrastructure Matters More Than Ever Four years after its introduction, it's clear that NIL has caused a seismic shift in college sports. The most notable change has been in the evolution of the recruitment arms race between schools. Originally, it was about facilities, the opportunity to compete for national championships, and the best chance of going pro; now, attracting and retaining top-tier talent is also about building the right NIL infrastructure. A big part of that infrastructure is marketing. The University of Georgia, for example, hired an athletic-marketing manager to lead its in-house NIL department. UT Austin's athletics decided to enhance marketing efforts by launching a sports agency that will provide strategic content and customized NIL solutions. Other schools, like Tennessee and Florida State, rely on NIL collectives — organizations funded by alumni and boosters that employ staff focused on, among other things, marketing and content creation. But the lion's share of responsibility for content creation, in the context of promoting student-athletes, still rests with creative teams within athletic departments. “I never thought I would be standing in front of recruits and explaining what our creative team can do for them, but here we are,” said Brandon Berrio, Executive Director of Social Media and branding at LSU Athletics. “You have to evolve, and you have to understand the landscape. ” Potential recruits have already adapted to the new landscape, and some of them choose a school based on its ability to market them. “We have 3. 5 million combined followers across platforms just from LSU football, and they’ve seen the athletes that we’ve helped — Jayden Daniels, Joe Burrow, the list goes on and on,” noted Berrio. From Moments to NIL Deals: The Power of Smart Content Tech Athletic departments that invest in content creation are doing more than producing highlight reels – they’re elevating their athletes’ visibility. Compelling short-form clips, behind-the-scenes stories, and social-ready highlights make players more marketable, boosting their NIL value and opening doors to brand partnerships. At the same time, it signals to future recruits that the school is committed to helping them build their personal brand and succeed beyond the game. The challenge, of course, is scale. Division I programs have hundreds of athletes, many from around the world, with unique stories worth telling. Doing this requires the right technology. AI-powered content creation platforms can instantly generate and distribute eye-catching, shareable assets in multiple languages across touchpoints. Done right, this approach can help athletes maximize their NIL opportunities, even if they weren’t born into football’s royal family. Actionable Insights: -Spotlight athletes beyond the game: capture and share behind-the-scenes moments, lifestyle content, and personal stories that make student-athletes relatable and marketable. -Tailor content for multiple platforms: repurpose highlights and short-form videos into the formats fans prefer most, from vertical reels to tappable stories. -Think globally with multilingual output: use tools that generate captions or voice-over in multiple languages to showcase international athletes and expand audience reach. - Published: 2025-09-23 - Modified: 2026-02-04 - URL: https://wsc-sports-dev.ltu.co.il/blog/industry-insights/the-new-home-court-why-sports-apps-are-becoming-fans-primary-destination/ - Categories: Industry Insights Key Takeaways: -Sports apps have become vital fan engagement hubs, driving community, loyalty, and year-round interaction beyond live games and event schedules. -Innovations like personalized highlights, interactive storytelling, and swipeable short-form videos are redefining the in-app sports experience. -AI-powered content creation enables organizations to instantly generate app-ready highlights, stories, and videos, delivering the personalization and speed fans expect. Despite the lack of a mega event like the FIFA World Cup or the Olympics, it was a great summer for sports in terms of digital engagement. What's interesting, though, is that a big chunk of this engagement happened on mobile apps, a development that could have wide-ranging benefits for rights holders. Visits to the official Wimbledon app, for example, increased by over 20%. A record-breaking one million Apple users downloaded the Wimbledon app this summer. And approximately 500,000 users engaged with “Match Chat,” an AI assistant that offers an interactive way to explore match statistics and player insights, generating over 5 million total actions on the tournament's app. Football's two biggest events of the summer were also digital success stories. There were one million downloads of FIFA apps during the Club World Cup, mostly of the official tournament's app. UEFA Women's EURO 2025's app and website had more than 12 million views in the knockout stage, and over 49 million throughout the event, completing what could be dubbed “the summer of the app. ” From Side Channels to Fan Hubs A new global study conducted by IBM confirms that mobile sports apps are becoming essential to the fan experience. Drawing on the insights of more than 20,000 sports fans across 12 countries, the study reveals that 73% of fans use mobile sports apps, which are valued for providing premium content and opportunities for deeper engagement. Additional findings include: -Year-round sports app usage is highest for official team apps, particularly in the UK, Spain, and Brazil -Exclusive content, unique analysis, and team/player engagement are the top drivers of year-round sports app usage -Sports app adoption is strongest among younger audiences; 87% of fans aged 18-29 use them, compared to 74% of 45-54 year-olds and only 51% of fans older than 55 What the study shows, said Carlo De Marchis, a C-suite executive with 35+ years in sports & media tech, is that “sports apps are no longer side channels; they’re where fans spend the most time, where community can be built, and where loyalty is reinforced. This makes apps one of the most strategic assets a league, team, or broadcaster can own. The industry should treat apps as core platforms, not just as scoreboards. ” Innovating the In-App Fan Journey Judging from the recent wave of app launches, that's exactly what the industry is doing. The Premier League's new app, for instance, was designed to deliver more personalized and engaging experiences for fans via new and improved features such as matchday stories (vertical storytelling of every match), and an AI assistant that delivers tailored insights and bespoke content discovery at scale. ESPN's enhanced app is another illustration of how much organizations value apps today. Launched alongside the networks' new DTC streaming service, the app introduces a set of new features and functionalities, including: -SC For You: a personalized, AI-powered version of SportsCenter delivering highlights, news, and must-see video tailored to each fan’s favorite teams, leagues, and sports interests -Catch Up To Live: a feature that allows fans to watch quick-turn highlights of all the key plays they missed when joining a live game already in progress -ESPN Verts: a swipeable video experience that lets fans easily scroll through vertical short-form videos powered by a faster, more advanced personalization algorithm The focus on personalization and quick-turn highlights proves rights holders are closely attuned to the zeitgeist. Per IBM's study, the two most important aspects of sports content for fans are summarized content and personalized content. That's especially true for younger fans, who expect AI-driven innovation. “For Gen Z, AI isn’t a novelty. It’s baseline infrastructure,” said De Marchis. “To them, personalization and interactivity aren’t perks, they’re table stakes. ” Leveling Up Sports Apps with AI-Powered Content Sports apps have evolved from simple utilities into central hubs where fans expect constant value, connection, and personalization. They’ve become engagement engines, shaping how communities form and loyalty grows. To meet these expectations, organizations must treat apps as extensions of their brand, delivering unique experiences that blend storytelling, interactivity, and exclusive access. Doing this at scale requires technology built for speed and versatility. AI-powered sports content solutions enable rights holders to turn live moments into dynamic, app-ready assets – from personalized highlights and in-app stories to vertical videos optimized for swipeable discovery. With the right content in the right format and the right strategy, this fall’s packed sports calendar could outshine even the “summer of the app. ” Actionable Insights -Prioritize apps as primary fan destinations: treat apps as central engagement platforms by offering exclusive content, interactive features, and personalized experiences -Leverage multi-format storytelling: use vertical videos, swipeable highlights, and in-app stories to create immersive experiences tailored to diverse fan preferences -Automate content pipelines with AI: deploy AI-powered content creation tools to instantly transform live moments into app-ready clips and personalized stories optimized for multiple fan touchpoints > Discover how sports fan segmentation drives personalization, boosts engagement, and activates high-value fans for long-term growth. - Published: 2025-09-21 - Modified: 2026-02-04 - URL: https://wsc-sports-dev.ltu.co.il/blog/industry-insights/how-to-identify-and-activate-high-value-fan-segments/ - Categories: Industry Insights In today’s sports industry, teams can no longer treat fans as a homogenous mass. Modern fans expect experiences tailored to their interests, behaviors, and histories — much like they get from Netflix or social media platforms. Segmentation is the strategic answer: by grouping fans based on real engagement signals (not just age or zip code), sports organizations can personalize outreach, boost loyalty, and maximize each fan’s lifetime value. In fact, studies show 72% of consumers only engage with marketing messages that are personalized to their interests. Effective fan segmentation is about moving beyond basic demographics to dynamic, behavior-driven modeling that uncovers who your most valuable fans are (and how to keep them) while reactivating those at risk of slipping away. This guide explores why segmentation matters for sports organizations, profiles key high-value fan segments, outlines the data sources that power these insights, and shares tactics — including how WSC Sports’ platform supports segmenting and activating fans with the right content and offers. Why Fan Segmentation Matters Personalization drives engagement and revenue: today’s fans compare sports content to other digital entertainment — and they expect the same always-on personalization. Generic one-size-fits-all campaigns simply don’t cut through the noise. By leveraging segmentation and AI, teams can automate highlights, offers, and journeys tailored to each fan’s behavior and interests, which significantly boosts engagement and conversions. Conversely, failing to personalize has a real cost: fans tune out bland messaging and may drift to other entertainment options. -Lifetime value focus: segmentation is also a cornerstone of fan lifetime value (LTV) modeling. Not all fans contribute equally, for many clubs, a small percentage of “superfans” can drive a disproportionate share of revenue (the classic 80/20 rule). Identifying these high-LTV fans and nurturing them with VIP experiences can unlock major incremental revenue. At the same time, segmentation can pinpoint fans at risk of churn (for instance, those whose engagement has recently declined) so you can intervene before they fade away. Modern customer data platforms (CDPs) even enable predictive segmentation, automatically grouping fans into cohorts like likely high spenders, potential churn risks, or new leads by analyzing behavioral patterns. -Meeting rising expectations: fans know that teams collect data on their interactions, and they expect you to use it to improve their experience. Leading sports brands are investing in 360° fan identity graphs that unify data across all touchpoints and power micro-segmentation and personalization in real time. Those that do are seeing higher engagement and loyalty, which ultimately translates to higher revenues. In a competitive attention economy, deep fan segmentation is becoming a must-have, not a nice-to-have, for CRM and digital teams. Common High-Value Fan Segments to Target When moving beyond broad demographics, sports organizations often find several strategically important fan segments based on behavior and engagement: -Superfans (Die-Hards): your most loyal, avid followers who consume everything you put out. These hardcore supporters drive outsized revenue and will buy premium subscriptions, exclusive merch, and advocate for your brand. Activating this segment means rewarding their passion with VIP treatment, loyalty perks, behind-the-scenes content, and ambassador programs. -Dormant Fans (Lapsed or Inactive): fans who were once engaged but have gone quiet. Reactivating them can be far more cost-effective than acquiring new fans. Win-back campaigns work well here: “We miss you” messages, highlight reels of what they’ve missed, or special offers to rekindle their passion. -High-Purchase-Intent Fans: fans showing signals that they’re ready to spend – e. g. browsing ticket availability, shopping merch, or engaging with premium content. Segmenting by purchase behavior helps push them toward conversion with targeted upsells like mini-plans, season passes, or exclusive drops. -Global Fans / Diaspora: followers outside the local market who may never set foot in the stadium but are often deeply passionate. They need localized, mobile-first content and ways to connect from afar, such as multilingual highlights, virtual events, and regional watch parties. -App-First or OTT-First Fans: tech-savvy fans who primarily engage through owned platforms. They deliver rich first-party data and higher revenue potential than social-only fans. To nurture them, provide exclusive in-app experiences, personalized highlights, and smart push notifications. -Social-Only Fans: fans who engage only on third-party platforms like TikTok, YouTube, or Instagram, but remain anonymous in your CRM. The goal is conversion – entice them into owned platforms with CTAs, contests, or exclusive content drops that require registration. -Fantasy & Betting Enthusiasts: fans whose engagement is tied to fantasy sports or betting. They crave real-time stats, updates, and multi-team highlights. Teams can activate them with personalized fantasy recaps, player-specific content, or integrations with betting partners where regulations allow. Segmentation isn’t limited to these groups, it can also target families, students, or new sign-ups. The point is each segment responds differently and deserves a tailored approach. Data Sources to Inform Segmentation Identifying segments and their triggers requires unifying multiple data streams: -Content Consumption Data: tracks what types of content fans watch, read, or share. Metadata-rich insights show affinities for players, play types, or themes. -In-App and Web Behavior: includes app navigation, push notification responses, session frequency, and search queries. These behaviors reveal intent and depth of engagement. -CRM History: profiles, demographics, purchase history, and membership tiers provide context and baselines for segmentation. -Ticketing and Merchandise Data: indicates spending patterns, purchase timing, and affinities that predict high-value fans -Social and Third-Party Data: expands fan profiles with insights from social interactions or enrichment services, supporting lookalike modeling -Zero-Party Data: surveys, quizzes, and polls capture fan motivations and explicit preferences — the “why” behind their behavior The challenge is integrating all these sources into a unified fan identity graph or CDP. The payoff: precision segmentation and truly personalized experiences. Activation Tactics to Engage Each Segment Identifying segments is only half the battle. Success comes from activating them with the right content, offers, and journeys: -Personalized Fan Journeys: automated, trigger-based flows (e. g. reactivation campaigns for dormant fans or upsell prompts for superfans). -Content Bundles: thematic or affinity-based compilations (e. g. “Best of ” or “Top 10 Clutch Moments”). -Re-Engagement Campaigns: nostalgic highlights, FOMO-driven offers, or interactive quizzes to win back lapsed fans. -Upsell & VIP Journeys: targeted offers that turn high-value fans into premium members or ambassadors. -Segment-Specific Campaigns: globalized content, fantasy-focused recaps, or contests to convert fans that typically only 'window-shop' on social. Mapping these journeys into a fan funnel, from anonymous social viewers to identified superfans, ensures fans move seamlessly from casual to committed, and from one-off to lifetime supporters. - Published: 2025-09-15 - Modified: 2026-02-04 - URL: https://wsc-sports-dev.ltu.co.il/blog/industry-insights/beyond-the-caitlin-clark-effect-how-the-wnba-is-building-sustainable-growth-with-storytelling/ - Categories: Industry Insights Women’s basketball is having a moment, and part of the way the WNBA is capitalizing on its surge in popularity is by turning athlete-driven stories into lasting fan relationships. By combining powerful marketing campaigns with continuous, multi-format content, the WNBA is writing the playbook for sustainable growth in women’s sports. Key Takeaways: -The WNBA’s success shows that elevating athlete visibility drives fan engagement, but campaigns need ongoing content to sustain momentum. -Short-form, multi-format storytelling keeps fans connected between major events, amplifying marketing efforts and reaching new, younger audiences. -AI-powered content creation enables sports organizations to automate highlights, personalized videos, and stories, delivering continuous engagement across every fan touchpoint. The “Caitlin Clark effect,” a phrase so popular that it has its own Wikipedia page, is used to describe the impact of the Indiana Fever star on the popularity of women's basketball. In 2024, the Caitlin Clark effect was on full display. In her first year as a pro, the WNBA enjoyed its most-watched regular season in 24 years and finished with its highest attendance in 22 years. Clark was the engine driving the league's record-setting season: Fever games averaged 1. 18 million viewers, compared to 394,000 for all other games; 19 of the 22 games that averaged over one million viewers involved the Fever; and Indiana led the league in attendance. Against this backdrop, few would have expected the WNBA to surpass these numbers in a season where Clark is sidelined due to injuries. But that's exactly what happened in 2025. The league set an all-time attendance record of over 2. 5 million fans as of August 20, despite Clark being limited to just 13 games. Viewership was also up 21% through 56 games this season compared to 2024, with ratings for non-Fever games up 37% from last year. Deepening Fan Connection Through Star-Focused Storytelling The league's meteoric rise in 2024 is largely attributed to a star-studded rookie class, led by Clark, Angel Reese, and Cameron Brink. To capitalize on the popularity of this rookie class, which helped women’s college basketball attract unprecedented attention, the WNBA ran a season-long campaign called “Welcome to the W,” meant to welcome not only the new players but also viewers that came with them. Building on the success of “Welcome to the W,” the WNBA launched a new brand campaign ahead of the 2025 season. Titled “Viewer Discretion," the campaign featured five player-focused spots – on 2024 MVP A’ja Wilson, Angel Reese, Napheesa Collier, Sabrina Ionescu, and Clark – which showcase the sheer depth of talent playing in the league today. “This year, we wanted to go a little deeper around the contributions of our star athletes,” said Phil Cook, the league's chief marketing officer, adding that the idea was “to feature different athletes and what makes them special within the WNBA ecosystem and the game itself. The whole intent is to bring a layer of knowledge and insight to the new fans, so that they get to know our athletes better. ” How Athlete Fame Drives Women's Sports Engagement The WNBA's approach is in line with the findings of The Fame Gap, a recent study about women’s sport by creative agency Sid Lee London. Based on a survey of 1,400 fans in the UK and the US, the study reveals that familiarity with athletes plays a much bigger role in women’s sports compared to men’s sports. Key findings include: -Fans are 51% more likely to start following women’s sports due to buzz about an individual athlete on social media or in the news -The presence of a talented individual is more important to fans of women’s sport when it comes to purchasing tickets -Women’s sports fans are more digitally engaged. They are significantly more likely to follow players on social media than fans of men’s sports “The Fame Gap has significant implications for rights holders as they seek to maximize the long-term commercial value of women’s sports,” said Rory Natkiel, head of strategy at Sid Lee London. “To increase fan acquisition, broadcasters and rights holders must collaborate to make female athletes famous. ” The Need for Continuous, AI-Powered Content Creation The WNBA has excelled at elevating its athletes’ profiles through creative brand campaigns and strong storytelling. But even the best marketing strategy needs to be complemented by a steady stream of multi-format, short-form content that keeps audiences engaged and builds continuous momentum throughout the season and beyond. AI-powered content creation technology enables sports organizations to do this at scale. By automatically producing and distributing personalized highlights, stories, and video assets across every fan touchpoint, rights holders can deliver fresh, platform-optimized content that keeps athletes top of mind between games and campaign moments. And not just one athlete, but an entire generation of stars. Actionable Insights: -Build athlete-driven narratives year-round: use marketing campaigns as launchpads but sustain momentum with consistent, multi-format storytelling. -Leverage short-form content for discovery: turn live moments into snackable clips, reels, and stories optimized for social and top-of-funnel channels to reach new audiences and drive them to owned platforms. -Automate content pipelines with AI: use AI-powered sports content creation tools to instantly generate personalized content and distribute it across multiple fan touchpoints, maximizing campaign impact. > Learn how to reclaim the fan funnel, shift audiences to owned channels, and boost loyalty with personalization and automation. - Published: 2025-09-14 - Modified: 2026-02-04 - URL: https://wsc-sports-dev.ltu.co.il/blog/industry-insights/reclaiming-the-fan-funnel-from-external-platforms-to-owned-journeys/ - Categories: Industry Insights Learn how sports organizations can reclaim the fan funnel by moving audiences from third-party platforms into owned channels, using personalization and automation to drive loyalty and revenue. In the modern sports landscape, teams and leagues have amassed enormous followings on third-party platforms like Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, and YouTube. These channels are invaluable for reach and awareness, but relying on them entirely is a risky game. The fan acquisition funnel today often starts on external platforms, yet the real opportunity lies in migrating those fans into owned environments (your apps, OTT services, websites, and CRM ecosystems) where you control the experience. It’s time for sports organizations to reclaim the fan funnel by owning the fan journey end-to-end. This article explores why owning your fan relationship matters more than ever, the perils of third-party dependence, and how personalized content experiences can convert casual scrollers into loyal, monetized fans on your home turf. The Risks of Third-Party Dependence Third-party social and digital platforms are powerful for reaching new audiences, but they come with significant downsides. When you “rent” your audience on someone else’s platform, you give up control in several critical areas: Algorithm Control and Reach: social platforms ultimately decide which content your fans see. Algorithms – tuned to maximize each platform’s own engagement – can throttle your posts or change suddenly, slashing your organic reach overnight. A team might have millions of followers, yet only a small fraction will actually see any given post if the algorithm doesn’t favor it. If you’re fully dependent on external algorithms, you’re one tweak away from losing direct access to your fanbase. Data and Fan Insight (Zero-Party Data): when fans engage on social media or aggregator apps, the valuable data about their behaviors and preferences stays with the platform – not with your organization. You get surface-level metrics (likes, views) but no individual identifiers or rich profiles. Zero-party data – information fans willingly share, like their favorite player or jersey size – is nearly impossible to collect on third-party channels because you don’t own the user relationship. This data deficit makes it hard to personalize experiences or target fans with the right offers. Monetization Limits: ultimately, external platforms reap most of the monetization benefits from fan engagement on their turf. They sell the ads, they control the sponsorship integrations, and they keep users in their ecosystem. Your viral highlight might garner millions of views – but it’s YouTube or TikTok that sells the ads and knows who watched, not you. Without an owned channel to convert that interest, you’re essentially “renting” your audience instead of owning it. Platform Policy and Stability: another risk is that third-party platforms can change rules, terms of service, or content policies at any time. We’ve seen instances of social networks deprioritizing sports content, clamping down on API data access, or even experiencing outages and turmoil. Building your fan strategy solely on external venues is like building on quicksand – you’re at the mercy of decisions and disruptions far outside your control. In short, third-party channels are phenomenal for discoverability but perilous for sustainability. Reach on external platforms may be plentiful, but retention is fragile when those fans haven’t entered your own ecosystem. Why Owning the Fan Journey Matters If third-party platforms are the wide mouth of the funnel (great for reach), owned platforms are the narrower – but far more valuable – lower funnel where engagement, conversion, and loyalty happen. Shifting fans into your owned channels (whether a league’s official app/OTT service, a team’s website, or a controlled CRM communication) unlocks several key advantages: First-Party Data & 360° Fan Views: when fans engage on your properties, you can start to truly know them. Every click, view, and signup is captured as first-party data that feeds into your CRM or customer data platform (CDP). This helps build a “single supporter view” that legacy systems often lack. A holistic fan profile lets you understand what each fan cares about (e. g. which highlights they watch, which players or topics they favor). That behavioral data is a goldmine for personalization. Lifetime Value and Monetization Upside: fans on owned platforms can be monetized directly and deeply, increasing their lifetime value to your organization. Subscriptions, ads, ecommerce, and sponsorships can all be integrated seamlessly. Personalization is proven to drive higher spending. Tailored content and offers can boost digital revenues by 10–20% according to McKinsey. Direct Sponsor Integration and New Revenue Streams: in your own ecosystem, you’re free to innovate. You can launch loyalty programs, sell premium content subscriptions, or run interactive gamified sponsorship activations. Every interaction in your owned channels can serve as either direct revenue or data to fuel further personalization. Control and Stability: an owned fan journey insulates you from the volatility of third-party platforms. You set the content rules and algorithm. You won’t wake up to find that a tweak in Silicon Valley has cut your reach by half. Your fan database and direct audience reach become a major strategic asset. Owned platforms turn fans from fleeting eyeballs into lasting relationships. They enable a virtuous cycle: more fan data → more personalized engagement → more conversions and loyalty → more data. How to Migrate Fans from External to Owned Channels The journey from a casual social media follower to a fully engaged, known fan in your ecosystem doesn’t happen by accident. It requires a deliberate strategy to guide fans down the funnel. 1. Use Snackable Content as the Gateway: short-form highlights and viral clips are often the first touchpoint. Leverage the reach of social platforms with teaser content that leads fans to your owned platform for more. Provide clear CTAs like “watch the full recap in our app” or “get more highlights like this on our website. ” 2. Offer Personalization and Value-Adds in Owned Channels: fans need a reason to move beyond the scroll. Features like personalized highlight reels, exclusive content, loyalty rewards, or interactive experiences make your app or website indispensable. 3. Trigger Onboarding at the Right Moments: prompt fans to join your owned platform at moments of peak excitement – right after a thrilling highlight, a big win, or during pre-game anticipation. Clear CTAs during these emotional highs dramatically improve conversion rates. 4. Embrace “Create Once, Publish Everywhere” but with Cohesion: use automation and AI to generate content in multiple formats for each platform, while maintaining a consistent thread that points fans back to your owned core. Treat external platforms as discovery tools, not final destinations. WSC’s Value Proposition: Automation and Personalization at Scale Executing the above strategy, i. e. meeting fans on every platform, converting them to owned channels, and delivering personalized experiences at scale, can sound daunting. This is where technology like WSC Sports comes in. Auto-Generation of Platform-Native Content: WSC Sports enables the “Create Once, Publish Everywhere” approach by automatically generating highlight videos in all shapes and sizes. NASCAR, for example, delivers race highlights to its app 80% faster using WSC. Deep Metadata Tagging & Personalization: every clip is tagged with rich metadata – players, plays, context – creating the foundation for personalization. This allows teams to automatically assemble custom highlight reels tailored to each fan’s preferences. Fueling the Fan Data Loop: every interaction feeds back into your CRM/CDP to enrich fan profiles. Personalized content becomes a constant input to your identity graph, allowing smarter targeting and higher lifetime value. Seamless Integration for Fan Journeys: WSC Sports integrates into existing workflows, ensuring personalized clips can flow into apps, email, push notifications, or OTT platforms automatically. WSC provides the scale and intelligence needed to reclaim your fan funnel, helping you deliver content everywhere — while collecting the data to own the relationship. Success Stories: Turning Engagement into Owned Relationships LaLiga’s App Transformation: by integrating WSC Sports highlights, LaLiga transformed its app into a personalized hub. The league saw a 70% boost in user sessions and a 30% increase in time spent in-app. Cleveland Cavaliers’ Personalized Highlights: the Cavs let fans generate custom highlight reels in their app. Fans spent 20+ minutes per session on average, and app downloads increased by 83% after launch. NASCAR’s Owned OTT and App Experience: NASCAR sped up highlight delivery by 80%, incentivizing fans to use its app for near real-time updates, keeping engagement within its ecosystem. Take Control of Your Fan Funnel The message is clear: it’s time to reclaim your fan funnel from the clutches of external platforms. Social media and search will always be vital for discovery, but they should be the starting line, not the finish line, of your fan journey. Owned channels give you control over the relationship, the data, and the monetization. They turn casual scrollers into loyal fans who engage directly with your brand. The examples are out there — LaLiga, the Cavs, NASCAR — proving that personalized, content-driven fan journeys deliver measurable results. The good news is the tools are ready. WSC Sports’ automation and personalization platform makes it possible to scale and tailor fan engagement without overwhelming resources. Now is the time to act. Audit your funnel, identify gaps, and invest in bringing fans into your ecosystem. Every fan you migrate from external to owned channels is a step toward deeper loyalty and higher revenue. > From cinematic visuals to AI-powered highlights, rights holders are finding new ways to transform athletic performances into moments that travel farther, connect deeper, and keep fans engaged long after the competition ends. - Published: 2025-09-14 - Modified: 2026-02-04 - URL: https://wsc-sports-dev.ltu.co.il/blog/industry-insights/clearing-new-heights-in-fan-engagement-the-power-of-tech-enhanced-sports-storytelling/ - Categories: Industry Insights From cinematic visuals to AI-powered highlights, rights holders are finding new ways to transform athletic performances into moments that travel farther, connect deeper, and keep fans engaged long after the competition ends. Key Takeaways: -Fans have come to expect elevated experiences, and technology plays a crucial role in bringing them closer to the action. -Enhancing content with innovative tools helps sports organizations showcase athlete achievements, generate global attention, and inspire deeper fan connection. -AI-powered content creation transforms performances into multi-format stories instantly, ensuring every moment has the chance to reach and engage audiences worldwide. The world's biggest track and field stars will compete in the 20th edition of the World Athletics Championships, which started in Tokyo over the weekend, but one name looms over all of them: Mondo Duplantis. The Swedish pole vaulter, who set the 13th world record (6. 29m) of his career last month, has mixed memories of competing in Tokyo. In 2021, he won his first Olympic gold there, but it was in a near-empty stadium due to COVID-19 restrictions. “I think jumping in front of the Japanese fans is going to bring out something I've never done before,” said Duplantis. This could only mean one thing — clearing 6. 30m, which will be a seminal moment in track and field history To enhance how sports fans experience the event's biggest moments, World Athletics, the governing body of the sport, partnered with Sony. As part of the partnership, Sony will provide a wide range of products designed to give creators and broadcasters the tools to deliver high-quality content, underscore athletes' achievements, and share the excitement of WCH Tokyo 25 with a global audience. Bringing the Artistry of Sport to Life These tools include cutting-edge cameras that allow professionals to capture the intensity and artistry of the sport. Graham Maunder, an award-winning director of photography (DoP) who has covered 9 Olympic Games over 40 years for NBC, used Sony's cameras at the World Athletics Indoor Championships in Nanjing, China, earlier this year, and raved about “the quality and the cinematic look of the pictures. ” The same cinematic look was on full display at the 2025 World Aquatics Championships, held in Singapore from 11 July to 3 August. A four-year partnership between World Aquatics and Sony, meant to transform the way fans consume aquatic sports, resulted in 300 million engagements on social media — an impressive number for a sport that typically draws this level of attention only at the Olympics. “I think the days of international federations being able to sit back and think that just because they’re an Olympic sport the world owes them something are gone,” said Brent Nowicki, the Executive Director of World Aquatics. “Nobody owes us anything. The more we try to keep audiences inspired, (the more) we can keep our sport going on an upwards trajectory in terms of interest. ” Expanding the Sports Spotlight Interest in smaller sports, i. e. , anything outside of the four biggest pro leagues, college football, and men’s basketball in the US, and of football in Europe, has been growing in recent years. In a world that has become more connected thanks to social media and streaming, fans can now routinely tune into sports that were once hard to find. TV networks, for their part, are happy to acquire relatively inexpensive rights, and the results have been striking: -ESPN’s Wimbledon 2025 coverage was its best in six years. The men’s final averaged 3. 2 million viewers, a 26% jump from a year ago, and the women’s final drew 1. 9 million, an 18% improvement over 2024. -The final of the CONCACAF Gold Cup on July 6 drew 3. 84 million viewers for Fox, the most on an English-language network in the tournament’s history. -Over the first half of the WNBA season, ESPN’s telecasts have improved by 10% year-to-year, with three of its top five regular-season games of all time airing this season. Peter Abraham, former CMO of the LA Marathon and founder of Abraham Content Marketing Studio, calls this “the nichification of sports”, and sees it as a real opportunity for organizations. “Every governing body, event, and league should be thinking about a closer relationship with fans who care,” he wrote. “Embracing the community will result in new fans because the uninitiated will hear about how great it is inside the bubble. ” Elevating Experiences, Strengthening Relationships For niche sports, creating deeper bonds with passionate fans is all about elevating their content in innovative ways. This requires technology that amplifies storytelling, accentuates athletes’ achievements, and allows sports organizations to create immersive narratives that resonate beyond competition day. The result is greater engagement, stronger loyalty, and a foundation for long-term growth. AI-powered content creation platforms make this vision scalable. By automatically generating and distributing short-form highlights, personalized recaps, and multi-format stories across every platform, rights holders can transform peak moments into continuous fan conversations. Just like the ones World Athletics will be able to stir when Mondo Duplantis inevitably clears 6. 30m. Actionable Insights: -Capture and tag every moment: treat each performance as potential content by enriching it with metadata that makes it searchable, reusable, and fan-relevant. -Build multi-format outputs from one source: repurpose live action into clips, edits, and stories optimized for different channels to maximize reach and engagement. -Leverage AI to scale storytelling: use automation to ensure fans receive timely, personalized narratives that extend beyond the event and sustain interest year-round. > WSC Sports and ESPN NL extend partnership to deliver real-time, personalized football content across the Dutch fan ecosystem. - Published: 2025-09-11 - Modified: 2026-02-04 - URL: https://wsc-sports-dev.ltu.co.il/blog/news/wsc-sports-and-espn-netherlands-extend-strategic-partnership-to-power-real-time-content/ - Categories: News New agreement will see ESPN NL, Eredivisie clubs, and partners scale personalized, multi-platform content using WSC Sports’ AI technology. WSC Sports, the global leader in AI-powered sports content automation, announced the extension of its strategic partnership with ESPN Netherlands (NL). The partnership also includes close collaboration with Eredivisie CV to drive innovation which has already transformed how Dutch football is covered and consumed. Building on three successful seasons together, the new agreement expands ESPN NL’s use of WSC Sports’ platform to create and distribute real-time, personalized fan experiences and content across every major fan touchpoint: social media, mobile apps, websites, OTT platforms, and partner portals. Goals and highlights will be automatically delivered to all 18 Eredivisie clubs and to KPN, one of the Netherlands’ largest telecommunications providers — all made available within seconds of happening on the pitch. The partnership also includes Southfields, ESPN NL’s production company, ensuring a fully integrated workflow that covers the Eredivisie, Eerste Divisie, and KNVB Cup. WSC Sports’ suite of products will enable ESPN NL to serve fans, clubs, and commercial partners with unmatched speed and scale. The renewed partnership gives ESPN NL and Southfields continued access to WSC Sports’ AI-powered capabilities: -Real-time, personalized content: automatically generate and publish video content from every Eredivisie, Eerste Divisie, and KNVB Cup match. Videos are indexed and distributed by team, player, or key moment, enabling instant storytelling with the option for full creative control. -AI-powered archive access with DAM: the ESPN Netherlands team can breathe new life into its deep video archive through WSC Sports’ Digital Asset Management (DAM) capabilities. AI-powered tagging, search, and editing make it easier than ever to surface, organize, and repurpose historical moments, unlocking richer storytelling and modern fan engagement opportunities. -Multi-platform publishing: seamless delivery to social, web, app, OTT, and partner portals, including real-time goal distribution to all 18 Eredivisie clubs and KPN. -Dynamic branding and monetization: scaled sponsor integration and brand visibility with automatic overlays, logos, and creative elements, unlocking new revenue formats with zero additional production cost. The renewal will also support ESPN NL’s new Fantasy League with automated, highly-shareable content, further expanding engagement opportunities across the Dutch football ecosystem. “This partnership shows the power of AI to support not just one broadcaster, but an entire football ecosystem,” said Daniel Shichman, CEO and Co-Founder of WSC Sports. “Together with ESPN NL, Eredivisie CV, and KPN, we’re ensuring Dutch football reaches every fan, on every platform, in every moment, instantly and with impact. ” The extended relationship strengthens WSC Sports’ footprint in European football and underscores its connection to the global ESPN network, part of The Walt Disney Company. - Published: 2025-09-09 - Modified: 2026-02-04 - URL: https://wsc-sports-dev.ltu.co.il/blog/industry-insights/stream-react-repeat-turning-watchalong-moments-into-a-content-pipeline/ - Categories: Industry Insights Sports watchalongs have evolved from niche fan streams into a global phenomenon, reshaping how audiences experience live games. By blending authentic reactions with interactive storytelling, they’re opening up a powerful new pipeline for sports content creation and fan engagement. Key Takeaways: - Fan-led watchalongs unlock a new path to audience growth by combining authenticity, interactivity, and entertainment that traditional broadcasts often lack. - Short-form highlights from watchalong moments can capture attention and attract younger, digital-native audiences across multiple platforms. - AI-powered content creation technology enables rights holders to instantly turn creator-driven reactions into engaging, multi-format assets that boost visibility and fan engagement. Life just got better for Bundesliga fans living in the UK and Ireland. The league’s new broadcast arrangements in the market not only preserve what fans had — Saturday's flagship match and a comprehensive highlights package on Sky — but also will offer more opportunities to watch games, with rights being handed to different outlets across multiple platforms. In addition to the Sky matches, which require a subscription, the Bundesliga is offering live games via pay-per-view (on Amazon Prime) and free-to-air (BBC iPlayer) services. And, as part of an innovative audience-building strategy, 20 Friday games will air simultaneously on three YouTube channels: the official Bundesliga channel, The Overlap (founded by former Manchester United player Gary Neville), and That’s Football (led by prominent streamer Mark Goldbridge). “Our approach is as diverse as our supporters,” said Peer Naubert, Chief Executive Officer of Bundesliga International. “By combining established broadcasters with digital platforms and content creators, we are taking a progressive step in how top-level football can be experienced. This multi-layered strategy allows us to connect with more audiences, giving every supporter the chance to engage with football in the way that suits them best. ” The Rise of Fan-Led Watchalongs In recent years, an increasing number of fans engage with football via watchalongs. Defined as live streams where audiences watch a creator giving their real-time reactions to what happens on the pitch, watchalongs have their origins in Sky's “Soccer Saturday. ” Barred from airing games during the 3pm “blackout,” the show's panel of former players has been describing the action in the Premier League to viewers since the 1998/99 season. When live streaming became mainstream, the format was adopted by fan channels. Perhaps the most well-known fan-made watchalong channel today is CazéTV. A joint venture of influencer Casimiro Miguel and sports marketing agency LiveMode, the Brazilian YouTube channel made a name for itself by streaming matches from the 2022 World Cup. Since then, CazéTV has been broadcasting high-profile events regularly, including the Olympics in Paris, and it recently reached an agreement with FIFA to stream all 104 World Cup matches in 2026. CazéTV's main draw is Casimiro. Younger audiences today, explained Edgar Diniz, founding partner of LiveMode, want “to watch and participate in a broadcast. What they feel with us is that they are watching the game with their friends. They are discussing, chatting, making jokes, and all of that is happening because they feel they are like Casimiro. He is not an expert voice talking down to them. The audience and Casimiro watch together. ” Tapping Into the Power of Fan Streams The Bundesliga was quick to recognize the power of watchalongs; in 2023, it added CazéTV as a broadcast partner in Brazil. Now, Germany's top flight is hoping that Mark Goldbridge, who popularized the format in the UK and currently has 1. 41 million subscribers on YouTube, can extend the league's reach and visibility among younger, digital-native audiences with his “comedic, impassioned, analogy-packed rants,” as the BBC once put it. Goldbridge's rants are the epitome of the watchalong genre: unfiltered, provocative, and authentic. When done right, this genre can become a content engine on its own, producing countless short-form clips that go viral, attract eyeballs, and access new demographics. This is why retired players, like Neville with The Overlap and David Beckham with Beckham & Friends Live, have recently jumped on the watchalong train with great success. “We're not looking to replace what you can find on Sky or the BBC or anything like that,” said Goldbridge. “People need to appreciate that we have a certain content style, and that's very, very popular. That is an area that needs to be catered to, and I think that is the future, to offer (fans) more choice. ” The Watchalong Content Playbook Fan-led watchalongs have exploded in popularity because they offer something traditional broadcasts can’t replicate: interactivity, entertainment, and a sense of shared experience. By tapping into these formats, rights holders can unlock a powerful content pipeline, transforming spontaneous reactions into viral clips that capture attention and attract younger, digital-native audiences. To capitalize on this trend, rights holders need scalable tools that turn live watchalong moments into multi-format content optimized for every platform. AI-powered sports content creation technology does just that. From real-time creator reaction cuts to personalized storytelling, these solutions allow sports organizations to capture the magic of watchalongs, convert spikes of attention, and give fans what they crave: multiple ways to experience the game. Actionable Insights: -Leverage creator-driven formats: partner with fan-led watchalong channels to reach digital-native audiences and expand visibility beyond traditional broadcast environments. -Turn live reactions into assets: capture spontaneous, authentic watchalong moments and repurpose them into short-form clips optimized for social platforms to drive viral engagement. -Scale content creation with AI: use AI-powered tools to automatically generate multi-format highlights from watchalongs, enabling faster distribution and maximizing audience touchpoints. > Learn how real-time signals turn guesswork into personalized fan experiences, boosting engagement, loyalty, and revenue for sports brands. - Published: 2025-09-07 - Modified: 2026-02-04 - URL: https://wsc-sports-dev.ltu.co.il/blog/industry-insights/from-guessing-to-knowing-how-to-personalize-fan-experiences-with-real-time-signals/ - Categories: Industry Insights For years, sports marketers relied on intuition and broad demographics to guide fan outreach. Campaigns were often one-size-fits-all, built on assumptions about what fans might enjoy. But in today’s data-rich world, guessing is no longer good enough. Fans have more choices and higher expectations: they respond best to content and offers tailored to their actual interests and behaviors. Relying on generic segments (“males 18-34” or “season ticket holders”) misses the mark, because even within those groups individual preferences vary wildly. It’s time to move from guessing to knowing each fan. That shift is possible by leveraging real-time signals: the live behavioral data points that reveal what each fan truly cares about. Modern fans demand relevance. They’re used to personalized recommendations on streaming platforms and retail sites, and they now expect the same level of personalization from sports brands. If a team still blasts out the same highlight clip or merchandise offer to millions of people without differentiation, many fans will tune out. Studies show younger generations increasingly consume sports on their terms – for example, many prefer curated highlights over watching full games. This means teams must cater to specific interests to keep these fans engaged. In short, without rich data, delivering content is essentially guesswork, and guesswork isn’t a winning strategy in 2025’s competitive attention economy. Real-Time Fan Signals: From Behavior to Insight What exactly are “real-time signals,” and how can they transform fan experiences? Real-time signals are the live behavioral cues fans give off as they interact with your content and services. These go far beyond static profile data in a CRM. Some examples include: -Content consumption: which videos a fan watches – and how they watch them. Did they view a highlight reel to the end, rewatch a favorite play, or skip a certain clip? -App and web activity: how fans use your digital platforms. Are they engaging with interactive stats on the app? Browsing certain articles on the website? -Ticketing and attendance: real-time ticket scans at the arena or stadium can trigger personalized content. -Merchandise and purchase behavior: what items a fan is buying (or even adding to cart and abandoning) indicates their affinities. -Surveys and feedback: when fans respond to polls or surveys, they’re explicitly telling you their preferences. -Social and community interactions: Fans’ engagements on your social media or community forums – likes, shares, comments – are additional signals that can be fed into your personalization engine. What makes these signals powerful is their immediacy and specificity. If a fan just watched a highlight of a star striker’s goal, that’s an actionable insight right now — far more useful than knowing, for example, that their age is 27 or that they live in Boston. By capturing dozens of these micro-behaviors across content, apps, ticketing, and commerce, sports organizations can assemble a living, breathing profile for each fan. Every interaction adds another piece to the puzzle. Every highlight watched or skipped, every app click, every purchase – they all become inputs to an evolving fan identity graph that tells you what truly makes that fan tick. From Signals to Personalization at Scale Collecting data is only the first step. The real magic lies in transforming those raw signals into personalized experiences. This happens through a few key practices: -Interest Tagging: as fans’ behaviors roll in, the system tags each fan with specific interests. -Dynamic Fan Segments & Personas: with interest tags and behavioral data, you can create dynamic segments or personas that update in real time. -Personalized Content Journeys: with real-time signals informing tags and segments, sports organizations can design lifecycle journeys that adapt to each fan. Implementing this at scale requires integrating those real-time signals into your marketing technology. It means your data from apps, websites, ticketing, merchandise, etc. shouldn’t live in silos. Unify silos with a CDP/CRM – feed all these data streams into one customer data platform or CRM system that becomes a single source of truth on each fan. By moving to this data-driven model, teams stop marketing at fans and start conversing with fans. Every interaction updates the profile, and every profile update can trigger more tailored interactions. This creates a powerful feedback loop: personalization leads to engagement, which yields new data, which fuels even better personalization. Personalization in Action: Use Cases Across the Fan Journey To make this concrete, let’s walk through a few high-impact use cases where real-time signals power personalized fan experiences: -Post-Game Personalized Highlights: instead of generic highlight emails, fans get recaps centered on their favorite players or moments. -Weekly Digest with Relevant Offers: content plus merchandise or sponsor offers tailored to demonstrated interests. -Birthday and Milestone Journeys: personalized video greetings tied to a fan’s favorite players or historical moments. -Re-Engagement Campaigns for Lapsed Fans: triggered by inactivity, but personalized to what the fan historically loved. These are just a few scenarios. The possibilities are endless once you have real-time fan insights. From pre-game hype messages to personalized in-venue experiences, everything becomes customizable. The fan’s actions dictate the next best experience, rather than marketers pushing out the same journey to everyone. How WSC Sports Enables Personalization at Scale Executing this vision might sound complex; and in the past, it was. Many organizations lacked the tools to capture granular content preferences or to produce enough variations of content to truly personalize. This is where WSC Sports comes in. WSC Sports’ AI-driven platform automatically generates personalized sports videos for every digital platform and every fan, in real time. It’s essentially a personalization engine for sports content, and it works in several important ways: Rich Metadata TaggingOn-Demand Content GenerationIntegration with CDPs/CRMsContent Library for Every Use Case All of this leads to a profound change in how sports organizations engage their audience. The approach shifts from “we think this is what our fans want” to “we know what each fan wants right now” because the data and the content engine are finally in sync. And it’s not just about engagement metrics – it’s also a monetization play. More engaged fans are more likely to purchase merchandise, renew season tickets, and attract sponsors. Every personalized video view is not just content delivered, but an opportunity – to learn more about the fan, to delight them, and to eventually monetize that engagement in a fan-friendly way. Conclusion: Delivering What Fans Want – No Guesswork Required Sports fandom is deeply personal. It’s about passion for players, teams, and moments that resonate on an individual level. It’s time for sports organizations’ engagement strategies to reflect that personal nature. Moving from guessing to knowing means embracing real-time data and the tools that make sense of it. The payoff is not only in better metrics, but in stronger fan relationships. When a fan feels like a team “just gets” them – always serving up the highlights they crave, reaching out at the right moments, remembering their milestones – that fan is likely to stick around for life. The technology to do this, once out of reach, is here today. Forward-thinking teams have already shown that personalized fan experiences driven by real-time signals lead to dramatic boosts in engagement. The days of batch-and-blast content are numbered. In their place, we have custom highlight reels, tailored offers, and timely touches that make each fan feel like the team is speaking directly to them. It’s a win-win: fans get more enjoyment, and teams see more loyalty and value. Ready to stop the guesswork? By leveraging real-time signals and AI automation, you can turn heaps of data into meaningful fan moments at scale. - Published: 2025-09-04 - Modified: 2026-02-04 - URL: https://wsc-sports-dev.ltu.co.il/blog/industry-insights/closing-the-gap-between-reach-and-revenue-how-ai-powered-content-unlocks-fan-value/ - Categories: Industry Insights In European football, the stands may be full and the feeds overflowing, but turning followers into paying fans remains one of the industry’s toughest challenges. The Premier League’s digital playbook shows how technology can bridge that divide. Key Takeaways: - European football struggles to convert social media followers into paying fans, leaving significant revenue potential untapped compared to other sectors. - By offering personalized, interactive, and rich content on its owned platforms, the Premier League creates a unique experience that deepens fan engagement. - AI-powered content creation technology helps rights holders deliver timely, personalized stories at scale on their O&Os, where a value exchange is much more likely to happen. The Adobe Summit in London this summer provided quite a few must-see moments, but only one piece of news. The software brand and the Premier League announced a multi-year, wide-ranging technology collaboration, making Adobe the official digital fan experience partner of English football’s top-flight. As part of the partnership, the tech firm will integrate its Adobe Express creativity suite and Adobe Firefly generative AI (Gen AI) platform into the Premier League’s official website and mobile app, allowing fans to use natural language prompts and pre-made templates to create images and videos of their favorite clubs, players, and fantasy teams. And there's more to come. In the future, the Premier League could leverage new agentic capabilities of Adobe's customer data platform to create personalized content based on unified fan data. All these features, the league hopes, will tempt fans to spend more time on its website and app, deepening engagement with first-party channels. Converting Digital Reach into Financial Reality The importance of engagement with first-party channels cannot be overstated, especially in terms of turning online activity into revenue. While some leagues and teams have a huge digital footprint, the vast majority of fans engage on social media, where it's much harder to convert them from followers to monetizable supporters. According to sports consulting firm TIAKI, the conversion rate of social media followers to actively transacting fans (for instance, season ticket holders, regular merchandise buyers, paid content subscribers) in the sports industry is estimated to be between 0. 5% and 2%. This falls considerably short of other sectors, such as finance & insurance (6. 47%), travel (7. 54%), and media & entertainment (18. 10%). Converting followers into paying fans is particularly challenging in European football. Digital Value of Fans 2025, a recent report from sports data and insights company Horizm, revealed that European football leagues and teams lag behind when it comes to monetizing fans. Drawing on the insights of over 12,000 rights holders and brands, the report provides a data-driven perspective on the power of digital engagement in sports. Key findings include: -Only 3 of the top 10 leagues by value-per-fan — a metric that measures how efficient organizations are in extracting value from each of their digital followers — are European football leagues-Only 5 of the top 10 teams by value-per-fan are European football clubs Investing in O&Os: The Premier League Case Study If increasing the value per fan is the goal, teams and leagues should invest more resources in attracting fans to their owned and operated (O&O) platforms. Unfortunately, many O&Os do not offer markedly different experiences than what you’d typically get on social media, resulting in a relatively poor value proposition for fans. Against this backdrop, the Premier League's O&Os stand out as a rare example of providing a compelling value proposition. The partnership with Adobe comes close on the heels of launching a new mobile app and website, designed to deliver more personalized and engaging experiences for fans. New and improved features include: -Matchday stories: vertical storytelling of every match, including links to club and broadcaster platforms. -myPremierLeague: this feature lets fans shape their app and alerts around players, clubs, and matches, and use "Line Up", an interactive tab that helps them keep track and provides access to in-depth content and personalized stories. -The Premier League Companion: a new AI assistant to help fans explore over 30 seasons of stats, 300,000 articles, and 9,000 videos, delivering bespoke content discovery at scale. Building the Infrastructure for Fan Value Creation By delivering interactive formats, personalization tools, and AI-driven discovery, the Premier League is giving fans a reason to visit its platforms — and stay there. This kind of rich, differentiated experience is what sets owned channels apart from social media. When fans feel like the platform knows them and adds value, engagement deepens, and meaningful revenue opportunities begin to unlock. Making that strategy scalable, however, requires the right infrastructure. AI-powered content creation technology enables rights holders to tailor experiences, repurpose archives, and react to live moments in real time, in the language of today’s fans. It's this combination of creative agility and data intelligence that transforms digital content from a brand awareness play into a monetization engine – and helps close the value-per-fan gap that still holds much of the sports industry back. Actionable Insights -Prioritize owned platforms over rented reach. Invest in building differentiated experiences on your O&Os—features fans can’t get on social media—to create a real value exchange and open the door to monetization. -Use AI to scale personalization. Tap into AI-powered tools to deliver content that adapts to fan preferences, surfaces relevant archives, and reacts instantly to live moments without adding manual workload. -Turn engagement into transactions. Design your content journeys with conversion in mind, from merchandise links in highlight reels to subscription CTAs in personalized feeds, ensuring every interaction has a potential business outcome. > Fan-first leagues like Kings League and TGL are redefining sports with digital formats, VC investment, and real-time content innovation. - Published: 2025-09-04 - Modified: 2026-04-15 - URL: https://wsc-sports-dev.ltu.co.il/blog/industry-insights/owning-the-feed-how-fan-first-leagues-are-changing-sports-investment/ - Categories: Industry Insights Sports are no longer competing just with each other, they’re battling every podcast, meme, and Netflix binge for fan attention. New leagues built for the feed-first era are rewriting the rules of fandom and investment, with tech infrastructure making execution possible at scale. Key Takeaways -Sports are competing in the attention economy: leagues now measure success not just by viewership, but by engagement, impressions, and how often content surfaces in fans’ feeds. -New leagues are being built like startups: digital-first formats such as Kings League, Snow League, Pro Padel League, and Real American Freestyle are attracting both fans and venture investment, led by Left Lane Capital. -Execution is everything: turning every moment into content that travels is the real differentiator, and technology like WSC Sports is the infrastructure that makes it possible. Adam Silver didn't mince words when he appeared on The Dan Patrick Show earlier this year. Asked about the NBA's future, the commissioner skipped talk of strategy or competition from other leagues. Instead, he zeroed in on something bigger: "We are competing against so many different forms of entertainment. It's podcasts, and social media, and unlimited numbers of channels and programming. " The math backs him up. TikTok users average 58 minutes daily on the platform. For context, that's longer than (most) NBA games without breaks. So, yeah, sports aren't only competing with other sports anymore; they're fighting for the same eyeball hours as every meme, podcast, and Netflix binge. "Share of eyeballs," it's sometimes called. Traditional leagues have responded aggressively. The NBA dominates X discourse during the off-season. La Liga has pushed into markets where football barely registered a decade ago. The Premier League's global broadcast strategy has turned Saturday morning into international appointment television. The NFL, with a 17-game season, is somehow a 12-month sport. And F1 lives on Netflix and movie theatres now. Accomplished also through the adoption of AI technologies, legacy leagues still carry baggage. Broadcast partners with old expectations. Seasons that stretch across months. Broadcasts that are sometimes simply too long. Traditions that can't be scrapped overnight. New properties don't have these constraints. Some are being built specifically for the world Silver described — where sports compete with everything else for attention. The New Wave Gerard Piqué wasn't trying to recreate La Liga when he launched Kings League. Seven players per side, rules that change mid-game, team presidents who built their followings on Twitch. it feels more like organized chaos than traditional football. That's the point. The numbers suggest it's working. Kings League Nations Cup pulled over 100 million viewers and generated 1. 5 billion social impressions. Not bad for a format that didn't exist three years ago. Piqué isn't alone. Shaun White's Snow League offers the largest prize purse in freestyle snowboarding history, treating the sport like a global entertainment circuit rather than scattered competitions. Magnus Carlsen's Freestyle Chess reached 500 million people in its debut season, making chess feel more like a live show. Playing by Their Rules These aren't isolated experiments. Tiger Woods and Rory McIlroy's TGL hit a $500 million valuation before anyone had seen a match. And Ice Cube's BIG3 has carved out a sustainable space with 3-on-3 basketball designed for cameras. The pattern isn't hard to spot. These leagues measure success differently than their predecessors. Viewership matters, but so do social impressions, engagement rates, and how often clips surface organically in feeds. They're competing for attention using attention economy rules. Why VCs Care Now For most sports history, wealthy individuals bought teams for the same reasons they bought art or vineyards, status, passion, maybe some tax advantages. The business case was secondary. That's changing. Venture firms are moving into sports, but they're not limited to buying franchises. They're funding new leagues that look and act more like consumer startups than civic institutions. The opportunity is real. According to Houlihan Lokey's market update, women's elite sports revenues tripled between 2021 and 2024. Yes, they did it from a smaller base, but the growth curve is steep enough to get investors' attention. The broader sports market is projected to nearly double from $460 billion today to over $860 billion within a decade. Sports analytics alone are growing at 24% annually. These aren't the slow, steady returns that made sports a sleepy investment category. When properties align with shifting fan behavior, growth can be explosive. That's venture capital territory. Left Lane Capital exemplifies this shift. The firm talks about "one-of-one leagues", properties that can dominate their categories by building communities that outlast individual seasons. The same logic drives investments in social platforms or creator economy businesses. Building the Portfolio Left Lane's sports investments reflect this philosophy. We talked about Kings League and Snow League, but you also see Pro Padel League - rapidly scaling padel internationally. Real American Freestyle professionalizing non-scripted, freestyle wrestling. All Left Lane portfolio companies. And while these three competitions share a commonality of having a star founder, the firm has been backing more than one format designed for digital consumption from day one. LOVB volleyball, another portfolio company, is building what it calls a "youth-to-pro" pipeline, capitalizing on volleyball's surge as the largest girls' high school team sport in the States. Similar valuations elsewhere validate the approach. TGL's half-billion-dollar valuation before launch signals investors see potential in leagues born with digital DNA. The money follows properties that understand their product extends far beyond what happens during the game. Under the hood, these leagues share structural advantages that traditional sports can't easily replicate: no legacy broadcast deals to navigate, no decades of tradition to balance against innovation, no entrenched stakeholders resistant to change. The Content Challenge Here's where theory meets reality: these leagues live or die by their ability to turn every moment into content that travels. A great match means nothing if highlights take hours to produce, if clips aren't optimized for different platforms, or if personalized content can't reach the right audiences. Traditional production workflows weren't built for this pace. Manual editing, approval chains, and platform-specific reformatting all take time, and the attention economy doesn't allow them. Kings League found one answer by working with WSC Sports on automated content creation. Real-time highlight generation, multi-platform distribution, personalized delivery based on fan preferences. As the league's global video director, Guillem Barquín noted, "When content is your product, automation is your competitive edge. " This truth isn't unique to Kings League. Any property competing for attention at internet speed faces the same operational challenge. Vision is easier than execution, especially when execution needs to happen hundreds of times per event across dozens of platforms. The investment thesis only works if leagues can actually deliver on their promises to fans. That requires infrastructure that can match their ambitions. The Thirst for Scale Sports ownership is bifurcating. Traditional models, billionaires buying franchises for civic pride and cultural cachet, aren't disappearing. But alongside them, a different approach is emerging: venture-backed leagues built like digital businesses, designed to compete in the attention economy. The established powers aren't standing still. The behemoths mentioned earlier show incumbents can adapt when they want to. But they're adapting existing structures rather than building new ones. Kings League's 100 million viewers, Freestyle Chess's 500 million reach, TGL's pre-launch valuation—these data points suggest there's room for properties that start with digital-first assumptions. The broader sports market's trajectory toward $860 billion creates space for multiple approaches to succeed. But whatever your legacy or history is, your product must include everything fans see — not just the competition itself: -Game footage -Behind-the-scenes content -Player personalities -Community interactions -It’s all part of the same ecosystem. And the thirst for scale is only growing. And building your own audience, on your own platforms? Maybe more. Left Lane and WSC Sports represent different pieces of the infrastructure needed to compete effectively. Capital to take risks on new formats. Technology to turn those formats into sustainable content businesses. It’s a match made in a 24/7, digitally broadcast heaven. For fans, the result is already visible: games designed around their consumption habits, content that surfaces where they spend their time, formats that feel native to digital platforms. For the industry, it's a preview of how value gets created when sports become part of the athlete-driven space and the creator economy. Mastering these shifts guarantees entertainment, but, more importantly, the chance to own attention itself. In a world of fragmented fan journeys and competition from everywhere, this is where the future of sports lives. Actionable Insights -Redefine your product: think beyond the game. Game footage, behind-the-scenes moments, personalities, and community are all part of the same fan ecosystem. -Build for internet speed: fans expect highlights and clips in real time, across every platform. Legacy production workflows can’t keep up. -Leverage automation strategically: when content is the product, automated creation and distribution aren’t optional; they’re competitive advantage. -Watch where capital flows: venture investment is pouring into leagues that align with shifting fan behavior. Growth comes from fan-first design, not tradition. > Learn how AI is transforming sports content in 2025 with viral trends, creative tools, and fan engagement highlights from our latest webinar. - Published: 2025-09-03 - Modified: 2026-02-04 - URL: https://wsc-sports-dev.ltu.co.il/blog/industry-insights/webinar-game-on-how-ai-is-shaping-sports-content-in-2025/ - Categories: Industry Insights AI is the engine behind some of the most creative content hitting sports fans’ feeds. In our latest webinar, Merav Savir and Manon Moser present examples, tools, and trends that are changing the way editors approach creating content for fans. From “Starter Packs” to Nostalgia Cards AI’s impact is clearest in the kinds of posts that stop fans mid-scroll. Remember the “starter pack” meme format? Olympique Lyon took that idea and used it to showcase their players in a way that felt fun and relatable, earning one of their best-performing posts of the year. Other teams have leaned into nostalgia. With a few prompts, editors are creating collectible-style graphics like, traditional sports cards, tarot cards, Pokémon cards, and more, that bring a retro twist to modern athletes. One example highlighted track and field star Anna Hall in a card format that sparked both recognition and a sense of throwback fun. Visual Effects That Pop It’s not just static graphics. Effects-driven posts are climbing feeds everywhere, powered by AI’s ability to generate visuals that look fresh and unexpected. World Athletics, for example, used an animated AI effect that helped one of their posts rank in the global top 100 on Instagram. Wimbledon got experimental too, releasing an AI-generated look at what tennis stars Carlos Alcaraz and Jannik Sinner might look like decades into the future — playful way to celebrate their rivalry and careers. And then there’s the pure fun side: a kangaroo cheering for a handball team, created with the AI tool Viggle. It’s random, weird, and exactly the kind of thing fans can’t resist sharing. Videos That Keep Fans Playing Along Short-form video remains king, and AI tools are giving editors more creative ways to make fans part of the story. Paris Saint-Germain tapped into this with a looping clip that challenged fans to screenshot a player at the perfect moment. It became a mini-game on Instagram, and fans responded by replaying, commenting, and sharing their attempts. Runway, another AI tool, powers one of the year’s most interactive trends: “shadow reveal” videos. Fans are shown the silhouette of an athlete and challenged to guess their identity before the reveal. It’s simple, but the suspense hooks people in and sparks conversation in the comments. Idea - Prompt - Tool One key takeaway from the webinar is that editors don’t need to overcomplicate things. The workflow is simple: Start with an idea (What’s the story? Who’s the athlete? )Write a clear prompt (Give context, be specific, show examples)Pick the right tool (ChatGPT for prompts, Runway for video, Canva for graphics, etc. ) That three-step model is what makes AI accessible: you don’t need to be a designer or developer to bring a concept to life. Just keep in mind that AI should amplify creativity, not replace it. If content starts to feel generic, repetitive, or soulless, it’s a sign you're overusing it. That human touch, like overall strategy, emotion, and storytelling still has to take the lead. And that's something that can only be done by you. > How star on-air talent drives engagement and how AI-powered content tech turns live studio moments into lasting fan connections. - Published: 2025-09-03 - Modified: 2026-02-04 - URL: https://wsc-sports-dev.ltu.co.il/blog/industry-insights/from-the-studio-to-the-scroll-unlocking-the-full-value-of-top-on-air-talent/ - Categories: Industry Insights In sports broadcasting, the action doesn’t just happen on the field, it also unfolds in the studio. The right on-air talent can transform a show into an event, creating moments that fans remember, share, and return for week after week. Key Takeaways: -Star on-air personalities drive deeper audience engagement by creating memorable moments, shaping storylines, and attracting viewers who might not otherwise tune in-Short-form content extends the reach of these must-watch moments, fueling discovery, sparking conversation, and amplifying fan engagement across digital platforms-AI-powered sports content tech allows rights holders to instantly transform live magic into personalized, multi-platform content that boosts visibility and audience loyalty There are plenty of storylines going into the 2025 NFL season. The on-field questions are myriad. Can the Eagles repeat as Super Bowl champions? Will Patrick Mahomes, Josh Allen, or Lamar Jackson win MVP? Can the Cowboys make it back to the playoffs? On the screen, on the other hand, there's one question on the collective mind of football fans: how will Rob Gronkowski fare as a full-time member of the Fox NFL Sunday crew? Gronkowski is replacing longtime analyst and former Cowboys coach Jimmy Johnson, who announced he was retiring earlier this year. And while the four-time Super Bowl-winning tight end previously made guest appearances on the show, it will be fascinating to see how he meshes with his new colleagues, Hall of Fame members Terry Bradshaw, Howie Long, and Michael Strahan, this time as equals. The stakes are high. Fox NFL Sunday has been the best-rated studio pregame show for 31 consecutive seasons, largely due to the dynamic between cast members. “The chemistry between them is without a doubt the number one asset the show has,” said executive producer Bill Richards. “It’s not contrived and it’s not fake. ” Now, Fox Sports is banking that Gronkowski's free-spirited persona will produce an alchemy that keeps fans coming back — and maybe even draws new audiences to its recently launched DTC streaming service. The Manning Effect Top on-air talent can be a real needle mover for rights holders. Take Peyton and Eli Manning, for example. Their alternate “Monday Night Football” telecast for ESPN2, colloquially known as the ManningCast, debuted in 2021 and captured, on average, 13% of MNF's total audience during its first regular season. Since then, the ManningCast has continued to lure audiences to ESPN, averaging at least one million viewers per episode over four seasons. The ManningCast's value cannot be overstated. By the time Monday night comes around during football season, viewers have logged many hours watching NFL games. But the Mannings' mix of crosstalk and banter, said Burke Magnus, President of Content at ESPN, helps “drum up more people to watch a Monday night game who probably wouldn’t want to watch otherwise. ” Inside the NBA: A Culture of Unpredictability Another show whose on-air talent attracts viewers who probably wouldn’t watch otherwise is Inside the NBA. Hosted by Ernie Johnson and starring Charles Barkley, Shaquille O'Neal, and Kenny Smith, the halftime and postgame studio show has been a television staple for over three decades because of its blend of basketball IQ, larger-than-life personalities (led by Barkley and O'Neal), and, most importantly, the ability to generate countless must-watch moments. Whether it's a squirt gun battle that breaks out in the studio, O'Neal failing a spicy chip challenge, or three-point shootouts on the set, Inside the NBA is responsible for some of the most epic moments in sports television history: Most of these moments are a result of the show's greatest asset (other than the cast): its unpredictability. “The more we plan, the more God laughs at us,” said Tim Kiely, who produced Inside the NBA for 28 years. “So planning won’t work. It’s better that we just continue to do what we’ve done, which is, well, hell — half the ideas we come up with are a half-hour before we air. ” After 36 years on TNT, Inside the NBA will air on ESPN starting with the 2025-6 season, as part of a sub-licensing agreement between parent companies Disney and Warner Bros. Discovery. According to reports, ESPN’s goal is to let the postgame segment — the best part of the show — run as long as it did on TNT. The challenge for the network will be to ensure Inside the NBA gets the visibility it deserves, and to capitalize on the magic moments it creates. The Transition From Must-Watch to Must-Share Great on-air talent has the power to do what schedules and rights alone can’t: pull in new audiences, spark storylines, and create unforgettable moments that fans actively seek out. Personalities who connect authentically with viewers become an integral part of the experience itself, transforming broadcasts into cultural events. For rights holders, harnessing this connection means finding ways to amplify these moments far beyond the live show. AI-powered sports content creation technology enables this by automatically turning memorable highlights, spontaneous banter, and unpredictable magic into short-form content tailored for every platform. By fueling discovery and engagement across channels, these tools ensure that must-watch moments live well beyond the broadcast and drive fans deeper into owned ecosystems. Because sometimes, the right persona isn’t just part of the show — it is the show. Actionable Insights -Capitalize on personality-driven moments: build workflows that quickly identify and clip unscripted, memorable on-air exchanges to fuel multi-platform engagement. -Use short-form as the hook: turn the best studio highlights, jokes, and must-watch moments into scroll-stopping videos that drive fans to longer-form content. -Automate for speed and scale: leverage AI-powered sports content technology to repurpose broadcasts into platform-specific assets and maximize audience reach. > Get the insights from our In-App Stories & Moments Report: how fans engage, why CTAs matter, and where new monetization opportunities lie. - Published: 2025-09-02 - Modified: 2026-02-04 - URL: https://wsc-sports-dev.ltu.co.il/blog/industry-insights/in-app-stories-and-moments-what-the-data-tells-us-about-the-fan-journey/ - Categories: Industry Insights Dive into the latest data and trends we uncovered in our In-App Stories and Moments Report. The findings highlight how fans engage with app content today and what organizations can do to capture more attention, action, and value. Today’s sports fans are less likely to watch through to the final whistle, let alone tune into the live broadcast at all. Increasingly, the most valuable fan interactions for rights holders are happening inside their mobile apps in the form of different types of content experiences. Two of the most popular forms of content are WSC Sports’ Stories and Moments (similar to shorts and reels), designed to capture attention and drive quick action from the fans consuming them. We analyzed data from the world’s leading sports rights owners to see how fans really engage. The findings reveal a simple truth: when it comes to Stories and Moments, every second, every card, and every swipe-up matters. Get the Full Report: The strategic evolution of Stories Over the past two years, Stories have emerged as a dominant experience for engaging users in owned and operated app environments. Their unique structure, built on “slides” that can be added as games progress, makes them perfectly suited for telling the story of the game — featuring highlights, and delivering all the content that has historically captivated sports fans. This format has proven instrumental in driving higher app engagement and retention that contribute significantly to overall fan lifetime value, as well as performance across major sports properties. The monetization power of Moments The endless scrolling experience popularized by TikTok and adopted by Instagram, Facebook, and YouTube, has opened new opportunities for sports rights holders to drive key performance indicators forward. These vertical videos encourage users to dramatically increase the amount of time spent in apps, creating increased exposure to content that pays dividends in monetization opportunities. Ads integrate seamlessly into scrolling experiences, while strategic CTAs can drive partnership content and in-app purchases for merchandise and event tickets (elements that also play a key role in Stories, too). Additionally, this format's ability to tell non-linear stories, and deliver personalized content gives rights holders unlimited storytelling options. For example, showcasing non-game footage like locker room interviews, venue arrivals, press conferences, and lifestyle content expands your content portfolio — while giving fans the content they really love to engage with. Because data shows that this type of content actually performs best. Now, let’s get into some of the other trends we uncovered. So many stories, so little time From 2024 to 2025, the average Story length dropped from an average of about 3 minutes and 20 seconds to 2 minutes and 56 seconds. That’s significant considering the short length of stories in general. The number of slides viewed per story fell even more dramatically, by an astounding 42%, signaling that fans aren’t sticking around for a long build-up, or shuffling back and forth between story slides. They’re either entertained or their swiping left... fast. CTAs are the MVPs of engagement Teams, leagues, and broadcasters are adopting In-App Stories not only to provide fans with entertaining content, but to take control of the fan journey. CTAs can be inserted into a story that lead the viewer to “Watch Live”, “Get Tickets”, "Place a Bet", and much more. The text of a story CTA is only limited by its creator’s imagination. The key difference when it comes to In-App Stories, however, is that these CTAs actually provide results. Compared to the industry benchmark of just 0. 45%, In-App Story CTAs achieved a 12. 3% click-through rate. That’s more than 25× higher. And at the end of the day, we’re talking about something a lot more valuable than ‘clicks’. CTAs are the bridge from watching to acting, turning passive viewers into active fans who sign up, make purchases, and explore deeper content. Pre-game is the biggest missed opportunity Only 6% of stories are posted before games, yet they drive 2x the CTR compared to in-game posts. That pre-game window is when fans are buzzing with anticipation, and when they’re most likely to engage deeper. Think about player arrivals, pre-game interviews, and warm-ups. These days, fans care as much about what their favorite player wears to the game as what they do once it starts. Yet, a third of pre-game stories still don’t include a CTA, leaving high-value content underutilized and potential revenue on the table. Personalized and player-focused stories perform best Completion rates climb as stories get shorter and more personal. Also noteworthy: player-centric stories lead the pack at 47% completion, outperforming stories focused on a game or team. If you ask fans at sign-up who their favorite players are, then you’ve got the data you need to create at least one personal feed. But that doesn’t mean you can’t create stories around other players who may not be as popular. Fans want to ‘get to know’ the athletes up close and in formats that feel direct and human. Content like that helps them connect with a new player — it gives them a voice, a personality, and tells their story — and that opens new avenues of fandom. Moments: The Endless Scrolling Experience for Your App Designed for quick consumption and high engagement, Moments bring that familiar endless scroll experience — similar to TikTok and Instagram Reels —into owned apps. But with the added benefit of keeping fans, data, and monetization opportunities in-house. The result: increased dwell time and more opportunities to monetize through ads, CTAs, or in-app purchases. Moments also create space to showcase content beyond the game; from stadium arrivals and locker room interviews to lifestyle stories and highlights that deepen fan connection. For rights holders faced with limitations sharing in-game content, pre and post game footage become an even more essential part of the content strategy. And it’s a win-win because the data shows it’s a fan-favorite. Fans love Moments, but are missing that next step While the average length of Stories is decreasing, Moments are actually getting longer. Average length increased 7. 5% to an average of 36 seconds — right in TikTok’s reported sweet spot for short-form video. What’s most impressive is that fans are going back to rewatch these moments, which is good news if you’re a rights holder who hasn’t fully embraced this content format yet. Data shows that 19% of Moments are watched more than once by the same user, and that’s taking into account tens of millions of total views. The area of improvement for rights holders is adding CTAs to this highly watched content. Data shows that less than half of all moments (43%) contained a CTA. A new gameplan: what success with In-App experiences looks like? The data we uncovered and analyzed leads to a new set of rules when it comes to engaging your fans on owned platforms: Keep Stories short, sharp, and front-loadedTreat the first card like the opening tip; it sets the toneOwn the pre-game moment and make CTAs mandatoryLean into player-driven content for higher completionUse Moments to offer fans the endless scrolling experience fans love Stories and Moments are powerful direct-to-fan tools you can use to take control of the fan journey. Those that master their structure, timing, and calls to action will keep fans watching and, just as importantly, clicking, connecting, and coming back for more. - Published: 2025-09-01 - Modified: 2026-02-04 - URL: https://wsc-sports-dev.ltu.co.il/blog/customer-spotlight/qa-how-tvnz-transformed-cricket-coverage-with-real-time-content-automation/ - Categories: Customer Spotlight From labor-intensive editing to near-instant publishing, automation is changing how New Zealand’s national broadcaster delivers the moments that matter. Key Takeaways From minutes to moments: Social clips that once took 15–30 minutes now publish in seconds. Beyond broadcast: Automated highlights fuel TVNZ+ coverage, social content, paid media, and OOH out-of-home. Turning plays into promotion: Real-time delivery drives fans directly from the moment to the live game. Cricket is a sport of moments, a decisive wicket, a game-changing boundary, a record-breaking milestone. But in today’s fast-moving sports media landscape, capturing and delivering those moments in time to make an impact isn’t easy. For TVNZ, producing cricket highlights once meant hours of manual editing and long delays before fans could see the best plays. With the addition of WSC Sports’ AI-powered automation, that’s all changed. We spoke with the TVNZ team about how their workflow has evolved, what it means for their audience, and the surprising ways they’ve used real-time content to fuel marketing and engagement. Q&A: How TVNZ Reimagined Cricket Content Why did you need to change your content strategy? We needed our content to match the expectations of modern sports fans, who demand highlights as soon as they happen, more variety in what they watch, and easy discovery and accessibility to that content. Cricket fans are no different, so it was important for TVNZ to redefine traditional cricket coverage and set a new standard in how events are covered in New Zealand. Specifically we needed a way to create highlights faster and in more formats to fill our various social media accounts and owned and operated platforms. From 5-minute to 30-minute packages for TVNZ+, to social-first edits optimized for mobile, and that’s how WSC Sports fits in. TVNZ can easily create content in any ratio. What was your content workflow before using WSC Sports? The previous process was entirely manual. Editors had to select and cut every highlight package for TVNZ+. Creating a single social clip involved more than six steps — from finding the moment in our MAM (Media Asset Management), to clipping, rendering, re-editing, and manually posting. It could take up to 30 minutes, which meant fans often saw the content long after the excitement had passed. Now, WSC recommends key moments via a “star system” and delivers them instantly, ready to post. How has automation changed your team’s day-to-day? In a word scale. We’ve mentioned the lightning speed, which has been a game changer, but with an automated workflow we can now easily scale our output to make all different kinds of content, in different durations, ratios. For example, on TVNZ+, we can publish a range of videos like, all wickets, player highlights, short or extended team packages, with graphics and branding applied automatically. What were your main goals & how did you measure success? Reach was our key KPI. The goal was to get our cricket coverage in front of as many people as possible and convert that exposure into TVNZ+ and linear viewership. Our initial goal with WSC Sports was simple: to improve our match highlights and assist our social media team. However, we quickly saw the potential of using the WSC Sports platform and the content it produces for additional marketing purposes, including user acquisition via Google Web Stories and integrated campaigns. What's something unique about TVNZ’s approach? Cricket is defined by pivotal plays, a wicket, a boundary, but its slower pace can make sustaining attention harder. To solve this, working with WSC Sports and Dentsu Media, we created an ‘Excitement Index’ to predict and push those moments instantly. With those same partners, we were able to publish clips within a minute across online and social, while also extending into paid media and OOH (out-of-home) campaigns — from airport billboards to office screens, making cricket coverage visible in places fans didn’t expect to see it. TVNZ's cricket content can be found everywhere. At the same time, WSC Sports also creates our highlights in a 9x16 ratio and through an integration with Google we were able to publish these vertical videos as Web Stories which delivered. Which WSC Sports feature made the biggest impact? WSC Sports’ Magicrop feature is invaluable. It uses AI-powered ball tracking to perfectly frame cricket action for social formats. It’s a significant time-saver and ensures every clip is optimized for mobile viewing. Whether the video is 9:16, 4:5 or 1:1, Magicrop serves up a great highlight with none of the important action missing. Magicrop in action. For a deeper dive into TVNZ's cricket content strategy, execution and results be sure to check out the full case study. > Learn how Nat Butler’s iconic NBA photography reveals timeless lessons in anticipation, storytelling, and sports content strategy. - Published: 2025-08-31 - Modified: 2026-02-04 - URL: https://wsc-sports-dev.ltu.co.il/blog/industry-insights/legendary-nba-photographer-nat-butler-on-what-the-lens-teaches-us-about-storytelling-in-sports/ - Categories: Industry Insights Nat Butler’s camera has captured Jordan, Kobe, LeBron, and Curry at their most defining moments. In this interview, David Gavant speaks with Nat about how some of the lessons behind the lens influence today's sports storytelling. The Art of Capturing the Moment For forty years, Nat Butler has been courtside with a camera, turning seconds of basketball into images that live forever. Michael Jordan rising at the Garden. Bill Russell’s eleven rings across ten fingers. LeBron James’ “block. ” Steph Curry’s weary “night-night” in the locker room. I spoke with Butler about his new book Courtside: 40 Years of NBA Photography, and what struck me was not only the images themselves but the approach behind them. His way of working with anticipation, precision, storytelling, and archiving echoes how the best sports content is created, scaled, and preserved today. Anticipation Comes First Butler never relied on reflex. He studied players until he could sense what was about to unfold. LeBron streaking down the court in 2016. Allen Iverson shouting to the crowd. Kobe with the trophy in his arms. These iconic shots were the product of anticipation, and years of working at the craft rather than mere luck. Sports content today thrives on that same instinct. The most successful storytelling is ready before the moment happens. When anticipation becomes process, the result is speed, accuracy, and the feeling of being in sync with the game itself. Watch the full interview: Precision Meets Scale A single frame can define an entire Finals series. That’s the precision of Butler’s craft. But the modern sports world is built on more than a single image. Fans expect thousands of highlights delivered across every screen and format. Precision is the foundation. Scale is the multiplier. Together, they ensure that the right moments are captured clearly and shared everywhere. Storytelling in short-form Butler’s legacy isn’t just action shots, but the emotion behind them. Russell holding his rings. Curry’s quiet exhale. Kobe in solitude. These images speak louder than the plays themselves. The same is true of short-form highlights. A dunk isn’t just a dunk. It’s the score, the time, the crowd reaction, the stakes of the game. Compressing all of that into one clip that feels whole is what makes fans return and share. The story is compressed but still complete. Archiving for the Future Butler began in an era of film sleeves and filing cabinets. Today, libraries are digital and searchable. But the principle is unchanged. The way a moment is stored is as important as the way it’s captured. An organized archive pays dividends long after the moment has passed. Rivalries resurface. Rookie debuts turn into Hall of Fame montages. Brands and broadcasters return to moments that grow in value over time. In sports, history has value, and archiving protects it. Final Thoughts Nat Butler has shown for four decades what it takes to capture the heartbeat of a game. His images are proof that moments matter not just in the second they happen, but in the way they are shared and remembered. Sports today demand the same discipline. Be ready before the play. Frame it with clarity. Compress it into a story that fans can feel. Save it in a way that makes it last. That's how fleeting plays become lasting history. David Gavant currently serves as Content Executive for WSC Sports and is a former Executive Producer for NBA Entertainment, MLB Productions, NBC Sports, and CNN Sports. > Sports streaming faces subscription fatigue and price cuts won’t fix it — AI-powered, always-on content is key to keeping fans engaged and loyal. - Published: 2025-08-31 - Modified: 2026-02-04 - URL: https://wsc-sports-dev.ltu.co.il/blog/industry-insights/beyond-price-cuts-fighting-subscription-fatigue-with-richer-content-experiences/ - Categories: Industry Insights The cost of being a fan has never been higher, and streaming services are feeling the backlash. To survive subscription fatigue, the game isn’t cheaper prices; it’s richer experiences. Key Takeaways: -Sports fandom costs have surged in recent years, in no small part due to the saturation in the DTC market. -Subscription fatigue is increasing, with many fans feeling overspent and planning to cancel at least one streaming service. -By enabling always-on, multi-format storytelling that enriches fan experiences, AI-powered content creation allows DTC services to provide constant value and reduce churn. Founded in 1984 as a joint venture of the Boston Red Sox and Boston Bruins, the New England Sports Network (NESN) was the first team-created, owned, and operated regional sports network (RSN) in the US. In the past few years, NESN made history again not once, but twice. In 2022, it became the first RSN to launch a direct-to-consumer streaming service, NESN 360. And recently, it became the first sports organization to reduce the price of its DTC service. In February, NESN 360, which streams approximately 150 Red Sox games and 70 Bruins every season, dropped its annual price from $330 to $240. “Inflation is high, and we wanted to get into people’s homes and make it as available as we can,” explained David Wisnia, NESN President and CEO, adding that “there’s a saturation limit in terms of DTC right now. ” This saturation has led other DTC services to consider price cuts as well. Main Street Sports Group, for example, which operates 16 RSNs under the FanDuel Sports Network banner, intends to experiment with pricing in its streaming offering. The offering is currently priced at $20 per month, but Main Street Sports' CEO David Preschlack said the company has “the ability to go lower, and we’re going to test it. ” Why Sports Fans Are Paying More Than Ever Before The trend toward lower prices is the need of the hour. The costs of being a sports fan have risen dramatically across the globe. In 2004, for instance, a hard-core Boston Red Sox fan would have spent $1,320 — on tickets, merchandise, and viewing access — to follow the team. Today, that number is $4,785. That’s a 262% spike, while wages have only gone up by 87% during the same period. The fragmentation of sports rights is one of the main reasons for the rising cost of sports fandom. A recent study by research firm Ampere Analysis revealed that in the UK, avid football fans are paying almost 60% more than they were five years ago to watch the 15 most popular tournaments and leagues, as the number of broadcasters and streaming services required to follow them has increased from four to 10 over the last decade. Additional findings include: -The price of watching all 15 leagues and tournaments exclusively on streaming platforms increased by 52% over the last five years because of the proliferation of services needed. -Only 1% of football fans are willing to invest in all the services necessary to follow the 15 competitions. -68% of fans satisfy their football interests by subscribing to three services. How Streaming Costs Are Threatening Fan Development Some industry leaders worry that the mounting cost of streaming could disrupt the process of building fandom. “Fans are socialized into fandom and engagement,” said Ben Valenta, senior VP of strategy at Fox Sports. “It’s a learned behavior that requires repetition over time. In the long term, I would be concerned that if we are removing easy access points from people, we necessarily inhibit the accumulation of those repeated events. ” In the short term, as more sports become available on standalone DTC services, we may see increased subscription fatigue. According to a 2024 global streaming study by strategy consulting firm Simon-Kucher, subscription fatigue is already on the rise. Drawing on the insights of 12,200 respondents from 12 countries, the study found that: -43% of subscribers feel they overspend on streaming -36% of subscribers would only subscribe to a new service after cancelling an existing subscription -39% plan to cancel at least one subscription in the next 12 months The Retention Challenge: How AI-Powered Content Can Help In today’s fragmented streaming ecosystem, rights buyers face a challenge they never had during the cable era: keeping subscribers engaged month after month. Unlike the simplicity of negotiating carriage deals with pay-TV operators, the streaming model demands constant value delivery. That means building a richer, always-on content experience — one that surrounds live games with highlights, storytelling, and personalized touchpoints that reward fans for staying. That’s where AI-powered content creation technology makes the difference. By automating the production of diverse content formats, from real-time recaps and behind-the-scenes footage to archival gems, these technologies empower DTC services to deliver a steady stream of content that deepens connection and drives repeat engagement. Because in today’s climate, lowering prices may get fans in the door, but it won’t be enough to retain them long-term. Actionable Insights Surround the live moment: layer it with real-time highlights, recaps, and short-form stories that keep fans engaged before, during, and after. Personalize at scale: use AI to tailor content for different fan segments. Casual fans get quick hits, diehards get depth so every subscriber feels like the service was built for them. Fill the gaps: treat the offseason and off-days as opportunities. Automate archival clips, behind-the-scenes content, and milestone throwbacks to keep value flowing year-round. - Published: 2025-08-30 - Modified: 2026-02-04 - URL: https://wsc-sports-dev.ltu.co.il/blog/industry-insights/the-disruption-of-the-sports-business-model-how-can-sports-organizations-survive-the-shift/ - Categories: Industry Insights Once-reliable business models are being upended by cord-cutting, shifting fan habits, and flattening media rights. This article explores the disruptive forces reshaping revenue streams — and the strategies sports organizations must adopt to survive and thrive. For decades the sports industry’s economic engine was powered by four pillars: premium broadcast/media rights, sponsorship and advertising deals, ticket receipts, and merchandising/licensing. In that legacy model — fueled by ever-growing media contracts — leagues became global behemoths. But today those growth trajectories are stalling. Broadcasters have pulled back, and revenue that once climbed “hyper-inflationary” now barely keeps up with inflation. In short, the old revenue flywheel has begun to slow under relentless digital pressure. Disruptive Forces Transforming the Game The traditional model is under siege from a convergence of trends. Fans are abandoning pay TV en masse, streaming platforms are multiplying, younger audiences demand bite-sized, mobile-friendly content, privacy rules are restricting data, and even media-rights values are flattening beyond the elite leagues. Together, these forces are fracturing legacy monetization; diluting ad and sponsorship reach, eroding ticket loyalty, and forcing leagues to rethink their entire strategy. The Cord-Cutting Wave and TV Decline Linear TV’s dominance is collapsing. Cable/satellite subscribers have plunged from over 100 million in the early 2010s to roughly half that today. By early 2025 only 42% of U. S. households paid for traditional pay TV, a sharp drop from 62% in 2020. Streaming now accounts for nearly half of all TV viewing, with broadcast networks down in the teens. Younger fans are leading this decline. Gen Z and millennials routinely use mobile devices while watching games, and half of Gen Z sports fans report watching on social media at least weekly. Cord-cutting means fewer eyeballs on packaged cable sports packages, which in turn erodes advertising and sponsorship value. The solution many are pursuing is a hybrid distribution strategy. For example, the NBA’s Dallas Mavericks now offer free over-the-air games to millions of homes while simultaneously launching a paid streaming service. The lesson is clear: meet the fans where they are — on every screen, on demand — or risk losing them. The Rise of Streaming and DTC Platforms At the same time, digital platforms are seizing sports content. Giant tech and media companies are snapping up rights, often experimenting with new formats. Unlike the old one-channel model, rights are being parceled and fragmented across multiple OTT services. This slices viewership: a single fan may need several different platforms to follow all their teams. On the positive side, direct-to-consumer distribution gives leagues more control and new revenue avenues – but it also raises costs and complexity. Successful experiments exist, but most clubs still rely heavily on third-party platforms for scale. Gen Z and Evolving Fan Behaviors Younger sports fans are completely re-wiring consumption habits. They grew up with smartphones, social media, and on-demand entertainment, and they expect sports to fit that mold. Roughly 40% of Gen Z sports viewers under 35 say they watch games on social platforms, compared to only 13% of those 55+. Gen Zers prefer “snackable” highlights and interactivity: only about half of them often watch full games, and just 40% even watch on cable TV. In fact, 63% of Gen Z say that short clips from favorite athletes on social media increase their engagement with a sport. Crucially, attendance is also falling. Only 18% of Gen Z attended a live sporting event in the past year, and a third say they don’t watch live sports on TV at all. These digital-native fans have shorter attention spans – but when engaged, they will invest time if the content is compelling and interactive. Declining Live Viewership and Attendance Overall, live viewership and in-stadium attendance are plateauing or dipping. Many non-top-tier leagues report flat or declining TV ratings and slower gate growth. Even marquee global leagues have felt the pinch, with only modest increases in rights deals that barely outpace inflation. In North America, the share of sports fans who subscribe to cable is no longer growing. The upshot is that fan attention is fragmenting. Sports media executives admit that “defining success” across so many platforms is now a mess – Nielsen ratings on linear TV are no longer enough. If organizations don’t find ways to keep fans engaged between games – social content, apps, second-screen features – traditional loyalty will weaken. In short, fan loyalty is harder won and easier lost, threatening season-ticket and merchandise revenue as well. The Privacy and Data Imperative Meanwhile, data privacy regulations are reshaping marketing. Laws like GDPR and CCPA, and the elimination of third-party cookies — mean that audience targeting and measurement can no longer rely on mass third-party data. The sports industry must pivot to first-party and zero-party data (information fans voluntarily share). Those that build their own data platforms and loyalty programs will have the upper hand. Companies like Disney and Netflix are already using subscriber data to deliver much stronger advertising performance. The lesson for sports is clear: own your fan relationships or lose them. Flattening Media Rights Valuations The seismic growth of sports rights is cooling off. For the past 20 years, leagues rode a wave of double-digit increases; now “flat is the new up” for many properties. The global sports rights market is still massive, but growth is increasingly concentrated in a few big leagues. Everything else faces pressure. With more broadcast options competing for budgets, rights fees aren’t guaranteed. High-profile deals in recent years have largely been inflationary rather than monumental raises. Non-premier properties can no longer count on windfalls at each renegotiation, they must find other revenue levers. How Monetization Is Being Disrupted These forces combine to shake the foundations of revenue. Broadcast ad revenues suffer as audiences splinter. Sponsorship visibility is diluted. Even fans’ routine spending habits can change: if fans are mainly watching highlights on social for free, they may be less inclined to buy a pay-per-view or even a season ticket. Advertisers and sponsors are demanding data-driven metrics rather than blanket impressions. Without new engagement data and personalized targeting, traditional ad models will underperform. Historically, leagues counted on communal experiences to foster lifetime attachments. With games less of a shared social moment for younger fans, that bond must be rebuilt through new experiences. In practice, this means monetization must shift from linear ads and ticket sales to personalized digital funnels. Strategic Imperatives for Survival To navigate this upheaval, sports organizations must embrace a new model built on ownable channels, data capture, personalization, and hybrid rights. Key strategies include: -Develop Direct-to-Fan Channels: build robust DTC platforms (mobile apps, OTT services, in-stadium screens, social content hubs) to reach fans directly. -Capture First-Party Data: use apps, fan accounts, and loyalty programs to collect consented data on fan preferences and behavior. -Personalize Content and Engagement: deliver segmented content tailored to fans’ favorite teams, players, language, and platform. -Adopt Hybrid Rights and Platforms: mix free and paid tiers to reflect the fragmented market. -Innovate the Fan Experience: explore interactive second-screen features, AR/VR, behind-the-scenes content, and esports tie-ins. -Monetize Creatively: use micro-content, dynamic sponsor overlays, product links, and digital collectibles to expand ad inventory. Collectively, these moves rebuild the revenue flywheel around digital. Instead of relying solely on live games, leagues become year-round content engines. Actionable Insights -Build and own your fan ecosystem: Prioritize direct-to-fan channels like apps, OTT platforms, and loyalty programs to reduce dependence on third parties and capture valuable first-party data. -Personalize at scale: Deliver tailored highlights, notifications, and offers based on each fan’s preferences to deepen engagement and unlock new revenue streams. -Turn every moment into inventory: Treat every play, highlight, or interaction as a monetizable asset by layering in sponsorships, ads, and interactive features across multiple platforms. > As sports fans increasingly shift away from traditional broadcasts, rights holders face a growing challenge: how to connect with younger audiences who prefer personalized, bite-sized content over the long-form broadcasts of the past. - Published: 2025-08-28 - Modified: 2026-04-13 - URL: https://wsc-sports-dev.ltu.co.il/blog/industry-insights/the-new-era-of-sports-fandom-engaging-gen-z-and-gen-alpha/ - Categories: Industry Insights As Gen Z and Gen Alpha shift away from traditional broadcasts, WSC Sports is helping rights holders adapt by delivering personalized, mobile-first content that meets younger fans where they are. Key Takeaways: -Younger fans aren’t watching games the old way: They prefer short, tailored content across platforms like TikTok, Instagram, and In-App vertical stories personalized to their interests. -WSC Sports enables content personalization at scale: AI-powered tools help leagues deliver dynamic highlights, immersive experiences, and culture-driven storytelling. - Owned platforms are a fan engagement goldmine: In-App Stories turn team apps into content hubs that drive data, loyalty, and monetization. Altman Solon’s 2024 Global Sports Survey highlights a growing concern for sports executives: two-thirds worry about the declining relevance of live sports as younger fans shift their attention to highlights, behind-the-scenes documentaries, and bite-sized content from creators, teams, and players. This shift challenges traditional models of fan engagement but also opens up new opportunities for sports organizations to innovate and foster deeper connections with Gen Z and Gen Alpha. With this shift, sports fandom is entering a new era, one where engagement isn't just about watching games, but about creating lasting connections that transcend traditional media. Meeting Fans Where They Are: Vertical Content Experiences For younger audiences, particularly Gen Z, it’s all about mobile-friendly, short-form content that fits seamlessly into their daily scrolling habits. Platforms like TikTok and Instagram have set the standard, and now sports leagues must adapt. These videos are tailored to meet the preferences of younger fans: quick, optimized for mobile, sharable — and sometimes posted by creators instead of the rights owners themselves. With WSC Sports, rights holders can instantly reformat horizontal broadcast highlights into 9:16 vertical videos — ready for TikTok, Instagram Reels, YouTube, YouTube Shorts, or any other vertical platform that prominently features vertical videos. Intelligent cropping keeps the focus on the action, so every clip looks native, not repurposed. And by making vertical content easy to produce at scale, WSC unlocks new surfaces for distribution, like Web Stories inside Google OneBox, turning highlights into discoverable entry points that drive app downloads, OTT subs, or incremental monetization. Sports videos are dynamic, and applying this automated cropping while preserving the heart of the action is a significant value driver. By offering content that aligns with fans' media habits, leagues and teams can build, retain, and grow deep relationships with their audience regardless of platform. In-App Stories: Bringing Social Engagement to Owned Platforms Social media has raised the bar for what fans expect from content: personalized, immediate, and immersive. At WSC Sports, this insight inspired the creation of In-App Stories, allowing teams and leagues to replicate social-style engagement within their owned and operated platforms. These personalized app environments deliver vertical content experiences, like Stories, created by the league, team, or broadcaster within their own app. This gives fans access to mobile experiences they love, without needing to navigate to another platform. Imagine a fan opening their team’s app to a personalized feed tailored with their favorite players, preferred play styles (dunks, assists, three-pointers), and post-game recaps. This level of customization deepens emotional connection and keeps fans coming back. With In-App Stories, rights holders can elevate game-day storytelling; from player arrivals and starting lineups to fan moments, manager reactions, and highlights curated uniquely for each user to transform how games are experienced. The value of In-App Stories goes beyond engagement, it unlocks revenue opportunities. As fans engage and register within these apps, rights holders gain access to valuable first-party data, revealing fan preferences and behaviors. This data then powers smarter insights, more tailored experiences, and deeper fan journeys. By proactively ensuring younger and emerging audiences consume content on owned and operated platforms, rights holders build the trust and loyalty that makes them keep coming back for the content they want. Capturing the Culture Gen Z isn’t just interested in what happens on the court or field, they want to engage with the culture that exists outside the game. Fandom today extends beyond highlights and includes stories, personalities, and lifestyle videos that are part of a larger narrative. Fans crave the shoulder content that helps them get to know their favorite leagues and players. These types of clips and programming delivers more context and richer stories — from player arrivals and locker room footage to post-game celebrations. These off-the-field moments forge emotional connections and transform fans from viewers to participants in the sport’s narrative. Take the NBA, for example, where pregame fashion has evolved into a spectacle. Players like Jordan Clarkson have turned their entrances into viral moments. These clips, showcasing style, personality, and swag, generate millions of views and resonate with younger, fashion-forward fans. Reimagining Nostalgia and Unlocking the Archive For Gen Z, nostalgia is all about reliving personal memories; it’s about discovering legendary moments and legends of the game from a previous era. Tapping into an organization’s historical vault allows rights holders to breathe new life into archival footage with fresh engagement and monetization opportunities. Imagine La Liga engaging today’s fans with highlights of icons like Zinedine Zidane or Roberto Carlos, reintroducing their magic to those more familiar with Jude Bellingham or Kylian Mbappé. Powering the Future of Fan Engagement with Generative AI While WSC Sports has been transforming how fans engage with sports content for years, its GenAI capabilities are taking that experience to the next level. Generative AI is no longer just “the next wave”, it’s here and already in use today. WSC’s GenAI technology is powering new storytelling formats, with even greater potential on the horizon. With the NBA, WSC has helped to automatically create multilingual content to reach young fans across the globe. For Wimbledon, GenAI helped to skyrocket engagement and content consumption. This emerging technology also holds immense potential, especially for pre-teens and teens. Imagine recap shows voiced by kids, for kids, or animated replays of iconic games narrated by AI-generated characters. These gamified, personalized experiences blend storytelling with immersion, allowing fans to interact with content in entirely new ways. As generative AI continues to evolve, it will unlock fresh formats for storytelling and break the mold of traditional coverage. Ligue 1, for example, is using WSC Sports GenAI overlays to refresh old content, like this TikTok with an anime style Neymar: Actionable Insights - Reformat for vertical from day one: Don’t treat TikTok and Instagram as afterthoughts. Create 9:16 content natively to unlock new surfaces like Web Stories and in-app distribution. - Build emotional touchpoints beyond the game: Use tools like Around the Game to highlight culture, personalities, and behind-the-scenes access Gen Z values. - Revive your archive: Automate the transformation of historical footage into mobile-optimized formats that bridge generations and feed today’s highlight economy. > ESPN’s NFL deal shows how premium rights plus short-form content can attract fans, cut acquisition costs, and drive DTC streaming growth. - Published: 2025-08-26 - Modified: 2026-02-04 - URL: https://wsc-sports-dev.ltu.co.il/blog/industry-insights/espns-nfl-play-how-rights-attract-and-content-converts-in-the-streaming-era/ - Categories: Industry Insights Key Takeaways: -Acquiring premium rights can attract audiences, but sports networks must navigate DTC challenges like rising customer acquisition costs. -Short-form video is becoming essential for driving discovery, sparking interest, and converting casual viewers into paying streaming subscribers. -AI-powered content creation technology enables sports organizations to deliver always-on, platform-ready highlights that fuel engagement and accelerate subscription growth. With around 47,000 live events each year on 12 networks and services, plus countless hours of studio and library content, ESPN had more than enough assets to market its new direct-to-consumer streaming offering, which launched last week under the slogan "All of ESPN. All in One Place. " But the sports media giant wanted to make a splash. At the beginning of August, ESPN acquired the NFL Network and NFL RedZone. As part of the deal, the worldwide leader in sports now owns not only the distribution rights to RedZone, but also its trademark name, allowing it to expand the brand to other leagues and sports. And last but not least, ESPN gained three more live NFL games per season, adding to its existing exclusive rights to Monday Night Football and playoff games. “By combining these NFL media assets with ESPN’s reach and innovation, we’re creating a premier destination for football fans,” said Jimmy Pitaro, Chairman of ESPN. “This deal helps fuel ESPN’s digital future, laying the foundation for an even more robust offering as we prepare to launch our new direct-to-consumer service. ” Targeting Younger, More Diverse Audiences But ESPN wasn't finished. A day after the agreement with the NFL was announced, it signed a five-year rights deal with the WWE, which will make its DTC service the exclusive US home of all WWE premium live events. These events, including tentpoles like WrestleMania, SummerSlam, and Royal Rumble, will be available on the DTC unlimited plan from 2026. Both additions — WWE live events and the NFL's media assets — significantly bolster the appeal of ESPN's DTC service. NFL content has a proven track record of increasing subscriptions to streaming platforms; recent data from Kantar, a marketing analytics firm, revealed that NFL games were the third-most cited content driving sign-ups to Prime Video, which has been broadcasting Thursday Night Football since 2022. WWE's biggest draws have a similar effect. Per market research firm YouGov, 65% of WWE fans said they would consider subscribing to Netflix when the streaming platform added Monday Night Raw to its offering at the beginning of the year. As a bonus, wrestling can also diversify ESPN's audience. “When you look at the WWE audience,” said Pitaro, “it is younger and it is about 38% female, which is a higher percentage than what we have. ” How Short-Form Video Bridges the Discovery Gap While diversifying and growing your audience via new rights deals is the smart play for sports networks, they must also be mindful of the challenges the DTC space presents. First among them is customer acquisition costs, which have been rising considerably in recent years. Reducing these costs starts with building a path from top-of-the-funnel channels like social media channels, where fans can get a taste of the new offering, to your owned platforms. This is where short-form video content comes into play. “New models for content discovery will be required,” said Keith Bedford, general manager, EMEA at Wurl, a CTV data company. “Short-form video could be one way we start to see sports content companies garner interest and boost engagement for their long-form and TVOD (transactional video on demand) businesses. I see short-form as a driver to long-form content. ” Using short-form videos for content discovery requires the right technology. One that can leverage AI to automate content generation and distribution. Such technologies have already been implemented with great success by some organizations. The NBA’s partnership with WSC Sports, for example, has helped the league notably improve the performance of its owned channels across all metrics. From Premium Content to Sustained Growth Securing marquee rights remains the backbone of any streaming strategy. By acquiring properties with proven pull, rights holders strengthen their ability to attract diverse audiences into their ecosystems. These deals not only bring loyal fan bases to the table but also open new pathways for cross-promotion, ensuring that premium live events act as powerful anchors for subscription growth. But owning premium properties doesn’t guarantee growth. In today’s crowded streaming market, the real hurdle is the cost of turning awareness into subscriptions. To do that, rights holders must provide a steady stream of content across fan-favorite channels. Content creation tech makes this possible by transforming live action into endless short-form narratives tailored for different platforms. Which is how one splash can become a tide of lasting engagement. Actionable Insights -Use short-form as your entry point: Treat every big event highlight as fuel for clips and edits that can travel quickly across social platforms. -Think funnel-first: Design content that sparks curiosity at the top of the funnel and guides fans toward your owned platforms. -Automate for scale: Rely on AI-powered tools to instantly repurpose live action into platform-specific stories, keeping your content engine always on. > AI is reshaping sports fandom. Discover how the US Open uses AI to deliver real-time, personalized digital experiences for millions of tennis fans. - Published: 2025-08-25 - Modified: 2026-02-04 - URL: https://wsc-sports-dev.ltu.co.il/blog/industry-insights/reimagining-the-game-how-ai-is-reshaping-the-digital-fan-experience/ - Categories: Industry Insights AI is transforming how fans connect with the sports they love. Learn how the US Open and its partners are using AI to reimagine the fan experience, creating faster, smarter, and more personalized ways to engage year-round. Key Takeaways: - Fans see AI as a game-changer in sports, enabling faster, more dynamic, and highly personalized digital content experiences. - Today’s sports engagement thrives on technology-driven innovations, from real-time updates to interactive features that deepen connection and drive participation. - AI-powered content creation technology elevates this further, helping organizations deliver short-form, multi-format content instantly and keep fans engaged year-round. Mixed doubles has a long history in tennis, but in the last 30 years, it has become an afterthought at Grand Slams. The 2025 US Open turned that on its head. A new format – sets played to four games with no ad-scoring – plus a $1 million prize for the winners, drew names like Carlos Alcaraz, Novak Djokovic, Iga Świątek, and Emma Raducanu to the competition, which took place before the start of the main draw. The “reimagined and elevated” mixed doubles competition continued the US Open's tradition of introducing innovations. It was the first Grand Slam to use a tiebreak, the first to offer equal prize money to men and women, the first to host night matches under lights, and the first to adopt the Hawk-Eye challenge system. And in recent years, as technology has evolved, the US Open has leveraged AI to introduce new capabilities that primarily benefit fans. Relying on multiple technology partnerships, US Open provides AI-generated match reports, AI-driven insights for digital platforms, and AI commentary features for highlights. “The digital experience of the US Open is of enormous importance to our fans,” said Kirsten Corio, Chief Commercial Officer at the United States Tennis Association (USTA). “We need to meet the demands of modern tennis fans, but also surprise them with unexpected experiences. ” The New Playbook: AI-Enhanced Engagement According to a recent global study, unexpected experiences are exactly what sports fans crave today. Drawing on the insights of more than 20,000 respondents across 12 countries, the study shows fans increasingly view technology — particularly AI — as a positive force in sports, especially when it comes to providing more dynamic digital content. Key findings include: - 85% of fans find AI features valuable for sports engagement, and 63% express trust in AI-generated sports content. - Fans identify real-time game/match updates (35%), personalized content (30%), and unique insights (27%) as their top priorities for AI-enhanced sports engagement. - 80% believe AI features will have the greatest influence on how they follow sports in the next 2-3 years. “Now, more than ever, fans are looking for new ways to experience and engage with their favorite sports, tournaments, teams, and athletes,” said Kameryn Stanhouse, Vice President, Sports and Entertainment Partnerships at IBM, that commissioned the report. “They are really eager for AI that gives them a more personalized experience with real-time and immersive digital touchpoints. ” Building Best-in-Class Tennis Experiences The US Open delivers these touchpoints. More than 14 million tennis fans across the globe follow the tournament through the US Open's owned platforms, which harness AI tools to scale content production. In 2024, for instance, USTA editors used gen AI to increase the number of match reports they produced in the first round from 20 to 64, a productivity boost of more than 300%. “AI has helped our editorial team to cover more matches and enhance our highlights coverage,” said Brian Ryerson, senior director of digital strategy at the USTA. “We all year long to deliver a best-in-class digital experience, but we're also both looking at what innovations we can bring to our platforms. ” This year, the innovations will include the following AI-powered features in the 2025 US Open app and website: -AI-generated Highlights: automatic creation of match highlights that provides the scale needed to meet fan's demand for personalization. -Match Chat: an AI-powered chatbot that can answer tennis fans’ questions both during and after matches. -Key Points: concise, AI-generated summaries of articles on the US Open platforms. -Live Likelihood to Win: head-to-head match predictions generated from a comprehensive, AI-powered analysis of player statistics, expert opinion, and player momentum, updated after every point in the match. AI's Role in Always-On Sports Storytelling Modern sports fans expect more than access. They want immediacy, personalization, and interactivity across every touchpoint. From real-time insights to highlights commentary, today’s experiences are shaped by technology that anticipates fans’ needs rather than reacts to them. AI enables rights holders to deliver dynamic moments at scale, turning major events like the US Open into always-on ecosystems that keep audiences engaged long after the final point. AI-powered content creation technology takes this a step further by transforming every match, rally, and storyline into personalized short-form content instantly. Whether it’s snackable highlights, behind-the-scenes clips, or interactive polls, automation allows organizations to meet fans where they already are while driving deeper engagement on owned platforms. In many ways, the US Open’s latest digital innovations prove the point: the future of fandom belongs to those bold enough to reinvent it. Actionable Insights -Leverage AI to scale coverage efficiently: automate match reports, highlights, and insights to cover more events without increasing production costs. -Design digital touchpoints that surprise fans: go beyond standard updates with personalized content, predictive stats, and interactive tools that deepen engagement across owned platforms. -Use short-form formats: repurpose live-action moments into snackable clips, summaries, and interactive highlights to capture attention and fuel sustained fan interest. > The Tour de France proves sport’s true power: open roads, global fans, and rituals that turn a race into a worldwide celebration of community. - Published: 2025-08-24 - Modified: 2026-02-04 - URL: https://wsc-sports-dev.ltu.co.il/blog/industry-insights/the-tour-de-france-and-the-power-of-cyclings-global-community/ - Categories: Industry Insights Each July, the Tour de France transforms ordinary roads into the world’s largest stadium. More than a race, it’s a cultural celebration where fans, riders, and entire cities come together to create a global community. Key Takeaways –The Tour de France is the world’s largest annual sporting event, broadcast into 190 countries and drawing millions of roadside fans each July –Its open-access nature, free to attend and intimate to experience, sets it apart from almost every other major sport –The rituals around the roadside are as important as the racing itself, turning the Tour into a cultural phenomenon –As the Vuelta a España begins, the cycling calendar reminds us that accessibility and authenticity create the strongest fan communities Dancing on the Mountainside On a mountain stage of the Tour, I once watched a group of fans dressed as Beefeaters link arms with other fans from around the world. They sang, they danced, they laughed for hours. Strangers shared food, children waved flags, and the road became a stage before the race even arrived. Then, in a blur, the riders came through. A few seconds of speed and suffering, gone in an instant. The dancing resumed, and the memory of that day became as important as the competition itself. This is the essence of the Tour de France. It is not only about jerseys, climbs, or sprints. It is about community, and the belief that for a few weeks each summer, the road belongs to everyone. A First Look in Paris That memory takes me back to 1986 when I first saw the Tour in person. I stood on the Champs-Élysées as Greg LeMond became the first American to win. I was young and new to sports production, and I did not realize the scale of what I was witnessing. The race ended, but the celebration stretched for blocks. Strangers hugged. Flags waved. It was my first glimpse of how cycling transforms a city into a festival. This week, the Vuelta a España begins, the last of the three Grand Tours. Like the Giro in May and the Tour in July, it is about endurance and spectacle, but also about people coming together on roads that feel like open invitations. The Roadside as the Stadium The Tour charges no admission. The road is the ticket. Fans travel in caravans, paint names on the pavement, and wait all day for the peloton. When the riders pass, the entire mountain or village rises in one shared cheer. That moment, though brief, is unforgettable. A Global Phenomenon The Tour is broadcast into 190 countries and streamed worldwide. Over three weeks, it draws more viewers than any single-day event in sport. In the United States, Peacock has shown the value of the cycling audience. Fans subscribe specifically for the Tour, proving both loyalty and impact. Rituals on the Mountain From Alpe d’Huez to Mont Ventoux, the roadside feels like a carnival. Hours before the riders arrive, the Caravan Publicitaire rolls through. It is a moving parade of floats and vehicles tossing souvenirs to the crowd. Children scramble for caps and candy. Parents wave inflatable hands and branded banners. Villages along the route decorate storefronts, set up outdoor grills, and play music. By the time the peloton reaches them, the crowd has already shared a full day of celebration. The race is the climax, but the ritual is everything that builds to it. The Hardest Sport in the World Cycling demands more than almost any other sport. Twenty-one days. More than 3,000 kilometers. Relentless climbs and brutal conditions. To stand inches from a rider as he grinds uphill, lungs on fire, is to see resilience in its rawest form. To put things into context, during the hardest mountain stages, caloric burn can soar to over 8,000 calories in a single day. To perform, riders snack on the bike every 30 minutes or so, making the race as much about mastering nutrition under fatigue as it is about physical endurance. The Celebration Goes Digital Today, the roadside extends into the feed. Fans post their vantage points. Riders share behind-the-scenes clips. Highlights spread instantly across social platforms. Cycling’s openness on the road now defines its digital identity. As the Vuelta begins, cycling shows how openness creates community. The Tour is growing not through exclusivity but by inviting everyone in. It's not only attracting fans, it's creating them from scratch; and that's the play on social media. Actionable Insights -Lower barriers because openness builds loyalty -Treat rituals as content because culture is part of the story -Adapt highlights for every format and every region to extend reach as far as possible -Prioritize authenticity because connection is what lasts Final Thoughts The Grand Tours remind us that the best sports moments happen when fans feel like participants. Each summer cycling offers the same gift. The roadside, the screen, and the feed all tell one story. The Tour de France may be the pinnacle, but the true power of cycling is the community that forms when the world comes together on the road. > Unify fan data across apps, OTT, social, and in-venue touchpoints. Learn how cross-channel insights drive personalization, loyalty, and revenue. - Published: 2025-08-23 - Modified: 2026-02-04 - URL: https://wsc-sports-dev.ltu.co.il/blog/industry-insights/cross-channel-insights-are-the-only-way-forward-for-sports-fan-engagement/ - Categories: Industry Insights Every click, view, and purchase can tell a story; but only if the data is unified. Cross-channel insights turn fragmented fan activity into personalized engagement and sustainable growth. In today’s sports industry, fan engagement is scattered across a maze of digital and physical touchpoints. A supporter might watch a live game on an OTT platform, check team stats on a mobile app, scroll highlights on social media, cheer at the stadium, purchase a jersey online, and receive promotional emails — all in the same week. Each of these interactions generates valuable data, but too often that data remains siloed. Cross-channel insights connect the dots by unifying fan data from every channel — OTT, mobile apps, social media, in-venue experiences, ticketing, merchandise, and CRM — into a single, holistic view. This comprehensive approach is no longer optional. It is the foundation for delivering personalized experiences, driving loyalty, and creating sustainable revenue growth in a competitive, digital-first landscape. What Cross-Channel Insights Mean for Fan Engagement Cross-channel insights create a 360-degree view of each fan by merging data from all interactions into a unified profile. Instead of analyzing app behavior or social activity in isolation, organizations can link everything into one fan identity. This allows teams and leagues to understand preferences in detail like, favorite players, content formats, purchase habits, and engagement patterns, regardless of where the interaction occurs. Breaking down data silos is essential. Historically, ticketing systems, app analytics, and social metrics operated independently. By integrating these data streams, often through Customer Data Platforms, organizations can build a complete fan identity. This enables a shift from one-size-fits-all communication to hyper-targeted engagement based on actual behavior across platforms. The Cost of Fragmented Fan Data Sports organizations are awash in data but lack actionable insight when it remains fragmented. Fans regularly jump between multiple platforms to follow their teams, but without integration, those journeys are invisible. Personalization falls flat, monetization opportunities go unnoticed, and fan experiences feel disjointed. Fragmentation has a direct impact on revenue. If engagement data from social or streaming is disconnected from merchandise or ticketing, teams can’t accurately predict behavior or deliver relevant offers. Fans who encounter inconsistent experiences are less likely to deepen their relationship with the brand. In contrast, when engagement is consistent across channels, fans feel recognized and are far more likely to convert —whether that means subscribing, attending, or purchasing. Building a Unified 360° Fan Identity A unified data strategy creates a living “fan dossier” that grows richer with each interaction. CRM entries, ticket scans, merchandise purchases, app usage, OTT viewership, and loyalty activity all feed into one central profile. This enables personalization at scale, predictive modeling, and proactive engagement. With a 360° fan identity, organizations can answer high-value questions: which fans are at risk of churning? Who attends one game a year and could be upsold? What type of content will drive international engagement in the offseason? By integrating first-party and zero-party data into this system, teams build a sustainable strategy in an era where cookies and third-party tracking are disappearing. Owning and connecting fan data is the only way to deliver personalization and ensure long-term growth. WSC Sports: Bridging Every Fan Touchpoint Achieving cross-channel insights demands a bridge between content, data, and fan experience. WSC Sports provides that bridge. The platform’s AI-powered video automation generates highlights in real time and attaches rich metadata to every moment, including things like athlete names, actions, timestamps, and context. Each clip becomes both a piece of content and a data point. This metadata enables personalized highlight reels, tailored feeds, and cross-channel distribution in every format fans expect: horizontal for broadcast, vertical for mobile, short-form for TikTok, and more. Every fan interaction flows back into the data ecosystem, feeding CRM and CDP platforms in real time. The Cleveland Cavaliers, for example, use WSC to create highlights for their app, allowing fans to personalize their feeds by favorite players and play types. The result was longer app sessions, a surge in downloads, and a steady stream of first-party data to refine fan engagement. NASCAR used WSC’s in-app vertical stories to deliver driver-specific highlights, doubling the number of clips produced and creating new, highly targeted sponsorship inventory. By connecting every clip to every data system, WSC Sports transforms content into a feedback loop: content generates data, data informs insight, and insight drives the next piece of content. From Personalization to Monetization The benefits of cross-channel insights extend across the business: Hyper-personalization: tailored highlights and recommendations deepen loyalty and increase time spentLifetime value growth: Intelligent segmentation and targeted offers lift conversion rates and maximize spend across fan cohortsSponsorship ROI: Contextualized, measurable activations drive stronger renewals and more attractive packagesContent optimization: Full-view engagement data informs smarter content strategies, ensuring resources are focused on what fans actually want Future-Proofing Fan Engagement Three forces make unified fan data essential: the end of third-party cookies, the constant emergence of new digital platforms, and rising expectations for personalization and immediacy. Sports organizations that embrace cross-channel strategies now will be equipped to adapt to new technologies, deliver experiences fans demand, and retain control of their audience relationships in a privacy-first world. Turning Insights into Action Cross-channel insights illuminate the full picture of fan engagement and unlock the ability to act on it. By unifying every touchpoint, fleeting interactions become lasting relationships. Highlights turn into app downloads, merchandise sales, and ticket purchases — all informed by data and personalized at scale. Organizations already embracing this approach, whether through LaLiga’s data platform, the Cavaliers’ personalized app, or NASCAR’s targeted in-app stories, are seeing gains in engagement, loyalty, and revenue. With WSC Sports as the connective bridge between content and data, sports brands can execute a true cross-channel strategy and deliver experiences that meet fans wherever they are. The path forward is clear: unify data, personalize content, monetize intelligently, and future-proof fan engagement. WSC Sports is ready to help teams and leagues turn this strategy into reality. - Published: 2025-08-21 - Modified: 2026-02-04 - URL: https://wsc-sports-dev.ltu.co.il/blog/industry-insights/every-click-is-a-potential-income-source-how-sports-brands-monetize-fan-engagement/ - Categories: Industry Insights In today’s digital economy every interaction carries value. A swipe on TikTok, a tap on an app notification, or a share of a highlight could potentially be a monetization opportunity. Key Takeaways -Every interaction is currency: Clicks, swipes, and shares can be monetized directly (ads, sponsorships, commerce) or indirectly (first-party data, personalization, loyalty) -AI makes scale possible: Automated highlight creation, metadata tagging, and instant distribution turn each play into dozens of monetizable assets in real time -Personalization drives ROI: Tailored content and offers boost digital revenue by 10–20% (McKinsey), proving that fan-specific experiences translate into long-term value Modern fans demand instant, personalized content, and delivering at scale turns every play into a commercial and fan engagement opportunity. Let's explore how every click can become income, breaking down direct and indirect monetization strategies, real-world examples, and how AI-powered platforms like WSC Sports enable leagues, clubs, and broadcasters to capitalize on fan interactions in real time. Direct Monetization: Content That Pays in Real-Time When fans engage with content, it’s a chance to generate direct revenue. The most common tactics include: -Advertising & Sponsorship: Video highlights double as ad inventory. Rights-holders can embed sponsor branding, pre-rolls, or interactive banners on every clip. A “Play of the Game” might feature a sponsor’s logo, creating a mini-commercial out of a highlight. With more content output, there’s more ad inventory to sell. -Affiliate & Commerce Links: Content can drive e-commerce seamlessly. A dunk highlight can include a “Shop Now” overlay to purchase a player’s jersey or sneakers. Each click-through becomes a direct sale or affiliate commission. -Premium Content & Microtransactions: Teams can monetize exclusive access: premium replays, behind-the-scenes content, or gamified live experiences offered as pay-per-view or subscription tiers. -Gamification & Interactive Experiences: Trivia contests, prediction games, or fantasy integrations can be sponsored, rewarding fans while generating revenue. The principle: if a fan is watching, tapping, or sharing, there’s an ad to serve, a product to sell, or a sponsor to activate. Indirect Monetization: Data, Loyalty, and Long-Term Value Not every click generates instant dollars, but the value lies in data capture and relationship building. -First-Party Data: With the shift to a cookie-less digital landscape, first-party data is gold. Every app registration, highlight view, and in-app interaction contributes to a fan’s profile. For example, the Cleveland Cavaliers use personalized highlights to collect valuable preference data, enabling tailored offers for merchandise, tickets, and experiences. -Fan Identity Graphs: By combining CRM, ticketing, and content engagement, teams can build unified fan profiles. This enables predictive modeling, such as identifying which fans are most likely to purchase season tickets. -Personalization as a Revenue Driver: According to McKinsey, personalization can lift digital revenues by 10–20%. Deloitte notes that global sports media rights are projected to surpass $60B by 2030, with personalized digital content playing a key role. Every click builds the foundation for lifetime value (LTV). The more data teams capture, the more precisely they can deliver offers that convert later. Micro-Monetization in Action Here are a few practical examples of how fan clicks become revenue streams: -Personalized Merch Offers: A fan who watches three-point highlights receives a jersey discount linked to their favorite shooter. -Interactive Sponsor Overlays: Replays include clickable “Vote for MVP” banners presented by sponsors, turning engagement into measurable brand value. -Loyalty Rewards: Points for watching, sharing, or predicting outcomes can be redeemed for merchandise or experiences, keeping fans habitually engaged. -Sponsored Highlight Reels: Automated “Top Plays” packages or player-specific reels can be instantly branded, multiplying sponsor exposure. One fan’s click may only yield a few cents of revenue but at scale, across millions of interactions, it creates significant commercial upside. WSC Sports: Automating Click-to-Revenue Executing this at scale requires automation. That’s where WSC Sports’ AI-driven platform comes in: -Automated Highlight Creation: AI detects key plays, generates dozens of clip variations (vertical, horizontal, player-specific, social-optimized), and pushes them out instantly. NASCAR used this to cut turnaround time by 80%, capturing engagement that would otherwise drift away. -Rich Metadata Tagging: Every clip is contextually tagged (players, teams, moments, play types), enabling hyper-targeted sponsorship and personalized fan delivery. Think sneaker brands sponsoring every dunk league-wide; instantly, automatically. -Multi-Platform Distribution: Content is delivered in real time across apps, websites, OTT, and social channels. As WSC stresses: “real-time is the new baseline. ” -Case in Point: Cleveland Cavaliers: Personalized highlight reels boosted app downloads by 83% and drove an average of 20 minutes of in-app engagement per user. By automating production and embedding monetization hooks, WSC Sports ensures no click goes to waste. Conclusion: Make Every Interaction Count The future of sports monetization extends far beyond broadcast rights and stadium revenue. Every tap, swipe, and share can be monetized directly through ads, sponsors, and commerce; or indirectly through first-party data and personalization. For executives in digital strategy, sponsorship, and fan engagement: treat every fan interaction as currency. With AI-powered automation, content becomes instantly monetizable, personalized, and scalable across platforms. The organizations that embrace this shift are already seeing higher ROI, stronger fan loyalty, and more sustainable growth. In a world where fan attention is fleeting, the winners will be those who turn every highlight, every click, and every engagement into measurable value. > Discover key shifts in fan behavior from 8M sports videos: vertical, short-form, real-time content driving engagement in 2025. - Published: 2025-08-20 - Modified: 2026-04-15 - URL: https://wsc-sports-dev.ltu.co.il/blog/industry-insights/trends-report-what-8000000-videos-say-about-fan-behavior-in-2025/ - Categories: Industry Insights Our first-half of 2025 Trends Report reveals a massive shift toward short-form, real-time, and mobile-first content experiences. See what else is happening: Key Takeaways -Format follows fan behavior: Vertical, short-form, real-time video is now table stakes. Anything else feels outdated. -Automation lets you do more with the team you have: Rights holders are meeting fan demand without growing teams, by automating every step of creation and distribution. -More content equals more value: Every fan experience and highlight is a new monetization surface, a new engagement moment, and a signal fans can act on. Sports content isn’t just evolving, it’s transforming. What used to be a “postgame” moment is now a mobile, real-time, fan-first experience. For rights holders, this shift is existential. If leagues, teams and broadcasters don’t adapt to short-form, vertical, and instant content delivery, they’re not in the game. The Largest Real-Time Lens on Fan Behavior in Sports This report is based on over 8 million videos generated through the WSC Sports platform in the first half of 2025. That scale gives us a unique window into how sports content is shifting, across formats, platforms, and fan expectations, and how the world’s top rights holders are adapting. Get the Full Report The Game Has Changed. Here’s the Data. Vertical video is the new default: Over 5 million vertical videos were created in H1, a massive 87. 5% year-over-year increase. For the first time ever, vertical formats now make up the majority of all content (63%). TikTok, YouTube Shorts, and Reels aren’t extras, they’re the front door to sports fandom. Real-time content is the baseline: 3. 5 million videos were published in real time, up 19% from H1 2024. Fans expect content now, not later. Teams, leagues, and broadcasters are adjusting or getting left behind. Shorter wins: The average video length dropped 13%, to just over one minute. Fans want fast, snackable, algorithm-friendly stories, not traditional highlight reels. Output is exploding: WSC Sports partners created over 8 million videos in six months, a 52% year-over-year increase. Content teams are scaling massively without adding headcount, using automation to match the speed and scale of modern fandom. Get the Full Report Recommendations for Rights Holders -Design for mobile-first, real-time platforms, not just postgame recaps: Your fans live on TikTok, Shorts, and Reels. Meet them there in real time. -Automate the obvious to focus on the exceptional: Use AI to handle volume, so your teams can spend time on storytelling, branding, and innovation. -Use content to create signals, not just moments: Every clip is a data point. Turn engagement into insight, and insight into monetization. > Social feeds are flooded with sports content. . In an oversaturated landscape, differentiation is the key to making your brand stand out. - Published: 2025-08-19 - Modified: 2026-02-04 - URL: https://wsc-sports-dev.ltu.co.il/blog/industry-insights/content-saturation-and-the-differentiation-gap-how-to-stand-out-in-the-crowd/ - Categories: Industry Insights Social feeds are flooded with sports content. In an oversaturated landscape, differentiation is the key to making your brand stand out. Key Takeaways -Winning content is timely, tailored, and format-diverse. The right clip for the right fan in the right style wins the scroll war -Workflow speed is as strategic as creativity. If it’s not fast, it’s already too late -Automation frees your team to focus on tone, storytelling, and originality. That kind of human touch still wins. In a world where every league, team, player, influencer, and rights holder is pumping out content (often in real-time) originality is the only way to stand out. The problem for those of us who work in content isn’t just too much content, it’s too much sameness. Whether it’s a highlight clip, a game recap, or a behind-the-scenes snippet, today’s feeds are flooded with formats that all blur together. In this environment, speed, voice, and variety become your unfair advantages. The Saturation Problem – Why Quality Blurs Together Content creation isn’t slowing down. According to Sprout Social’s 2025 Index, 77% of marketers say their content output has increased in the past year, while 63% of consumers say they’re overwhelmed by the volume of content in their feeds. What’s more, only 36% of people feel the content they see is “relevant or valuable. ” That disconnect creates a differentiation gap, where even high-quality content gets lost because it looks and sounds like everything else. In other words, producing more isn’t enough. What matters is how quickly you can adapt, remix, and stand out. Three Differentiators: Tone, Format, Time-to-Publish Let’s break down the three most powerful ways to break through a crowded feed: 1. Tone: The best content informs, and it sounds like your fans. Think playful captions, youth culture fluency, and platform-native language (what works on TikTok doesn’t work on YouTube Shorts). 2. Format: Vertical video. Split screens. Reactions. Polls. Memes. Story posts. You need variation, not just duplication. Fans expect content in their preferred mode — not just a square peg for every platform. From WSC Sports data, teams using vertical highlight formats see consistently higher engagement on TikTok and Instagram compared to standard 16:9 clips. Why? They feel native, not recycled. 3. Time-to-Publish: Speed still kills. Especially when fan interest peaks right after a moment happens. With WSC Sports automation, publishers can turn around game highlights in near real-time, cutting the traditional 30-minute editing window down to just a few minutes. That means more content, earlier — when engagement is at its highest. Case Study: Turning One Match into Ten Unique Stories LALIGA is an example of how to differentiate at scale. The league created multiple versions of content from the same match, including: -Highlights tailored to different players and fanbases -Localized content with multi-language voiceovers -Vertical formats optimized for TikTok and Instagram -Clips segmented by tone i. e. serious, humorous, celebratory This approach enabled LALIGA to speak to different audiences, on different platforms, in different tones — all within minutes of the final whistle. One match didn’t result in one highlight reel. It resulted in a dozen entry points for engagement. Action Plan: Audit, Remix, Accelerate If your content is getting lost in the feed, here’s how to shift: Audit: Look at your last 10 pieces of video content. Are they mostly the same format? Same tone? Same platform? That’s a saturation risk. Remix: Identify what could be versioned: shorter formats, vertical crops, localized overlays, player-focused edits, alternative voice overs Accelerate: Use automation to speed up the backend so your creative team can focus on what fans actually see and feel. Time-to-publish should be measured in minutes, not hours. According to the PEAK SportsTech Report (2025), 79% of sports leaders believe short-form video is the most effective way to engage fans, but only 39% say they can consistently publish it quickly. The opportunity? Close that gap. The Last Word The best content doesn’t win because it’s the best. It’s because it’s the most watchable at the right moment, in the right voice, for the right fan. Cutting through saturation means publishing faster, personalizing deeper, and sounding less like everyone else. Creativity is the key differentiator that makes sure the process is worth it. > CazéTV’s World Cup deal shows how creator-led platforms, interactivity, and AI-powered content are reshaping global sports coverage. - Published: 2025-08-18 - Modified: 2026-02-04 - URL: https://wsc-sports-dev.ltu.co.il/blog/industry-insights/we-were-born-to-do-things-differently-how-cazetv-redefined-sports-coverage/ - Categories: Industry Insights What happens when a Twitch-born creator becomes one of the biggest players in global sports media? In Brazil, CazéTV has secured the 2026 FIFA World Cup streaming rights proving that creator-led platforms can shape the future of sports coverage. Key takeaways: - CazéTV’s 2026 World Cup deal marks a turning point, proving creator-led platforms can secure major rights and massive audiences- Influencer-hosted sports broadcasts resonate with younger fans by blending participation, relatability, and interactivity, shaping the future viewing experience- AI-powered content creation enables rights holders to deliver multi-format, always-on content that builds deeper, lasting fan relationships beyond livestreams The news of CazéTV's deal to stream the 2026 FIFA World Cup came as a shock to the industry. It wasn't so much that the Brazilian YouTube channel got a slice of the pie; after all, it has broadcast World Cup matches in 2022 and partnered with FIFA on other events since. It was the scope of the deal. In 2026, CazéTV will stream all 104 World Cup matches for free; and the fact that a creator-led platform has made such a big leap in such a short time. Launched in 2022, CazéTV is a joint venture of prominent streamer Casimiro Miguel and sports marketing agency LiveMode. Since streaming 22 matches from the FIFA World Cup in Qatar — and drawing 6. 5 million viewers for Brazil’s quarter-final against Croatia — CazéTV has been broadcasting high-profile leagues and sporting events regularly, including the Olympic Games in Paris, the NFL International Series, Bundesliga and Ligue 1 games, and more. Still, CazéTV's agreement with FIFA for the 2026 World Cup is considered by many to be a seminal moment. One that potentially changes distribution trends, elevates creators to a whole new level, and provides rights holders with the blueprint for connecting with younger audiences through digital, interactive, multi-dimensional experiences. The End of Passive Viewing The experience CazéTV is offering is well-aligned with these consumption patterns, which explains its popularity among younger fans. Data from Ampere Analysis revealed that 38% of Brazilian sports fans aged 18-24 watched CazéTV in June 2025, compared to 27% of fans aged 35-64. According to LiveMode, 82% of CazéTV’s audience is under 44 years old, and most of them tune in to be an active part of the stream. “The new generation wants to watch and participate in a broadcast,” said Edgar Diniz, founding partner of LiveMode and a key figure behind CazéTV. “They are discussing, chatting, making jokes, and all of that is happening because they feel they are like Casimiro and the other guys on the broadcast. Although they don’t know him personally, he is their friend. He is not an expert voice talking down to them. The audience and Casimiro watch together. ” While live sports broadcasts hosted by influencers have become a fixture in Brazil's media environment, they have yet to leave their mark in other regions. However, as Generations Z and Alpha emerge as trend-setters with increased purchasing power, say industry leaders, the rest of the world will have no choice but to adapt. “The value proposition for passive viewing among young people just isn’t there,” said Barrick Prince, former head of original sports content at Twitch and co-founder of the Creator Sports Network, which pairs sports rights holders with streamers and influencers. “We’re now in a user-centric economy, and viewers have the power. They don’t want to be passive anymore. Everywhere is going to look like Brazil eventually. ” Latin America's Digital Sports Revolution Other than CazéTV, the Brazilian market also includes the influencer-led platform NWB, which recently acquired the rights to Campeonato Brasileiro Série B. But Brazil isn't the only country in Latin America where free-to-access OTT platforms are flourishing. YouTube channel Fútbol Digital, which regularly streams games from South America, the Premier League, and La Liga, is one of the biggest digital platforms in Argentina with more than 2 million subscribers. These digital platforms understand that streaming games is not enough to retain subscribers. Earlier this year, for example, CazéTV secured near-live and highlights rights for several South American football properties, including top-tier Copa Libertadores and second-tier Copa Sudamericana pan-continental club competitions. And in the 2026 FIFA World Cup, CazéTV's coverage will offer — in addition to live-streams — supplementary content on social media. “We were born to do things differently,” CazéTV said in a statement to their subscribers after the deal with FIFA was announced. “We made plenty of mistakes and went overboard more than once, but we never gave up on being who we are or believing in our way of doing things. This way of doing things was shaped by you, with you, and for you. ” Scaling Content for Continuous Engagement CazéTV’s story is a clear signal: engaging modern audiences demands more than traditional broadcasts. Younger fans expect content that feels participatory, fast-moving, and ever-present across platforms. Rights holders who limit their strategy to live streams miss the bigger opportunity: building relationships through moments that extend before, during, and long after the game ends. Achieving that at scale requires the right technology. AI-powered content creation solutions give organizations the ability to transform every highlight, stat, and storyline into multi-format content instantly. Those who follow CazéTV’s lead by pairing bold distribution with an always-on content engine will be best placed to capture audiences' attention and loyalty in the years to come. Actionable Insights 1. Build Interactivity Into Broadcasts: Encourage chat, polls, watch parties, or influencer co-streams that make viewers feel part of the experience rather than spectators. 2. Extend Content Beyond the Live Moment: Every match moment should generate clips, stories, and formats that keep fans engaged long before kickoff and long after the final whistle. 3. Scale with Automation and AI: Manual workflows can’t keep up with fans’ demand for “always-on” content. Invest in AI-powered tools that transform live action into multi-format content instantly, so your organization can deliver at the speed and scale modern audiences expect. > Go beyond CRM data. Learn how CDPs, identity graphs, and real-time content metadata unlock 360° fan personalization in sports. - Published: 2025-08-16 - Modified: 2026-02-04 - URL: https://wsc-sports-dev.ltu.co.il/blog/industry-insights/why-crm-data-isnt-enough-how-sports-organizations-can-truly-know-their-fans/ - Categories: Industry Insights Explore why sports organizations need to go beyond CRM data, leveraging CDPs, identity graphs, and real-time content metadata to unlock true personalization and deeper fan engagement. Kew Takeaways -CRM data is incomplete. Traditional CRMs capture static, surface-level info (like ticket purchases or emails) but miss the real-time behavioral signals that define modern fan engagement -CDPs and identity graphs fill the gap. Together they unify fragmented fan data across platforms and devices, creating a dynamic 360° identity graph that enables true personalization -Content metadata is the missing layer. By adding AI-powered video insights from WSC Sports, organizations can personalize at scale, fuel richer fan profiles, and unlock new revenue opportunities Why CRM Data Isn’t Enough Anymore Traditional customer relationship management (CRM) systems have long been the backbone of sports teams’ fan data strategies. CRMs store fan contact info, purchase history, and basic preferences – but in 2025, that’s no longer enough to truly know your fans. Today’s fans engage with sports across many digital touchpoints, generating a wealth of behavioral data that a legacy CRM alone can’t capture. In this article, we’ll explore the limits of traditional CRMs, define what modern data tools like CDPs and identity graphs bring to the table, and explain why sports organizations need a more complete fan identity graph that includes rich content metadata and behavioral signals. We’ll also see how WSC Sports provides the missing piece – real-time video metadata and personalization at scale – to supercharge fan engagement beyond what CRM data can do. The Limits of Traditional CRM in 2025 A CRM (Customer Relationship Management) system is a software tool for managing all of a brand’s customer relationships and interactions in one place. In sports, your CRM might contain fans’ names, emails, ticket purchases, favorite team indicated at signup, etc. This is useful information, but it represents only a slice of the fan’s relationship with your brand. The reality is that fan behavior has outgrown what CRM was originally built to handle. Key shortcomings of CRM-only approaches include: -Siloed, Partial Data: CRMs mainly hold explicit data that fans or sales reps provide – contact details, purchase records, survey responses. They often lack implicit behavioral data (e. g. what videos a fan watches or how they use your app). As a result, many teams still lack a true 360° view of each fan. Without integration, a “single supporter view” remains elusive for most clubs. -Missed Engagement Signals: Fans today interact with teams on social media, mobile apps, OTT streaming platforms, fantasy games, and more – far beyond the email and ticketing channels CRMs were designed for. Alfredo Bermejo, Digital Strategy Director at LaLiga, noted that fans consume football in so many different ways (news sites, social media, etc. ) and teams “often know nothing about them” beyond the basics. In other words, valuable indicators of fan interest are generated outside the traditional CRM scope. -Static Snapshots vs. Real-Time Insights: A CRM record is often a static profile that updates only when a new purchase or contact occurs. It might tell you John Doe bought a jersey last year but not that John watched 10 highlight clips this week. In 2025, fan preferences change game-by-game and content consumption is continuous. Relying on stale CRM data means missing those evolving interests. -Limited Personalization: Because of the gaps above, CRM-driven marketing tends to default to broad segments (e. g. season ticket holders vs. single-game buyers) with one-size-fits-all messaging. But modern consumers tune out generic outreach – 72% of consumers only engage with marketing messages personalized to their interests. If your data isn’t granular, your fan engagement tactics can’t be either. The takeaway: legacy CRMs leave sports organizations with an incomplete picture. To meet the demands of always-on fan engagement, teams need to go beyond the CRM. From CRM to CDP and Identity Graph: What’s the Difference? To fill the gaps, the sports industry is turning to new data solutions like CDPs and identity graphs. Let’s define them in simple terms: -CDP (Customer Data Platform): A CDP is software that centralizes and unifies customer data from multiple channels into one single customer view. Think of it as a master fan database that pulls in all interactions a fan has with your brand – website visits, mobile app usage, OTT viewership, social media engagement, email clicks, in-stadium transactions, etc. For example, a CDP could recognize that the same fan browsed the team store on the website, watched highlights on the mobile app, and liked a player’s post on Instagram – and merge those into one profile. The goal is to break down silos (web analytics, ticketing system, social platform data) and give marketing and digital teams a holistic view of each fan’s behavior. Whereas a CRM is often used by sales or service teams to manage direct interactions (like tracking sales leads or customer support tickets), a CDP is more marketing-focused – it tracks granular behavior and engagement data (pages viewed, videos watched, events attended, social likes) that enables hyper-personalized campaigns. -Identity Graph: An identity graph is essentially the technology that stitches together all those data points and identifiers to recognize a fan as a single individual across different devices and channels. In practice, an identity graph connects identifiers like emails, phone numbers, device IDs, cookies, social handles, etc. , and links them to one unified fan profile. For instance, a fan might use your mobile app (logged in with an email), browse the website on a laptop, and follow the team on Twitter – initially appearing as three “different” users. An identity graph uses identity resolution (matching data deterministically or with AI) to know it’s the same person, giving you a complete view of that fan’s interactions. Together, CDPs and identity graphs provide the foundation of a modern fan data stack. The CDP aggregates every scrap of first-party data you can collect, and the identity graph ensures all that data is tied to real, unified fan identities (not scattered by device or channel). Many sports organizations are investing in these tools as they realize they must leverage first-party data more effectively – especially as third-party cookies and external data sources dry up in the privacy-first era. In fact, the average company uses around 17 different systems for customer data, so having a way to unify and resolve identities is now essential for sports marketers. Critical Fan Signals Your CRM Might Be Missing Let’s dig deeper on those behavioral signals that legacy CRM systems tend to miss. Sports fans today leave digital footprints everywhere they go; each touchpoint provides insight into their preferences and passion. Here are some key fan behaviors that wouldn’t typically live in a basic CRM record, but are vital to understanding and engaging fans: -Content Consumption: What videos and articles is the fan consuming? Do they watch highlight clips on your app or YouTube channel? Which players’ highlights or what type of plays (e. g. dunks, 3-pointers, goals, etc. ) do they watch the most? How many minutes of content do they watch per week? These content preferences are a goldmine for personalization. A traditional CRM doesn’t capture this level of content interaction data. -App and OTT Usage: If your league or team has a direct-to-consumer streaming service or a mobile app, you can track behaviors like logins, time spent, features used, and videos watched. For instance, LaLiga’s revamped app became an entertainment hub where fans watch match highlights and archive footage. Those in-app behaviors (e. g. which team’s highlights a user watches most) indicate interest that a CRM wouldn’t know. A fan’s OTT viewing history (full match vs. condensed game vs. short clip) also reveals whether they’re a hardcore fan or a casual one who just wants quick excitement. -Social Media Engagement: What does the fan do on social channels? Do they follow the club on Twitter/Instagram/TikTok? Do they like or share certain types of posts? While aggregate social media stats are often known, tying an individual fan’s social interactions back to their profile is challenging. Still, knowing a fan’s social engagement can tell you which content resonates most with them. -In-Stadium and Loyalty Interactions: This goes beyond digital, but it’s worth noting – CRM might log that a fan bought a ticket, but not what they did at the venue. Did they scan in through a fast-entry gate with their app? Did they buy merchandise or concessions tied to their loyalty account? These actions indicate fan commitment and spending habits. Collectively, these signals paint a much richer picture of each fan’s behavioral profile. They are “preference data” – what the fan actually does, as opposed to what they’ve explicitly told you. Why does this matter? Because fan expectations in 2025 demand personalized, on-demand experiences. Fans have been conditioned by Netflix, YouTube, and TikTok to expect content tailored to them, on their schedule. They want sports content that aligns with their interests (favorite players, fantasy roster, preferred format length, etc. ), not just a generic one-feed-fits-all. Why a 360° Fan Identity Graph Matters for Sports All the data in the world is useless if it’s scattered. That’s why leading teams, leagues, and broadcasters are now striving to build a complete fan identity graph – essentially, a unified fan profile that connects CRM data + CDP data + behavioral and content data into one dynamic view. Instead of separate buckets (ticketing system here, email list there, app analytics over there), a fan identity graph brings everything together. In practice, a fan identity graph means: -Every touchpoint counted: You aggregate data from every source possible – ticket purchases, mobile app usage, OTT viewership stats, merchandise ecommerce, social interactions, loyalty programs, marketing emails, in-venue activities, and more – into one profile. This comprehensive approach ensures no interaction is lost. For example, when the Cleveland Cavaliers introduced personalized highlights in their app, it not only delighted fans – it also unlocked valuable first-party data about each fan’s content choices. The Cavs can now learn which players or play types a user cares about most, and use that to tailor future offers. -Rich behavioral context: A 360° fan identity isn’t just a list of data points; it’s an actionable profile revealing patterns and propensities. For instance, your unified profile might show that Fan Jane Doe watches 90% of games on OTT and always rewatches highlight reels of a certain star player within 24 hours. Combined with her CRM info (say, she’s a lapsed season-ticket holder), you gain insight to re-engage her with an offer aligned to her behavior. This kind of micro-segmentation becomes possible only when your identity graph is filled with content and engagement data, not just static attributes. -Cross-channel continuity: The identity graph ensures that whether a fan interacts via email, app, website, or in person, you recognize them and can respond in context. Say a fan watches a documentary on your league’s OTT service; next time they open the app, you could recommend related content or drop a push notification about a new episode – because your systems know this is the same person. -New revenue and partnership opportunities: When you truly understand a fan’s interests (even beyond core sports preferences), you can unlock new monetization angles. Fan identity graphs might reveal, for example, that a segment of your fans who watch a lot of highlight videos also have an affinity for certain music or gaming – opening the door for targeted sponsorships or cross-promotions. In summary, building a complete fan identity graph is about bridging the gap between what fans say and what they do. It combines the explicit data (what CRM has) with the behavioral data (what a CDP collects) into one powerful profile. The Missing Layer: Real-Time Content Metadata and Personalization (How WSC Sports Helps) Even with a solid CDP and identity graph in place, many sports organizations discover a critical missing layer in their fan data: real-time content metadata. This refers to the detailed tagging and indexing of the content that fans consume – especially video. WSC Sports has emerged as the go-to solution for adding this layer, enabling teams and leagues to leverage AI-powered video metadata and automated personalization at scale. Here’s why this is so powerful: Turning Content into Data: WSC Sports’ AI platform automatically analyzes games (live or archived footage) and recognizes every play, player, and key moment, tagging each with rich metadata. For example, in a basketball game, WSC would tag every three-pointer, dunk, block, assist, and so on, along with which players were involved and the game context. These tags transform a video highlight from just a piece of content into a bundle of data points. Traditional CRMs would simply note that “Fan watched a video”; WSC’s metadata tells you what was in the video. Real-Time Personalization at Scale: Because WSC’s platform is automated, it can generate and distribute personalized video content in real time, at massive scale. This is the “Create Once, Publish Everywhere” advantage – using AI, your team can create a highlight clip once and instantly publish it in all formats and channels your fans use. Moreover, WSC’s system can personalize the content selection for each fan. For instance, the Cleveland Cavaliers used WSC to let fans build custom highlight reels in their app, choosing their favorite players and play types. In the 2022-23 season, this led to fans spending an average of 20 minutes per session in the app and an 83% increase in app downloads after launching the personalized highlights feature. Feeding the Fan Identity Graph: The benefits don’t stop at content delivery. Every interaction with personalized videos becomes a new input for your fan identity graph. Using WSC, the Cavaliers suddenly gained “valuable first-party app user data” on content preferences that they never had before. Similarly, LaLiga’s app relaunch with WSC’s AI-powered highlights not only made the app more engaging – with a 70% boost in user sessions and over 30% increase in time spent – but also gave LaLiga a direct channel to observe fan behavior. Integration with Marketing Tech: WSC Sports isn’t a standalone island; it’s designed to integrate with your existing marketing and data stack. For example, WSC can integrate with customer engagement platforms so that personalized video clips can be sent via push notification or email to the right fan at the right time. The real-time metadata from WSC can also loop back into your CDP – updating a fan’s profile segments instantly when they watch certain content. Confidently Moving Beyond CRM Data In today’s competitive sports and entertainment landscape, relying solely on CRM data is like trying to coach a game with one eye closed. You’re missing half the action. A traditional CRM might tell you who your fan is, but not what makes them enthusiastic, what content hooks them, or how to keep them coming back. To stay ahead, sports organizations need to leverage all their fan data – from ticket purchases to every tap and swipe in the mobile app. The good news is that the technology and strategies to do this are now within reach. By implementing a CDP and building a true fan identity graph, you can unify fragmented data and unlock a 360° view of each fan.... > From MLB’s TikTok boom to Gen Z’s attention shift, learn how sports orgs can win fans with complementary content and AI-driven personalization. - Published: 2025-08-15 - Modified: 2026-02-04 - URL: https://wsc-sports-dev.ltu.co.il/blog/industry-insights/filtering-out-the-fluff-delivering-sports-content-fans-actually-want/ - Categories: Industry Insights From baseball’s renaissance to Gen Z’s ruthless content filtering, here’s a look at what fans really want and how AI is enabling organizations to deliver it at scale. Key Takeaways: -Younger audiences remain highly invested in sports but engage differently, prioritizing highlights, social content, and interactive experiences over traditional broadcasts-Fans respond most to complementary content like recaps, live reactions, and cultural storytelling that reflects how they already consume media-AI-powered content creation enables rights holders to produce personalized, multi-format content at scale, keeping fans engaged beyond the games Up until a few years ago, baseball was considered too slow, too traditional, and too old for the digital age. Fast forward to 2025, and America's pastime is having a renaissance. Major League Baseball viewership is up significantly in the US, Japan, and streaming. Attendance is up 2% year-over-year compared to 2024, when the league recorded its largest attendance in seven years. According to YouGov data, the league's "buzz score", which measures whether people have heard positive or negative things about a brand, has also risen steadily over the last two years. Many attribute the resurgence to a series of rule changes, highlighted by the introduction of the pitch clock that the MLB made ahead of the 2023 season. But much of the credit should go to the league's and teams' content, creative, and social media teams, who have managed to blaze a path to the holy grail: younger demographics. Proof of Concept: Baseball's Breakthrough on TikTok Data from Tubular Labs, a social video intelligence company, reveals that the MLB has made tremendous strides on TikTok. Key findings include: - From Opening Day (March 27) through June 3, the MLB and its 30 teams earned a combined 795 million TikTok views and another 45 million engagements on TikTok — a 64% increase in views and 41% increase in engagements compared to the same period last season - The league's official account is responsible for nearly 44% of all MLB views and engagements on TikTok since Opening Day - The Los Angeles Dodgers and New York Yankees account for 19. 6% of MLB views and 23. 1% of engagements on TikTok MLB's success on TikTok is yet another proof that younger audiences are just as invested in sports as previous generations. In fact, a recent global survey by Ampere Analysis showed that while 18- to 24-year-olds spend 30 minutes less per week than older fans watching live games, they devote more time to engaging with content on social media, consuming highlights, playing fantasy games, reading sports news, and listening to sports podcasts/radio. The Attention Myth: Why Gen Z Filters Content Per Ampere Analysis's survey, young fans dedicate 3x more time weekly to complementary content than to live sports. Since most of this content is scattered across multiple platforms, the challenge for rights holders is to turn young fans' interest in the complementary parts of sports into a passion for the main product, which can be consumed only in their ecosystem. Doing that, industry leaders say, starts with correcting misconceptions, such as Gen Z's short attention span. “Gen Z binge-watch Netflix series, spend hours immersed in gaming streams, and passionately follow content creators,” explained Matt Stagg, a sports, media, and entertainment technologist. “Clearly, attention isn’t the issue. What’s actually happening is that they are ruthless in filtering out content that doesn’t resonate. ” What resonates with young demographics, said Stagg, after getting feedback from his three teenage boys, is the “constant cycle of pre-game build-up, live reactions, and post-match discussions. This ongoing conversation is where younger fans are most engaged. Traditional sports broadcasters can learn from this by incorporating interactive elements such as real-time voting and content that adapts to viewer engagement. ” AI-Powered Adaptation: The Evolution Imperative The key word here is "adapt. " Younger fans engage with sports differently. To capture and hold their attention, rights holders must evolve beyond the broadcast; they have to deliver dynamic, personalized content experiences that mirror how these generations already consume — but on platforms they own, not platforms they rent. AI-powered content creation technology enables that evolution. It allows rights holders to automate the production of diverse, responsive, and interactive formats, like personalized recaps, trivia layered into highlights, or real-time fan polls through which they can reconnect with younger fans. Because if the goal is building lasting relationships, just chasing views on TikTok won’t cut it. Actionable Insights -Build Complementary Content Cycles: Don’t just clip the big moments, create a rhythm of pre-game hype, live reactions, and post-game storytelling that keeps fans engaged before, during, and after the event -Prioritize Owned Channels: Use TikTok, Instagram, and YouTube to spark discovery, but always funnel fans toward your app, site, or OTT platform where you control the data, experience, and monetization -Leverage AI for Scale and Personalization: Automate highlight creation and experiment with personalized recaps, interactive polls, or layered trivia to deliver more content formats without adding headcount > How sports rights holders can use tech, AI, and extended coverage to engage younger fans and build lasting audience loyalty. - Published: 2025-08-14 - Modified: 2026-02-04 - URL: https://wsc-sports-dev.ltu.co.il/blog/industry-insights/racing-ahead-how-tech-driven-content-can-keep-young-fans-engaged/ - Categories: Industry Insights Key Takeaways -Amazon Prime’s NASCAR coverage shows that innovative digital strategies can significantly increase viewership among younger sports fans-Features like the AI-driven “Burn Bar” and extended analysis enhance broadcasts, aligning with younger audiences’ content preferences-AI-powered content creation technology enables rights holders to deliver multi-format, always-on experiences that sustain fan interest beyond live events At the end of 2023, when NASCAR accepted a bid from Amazon Prime for a five-race package of Cup Series events, both companies had one thing in mind. “We're going to invest and put the resources of the company behind it to help grow the sport,” said Jay Marine, Amazon’s Global Head of Sports. “If you look at what we've done with Thursday Night Football in terms of delivering an audience that's seven years younger, the unique reach we provide is going to be really helpful. ” Twenty months later, as Amazon wrapped up its first season of NASCAR races, this reach was on full display. Data from Nielsen revealed that: - The Prime Video package posted across-the-board gains in the key young adult demographics, with viewership up 36% in viewers aged 18 to 34, 19% in the 18-49 group, 28% in 25-54, and a whopping 93% among teens (12-17) - Viewers 55+ still made up slightly more than half of the audience (53%), but that was a reduction from the five equivalent races last year, when they accounted for more than two-thirds (70%) - Overall, the five Prime Video races had a median age of 56. 1, compared to 62. 8 for the other Cup Series races this season Building Tomorrow's Fanbase: The Long-term Play While the growth among young viewers was offset by a 36% decline in the 55+ demographic, the first five Prime Video races are widely considered a triumph for NASCAR and Amazon. The reason is twofold. First, said Dr. Jon Lewis, a sports media professor at Northeastern and the founder of Sports Media Watch, “the ability to increase the 18-34 audience by more than a third is the kind of impact that linear TV simply has not shown. ” The second reason has to do with the future. “Adults 55+ may be more loyal, and may have spent literal decades watching races; but adults 18-34 have yet to form those loyalties in many cases,” noted Lewis. “Not only does it benefit advertisers to reach those younger viewers, it benefits NASCAR by establishing a stronger connection with an audience that it will need in 10, 20, 30 years. ” Establishing a stronger connection with younger sports fans seems to be Prime Video’s specialty. The last season of Thursday Night Football, which has been broadcast exclusively by Prime since 2022, ranks as the most-watched in TNF's history – including the pre-Amazon era – among adults aged 18-34, 18-49, and even 25-54. The obvious questions are then: how does Prime resonate with young audiences, and what can other sports organizations learn from it? Breaking the Broadcast Mold: Prime's Two-Pronged Strategy Two things stand out from Prime's recent success with NASCAR. The first is introducing new technological elements in the broadcasts, with the most notable being the “Burn Bar. ” Relying on a proprietary AI model that tracks fuel mileage for every car on a lap-by-lap basis, the “Burn Bar” measures a driver’s fuel consumption throughout the race and displays the information to viewers in a digestible manner. But what truly differentiates Prime's broadcast from traditional broadcasts is deeper post-race analysis. Taking advantage of the fact that it's not restricted by predetermined time slots, Amazon's hosts and analysts offer detailed post-race coverage that exceeds the typical viewing experience. The data has justified the decision; according to Prime, their post-race shows retained an average of 43% of the races' audience. Both strategies — investing in analysis and tech-driven stats — align with trends in youth media. “Young people love stats and the kind of content that used to be classed as 'low value,' like talking heads,” said engagement specialist Jo Redfern. “That's the snackable stuff you could put on TikTok. So you start engaging fans there, and you get them into your ecosystem. ” From Live Moments to Lasting Connections That shift in perception is critical. To keep younger fans engaged, it’s not enough to reimagine the broadcast alone. Rights holders must build an entire content ecosystem that reflects how younger audiences consume media across different formats, devices, and platforms. That includes not just streaming and social, but also owned apps and websites where storytelling can go deeper, engagement can be measured, and relationships can actually grow. Delivering that kind of always-on, multi-platform experience requires speed, flexibility, and scale. This is where AI-powered content creation technology comes in. These solutions allow organizations to instantly turn live moments into a range of assets: in-app stories, swipeable highlights, athlete-focused edits, and more. Because if your goal is to bring younger fans to the broadcast – and keep them coming back – you can’t just think about the race; you have to think about the entire track. Actionable Insights -Integrate real-time, value-add data into your live product. Tools like Prime’s AI-powered “Burn Bar” show how making advanced stats accessible can deepen engagement, especially with younger fans who crave interactive, informative visuals. Explore how your sport’s unique metrics can be packaged for broadcast, social, and owned channels. -Extend coverage beyond the final whistle. Use post-event windows to deliver deeper analysis, interviews, and behind-the-scenes content. Longer, flexible post-game segments not only retain a significant portion of the live audience but also create new content assets for short-form and on-demand platforms. -Adopt AI-driven content workflows to scale “always-on” engagement. Automating highlight creation, format adaptation, and multi-platform distribution ensures that key moments live well beyond the live event—turning a single game into days of targeted, platform-specific fan touchpoints. > Discover the top Premier League content trends of 2025, from a 76% surge in vertical video to record-breaking digital output. - Published: 2025-08-13 - Modified: 2026-02-04 - URL: https://wsc-sports-dev.ltu.co.il/blog/industry-insights/vertical-content-around-the-premier-league-jumped-76-this-season/ - Categories: Industry Insights Inside the content trends that defined the 2024–25 EPL season, based on over 1 million automated videos created by WSC Sports clients with Premier League rights. This past season gave fans plenty of drama — from goals, transfers, and title races — but it was also a turning point in how Premier League content was created, personalized, and delivered to fans. Across WSC Sports’ platform, clients with EPL rights collectively created over 1 million videos, and the way that content was produced, formatted, and scaled tells the story of a fan experience in rapid evolution. Key Takeaways -Vertical content production grew by 76% YoY, now accounting for 37% of all EPL-related videos on WSC’s platform -Total video output reached 987,159, a 28. 8% increase over 2023–24 -Content creation instances rose to 58,743, highlighting increased activation around each match by broadcasters, clubs, and publishers What the data shows The 2024–25 season saw Premier League storytelling evolve in real time, not just on the pitch, but across the feeds, screens, and platforms where fans live. Vertical content exploded, increasing from 207,727 to 365,710 videos, a 76% jump year-over-year. That format now represents over one-third of all EPL content created through WSC Sports, up from 27% the previous season. The shift is unmistakable: fans are engaging on mobile, and creators are meeting them there. In total, clients with EPL rights generated 987,159 videos during the season, part of a broader base of over 1 million Premier League videos created using WSC’s AI-powered automation. From instant highlights to platform-specific cuts, production output rose sharply without increasing the workload for editors and content managers. And the reach went deeper. Activity days, unique content creation instances, climbed from 51,075 to 58,743, as more stakeholders activated around each fixture. Since multiple creators can produce content from the same match, this metric highlights just how many layers of storytelling EPL matches now generate. Get the full breakdown. - Published: 2025-08-12 - Modified: 2026-02-04 - URL: https://wsc-sports-dev.ltu.co.il/blog/industry-insights/from-fickle-viewers-to-committed-fans-winning-the-retention-game/ - Categories: Industry Insights Key Takeaways -Going the DTC streaming route offers control and data but creates a significant retention challenge with younger viewers-Younger sports fans cancel subscriptions quickly, making flexible pricing, personalization, and engagement crucial to keeping them as customers-Long-term loyalty relies on combining fan data, creative content strategies, and advanced technology to deliver personalized, dynamic experiences that prevent churn With more and more teams launching direct-to-consumer (DTC) streaming services, it was only a matter of time before the local sports media space evolved accordingly. The new joint venture between Monumental Sports & Entertainment (MSE) and ViewLift provides a glimpse into this evolution. MSE holds exclusive local television media rights for the NHL's Washington Capitals, NBA's Washington Wizards, and WNBA's Washington Mystics games. ViewLift is a streaming and digital solutions provider for multiple teams, leagues, and regional sports networks (RSNs). Together, they plan to offer “a new, team-centric model for localized content distribution designed to help sports organizations take control of their media future. ” Control is one of the main benefits of going DTC. By establishing a direct relationship with viewers, teams can collect first-party data from fans, leverage it to enhance personalization, and create additional revenue streams. But there are also risks to this approach. Chief among them is churn, especially among the coveted demographic of 18 to 34-year-olds. Strategic Subscription Cycling: The New Normal According to data from research firm Ampere Analysis, 18 to 34-year-olds are 19% more likely to churn from streaming services than other demographics. Interestingly, young viewers also subscribe to more streaming services than their average peer (4. 2 vs. 3. 3 on average), leading Ampere to describe their subscription behavior as “subscribe, stack, churn, repeat. ” “What stands out particularly is that this group exhibits a clear pattern of strategic subscription cycling,” said Isabelle Charnley, Consumer Analyst at Ampere Analysis. “Instead of maintaining always-on access, many choose to subscribe, cancel, and then resubscribe depending on whether content they care about is available. More than half (58%) report doing so, much higher than the global average of just 40%. ” The same trend is evident in sports. A recent study by market intelligence company Parks Associates, titled "Streaming Sports: The Fan Experience," revealed that younger subscribers are especially sensitive to service costs and are quick to cancel, underscoring the need for churn management and strong retention incentives. “Streaming has brought flexibility and choice to sports fans, but it also brings complexity and heightened churn risk,” said Jennifer Kent, Vice President Research of Research at Parks Associates. “Providers must deliver compelling experiences year-round to retain the loyalty of both traditional and emerging fan bases. ” The Three Pillars of Streaming Retention Retaining the loyalty of streaming consumers, say industry experts, comes down to three main things: 1. Data “Fan data that can be aggregated in whatever platform or data pool and used for retention is super important,” said Carlo De Marchis, a C-suite executive with 35+ years in sports & media tech, who hosts the podcast Retention Zone. The idea, he added, is to start “cross-pollinating the information from all the platforms. For example, if I know the customer is also someone who often plays fantasy, am I doing something for them in fantasy while they are streaming? ” Doing that requires adopting sports content and data solutions. With the right platform, rights holders can capitalize on every fan interaction (streaming, playing, sharing) and create comprehensive fan profiles, resulting in smarter audience segmentation, meaningful engagement, and higher lifetime value. 2. Content strategy “We used to say, 'there's live sport, and then forget everything else,' and that's not really true anymore,” said Hugo Sharman, the former CEO of sports OTT provider StreamAMG. Sharman recalls a recent brief from a major league where “live sports was a part of the brief, but probably only 15%. It was like, 'this is how we want to position our sport globally to a fan base, and it touched upon cultural elements, music, lifestyle, art. ” One way rights holders can position their product to fans is by generating content at scale across languages, formats, and platforms. AI-powered content creation solutions make this possible, enabling leagues and teams to present their history, culture, and identity while tying each touchpoint together. 3. Technology “Technology facilitates different ways of viewing, so you can serve multiple demographics with the same game,” said Jo Redfern, a specialist in digital media strategy. “You've got your die-hard fans who love to watch the game as it's being broadcast. Then you've got younger people who might want overlays, data, or gaming. I think streamers are increasingly looking at how they can build this level of immersion and interactivity into their offering. ” This is where content creation technology becomes essential. It enables sports organizations to evolve beyond the broadcast, deliver dynamic experiences that meet the demands of all fan cohorts, differentiate their streaming services, and – most importantly – build lasting relationships with customers. Actionable Insights -Design Year-Round Content Calendars: Avoid seasonal drop-offs by blending live game coverage with cultural, lifestyle, and behind-the-scenes content. Keep fans engaged even in the off-season to reduce churn triggers -Leverage Data for Personal Touchpoints: Integrate fan behavior from streaming, social, and interactive experiences to segment audiences. Use these profiles to deliver targeted offers, reminders, and exclusive content that speak directly to each fan cohort -Offer Flexible, Immersive Viewing Options: Experiment with tiered pricing, single-game passes, and interactive features like real-time stats, alternate feeds, or gamified overlays to meet different fan expectations and budgets - Published: 2025-08-11 - Modified: 2026-02-04 - URL: https://wsc-sports-dev.ltu.co.il/blog/industry-insights/turning-peak-audiences-to-year-round-engagement-lessons-from-uefa-womens-euro-2025/ - Categories: Industry Insights The UEFA Women’s EURO 2025 was a record-shattering showcase of the sport’s surging global appeal. Now, the challenge for rights holders is turning that peak moment into sustained, year-round fan engagement. Key Takeaways: -EURO 2025 achieved record-breaking attendance, revenue, media rights, and digital engagement, cementing women’s football as a major sports property-To sustain growth, sports organizations must build year-round content strategies that highlight unique stories, players, and moments-AI-powered content creation technology enables scalable, multi-format storytelling, helping rights holders maximize every moment and engage fans continuously Though TV ratings aren't the end-all, be-all for sports events anymore, record-breaking broadcasts still get their share of headlines. That's especially true when the broadcast is dedicated to women's sports, like the final of UEFA Women’s EURO 2025 in Basel, Switzerland. England's dramatic victory against Spain was the most-watched television moment of the year in the UK, with a peak audience of 16. 2 million tuning in to watch the Lionesses retain their title as European Champions. BBC One’s coverage peaked at 11. 6 million, representing a 59% share of all television viewers. But the records didn't stop there. EURO 2025 was a resounding success in every aspect: -The total attendance of 657,291 easily broke the previous record of 574,875, held by Euro 2022, and 29 out of the 31 matches in Switzerland were sold out. -Based on UEFA's estimations, EURO 2025 generated €128 million in revenue – more than twice as much as Euro 2022 and ten times as much as Euro 2017. -Commercial rights almost tripled from €15. 3 million in 2022 to €41. 0 million this year, with brands such as Amazon, Booking. com, Visa, and Volkswagen sponsoring the event. -Media rights have almost doubled since the previous Women’s EURO, jumping from €37. 5 million to €72. 0 million. -Live views over the course of the tournament were projected at 500 million globally, a considerable increase over the 374 million registered in 2022. More Than a Tournament; It’s a Movement The trajectory of Women’s EURO 2025 was established on July 13th, the day of the final group stage matches, which clashed with FIFA's Club World Cup final. That day, England’s victory over Wales averaged 2. 9 million viewers on UK free-to-air (FTA) channel ITV1 — more than double the audience that watched the Club World Cup final between Chelsea and Paris Saint-Germain on Channel 5. “If it was not clear before, it is undeniable now; women’s football is unstoppable,” said Nadine Kessler, UEFA's director of women's football. “This is more than a tournament; it’s a movement, and the response from across Europe and beyond proves that women’s football is not only here to stay; it is setting the new standard. ” The new standard was set at Euro 2022, when host England won its first UEFA Women's Championship after beating Germany 2-1 in the final. That match drew a peak audience of 17. 4 million on the BBC — to this day the most-watched women’s football game in the UK — and ushered in a new era of sustained growth in the sport. Lasting Success: The Post-Euro 2022 Boom According to a recent survey by live scores app FotMob, 32% of football fans in the UK started following women’s football after England's win against Germany three years ago. The audience boost was felt across the board. Since 2022, the number of women playing football in the UK has increased by 56%; matchday income from Women’s Super League (WSL) games grew by 73% in the 2023/24 season; and all 12 clubs made £1m or more in revenue for the first time. Keeping women’s football momentum going, said Curt Baker, Product Lead at FotMob, requires “carrying forward some of the things that make it unique – players being much more open and accessible, for example. I think maintaining that identity is important, so it doesn’t become simply ‘more football. ’ And when you consider all of that, the possible audience, accessible personalities and content potential, new formats, the potential is enormous. ” That potential was evident across the tournament's digital platforms. Using formats like tappable stories and interactive features such as quizzes, EURO 2025's app and website had more than 12 million views in the knockout stage and over 49 million throughout the tournament. The BBC Sport website, for its part, was visited by 16 million unique users, with 10. 1 million signed-in accounts interacting with Women’s Euro content, an increase of 15% from Euro 2022. Tech-Driven Content Strategies: The AI Advantage To emulate success stories like EURO 2025, rights holders must think beyond the event itself. Sustaining momentum means understanding what makes the coverage resonate with fans and translating that into year-round storytelling. By highlighting unique narratives, personalities, and moments, organizations can foster lasting connections that extend well beyond matchday. This is where AI-powered content creation technology becomes vital. From automating highlights and tailoring formats for different platforms to enabling instant distribution, these advanced solutions help organizations maximize every key moment. At scale, this ensures fans receive the engaging, immersive digital experiences they now expect, strengthening loyalty and driving long-term growth. Actionable Insights -Map and repurpose past peak content – Identify your top-performing tournament or event highlights and adapt them into fresh formats (short clips, behind-the-scenes edits, player-focused stories) for off-season publishing -Build player-driven micro-series – Develop recurring content around athlete personalities, training routines, and community work to maintain fan connection year-round, not just during competition -Automate multi-platform delivery – Use AI tools to quickly create and distribute tailored content for each platform (vertical video for TikTok, carousels for Instagram, extended highlights for YouTube) so every moment reaches its optimal audience > "From the archer’s arrow to the Dream Team’s gold, David Gavant reflects on how the 1992 Barcelona Olympics shaped a career in sports storytelling." - Published: 2025-08-10 - Modified: 2026-02-04 - URL: https://wsc-sports-dev.ltu.co.il/blog/industry-insights/barcelona-92-the-olympic-flame-that-lit-a-career/ - Categories: Industry Insights David Gavant reflects on the storytelling, grit, and global impact of the 1992 Barcelona games exactly 33 years after the Dream Team’s Olympic Gold. Before streaming automation or real-time digital distribution, there was instinct, tape reels, and pure hustle. At the 1992 Barcelona Olympics, NBC Sports built an unforgettable production machine that helped lay the foundation for modern sports storytelling. For me, working my first Olympics, the experience was more than a career milestone. It was the moment I realized what great content could truly be and how it could make people feel something real. At WSC Sports, we believe the best content is built from both instinct and innovation. The values I learned in Barcelona, including teamwork under pressure, emotional framing, and creative constraint, still guide the way I approach my current role in helping some of the world's biggest rights owners to automate, distribute, and amplify storytelling across every platform. Key Takeaways -NBC’s “plausibly live” strategy made non-live events feel emotionally immediate for millions of viewers -C-Control’s analog workflows taught lessons about urgency, teamwork, and quality that remain relevant in the AI era -My love for the Olympic movement began during the Opening Ceremony, igniting a career devoted to the impact of global storytelling, sparked at the Barcelona Games An Evening Unlike Any Other After a long day of rehearsals for the three-week production ahead, I walked up Montjuïc, the hill overlooking Barcelona that houses the Olympic Stadium, and joined the massive crowd outside for the evening Opening Ceremony. I didn’t have a ticket, but I wasn’t going to miss the moment. We stood beneath the cauldron holding the unlit torch, the air electric with anticipation for the official start of these Games. I heard voices in every language imaginable. And as we watched the procession on a giant screen mounted to the stadium’s exterior, something shifted inside me. When it came time to light the flame, Antonio Rebollo, a Spanish Paralympic archer, stood at the far end of the stadium, drew back his bow, and launched a flaming arrow into the night sky, igniting the Olympic flame in one of the most unforgettable openings in history. I was just outside, directly in line with the cauldron, and to my surprise, the still burning arrow sailed over the packed crowd — and right over my head (in torch lighting footage, you can see the burning arrow flying and out of the stadium! ). It cleared the road where we were standing and landed in an empty park next door. I remember thinking, what if it had fallen short into the massive crowd below? But it didn’t. Rebollo’s calm precision made him an instant legend. In that moment, I felt like a global citizen. That’s when my love for the Olympic movement was born. That feeling was very different from what I experienced at my first Olympic-style event — the 1986 Goodwill Games in Moscow, organized by Ted Turner. I’ll share more on that in a future blog. But Barcelona opened my eyes in an entirely new way. C-Control and the Pressure Cooker Back at the Olympic Broadcast Center, where NBC’s production facility was housed, we cut highlight reels from a dozen feeds, working in a high-speed production loop with no margin for error. C-Control was all instinct and adrenaline. From 3 a. m. to midday, we edited and turned around as many as fifteen pieces per hour. NBC Sports President Dick Ebersol introduced the phrase ‘plausibly live’ to guide our coverage of events that would air during U. S. primetime, nine hours after they happened. Even if we weren’t showing events in real-time, the content had to feel live. In the weeks before the first medal was awarded, my small camera crew filmed scenic opens each morning across the city and countryside — sunrises over the Montserrat, the Mercat de la Boqueria bursting to life with fresh produce deliveries, fishing boats leaving the harbor, and crowded street cafés. We were capturing Barcelona as it woke up. The rhythm of the morning. The beauty of the world getting ready for another day of the Games. Those pre-shot visuals opened the Today Show broadcast each morning as if they were happening in the moment. It wasn’t a trick. It was presence. Barcelona Was Personal Throughout the games, I found moments to step away from the broadcast grind and take it all in. After a full twelve-hour shift producing content for the show, I’d sometimes walk over to Badalona to catch a Dream Team game. I had tickets, but didn’t need them. My NBA and NBC colleagues would meet me at an arena side door and walk me to press row, where I’d end up with a prime seat near the floor. It was informal, surreal, and one of those, ‘How’d I get here? ’ moments. Then, on August 8, 1992, exactly 33 years ago, the first Dream Team played their gold medal game at the Barcelona Olympics. The United States defeated Croatia with a final score of 117-85, capping off one of the most iconic team performances in Olympic history. That date and that game helped inspire me to reflect on this entire experience. I arrived weeks before the Games with colleagues from NBA Entertainment. Many were based in Badalona, home to the basketball venue where the Dream Team would play. I was stationed closer to the city center. Joe Cortina, the director of NBA Inside Stuff and Coordinating Director for NBC’s morning Olympic coverage, had personally recruited me for his team. Looking back, it wasn’t just about the images. It was about intent. We were crafting a mood, building an emotional connection before the action even began. That mindset of leading the story and layering in emotion is something I still carry into every project today. Creative Under Constraints This was also a time when the relationship between the NBA and NBC Sports was stronger than ever. Commissioner David Stern and Ebersol had established a weekly meeting during the NBA season, playoffs, and finals. These gatherings allowed both sides to get to know one another in a way that made collaboration second nature. If conflicts ever came up around coverage, we didn’t escalate through formal channels. We just picked up the phone and called each other. Whether we were trading ideas or arguing our side, it always came from a place of respect that helped the coverage evolve and improve over time. It was about trust. And it made all of us better. This era also marked the beginning of NBC’s entertainment dominance. The network’s musts-see TV lineup on Thursday nights featured iconic shows, like Seinfeld, Wings, and Mad About You; and later Frasier, ER, and Friends. Ebersol found a way to tap into that massive audience by securing a ten-second promo during primetime to promote the weekend NBA game. That brief spot often drew a higher rating than the game itself. It was a smart example of how cross-department coordination could create a bigger cultural moment for both the league and network. Before arriving in Spain, I produced the Dream Team selection show for NBA Entertainment. Because the player list was still confidential, we used silhouette stand-ins for all the tune-in promo materials. That kind of creative problem-solving under constraint would become a hallmark of the entire Games, if not my career. I learned that you don't need to have all of the tools all the time, just the right idea. Final Thoughts The 1992 Summer Olympic Games in Barcelona weren’t just about the athletes. They were about the people behind the scenes who made those 16 days come alive for viewers around the world. We worked with analog machines and against impossible timelines. But in the process, we created something lasting. From the archer’s arrow to the hum of tape decks in C-Control, the Barcelona Olympics shaped who I am as a storyteller. As we now help our clients to automate and distribute highlights with the latest AI tools, I often think back to those moments. The technology has changed. The mission has not. That same commitment to urgency, creativity, and clarity still drives everything we build – and every partnership we support. Deliver something that moves people. > Learn how WSC Sports helps rights holders deliver personalized sports content tailored to every type of fan, across any platform, aspect ratio, or device. - Published: 2025-08-07 - Modified: 2026-02-25 - URL: https://wsc-sports-dev.ltu.co.il/blog/industry-insights/how-wsc-sports-helps-you-create-content-for-every-type-of-fan/ - Categories: Industry Insights WSC Sports helps rights holders deliver personalized content to every type of fan, casual, engaged, or die-hard, across any platform, format, or device. From real-time vertical highlights to multilingual voice-overs, WSC’s AI-driven platform makes it easy to meet fans where they are without scaling your team. Key Takeaways: Different fans want different formats. Deliver content tailored to casuals, die-hards, and everyone in between at scale. Visibility powers personalization. Use vertical, platform-native clips to draw fans into owned channels and build richer profiles. Localization drives global scale. Multilingual voice-overs and regionalized content turn international followers into loyal fans. In today’s sports media landscape, one-size-fits-all content doesn’t cut it. Fans aren’t a monolith. They consume sports stories in different formats, across a variety of platforms, and at vastly different levels of intensity. Some want 15-second vertical clips during a coffee break. Others dive deep into 10-minute highlight reels. Many watch full-game recaps on their favorite team’s app. But what unites them is this: they expect content to meet them where they are and in the format they prefer. Rights holders who succeed in this environment are the ones who deliver relevant content experiences at scale. That’s where WSC Sports comes in. Why Personalization at Scale Matters Despite investing heavily in ticketing, mobile apps, and fan engagement tools, most sports organizations only capture about 40–50% of fan interactions. As JohnWallStreet reports in "Sports’ Invisible Fan Phenomenon Costing Teams Millions", too many fans remain “invisible”; watching YouTube highlights, sharing clips on social, or buying jerseys without ever being tracked or understood. This lack of visibility makes personalization nearly impossible and it’s costing teams millions. Without the right data and content strategy, you’re not just missing engagement. You’re missing revenue. From Casual to Superfan: What Each Fan Wants WSC Sports powers AI-driven video creation that lets content teams turn every moment into a format-optimized, platform-specific highlight in seconds. That means you can tailor content by fan type: Casual Fans: Prioritize short, snackable clips. Think vertical videos on TikTok and Instagram Reels: quick, engaging, and optimized for discovery. Engaged Fans: Deliver more robust experiences. These fans want highlight packs, post-game recaps, and stats breakdowns, usually via YouTube or your league app. Die-Hards: Go deep. These superfans crave everything from exclusive locker room footage to real-time bench reactions and multi-angle breakdowns. Localized Content for Global Fandom Fandom doesn’t stop at the border so neither should your content. Consider this: one-third of the Boston Celtics’ Instagram followers are based in the Philippines. Tools like WSC’s GenAI let leagues and teams localize commentary and tailor content for regional audiences without adding headcount. The NBA, for example, now uses WSC’s GenAI voice-over automation to generate multilingual content, achieving a 75% completion rate for 2-minute highlight clips. This is already driving results for global brands like LaLiga. The latter now produces 260,000+ highlight videos per season, fueling massive growth in app usage and global social followers. Equity Across Sports and Levels It’s not just about top-tier leagues. From college athletics to youth sports, WSC is powering content for every level of play. The University of Pittsburgh creates highlights for both men’s and women’s teams, helping drive exposure and fan engagement in the NIL era. Similarly, leading sports teams are using WSC to celebrate their entire ecosystem, from youth squads to legends, building fan affinity across generations. Delivering the Right Content at the Right Time What sets WSC Sports apart is the ability to deliver the right story, in the right format, to the right fan—fast. Whether it’s a real-time vertical highlight for Instagram Stories or a deep-dive player recap for YouTube, WSC’s AI-powered platform automates the heavy lifting so content teams can focus on creativity and impact. In a fragmented, fast-moving digital world, that agility is essential. Fans don’t wait. With WSC, you don’t have to either. Learn how WSC Sports helps rights holders engage with younger audiences, including Gen Z and Gen Alpha. Actionable Insights Map content to fan types. Segment your audience and use WSC to serve the right format—short clips, highlight packs, or deep analysis—based on fan behavior. Use automation to extend your reach. Automate multi-format, multi-platform publishing to meet fans where they are without stretching your team. Localize to monetize. Activate GenAI tools to create regionalized, multilingual content that boosts completion rates and unlocks new audience value. > Sports brands shift focus from followers to fan communities—driving loyalty, repeat engagement, and monetization through personalized content. - Published: 2025-08-03 - Modified: 2026-02-04 - URL: https://wsc-sports-dev.ltu.co.il/blog/industry-insights/forget-followers-how-sports-brands-are-building-real-communities-of-fans/ - Categories: Industry Insights For years, rights holders and marketing agencies prioritized metrics such as views, likes, impressions. But as platforms fragment and attention spans shrink, those numbers no longer guarantee value. Key Takeaways -Communities thrive on identity, contribution, and recognition. Instead of just broadcasting, intentionally invite participation -Personalized content is the easiest on-ramp to create belonging. Serve fans what reflects them -Success means tracking advocacy and repeat engagement; not just reach. Go beyond the follower count Today’s leading brands, (it doesn’t matter if you’re in sports or not), care less about passive followers, and instead have focused on building engaged communities. Community means identity – which can serve the individual, but it also means contribution. And fans that aren’t active participants really don’t do much for your bottom line or brand power. Meet your marketing team’s new favorite metric: relationships. Why Reach Alone No Longer Cuts It Today’s most valuable sports audiences aren’t defined by follower counts, but rather by how many come back, engage deeply, and advocate for their brand. That’s why forward-thinking organizations are shifting from vanity metrics, like followers, impressions, views, and clicks, to relationship metrics, like repeat video views per user, average watch time / completion rate, and conversions to O&O. This challenge is widespread. According to Nielsen, pandemic-era shifts led fans to build digital communities around sports through chatting, co-watching, betting, and sharing. For example, In 2021, to celebrate its 75th anniversary, the NBA launched a campaign called NBA Lane, blending nostalgia, culture, and player storytelling. But beyond the flashy ad, the league: Created interactive content drops across Instagram, TikTok, and YouTube—featuring players, influencers, and fan-created remixesHosted live Twitter Spaces and YouTube events that encouraged fans to watch together, react in real-time, and ask questionsLaunched the NBA ID platform in 2022, connecting fans to exclusive content, behind-the-scenes access, and community polls—all personalized by fan preferences This approach led to a significant increase in engagement, especially among Gen Z. According to a 2023 Nielsen case study, NBA digital engagement grewbyover 40% year-over-year, driven largely by shareable, short-form content and live social activations. Defining Community Behaviors: What Good Looks Like Beyond being a loyal fanbase, community members engage in a set of behaviors that signal real connection. These are the fans that comment, share, create, and show up. According to Nielsen, second-screen behaviors (like posting or chatting during a game) are up to 10% higheramong Gen Z than older viewers, signaling stronger engagement and attention across multiple touchpoints. These behaviors include: Tagging friends in commentsSharing clips that reflect personal identityVoting in polls or contributing to UGCSubscribing to push alerts or personalized channels One club that’s building a community around their brand is Belgium’s RSC Anderlecht. Media Director, Stijn Van Hemelrijck, described part of his marketing strategy as “going from a results-driven connection, to an identity-driven connection” when it comes to fandom. On a practical level that’s been partnering with local businesses to enhance the fan experience with great food, art, DJs, BMX and skate exhibitions and more. Tech and Content Levers to Spark Belonging AI-powered personalization is a game-changer for fostering ties to the community. When fans see their favorite player, team, or storyline reflected in a clip — they're more likely to share it, comment on it, or come back for more. Some of the ways AI can help deliver quality content to your fans: Automated highlights segmented by player, team, tone, or fan segmentMulti-language voiceovers to serve international audiencesCustom content templates that speed up distribution and increase relevance This aligns with Deloitte’s findings, which show that Gen Z craves highly personalized, participatory experiences — 61% watch live sports with others, and 50% engage on social media while doing so. If you’re already collecting data from your owned websites or applications, then you can use data to create audience profiles that combine behavior, preferences, and engagement across platforms to fuel even more personalized experiences and real-time community triggers. Measuring Advocacy: Beyond Follower Counts You can’t grow a community if you don’t know what to measure. According to McKinsey, community-led brands outperform peers by leveraging a "community flywheel": user-generated content, shared values, recurring engagement, and customer-led growth. Research shows that fans with strong emotional connections are up to 3x more valuable over their lifetime than casual followers. So what should you be measuring? Repeat engagement on personalized contentSocial sharing and direct messaging of highlightsNewsletter and push opt-insContent remixing and UGCClicks to commerce or merch pagesParticipation in loyalty programs or predictions These are the metrics that matter in 2025—they inform you not only about who’s watching, but why they come back. Actionable Insights Redefine Success Metrics: Shift your marketing KPIs from passive metrics (likes, impressions) to active relationship metrics—like repeat views, content shares, and opt-ins to personalized channels. These better reflect fan loyalty and long-term value. Use Personalization to Trigger Participation: Serve personalized highlights and content formats that reflect fans’ preferences (e. g. , favorite players, local teams, language). This not only boosts engagement but also prompts actions like commenting, sharing, or remixing. Spark Community Behaviors with UGC and Interactivity: Integrate features like polls, fan-submitted clips, or content voting into your digital experience. These lightweight, participatory mechanics build a sense of ownership and deepen emotional connection to the brand. - Published: 2025-07-31 - Modified: 2026-02-04 - URL: https://wsc-sports-dev.ltu.co.il/blog/news/mac-joins-forces-with-wsc-sports-to-deliver-ai-powered-fan-experiences-at-scale/ - Categories: News The Mid-American Conference (MAC) selects WSC Sports’ to redefine how college sports are experienced, putting real-time, personalized video content directly into fans’ hands. Why It Matters The Mid-American Conference is joining forces with WSC Sports in a three-year partnership to deliver real-time, AI-powered highlights across its digital platforms. Starting with the 2025–26 season, the MAC will use WSC Sports’ automation technology to instantly create and distribute personalized video content from every football, men’s basketball, and women’s basketball game. This is a strategic move to meet the expectations of modern fans who want instant, tailored content wherever they are. By combining cutting-edge automation with creative control, the MAC is positioning itself at the forefront of how college sports are experienced, shared, and monetized. Key Takeaways -Personalized Content at Scale: WSC Sports' platform enables the MAC to automatically generate and distribute highlight videos and fan experiences based on teams, players, or key moments ensuring fans see what matters to them, fast -Unlocking the Power of Archives: With AI-powered tagging and search, MAC’s historical footage becomes a rich storytelling resource, connecting past and present moments to engage fans year-round -Monetization Meets Innovation: Built-in tools for sponsor branding and video graphics allow MAC to seamlessly integrate partner messaging into content, opening the door for scalable revenue opportunities A Deeper Look: What This Means for Sports Fans and the Future of Media The Mid-American Conference is joining forces with WSC Sports in a three-year partnership to bring AI-driven, real-time highlights to fans across digital platforms, starting with the 2025–26 season. Using WSC Sports’ automation technology, the MAC will generate and distribute personalized video content from every Football, Men’s Basketball, and Women’s Basketball game instantly and at scale. Meeting Fan Expectations, Wherever They Are But this isn’t just a content upgrade; it’s a statement about the future of sports media. As fan expectations shift toward immediacy and relevance, and as digital platforms become the primary stage for storytelling, the MAC is aligning itself with where the industry is headed. This partnership gives fans smarter, faster, more personalized access to the moments that matter, while also unlocking new creative and commercial possibilities for media teams, sponsors, and the athletes themselves. "We're committed to showcasing the incredible student-athletes and stories across the MAC, while keeping pace with today's fast-moving digital landscape," said MAC Commisisoner, Jon Steinbrecher. “This collaboration will allow us to create and distribute real-time, personalized content at scale, ensuring our moments reach fans faster, smarter, and more meaningfully than ever before. ” It’s a move that reflects the broader evolution in sports: from scheduled programming to on-demand experiences, from passive viewing to active engagement. In doing so, the conference is not only increasing its visibility, but also reinforcing the emotional connection between its teams and the communities that support them. > The Women’s Euro 2025 Final became a global media moment — driving record viewership, fan engagement, and commercial growth in women’s football. - Published: 2025-07-31 - Modified: 2026-02-04 - URL: https://wsc-sports-dev.ltu.co.il/blog/industry-insights/the-womens-euro-final-sent-a-message-to-the-entire-sports-world/ - Categories: Industry Insights The story is never just about what happens on the field — it’s also about how the world experiences it. And this summer, the Women’s Euro delivered a media moment that left no doubt about where things are headed. Key Takeaways -More than 500 million people worldwide watched the tournament. The UK alone peaked at 12. 2 million viewers, while the US reached nearly 2 million during the final -Social media amplified the moment in real time. Clips, chants, saves, and celebrations reached tens of millions of fans within hours -Sponsors and broadcasters responded immediately. Sponsorship revenue more than doubled and rights deals expanded as media value spiked When England’s women lifted their second straight UEFA Women’s Euro trophy, the celebration reached far beyond Basel. It became a worldwide media event that captured attention across platforms and regions. This year’s tournament showcased measurable growth in viewership, fan engagement, and the commercial strength of women’s football. It underscored what happens when broadcast, digital, and social platforms operate in sync to meet audience demand. The Women’s Euro 2025 showed that the next wave in sports media isn’t on the horizon — it’s already here. England Won. And the World Took Notes Let’s look at the numbers behind the story. More than 500 million people watched the tournament. The final alone reached 45 million viewers around the globe. In the UK, 12. 2 million tuned in, making it the most-watched moment on television for the entire year. In the US, Fox averaged 1. 35 million viewers and peaked at 1. 92 million during the final. Those were the highest numbers ever recorded for a Women’s Euro Final in English-language television. Fox aired 19 matches on its main network. The BBC gave the final the biggest possible spotlight. The result: when women’s sports get that level of visibility, fans respond and ratings follow. Then the Internet Took Over Hannah Hampton’s penalty saves were the spark. What happened next was a media wildfire. Within minutes, clips were being edited, shared, and rewatched across TikTok, Instagram, Twitter, and YouTube. A fan-shot video of England’s lap of honor and the stadium’s coordinated cheer reached 15 million views in a single day. Beyond traditional highlights — these became shared cultural moments. At WSC, that is the type of content we specialize in. Clips are generated instantly, formatted automatically, and delivered to fans everywhere. No delays. No barriers. Just moments that matter. Brands Were Ready and Active UEFA reported 32. 5 million euros in sponsorship revenue — doubling the total from 2022. The world’s biggest brands were present. Amazon, AXA, Visa, Coca-Cola, and Unilever sought a strategy bigger than just having a logo on a jersey — they made sure their brands were front and center in a cultural moment. That came with fan activations, targeted campaigns, and content that connected with audiences on every platform. Media companies followed suit. Sky Sports and the BBC announced a €65 million deal for Women’s Super League rights. That figure nearly tripled their previous agreement. These decisions were grounded in opportunity and return — rather than some obligation to check-off a diversity box. Players Became Media Engines Chloe Kelly, Lauren James, Leah Williamson, and Alessia Russo expanded their impact well beyond the pitch. Each secured major brand partnerships—with names like Adidas, Google Pixel, Charlotte Tilbury, and Calvin Klein—transforming them into ambassadors for both sport and lifestyle. These athletes showed that aside from their athletic prowess in games, they’re capable of driving attention across media channels. How WSC Helps You Capitalize On the Moment -Real-time highlights of every key moment -Localization and language-specific narration -Branded content tailored to sponsors -Player-based clips for targeted engagement -Social-first vertical formats for TikTok and Instagram -Instant recaps for broadcast, OTT, and digital The Final Whistle: What’s coming Next? The results of the Women’s Euro 2025 didn’t happen by chance —they reflected a clear shift in the sports media landscape. Women’s sports are driving engagement, commanding attention, and shaping the global conversation. At WSC Sports, we’re built to meet that moment. Our technology enables partners to clip, share, and scale content the instant it happens — so every breakthrough, every highlight, and every fan reaction gets the reach it deserves. When the next moment comes, we’re already in motion, delivering the content that moves the game forward. Want to learn more? Check out our latest customer testimonials. > Fan edits are Gen Z’s favorite sports format. Learn how they’re shaping content strategy for teams, leagues, and media brands. - Published: 2025-07-30 - Modified: 2026-02-04 - URL: https://wsc-sports-dev.ltu.co.il/blog/industry-insights/how-fan-edits-are-shaping-the-future-of-sports-media/ - Categories: Industry Insights Fan edits are Gen Z’s favorite way to consume sports content — and they’re not just viral trends. Learn why edits are reshaping digital strategy for teams, leagues, and brands. Key takeaways: - Fan edits are Gen Z’s go-to format for consuming highlights — fast, emotional, and creator-driven - Edits outperform traditional content in reach and resonance, often going viral even from accounts with small followings - Teams and brands that adopt the edit style can connect with younger fans more authentically and stay culturally relevant Intro Fan edits are reshaping how sports fans experience highlights. This genre has exploded in popularity, with countless videos racking up millions of views, creators amassing tens or even hundreds of thousands of followers, and comment sections filled with reactions like, “I can’t believe this is free! ” or “Brought a tear to my eye. ” For Gen Z, edits have become a cultural touchpoint. They are constantly reposted, shared, and referenced. In fact, many younger fans now prefer these creator-made edits over the traditional game or player highlights shared by official rights holders. What Are Fan Edits? “Edits” are short, stylized videos created by fans that showcase highlights, emotional moments, or dramatic storylines involving teams or athletes. They feature cinematic visuals, flashy transitions, and popular music or voiceovers, aiming to hype up players, celebrate victories, or relive iconic plays — all through a fan’s creative lens. These short 20-100 second videos fit seamlessly into the fast-scrolling world of social media, and are just the right length to retain Gen Z’s short attention span while also evoking emotion. Every edit follows a creative formula that pairs style with emotion. The category a creator chooses informs the tone: A tribute to a retired legend might use a slower pace, vintage filter, a nostalgic or somber track, and a soft, fading outro; designed to stir reflection or bittersweet admirationIn contrast, a spotlight on an emerging star might feature rapid-fire cuts, bold visuals, and an energetic beat drop; all engineered to spark excitement and hype Beyond those themes, the edit world is constantly shaped by transient trends. One standout example: the “unexpected edit”, a viral TikTok format that begins with a scene from a movie, show, or meme, only to pivot into a dramatic sports montage. It’s a jarring twist that hooks the viewer and makes the edit feel fresh and unpredictable. Why This Matters For Teams and Brands On TikTok alone, the hashtag #nbaedits has surpassed 5 billion views, and that’s just a snapshot of a growing movement. Fan edits are more than just viral moments; they’re how Gen Z is choosing to engage with sports content. For teams, leagues, and media brands, this shift presents a major opportunity. By embracing the fan edit format, whether through creator collaborations, reposts, or in-house editing styles, organizations can connect with younger fans on their terms. These edits foster emotional connection, spark conversation, and generate outsized organic reach. In a landscape where attention is scarce and authenticity matters, edits can be a strategic advantage. Why Do They Work? One theory is that the algorithm favors them and pushes them more than traditional highlights. But the content alone speaks for itself – fast cuts, audio syncs, and filters speak the visual language of Gen Z. More than anything, edits have the power and emotion to tell the story of an entire career in under a minute. Take, for example, a Derrick Rose edit set to a narration of the Greek myth of Icarus. It creates a melancholy juxtaposition: Rose, like Icarus, soared to incredible heights, only to fall too soon due to injuries. The edit doesn’t just highlight missed potential, it reframes the “what-ifs” and “what could’ve beens” as a testament to how brightly he once shone. Who’s Making Them? Overtime was one of the first sports media groups to embrace edits, a move that helped the brand grow to over 100 million followers across seven platforms, with 81% of their audience under age 35. Once groups like Overtime paved the way, individual creators began asking, “Why not me? ” Today, the sports content space feels like a modern-day gold rush. Independent creators are building massive followings and transforming passion projects into professional pursuits. One of the most recognizable names in the sports edits community is Jordy, a TikTok creator with over 650,000 followers who plans to use his platform as a launchpad for his own media company. And the barrier to entry? Incredibly low. The first video in this article pulled in nearly 700,000 views and over 100,000 likes but was posted from a creator with just 350 followers. For many TikTok users, sports editing is more than a fun creative outlet; it’s a wide-open opportunity to build an audience, turn storytelling into income, and a career. Across only the three videos featured in this article alone, the combined total exceeds 3. 2 million views and 562,000 likes — proof that this movement is big, and still growing. Conclusion Fan edits are more than just viral content; they’re a new language for engaging the next generation of sports fans. Their emotional pull, cultural relevance, and platform-native style make them uniquely powerful in today’s digital landscape. For businesses, teams, and leagues, integrating edits into a broader content strategy is essential. Edits offer a direct line to younger audiences, generate massive organic reach, and breathe new life into existing footage. Whether through collaborations with creators or building in-house talent, those who embrace the edit era will be the ones who stay culturally relevant, emotionally resonant, and ahead of the curve. Actionable Insights: - Start collaborating with fan editors: Identify standout creators in your niche and explore partnerships — WSC can facilitate this through our Creators Program which has helped partners reach more fans- Adopt the fan edit style in-house: Train internal teams or freelancers to create short-form, stylized edits using music trends, voiceovers, and cinematic transitions that resonate with Gen Z’s visual language - Build a highlight remix strategy: Don’t just post raw clips — repackage existing footage into emotionally-driven narratives. Use edits to tell stories about player journeys, comeback arcs, or viral moments in 30–90 seconds - Published: 2025-07-29 - Modified: 2026-02-04 - URL: https://wsc-sports-dev.ltu.co.il/blog/industry-insights/sports-cant-afford-blind-spots-building-a-unified-view-of-every-fan/ - Categories: Industry Insights Without a unified data strategy, leagues and teams are flying blind, missing out on the full picture of who their fans are, how they engage, and what drives their loyalty. Key Takeaways -Many leagues and teams lack the infrastructure to gather and unify fan data across their digital touchpoints-The NFL’s centralized data platform shows the impact of connecting disparate data sources to create richer fan profiles- Advanced content and data technologies enable smarter segmentation, personalized experiences, and stronger long-term fan value Starting next season, the eyes of the football world will once again be on Ligue 1. This time, it's not because of a star trio like Lionel Messi, Neymar, and Kylian Mbappé. It's because France's top flight has become the first major European football league to go all-in on a domestic, direct-to-consumer streaming service. The new service will air eight out of nine Ligue 1 games per matchday exclusively, from Friday to Sunday, and will be available for €14. 99 per month. The only match not included will be the Saturday 17:00 slot, which remains with Qatari sports broadcaster BeIN Sports as part of an existing €80 million per year deal. According to Nicolas de Tavernost, general director of LFP Media, the commercial arm operating the new service, the league expects to have between 2. 2 million and 2. 5 million subscribers by the 2028-29 season. But just as important as subscriber numbers, he said, is the fact that “we are taking control of our own destiny. We expect a difficult couple of years when it comes to the establishment of an asset, the returns of this channel will be progressive. ” The Untapped Potential of Multi-Platform Fan Data These return estimates include one of the most attractive things about going DTC: the ability to collect first-party data. Typically, this is not something sports organizations excel at. A new study by consulting firm N3XT Sports evaluated hundreds of teams, leagues, and international federations in terms of digital maturity and first-party data strategy, revealing that many of them lack the digital capabilities to collect and unify fan data. Key insights include: - While all the assessed organizations own a website, less than half (48. 9%) collect data via a web login, restricting their ability to capture and consolidate first-party fan data within their digital products - Though 88. 6% of organizations collect first-party data on their website, other digital touchpoints are often untapped: only 54. 4% collect fan data on a mobile app, 65. 1% through ecommerce, and 69. 9% via ticketing - OTT-streaming (38. 2%) and fantasy-gaming (19. 1%) products are vastly underutilized for fan-data collection - Only 32. 4% of the organizations collect fan data via a single sign-on (SSO), indicating data is siloed across platforms and touchpoints “While expanding digital touchpoints is a step in the right direction, building a loyal subscriber base and unlocking new commercial revenue streams requires a more nuanced approach,” concluded Mounir Zok, N3XT Sports’ CEO. “A flexible and well-oiled data-management system is crucial for understanding fan preferences, identifying key engagement points, and optimizing customer relations. ” Breaking Down Data Silos: The NFL's Advantage One organization that is ahead of the pack when it comes to fan data is the NFL. In 2022, the NFL developed a centralized data platform that ingests raw fan data from disparate sources to create a unified fan view, resulting in a 4x increase in the number of fans it can comprehensively “see and know,” as Paul Ballew, the league's chief data and analytics officer put it, to over 70 million active fans across all properties. The NFL's platform provides teams with data they previously had to purchase independently: data generated by EA Sports, Fanatics, Amazon Prime, sportsbooks, and other members of the sports fan ecosystem. Unifying first-party fan profiles from various channels enables the league and its teams to offer innovative experiences across ticketing, merchandising, live events, digital marketing, and other touchpoints. “The organizations that will thrive are those connecting directly with consumers and personalizing experiences at scale,” said Ballew. “We can now reach fans with personalized content and experiences where they are, not just where we assume they’ll be. The unified view has been transformative. ” The Technology Blueprint: Turning Every Interaction Into Value The NFL’s example shows what’s possible when fan data is collected and activated across every touchpoint. Rather than relying on fragmented snapshots or assumptions, sports organizations can gain a deeper understanding of who their fans are, what they value, and how to reach them with meaningful, relevant experiences. This level of intelligence opens the door to more engagement and, in turn, more monetization opportunities. That’s why forward-thinking organizations are adopting sports content and data technologies. With the right technology, you can leverage every interaction — from streaming to shopping to sharing — to build 360-degree fan profiles that drive smarter segmentation, deeper engagement, and higher lifetime value. In that sense, Ligue 1’s new DTC service is more than a streaming play; it’s a blueprint for data-driven fan engagement. No wonder the eyes of the football world are on France — this time, for all the right reasons. Actionable Insights -Map Your Data Gaps: Identify where fan interactions happen across your platforms — and where you’re not capturing usable data -Unify with SSO: Implement single sign-on (SSO) across apps, OTT, ecommerce, and ticketing to connect fan identities and reduce siloed data -Activate with Intent: Use centralized data to deliver personalized content, offers, and messaging based on real fan behavior — not assumptions > Behind the scenes with the LFP: how Ligue 1 is transforming fan engagement through AI, automation, and real-time storytelling with WSC Sports. - Published: 2025-07-28 - Modified: 2026-02-04 - URL: https://wsc-sports-dev.ltu.co.il/blog/industry-insights/what-3-days-in-paris-with-the-lfp-taught-me-about-the-future-of-french-football/ - Categories: Industry Insights Simon Ironmonger, on location with the LFP’s (Ligue de Football Professionnel) media team to witness the recently rebranded Ligue 1 in action, capture the emotion and drama as the day unfolded, and showcase the tech helping to make this transformation possible. As the Content Marketing Manager for WSC Sports, I’ve spent the last five years promoting, well... WSC Sports. Telling our story. Explaining what we do. Framing the capabilities and demonstrating the value. It’s a great story, one that I still thoroughly enjoy telling, but every once in a while, you need to drop the usual routine, pick up a camera, and just go see it for yourself. That’s what this trip to Paris was. Three days. Two leagues (Ligue 1 & 2) in transformation. One organisation (LFP), and we were there to capture it all. So I packed my bag and joined the LFP Media team in Paris during the final match week of the 2024/25 Ligue 1 season, a moment that was equal parts logistics and emotion. Who would be relegated? Who would win promotion from Ligue 2? And who would secure those coveted European qualification spots? Everything was still to be decided. This is a league that just rebranded, reclaimed its media rights, and finished its first full season working with WSC Sports. For us, it was a rare opportunity to bring that entire story to life, not from our perspective but theirs. The Setup Our first stop was the LFP’s offices in central Paris, a sleek modern space that not only boasts stunning views of the Parisian skyline but also pays homage to French football icons past and present. This is where the content gets made, the broadcast assets are managed, and the LFP strategy lives. We were welcomed in, briefed by the team, and even got exclusive access to the new Ligue 1 trophy before it was lifted by PSG later that weekend. From the start, this wasn’t a standard testimonial shoot. It was a film project, a chance to show how modern sports storytelling works behind the scenes. That meant scouting locations, choosing the right voices, and deciding which storylines best represent the shift the LFP is making—from a top-tier regional competition to becoming a globally followed brand with scalable content strategies. The Interviews Over two days, we spoke with senior leadership, production leads, and digital creatives, including Martin Aurenche, Senior Director of Media, Cyprien Castanedo, International Media Project Manager, and Gwendal Courtel, Director of Media Production. They didn’t just speak about automation and AI. They spoke about why they needed it. Why? Because the volume of content required to stay relevant today is staggering. And 56 pieces per game on average, 34,000 total in a single season, 75% of it completely automated, is how the LFP Media team rose to that challenge. It’s not just about volume, fans expect more than just highlights, they want variation in storytelling, in formats, they want personalized edits, immersive experiences, and real-time delivery across every platform. And because when your goal is to tell every story, not just the headline moments, you need tools that can keep up with the pace of the game and the pressure of modern fan expectations. After writing the messaging for WSC Sports for so many years, it’s always refreshing to hear a client describe the value of our product in their own words. I’ve caught myself several times thinking, “That’s not my usual messaging, but I like it! ” Hearing senior executives speak so glowingly about our product is always an adrenaline rush, and I find myself celebrating each moment of praise, though I have to keep it to myself (remember, the cameras are rolling). It’s like you know they’ve just delivered something awesome, something that resonates with others in their position, industry-wide, and you can’t wait to hear it again when the editing is over. What mic-drop moments did the LFP deliver, you ask? Well, you’ll need to see for yourself in the full video at the bottom. The Match On Day 3, we joined the LFP team at a packed Parc des Princes to watch PSG vs. Auxerre. With PSG sealing the Ligue 1 title weeks earlier, whatever was set to happen over the next 90 minutes was irrelevant, the players and fans knew soon enough they would see their team lift the brand new Ligue 1 trophy for the first time, and a league record thirteenth time. I remember thinking, with the title lift a foregone conclusion, how will the LFP make this an equally entertaining affair? Well, the teams for sure helped. After a wobbly start from the home side, Auxerre took the lead and looked to spoil the party. It wasn’t until the second half that PSG remembered this was their day, switching things on in style with a brace from the lightning-quick Kvaratskhelia and captain fantastic Marquinhos popping up to head home from a corner. With the teams taking care of the entertainment on the pitch, it was over to the LFP production crews to take care of the rest. We filmed their workflow in action, following the photographers and social media team as they captured the stadium energy, all the action from the game, the final whistle, the trophy lift, the fireworks, and the celebratory chaos that followed. This wasn’t just match coverage, it was a front-row seat to witness how content gets built in real time. From mobile apps with real-time vertical storytelling, to feeding content to international broadcasters, to using exciting features like GenAI overlays, the LFP team was moving fast, publishing faster, and still finding time to tell emotional, well-produced stories to fans in France and beyond. Not just from the PSG game alone... but for the eight other Ligue 1 games happening simultaneously around the country! The Takeaway There’s something special and intriguing about seeing your product in someone else’s hands. Watching the LFP team use WSC Sports not just to save time, but to spend time on the more creative parts. To test new formats. To add context and additional stories. To reach new fan segments with vertical video and fantasy integrations. To rethink what a league’s media hub could look like. For me, this trip wasn’t just about documenting results. It was about watching our mission in motion: to give sports storytellers the tools to be quicker, create smarter, and deliver content that actually meets the moment. At scale, but with soul. It’s astonishing to think the LFP is just one year in with WSC Sports. In that time, more than 600 matches were ingested (and many seasons from the archive). More than a thousand hours of content were produced from the 2024/25 season alone. And on one warm weekend in Paris, one short film that tries to capture what it all means. Enjoy! For a deeper dive into the impact WSC Sports is having on Ligue 1 McDonald's, check out the case study for data and more. > Women’s sports are surging. Learn how to fuel growth with star-led content, AI-driven highlights, and smarter owned-channel strategies. - Published: 2025-07-27 - Modified: 2026-02-04 - URL: https://wsc-sports-dev.ltu.co.il/blog/industry-insights/leveling-the-playing-field-content-technologys-role-in-womens-sports-growth/ - Categories: Industry Insights In a summer dominated by big-name leagues and blockbuster moments, the biggest buzz came from somewhere new: women’s sports. As stars like Caitlin Clark and Ilona Maher rewrite the rules of engagement, one thing is clear — technology will determine who keeps pace with the movement. Key Takeaways: - Women’s sports are riding a tidal wave of growth. Viewership, attendance, engagement, and revenue are increasing globally, moving female athletes from niche to mainstream - Athletes' fame plays a bigger role in women’s sports. Rights holders must elevate star-driven narratives if they want to keep the momentum going -Scalable storytelling demands AI-powered content creation. Turning star moments into consistent content is no longer optional — it’s essential for monetization It was the middle of June. The NBA finals were in full swing, the Golden State Warriors were long gone after being eliminated in the second round, but Joe Lacob – the team's principal owner and a man who doesn't settle for playoff appearances – couldn't have been happier. The reason: his latest investment, the Golden State Valkyries of the WNBA, were off to a flying start. The WNBA's expansion team became the first women's team to sell 10,000 season tickets, has sold out every home game, and Forbes projects it will be the league’s most valuable franchise by next season. “The word’s starting to get out,” said Lacob, “it’s a pretty exciting experience. ” The excitement around the Valkyries is another feather in the cap of the WNBA, which just announced it will expand from 15 to 18 teams by 2030. The announcement comes on the heels of a record-setting season; In 2024, the league enjoyed its most-watched regular season in 24 years, finished with its highest attendance in 22 years, and set records for digital consumption and merchandise sales. Breaking Barriers: Women's Sports' Historic Rise This kind of success doesn't happen in a vacuum. Women's sports as a whole is experiencing unprecedented growth globally, moving from niche to mainstream. In the US, the number of people watching women's sports monthly more than doubled between 2022 and 2024. Female Olympians generated 53% of total engagement across social content during the Summer Olympics in Paris 2024. And global revenue from women's sports nearly doubled from $981 million in 2023 to $1. 88 billion in 2024, with $2. 35 billion projected for 2025, per a Deloitte report. Across the pond, 12. 2 million fans tuned in to watch England's historic repeat as Women's Euro final champions, making it the most watched television moment of 2025 across all television broadcasters. While 60% watched on BBC One, over 4 million people streamed the match on BBC iPlayer and the BBC Sport website and app — a tell-tale sign that this audience is young, and primed for growth. Recognizing that women’s sports is having a moment, Paramount Advertising conducted a study to understand what drives the surge in interest in female athletes. Combining qualitative interviews with a nationally representative quantitative survey, the study reveals some myths and truths about women’s sports fan base today. Key findings include: -Men make up a larger portion of the fan base – 52% of all women’s sports fans are men -95% of respondents consider themselves fans of women’s sports, indicating that the threshold for fandom is low -93% of fans agree that female athletes are important role models for all children, not just girls Game Changers: Elite Athletes Making an Impact on Women's Sports That's especially true for the top echelon of female athletes, who are the rising tide that lifts all boats. Take WNBA sensation Caitlin Clark of the Indiana Fever, for example. In the 2024 season, Fever games with Clark averaged 1. 18 million viewers, compared to 394,000 for all other games. 22 games last season averaged over one million viewers – 19 of which involved the Fever. Indiana also led the league with an average home attendance of 17,035, a year-over-year increase of 319%. Ilona Maher has had a similar effect on Premiership Women’s Rugby (PWR), England’s elite league for women’s 15-a-side rugby union. The American, who rose to stardom during the Paris Olympics, is the most popular rugby player on the planet with 5 million followers on Instagram and 3. 6 million on TikTok. Since she arrived in England, her team (Bristol Bears) has attracted record crowds, and most of Maher’s games have been broadcast live on TNT Sports. Maher’s and Clark's cases echo the findings of The Fame Gap, a 1,400-person survey of sports fans across the UK and the US, commissioned by creative agency Sid Lee London. According to the study, athletes' fame plays a much bigger role in women’s sports than in men’s sports. Key insights include: -Fans were 51% more likely to start following women’s sports due to buzz about an individual athlete on social media or in the news -The presence of a talented individual is more important to fans of women’s sport when it comes to purchasing tickets -Women’s sports fans are more digitally engaged. They are significantly more likely to follow players on social media than fans of men’s sports From Moments to Momentum: AI-Powered Content as the Growth Catalyst “Our report has significant implications for rights holders as they seek to maximize the long-term commercial value of women’s sports,” said Rory Natkiel, Sid Lee London’s Head of Strategy. “To increase fan acquisition and match-day attendance, broadcasters and rights holders must collaborate to make female athletes famous. ” When athlete visibility is the growth engine, the next step is scale. Elevating individual stars requires more than broadcasting games — it demands a steady stream of compelling, multi-format content that moves fast and reaches far. AI-powered content creation enables rights holders to meet that demand efficiently, turning standout moments into the momentum women's sports needs to win in a crowded attention economy. Actionable Insights If you're a sports content professional and responsible for marketing women's competition to the masses, here are three things that you can start working on today: -Double Down on Star Power: Prioritize content around individual athletes — behind-the-scenes access, personality-driven clips, and milestone moments. Fans are more likely to engage with women’s sports through standout figures, so elevate your stars across every platform -Automate to Amplify: Use AI tools to instantly generate highlight reels, short-form clips, and multi-format content. Real-time publishing keeps pace with fan demand and turns fleeting moments into long-term engagement drivers -Own the Relationship: Distribute content through your owned channels — app, website, newsletter — not just social. Women’s sports fans are digitally native and values-driven, making them primed for direct engagement, community-building, and monetization > As platforms compete for fan attention, the brands that win will be the ones who own the relationship and deliver content that feels made just for you. - Published: 2025-07-23 - Modified: 2026-02-04 - URL: https://wsc-sports-dev.ltu.co.il/blog/industry-insights/the-personalization-arms-race-how-sports-brands-can-compete-for-attention-on-their-own-turf/ - Categories: Industry Insights As platforms compete for fan attention, the brands that win will be the ones who own the relationship and deliver content that feels made just for you. Key Takeaways: -Personalization Pays Off: Tailored content isn’t just a fan perk—it’s a proven revenue driver, boosting monetization by 10–15% -The Kids Want Custom: 18–29-year-olds rank personalized content as their #1 priority for sports consumption -Own the Relationship: Social platforms control the feed—but smart sports brands are using AI to bring fans back to their own turf Game 1 of the 2025 NBA Finals had everything: a dominant performance by the MVP, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander; a 15-point comeback in the 4th quarter by the never-say-die Indiana Pacers; and a game-winning jumper with 0. 3 seconds left by the clutch player of the playoffs, Tyrese Haliburton. Oh, and it also saw the debut of ESPN's first teaser for its self-titled direct-to-consumer (DTC) streaming service, which is set to launch this fall. The teaser begins with a flashback to the fall of 1979, when legendary sports anchor Lee Leonard opened the first-ever SportsCenter broadcast by saying: “If you’re a fan... what you’ll see in the next minutes, hours, and days to follow may convince you you’ve gone to sports heaven. ” Which is fitting, since SportsCenter will play a major role in the new offering. Designed to be the ultimate sports destination, ESPN's DTC offering will include an AI-powered personalized SportsCenter. “Think explicit and implicit data,” said ESPN Chairman Jimmy Pitaro. “It’ll be a combination of those two things. I won’t just get Yankees, ESPN will know that I’m constantly looking at Red Sox scores, so I’ll also get Red Sox data, even though my second favorite team is whoever is playing the Red Sox. ” The Shift Toward Tailored Sports Experiences According to Pitaro, one of ESPN's main reasons for going DTC was the benefit of having a direct relationship with fans and the ability to personalize the service. This makes sense for a couple of reasons. For one, personalized experiences are proven to positively impact monetization; research has shown that personalization often drives a 10% to 15% revenue lift. For another, fans have come to expect personalized sports content. A recent survey by IBM reveals that fans are prioritizing content tailored to their preferences, with the majority recognizing the transformative effect technologies like AI will have on sports consumption. Drawing on insights from over 18,000 fans across three continents, the study tries to better understand the way fans follow sports and how they envision future engagement with teams and athletes. Key findings include: –When asked to rank their top priorities for improving engagement via generative AI, 29% of fans chose personalized content — second only to real-time updates (34%) –More than half (58%) of 18-29-year-olds believe AI will have a positive impact on sports consumption –When it comes to consuming sports content, fans aged between 18-29 rank personalized content as their top priority The Real Cost of Social Media Dependence Currently, most fans consume tailor-made sports content at the forefront of personalization: social media platforms. Using data about users' past behavior, interests, and interactions, social media algorithms are built to determine which content should appear on each user's feed. That means, industry experts say, that they are the ones who own the fan relationship. “For years, social media has been the default space where fans connect with their favorite teams, players, and moments,” explained Jonty Whitehead, President and Founder of gamification and on-screen engagement company Sport BUFF. “When sports hands over its fan interface to third-party platforms like X, Instagram, or TikTok, something important is lost: control, value, and the ability to deeply engage audiences. ” In an effort to reclaim these audiences, forward-thinking organizations are leveraging AI to improve personalization on O&O channels. The MLB, for example, relies on GenAI functionality to offer a new personalized video recap — dubbed "My Daily Story" — for any fan logged into their MLB account on its app. “We want to create strong habits of people starting their morning with the MLB app,” said Josh Frost, SVP, Product at the league's office, “seeing all the great content that we have from yesterday, and then bringing them through the whole daily cycle. ” The Technology Behind Scalable, Personalized Content To break the current engagement cycle, sports organizations must deliver rich, branded content wherever their audience already is — especially on social platforms. But reaching them there isn’t enough. The real opportunity lies in creating pathways back to owned environments, where leagues and teams can turn passive interactions into long-term value. Achieving that at scale requires the right technology. AI-powered content creation solutions enable organizations to meet every moment with tailored formats. From tappable stories to swipeable video feeds, it's about making every fan feel like the content was made just for them. Because that is often the difference between owning your audience and renting it from someone else. Actionable Insights -Invest in First-Party Channels: Build personalized experiences on your app or site to strengthen direct fan relationships and reduce reliance on third-party platforms -Leverage AI for Scale: Use automation tools to deliver tailored content formats—recaps, highlights, stories—to every fan, every day -Turn Engagement into Habit: Create consistent, must-see content (like MLB’s “My Daily Story”) that pulls fans into your ecosystem and keeps them coming back > Before social media, one dunk redefined sports storytelling. Relive the night Jordan took flight—and what it would look like in today’s AI-powered era. - Published: 2025-07-22 - Modified: 2026-02-04 - URL: https://wsc-sports-dev.ltu.co.il/blog/industry-insights/the-night-air-jordan-showed-us-the-value-of-an-iconic-moment/ - Categories: Industry Insights Long before social media or streaming highlights, one night in Seattle redefined what a single moment could mean in sports media. WSC’s David Gavant was there to witness the dunk that launched Michael Jordan and the modern era of sports storytelling. Key Takeaways -Michael Jordan’s performance in the 1987 Slam Dunk Contest became a global sensation without the help of digital platforms and before the age of ‘going viral’ -It proved that compelling highlights could transcend the event itself, becoming a global touchpoint for fans and a blueprint for modern sports storytelling -If that same contest happened today, the AI production tools would elevate the moment into something even more powerful and global Earlier this week, I came across an article on Yahoo Sports where Tom Chambers reminisced on his experience in the 1987 NBA Slam Dunk Contest — one of the most iconic events in league history. He spoke about the intense competition with Jordan, Drexler, Kersey, and Harper, and how surreal it felt to share the stage with those household names. That article took me back. I was there, working my first All-Star Weekend with NBA Entertainment. What I saw that night was more than a great contest. It was the moment Michael Jordan turned the dunk into a global phenomenon. A New Star Rises in the Kingdome In February of 1987, I was in Seattle for my very first NBA All-Star Weekend. I had just graduated college and was only a few months into my new role as a Producer for NBA Entertainment. I didn’t yet realize how iconic the night would be. But I suspected the Slam Dunk Contest in the massive Kingdome would be special. All eyes were on Jordan. He was already building a name for himself, but this contest gave him a perfect platform to show more than just his physical ability. He showed style, grace, confidence, and creativity. He soared from the free-throw line. He twisted in the air. The crowd erupted. Every dunk felt bigger than the last. Jordan was not just competing. He was performing. Tom Chambers Gets a Reality Check at Home While Jordan was taking off into sports legend status, Seattle’s own Tom Chambers was learning just how high the stakes were. While known for getting to the rim with power in real games, the Slam Dunk Contest required more than that — and Chambers realized it fast. He later said that he dunked a lot in games, but not with much flair. He remembered feeling a bit intimidated by the lineup of contestants. And he was right. That year’s contest included Jordan, Clyde Drexler, Jerome Kersey, Ron Harper, Terence Stansbury, Johnny Dawkins, Gerald Wilkins, and Chambers himself. It was a packed field, and every dunk seemed to raise the bar. Chambers only made one of his two dunk attempts and was eliminated in the first round. But the weekend was not over for him. When Houston’s Ralph Sampson had to withdraw from the All-Star Game, Chambers was named his replacement. Coach Pat Riley even started him. Chambers responded with 34 points and won MVP honors. Talk about redemption. But in the dunk contest, even Chambers admitted he never had a shot. Jordan was just on another level. How It Spread Without Social Media Television and slow motion replays The dunk contest aired live nationally for the first time on TBS Sports as part of All-Star Saturday (it had been aired on tape delay previously). The broadcast production team knew they had something special. Jordan’s best dunks were shown from multiple angles and in slow motion. Viewers locked in. The original highlight distribution model: TV replays and front pages The next day, newspapers and magazines cemented Jordan’s star. Photos of him flying through the air landed on front pages. Sports Illustrated. The Chicago Tribune. USA Today. You name it. At the same time, his dunks were shown over and over on ESPN’s SportsCenter, CNN’s Sports Tonight, and national and local news. If you saw the highlights, you told your friends. You tried to reenact it on the court. You described it to anyone who would listen. That’s how it traveled. Posters and pop culture cemented it Jordan’s performance was the spark that helped propel the Air Jordan brand. While the 1988 foul-line dunk in Chicago became an iconic image, it was the 1987 contest that gave Nike momentum to build around. It marked the shift from Jordan as a rising star to a global marketing force, helping set the stage for everything that followed. The NBA knew it had something big The league capitalized. Jordan’s dunks were featured in home video tapes. Some of those I helped produce later that year. “Come Fly With Me” was essential viewing. If you had a VCR, you probably watched it. Jordan’s reach grew fast and far. What If This Happened Today? Now imagine the same dunk contest in 2025. Jordan steps onto the court in front of millions of smartphones instead of just TV cameras — the reach would have been instant. Back then, it took days for people around the world to see these highlights. Today, these clips would be on every social feed within minutes. TikTok, YouTube Shorts, Instagram Reels. All of them. Millions of views would pour in before the event even ended. Reactions would flood in live NBA players, influencers, and creators would react in real time. Memes would take off instantly, and brands would join the conversation. The moment would be everywhere. AI tools would quickly generate highlight reels in multiple languages. Fans could watch a version focused only on Jordan or one that compares his dunks to the other participants. Each clip would be prepared for the right platform, whether mobile, television, social media, or streaming. Reactions and emotion would be tagged automatically. Interactive experiences would explode Nike might launch a limited-edition sneaker as a digital collectible. Fans could vote on their favorite dunk in the NBA app, GenAI would let you create your own version of Jordan’s leap. In short, beyond just highlights there would be fan experiences. Why It Matters Jordan’s moment in 1987 showed that highlights have lasting power. At WSC Sports, we help sports brands take those moments and bring them to fans everywhere. Not just as clips. But as storytelling moments that connect across generations. We’re not just building content. We’re delivering emotion. Actionable Insights -Tell the story around the play to build emotional impact -Capture legacy moments and reframe them for new audiences -Produce highlight variations that speak to different fan types -Think globally by auto-generating versions for different regions Final Thoughts That night in Seattle was unforgettable. It introduced Jordan to a global live audience and reminded me that the power of a highlight isn’t just about how high someone jumps. It’s about how deeply that moment connects. Whether it is 1987 or 2025, the best moments take flight, and sometimes they never come down. > How sports organizations are using AI and second-screen strategies to turn passive viewers into engaged, data-driven fans on owned platforms. - Published: 2025-07-20 - Modified: 2026-02-04 - URL: https://wsc-sports-dev.ltu.co.il/blog/industry-insights/second-screen-first-priority-meeting-modern-fan-expectations/ - Categories: Industry Insights Simply put, sports is no longer a one-screen experience. From AI-powered shot commentary to fully interactive streams, let’s explore how sports organizations can meet rising expectations and turn passive viewers into engaged participants. Key Takeaways: -Second screens are now primary screens. 77% of fans multitask during games, with Gen Z and Millennials seeking data, interaction, and control—not passive viewing -AI is unlocking new storytelling at scale. The PGA TOUR’s AI shot commentary expands real-time coverage across 30,000+ shots per tournament, aligning with younger fans' demand for deeper insights -Owning the experience matters. Social platforms dominate engagement, but they don’t offer ownership. Rights holders must reimagine their owned platforms as interactive, personalized destinations THE PLAYERS Championship in March is always a good place to catch up on the latest technological developments in the sports industry. This year was no different, as the PGA TOUR debuted AI shot commentary, an addition to TOURCAST, its 3D interactive platform. Introduced in 2020, TOURCAST allows fans on the PGA TOUR’s app and website to see shot trails and data surrounding every single shot in tour events. The new AI commentary feature provides written context for every shot, expanding the tour's coverage of 30,000-plus shots hit during a given tournament. This sort of innovation doesn't happen in a vacuum. In 2024, the PGA TOUR launched Fan Forward, the largest fan outreach initiative in the organization’s history, with over 50,000 participants. AI commentary in TOURCAST is a direct response to Fan Forward research, which revealed that the 18-34 demographic wants to see “greater integration of stats and data” in the viewing experience. From Passive to Active: The New Reality of Sports Viewing What does the ideal sports content experience at home mean for fans? That's the question many rights holders have been asking in the last couple of years. Per Deloitte’s latest Sport Fan Insights report, based on a survey of over 3,000 US sports fans ages 14 and older, the answer is new and immersive features, preferably on a second screen. Key findings include: -71% of fans still consider live sporting events to be their favorite type of sports content. However, this drops to only 58% for Gen Z and Millennial fans -77% of fans do at least one additional activity related to a game while watching a sporting event from home. The most popular activities are looking up stats, using social media, watching another game on a separate device, playing fantasy sports, and betting -Bettors are more engaged fans than non-bettors; they are much more likely to attend a game in person, purchase merchandise or memorabilia, and pay for a streaming video service to watch sports These and other, similar findings indicate that today, watching live sports in a traditional, inactive form seems antiquated, especially to younger audiences. “It’s not that young people don’t have the attention span,” said Ed Abis, CEO of interactive broadcast tech company Dizplai. “They just need more to pique their interest and keep them attentive. ” Doing “Exactly the Opposite”: Kings League's Formula One organization that has been lauded for its ability to keep young fans attentive is Kings League. Founded in 2022, Gerard Piqué's seven-a-side football league offers 40-minute games with unique rules, former players/influencer team owners, and interactive live streaming on platforms such as Twitch, YouTube, and TikTok. According to Piqué, Kings League does “exactly the opposite” of traditional football, which is why 85% of its following is under the age of 34. Industry leaders tend to agree, particularly when it comes to the viewing experience. “At the moment, traditional sports is just taking the linear feed and sticking it on digital platforms,” said Dizplai’s Ed Abis, “expecting that everyone’s going to think that’s fine. ” That's a hard sell for younger generations. “The value proposition for passive viewing among young people just isn’t there,” explained Barrick Prince, former head of original sports content at Twitch. “They’ve been able to touch, share, forward, and comment on every single bit of content they have experienced in their entire lives. The sports industry is asking them to sit on their hands, which is something they’ve never done. ” Taking Back Control by Upgrading Your O&O The message is clear: if younger fans are tuning out of traditional broadcasts, it's not because they’ve lost interest in sports – it’s because the experience hasn’t kept up with their expectations. Currently, they find these experiences primarily on social media platforms, leaving rights holders with little control over user data, long-term loyalty, and monetization opportunities. To change this dynamic, sports organizations need to reimagine their owned platforms as interactive destinations. That means offering the same engaging, fast-moving formats fans already consume elsewhere, but doing it in environments they control. AI-powered content creation technology makes this scalable: it turns every play, moment, and metric into immersive, second-screen experiences. Just like the PGA TOUR’s new TOURCAST AI commentary. Actionable Insights -Audit your second-screen experience. Look at what fans are doing while they watch your games. Are you giving them quick access to stats, real-time highlights, and interactive content on your app or website—or are they going elsewhere? -Use AI to scale storytelling, not replace it. Start with moments you already capture—goals, shots, plays—and use AI to instantly generate context, captions, or commentary that can be deployed across multiple platforms -Prioritize your owned platforms. Treat your app or site like a fan destination, not a content archive. Borrow engagement formats from social (polls, short clips, overlays) and build them into your O&O to drive data, retention, and loyalty > Learn how AI-powered automation helps sports orgs turn every play into platform-ready, personalized content that scales engagement and revenue. - Published: 2025-07-17 - Modified: 2026-02-04 - URL: https://wsc-sports-dev.ltu.co.il/blog/industry-insights/create-once-publish-everywhere-ai-powered-sports-content-at-the-scale-and-speed-fans-expect/ - Categories: Industry Insights The content game has changed — fans now expect every big moment in every format, instantly. With WSC’s AI-powered automation, rights-holders can turn a single play into a dozen platform-optimized clips, personalized for every fan and ready for real-time monetization. Modern sports fans aren’t waiting for the post-game show — they want highlights in real time, on the platform of their choice, in the format that fits their feed. This shift has turned every play into a content opportunity, and every platform into a distribution challenge. For rights-holders and broadcasters, the pressure to deliver more content, faster, and with greater personalization is only growing. Fortunately, new AI-driven workflows are making that kind of scale not just possible, but essential. - Scale Without Headcount: AI automation turns every game moment into multiple highlight formats, saving time and multiplying output without growing the team - Personalize at Scale: Content can now be tailored by player, team, platform, and language — delivering relevance that drives engagement and retention - Monetize Every Moment: With more assets comes more inventory. Rights-holders can embed sponsor branding, commerce links, and calls-to-action across clips to boost ROI Modern fans – They demand volume, variety, velocity Content overload: Today’s fans want highlights everywhere – on apps, websites, social, and OTT – in the formats they use (mobile, desktop, CTV). Younger fans now follow more sports than older generations, and nearly half prefer watching on smartphones or tablets. Viewing is increasingly fragmented (TV and OTT simultaneously), and social engagement has skyrocketed in recent years. Short-form surge: Gen Z in particular treats sports like social media. They watch highlights significantly more than older fans, with only about half often watching full games. These fans crave personalized clips on demand. One-size-fits-all video no longer works – fans expect tailored clips in real time, on their platform of choice. Scaling imperative: Generative AI is enabling customized videos and highlights of fans’ favorite teams and players, but producing that kind of volume and variety isn’t feasible with manual editing. To keep up with demand for personalized, platform-optimized content, rights-holders must embrace automation. Why legacy workflows break under scale Manual limits: Traditional editing – with producers manually splicing clips – can’t keep up. Major leagues have struggled to meet demand across platforms like apps, OTT, and broadcast. Broadcasters covering multiple games a day face incredibly short windows to publish content, and scale like that is impossible without automation. Bottlenecks: Manual workflows often result in just a few generic highlights per game, and every additional platform multiplies the workload. Social and digital teams are stretched thin, and automation is quickly becoming essential in live clipping because human teams can’t keep up with demand. The result? Slower turnaround and missed opportunities. Lost opportunity: Editors and producers should be telling stories – not wasting time on mundane clipping. Automation frees them up to focus on creativity and strategy while handling the grunt work of editing, formatting, and publishing. WSC’s AI-Powered Content Platform Live ingestion & event tagging: As soon as a game begins, WSC’s platform ingests the live feed. AI analyzes every frame to capture key moments like goals, baskets, wickets, crowd reactions, and player milestones – automatically tagging each one for instant access. Automated clipping & generation: Once an event is tagged, WSC auto-generates multiple variations of that play – including full replays, short social clips, micro-highlights, player-specific edits, and team recaps. Every big moment becomes a mini-ecosystem of content. Format & version diversification: Each clip is resized and formatted for the right platform – vertical for Instagram, 9:16 for TikTok, 16:9 for YouTube, and so on. The system also customizes audio tracks (commentary, crowd sound, etc. ) and graphics packages to suit each channel and audience. Personalization & tagging: Fans get hyper-personalized content based on their favorite teams, players, and languages. Teams can also request custom highlight packages (e. g. , “all goals by Player X”) on demand, instantly. Personalization becomes scalable. Automated delivery: As soon as clips are ready, WSC delivers them via API or CMS to every destination: apps, social feeds, broadcast portals, and more. That means dozens of clips per event can be live within minutes – without any manual publishing effort. Content formats, personalization & monetization Format variations: One play can become a horizontal highlight, a square post, a vertical story, or multiple split-screen formats. This “create once, publish infinitely” approach helps fill every platform – from Instagram and TikTok to CTV and OTT – with native content. Length variations: From 5-second teasers to 10-minute recaps, WSC lets editors scale up or down as needed. This allows each story to reach different audiences: quick cuts for mobile users, deeper recaps for diehards. Platform optimization: Content is tailored for every channel. Instagram gets short vertical clips, YouTube gets longer horizontal cuts, and team apps get curated stories. WSC automates this native-fit approach across platforms simultaneously. Audience personalization: Users receive content based on preferences – favorite teams, players, languages. Apps can auto-generate highlight feeds by player or stat category. Personalization boosts engagement and keeps fans coming back. Commercial optimization: Each clip can include sponsor logos, ecommerce links, or promotional overlays – automatically. By generating more assets, rights-holders multiply their ad inventory and deliver stronger ROI for sponsors. Benefits of AI-driven scale Always-on publishing: Content is ready within seconds of the play. No more waiting on editing suites – highlights are already in fans’ feeds by the next timeout or whistle. It’s real-time fandom. Quality + speed: AI ensures pro-quality editing and framing at unmatched speed. Teams report massive productivity gains – faster turnaround times, reduced staff requirements, and more focus on strategy instead of busywork. Platform-native optimization: Fans engage more with content that fits their viewing style. With every video tailored by format, length, and language, rights-holders drive better engagement and retention. Monetization and sponsorship value: More content = more opportunities for monetization. With sponsor placements baked in automatically, highlight reels become recurring revenue assets – not just fan service. Results in the field – proof from top leagues and teams NBA: During one playoff run, WSC generated over 67,000 highlights, delivering unlimited custom clips to fans globally. The NBA has used WSC since 2015 to meet its growing digital demand. NASCAR: WSC cut NASCAR’s highlight turnaround time by 80% and reduced race-day production workload by 50%. Fans get instant replays of key moments via the app. LaLiga: With over 260,000 highlights generated per season, LaLiga saw a 70% jump in app sessions and gained 1. 4 million social followers weekly. Fans now enjoy platform-specific stories and vertical highlights at scale. Cleveland Cavaliers: Their mobile app features personalized highlight feeds, powered entirely by WSC. Editors can search by player or play type to generate content instantly. FIFA World Cup: During the tournament, WSC powered Google Web Stories for near-live highlight delivery in search – a game-changing way to reach fans globally. Call to Action – Get ahead with WSC End-to-end scaling: WSC Sports is the full-stack solution – from live ingestion and tagging to automated editing and delivery. Its real-time AI makes it possible to create once and publish everywhere. Business impact: Clients report dramatic improvements in engagement, traffic, and sponsor ROI. With always-on publishing and hyper-personalized content, WSC turns every play into a commercial and fan engagement opportunity. Next steps: Ready to scale your content engine for 2025? Let WSC build your highlights pipeline – so every moment becomes a dozen fan-first, revenue-ready assets without slowing your team down. > Inside the Tour de France’s tech evolution—how ASO and WBD are redefining fan engagement through immersive, interactive, multi-platform content. - Published: 2025-07-16 - Modified: 2026-02-04 - URL: https://wsc-sports-dev.ltu.co.il/blog/industry-insights/winning-more-than-stages-the-importance-of-a-tech-driven-content-strategy/ - Categories: Industry Insights While every single second of The 2025 Tour de France race is transmitted around the world, it's hard to convey just how grueling it is, what's happening in the peloton, where the riders are at the mercy of the elements, and so on. That is where the Tour's tech stack comes in. The 2025 Tour de France is the first in five years to be held exclusively in France. But the lack of international adventures in the 112th edition of the race is more than compensated by a route that Cycling Weekly magazine calls “one for the climbers”: three mountain finishes in the Pyrenees, a summit finish atop the dreaded Mont Ventoux, two final stages in the high Alps, and a total vertical gain of 52,500 meters (over 172,000 feet). It's hard to convey to TV viewers just how grueling the Tour is, what's happening in the peloton, where the riders are at the mercy of the elements, and so on. That is where the Tour's tech stack comes in. And this year, race organizer Amaury Sport Organization (ASO) and Warner Bros. Discovery (WBD) deliver the most technically advanced broadcast in the Tour's history. A new 'quad screen' feature, for example, combines available race feeds from the helicopters and motorbikes following the race, allowing fans to get a complete picture of the action. In-race timeline markers will be available on streaming, giving viewers more control over their race experience. And various technologies are used to help viewers understand what they’re seeing on screen, including: - A virtual wind tunnel to demonstrate the impact of aerodynamics on riders - An inclinometer that explains the punishing gradients riders face on specific climbs - VeloViewer data, which provides deeper route analysis and more visual storytelling Discovering La Grande Boucle: The Tour's Multi-Platform Strategy Storytelling has been a priority for the Tour in recent years, as it started targeting young audiences. In 2023, for instance, La Grande Boucle partnered with TikTok. As part of the partnership, exclusive content is posted daily on the Tour's official TikTok account, hoping younger generations would “discover the Tour de France through refreshing and sometimes off-the-wall formats, stories, and perspectives. ” Ahead of this year's race, the Tour added an interactive component to the experience it offers. A multi-year partnership was signed with global learning platform Kahoot! to produce quizzes and challenges that cover the history, heroes, and memorable moments of the iconic race, creating new touchpoints for fan engagement. “This is the era of the content continuum – a seamless blend of live, linear, on-demand, social, and interactive experiences,” said Robert Szabó-Rowe, Head of Product Management at Tata Communications, which provides content delivery network services for sports organizations. “Fans expect content that extends beyond the live broadcast, with bite-sized, on-demand clips and interactive digital engagement becoming just as crucial as the event itself. ” The Rise of Participatory Sports Experiences The Tour de France is not the only organization that understands the value of interactive experiences. With the NBA coming to NBC and Peacock this fall, the streamer is promising new ways for viewers to interact with games, including a ScoreCard feature described by the company as “bingo meets fantasy sports. ” Volleyball World's collaboration with audience engagement technology Dizplai is another example of how to future-proof your content strategy. By adding fan participation mechanics and specialized watch-along formats, Volleyball World is not only enhancing the viewing experience of its flagship events, the Beach Pro Tour (BPT) and Volleyball Nations League (VNL), but also distinguishing itself from linear television and traditional sports. “At the moment, traditional sports is just taking the linear feed and sticking it on digital platforms, expecting that everyone’s going to think that’s fine,” said Ed Abis, Dizplai's CEO, adding that interactive and social elements in broadcasts are not necessarily new. “Radio has been doing this kind of thing for decades with phone-ins – they are inherently interactive and social. For whatever reason, linear television has never taken those learnings. ” From Passive to Immersive: AI-Powered Content at Scale To meet modern fan expectations, rights holders must reimagine how content is delivered, moving beyond passive viewing to a strategy that spans formats, platforms, and moments. AI-powered content creation technologies make it possible to do that at scale, turning every race, match, or play into an immersive experience that builds sustained engagement. “For leagues, broadcasters, and digital platforms, this is a wake-up call,” concluded Tata Communications' Robert Szabó-Rowe. “The future of live sports is not just about securing high-value rights – it’s about maximizing the value of every moment within the content continuum. ” The Tour de France is doing exactly that. Hopefully, other organizations are taking notice. Actionable Insights - Design for Interactivity, Not Just ImpressionsPassive viewing no longer meets fan expectations. Introduce interactive layers like quizzes, alternate feeds, or fan-controlled highlight triggers to turn viewers into participants and boost engagement time and emotional connection - Extend Every Moment Across the Content ContinuumUse AI and automation to scale each live moment into multiple stories, formats, and languages tailored to different audiences. Treat content not as a one-off product, but as an ecosystem that spans broadcast, social, and owned platforms - Make Tech a Storytelling Ally, Not Just a Delivery ToolUse technology not just to deliver content, but to enhance the storytelling itself: visual data overlays, personalized experiences, and platform-fit formats can clarify the sport’s complexity and create memorable, fan-first narratives > How a little-known 1987 exhibition game quietly set the NBA on a global path — and why David Stern saw it coming before anyone else did. - Published: 2025-07-16 - Modified: 2026-02-04 - URL: https://wsc-sports-dev.ltu.co.il/blog/industry-insights/why-david-stern-was-always-three-steps-ahead-the-mcdonalds-open-and-the-birth-of-nba-globalization/ - Categories: Industry Insights Before there was a Dream Team or an international MVP race, there was Milwaukee in 1987. David Gavant reflects on his time producing what was perhaps the most overlooked exhibition game in history — and how it sparked the launch of the NBA's golden era. Key Takeaways -The 1987 McDonald’s Open marked the first FIBA-sanctioned event featuring an NBA team against international competition -Stern didn’t just attend the game; rather he orchestrated the whole thing. This was a deliberate inflection point in international basketball -The boom of international players we’re seeing today started with that one leap of faith in Wisconsin Introduction: Looking Back with Fresh Eyes The 2024–25 NBA Finals wrapped up with an electrifying series between the Oklahoma City Thunder and Indiana Pacers that was a showcase of elite basketball. It was also a global story. For the first time in history, 83% of the starters across both teams were born outside the United States. Canada’s Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and Luguentz Dort led a rising Thunder squad, while Germany’s Isaiah Hartenstein anchored the paint. On the Pacers' side, Cameroon’s Pascal Siakam joined fellow Canadians Andrew Nembhard and Bennedict Mathurin to push the series to the brink. What once seemed unlikely — an NBA Finals powered by foreign-born stars — is now a major part of the League. And was first mapped out nearly 40 years ago. Back in October of 1987, I was in Milwaukee for what many thought was a novelty event: the first McDonald’s Basketball Open. Looking back, it was the moment former Commissioner David Stern quietly set the NBA on a global trajectory. He didn’t make a big show of it. He didn’t need to. Because he already knew where the game was going, long before the rest of us caught on. Why it Mattered What looked like an exhibition became something more. It was a small stage for a big idea. It helped crack open the door to what basketball could become: a global language spoken through fast breaks, pick-and-rolls, and rising stars from every corner of the world. David Gavant and colleagues at "The MECCA Arena" for the 1987 McDonald's Open. Back to Milwaukee: A Front-Row Seat to History The Bucks squared off against Italy’s Tracer Milano and the Soviet Union National Team in a tournament that felt different from the start. Milwaukee would win it all, defeating the Soviets 127–100. But the result wasn’t the headline. It was the style of play, the precision of the Soviets, and the presence of Arvydas Sabonis and Šarūnas Marčiulionis. Two Lithuanian players who weren’t just great for Europe. They were great, period. Terry Cummings dropped 27 in the final. Jack Sikma held down the paint. Paul Pressey reminded everyone he was ahead of his time as a true point-forward. But when the Soviets passed, cut, and executed with surgical chemistry, you could feel the narrative shifting. The NBA in 1987: A Smaller World Back in '87 the NBA was much more closed-off to international basketball than it is today. Players were prohibited from participating in the Olympics, there was little interest in basketball played outside the US, and fewer than a dozen international players were in the league. Top 10 International NBA Players (1987-88) 1. Hakeem Olajuwon, Nigeria (Houston Rockets) 2. Manute Bol, Sudan (Washington Bullets) 3. Detlef Schrempf, Germany (Dallas Mavericks) 4. Uwe Blab, Germany (Golden State Warriors) 5. Olden Polynice, Haiti (Seattle Supersonics) 6. Petur Gudmundsson, Iceland (San Antonio Spurs) 7. James Donaldson, England (Dallas Mavericks) 8. Bill Wennington, Canada (Dallas Mavericks) 9. Mychal Thompson, Bahamas (Los Angeles Lakers) 10. Rolando Blackman, Panama (Dallas Mavericks) You knew the names if you were a serious NBA fan, but most people weren't paying attention. Even Lakers standout Mychal Thompson played his high school ball in the States after moving to Miami from his hometown Nassau. Why the McDonald’s Open Mattered The game wasn't just a friendly — it was a chess move by David Stern. He wanted to know: could NBA players hold up against the world? Would fans respond to global matchups? Was there any potential NBA talent beyond US borders? At the end of every question, Stern was met with a resounding "yes", and that was a real signal that the league had the potential to become the global phenomenon that it is today. Seeing the Whole Floor For many, the McDonald's Open felt like a sideshow, but Stern saw it as a glimpse into the league's future. And that's when he made a conscious decision to import talent into the league; rather than export it elsewhere. The playbook was clear, and that entailed a couple of initial, major steps for the league that included: -Partnering with FIFA to allow pros to participate in the Summer Olympics -Creating a global showcase of events that would test the world's appetite for NBA basketball -Investing in international player development and scouting By the time the Dream Team took the court just a few years later in 1992, it felt like destiny, but it was actually years of strategy paying off. Then vs. Now: The Growth Is the Story In 1987, the NBA had fewer than a dozen international players and media reach was largely confined to the United States. Fast forward to 2025, and the transformation is staggering: over 120 international players fill NBA rosters, Olympians are headlined by NBA superstars, and league content is broadcast in more than 200 countries. The shift isn’t just in numbers — it’s in mindset, reach, and global influence. NBA Finals: A Mirror of Stern’s Vision In the 1987-88 NBA Finals, Mychal Thompson came off the bench as the Lakers’ sixth man and was the only international in the Finals. Fast forward to this season, and the court looked very different. 2024-25 NBA Finals International Starters: -Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, Canada (OKC) -Luguentz Dort, Canada (OKC) -Isaiah Hartenstein, Germany (OKC) -Andrew Nembhard, Canada (IND) -Bennedict Mathurin, Canada (IND) -Pascal Siakam, Cameroon (IND) This was a defining feature of both teams and a clear signal of how far the league has come. Top 25 International Players Today: 1. Nikola Jokić, Serbia (Denver Nuggets) 2. Giannis Antetokounmpo, Greece (Milwaukee Bucks) 3. Luka Dončić, Slovenia (Los Angeles Lakers) 4. Joel Embiid, Cameroon (Philadelphia 76ers) 5. Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, Canada (OKC) 6. Victor Wembanyama, France (San Antonio Spurs) 7. Domantas Sabonis, Lithuania (Sacramento Kings) 8. Jamal Murray, Canada (Denver Nuggets) 9. Rudy Gobert, France (Minnesota Timberwolves) 10. Pascal Siakam, Cameroon (Indiana Pacers) 11. Lauri Markkanen, Finland (Utah Jazz) 12. Deandre Ayton, Bahamas (Los Angeles Lakers) 13. Franz Wagner, Germany (Orlando Magic) 14. Josh Giddey, Australia (Chicago Bulls) 15. Jonas Valančiūnas, Lithuania (Denver Nuggets) 16. Kristaps Porziņģ, Latvia (Atlanta Hawks) 17. Dennis Schröder, Germany (Sacramento Kings) 18. Alperen Şengün, Turkey (Houston Rockets) 19. OG Anunoby, UK/Nigeria (NY Knicks) 20. Deni Avdija, Israel (Portland Trail Blazers) 21 Jusuf Nurkic, Bosnia (Utah Jazz. 22. Clint Capela, Switzerland (Houston Rockets) 23. Jakob Poeltl, Austria (Toronto Raptors) 24. Luguentz Dort, Canada (OKC) 25. Isaiah Hartenstein, Germany (OKC) Final Whistle: From Milwaukee to the NBA Finals The 1987 McDonald’s Open didn’t draw headlines, but it did open many doors. Decades later, that quiet vision came roaring to life on the biggest stage in basketball. The 2024-25 NBA Finals confirmed where the league is and where it’s always been headed. At WSC Sports, we help leagues, broadcasters, and storytellers connect moments to meaning. From Milwaukee to Manila, and everywhere in between. Because sometimes, the biggest shifts start with the smallest spark. David Gavant currently serves as Content Executive for WSC Sports and is a former Executive Producer for NBA Entertainment, MLB Productions, NBC Sports, and CNN Sports. - Published: 2025-07-15 - Modified: 2026-02-04 - URL: https://wsc-sports-dev.ltu.co.il/blog/news/kings-league-taps-wsc-sports-to-power-its-global-content-engine/ - Categories: News As the Gerard Piqué–founded league expands across continents, it’s turning to AI to keep content fast, fun, and everywhere fans are. Why It Matters Kings League is more than a football competition, it’s a content machine built for the digital age. With fast growth in seven regions and a format built for Gen Z attention spans, the league needs serious scale to keep fans engaged. That’s where WSC Sports comes in. With our AI-powered platform, Kings League can create, manage, and publish content in real-time, whether it’s for Twitch, TikTok, YouTube, or whatever comes next. This partnership proves what many in the industry are realizing: when content is your product, automation is your competitive edge. Key Takeaways -Content automation meets hypergrowth: As Kings League expands globally, WSC Sports gives them the tools to scale video production across regions without slowing down creative output -Built for mobile-first storytelling: From short-form vertical to long-form highlights, every moment can now be tailored to platform, audience, and format instantly -More than clips, complete content control: With integrated Digital Asset Management (DAM), Kings League can organize, repurpose, and activate every asset in its growing library What This Means for the Future of Sports Content Kings League is also redefining what it means to be a sports league in the creator economy. From its seven-a-side format to game-changing rules and celebrity-backed teams, every part of the league is designed for entertainment, speed, and shareability. That kind of brand requires a content strategy that can move just as fast. By partnering with WSC Sports, Kings League now has the infrastructure to turn every second of gameplay into content for every channel personalized, optimized, and delivered in real time. Whether it’s a viral moment on TikTok, an in-app highlight for superfans, or branded content for global partners, it’s all powered by automation. The league will use multiple solutions from WSC Sports, including: -Real-time content creation, so no moment is missed -AI-powered personalization, to deliver content that matches fans’ interests -Multi-platform delivery, to meet fans wherever they scroll -Digital Asset Management (DAM), to unlock the full value of their video library As the Kings League continues to scale, these tools will help it stay ahead of the curve and ahead of the feed. And we're proud to be that partner. > Fans are rewriting the sports story. Explore how DAZN, TikTok, and others tap into fan edits and creator content to drive engagement and cultural relevance - Published: 2025-07-14 - Modified: 2026-02-04 - URL: https://wsc-sports-dev.ltu.co.il/blog/industry-insights/your-game-their-terms-tapping-into-the-power-of-fan-edits/ - Categories: Industry Insights As fan behavior evolves, so does the playbook for engagement. This piece explores how the rise of fan edits — and the platforms enabling them — is reshaping content strategy for sports brands ahead of the FIFA Club World Cup. Key Takeaways: - Fan edits have gone mainstream: once a niche internet format, they’re now a powerful driver of engagement and cultural relevance in sports - Rights holders are adapting by investing in creator ecosystems: from DAZN’s Global Football Creator Program to the NFL’s Adobe partnership, a big part of the game-plan is co-creation - To stay relevant, content must reflect fan behavior: fast, expressive, and platform-native formats are no longer optional Every first-time event needs to drive awareness. The 2025 FIFA Club World Cup is no different. After signing a landmark deal with FIFA to broadcast the inaugural edition, with all matches available to watch without a subscription, streaming giant DAZN began looking for partnerships with media and entertainment companies that could enhance the tournament's visibility. Sublicensing deals were secured in multiple markets. In addition, DAZN partnered with Goalhanger, Gary Lineker’s production company, to bring an enhanced version of his popular podcast – featuring match footage from the tournament – to its platform. And in an effort to reach younger audiences, DAZN and TikTok teamed up to create a curated FIFA Club World Cup content hub, optimized for a mobile-first experience. The partnership with TikTok came close on the heels of the announcement that DAZN is launching a Global Football Creator Program. Designed to boost fan engagement ahead of the FIFA Club World Cup, the program approached more than 100 digital creators worldwide, with a combined reach of over 32 million followers, to produce exclusive content across social and DAZN’s platform. The Rise of Fan Edits: From Anime Culture to Sports Fandom The inspiration for the creator program came from a global fan behavior study conducted by DAZN in partnership with consumer insights platform GWI. Drawing on a survey of over 9,000 fans across the US, UK, Germany, France, Spain, and Italy, the study revealed that 93% of fans planned to engage with the FIFA Club World Cup beyond the live broadcast. According to the report, their preferred types of content are: - Match highlights (41%)- Player interviews (30%)- Fan-generated content (29%) One type of fan-generated content that's growing in popularity is fan edits. Typically set to music, fan edits are short videos that weave together various clips, scenes, and images to create certain moods and narratives. With roots in anime and K-pop fandom, it's not surprising that fan edits have taken off on TikTok and other social media platforms, becoming a staple of internet fandom. They've also become an essential part of being a sports fan. “It builds the legend of players,” said Tom Weingarten, Chief Growth Officer at youth-focused media brand Overtime. “When I think about this next age of big-time athletes – LaMelo Ball, Anthony Edwards, Ja Morant... Those are the players that you’re seeing these edits be based around. ” The Creator Pipeline: Democratizing Sports Content Overtime, which has over 100 million followers across social media, follows young creators to ensure their sports keep up with the cultural conversation. Other organizations have taken it a step further. Some of the Boston Celtics' most viral content lately, for example, was created by video editor Gage Duchon, a 21-year-old who began playing around with video editing software and making NBA fan edits on his own before being hired by the team. Recognizing the importance of sports edits to fan engagement, the NFL recently announced an expanded global partnership with Adobe. As part of the partnership, the NFL's live content correspondents (LCCs) – responsible for capturing content shared across brand channels, including creator content – will use Adobe's products for all content creation, editing, and scaling, and fans will be able to access NFL-themed templates in Adobe Express. “Today’s fans, especially the next generation, want to engage on their terms, in ways that are deeply personal, expressive, and uniquely their own,” said Tim Ellis, the NFL's Chief Marketing Officer. “Through our expanded partnership with Adobe, we’re unlocking new levels of creativity, connection, and customization that empower fans to not only feel closer to the game but also become creators and storytellers of their own NFL journeys. ” Meeting Fans in the Creator Economy As the line between fan and creator continues to blur, rights holders need to rethink how they engage their audiences. Today's fans aren’t just watching; they’re remixing, narrating, and building culture around the game. Getting them to engage means creating content that reflects how they experience sports – not as a bonus, but as a baseline for staying relevant in a creator-driven ecosystem. This is where AI-powered content creation technology is vital. It allows organizations to respond to moments in real time, surface multiple storylines from a single event, and produce diverse content formats that speak the language of modern fandom. Because in today’s game, it’s not just about who wins the cup: it’s about who owns the conversation around it. Actionable Insights - Build a Creator Pipeline: Identify and engage rising fan creators who already produce relevant content. Offer them tools, access, or templates to create with purpose - Design for Remix-ability: Structure highlight reels and assets with flexible formats and quick turnaround to fuel real-time fan edits and cross-platform shareability - Integrate Creator Tech: Partner with platforms or adopt tools that enable scalable, branded content creation — by both teams and fans > Learn how sports brands can monetize Gen Z through personalized content, fan-first experiences, and authentic engagement strategies. - Published: 2025-07-13 - Modified: 2026-02-25 - URL: https://wsc-sports-dev.ltu.co.il/blog/industry-insights/fan-activation-the-monetization-of-gen-sports-z-fans/ - Categories: Industry Insights Sports organizations face a pivotal question: how do you turn scrolling superfans into paying ones? This article explores why Gen Z resists traditional monetization—and how sports can meet them where they are, with content and experiences built for their world. Key Takeaways: -Gen Z rejects traditional monetization—but not value. They skip ads, ignore generic loyalty programs, and demand authenticity, personalization, and purpose-driven content before engaging with brands or spending money. -Sports are uniquely positioned to win Gen Z’s attention. With viral moments, emotional highs, and athlete-driven storytelling, sports deliver the kind of real-time, identity-based, and community-powered content Gen Z naturally gravitates toward. -Monetization must feel earned. From personalized highlights and exclusive behind-the-scenes drops to gamified loyalty and interactive sponsor activations, the key to Gen Z monetization is offering meaningful experiences—on their terms, in their formats. Gen Z might be the most elusive audience modern marketers have ever faced. They’re mobile-first, social-native, and deeply skeptical of anything that feels like traditional advertising. Nearly all of them skip ads when given the chance. Instead of long-form content or email blasts, they crave short-form video, raw authenticity, and experiences that feel personal and rewarding. Platforms like TikTok and Instagram Reels dominate their attention, and trust is earned through athlete-generated posts or peer content—not polished brand messaging. That makes most monetization playbooks obsolete. But sports have a unique advantage. Every game is a real-time drama, packed with moments that naturally go viral. And unlike other industries scrambling for relevance, sports already live at the intersection of emotion, identity, and community. Gen Z isn’t just watching—they’re leaning in. Recent data shows 72% of them consider themselves highly engaged fans, with 60% saying they’re even more of a fan now than they were three years ago. They gather with friends to watch games, follow star athletes as influencers, and increasingly view fandom as part of their identity. For sports leagues, that’s the opportunity: Gen Z’s attention isn’t impossible to monetize—it just demands a new kind of value exchange. The Gen Z Mindset and How It Differs from Older Generations Gen Z wants quick, mobile-first content. Four in five would pay for on-demand streaming, while fewer than 16% care about text-heavy media. They’re hungry for instant highlights and short clips, not three-hour broadcasts. They avoid ads and crave authenticity — raw, behind-the-scenes looks or content from athletes and friends drive far more engagement than traditional branding. Gen Z has spending power — but only for what feels real and purposeful. They gravitate toward brands that give back and align with their values. Many Gen Z fans are also creators themselves, not just consumers. Generic email offers or loyalty points don’t cut it. Instead, they respond to original, social-first sports content that aligns with their identity and values. Sports’ Built-In Advantages — Identity, Emotion, and Reach Live emotion & virality: No other industry creates emotional, viral moments quite like sports. Dramatic plays instantly flood social platforms, attracting die-hards, casuals, meme-makers, and global fans alike. These moments are golden — they draw Gen Z in and can be linked directly to monetization (merch, tickets, subscriptions). Fandom as identity: For Gen Z, fandom is personal. Many have played sports themselves, and while their team loyalty may be fluid, their passion is deep. Highlighting individual athletes — rather than just teams — is key. Global star power drives engagement, especially when athletes post authentically on social. Community-driven consumption: Watching sports is a group activity. Over 60% of Gen Z fans watch games with friends, and many would watch more if they could co-view or live chat. Social media is often used during live games, and fans would pay for features like real-time group chat. Teams and leagues can tap into this communal spirit with content designed for sharing and social interaction. Earning the Right to Monetize — The Gen Z Value Exchange Personalized, valuable offers: Gen Z pays for experiences that are unique and tailored. Over 60% would pay to watch a live game in VR from a player’s point of view. About 75% would buy a fan token if it granted perks like exclusive seats or merch. They’re not anti-payment — they just demand something special in return. Exclusivity & all-access: Behind-the-scenes content performs up to 900% better than standard clips. Player selfies, locker-room videos, and candid moments build a sense of intimacy and exclusivity. Fans want to feel like insiders — and are willing to pay for that. Values-aligned partnerships: 72% of Gen Z are more likely to support brands that support social causes. Sponsors must add value — whether through interactive experiences, rewards, or cause-based initiatives. When brands enhance the fan experience, Gen Z responds positively. Five Monetization Tactics Gen Z Responds To 1. Personalized highlight clips & story formats: Let fans build their own highlight feeds. The Cleveland Cavaliers’ app lets users choose from 24+ types of clips to create a custom experience. These clips can feature merch links, ticket CTAs, or sponsor integrations. Story formats like vertical Web Stories also perform well, with CTRs of 30%+ during major tournaments. Short-form content doubles as a swipeable storefront. 2. Creator collaborations and UGC campaigns: Turn athletes and superfans into creators. “Live content creators” at stadiums capture authentic moments, while fans submit UGC for official use. TikTok challenges, branded Q&As, or influencer partnerships generate buzz — and brands can naturally integrate into the content, not just sponsor around it. 3. Exclusive in-app drops or subscriptions: Offer a premium content layer: unreleased footage, livestreams, meet-and-greets, or limited merch drops. A $4. 99/month pass could give access to daily locker-room videos and early ticket sales. Gen Z fans who love short TikToks will subscribe for uncut behind-the-scenes content — especially if it’s gated and feels exclusive. 4. Gamified loyalty & microtransactions: Reward fan activity: share a clip, earn points, unlock badges or content. Sell micro-items like collectible clips, NFTs, or one-off video downloads. Frame every piece of content as part of a game or journey. Gen Z will spend for small, meaningful digital perks — especially if they feel earned or exclusive. 5. Value-added sponsor integrations: Make sponsors part of the experience. Think trivia challenges, interactive filters, or contests — not static banner ads. Sponsored stories and activations during major tournaments have driven millions of ad sessions. Brands that co-create fun, interactive, or meaningful moments (e. g. social challenges or charity-based campaigns) are welcomed by Gen Z, not tuned out. How WSC Sports Powers Gen Z–Ready Content Ecosystems Scalable AI automation: WSC’s platform analyzes live broadcasts and automatically creates and publishes short-form, customized content in real time. This means teams can flood platforms with relevant clips — personalized for every fan. For example, the Cavaliers saw an 83% jump in app downloads after implementing a personalized highlight feed with WSC. All-format delivery: From TikToks to app push alerts, WSC supports every format Gen Z loves. A single goal can be auto-clipped into a Reel, Story, SMS alert, and app feature. This cross-platform flexibility means your content meets fans where they scroll — and drives clicks, subscriptions, and sales. Segmentation & native sponsorship: WSC allows rights-holders to segment content by player, team, or region. That means fans get personalized reels — and sponsors can seamlessly integrate into content with branded overlays or e-commerce CTAs. Every highlight becomes an opportunity to drive revenue without disrupting the experience. Always-on fan experiences: Short-form content links to deeper fan experiences: merch, ticketing, subscriptions. With automated delivery, a highlight on TikTok can lead to an app story and trigger a purchase. This creates an always-on ecosystem where every swipe can convert. WSC helps turn Gen Z scrolls into long-term loyalty. WSC Sports empowers rights-holders to activate the Gen Z audience at scale. By automating personalized clips, stories, and interactive content across social and apps, WSC helps sports brands convert scroll-first Gen Z into loyal, paying superfans. Talk to us to learn how our platform can unlock Gen Z growth for your organization. > Football journalist Garry Hayes unpacks Chelsea’s brand evolution, global fandom, and how clubs can win off the pitch through content and strategy. - Published: 2025-07-10 - Modified: 2026-02-04 - URL: https://wsc-sports-dev.ltu.co.il/blog/industry-insights/garry-hayes-on-modern-football-global-fandom-and-chelseas-bold-new-brand-strategy/ - Categories: Industry Insights WSC Sports Content Executive, David Gavant, interviews journalist and podcast creator, Garry Hayes, to get his take on the evolving landscape of English football — from Chelsea’s strategic reinvention to the global forces reshaping how clubs engage fans, build brands, and create content. Key Takeaways: -Football fandom is 24/7, everywhere. From quirky tournament wins to FIFA-fueled fandom, fans are consuming and connecting with clubs far beyond the 90 minutes -Chelsea is pioneering off-pitch innovation. From amortized mega-contracts to real estate branding in Dubai, they’re pushing what it means to "own the fan relationship" -Media, marketing, and matchday are merging. Hayes shows how international broadcast trends and hyper-local culture now coexist in the Premier League Chelsea, Champions of... Everything? Garry Hayes opens with a joke that isn't really a joke: Chelsea's win of the UEFA Conference League has sealed their status as the only club to win every major European honor. Through a cocktail of brilliance and mediocrity, the West London club has made history in a competition it arguably shouldn’t have been in. But that’s exactly the point: every moment matters to modern fans. Even the so-called "lesser" trophies are part of a larger story, and smart clubs are capitalizing on it. For content creators and marketers, this is a prime example of how secondary competitions can fuel engagement. Every result is an asset. Every game, a moment to own. Watch the full interview: Owning the Fan Relationship: Chelsea’s Off-Pitch Innovation Hayes lays out how Chelsea’s new ownership is redefining what club strategy looks like in 2025. Their long-term player contracts aren’t just financial maneuvers—they’re bets on sustained relevance, talent protection, and commercial leverage. Even more surprising? Chelsea’s shirt sponsor deal with Dubai-based Damac Properties is linked to a real estate development that lights up in Chelsea blue every time the team scores. The club isn’t just selling kits or tickets—they’re selling lifestyle, identity, and global resonance. This is where Hayes' insight hits hardest: the media rarely has time to cover off-pitch strategy. But if you zoom out, it’s clear that owning the brand-fan relationship means expanding well beyond the stadium. Broadcasting, Branding, and the Americanization of the Premier League According to Hayes, the Premier League's media identity has undergone a quiet revolution. Inspired by American sports presentation, the league has embraced storytelling, Monday Night Football-style programming, and a global distribution mindset. Still, he cautions against dilution. As the game grows, it's vital to preserve local culture, fan chants, and heritage. The best clubs balance the two: global expansion with local authenticity. His own podcast, The Blueprint, exemplifies this merger of storytelling and sports history. Clubs need more than just highlights—they need narratives that resonate. London’s Football Identity: Global vs. Local Hayes ranks Chelsea as the biggest London club globally, but gives Arsenal the nod for local resonance. That duality reflects a bigger truth: fans don’t all want the same thing. Some follow clubs because of FIFA. Others have family ties stretching back generations. Smart clubs are recognizing this and creating segmented experiences across platforms, territories, and tones. What the Media Misses: The Business of Football is Changing From amortization strategies to lifestyle branding, Hayes sees a disconnect between what fans consume and what media covers. The game's business side is evolving fast, and forward-thinking organizations are building new revenue models to match. It's not just about matchday anymore. It’s about multi-platform relevance, data-informed decision making, and creative use of club assets. Actionable Insights for Sports Content Leaders: -Mine Every Moment. Treat all competitions—even "lower-tier" ones—as content opportunities. Build campaigns around every trophy, stat, or oddity. Fans don’t discriminate when it comes to passion. -Extend the Brand. Look beyond media rights and jersey sales. Can your club partner with lifestyle brands, tech platforms, or real estate ventures to create new touchpoints with fans? -Segment Storytelling. Different fans want different things. Use data to personalize content—local history stories for long-time supporters, quick highlights for global followers, behind-the-scenes docuseries for digital natives. From legacy clubs to rising challengers, the message is clear: the modern game isn’t just played on the pitch. It’s won through strategy, content, and creativity. Just ask Garry Hayes. > How star athletes like Ohtani and Clark are reshaping sports strategy — and what content teams can do to harness player-driven fandom. - Published: 2025-07-09 - Modified: 2026-02-04 - URL: https://wsc-sports-dev.ltu.co.il/blog/industry-insights/when-the-star-becomes-the-strategy-scaling-player-driven-fandom/ - Categories: Industry Insights What happens when a single athlete can drive global viewership, sell out stadiums, and reshape an entire league’s strategy? This article explores the rise of player-driven fandom, backed by real-world examples like Shohei Ohtani and Caitlin Clark — and what it means for the future of sports business and content. Key Takeaways: -Athletes are the Strategy: Generational stars like Shohei Ohtani and Caitlin Clark are growth engines for your content strategy. Their individual impact is driving viewership, attendance, and global revenue across leagues. -Fan Loyalty Is Shifting from Teams to Players: Especially among younger audiences, fandom is becoming player-first. 41% of 25–34-year-olds say they follow athletes over teams — forcing leagues to rethink how they engage fans -Content Tech Is the New Competitive Edge: To fully capitalize on star power, sports organizations need AI-driven tools that scale highlight creation, personalize storytelling, and surface viral moments across every screen — in real time. GOAT is a word that gets thrown around too often, but not in Shohei Ohtani's case. The Los Angeles Dodgers star is having another season for the ages. On July 2, he hit his 30th home run, becoming the fastest Dodger to reach that mark in the team’s first 86 games of a season. The ball left Ohtani's bat at 116. 3 mph and was hit at a 42-degree launch angle – the hardest-hit home run with a launch angle of at least 36 degrees since tracking began in 2015. And oh, by the way, he's pitching again, posting a 1. 50 ERA in his first six innings of work. “Just seeing it day to day, that’s hard to wrap my head around, to be completely honest,” said Dodgers manager Dave Roberts. “He’s as good as anyone I’ve seen at compartmentalizing expectations, noise, different facets of the game, all while performing. I just kind of stand back in amazement, actually. ” Beyond the Diamond: $770 Million in Global Impact Just as amazing as Ohtani's performance on the field is his impact off the field. Katsuhiro Miyamoto, a professor emeritus of economics at Kansai University, estimated that in 2024 – Ohtani’s first season with the Dodgers – he created an economic impact of $770 million in the US and Japan. This includes ticket sales, food, merchandise, sponsorships, advertising, and broadcasting revenues. Here’s a breakdown of the of the Ohtani effect in 2024: - ESPN’s Sunday Night Baseball had its most-watched season since 2019. Both ESPN and Fox saw at least 9% growth in the 18 to 34 demographic - Global viewership for the regular season jumped by 18% compared to 2023, with Asian television audiences surging by 32%. - The Dodgers led the MLB in attendance with a total of 3. 94 million fans at their home games. Their average crowd for away games grew by 12. 3% compared to 2023 - All of MLB's social media accounts saw double-digit increases in engagement. On the day Ohtani became the first-ever player to hit 50 home runs and steal 50 bases in a single season, MLB posts on X generated 98. 4 million impressions Star Power Redefined: How Elite Athletes Elevate Entire Leagues In terms of brand awareness, said Michael Rubin, the CEO of global digital sports platform Fanatics, Ohtani is “doing as much for baseball as (Michael) Jordan did for basketball in the 90s. We work with 5,000 athletes individually at Fanatics. We work with just about every sport, every team globally, and he's one-of-a-kind. ” Another one-of-a-kind athlete who’s elevating her league to a whole new level is WNBA sensation Caitlin Clark of the Indiana Fever. In the 2024 season, Fever games with Clark averaged 1. 18 million viewers, compared to 394,000 for all other WNBA games. Twenty-two games last season averaged over 1 million viewers – 19 of which involved the Fever. Indiana also led the league with an average home attendance of 17,035, a year-over-year increase of 319%. Unicorns like Clark and Ohtani have always been needle movers. But in recent years, as fans started shifting their loyalties from teams to individual athletes, their impact has grown. That's especially true among younger people. Data from research firm Ampere Analysis revealed that 41% of 25- to 34-year-olds are more interested in individual athletes than teams, twice the share of 55- to 64-year-olds. The New Playbook: Adapting to the Player-Driven Era The rise of athlete-first fandom is more than a cultural shift – it’s a strategic wake-up call. Teams and leagues are no longer the sole engines of engagement; stars are redefining what drives viewership, attendance, and global reach. For rights holders, the challenge is no longer just broadcasting the game; it’s packaging each player-driven moment in ways that resonate across every screen and demographic. That’s where AI-powered content technology proves essential. By scaling storytelling across formats – from real-time reels to historical mashups – and tailoring it to individual preferences, it ensures that no viral swing, clutch play, or special performance goes underutilized. Because generational athletes don’t just change games: they change business outcomes. And when a star like Ohtani comes along, you’d better be ready to turn brilliance into opportunity. Actionable Insights Have a star on your team or in your league? Here's 5 things you can do to utilize their star-power to the fullest: 1. Build a Star-Centric Content Engine Don’t wait for milestone moments—create a consistent flow of content that highlights your athlete’s personality, performance, and presence. Use AI tools to generate real-time highlights and auto-tag clips with metadata so you can keep a folder dedicated to star players. 2. Program for the Player, Not Just the Team Fans are tuning in for the athlete. Design content calendars, social strategy, and even app experiences that follow the rhythm of your star’s journey — not just the season schedule. 3. Maximize Every Platform, Every Demographic Adapt your content for each platform and audience segment — short-form hype for Gen Z on TikTok, stat-rich breakdowns on YouTube, legacy comparisons on Instagram. The same moment can have 10 different lives when personalized and repackaged. 4. Collaborate with the Athlete (and Their Team) Make your star a creative partner, not just a subject. Share data, co-create features, and tap into their own social channels to amplify reach and engagement. 5. Measure What the Star Moves Track metrics like ticket sales, engagement spikes, merchandise conversion, and international viewership tied to individual performance. Let the data prove (and improve) your star-first strategy. > Explore how AI is already transforming sports media—from auto-clipping highlights to personalized content—plus tips for smart, scalable adoption. - Published: 2025-07-08 - Modified: 2026-02-04 - URL: https://wsc-sports-dev.ltu.co.il/blog/industry-insights/ai-in-sports-media-a-practical-look-behind-the-buzzword/ - Categories: Industry Insights AI is a term widely discussed in the sports industry and beyond—but when we talk about AI, what do we really mean? Let’s move beyond the buzzwords and discuss practical applications of AI in sports media. Key Takeaways: -AI is not theoretical: rights holders are already using it for various content, digital, production, and other tasks that enable scale, personalization, and new revenue streams -Start small, scale smart: The most immediate ROI comes from automating repetitive tasks like team waste time on (or usually elect to intentionally neglect) -Governance matters: long-term success comes from solutions that deliver measurable impact and team-wide (sometimes cross-departmental) adoption Many sports fans already know that AI empowers the world’s top teams, leagues, and broadcasters in many ways - chief among them is the ability to deliver content tailored to their interests. VP of Digital and Social Content for the NBA, Bob Carney, recently said in an interview that only 10 years ago they had a one-size-fits-all approach to content. But, over time, he and his team realized that with AI, they could transform their whole digital strategy. The NBA has already deployed AI in multiple impactful ways. For example, they leverage it to turn basic highlight packages and game recaps into content personalized by fan preferences, then to localize it in multiple languages. And these are just two examples of how the new technology is influencing the way rights holders produce content and how fans consume it. The (Non-Linear) Reality of AI Adoption While the NBA was an early adopter of AI, it’s understandable that not all rights holders have the resources enjoyed by one of the world’s most prolific sports leagues. Despite widespread interest, many organizations struggle with effectively implementing AI. According to Deloitte, 75% of surveyed organizations have increased their investments in data lifecycle management due to generative AI, yet many are still navigating the complexities of integration. Gartner's 2025 Hype Cycle for Artificial Intelligence indicates that generative AI is entering an age of “disillusionment," suggesting that initial excitement is giving way to a more measured understanding of its capabilities and limitations. Is AI Overhyped and Underused? It’s no wonder, then, that a recurring theme we come across when meeting with industry professionals revolves around the different levels of skepticism people feel towards AI as a buzzword. After all, AI is often discussed in abstract terms. At a recent industry event for sports content professionals, one common theme shared among many organizations was that many feel people talk about AI without truly understanding how to apply it. This misunderstanding often stems from limited exposure to real-world workflows rather than a lack of technical knowledge. While fans may be familiar with AI’s role in athlete diagnostics, refereeing, or even coaching in sports from basketball to gymnastics, they’re less aware of how it powers the content they watch every day, especially compared to how prevalent it is nowadays. Four Workflows AI Already Solves -Auto-Clipping Live Games: WSC Sports is a leading sports content AI solution that identifies, tags, and clips key moments and highlights during live games in more than 40 different sports, eliminating the need for manual editing and significantly reducing turnaround time -Multi-Language Voiceovers: Also offered by WSC Sports, AI-generated voiceovers enable the creation of localized content without replicating the production process. The NBA has used this technology to better-serve their global audience; 75% of which is located outside the U. S - seeing fantastic spikes in engagement trends across the board -Player-Specific Reels on Demand: Once content is created, AI-driven platforms can analyze user behavior, including watching preferences to deliver content that fans are most likely to enjoy and continue watching -Internal Content Management: Beyond serving their fans, saving, organizing, and managing tens to hundreds of thousands of videos (sometimes more) has been a historically challenging task. (Think warehouses filled with reels of raw tapes. ) AI is now able to help organizations retroactively “file” their digital content efficiently while also making it more accessible to business stakeholders like third-party partners, teams in a league, or the players themselves. These are just a few real-world, everyday examples of how AI is already changing the game for many sports organizations on a daily basis. And we almost didn’t touch on gen-AI and other more advanced solutions, that are already depending on relationships between rights-holders and fans across the globe. Quick-Start Checklist: Your Next 90 Days To begin using AI to create and distribute sports content, teams can focus on the following steps: -Identifying 1–2 repetitive, time-consuming tasks -Define success metrics (i. e. , reduction in turnaround time, cut data time-to-value) -Research and demo several solutions -Run a pilot that includes editorial and product teams -Document outcomes, including areas where human input remains necessary -Present results internally to support future planning and resource allocation Operational Gains Solutions like WSC Sports’ AI-powered platform reduce video turnaround from roughly two hours to five to ten minutes — en route to improving reach, engagement, and monetization capabilities and metrics. Teams using these workflows have improved their ability to publish timely, high-volume content without additional headcount. As is often the case, the most effective implementations are those that focus on specific, repeatable tasks, with clear evaluation criteria and internal alignment across departments. This is the present that needs to be addressed by any sports organization—with more advanced use cases starting to warm up on the sidelines. Because their number is about to be called. - Published: 2025-07-07 - Modified: 2026-02-04 - URL: https://wsc-sports-dev.ltu.co.il/blog/industry-insights/global-data-driven-commercial-the-nba-drafts-blueprint-for-sports-tech/ - Categories: Industry Insights From AI-powered scouting to segmented audience development and athlete brand building, the 2025 NBA Draft showcased how forward-thinking sports properties are creating competitive advantages in a global, digital-first world. Key Takeaways: -Global, Data-Driven Operations: Teams like Portland and Charlotte (along with generally improved success rates in recent drafts) demonstrated in 2025 how modern sports organizations are deploying advanced operations worldwide to uncover hidden value through innovation -Smart Audience Development: The NBA's expanded second-round coverage demonstrates how overlooked stories can become powerful fan engagement tools—turning lesser-known prospects into compelling narratives that reach niche communities and build deeper connections -Strategic Brand Building: The NIL impact reveals how today's athletes are brands requiring sophisticated development strategies - organizations that recognize and nurture these personal brands early create sustainable competitive advantages in an increasingly fragmented media landscape Teams Are Upping Their Game to Get Top Talent The biggest surprise of the 2025 NBA Draft came at the 16th pick, when the Portland Trail Blazers (courtesy of the Memphis Grizzlies) selected Yang Hansen, a 20-year old from Shandong who played his last two seasons for the Qingdao Eagles in the Chinese Basketball League. The Blazers left plenty of talent on the board to take the 7 ‘2 Yang; so amidst some shock and awe from the Barclay's crowd, he took the long walk down from the top bleachers to shake Adam Silver’s hand. While the internet was quick to give the Blazers an "F" for their pick, it was soon reported that they’ve been following him for over two years. Yahoo Sports’ Jake Fischer quoted a Denver Nuggets source as dubbing Yang the “Chinese Jokic,” and with a feathery touch around the rim and a keen passing ability you can see why. Over in Charlotte, new owners Gabe Plotkin and Rick Schnall are trying something new in their first season in the head office after taking over from Michael Jordan. They’re hoping that innovation will help turn the team around, hiring a new analytics team and system that incorporates data analysis with traditional scouting. Team sources said that it was a significant voice in their decision making, and indeed, the Hornets got rave reviews from league insiders on their picks. They drafted a total of 4 players, in positions and skills where their roster was thin, who have the ability to benefit the team both in the near and far term. These two anecdotes tell a bigger story: in today’s high-stakes market there’s little room for error. Whether it’s putting in years of film-time and effort in old-school scouting tactics, or embracing new technologies to help eliminate room for doubt—teams are doing whatever they can to make sure they get the top talent. Second-rounders deserve their flowers The 2024 NBA draft was the first time the event was split into two evenings–each round on a separate day. Whether or not the new format was designed to give teams more time to recalibrate and reorganize after the first round, or cynically, was a way of shining a brighter light on Bronny James actually carries weight. Some of today’s biggest stars, including Nikola Jokic and Jalen Brunson, were 2nd-round picks. In addition, a new salary exception was granted to teams in the latest Collective Bargaining Agreement, enabling them to give second-round picks a guaranteed contract of up to 4 years at the league minimum. More than anything, it’s a low-risk, high-reward way of giving a prize to teams who select the right players and develop them properly. And they definitely took advantage of the opportunity: 12 of the first 15 picks in the second round were given a guaranteed contract, either before or during the season. One of them, Memphis’ Jaylen Wells who was selected 39th, made the all-rookie team. Others, like Miami’s Pelle Larsson (44th pick), Toronto’s Jonathan Mogbo (31st) and Jamal Shead (45th) and Utah’s Kyle Filipowski (32nd), were awarded with substantial playing time. In the second round, teams now have four minutes to make their selection (up from the previous 2-minutes). The teams can more carefully deliberate each pick, while fans at home have more time to learn about the new players—where they’re from, and what their story is. This is an era where the last man on the bench can still have an impact, and when even the G-League is offering up some intriguing NBA talent. Finding these diamonds in the rough is no longer an afterthought; it’s becoming strategic. This evolution mirrors a broader shift happening across sports storytelling itself: the realization that every player has a story worth telling, and that today’s audiences—fragmented, yet passionate, and always online—gravitate toward the players they can relate to. Giving these moments proper screen time isn’t just good for the game; it’s how sports organizations build deeper connections, reach niche communities, and strengthen their own fan relationships beyond the big headlines. The NIL had its first major impact on the draft The NIL (name, image, and likeness) rules that have revolutionized the NCAA are still new, but we’re starting to see its effect on the NBA starting with this draft. Players like Arkansas’ Boogie Fland, Florida’s Alex Condon, Auburn’s Tahaad Pettiford and Texas Tech’s Darrion Williams, who were first round prospects, withdrew their names weeks before the draft preferring to go back to school (Fland and Pettiford are opted to transfer schools). Could NIL be the end of college players entering the draft prematurely? Now that they can legally get paid as a student athlete they have room to be more conservative for themselves and their families. But the NBA (and fans) miss out on more big names in the draft. Combined with a downtick in international talent entering the league and there’s cause for concern. Yet analysts also argue that the league will benefit in the long-run from players honing their skills longer in college. Whether or not there will be a long-term impact remains to be seen, but it’s not outrageous to believe that drafts like 2025, where the first 8 picks were “one and dones” will be more of a rarity in the future. Just as today’s teams are starting to behave more like proper media companies, college athletes are doing the same. They’re nurturing relationships, working deals, and building their own brands both on and off the court. The winners will be the ones that create enduring value—by capitalizing on those key moments that define their stories, and sharing them with the world—because that has the potential to create enduring value, rather than just a fleeting moment. Eran Soroka is a Product Marketing Manager at WSC Sports and is also an NBA analyst and broadcaster for the Israeli Sports Channel, a position he's held since 2012. > How the 2025 NHL Playoffs reignited one producer’s fandom — and revealed why emotional highlights still drive engagement in sports media. - Published: 2025-07-06 - Modified: 2026-02-04 - URL: https://wsc-sports-dev.ltu.co.il/blog/industry-insights/the-2025-nhl-stanley-cup-playoffs-and-final-reminded-me-why-highlights-still-matter/ - Categories: Industry Insights David Gavant currently serves as Content Executive for WSC Sports and is a former producer for NBA Entertainment, MLB Productions, NBC Sports, and CNN Sports. At WSC Sports, we live and breathe sports highlights. But every so often, a moment breaks through the noise and reminds us why those highlights matter in the first place. The 2025 NHL Playoffs were filled with these moments, not just from a content standpoint, but from a deeply personal one. As someone who has worked across nearly every major league, I didn't expect to find myself emotionally pulled back into a sport I hadn't followed closely in decades. But that's exactly what happened. Here's what it revealed about the lasting power of highlights. Key Takeaways: -After decades away from closely following the NHL, the intensity and drama of this year’s postseason reignited a deep personal connection to the game -Florida captures back-to-back Cups in one of the most thrilling Finals in recent memory -These playoffs were a powerful reminder that great moments still drive deep emotional connection — and that’s something that matters for rights holders and their content teams Back to the Beginning: Omni Nights and Atlanta Flames Growing up in Atlanta, the NHL wasn’t just part of the sports landscape; it was part of my childhood. My dad and I would go to Flames games at the Omni Coliseum. He co-owned a pharmacy on Howell Mill Road, and he and his business partner would sneak whisky into games using glass pharmacy bottles. The kind used for cough syrup. At our seats, they’d mix it with Coke from concessions. Classic. I sat beside him, wide-eyed. I idolized the Atlanta Flames: Tom Lysiak. Guy Chouinard. Bob MacMillan. Eric Vail. Willi Plett. Daniel Bouchard. Pat Quinn. That entire team was larger than life to me. One moment I’ll never forget? Watching newly minted Olympic gold medalist Jim Craig, fresh off the Miracle on Ice, stop 24 of 25 shots in his NHL debut. The Flames beat the Colorado Rockies 4–1. The Omni erupted. The College Hockey Hustle Later, hockey followed me into college. My older brother played for Georgia Tech, and many weekends were spent skating at the Igloo on Roswell Road or traveling to his games. When I got to Georgia State University, I became the radio analyst for our school hockey team. It wasn’t Division I, but the rivalries were real and the stories were legendary. None bigger than the University of Alabama at Huntsville, the powerhouse of the Southern College Hockey Association. Their secret? Every summer, their coach would rent a van and drive to Canada. No recruiters. No budget. Just a coach on a mission. And when he rolled back onto campus, he’d open the van door, and five or six Canadian players would fall out, ready to dominate the league. Fading Fandom... and a Surprise Revival Eventually, my work shifted to other leagues. The NBA. MLB. Sports production became my day-to-day, and my NHL fandom slowly faded into the background. Until this year. Working with the NHL during the 2025 postseason pulled me back in hard. Watching highlights, live games, and diving into storylines reminded me what made the game so special in the first place. And the product on the ice this year? Phenomenal. This year's Stanley Cup Playoffs and Final had it all. If you missed it this year, do yourself a favor and watch the replays. These weren’t just great games, they were instant classics: -First Round - Game 7: Jets vs. Blues – Winnipeg stormed back from a 3–1 deficit late in the third period, tied it with just 1. 6 seconds left, and then won it 4–3 in double overtime -Final - Game 1: Panthers at Oilers – Edmonton overcame a two-goal deficit to win in OT, led by Leon Draisaitl’s clutch performance -Finals - Game 2: Panthers at Oilers – Florida wins a wild one, 5–4 in double OT after Connor McDavid dazzled and Brad Marchand scored twice -Finals - Game 4: Oilers at Panthers – Edmonton responds with a 5–4 OT thriller of their own after Sam Reinhart tied the game with 19. 5 seconds left And yes, the Florida Panthers went back-to-back, winning their second straight Stanley Cup and cementing themselves as a modern NHL dynasty. Why This Matters at WSC Sports We’re in the business of helping teams, leagues, broadcasters, and media partners capture and distribute the exact kinds of moments that made these playoffs unforgettable. Whether it’s an overtime game-winner, a hat trick from a star, or a 1. 6-second game-tying goal, our technology is designed to instantly capture the best live moments, format them automatically, and deliver them across every platform where fans are ready and waiting. But as this postseason reminded me, those highlights aren’t just data points or clips. They’re emotional triggers. They bring fans back. They tell stories. And they matter. Actionable Insights for Content Teams -Don’t overlook nostalgia. It’s a powerful hook for modern audiences, especially younger fans rediscovering old teams or players -Add emotional framing to your highlight distribution: include historical context or a call back to past glories -Use AI to tag not just goals, but moments of drama, reversal, and redemption. These are the clips that get remembered Final Whistle These games didn’t just entertain, they transported me. Back to those nights at the Omni. Back to my brother’s games. Back to being a fan. As someone working at WSC Sports, surrounded by highlights every day, these playoffs reminded me that the real power of our technology lies in what it captures: the moments that matter most to people. And sometimes, those people are us. > Discover how AI is transforming sports—from performance to media—with WSC Sports leading the shift to automated, personalized fan content. - Published: 2025-07-04 - Modified: 2026-02-04 - URL: https://wsc-sports-dev.ltu.co.il/blog/industry-insights/from-the-locker-room-to-the-livestream-this-is-how-ai-supplements-the-modern-sports-industry/ - Categories: Industry Insights Learn how AI is reshaping the sports industry, from automated content creation to athlete performance and fan engagement — and how WSC Sports is leading the way in AI-powered sports content. Key Takeaways -AI is reshaping sports from athlete performance and scouting to ticketing, scheduling, and fan engagement. -WSC Sports leads the AI content revolution, helping leagues scale highlights, personalize storytelling, and reach fans in real time. -Automation is now essential, not optional — it drives speed, scale, and personalization across every platform and format. Intro: Why AI Matters More Than Hype AI is ushering in a new tech era for sports, on par with the advent of mobile and cloud. As Deloitte notes, generative AI will quickly permeate content generation, live coverage, player evaluation, fan engagement and more. Fans demand faster, more personalized content, and only AI can scale to meet that demand. In fact, rights-holders report producing 2–10× more content than in prior years. Today’s fans expect highlight moments online within seconds of occurring, across multiple platforms and formats (short clips, vertical video, VR, etc). This unprecedented content explosion means automation and AI are no longer optional – they’re essential to staying competitive. The AI Landscape in Sports: On-Field, Off-Field, On-Screen On-field performance & scouting:AI-driven analytics transform coaching and talent ID. Computer-vision tracking and deep learning are now standard in elite leagues: vision systems automatically collect player/ball positions and movements for real-time analysis. Wearable sensor data and AI (e. g. GPS, RFID) help optimize training and reduce injuries. Clubs also use AI-powered scouting apps (e. g. AiSCOUT) where players record drills on their phones and receive AI scores. Top clubs and even ex-academy players like Andre Odeku (released by Arsenal) have been (re)discovered via such platforms, letting clubs “identify talent the scouts never knew existed. ” Off-field operations: AI is streamlining ticketing, CRM and scheduling. Dynamic-pricing systems now adjust ticket prices in real time based on demand, weather and buyer profiles. Fan-CRM tools analyze purchase history and social data to personalize offers and content. For example, Deloitte notes AI tools can generate customized highlights and targeted promotions to fans based on behavior. Scheduling AI is also emerging: specialized platforms (e. g. Fastbreak AI) optimize league/tournament schedules and travel. The NFL’s 2025–26 schedule, for instance, was generated by AI, ensuring fairness and maximizing revenues. Media & fan engagement: AI is revolutionizing sports media production and distribution. Automated highlight systems analyze live video and instantly splice key moments. WSC’s platform, for example, is used by NBA and NASCAR to ingest every game feed and auto-generate highlights in seconds. . Computer vision powers automated broadcasts at scale (e. g. NVIDIA-backed Pixellot cameras capture 1M+ games/year, generating live streams, stats and highlights). AI also enhances the broadcast itself: advanced tracking and graphics (Second Spectrum-style) and even AI “line judges” are now a reality. In the media realm, fans enjoy AI-infused experiences like IBM’s Wimbledon Match Chat, an AI assistant answering fans’ real-time questions with live stats and probabilities. And AI subtitles, multi-angle replays and personalized camera apps are giving viewers more control. In short, AI is being applied everywhere on-screen and behind the scenes to make sports content richer and more interactive. The Media Edge: How AI Transforms Sports Content Endless content ecosystems: With AI, rights-holders are no longer limited by manual production. Leagues like the NBA and ATP have built vast content ecosystems of clips, from micro-highlights to archival features. In one example, the NBA partnered with WSC Sports to generate 67,000 personalized playoff highlights across platforms in one year. AI pipelines can automatically generate highlight compilations (short and long form) on demand – for instance a 90-minute Luka Doncic season-in-review video attracted millions of views. This ranges from bite-sized TikToks to full-game recaps, giving fans all the content they could want. Personalized storytelling: AI-driven content creation lets sports organizations tailor narratives to each fan. WSC’s AI uses proprietary models to add context and commentary into clips. For example, WSC’s new large sports model scripts intelligent voiceovers: the NBA now automatically generates 2-minute highlight videos with AI narrations in multiple languages (French, Portuguese, Spanish), achieving 75%+ completion rates. Similarly, synthetic-voice tech is even reviving iconic announcer voices – NBC Sports will use AI voice-synthesis to feature the late Jim Fagan’s voice in upcoming NBA promos. Beyond voice, AI can generate graphics, stats overlays and even entire show rundowns. Platform optimization: AI curates and formats content for each platform and fan segment. Trends show the majority of clips are now short and vertical. WSC’s platform automatically re-crops clips into 9:16 “stories” for mobile apps and adapts videos for social, web, and OTT. Fans can subscribe to player- or team-specific feeds, receiving hyper-focused highlights. Geolocation and preference data allow AI to surface local content (e. g. hometown players) in real time. In broadcast, AI also personalizes TV streams: imagine sports OTT apps recommending custom highlight reels or alternate commentary tracks to each viewer. All of this is enabled by the rich metadata tagging and ML indexing under the hood. WSC Sports and the New Content Engine: Game Feed to Global Fan in Seconds AI-powered video automation: WSC Sports’ platform ingests live feeds and archives, then analyzes, indexes, and tags every event in real time. This metadata-driven approach is the core advantage: WSC’s algorithms recognize goals, touchdowns, big plays, player names, and even emotions, without human input. Once tagged, the system instantly assembles highlights of any length or aspect ratio. For LaLiga, WSC auto-generates 260,000+ match highlights per season, publishing reels and stories to social and app channels. Clients like FIBA’s Basketball Champions League have worked with WSC since 2016 to automate their coverage, producing personalized content for clubs and fans; the partnership drove nearly 250 million video views across platforms. In sum, WSC’s proprietary AI and machine-learning tools make it a “global leader in automated sports video creation”. Scale & distribution: WSC empowers rights-holders to flood all digital touchpoints with content. For example, NASCAR used WSC to ingest 3,500+ race streams in 2023 and automatically publish over 13,000 new videos (170+ per race) to YouTube, TikTok, apps and more. LaLiga’s app now auto-publishes short vertical highlights after each goal or big play. Clients cite the speed and range: Alfredo Bermejo of LaLiga praises “the speed and scale... adapting content to many different platforms”. WSC also taps AI for personalization: fans pick favorite players/teams and get dedicated highlight reels with commentary in their language. Behind the scenes, WSC’s automated workflows replaced manual editing: highlights that once took 15–20 minutes to post now go live in just a few minutes. In short, WSC’s AI is a one-stop “content engine” that turns every game feed into an instant global fan experience. Why AI Wins: Manual vs. Automated Workflows Speed & scalability: Manual editing cannot keep up with today’s content demand. As WSC observes, rights-holders are under pressure to deliver more clips across more platforms faster than ever. A WSC survey found most teams now produce 2× as many clips as four years ago, thanks to automation. In practice, the difference is dramatic: NASCAR’s app highlights used to lag 15–20 minutes after an event; with WSC they now drop within minutes. The app’s race feed was refreshed 80% faster post-AI integration. Similarly, FIBA 3×3 basketball was able to capture every single game across time zones by automating its highlight workflow — a feat impossible with humans alone. Efficiency & precision: Automation removes human bottlenecks and bias. AI tagging and indexing do in seconds what used to take editors hours. WSC’s system automatically tags goals, player names, play types, and more, ensuring no key moment is missed. By contrast, manual clipping often focuses only on the most obvious plays, leaving out fan-favorite micro-moments. Automation also ensures consistency: every highlight follows brand guidelines (intros/outros, graphics, text overlays) precisely. Rights-holders agree that speed and scale are now the competitive edges. As one LaLiga executive put it, WSC’s speed and scale have become “really important” to their content strategy. Focus on strategy, not grunt work: With AI handling the heavy lifting, content teams can focus on storytelling and fan strategy. NASCAR’s digital lead says the team now “focus less on content creation and more on how to use content most effectively”. In other words, AI wins by multiplying output and letting humans do higher-value work. What’s Next: Generative Content, Voice, and Fan Co-Creation Generative AI & synthetic commentary: We’re already seeing the future today. Sports organizations are piloting fully AI-generated content – from automated game recaps to daily highlight shows. WSC’s new large-sports-model can script highlights with context and produce synthetic voiceovers. The NBA, for example, now uses WSC’s GenAI to create multilingual commentaries instantly. NBC Sports has even resurrected a late announcer’s voice using AI for NBA promos. Soon, leagues could offer AI broadcasters that customize commentary style on demand (e. g. “give me an analysis like Pat Riley” or fan-driven audio feeds). Hyper-personalization & fan co-creation: AI will let fans become co-creators. Imagine an app where a fan asks for a “custom reel of all plays by my favorite player this season” or a chatbot they can interrogate for game insights (building on IBM’s Match Chat concept). AI-driven recommendation engines (like Netflix-style) will surface the exact content each fan craves. Geolocation, preference and even biometric data (from wearables) could feed into these models. Already, the industry buzz says that “AI-enabled sports media firms” are far better at turning content into revenue. Emerging innovations: Beyond highlights, AI opens new frontiers: real-time AR overlays (e. g. live stats on field), virtual reality experiences, and even digital “twins” of athletes for training/fan experiences. Generative video could create personalized fan cams or highlight mashups. As Behshad Behzadi (Chief AI Officer at Sportradar) urges, the sports world cannot ignore the opportunity to “hyper-personalise” the viewing experience. In short, the next wave will blend AI, ML, and creative media: fan chatbots, AI-driven fantasy tools, and fully customized broadcasts. Why work with an AI-powered platform like WSC? Leverage proven leadership: WSC Sports has already helped top leagues and teams turn AI into fans’ best experience. From the NBA to LaLiga, from NASCAR to FIBA’s Champions League, WSC’s solutions have doubled content output and engagement (e. g. LaLiga gained 1. 4M new social followers per week and 70% more app sessions after AI automation). Clients praise WSC’s tech as a core business transformation: “WSC Sports helped us transform our digital workflow... it’s now a key part of our business strategy”. Future-proof your strategy: The message is clear: rights-holders who embrace AI win. Studies show AI-ready sports media companies find it three times easier to monetize content. With fan expectations soaring, the question isn’t if but how fast you integrate AI. WSC can be your partner in that journey: our platform automates end-to-end production (ingest, editing, tagging, distribution) and can plug into your existing workflows. We invite leagues, clubs and broadcasters to talk to WSC about building an AI-powered content engine. Let us help you deliver every moment, in every format, to every fan – at the speed of AI. - Published: 2025-07-02 - Modified: 2026-02-04 - URL: https://wsc-sports-dev.ltu.co.il/blog/industry-insights/scaling-emotion-the-content-playbook-for-multi-club-ownership-groups/ - Categories: Industry Insights Learn how top ownership groups are using content as a strategy to build trust, grow brands, and win hearts worldwide. Key Takeaways: -Multi-club ownership (MCO) is reshaping global football, with 41. 7% of Big Five league clubs now part of MCO groups -Success in MCO hinges not just on scale, but on emotionally connecting with each club’s local fan base through content -AI-driven content strategies enable MCOs to tell unique stories at scale—boosting loyalty, engagement, and global growth It’s easy to forget now, but Málaga CF was one of the hottest names in European Football in the early 2010s. After finishing fourth in La Liga in the 2011-12 season, Málaga made it to the quarter-finals of the Champions League the following year, beating teams like AC Milan and Porto along the way. Then, as so often happens, came a steady decline. In 2018, Málaga was relegated from La Liga, and has barely made headlines since. Until now. According to reports, Fenway Sports Group (FSG), which owns Premier League giants Liverpool, and Qatar Sports Investments (QSI), Paris Saint-Germain’s owners, are both interested in purchasing Málaga. FSG is considering other options as well, having conducted due diligence on multiple Spanish clubs over the past year as it seems intent on joining the multi-club ownership (MCO) trend. How Football Embraced Multi-Club Ownership MCO, defined as having control and/or decisive influence over more than one sports organization , is not a new phenomenon. In the US, multi-franchise sports holding companies have been common since the 1990s; FSG, for example, owns the MLB’s Boston Red Sox, Pittsburgh Penguins of the NHL, NASCAR’s RFK Racing, and TGL’s Boston Common Golf, alongside Liverpool. In recent years, the football world has followed suit, and MCO has become an attractive business model worldwide. The numbers are staggering: -Between 2015 and 2023, the number of clubs that became part of MCO groups jumped from 62 to 301 -The number of MCO groups has more than doubled – from 58 to 124 – between 2018 and 2023 -In the 2024-2025 season, MCOs owned stakes in 41. 7% of clubs in the Big Five European leagues (Premier League, La Liga, Bundesliga, Serie A, Ligue 1) The MCO model in football was pioneered by Red Bull, which purchased three teams in the 2000s to create global brand awareness. But it was City Football Group (CFG), founded by the Abu Dhabi United Group, who ushered in the modern era of multi-club ownership, acquiring 12 clubs spread across North America, South America, Europe, Asia, and Australia since 2013. Here’s a short overview of some of the main players in the MCO landscape: City Football Group Established: 2013 Crown jewel: Manchester City Number of clubs: 12 across five continents, including Girona, EC Bahia, and New York City FC Corporate home: UK Red Bull Established: 2005 Crown jewel: RB Leipzig Number of clubs: Five across four continents, including New York Red Bulls Corporate home: Austria Eagle Football Holdings Established: 2022 Crown jewel: Crystal Palace Number of clubs: Four, including Botafogo and Olympique Lyonnais Corporate home: US The Public Investment Fund (PIF) Established: 1971 Crown jewel: Newcastle United Number of clubs: Six, including five teams in Saudi Arabia Corporate home: Saudi Arabia Global Football Holdings Established: 2015 Crown jewel: FC Augsburg Number of clubs: Six Corporate home: US Balancing Act: Why MCO Success Depends on Local Connection It's not hard to see the value of MCO. From a talent development perspective, owning several teams allows MCOs to create their own farm system and enables inter-club movement. Commercially, MCOs can leverage their reach for global sponsorships, like City Football Group's deal with Puma. Plus, there are other potential benefits, such as data sharing and risk diversification. There are also challenges. One of the main issues is pushback from fans of teams that function as "satellite" clubs around the MCO's crown jewel. For these fan bases, the local football club is often the focal point of regional history, culture, and identity – not another asset in the portfolio of an international consortium. One way MCO groups can build trust and deepen local connections is by treating each club as a unique narrative worth telling. That starts with content creation – not just volume, but stories that reflect each club’s identity, values, and fan culture. When every team in the network feels seen and heard, the MCO model becomes more than just efficient; it becomes emotionally resonant. To deliver that at scale, MCOs need technology that can generate personalized, platform-ready content across all clubs, languages, and formats – from historic highlights to real-time reactions. AI-powered sports content creation solutions make this possible, enabling groups to celebrate the distinct voice of every club while driving growth across the portfolio. After all, winning loyalty starts with the right story – and the right story begins with the right content strategy. Actionable Insights -Audit your narrative diversity: Review your content across all clubs in your group or portfolio. Are you telling distinct stories that reflect each club’s identity, or just echoing the top brand? -Localize with purpose: Go beyond translating language—translate culture. Collaborate with local fans, creators, or historians to surface authentic storylines that matter in each community -Invest in scalable tech: Explore AI tools that allow you to quickly produce personalized, platform-specific content across multiple clubs, languages, and formats—without sacrificing authenticity > How top sports organizations use AI to boost engagement, create content faster, and turn owned platforms into engines of fan growth and revenue. - Published: 2025-07-01 - Modified: 2026-02-04 - URL: https://wsc-sports-dev.ltu.co.il/blog/industry-insights/acing-the-fan-experience-how-smart-organizations-are-using-ai-on-owned-channels/ - Categories: Industry Insights If you're responsible for driving engagement and revenue from your owned platforms, this article breaks down how AI is helping top organizations turn content into a high-performing asset — faster, smarter, and at scale. Key Takeaways -AI Drives Monetization: Sports organizations using AI are nearly 3x more likely to monetize content on their owned platforms compared to those who haven’t adopted it -Owned Channels Outperform Social: Websites and apps generate more than twice the revenue of social media and podcasts — but only half of teams are capitalizing on that potential -Wimbledon Sets the Benchmark: By integrating generative AI into its digital strategy, Wimbledon saw double-digit growth in engagement and content consumption across its owned platforms Wimbledon's decision to replace line judges with automated electronic line calling (ELC) was one of the main talking points in the lead-up to the 2025 tournament. Technology, the headlines screamed, had usurped tradition at the All England Lawn Tennis Club (AELTC). In reality, though, Wimbledon's commitment to new technology is just as deep as its fidelity to tradition. Since partnering with IBM 30 years ago, data analytics has stood at the heart of the Wimbledon digital experience. In the past few years, the AELTC has used generative AI to turn historical and real-time data into insights and visualizations, create video highlights, add spoken word audio commentary to recaps, and offer personalized catch-up summaries across Wimbledon's digital channels. The big innovation in this year's tournament is "Match Chat," an interactive AI assistant that provides match information and immediately responds to fan prompts on the Wimbledon app and website. “Eventually,” said Chris Clements, digital products lead at the AELTC, “I think we’ll probably get to a point where AI can allow us to tailor our content more specifically to individuals on a one-to-one basis. ” The Monetization Gap: AI Early Adopters vs. Everyone Else How fan-facing entities leverage advanced technology is one of the main themes of a recent study by data and insights generation company Stats Perform. Drawing on the perspectives of 740 media executives from across the globe, the study focuses on the opportunities and challenges of fan engagement in the digital age. Key findings include: - Monetizing content has been getting harder, especially in North America, Latin America, and Asia-Pacific - Owned websites and apps are over twice as effective in terms of generating revenue as social media activity and podcasts - Teams, leagues, and federations struggle to monetize their owned and operated channels; only 51% generate revenues from their websites, and only 41% from their app Those who do capitalize on their O&O have one thing in common: they are early adopters of AI. More than a third of AI adopters (35%) said that AI has already made it easier to commercialize their content, whereas among organizations that haven’t implemented AI tools, only 12% manage to monetize content smoothly. Volume, Quality, Speed: Transforming Content Operations According to industry executives, the biggest benefits of AI tools are the ability to automate content (67%), followed by reporting analysis (60%) and personalizing experiences (39%). In day-to-day operations, said respondents, AI solutions help them achieve more in less time (68%), increase the volume of content (65%), and improve the quality of content (60%). “Given that sports industry executives acknowledge that it is getting more difficult to monetize their audiences, it may seem counterproductive that many are yet to embrace innovative AI tools that could provide vital assistance,” note the study's authors. “This cannot change soon enough. Fan engagement and monetization trends are evolving – and many have only just scratched the surface in terms of their capabilities. ” AI sceptics need to look no further than Wimbledon. In last year's tournament, for example, fan engagement in AELTC's O&O channels improved across the board thanks to new generative AI features: - Content throughout The Championships received more than two billion impressions and over 100 million engagements – year-over-year increases of 12% and 19% respectively - There was an increase of 79% year-over-year in articles read on wimbledon. com and the mobile app - Video views on Wimbledon's website and app increased by 70% Turning O&Os into high-performing destinations As the digital race for fan attention intensifies, it's becoming clear that owned platforms are not just places to host content — they are engines of growth and monetization. But turning those platforms into high-performing destinations requires more than repurposing highlights. It calls for a strategy built around speed, personalization, and volume – three areas where AI content creation tools are quickly becoming the competitive edge. By automating the production of diverse content formats and optimizing every moment for fan consumption, AI empowers rights holders to deliver engaging, platform-native experiences that convert passive viewers into loyal users. Wimbledon’s digital success proves that even the most storied institutions can lead the way when it comes to innovation, and outlines a clear division of labor: tradition wins hearts, but technology wins the future. > WSC Sports opens Seoul office to bring AI-powered content to Korea; empowering rights holders to scale, personalize, and fuel the fandom across platforms. - Published: 2025-06-30 - Modified: 2026-02-04 - URL: https://wsc-sports-dev.ltu.co.il/blog/news/wsc-sports-launches-seoul-office-to-power-the-next-chapter-of-korean-sports-media/ - Categories: News WSC Sports is going local in Korea—bringing world-class AI content automation to one of the most passionate, mobile-first sports markets on Earth. Why It Matters Korean sports organizations are at a pivotal moment. With growing global reach and rising expectations from local fans, they need tools that can keep pace with the demands of content-hungry audiences. WSC Sports offers a way to scale content creation without scaling teams, helping rights holders compete on speed, creativity, and relevance. The new Seoul office is more than a regional expansion, it’s a commitment to building long-term partnerships and powering the next phase of digital growth in Korean sports media. Key Takeaways -Local presence, global expertise: WSC Sports brings a decade of global success to Korea, now backed by on-the-ground leadership and support -Designed for Korean fans: AI-driven highlights and in-app content tailored for mobile-first, always-on audiences -Part of a larger APAC acceleration: Korea joins the US, EU, Japan, China, and Australia as key markets in WSC’s growing regional network WSC Sports is planting a new flag in one of the most digitally advanced and fan-driven sports markets in the world. With the opening of its new Seoul office and the appointment of David Oh as Head of Commercial, Korea, we’re doubling down on our APAC momentum and taking a major step toward deeper partnerships with Korean broadcasters, leagues, and platforms. If you’ve watched NBA, LaLiga, or PGA Tour highlights online in Korea, there’s a good chance you’ve already seen WSC Sports technology in action. Now, the goal is to bring that same level of content speed, personalization, and scale directly to Korean rights holders, enabling them to deliver real-time fan experiences and unlock new digital value, on their own terms. Why Korea, Why Now Korea is known for its passionate fans, mobile-first media habits, and appetite for innovation. As sports consumption continues to shift toward personalized short-form content and multiplatform engagement, Korean organizations are actively looking for ways to scale up without adding complexity. That’s exactly where we come in offering a fully automated content engine that transforms live footage into tailored highlights, ready for social, OTT, and in-app experiences. David Oh, who brings 25 years of experience across Korean media and global partnerships, will lead our growth in the region. His track record spans everything from digital content deals with UEFA and MLB to managing operations for the PyeongChang Winter Olympics. With on-the-ground leadership and a global track record of innovation, WSC Sports is uniquely positioned to help Korea’s sports ecosystem accelerate its digital evolution—reaching fans with content that’s timely, relevant, and personal, and unlocking new value in every sports moment. > Learn how 360° fan identity helps sports teams unify data, personalize content, boost engagement, and unlock new revenue beyond the live game. - Published: 2025-06-29 - Modified: 2026-02-04 - URL: https://wsc-sports-dev.ltu.co.il/blog/industry-insights/the-vision-of-building-a-360-fan-identity-powering-fan-engagement-beyond-the-game/ - Categories: Industry Insights By building a complete "fan identity" from available data sources like ticket purchases, app usage, personal interests, and in-game behaviors, organizations can tailor offers to meet individual tastes and open-up new revenue streams beyond just live games. Because today’s fans expect personalized, always-on experiences, let's break down how building a 360° fan identity can unlock content strategies that meet rising expectations, drive deeper engagement, and turn fan data into real revenue. Key Takeaways: -Unify Your Fan Data: A 360° fan identity connects all touchpoints—apps, ticketing, merch, social, streaming—into one profile, enabling personalized content at scale -Personalization Drives ROI: With AI and segmentation, you can automate highlights, offers, and journeys tailored to each fan’s behavior and interests—boosting engagement and conversions -Beyond Sports = More Revenue: Fan identity graphs reveal cross-interest opportunities (like music, fashion, gaming), unlocking new content formats, sponsorships, and monetization paths What makes up a 360° fan identity? Definition: A 360° fan identity is a single fan profile that combines first-party data (CRM and app registrations, ticketing, merchandise, streaming/OTT interactions, in-stadium transactions, loyalty programs, etc. ) with inferred and third-party data (social media likes, interests, demographic info, lifestyle signals) and behavioral data (website clicks, watch time, engagement metrics). For example, a CDP (Customer Data Platform) can ingest event data (web/app events, purchases) alongside personal data (name, email) and social signals to build one persistent fan profile. Components: First-party sources include team apps, websites, ticketing systems, CRM databases, merchandise sales, live-streaming platforms and stadium sensors. Third-party/inferred sources may add social profiles, lifestyle interests (e. g. favorite music, fashion, gaming) and data partners. Behavioral signals include how often a fan watches highlights, which players they follow, app interactions (push notifications opened, videos viewed), etc. A true 360° identity “draws from all your data sources” to give a complete view of each fan. The Current Challenge — Fragmented Data, Changing Expectations Fan expectations are rising: Today’s fans want sports on their schedule and interests, not just live games. Surveys show large percentages demand off-season content (analysis, behind-the-scenes, athlete stories) and daily engagement. Sports marketers say it’s a “round-the-clock job” to engage fans before, during and after games. Fans compare sports content to Netflix, games or social media – expecting the same level of personalization and always-on access. Fragmented data silos: Most leagues and teams have data scattered across dozens of apps and platforms. (Deloitte estimates the average business uses ~17 unique tools for customer data. ) CRM, ticketing, streaming analytics, social tools, and even physical vendors often don’t talk to each other. This fragmentation prevents a unified fan view. Industry experts say solving this with a single, unified view of each fan is now essential. Cookie-less future: At the same time, the third-party cookie is dying out (Apple/Mozilla already dropped them; Google is next). Sports rights-holders can no longer rely on broad tracking; first-party fan data has become the “new hero” of digital marketing. This shift means teams must double down on collecting their own data (via apps, direct logins, loyalty programs) and use it wisely. Competition for attention: Sports now compete with all entertainment and lifestyle brands for fan attention. Analysts note the industry is increasingly turning to fan data as the anchor for growth in a hyper-competitive market. In other words, to “hold the attention of their fans,” organizations must use data-driven personalization – just as Netflix or TikTok do – or risk losing fans to gaming, music and other digital pastimes. Building the Identity Graph — Strategy and Tools Capture data at every touchpoint: Design a strategy to collect first-party data from every interaction: team websites and OTT apps (login/signup, browsing history), mobile apps (push opens, polls, game-day AR), stadium systems (ticket scans, concessions, seating), merchandise/e-comm, streaming video players (watch time, clip selections), social channels, CRM surveys, etc. The more sources, the richer the profile. For example, sports CDPs emphasize collecting “any type of data” – online behavior, transaction logs, offline ticket sales, fan-entered preferences – without losing detail. Unify silos with a CDP/CRM: Feed all these data streams into a central platform (a sports-specific CDP or CRM). This creates a “single source of truth” and breaks down departmental silos. The platform should assemble every fan’s history and profiles in real time. Leading CDPs use identity resolution to stitch together identifiers from multiple systems – login IDs, device IDs, email addresses, loyalty numbers – using deterministic (exact matches) and probabilistic (pattern) matching to build one persistent fan profile. The result is a unified fan ID that persists across mobile, web, social, and in-person channels. AI and segmentation: With a unified profile, leverage AI/ML to analyze and segment fans. Build look-alike models (finding fans with similar behaviors) and micro-segments (e. g. “soccer moms who watch highlights and shop jewelry, vs. teens who watch live games and play esports”). These models help predict lifetime value or churn risk and tailor content. For instance, a CDP can automatically create segments of superfans or fans at risk of disengagement and then trigger targeted campaigns. Sports organizations can even use machine learning (as done by the Seattle Mariners/Sounders) to stitch messy first-party data into clean segments and identify subtle patterns. Tools & integration: Common tools include CDPs (Data Talks, Tealium, Adobe), CRM platforms (Salesforce Marketing Cloud), and engagement platforms (Braze, Iterable). These systems should integrate bi-directionally with content management, analytics, ticketing, and ad-tech. For example, WSC Sports integrates its personalized video generator with Braze to push tailored clips via mobile notifications. The key is an open ecosystem: the CDP feeds data to personalization engines, and vice versa, so every system works off the same fan profiles. > New sports leagues are winning fans with fast, snackable content. Here's what legacy organizations can learn—and how to keep up. - Published: 2025-06-26 - Modified: 2026-02-04 - URL: https://wsc-sports-dev.ltu.co.il/blog/industry-insights/snackable-sports-what-new-sports-leagues-teach-us-about-fan-engagement/ - Categories: Industry Insights A new wave of sports properties is reshaping fan engagement around snackable, high-impact content. Built for swiping as opposed to watching full, live games; these upstart leagues are teaching traditional sports a powerful lesson: the future of fandom belongs to those who entertain first and fast. Key Takeaways -New sports leagues are competing with TikTok, YouTube, and every scrollable second of content. Their edge? Fast, fan-first formats designed for today’s fragmented attention spans -Leagues like Kings League, Grand Slam Track, and TGL are innovating from the ground up with creator involvement, tech-driven experiences, and built-in interactivity — setting a new standard for what “sports content” looks like -Incremental changes won’t cut it. Traditional leagues must embrace AI-powered content creation to deliver highlights, moments, and stories at the speed and scale digital platforms demand, or risk losing the next generation of fans It's not often that an interview captures the zeitgeist of an industry. But that's exactly what happened when NBA commissioner Adam Silver came on The Dan Patrick Show in late January. Silver addressed a range of interesting topics, from whether teams are shooting too many threes to the rise of streaming, but perhaps the most profound moment was when he talked about how the league is positioning itself for the future. “Our job has become that much harder because we are competing against so many different forms of entertainment," said Silver. “It’s podcasts, and social media, and unlimited numbers of channels and programming. So, we have to up our game to make sure that we are finding ways to engage viewers. ” Engaging viewers in an era of unlimited programming – that's the mission facing sports leagues today. The key word here is “programming,” a term reserved for content that was broadcast exclusively on TV or radio in the not-so-distant past. Nowadays, however, almost every platform offers some type of programming, including social networks. TikTok, for example, doesn’t even want to be called a social network; the company refers to itself as an entertainment platform. The New Game: Sports Leagues Built for the TikTok Generation While TikTok's definition is debatable, one thing is clear: the video-sharing app is the most engaging platform in the world, with users spending an average of 58 minutes per day on it. In that sense, TikTok embodies where the world is moving to — short-form, entertainment-focused content. And the sports industry is following suit. Over the last couple of years, new leagues have popped up like mushrooms. Designed to address changing consumption habits, especially among younger generations, these leagues prioritize speed, innovation, and interactive experiences, offering a fresh take on their respective sport. Prominent examples include: Football: Kings League Launched: 2022 Founded by: Gerard Piqué How it works: 7-a-side football with unique rules, former players/influencer team owners, and interactive elements Reach: the 2025 Kings World Cup Nations drew 100 million viewers and generated 1. 5 billion impressions on social media Innovation: prioritizes entertainment, fan involvement, and a digital experience, produced in a video game-like way Athletics: Grand Slam Track Launched: 2025 Founded by: Olympic legend Michael Johnson How it works: four “Slams” per year, each featuring top-ranked track athletes. Points are earned at each event toward season titles and prize money Capital raised: $30 million Innovation: instead of one-off meets, focuses on recurring star matchups and season-long storylines Golf: TGL (Tomorrow’s Golf League) Launched: 2025 Founded by: Tiger Woods, Rory McIlroy, and Mike McCarley (TMRW Sports) How it works: six teams of PGA Tour pros compete in fast-paced, tech-enhanced, two-hour matches in a custom-built arena Capital Raised: $500 million Innovation: short-form golf played on a tech-infused green and a giant, bespoke simulator, providing a richer fan experience Tennis: INTENNSE Launched: 2025 How it works: team-based, fast-paced tennis league with simplified scoring, time-boxed matches, and immersive fan experiences Capital raised: $4 million Innovation: fan-first, high-energy format with live coaching, team substitutions, and drastically reduced downtime Basketball: BIG3 Launched: 2017 Founded by: Ice Cube How it works: 3-on-3 half-court games with a 4-point shot and a mix of ex-pros and global talent Capital raised: over $80 million Innovation: a player-centric league focused on entertainment, mixing nostalgia and fast-paced action The Attention Economy: Winning with Bite-Sized Entertainment These emerging competitions may not match the competitive pedigree or global footprint of traditional sports institutions, but they’re not trying to. Their battleground is attention, and they’re attracting younger fans by delivering snackable, high-frequency entertainment. Fast, fan-centric, and driven by creators and athletes alike, they’ve tapped into the cultural expectation that content should be brief, bold, and everywhere at once. Actionable Insights -Break-up long-form content into short, platform-native clips optimized for mobile-first viewing. -Build formats that put fans in the driver’s seat. Add interactive elements like voting, live chat, or behind-the-scenes access to deepen engagement. -Use AI to scale storytelling. Automate highlight creation and content distribution to meet fan demand across every channel — instantly. To keep pace, established leagues must do more than tweak formats or add camera angles. They need to build ecosystems of engaging, bite-sized content that aligns with shifting consumption habits. That’s where AI-powered content creation technology becomes essential: it enables leagues to scale stories, highlights, and moments that fit the cadence of digital life. Because in today’s landscape, the right programming isn’t a nice-to-have – it’s the whole game. > How the ATP Tour and NBA use short-form content, AI, and platform strategy to engage younger fans and drive long-term digital growth. - Published: 2025-06-25 - Modified: 2026-02-04 - URL: https://wsc-sports-dev.ltu.co.il/blog/industry-insights/beyond-the-viral-clip-redefining-the-terms-of-engagement/ - Categories: Industry Insights How do you stay relevant when fan behavior changes faster than the game itself? Learn how the ATP Tour and NBA are using short-form content and strategic innovation to engage younger audiences and keep their brands culturally and commercially relevant. Key Takeaways: -Short-form is getting even shorter. Young fans crave faster, more focused content. But the real unlock lies in flexibility: from micro-clips to long-form archives, format diversity is a winning combination -The NBA and ATP aren’t just automating highlights — they’re building entire content ecosystems that can pivot across fan segments, platforms, and trends -The most forward-thinking rights-holders are converting viral moments into lasting relationships by driving fans to owned platforms with personalized experiences In the last decade, much of the talk in the ATP Tour was about how old its fan base is. After a 2016 Nielsen study revealed that men's tennis TV audience is the second oldest, (61 on average), in pro sports, the ATP tested multiple innovative rules, aimed at attracting new and younger fans into the sport. And while it's too early to tell if the rule changes that made the cut helped the sport’s appeal, the tour continues to court the next generation of sports fans. To that end, the ATP recently signed a content partnership with youth-focused media brand Overtime. As part of the collaboration, Overtime will develop short-form tennis content and distribute it across its social media accounts, which boast over 100 million followers. The goal of the deal, said ATP CEO Massimo Calvelli, “is making sure that we reach the right people at the right time with the right content. ” Why Short-form Content is Getting Increasingly Shorter Short-form content certainly appears to be the right format for that. Per a recent study by global consulting firm Altman Solon, which surveyed over 3,000 fans across the US, UK, Germany, Saudi Arabia, and China, younger fans favor short-form and on-demand videos, citing the convenience and the abbreviated "to-the-point" nature of this content. It should come as no surprise, then, that short-form content is getting increasingly shorter. An analysis of content created on WSC Sports’ AI-powered platform by over 550 rights-holders revealed that: -The average video length has decreased by 24% since 2020 – from just over 1:30 minutes in 2020 to 1:10 in 2024. -YouTube Shorts account for over 20% of all videos created on the platform -The majority of all videos created with WSC Sports in 2024 were in a vertical format – up from 26% in 2022 While short, vertical video content rules the day, rights-holders should not be complacent. For one thing, trends can change in a hurry. For another, a one-size-fits-all approach to content creation has proved to be flawed. “Brands do it because it's smart from an efficiency perspective,” said Harish Sarma, until recently Global Head of Sports and Gaming at TikTok, “but the challenge is that it just doesn't land or it just doesn't perform. ” Breaking the Mold: The Power of Content Diversity What has proven to perform is a more diverse content strategy. A good illustration of this is the NBA. Ten years ago, the league was focused on creating a finite amount of highlights, game recaps, and player profiles. “It was like ‘here’s the content menu and this is what you get,” said Bob Carney, the NBA's Senior Vice President of digital & social content. The strategy changed when the league partnered with WSC Sports, in what Carney called an “aha moment. ” With the right technology, the NBA can create an almost infinite amount of content and, just as important, remain flexible when it comes to format. That allowed the league to use Generative AI not only for automated game recaps, but also for content that goes against the grain. “We’re trying to focus on the net-new,” said Carney, “creating a lot of new programming that couldn’t possibly have existed before. ” One example of this programming is long-form content, such as Luka Dončić's 2023-24 season highlights, a 1:26-hour video that got almost a million views on YouTube: Archive-based long-form content like this can be extremely valuable in an algorithm-driven world, say industry leaders. According to Jeff Nathenson, formerly the managing director of media company Team Whistle, who worked with the Premier League to bring its archive to life, long-form videos are among the highest-performing videos on the league’s YouTube channel. “Far too often, rights-holders are trying too hard to create gimmicky, viral videos when it’s just mostly about meat and potatoes,” said Nathenson. “When we were doing the Premier League, we were putting together long-form compilations – just great, edited mashups. They were getting better viewership on the archival compilations than they were from current content. ” Turning Reach Into Paid Subscriptions The next step for rights-holders is to leverage AI-powered content into something far better than brand reach: paid subscriptions. That can only be done by treating social media accounts as top-of-the-funnel channels, through which you can drive fans to owned and operated platforms (app, website, etc), where organizations can collect first-party data, offer more personalized experiences, and generate revenues. In other words, the future of sports content lies in building a comprehensive digital ecosystem that serves both immediate engagement and long-term business objectives. AI-powered content solutions make that possible, allowing rights-holders to scale across formats and platforms, capture fans' attention, and – most importantly – build a bridge from social platforms back to environments they control. > Learn how to use data and AI to personalize sports broadcasts, boost fan engagement, and unlock new revenue opportunities. - Published: 2025-06-24 - Modified: 2026-02-04 - URL: https://wsc-sports-dev.ltu.co.il/blog/industry-insights/the-business-case-for-personalized-sports-broadcasts-more-fans-and-revenue/ - Categories: Industry Insights What if every sports fan could watch a game tailored just for them — their favorite players, their must-see moments, their preferred stats on screen? Thanks to advances in AI and streaming tech, personalized sports broadcasts are no longer a future fantasy — they’re rapidly becoming the new standard. For those working in sports content, personalization is your next competitive advantage. This article breaks down how leagues and broadcasters are using personalization to deepen fan engagement, build loyalty, and unlock powerful monetization opportunities. Three Key Takeaways: -Personalization Drives Results: Tailored content boosts fan engagement, retention, and satisfaction—with case studies showing triple-digit increases in video consumption -AI Makes It Scalable: Tools like WSC Sports and Google Cloud are powering mass personalization, delivering custom highlight reels and live experiences at scale -Data Is the Engine: Knowing what your fans want—and delivering it in real time—is now essential to standing out in the crowded attention economy In an era where technology enables unprecedented personalized viewing experiences, sports broadcasters who embrace personalization stand to boost fan engagement, loyalty, and revenue. This article explores why personalization in sports broadcasting matters, how the industry is adapting, the benefits it brings, and strategies for sports organizations to deliver tailored content to every fan. Why is Personalized Content Important for Broadcasters? Once considered science fiction, personalized sports broadcasts are now a reality. Today’s fans increasingly expect content and streams tailored to their interests. According to Deloitte, nearly one-thirdof sports fans seek personalization to elevate their viewing experience. In practical terms, personalization means delivering the right content to the right viewer at the right time. By using data and analytics to understand audience preferences and viewing habits, sports rights-holders can create more engaging experiences for their fans. This personalized approach has proven incredibly effective at keeping fans engaged and coming back for more, translating into higher satisfaction and loyalty. In fact, offering personalized viewing options has been shown to enhance user experience, increase engagement, and boost fan retention. Equally important, failing to harness personalization can mean leaving money on the table. Sports properties now compete in an “attention economy” where fans have countless entertainment choices. If a broadcast isn’t tailored to individual interests, viewers may tune out. As one sports executive put it, “Personalization has been a major initiative for us for several years. In an attention economy, you need to compete even harder to earn someone's time... why waste it on something I’m not interested in? ”. In other words, broadcasters who do not personalize their content risk losing eyeballs – and the associated revenue – to more customized alternatives. Conversely, those who deliver personalized content can unlock new monetization opportunities. Personalized streams not only drive fan satisfaction but also open avenues for revenue, such as targeted advertising and premium personalized products. In summary, personalization is no longer a luxury in sports media; it’s fast becoming a necessity for fan engagement and business growth. Current State of Personalized Sports Broadcasts Personalization in sports broadcasting has rapidly evolved from concept to practice. Many leagues, broadcasters, and streaming platforms are already implementing innovative personalization features. For example, Major League Baseball (MLB) recently launched an AI-driven feature called “My Daily Story” in its app, which automatically assembles a personalized video recap of the previous day’s games for each user. This customized story format (reminiscent of Instagram Reels or TikTok) has given fans a new reason to open the MLB app every day, keeping them engaged with content that feels hand-picked for them. MLB’s “My Daily Story” feature creates a personalized daily highlight reel for each fan, powered by AI. The app curates clips of the fan’s favorite teams, players, and trending moments (as shown above), providing a quick, custom recap of yesterday’s action. Other major players are pursuing personalization as well. YouTube TV’s “Key Plays” feature is a notable example in live sports streaming. Key Plays (developed in partnership with WSC Sports) allows viewers to catch up on a live game by watching only the most important moments and highlights, skipping the rest. This feature – which even earned a technical Emmy Award – demonstrates how broadcast technology can adapt to fans’ busy schedules by personalizing the viewing experience (in this case, letting fans digest a game’s crucial plays on demand). Sports leagues themselves are also doubling down on tailored content: the NBA’s mobile app now offers 15–18 bite-sized vertical video stories per game, moving beyond generic post-game highlights. This shift to snackable, mobile-friendly content has tripled engagement on the NBA app and led to a 700% surge in video consumption, as fans flock to content that fits their preferred format and interests Similarly, Spain’s LaLiga revamped its app after investing in understanding what fans want to consume, introducing personalized in-app stories and on-demand content. Within months, LaLiga saw a 70% increase in user sessions and 40% more time spent in the app – a direct result of serving fans the content they wanted, in the formats they wanted. Beyond curated highlights, personalization extends to giving viewers more control over live broadcasts. Leading streaming platforms now offer features like multi-view (allowing fans to choose from multiple camera angles or games on one screen) and customized on-screen data. For instance, some services let users select which real-time stats or graphics they see during a game, tailoring the info overlay to their preferences. Other interactive features such as “watch together” synchronized viewing parties enable fans to personalize the social aspect of sports by watching with friends remotely, creating a communal yet customized experience. Broadcasters are even personalizing advertising, using tech like server-side ad insertion to deliver targeted ads that align with a viewer’s interests in real time. In summary, the current market showcases a range of personalization initiatives—from AI-edited highlight reels to user-customizable viewing options—all aimed at making sports broadcasts more immersive and fan-centric. Key Benefits of Personalizing Sports Broadcasts Implementing personalization in sports media brings multifaceted benefits for both fans and organizations. First and foremost, personalized content drives fan engagement and satisfaction. When viewers receive content closely aligned with their passions (be it more clips of their favorite player or camera angles they enjoy), they naturally spend more time watching and return more frequently. Tailored experiences breed a deeper emotional connection; fans feel understood and valued when the content “speaks” to their interests. Industry data backs this up – personalized streaming experiences lead to measurably higher engagement, loyalty, and repeat viewership. One psychological factor is that fans perceive personalized content as more valuable. “If I know something is built for me, it should be more valuable,” notes MLB’s senior product VP, emphasizing the stronger connection fans feel with bespoke experiences. Another critical benefit is improved retention and loyalty. A fan who enjoys a customized highlight reel or a tailored broadcast is more likely to stick with that platform or service. Over time, personalization can turn casual viewers into devoted “superfans. ” By consistently delivering what each fan cares about most, broadcasters and leagues nurture loyalty that might otherwise wane in the off-season or between live games. Moreover, personalization can broaden a fan’s engagement beyond their default interests. For example, LaLiga’s personalized stories not only satisfied existing fans but also exposed them to a wider range of teams and players, effectively expanding their fandom beyond just the top clubs. In short, personalization helps keep fans within the ecosystem, consuming more content and forging a stronger bond with the sport or brand. Crucially, personalized broadcasts also unlock new monetization opportunities. Engaged, happy fans are more likely to make purchases – whether subscriptions, merchandise, or tickets – and personalization helps drive those conversions. A tailored journey can gently guide a fan from watching a highlight on social media to subscribing to a league’s OTT service or buying a jersey, by presenting relevant offers at just the right moments. Advertising revenue stands to grow as well: personalization enables targeted ads and sponsorships that resonate with individual viewers, which in turn command higher value. Modern streaming tech can dynamically insert ads for, say, a local sporting goods store to one viewer and a different ad to another, based on their profile, thereby increasing the likelihood of engagement (while avoiding ad fatigue). Additionally, a cohesive personalized experience across platforms yields better data on fan behavior, and better data leads to sharper personalization and more effective marketing – a virtuous cycle benefiting both fans and sports organizations. Ultimately, the twin rewards of higher fan satisfaction and greater revenue potential make personalization a win-win strategy in sports broadcasting. How Sports Organizations Can Deliver Personalized Experiences Delivering true personalization in sports broadcasts requires a combination of the right technology, strategy, and mindset. Here are key approaches sports organizations can take: -Leverage Data and Analytics: The foundation of personalization is knowing your audience. Sports teams, leagues, and broadcasters should invest in collecting and analyzing fan data – from viewing history and favorite teams/players to engagement on social media. Insights from data help identify what each segment of fans cares about. “We invested a lot in the last years to better know our fans, what they like, and what they want to consume,” said LaLiga’s digital strategy director in explaining their app revamp. By understanding fan preferences, organizations can tailor content accordingly, whether it’s which highlights to package or which notifications to send. Robust analytics also allow continuous refinement of personalization algorithms (e. g. learning which suggested videos a user skips vs. watches). -Adopt AI and Automation for Content Creation: Manually curating personalized content for millions of fans is impractical – this is where artificial intelligence (AI) and automation come in. Modern AI-driven platforms can automatically generate customized highlights, clips, and even graphics at scale. For example, WSC Sports’ AI platform automates the creation and delivery of personalized highlight videos across all channels. Such tools allow rights-holders to match the right piece of content to the right audience at the right time and place, instantly and efficiently. In practice, this might mean an NBA fan in one country receives a package of highlights focusing on players from their home region, while a superfAN of a particular star player gets a compilation of that player’s best moments right after each game. Automation handles in seconds what would take humans hours, enabling personalization to be both timely (real-time or near-live) and scalable to millions of users -Integrate Personalization into Streaming Platforms: Sports organizations should work closely with their broadcast and streaming partners (or in-house product teams) to build personalization features into their delivery platforms. This could involve adding user customization options – e. g. letting viewers choose camera angles, select commentary languages, or toggle on/off certain stats on screen – thereby empowering fans to shape their own experience. It also means implementing recommendation engines in apps and OTT services that surface the most relevant content for each user (similar to how Netflix or YouTube suggests videos). The technology stack for this often includes cloud-based streaming solutions, real-time data processing, and machine learning models. Cloud infrastructure in particular is a key enabler, providing the elasticity to serve different personalized streams (and ads) to large audiences in parallel. Sports organizations should ensure their platforms can handle dynamic content assembly – for instance, using server-side ad insertion (SSAI) to seamlessly deliver individualized ad breaks without disrupting the live feed -Partner with Tech Providers and Experts: Implementing advanced personalization may require partnerships, as seen in the industry today. Many leagues collaborate with tech companies or startups specializing in AI, data, and fan engagement. MLB’s personalized, My Daily Story, was built with Google Cloud’s AI tools, and numerous broadcasters (from the NBA to ESPN to Europe’s TF1) have teamed with companies like WSC Sports to jump-start their personalized content offerings. These partnerships can accelerate innovation by combining sports domain expertise with cutting-edge technology know-how. For sports organizations beginning their personalization journey, seeking out proven platforms or vendors – for automated highlight generation, personalized content delivery, data management, etc. – can be a smart route to implementation. The goal is to avoid reinventing the wheel, and instead deploy solutions that have been tested and refined in the market. -Focus on User Experience and Iteration: Finally, delivering great personalized broadcasts is an ongoing process. Sports brands must keep the fan’s user experience front and center. That means designing intuitive interfaces for personalized features (so fans are aware of and can easily use things like multi-view or their custom highlight reels), as well as providing opt-in choices (some fans will want complete control, others may prefer an automated feed). Gathering feedback is crucial – usage data and surveys can reveal what personalized elements fans love and what might be missing. Continuous iteration is key: as AI recommendation models get more usage, they should improve; as new data sources emerge (wearables, interactive polls, etc. ), they can feed into richer personalization. The technology should also be kept up to date – for instance, integrating the latest generative AI capabilities to create even more immersive, interactive experiences (something both the NBA and LaLiga are already exploring for the future. By staying agile and fan-focused, sports organizations can ensure their personalization efforts remain effective and cutting-edge. Conclusion Technology has turned personalized sports broadcasting from a futuristic idea into an achievable reality. Fans today don’t just appreciate personalization – they expect it as part of a modern viewing experience. Sports organizations that harness these capabilities are reaping rewards in the form of deeper fan engagement, stronger loyalty, and new revenue streams. In contrast, those that stick to one-size-fits-all content risk falling behind in a world where viewers gravitate toward experiences that feel tailor-made. The current state of the industry offers clear proof points: from AI-curated highlight reels keeping millions of fans hooked daily, to interactive streaming features that make viewers active participants, personalization is elevating the sports fan experience across the board. For sports brands, the path forward is clear. It’s time to embrace the tools and strategies that deliver content “exactly where, when, and how” fans want to consume it. Doing so requires investment in data, AI, and partnerships – but the payoff is a more immersive, satisfying product that can turn casual fans into die-hards, and engagement into lasting revenue. In the end, personalization in sports broadcasts is about fueling fan passion in the digital age. By giving each fan the content they care about most, leagues and broadcasters can create truly meaningful connections at scale. Far from giving up any control, they are empowering their audiences – and securing the future of sports fandom in the process. Short Description: Technology has made personalized sports broadcasts possible on an unprecedented scale. This article discusses why personalization is crucial for sports media today, examines the current market landscape (with examples like MLB’s AI-driven highlight reels and interactive streaming features), outlines the benefits (from higher fan engagement to new monetization opportunities), and explains how sports organizations can implement personalized streaming experiences using data, AI, and innovative platforms. Citations included for latest insights and case studies. Actionable Insights -Start auditing your fan data by assessing what you already know about your audience — their favorite teams, players, viewing habits, and behaviors across platforms. Use this data to identify opportunities for personalized content delivery and engagement -Experiment with AI-Driven Content Tools: Pilot a small-scale implementation of automated highlight... > How sports rights holders can combat fragmentation, reduce fan churn, and drive engagement through smart content and owned digital platforms. - Published: 2025-06-23 - Modified: 2026-02-04 - URL: https://wsc-sports-dev.ltu.co.il/blog/industry-insights/turning-chaos-to-conversion-how-rights-holders-can-reclaim-fans-in-a-fragmented-rights-landscape/ - Categories: Industry Insights Over 60% of fans now turn to social media for non-live sports content, while 69% say juggling multiple streaming services is a hassle. The battle for fan attention is getting harder and fragmentation is only accelerating. This article breaks down how smart content strategy, short-form video, and owned platforms can turn distracted eyeballs into loyal audiences. Key Takeaways: -Fans are hitting a breaking point with fragmented rights, rising subscription demands, and an overwhelming amount of options when it comes to streaming providers -Short-form content, when used strategically, can guide fans from social platforms into owned apps and deeper experiences -With AI-powered tools, rights holders can create and distribute more content, faster—meeting fans where they are without losing control of the relationship On the eve of Opening Day, Sports Media Watch published a list of all the ways baseball fans can watch games in the 2025 season. Needless to say, it was not a short list. Regional sports networks (RSNs), local over-the-air stations, free ad-supported streaming TV (FAST) platforms, direct-to-consumer (DTC) offerings, subscription video on demand (SVOD) services, cable and broadcast networks—the sheer volume of options is overwhelming. There could be even more of them soon. According to reports, after ESPN and the MLB agreed to mutually opt out of the final three years (2026-28) of their contract, the league is likely to split the inventory being forfeited by the Disney-owned network between multiple companies. That means that Sunday Night Baseball, the Home Run Derby, and the Wild Card playoff round—ESPN's current package—might have separate homes starting next season. The fragmentation of sports rights isn’t limited to the US. The German Bundesliga, for example, auctioned off 15 different viewing packages in its latest domestic media rights deal. These include, apart from full games and highlights, a newly introduced short clip package—available only after the weekend—which was snapped up by publishing giant Axel Springer. Divide and Conquer: Streaming Giants Are Reshaping Sports Media The trend to divide media rights into a growing number of packages reflects the intensifying competition for sports content. As sports organizations continue to explore diversification to increase revenue, traditional TV networks, digital providers, and streaming platforms are jousting for rights. Streaming platforms, in particular, are making hay of the fragmented landscape: -The industry’s leading SVOD services—Amazon Prime Video, Apple TV+, Disney+, Netflix, and Paramount+—have collectively increased sports programming by more than 72% in the last quarter of 2024. -Disney+ now accounts for nearly 33% of available sports programming, just behind Amazon (35%). Netflix accounts for just over 23% of sports content. -Free ad-supported streaming TV (FAST) platforms like Pluto TV, Roku Channel, and Tubi have joined the fray, increasing their live sports hours by 65% in 2024. While the proliferation of live sports coverage allows leagues to reach new audiences, it presents a challenge for fans, who need multiple subscriptions to watch their favorite teams or leagues. It's a thin line to walk. Excessive fragmentation can impact the user experience, resulting in confusion, frustration, and a potential decline in overall viewership. Subscription Fatigue: Fragmented Sports Rights Are Testing Fan Patience Recent studies have shown that fragmentation is starting to rub sports fans the wrong way. A new report by Hub Entertainment Research, based on a survey of 3,753 US fans, revealed that: -61% of avid fans say finding games is more confusing than ever—up 7 points from last year -69% of avid fans say juggling multiple streaming services is a hassle—up 6 points from 2024 -So far this year, only 36% of fans signed up for a new streaming service to watch a sport—down from 38% in 2024 Social media's dominance as a source for sports content is attributed to changing consumption habits, especially among younger generations. But it's safe to say that fragmented sports rights also contribute to it; per Altman Solon's latest Global Sports Survey, 66% of fans struggle to access their favorite sports, and 43% are unwilling to pay for content at current pricing models. And though growing social media engagement is a positive indicator per se, it can give rights holders and buyers unwarranted confidence. “We must never forget that over 95% of the sports industry lives off live consumption,” said David Dellea, Director of Sports Practice at Altman Solon. “It doesn’t live off highlights. That’s just a minor revenue driver. ” How Short-Form Content Can Build Owned Digital Ecosystems So, how can rights holders and buyers leverage highlights and other short-form content for deeper fan relationships? An innovative answer comes from French telecom provider Free. The company holds the rights to near-live highlights of Ligue 1 games and makes them available for free to all football fans— customers and non-customers—via a dedicated app. In other words, Free is using short-form content to drive fans to its digital owned & operated app, where they create an account, enjoy a personalized content experience, and are more likely to pay for a premium subscription to get in-depth coverage and exclusive access. The results? The Free Ligue 1 app already has over three million users, who, at least in part, can also be converted into telecom customers. Driving fans to your digital ecosystem starts with meeting them where they are – with the right type of content. This is where AI-powered content creation and distribution technology comes in. Rights holders who use this technology can automatically produce diverse content formats at scale, distribute strategically to 3rd parties (e. g. , by sharing just enough to entice a visit to their O&O), and offer personalized experiences once the fans are on your home turf. As sports rights continue to fragment across multiple platforms, fans will be the ones who decide how many subscriptions are too many, and which ones they can't live without. The content experience on owned platforms can play a huge role in this decision, but you have to get them there first. Those who employ the right tools for this task will be best positioned to stay relevant in an era where attention is both more valuable and harder to earn than ever. Actionable Insights -Audit where your content lives and identify gaps where fans are falling through the cracks -Make key content accessible without a paywall to capture casual fans and convert them over time -Automate content creation and distribution to keep pace with fan demand across multiple platforms > Learn how the 2024–25 season reshaped the EPL’s global reach, digital strategy, and fan engagement—on the pitch and across every screen. - Published: 2025-06-22 - Modified: 2026-02-04 - URL: https://wsc-sports-dev.ltu.co.il/blog/industry-insights/on-and-off-the-pitch-why-the-2024-25-season-was-a-turning-point-for-the-english-premier-league/ - Categories: Industry Insights The 2024/25 EPL season redefined what it means to operate - and - succeed in global sports. Beyond matchday drama, it was a year of sweeping transformation across media rights, fan engagement, and revenue strategy. Because football is an evolving business. From the tactical reinvention of Liverpool to the digital-first reinvention of the league itself, the 2024/25 season marked a new era for English football. Every match became a content moment. Every club became a media company. Record rights deals, direct-to-fan innovations, and new infrastructure plans pushed the EPL beyond sport - and into a future defined by scale, data, and global monetization. Key Takeaways -Competitive disruption on the pitch fuels fan interest: The league proved that surprise storylines remain a core engagement driver—even as dominant powers consolidate at the top -Financial inequality reaches new extremes: All three promoted clubs were relegated in the same season—a stark reminder that without top-flight resources and infrastructure, upward mobility remains a mirage -The Premier League becomes a media ecosystem: With a £6. 7B domestic deal, international expansion, and clubs scaling digital content operations, broadcasts, mobile experiences, and owned content have redefined how the Premier League grows, monetizes, and globalizes its brand. The league’s ability to adapt both to the demands of the modern fan and the realities of a global sports marketplace ensured that English football remained not just a national obsession but a worldwide phenomenon. The Football: Liverpool’s Title and Standout Stories Under new head coach Arne Slot, Liverpool crafted a narrative with emphatic style. It was a return to glory built on depth, intelligence, and surgical precision. A 5-1 hammering of Tottenham at Anfield didn’t just win their 20th title, it illustrated their dominance. Players like Diaz, Mac Allister, Gakpo, and Salah played their chapters brilliantly. In the heat of a congested fixture list, the squad rotated seamlessly, combining resilience with artistry that saw all contributing crucial goals in the title run-in. This championship not only matched Manchester United’s record for most English league titles at 20, but also marked a triumphant response to recent near-misses. On the other hand, Arsenal’s title pursuit added intrigue, coming close to the top all season but eventually falling short once again to finish another season trophyless for the Gunners. The Race for Europe, EPL Survival & Other Surprises Manchester City and Chelsea rounded out the top four, each securing UEFA Champions League qualification for next season, while Newcastle United clinched the fifth Champions League spot, marking a significant achievement for Eddie Howe’s side and signaling a potential shift in the league’s power structure. Meanwhile, the 2024–25 season delivered a host of surprise stories at the top end of the table. Nottingham Forest’s leap to seventh, 29 extra points on last year and more than any club in the division, was a pure feel-good storyline. Nuno Espírito Santo scripted a turnaround worthy of its own mini-series. Aston Villa narrowly missed out on qualifying for the Champions League but secured a place in the Europa League. Bournemouth also punched above their weight, finishing ninth and establishing themselves as a force among the league’s traditional powers. However, all three promoted clubs, Leicester, Ipswich, and Southampton, were relegated again. It’s the financial tightrope the Championship-narrative clubs walk. This so-called “yo-yo” isn’t accidental. It’s engineered by money, and even with parachute payments, the field is tilted in favor of the established sides, which have deeper squads and far greater resources. Amid this backdrop, the 2024–25 campaign delivered a series of unexpected storylines. Everton’s late-season rebound under David Moyes saw the team climb to a comfortable 13th place, well clear of the relegation zone. And Tottenham? A painfully low 17th domestically, but Europa League winners and UCL-bound next year. The juxtaposition of collapse and redemption is emblematic of the league. Manchester United? A 15th-place finish, their lowest points total ever in the Premier League, and a horoscope that reads “crisis. ” West Ham? Turbulence, instability, with glimpses from Jarrod Bowen only. Off the Pitch: The New Content Frontier The biggest story wasn’t on the grass. A new £6. 7 billion domestic deal brought Sky and TNT back as the primary live broadcasters, while Amazon stepped down. The “old guard” is back, but digitally reinvented. International rights also saw a significant uplift, fueled by new deals across Asia and the Middle East, and the league announced plans to launch its own in-house media operation in the 2026-27 season. The 2025 Premier League season marked a shift in how clubs connect with fans and grow revenue. Teams embraced a digital-first approach, leveraging mobile apps, virtual reality, and AI-powered platforms to deliver immersive, personalized experiences. Social media has fully become a central distribution channel, with YouTube, TikTok, Instagram, and X driving engagement, especially among younger, mobile-first audiences who now consume highlights and behind-the-scenes content on the go, rather than through traditional broadcasts. Also off the pitch, commercial revenues soared to record levels. Clubs capitalized on stronger retail sales, expanded sponsorship portfolios, and the growing trend of hosting non-football events at modernized stadiums. Manchester United, for example, unveiled plans for a new £2 billion, 100,000-seat stadium, the largest in the UK, understanding how infrastructure is becoming a key driver of long-term growth and global brand value. As Liverpool lifted the trophy and the curtain fell on the 2024/25 season, the Premier League reaffirmed its place at the forefront of a new era in football, one that is more competitive, connected, and commercially dynamic than ever before. The league’s ability to adapt to the demands of modern fans and a global marketplace has transformed English football into a worldwide phenomenon. This season did not just crown a champion; it set the stage for a future where the boundaries between pitch, screen, and supporter are more blurred and more exciting than ever. > How the Europa League Final turned one game into dozens of stories—boosting reach, revenue, and relevance through real-time, fan-first content strategy. - Published: 2025-06-19 - Modified: 2026-02-04 - URL: https://wsc-sports-dev.ltu.co.il/blog/industry-insights/one-game-dozens-of-stories-how-the-europa-league-final-lit-up-social-media/ - Categories: Industry Insights This year’s UEFA Europa League Final was a masterclass in modern storytelling. If you still think one game equals one recap, you’re leaving reach, relevance, and revenue on the table. Let’s take a look at how the digital teams behind the game turned a single event into dozens of stories—and what that means for content teams trying to win in the attention economy. Key Takeaways: -The Europa League Final generated dozens of unique content moments from the same match, tailored to different platforms, tones, and fan preferences -Rights holders maximized engagement by re-editing, remixing, and repackaging single moments into meme formats, emotional edits, archival tie-ins, and fan-first views -The future of sports storytelling is both real-time and real variation: telling the same moment many ways to meet fans where they are What does it look like to cover a high-profile soccer event on social media in 2025? It looks like highlights and lowlights—packaged differently for different fans, platforms, and moods. It looks like meme formats, raw moments, archival callbacks, and commentary duets—all drawn from the same 90 minutes. One Goal, Different Approaches Same goal, different audiences. One video is emotional, cinematic, and slowed down. The other is shaky, joyful, authentic, and up close and personal. Takeaway: Different edits = different emotions = broader reach. The fan becomes the hero when the edit changes the focus. Repackaging Skills for Platform Flavor It’s not just goals that should get all the attention. Whether it’s Richalison’s gorgeous turn or Mickey van der Ven’s goal-line heroics, these are the key match moments that need to be told and in different ways. Takeaway: Music, captions, aspect ratio—they all reframe the moment. That’s not just repurposing, it’s re-contextualizing. Aura Farming Is Real (And the Kids Know) If you don’t know what “Aura” edits are, then you’re probably at the stage in life when you need to ask your kids. TikTok-native formats like these aren't just trends—they’re vernaculars. Ignore them and you’re speaking the wrong language. Takeaway: Follow the culture. Every moment is memeable if you understand the grammar of the platform. Legacy Layering: The Long Tail of Trophies A smart tactic is to insert this year’s win into a lineage. Spurs may be the main character, but the Europa League made sure to thread that story through a broader legacy, deepening emotional pull, and engagement, while resonating with winners from previous years. Takeaway: One moment = many memories. Tap the archives to trigger nostalgia and expand relevance. Commentary Duets, UGC, and More Adding a reaction layer turns a highlight into a narrative. Letting fans into the feed, even more so. Takeaway: Production value is optional. Context and emotion are not. Sponsored Stories That Don’t Scream “Ad” A clean, compelling recap with a sponsor tucked in. No push. No shout. Just smart packaging. Takeaway: Sponsored content doesn’t need to be loud. It needs to be watchable. The Full Arc: Buildup, Breakdown, and Beyond From the pre-game to the last whistle, and everything in between, the UEL final wasn’t just a match. It was a story arc: tension, climax, release. By showing all sides, content creators captured the drama that keeps fans watching long after the game. Takeaway: If you don’t tell every angle, you’re leaving stories untold—and fans unreached. Bonus: Heung-Min Son, Mum & Dad A magic moment from the Spurs captain as he celebrates with his parents at the Tottenham Hostspur stadium just a few days later. Takeaway: One of the most loveable characters in football + the people who raised this talent = a glory story everyone can get behind. Final Whistle? Not Even Close This was one game—just one. But the way it was covered shows how digital content has evolved and what teams need to keep up. If you're only telling one version of the story, you're missing the point. And you're definitely missing the audience. In 2025, fandom moves fast. Smart storytellers move faster, with tools that help them scale not just volume, but variation. For more inspiration on different angles for sports content, check out our analysis of the 2025 ATP Finals and the 2026 Football College National Championship coverage. > Nike’s fall in football signals a shift: fragmentation is the new foundation. Learn how to build relevance across a distributed sports world. - Published: 2025-06-18 - Modified: 2026-02-04 - URL: https://wsc-sports-dev.ltu.co.il/blog/industry-insights/why-the-decline-of-the-swoosh-in-football-is-great-news-for-you/ - Categories: Industry Insights A new video breaking down Nike's fall in football reveals something bigger than brand strategy—it exposes the fundamental shift in how sports culture gets built and consumed. If you missed the memo on what comes after mass marketing, this is your wake-up call. Key Takeaways: -The old playbook is dead: Nike's decline signals the end of brands that built empires on mass cultural moments and shared experiences -Fragmentation is the new foundation: today's sports audiences exist across infinite platforms and touchpoints—and that's an opportunity, not a crisis -Orchestration beats domination: the competitive advantage now belongs to organizations that can create relevant content at scale across distributed networks, not those trying to recreate singular blockbuster moments Nike just lost the Premier League ball deal. Liverpool—one of their flagship clubs—is jumping ship to Adidas. Portugal ended a 27-year partnership despite Cristiano Ronaldo practically being born in Nike boots. Even Harry Kane defected to Sketchers. Sketchers! For a generation of football fans, this feels like watching Germany lose 1-7 to Brazil. Or Mike Tyson getting dropped by a YouTuber. Or... you get the point. But in the context of this article, Nike's decline—while a story currently being covered by the most prestigious business sections—is about the death of something much bigger than one brand. And if you work in sports media, you live it every day. The Old Marketing Model: Built for Only One Audience Let's go back to 2000 for a second. Nike drops an ad where football legends battle through a sci-fi fortress to steal a ball. Every football fan on the planet watches it. Everyone talks about it. Everyone remembers it. Same screen. Same story. Same collective, "holy shit, that was cool. " Nike built their empire on these shared moments. Ronaldo at the airport. Joga Bonito. Write the Future. Each campaign became the center of the conversation for the entire football world. This was marketing when culture had a center. Wen everyone gathered in the same town hall. Then the Town Hall Burned Down Fast forward to today, and that same cultural moment fractures into a dozen different experiences: -Some fans catch it on TikTok, chopped into 15-second clips -Others see it through creator reaction streams -A few watch it during live Twitter discussions -The analytics crowd breaks it down on YouTube -Gen Z discovers it through a meme three weeks later -Your uncle still thinks it aired on TV (but it didn't! ) The audience that once gathered in one place now exists everywhere and nowhere at once. Read into it what you will, but one thing's for sure: this is the obituary for the old playbook. Why Nike's "Problem" Is Your Opportunity This video by Plaantik, Nike is Struggling with Football. Here's Why, breaks down everything mentioned above beautifully. It's a worthwhile 11-minute watch for anyone interested in the cross-section of sports and brand, business and fan behavior. The main thing the video gets right is how Nike built an empire designed for monoculture. Mass moments. Shared experiences. The assumption that everyone would see the same thing at the same time. But here's what we took from it: that this empire was always going to fall. And its collapse creates the biggest opportunity for anyone who understands how to build in the new world. The truth is, fragmentation is just specificity at scale. In other words, brands should stop treating their scattered audiences across countless platforms as obstacles, and start realizing they are all addresses. And that every single one represents a fan who wants to be spoken to directly, in their language, on their terms. That's why, in such a climate, achieving business-driving domination is no longer a matter of "prominence" but of "orchestration. " The New Game Has New Rules In 2025, the brands and sports organizations that thrive are the ones that moved on from mourning the fall of the town hall and evolved into building infrastructure to show up in every room. They're not asking, "How do we create one massive moment? " They're asking, "How do we create a thousand relevant moments simultaneously? " They're not wondering, "How do we get everyone to see our content? " They're wondering, "How do we make sure the right people see the right version of our content? " In a world where your audience is scattered across countless touchpoints, the competitive advantage turns from "reach" to "relevance. " And relevance doesn't scale through louder megaphones. It scales through smarter infrastructure. What This Actually Looks Like Let's get specific. In the “old days” of 10 years ago, you created one Write the Future ad and blasted it everywhere. In the new world, you create the foundation for a thousand Write the Future micro-moments: -A 60-second hero film for YouTube -Multiple 15-second TikTok versions with trending audio -A Twitter-optimized gif for real-time engagement -A breakdown video for tactic nerds -Behind-the-scenes content for the creator economy -Localized versions for different markets -Player-specific cuts for individual fanbases -Data-driven variants based on viewing behavior Same creative vision. Infinite expressions. Some may label it "fragmentation—and they’d be right. And it’s hard work creating dozens or hundreds of “moments”, but there’s no reason to complain. Today’s technology is designed to orchestrate the distribution of content to the right person, through the right channel, at the right time. The Video You Need to Watch Again, watch the video above that sparked this whole reflection. Give it a moment. But watch it as more than a retrospective of Nike's decline. Read between the lines and you’ll see it's a preview of what's coming for every sports organization that hasn't figured out how to thrive in the age of distributed attention. The Funeral is Actually a Birthday Party Nike's decline symbolizes a transition: The age of cultural monopolies is over. And that's fantastic news for everyone who's been building for what comes next. Because the question isn't whether your audience is fragmented. It is. The question is whether you're built to meet them where they are—not where you wish they were. And if you're not? Well, there's always Sketchers. > Discover how leagues use tech to bridge social and subscription, reclaim fan access, and future-proof content distribution strategies. - Published: 2025-06-17 - Modified: 2026-02-04 - URL: https://wsc-sports-dev.ltu.co.il/blog/industry-insights/from-social-to-subscription-the-tech-driven-future-of-sports-content-distribution/ - Categories: Industry Insights Get the breakdown on how shifting media habits, stalled rights growth, and evolving tech stacks are reshaping the business of sports content distribution. If you’re navigating monetization, fan engagement, or platform strategy, you’ll find actionable insights into where the industry is heading and how to stay ahead. Key Takeaways: -With fewer bidders and stagnating value, European football and other leagues are rethinking distribution—turning to DTC models and digital strategies to regain control and financial stability -Fans struggle to find and pay for content. The key to conversion lies in seamless discovery and access—bridging the gap from social to subscription through better tech -Forward-thinking leagues like the NBA are already using AI to automate personalized content and drive engagement on owned platforms, unlocking new value beyond traditional media deals It's been in the cards for a while, and now it's official: a season into a five-year rights deal worth about €400 million annually, France’s Ligue de Football Professionnel (LFP) and DAZN have agreed to part ways. Now, all eyes are on the LFP's next move, as it tries to provide financial certainty for its clubs. Some industry leaders, though, believe European football as a whole has entered an era where long-term financial certainty will be hard to come by. "These two characteristics are now being questioned. Broadcasting rights are on a downward trend and the transfer market has reached a ceiling,” he added. Growth Interrupted: The End of the Rights Boom While the verdict is still out on the transfer market, domestic broadcasting rights appear to be reaching a plateau. What's been plaguing football's rights market, explained sports media strategist Alessandro Oehy, “is the lack of viable broadcasters that can realistically bid for these rights. With broadcasters consolidating, the competition for these rights packages is less fierce than in the US, subsequently not generating the same upward spiral in value creation. ” With the value of rights packages stagnating, football leagues will have to experiment with alternative distribution models. The LFP, for example, is expected to be the first major European league to go full DTC, as it prepares to launch a direct-to-consumer offering ahead of next season. But even if you don't go it alone, say industry insiders, sports organizations increasingly view DTC platforms as strategic assets. How Fragmented Media is Impacting Fans Dellea is one of the authors of Altman Solon's 2024 Global Sports Survey. Drawing on the insights of 220 senior sports executives and over 3,000 fans across the US, UK, Germany, Saudi Arabia, and China, the report emphasizes the need to remain relevant across all fan segments amid fragmented media habits. Key findings include: -In Europe, only 66% of football fans regularly watch live games -66% of fans struggle to access their favorite sports, and 56% say they would spend more time watching sports if it were available on their main platform -43% of fans say they're unwilling to pay for content at current pricing models Turning these fans into paying customers depends on two things: content discovery and access. While accessibility is simply a matter of offering more flexible pricing options, better discovery is more complex. “Rights owners,” argue the report's authors, “must act urgently by building a balanced path from top-of-the-funnel channels (e. g. , social) to paid subscriptions across all relevant content gatekeepers. ” Engineering the Fan Journey With the Right Tech Finding this path requires, first and foremost, a technology infrastructure. One that can guide fans from channels like social media, search engines, and OTT platforms to O&O channels, where they can be engaged and converted. It should come as no surprise, then, that over 80% of sports executives think O&O channels like league websites, apps, and official fan communities will be increasingly relevant for media rights holders. Some organizations are already successfully employing such technologies. The report highlights the NBA's partnership with WSC Sports, which allows the league to leverage AI for personalized automated content generation and distribution. The results: -Since it was relaunched in September 2022, the NBA app has been downloaded more than six million times in Europe and the Middle East (EME) -In the 2023/4 season, viewership on the NBA app from fans in EME increased by 39% year-over-year -In the UK, viewership of all live and off-court content on the app has increased by 52% in 2024 -UK users spend an average of an hour a week on the platform – an increase of 24% year-over-year The AI Advantage: Bridging Free Content and Paid Subscriptions In an era where traditional media rights are no longer delivering the exponential returns leagues once relied on, the pivot toward direct-to-consumer strategies is essential. But merely launching a DTC platform won’t suffice. Converting casual engagement into committed viewership demands a sophisticated approach that bridges free, discoverable content with premium paid experiences. This is where AI-powered sports content technology becomes the essential connective tissue, enabling personalized content creation, intelligent distribution across multiple entry points, and seamless pathways to conversion. The industry has already taken note: per Altman Solon’s survey, 62% of sports executives see technology solution providers as the most attractive investment opportunity over the next 3-5 years. Actionable Insights: -Start with the fan journey, not the platform. Map how fans discover and consume content, then use that insight to guide where and how you distribute. Social should be a gateway, not a destination -Invest in technology that shortens time-to-value. From content creation to delivery and monetization, speed and automation are the only way to meet rising fan expectations without scaling costs -Treat owned platforms as strategic assets, not just destinations. Every interaction on your app, site, or DTC service is a chance to collect data, drive conversion, and build long-term fan value > Learn how top sports execs are using automation, personalization, and owned platforms to drive fan engagement and content ROI in the digital era. - Published: 2025-06-15 - Modified: 2026-02-04 - URL: https://wsc-sports-dev.ltu.co.il/blog/industry-insights/a-content-odyssey-how-to-build-a-content-engine-that-keep-fans-coming-back/ - Categories: Industry Insights At the WSC Sports Huddle in Athens, many of Europe’s top sports executives spoke about the necessity of creating good content, and laid out a survival strategy for reaching fans who are demanding, distracted by multiple platforms and devices, and always-on. The WSC Sports Huddle is a series of in-person events taking place across Europe. It is the premiere gathering for executives to discuss and learn about the increasingly important role of sports content and how to best deliver it to fans. Key Takeaways -Automate or fade into the feed. The speed of fandom waits for no one. Whether it's Ligue 1’s real-time distribution hub or FIBA 3x3’s global event coverage, automation isn’t just efficient; it’s the only way to deliver timely, platform-native content at scale -Design the journey, not just the reach. What EMSA, Livesport, and others show is that real ROI comes from guiding fans into owned environments where data, loyalty, and monetization take root -Deliver personalization that feels... personal. From country-specific highlights to custom avatars and creator-led content, the leading orgs are scaling identity-driven experiences. WSC’s AI infrastructure is helping rights holders turn fragmented reach into relevant, revenue-driving fan engagement As fans become more elusive, and prone to scrolling on multiple platforms, sports rights holders are being forced to evolve—technically, creatively, and structurally. At the Athens Huddle, WSC Sports brought together leaders from Ligue 1, Livesport, EMSA Media, and FIBA 3x3 to unpack what it takes to thrive in today’s content ecosystem. From creator-led thinking to tech-powered scale, these are the themes that surfaced across the day’s conversations—and what they mean for anyone looking to stay ahead of the content curve. Build for Speed and Scale or Get Left Behind On every panel, the urgency to deliver more content, faster, was clear. Fans expect instant highlights, real-time context, and platform-specific formats—without delay. That kind of output is impossible without automation at the core. Cyprien Castanedo, International Media Project Manager at Ligue 1, spoke about their dynamic content hub that gives easy access to its broadcast partners, enabling both the league and the rest of the ecosystem to deliver highlights and clips to fans faster. Alan Zaruba, Chief Digital Content Officer at Livesport, mentioned the company’s global CMS which helps distribute localized, stat-integrated videos in 30+ languages. Likewise, Esteban Gonzalez, Senior Digital Content Manager for FIBA 3x3, shouted-out WSC Sports for enabling him and his team to cover thousands of events every year thanks to it's automation rules. From Distribution to Destination: Owning the Fan Experience Another major thread across sessions was the shifting mindset from syndication to ownership. Whether you're a broadcaster, league, publisher, team/club, or federation, the goal is no longer just reach, but relationships. That means pulling fans back from social into your own apps, websites, and platforms. These owned environments benefit rights holders, of course, but fans want and love them because they offer them access to exclusive content, personalized alerts, and reward ecosystems that can’t be replicated on social platforms. Eirini Panzari, Chief Operating Officer at EMSA Media, described their strategy as a “digital galaxy”—where each social platform acts as a planet orbiting around a single core: their owned website. It’s a model built to meet fans wherever they are, while still pulling them back into a controlled, data-rich environment. Meanwhile, Záruba shared how his team at Livesport is focused on turning their app into a personalized destination—one that goes far beyond scores to include highlights, stats, and custom content tailored to each fan’s preferences. At the league level, Ligue 1 is taking a similar approach, consolidating video, stats, and fantasy into a unified app experience that’s designed to become a part of fans’ daily routines. And even in the world of FIBA 3x3, where YouTube remains a vital distribution channel, the long-term strategy is clear: guide users into their own ecosystem at play. fiba3x3. com, where registration, loyalty programs, and monetization opportunities await. Relevance Beats Exclusivity in the Battle for Attention At the end of the day, the fans care less about who owns the rights and more about who delivers the moment. That’s why short-form, personalized, and culturally relevant content is getting the most views and engagement. The panelists gave specific examples of how they’ve implemented new technology to deliver content to fans faster. Ligue 1 automates the distribution of highlights to folders organized by nationality; allowing broadcasters to instantly access clips that matter most to their markets. And Livesport is experimenting with avatars and virtual presenters tailored to regions like South America. Lastly, Esteban and his team at FIBA 3x3 are crafting women-specific content, using creator tournaments to reach new markets, and building brand narratives around urban culture—not just live action from the games. Actionable Insights Here are three things you can start doing today to elevate your content strategy: -Automate for volume and velocity. Real-time is the new baseline—speed matters more than polish. -Design for ecosystems, not just channels. Think beyond posts. Build platform-native journeys that reward engagement and build loyalty. -Personalize at every level. From player-specific clips to region-specific edits, fans want content that feels like it was made just for them. Looking Ahead from Athens If Stockholm was about innovation in the Nordics, Athens showed how quickly those strategies are becoming global imperatives. Rights holders everywhere are realizing content is a product rather than just a simple marketing play. From publishers acting like broadcasters to leagues acting like media startups, the lines are blurring—and that’s exactly the point. Because when fans are always-on, scroll-first, and light on loyalty, only those who adapt their strategy, speed, and storytelling will stay in the game. > Learn how to win fans' attention with faster content, smarter personalization, and a multi-platform strategy built for today’s attention economy. - Published: 2025-06-14 - Modified: 2026-02-04 - URL: https://wsc-sports-dev.ltu.co.il/blog/industry-insights/the-war-on-attention-how-sports-brands-can-win-fans-focus/ - Categories: Industry Insights In today’s hyper-connected world, sports fans have a scattered attention span, and they’re constantly flitting between apps, social feeds, and streaming platforms. Let's break down how shifting fan behavior is reshaping content strategy in sports—and why speed, personalization, and platform-specific storytelling are now mission-critical. If you're in sports content, this is a playbook for how to stay relevant and build lasting fan connections. Key Takeaways -Fan attention is fragmented across platforms, and sports brands must adapt with omnichannel, short-form, real-time content strategies to stay relevant. -Speed, scale, and personalization are the new pillars of content success; while automation and AI are essential to meet fan demand and deliver the right content, fast. -Fan loyalty comes from data stored in owned and operated platforms managed by your organization; social media on the other hand is great for reach. With a mind-boggling amount of sports content available across multiple channels, capturing (and keeping) a fan’s focus has become a fierce battleground. Modern fans—especially younger generations—aren’t necessarily watching more sports content; they’re watching it faster, in shorter bursts, and on more platforms. In fact, many young fans now skip full-game broadcasts entirely in favor of bite-sized highlights on mobile. This “war on attention” means sports brands must fight not just against direct competitors, but against every other entertainment option vying for eyeballs from viral TikToks to video games. For leagues, teams, and rightsholders, the implications are huge. Fans today spend much of their time on platforms outside the brand’s control—TikTok, YouTube, Instagram, Twitch—where algorithms, not teams, decide what content surfaces. Fandom is scattered across platforms that teams don’t own, and as a result, fan journeys are increasingly fragmented. Sports organizations that fail to adjust risk losing touch with their audience, as fans get their sports fix from third-party sources. In short, the fight for fan attention is an all-out competition, and traditional tactics are no longer enough to win. The Fragmented Fan Journey and Why It’s a Problem Modern fans follow sports in a fundamentally different way than a decade ago. Social media has taken over as the preferred method for fans to follow sports, with 51% consuming sports content on Facebook, 46% on YouTube, 31% on Instagram, and 25% on Twitter. Every day, sports topics trend on social feeds, and top teams, leagues, and athletes command tens of millions of followers. Crucially, many fans now watch sports content primarily or exclusively on social platforms, bypassing traditional broadcasts. This shift has “made it harder for sports organizations to compete for fan attention”, because the power balance has tilted toward tech platforms. Leagues and teams are finding that young fans’ needs are being met on channels the organizations don’t own or control. The result is a fragmented fan journey. A supporter might catch a game’s highlights on Twitter, follow player reactions on Instagram, watch analysis on YouTube, and discuss it in a Reddit community – all without ever touching the team’s official app or website. Most young fans’ touchpoints with a sport live off-platform. In other words, reach is plentiful, but retention is perilous. As WSC Sports aptly summarized, “fandom risks falling through the cracks” if global expansion (and fan growth in general) isn’t backed by a matching content strategy. When fans bounce between disparate platforms, brands lose the direct relationship, along with valuable data and monetization opportunities that come from owned channels. Attention is a finite resource, and the explosion of digital media means every moment a fan spends on someone else’s platform is a moment they’re not engaging with your brand. If your organization’s strategy is still focused solely on traditional broadcasts or basic social updates, you’re losing ground in the battle for attention. As one industry expert put it, “the new generation of sports marketers know that are key to providing an ‘always on’ experience for fans. ” Brands must now be omnipresent and meet fans wherever they are – with the content they want, in the formats they prefer. Why Sports Brands Must Reinvent Their Content Strategy Standing out in the attention economy requires reinvention. The old model of expecting fans to come to you (by watching full games or visiting your site) is fading. Sports organizations need to fundamentally evolve their content strategy, setup, and toolkits – or risk irrelevance. Consider these realities: -Shorter Attention Spans, Shorter Content: Digital-native fans have little patience for long-form content outside of live games. In fact, across WSC Sports’ 550+ clients, the average length of video highlights has dropped by 24% year-over-year, now just around 1 minute. Even traditionally long-form platforms are adapting – YouTube’s short-form “Shorts” now account for 20% of all videos uploaded to the platform. TikTok, Instagram Reels, and Stories have conditioned fans to expect “fast, punchy, highly engaging content – especially in sports, where every second can feel like a highlight. ” Brands that cling solely to long reels or lengthy recap shows will increasingly lose younger viewers’ interest. -Fans Expect “Always-On” Engagement: Sports fandom doesn’t start at kickoff and end at the final whistle. Today’s fans scroll continuously for content before, during, and after games – and in the off-season. Social media’s 24/7 cycle means fans are hungry for a constant stream of highlights, memes, stats, and stories. If you’re not feeding that appetite, someone else will. As Greenfly notes, teams and leagues that deliver more content across digital channels will be the new winners of media rights and fan loyalty. In this era, real-time is the new baseline for content delivery. -Platform Proliferation & Fan “Flightiness”: With so many platforms, fans have endless choices – and loyalty is fragile. A fan’s attention can shift with a single swipe. “Always-on, scroll-first, and light on loyalty” is how WSC Sports describes the modern fan. To keep them engaged, brands must be agile, creative, and everywhere. Only those who adapt their strategy, speed, and storytelling will stay in the game. -Competition Beyond Sports: Remember, you’re not just competing with other sports for attention – you’re up against every form of entertainment. Younger audiences might spend the evening on Netflix, YouTube, or Fortnite instead of watching a live match. One Deloitte report warns that with the plethora of video games, streaming shows, and user-generated content out there, “it’s easy to worry that sports won’t be able to maintain the same historical level of interest” among youth. Sports must repackage their content in ways that match the on-demand, interactive, community-driven experiences that today’s consumers love. Bottom line: Sports brands need to think (and act) more like modern media companies. That means adopting a fan-centric mindset and the latest content creation techniques to earn attention, not just expect it. The organizations already embracing this – the ones reinventing their approach – are seeing results. Those that don’t risk further losing touch with fans as audience habits continue to leap ahead. Meeting Fans Where They Are: A Multi-Platform Playbook To win the war on attention, “meeting fans where they are” is rule #1. In practice, this means your content must live natively on every platform your fans use, tailored to each channel’s strengths. The days of simply posting the same clip across all channels are over – format and context matter. Here’s how forward-thinking sports brands are doing it: -Social Media & Short-Form – Embrace the power of short-form video on TikTok, Instagram, YouTube Shorts, Facebook, and emerging platforms. Leading organizations are repackaging key moments into snackable clips optimized for feed consumption. Fans crave highlights and quick-hit content on social (one survey found 23% of Gen Z prefer shorter “snippets” of sports action. For example, the NBA produces hundreds of real-time personalized highlight packages per night, delivering them to the NBA app and all its social accounts as games are happening. This ubiquity ensures fans scrolling any platform see fresh content from the NBA, not just from fan pages or third parties. -Live and Real-Time Content – It’s critical to serve fans who are following games in real time on second screens. Nearly one-third of sports fans (and 43% of Gen Z fans! ) use social media while watching live games– sharing reactions, checking stats, or viewing replays. Smart brands have capitalized on this by pushing out instant highlights and updates to social feeds and mobile apps. NASCAR, for instance, now delivers key race highlights to its app timeline feed 80% faster by using automation, so fans can keep up with the action on their phones with almost zero delay. This real-time responsiveness keeps fans glued to official channels instead of straying to unofficial streams or other distractions. -Tailoring Formats to Platforms – One size does not fit all. Content should be adapted in aspect ratio, length, and style for each destination. That means embracing vertical video (9:16) for mobile feeds, square or 4:5 for certain Instagram posts, and horizontal for YouTube or OTT. According to WSC Sports data, 67% of all videos created by their clients were vertical – reflecting the dominance of mobile-first viewing. By crafting platform-specific versions of content (e. g. a 15-second vertical highlight with captions for TikTok, vs. a 60-second recap for YouTube), brands can significantly boost engagement. As one WSC client strategy describes, think of each social platform as “a planet orbiting around a single core” – with the core being your owned platform – and design content appropriate to each orbit. -Consistent Branding Across Channels – While content should be native to each platform, make sure your brand voice and look remain consistent. Use your team’s colors, logos, and ethos so that whether a fan encounters your content on Twitter or TikTok, they know it’s official. The goal: deliver a cohesive, branded experience wherever fans engage. This consistency not only reinforces brand recognition, it builds trust – fans know where the content is coming from and can choose to follow you for more. In summary, go to the fan, don’t expect the fan to come to you. If the hot conversation is on Twitter, be there. If younger fans flock to a new app, experiment on it. This multi-platform approach is how you cover all bases in the attention war. And importantly, it’s not just about posting – it’s about engaging (responding to comments, joining trends, using platform-specific features like polls or AR filters) to become part of the fan’s community on each channel. Speed and Volume: The Need for “Always-On” Content Speed and scale have become the new competitive edge in sports media. In an era of diminishing attention spans, whoever delivers the highlight or story first often “wins” the moment. Fans expect the biggest plays and breaking news immediately – if not from you, then from someone else. Thus, a cornerstone of any attention-winning strategy is to build an “always-on” content engine that can pump out high-quality content continuously, at high speed. Why Speed Matters: The sooner you get content out, the more engagement you capture. Think of how fans behave during live events: the instant a spectacular goal or play happens, thousands of them hop on social media to find a clip or meme of it. If your team or league can serve that clip within seconds, you not only satisfy your fans’ hunger, you also claim the narrative (fans share your post, not a random pirate clip). As WSC Sports notes, “real-time is the new baseline – speed matters more than polish” in today’s content landscape. A slightly raw clip posted 30 seconds after the buzzer beats a perfectly edited video posted 30 minutes later. The Ligue 1 football league understood this; they built a dynamic content hub that lets them instantly distribute highlights to broadcast partners and digital channels, ensuring pivotal moments hit fans’ feeds without delay. Why Volume Matters: It’s not just one clip – it’s hundreds. The sheer volume of content expected by fans has skyrocketed. They don’t want just a single highlight after a game; they want top plays, player reactions, behind-the-scenes glimpses, and more, across all their favorite platforms. One industry survey found companies are producing 3–10 times more content than the year prior to keep up with demand. In sports, this is amplified by the fact that every game can yield dozens of highlight-worthy moments (a big game might have “one game, one hundred clips, and a dozen platforms” to manage). Trying to fulfill this manually is a losing battle. As the WSC Sports team bluntly states, “manual workflows can’t scale” to meet the modern content quota. If you rely on editors cutting video by hand or social managers posting one item at a time, you’ll fall behind and burn out quickly. The “Always-On” Content Engine: Winning organizations are restructuring their content operations to be continuous and automated. This involves a few best practices: -Embrace Automation and AI: Advanced content automation is no longer a luxury; it’s essential to survive. Automation tools can instantly generate highlights, clips, and personalized videos from live streams by following preset rules and AI (e. g. detecting when a big play happens and clipping it in seconds). This is how the NBA or NASCAR can publish clips within moments, and how emerging sports like FIBA 3×3 can cover thousands of games a year with a small team. As one sports executive put it, “the speed of fandom waits for no one... automation isn’t just efficient; it’s the only way to deliver timely, platform-native content at scale. ” By leveraging AI-driven platforms (such as WSC Sports’ system used by 550+ rightsholders), content teams can produce 2X or more content than a few years ago – meeting fan demand without increasing headcount proportionally. -Operate 24/7 (Global and Off-Season Content): Fans don’t go dormant in the off-season or when the team is traveling abroad. Smart brands keep the content flowing year-round: classic highlights, player profiles, esports competitions, draft coverage, you name it. Global leagues like the NFL and NBA have learned that to grow international fandom, you must fill the time zone gaps with localized content. If you’re focused only on “in-season” or local-time content, you’re leaving engagement on the table. Plan for an around-the-clock calendar, tapping into different fan segments (e. g. late-night posts for international audiences) and repurposing archival footage into fresh nostalgic or “history” pieces to keep fans interested during downtime. -Don’t Sacrifice Quality for Quantity: While speed is king, it’s not speed at any cost. The goal is “fast and good enough”. Use templates, graphics packages, and automation to ensure that even rapid-fire content has a baseline of quality and brand consistency (e. g. proper logos, readable captions). Fans will forgive a quick highlight that doesn’t have fancy editing, but they still expect HD resolution and clear audio. Aim for a level of polish that maintains professionalism while still being lightning quick. This is achievable with modern tools that automatically format videos for each platform and can even add basic effects or overlays on the fly. In the attention war, the fast will eat the slow. By building an always-on content engine fueled by automation and smart workflows, you position your brand to capture every possible moment of engagement. A good question to ask is: if a huge moment happened at any hour,... > Learn how AI is powering the shift to DTC, helping rights holders scale content and create personalized fan experiences that drive revenue. - Published: 2025-06-12 - Modified: 2026-02-04 - URL: https://wsc-sports-dev.ltu.co.il/blog/industry-insights/disrupted-play-the-business-reboot-of-sports-content-pt-3/ - Categories: Industry Insights The AI-Powered Fan Journey: Content Technology's Critical Role in Sports' DTC Transformation As more teams, leagues, and networks go DTC, the ability to attract, convert, and retain fans across platforms is becoming a game of speed, personalization, and precision. This article explores how AI-powered content technology is enabling sports rights holders to not only scale up content creation, but also deliver smarter, data-driven fan journeys that drive revenue, fight churn, and build long-term loyalty. Key Takeaways: -The DTC model is surging, with nearly every major U. S. sports team now offering direct streaming access and fans eagerly cutting ties with cable -Churn is the biggest DTC challenge, as monthly cancellations soar and younger fans increasingly favor short-form content over full-game broadcasts. -AI-powered tech for content creation is critical, enabling sports organizations to create, personalize, and distribute content at scale—turning fragmented fan journeys into sustained engagement Nothing shows the shift away from pay-TV and toward the direct-to-consumer (DTC) model quite like fan reactions. “I’m gonna do this and cancel (cable)! ” rejoiced one Baltimore Orioles fan in late April, after the Mid-Atlantic Sports Network (MASN) launched a DTC streaming option for Orioles and Washington Nationals games. “The only reason I still have it is because (otherwise) I couldn’t get Orioles games, and if I can’t get Orioles games what’s the point of having a television in my house? ” With the launch of the new streaming option for Orioles and Nationals games, 29 of 30 MLB clubs can be watched on a direct-to-consumer service, separate from any cable or streaming bundle. Teams from other North American leagues have followed suit; 28 out of 30 NBA teams and 25 of 32 NHL franchises currently offer fans direct access to games through their own platforms or via RSNs. Market Momentum: The Growing Consumer Appetite for DTC The demand for DTC streaming is certainly there. In the US, for example, there were 105. 3 million digital sports viewers in 2024, compared to linear TV’s 85. 7 million, and 49% of NBA and NFL fans are likely to subscribe to a new streaming service to watch games that are no longer available on traditional TV. In the UK, 72% of consumers are increasingly comfortable streaming live sports, with over a third using three or more apps to watch games. Given the demand and the decline of the traditional pay-TV model, it's not surprising to see sports networks joining the DTC trend. This fall, ESPN will launch a new streaming service that includes everything the network offers, both live and on demand. Fox, which has largely stayed out of the streaming scene, will also introduce a DTC product that will draw on its sports assets later this year. And it's not just national sports networks. Main Street Sports Group's 16 RSNs, under the FanDuel Sports Network umbrella, are now available as an add-on subscription through Prime Video. New York-based RSNs MSG Networks and the YES Network, for their part, launched the Gotham Sports app—a DTC streaming service that offers live games of seven MLB, NBA, and NHL teams in these networks' coverage territories. Data, Personalization, and Revenue: The Business Case for DTC In the short term, at least from a financial perspective, streaming services will not be able to compete with the pay-TV model. But the long-term direction is clear: transitioning from B2B (selling to content aggregators) to DTC (selling content directly to consumers). This transition has implications. “The DTC model changes the P&L model,” said Alessandro Tucci, CEO of mo2media, an advisory firm for media and sport businesses. “It brings together the revenues and costs (marketing, etc. ) and places more responsibility on the media platform to do it all. So, more risk, but big opportunities too. ” These opportunities include: 1. Creating a personalized fan experience that offers users more ways to engage with their preferred content 2. First-party user data, enabling advertisers to target specific demographics, interests, and behaviors with much greater precision than traditional TV. 3. Additional revenue streams such as built-in e-commerce offerings, enhanced sponsorships, and sports betting The Hidden Obstacles of the DTC Model The risks of going the DTC route, though, are considerable. “First, DTC companies face significant and rising customer acquisition costs (CAC),” said David Rogers, who teaches digital business strategy at Columbia Business School. “Second, once they acquire customers, companies face the challenge of retention: holding on to them every month as new competitors enter, customer wallets get pinched, and unsubscribing is just a few clicks away. ” Then there's the problem of churn. According to data from Antenna, a subscription research firm, churn risk is significantly higher in DTC streaming services than in traditional pay-TV models: In the US, most streamers are losing 6-9% of their customers every month Between 2022 and 2024, more than 29 million streaming subscribers in the US canceled three or more services. A third of these consumers resubscribed to a canceled service within six months, earning the name “serial churners. ” In 2023, serial churners accounted for roughly 40% of all new subscriptions and cancellations. And finally, changes in consumer viewing habits—especially among younger generations—pose a substantial challenge for sports organizations venturing into the DTC market. A recent report by research firm YouGov, based on a survey of over 19,000 sports fans in 18 markets worldwide, reveals that the way young fans consume sports is changing dramatically: 25% of engaged sports fans would rather watch short-form sports content than full live games. Only 22% of 18-24-year-olds watch live sports content on video streaming services. The preferred formats of sports content among 18-24-year-olds are clips or highlights of games. Using AI to Win the Fragmented Fan Journey Most young consumers turn to social media to get their short-form sports fix, making the fan journey increasingly fragmented. In this environment, sports rights holders can no longer rely on full-game broadcasts alone to attract fans. Winning the war for attention in this fragmented, platform-driven era means meeting fans where they are—with the content they want, in the formats they prefer. Doing this requires sports organizations to scale content creation far beyond what was once expected: not just game recaps, but multiple types of creative content for each moment worth sharing, optimized for every relevant platform. The sheer volume and complexity of operation make AI-powered sports content technology not just advantageous but essential for survival in the modern media landscape. But the value of sports content technology doesn’t stop at scale: it extends to strategy. With intelligent automation, sports entities can optimize distribution in real-time (which reduces CAC) and leverage short-form content to guide fans to their DTC offerings, where they can engage fans more deeply. Once there, fans should find the same type of dynamic, personalized content they love on social – only now inside a branded, monetizable experience. This not only helps convert casual viewers into loyal subscribers, but also enables rights holders to capture rich first-party data, fight churn, and deliver targeted offers that enhance LTV. In doing so, they aren’t just adapting to the future of fan behavior – they’re laying the foundation for a more direct, data-rich, and ultimately sustainable business model for sports content. - Published: 2025-06-11 - Modified: 2026-02-04 - URL: https://wsc-sports-dev.ltu.co.il/blog/industry-insights/more-than-a-game-11-times-may-2025-proved-sports-rule-culture/ - Categories: Industry Insights May 2025 reminded us that iconic sports moments aren’t just watched—they’re lived, shared, debated, and made into memes. From record-breaking debuts to viral fan moments, this roundup captures the sports stories that defined the month. More than highlights, it’s a look at how speed, personalization, and smart distribution turn fleeting plays into lasting fandom. Key Takeaways -Speed drove scale: These moments exploded not just because they were historic, but because they were captured and shared instantly, creating viral velocity across platforms -Fanbases are fluid: Die-hards, casuals, Gen Z meme-makers, and global superfans all engaged—proving leagues need tailored content strategies to reach every kind of fan -From reach to relationship: The true winners weren’t just the teams that scored, but the rights holders who used these viral hits to deepen direct fan connections through apps, social, and owned platforms From a €220 million soccer showdown, to a historic rise in the interest of women’s sports, May did not disappoint in providing many memorable moments. But how do you measure the true reach of sports today? Is it the number of viewers tuning in on TV? The fans packing stadiums? Or the billions of dollars flowing through broadcast deals? The answer is: all of the above. And in May 2025, when many leagues reach the playoffs and finals of their respective sports, we saw records shattered across every metric. That surge is largely driven by the stories that teams craft-up online around their players and games. Here are the standout moments that got fans watching, clicking, and sharing throughout the month. And as always, many of these highlights were brought to life with WSC Sports’ AI-powered content automation. 1. WNBA Tip-Off Sets Record Numbers The WNBA's season opener set record numbers: the opening matchup between the Indiana Fever and Chicago Sky—featuring stars Caitlin Clark and Angel Reese—averaged 2. 7 million viewers, making it the most-watched WNBA regular-season game in 25 years. Meanwhile, the debut of the Golden State Valkyries drew over 18,000 fans to a sold-out Chase Center, setting a record for the highest attendance at a team’s inaugural game. Growing excitement around the league can largely be credited to emerging stars like Caitlin Clark, Angel Reese, and Paige Bueckers—combined with the WNBA’s proactive efforts to showcase them prominently across its social channels and O&O app. 2. Pacers Pull Off Wildest Comeback of the NBA Playoffs In game one of the Eastern Conference Finals the Pacers completed the impossible. Down 14 points with under three minutes to play—a situation in which teams were previously 0–994 in playoff history—Indiana miraculously rallied back and sent the game to overtime with an absurd three from Tyrese Haliburton. The Pacers won the game in OT, leaving the Madison Square Garden crowd in stunned silence. And social feeds going berserk. 3. Vegas Wins with a Buzzer-Beater Goal One of the rarest moments in sports is the NHL buzzer-beater. With 0. 4 seconds left, the Golden Knight’s Reilly Smith netted a goal to beat the Oilers in game three of the Western Conference second round. It was the third-latest game-winning goal in regulation in NHL playoff history—and quick live-to-social reaction times maximized engagement potential. 4. Video of Pope at 2005 World Series Resurfaces After a heated online debate over whether Pope Leo XIV—who is from Chicago—is a White Sox or a Cubs fan, internet sleuths uncovered a video of the papal leader at the 2005 White Sox World Series. The internet never forgets. 5. Virat Kohli Retires from Test Cricket One of cricket’s biggest icons, Virat Kohli, officially announced his retirement from Test cricket—the longest format of the game. The Indian legend ends his red-ball career with 8,848 runs, 29 centuries, and a legacy as one of the greatest modern cricketers. His departure marks the end of an era. 6. Josh Hart Orders Uber Eats... Mid-Press Conference New York Knicks guard Josh Hart became the most relatable player in the league after ordering Uber Eats—on camera—during a post-game press conference. The clip instantly went viral, because nothing says “NBA grind” like craving wings before answering media questions. “Around the Game” coverage never felt more... raw... 7. The Richest Game in Soccer In what’s called the “richest game in soccer,” Sunderland secured promotion to the Premier League after Tom Watson’s late strike against Sheffield United in the Championship Playoff Final. The goal is expected to be worth £220 million to the club from broadcast rights and other Premier League income streams (And a high-profile new season of Sunderland 'Til I Die perhaps? ). 8. Catch of the year candidate Blue Jays centerfielder Daulton Varsho fell into a somersault before reaching for a behind-the-back nab in a catch that could be this MLB season’s best. More than 400K “likes” would agree. 9. Champions League Final In the UEFA Champions League Final, PSG thrashed Inter Milan 5–0 to claim their first-ever European crown, with 19-year-old Désiré Doué starring with two goals and an assist in a dominant display. And get our take on how the UEFA Champions League is evolving on and off the field. 10. Micky van de Ven Saves Spurs in UEL Final In a Europa League Final showdown between Tottenham and Manchester United, Spurs defender Micky van de Ven pulled off a stunning goal line clearance to preserve a narrow 2–1 lead and secure Tottenham’s first European title in over 50 years. The number of shares and viral edits this move received was so large, it may have surpassed the number of years since Tottenham last won anything. 11. Dallas Wins NBA Draft Lottery After the shocking departure of Luka Dončić, the Mavericks' future looks bright again after winning the draft lottery despite sub-2% odds, effectively securing phenom Cooper Flagg with the first pick. An unlikely result that spawned countless conspiracy-theory videos on the NBA creator-sphere. You can also learn how the NBA is using GenAI to reach more fans than ever before. These moments defined May, proving that sports today aren’t just games—they’re global events, cultural flashpoints, and viral sensations all at once. If you enjoyed these moments, be sure to check out April’s best sports highlights. - Published: 2025-06-11 - Modified: 2026-02-04 - URL: https://wsc-sports-dev.ltu.co.il/blog/industry-insights/how-around-the-horn-built-the-blueprint-for-sports-medias-short-form-revolution/ - Categories: Industry Insights With its gamified format, Around the Horn (ATH) showed producers how to thrive in a fractured, platform-driven landscape where every segment can trend and every on-air personality is a brand in the making. After a decades-long run as one of the most popular sports news shows in the US, let’s look back at how ATH laid the groundwork for today’s short-form content strategy. For anyone working in sports content, it’s a case study in building modular, moment-driven programming that thrives across every platform. Key Takeaways: -Long before the days of social media, ATH pioneered a format designed to create bite-sized, shareable moments, and hot takes -By prioritizing big personalities, ATH helped turn debate into made for TV theater, and elevated traditional journalists into digital-era talent -By turning debate into entertainment, ATH redefined how fans engage with opinion; making analysis as watchable as the highlights For 23 years, ESPN’s Around the Horn rewrote the rules of the sports debate show format. Fast-paced, competitive, and ahead of its time, it brought a digital-first energy to cable long before the social era took hold. Between buzzers, point tallies, and quick-hit takes, the show was engineered for short-form, modular storytelling—a foreshadowing of what the future would demand. “Even back then, we knew the real power of a format was how portable it could be across platforms and moments,” Gavant added, reminiscing on over three decades working behind the camera, including for ATH, and other iconic sports shows produced by NBC Sports, the NBA, MLB, and Monumental Sports and Entertainment. https://twitter. com/AroundtheHorn/status/1897414534895472875 The Shows That Paved the Way The roots of ATH’s format can be traced to earlier shows that dabbled in debate, personality, and structure, but none pulled it all together quite as well. -The Sports Reporters (1988–2017): This Sunday morning roundtable introduced the idea that print journalists could be compelling on TV. But it lacked structure or visual engagement -Pardon the Interruption (2001–present): ATH’s older sibling, also created by Erik Rydholm, introduced timers, rundown graphics, and a playful tension between co-hosts -Crossfire (CNN): Although it was a news program, its oppositional format influenced how debate could be turned into theater -Rome is Burning, and Howard Cosell’s Speaking of Sports segments brought opinion, bravado, and individual voice to the forefront ATH combined influences from all these shows, but took a leap forward in format and design Clip-First, Before It Was Cool The genius of Around the Horn lies in its modularity. Each segment was concise, tightly structured, and visually engaging. From buzzers to muting panelists, every beat felt purposeful and engaging. That modularity was what made it perfect for social distribution. In today’s sports media, content needs to move fast, from studio to phone screen in minutes. AI-assisted clipping, automated captioning, and cloud editing pipelines have made it possible. But ATH was built for this moment long before the technology existed. “You could feel how the show lent itself to sharing, even if at the time that meant water cooler talk instead of trending clips,” Gavant noted. “Now, with AI tools doing real-time clipping and distribution, you’re seeing those moments, some of which might’ve died on the cutting room floor, find audiences on every platform. ” https://twitter. com/AroundtheHorn/status/1925303336385093970 Gamified Journalism and Talking Heads 2. 0 One of ATH’s most underrated moves was turning journalists into contestants that injected edge, spontaneity, and character back into the debate format that had grown stale. The scoring system didn’t just determine who won the show. It shaped viewer engagement. Getting muted became a meme-worthy moment. A spicy take or witty jab could be the day’s most clipped reaction. This gamification brought a new flavor to “talking heads. ” Before ATH, the term was almost derogatory, flat, static, and repetitive. Now it’s a format: dynamic, meme-able, shareable. Shows like NBA Desktop, Overtime’s snackable recaps, and entire YouTube ecosystems of sports commentary can trace their DNA back to the personality-first, reaction-driven model that ATH helped establish. The results? Clip-ready moments, off-mic jabs, and surprise panelist reactions that explode across feeds and memes. Platform-Native Thinking: Before Platforms Existed The ATH production team understood early on that content didn’t need to be linear. A single 30-second volley could be more impactful than an entire episode. This mindset now shapes how content teams approach TikToks, Reels, and YouTube Shorts, prioritizing sharp writing, quick payoffs, and visuals that grab attention even without sound. Segments are built for vertical screens, designed to hook viewers fast and keep them watching. ATH led this change. It didn’t follow it. AI and the Next Evolution of Studio Shows Today, AI-powered clipping, tagging, and captioning have made real-time distribution possible, accelerating ATH’s original vision. The show taught producers how to create content that works everywhere, and that approach is now being realized at speed and scale. AI tools allow every piece of studio content to live beyond its original broadcast. Soundbites that once disappeared after airing are now clipped, tagged, and distributed instantly from the control room to the phone screen. A Legacy of Innovation When Around the Horn signed off earlier this year, it left more than a wave of nostalgia. It left a blueprint. The show reshaped how producers think about modularity, distribution, and on-air talent. It trained a generation to script for moments, to build content that moves, and to treat every segment, soundbite, and talking head as something built to last. Talent learned to play the pause, land the punchline, and work with the graphic scroll. And the industry walked away with a lasting lesson: content should not just air. It should live on. > Need to manage hundreds of clips across a dozen platforms? This article explores how AI unlocks speed and scale in sports content distribution. - Published: 2025-06-07 - Modified: 2026-02-04 - URL: https://wsc-sports-dev.ltu.co.il/blog/industry-insights/how-to-keep-up-when-theres-one-game-one-hundred-clips-and-a-dozen-platforms/ - Categories: Industry Insights With so much being said about AI and automation, we break down the differences and explain how these new technologies are being used in the sports industry. For teams, leagues, and broadcasters the cost of live rights continues to climb. That puts pressure on content teams to maximize every moment from every game. In this article, we explore practical use cases and offer key insights to help you scale your content strategy. Key Takeaways -Content demand is skyrocketing and fans expect it faster than ever. Sports organizations are under pressure to deliver more highlights, across more platforms, in less time. -Manual workflows can’t scale. The volume of games, angles, and channels makes traditional content creation unsustainable. Automation is now essential. -Speed and scale are the new competitive edge. From real-time delivery to global coverage, automation empowers rights holders to meet fan expectations without compromise. This story is not just a sports story. It’s a story about content—and no matter what your business is, there’s a high chance that this affects you. In a recent survey from B2B agency 10Fold, nearly every respondent reported producing 3–10X more content than the year prior (across all industries). What’s more, in the sports industry, platforms like TikTok started positioning themselves as a new “home for fandom,” urging sports organizations to feed the algorithm with moment after moment. It’s not that fans are watching ‘more’; they’re watching faster. And they’re doing it on more platforms, in more formats, and on different devices. To keep up with the demand, creativity alone won’t cut it. Today’s sports organizations need more than just ideas. They need automation. What We Really Mean by “Automation” As the buzzword of the day, there’s a lot of confusion between AI and automation, but they’re not the same. The key difference: automation follows rules, while AI has the ability to learn and adapt. In sports, that distinction matters and a combination of the two can pack a serious punch for your content plan. From back-end workflows to front-end experiences for fans, AI and automation are quietly powering a new era of content creation. One that’s always on, and giving fans unprecedented access to their favorite leagues, teams, and players. Case in point—automated rules set up by rights holders that allow them to automatically capture key moments and plays from any competition. Or perhaps most common, AI-powered line judges that can rule when a ball is out of bounds or off-sides. For this conversation though, let’s zoom in on technology applied to content creation, because as we’ve seen firsthand, more than 550 of the top sports rights holders in the world are producing twice the amount of content they created compared to four years ago. And the truth is that there’s no way to meet the rising demand without automation. Download the full report: Speed and Scale are the Game Now The expectation from fans is that the biggest plays will be available online within seconds of them unfolding in real-life. The challenge for rights holders is how to deliver that experience to multiple platforms—each with their own set of unique technical requirements for videos. If you’re relying on manual clipping, odds are you’re falling behind. Luckily there are tools that can tailor those videos in a click, while simultaneously delivering them to TikTok, Instagram, YouTube, OTT service, app, or any other O&O platform. Automation is the catalyst that fuels your content team to compete, and publish instant, personalized content to a global audience. Who’s Doing it Best? Speed:NASCAR made the decision to bring more real-time content to its fans, they turned to automation. Now, key highlights hit the feed in the NASCAR app 80% faster so fans can stay updated on races no matter where they are. Scale:FIBA 3x3 is a new sport with a budding global audience. Their challenge: sheer volume. By introducing a combo of AI and automation, the league can capture every tournament, and every team, across multiple divisions—no matter which time zone they’re in. How to Modernize Your Content Strategy Fan expectations are only getting higher—which means your turnaround is tighter. At WSC Sports, we’re empowering rights holders with AI and automated rules on our platform used by over 550 of the world’s leading sports rights holders. Curious to learn how to deliver the maximum amount of moments from one clip? We’re helping teams, leagues, and broadcasters build content strategies designed to serve today’s fans through the power of AI-driven automation. > Reclaim the fragmented fan journey with personalized, cross-platform sports content powered by WSC Sports' automated video solutions. - Published: 2025-06-06 - Modified: 2026-02-04 - URL: https://wsc-sports-dev.ltu.co.il/blog/industry-insights/de-fragment-your-fan-journey-why-content-without-cohesion-doesnt-convert/ - Categories: Industry Insights Whether you're running a social team, managing a content pipeline, or building-out your own platform, this article will help you identify where your strategy might be falling short, and what to do about it. Learn how to spot the gaps in your current content strategy, and why even high-performing posts can still lead to dead ends if the fan journey isn’t connected. Whether you're focused on engagement, retention, or driving traffic to owned platforms, this piece offers a framework to turn fragmented touchpoints into a cohesive, conversion-ready experience. Key Takeaways -Sports fans engage across 3 to 5 platforms regularly, but most organizations fail to connect the dots—leaving engagement shallow and disconnected from conversion paths -A cohesive strategy across platforms boosts retention, improves storytelling consistency, and enables better content personalization and monetization -With the right tools, sports brands can unify their fan touchpoints, turning short-form discovery into long-term fandom across owned and operated channels The modern fan experience is fast, fragmented, and constantly changing. Platforms once void of sports content like Instagram and TikTok, have now become ‘new homes’ for fandom. YouTube has made itself the go-to destination for both long, and short-form game/match replays. Live games? They’re also becoming more available on streaming apps in addition to traditional, linear broadcasts. This multi-platform behavior is now the norm. A 2023 Deloitte report found that 60% of Gen Z sports fans follow teams or athletes across at least three digital platforms. But while engagement is booming, cohesion is not. Every platform is typically treated as a silo, disconnected from the broader journey. For rights-holders like leagues, teams, and broadcasters, this poses a clear challenge: fragmented fandom means missed opportunities. Because the more disjointed the journey, the harder it becomes to foster loyalty, guide deeper engagement, or turn fans into subscribers, shoppers, or evangelists. With that said, reclaiming the fan journey is a strategic imperative. The Challenge: An Elusive Audience Today’s fans aren’t loyal to a single platform, and the unrelenting battle for consumers’ attention is leading to high-levels of distractibility. Yet most sports organizations still treat each platform as a standalone output, failing to connect the dots between discovery, engagement, and conversion. Consider this stat: only 17% of fans follow a team’s official app or owned channel, while more than 80% engage via social or third-party platforms (source: PwC Sports Survey 2023). That’s a massive gap—and a massive missed opportunity if the journey stops while swiping. Without a unifying layer, brands are left with scattered strategies, and no pathway to bring fans from a TikTok clip to a deeper, personalized experience. No storytelling continuity between platforms. And no way to truly own the relationship or get access to the valuable data comes from fans being active on owned and operated platforms. Why It Matters Bringing cohesion to the fan journey unlocks real value: -Retention and loyalty: Unified experiences increase the chance that casual fans return, engage more often, and grow into superfans -Monetization: A joined-up journey helps convert attention into action—subscriptions, merch sales, event attendance -Better storytelling: Consistent themes and messaging across platforms elevate the narrative -Smarter insights: Connected touchpoints fuel better data, which in turn sharpens content personalization and performance And there's urgency. According to Capgemini, fans are 2. 4x more likely to buy from sports brands that offer consistent cross-channel experiences. The organizations that master the journey will be the ones who win long-term loyalty—and revenue. Our Approach At WSC Sports, we believe in meeting fans wherever they are—but then, importantly; also leading them to your owned and operated platforms like mobile apps or OTT services. Our platform automates the creation and delivery of personalized highlights and video content across every channel, ensuring consistency in message, tone, and timing. But more importantly, we enable rights-holders to: -Tie each touchpoint together, making the fan journey intentional, not accidental -Drive discovery to destination, turning social reach into owned audience relationships -Use content as connective tissue, building fandom that’s sticky, not fleeting Through smart automation, data enrichment, and seamless distribution, we help partners take back control of the journey—from TikTok to OTT, from scroll to stream. Conclusion Fandom doesn’t follow a linear path. But that doesn’t mean it has to be a mess. By connecting the dots between every platform, every moment, and every fan, sports organizations can transform fragmentation into a cohesive flow, and reach into real relationships. Curious to learn how we’re helping over 550 of the world’s leading sports organizations take control of their fan journeys, and create lasting relationships? Get in touch with us. > Learn how AI is powering the shift to DTC in sports, helping rights holders scale content, cut churn, and create personalized fan experiences. - Published: 2025-06-05 - Modified: 2026-02-04 - URL: https://wsc-sports-dev.ltu.co.il/blog/industry-insights/the-business-reboot-of-sports-content-pt-2/ - Categories: Industry Insights Local Rights, Global Challenges: How RSNs' Struggles Are Reshaping Team Economics Key Takeaways -RSNs are collapsing due to cord-cutting, pushing teams to launch their own streaming platforms -Local media revenue uncertainty is disrupting team economics, especially in MLB and NBA, and may delay league expansion -Teams and leagues are shifting to direct-to-consumer models, where tech-driven, seamless fan experiences are key to success Last summer, the NHL’s Dallas Stars made a groundbreaking decision. Starting in the 2024-25 season, the Stars announced, all the team's games will be streamed for free on VICTORY+, a new ad-supported platform designed by A Parent Media Co. (APMC), a technology and media company from Calgary. The move came just days after the Stars ended their agreement with Bally Sports, the regional sports network (RSN) which previously held the rights to their games. “This is a monumental change to a business (model) that we’ve all been used to for the last two to three decades,” said Stars President and CEO, Brad Alberts. And unfortunately for RSNs, this change is emblematic of the challenges most of them have been facing in the past few years. A Fractured Foundation: Teams' Reliance on Local TV Deals The RSN model originated in the late 1960s, when an earlier version of MSG Networks started broadcasting Knicks and New York Rangers games in partnership with Manhattan Cable Television. As cable adoption grew, more RSNs appeared around the U. S. In the 1990s, they became a staple on cable TV and, just as important, a vital revenue stream for the NBA, NHL, and MLB. Unlike the NFL, whose games are broadcast exclusively on national networks or subscription video on demand (SVOD) services, the NBA, NHL, and MLB—with their high volume of games – rely on RSNs to air most of the regular season. For a long time, it was a win-win situation. RSNs paid teams handsomely for their TV rights, because they knew pay-TV providers would pay a generous carriage fee to include their channels in the cable bundle. Cord-cutting changed that equation. Since the 2010s, pay-TV providers have been bleeding customers: in 2012, 103. 3 million U. S. consumers subscribed to the cable bundle; in the fourth quarter of 2024, that number fell to 46. 9 million. And RSNs, who earn more money per subscriber than most channels in the cable bundle, are disproportionately affected. Diamond Sports Group (DSG), formerly the Fox Sports RSNs, was the most affected by cord-cutting. DSG was launched in 2019 after its parent company, Sinclair Broadcast Group, acquired 21 RSNs with TV rights for 42 teams across the MLB, NHL, and NBA in a $9. 6 billion deal with Disney. The reduction in the valuation of these RSNs over the last years tells the whole story: -2018 (Disney purchase from Fox): $20 billion -2019 (Sinclair purchase): $10 billion -2020: $5 billion -2024: $600 million In 2023, DSG filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection. After nearly two years, it officially exited bankruptcy with a new name: Main Street Sports Group. The rebranded company will continue to operate 16 RSNs (under the FanDuel Sports Network banner) with local rights to 29 teams. All in all, Main Street Sports Group parted ways with six MLB clubs, four NHL franchises, and three NBA teams during its time in bankruptcy protection. The Financial Consequences of RSNs' Decline The changes in the RSN sector significantly impact teams' bottom lines. A typical NBA team, for example, brings in about $30 to $40 million in annual revenue from its regional broadcast partner. While the league’s new national TV rights deal and revenue-sharing system provide a strong safety net for teams that parted ways with their RSNs, the uncertainty of local TV deals still hovers over franchises and the NBA as a whole. According to Commissioner Adam Silver, this uncertainty could affect the league’s expansion plans. “Virtually two-thirds of our teams are now dealing with RSNs that recently experienced bankruptcies or have shut down,” said Silver recently. “To the extent we’re looking at expansion domestically, I think we’d really like to understand what that opportunity for local media is, because it’s a pretty critical component of our teams’ economics. ” It's even more critical for baseball's economics. MLB local media deals account for 23% of total revenue— compared to 13% in the NBA and 12% in the NHL. That's not surprising, considering MLB clubs play almost twice as many games (162) as NBA and NHL teams (82) in the regular season. The question is, how sustainable is it given the decline of RSNs? “The business model is not entirely in sync with the direction consumption is moving,” said Chris Bevilacqua, senior media advisor at financial advisory group Rothschild & Co. “But MLB has a great product and premium tonnage with six months of the calendar and 2,430 games. I do think they’ll figure it out, but it will take a few years to pull this together. ” Direct-to-Consumer Pivot: A Tech-Driven Transformation Figuring it out, industry leaders agree, requires a shift towards a direct-to-consumer (DTC) model. This is where teams', leagues', and sports networks' interests converge, as entities from all three sectors are investing in DTC offerings. And while there are various services they can potentially offer (subscription-based, ad-based, hybrid solutions), there's a consensus about the importance of sports content technology in the process. “Sports companies need trusted technology to deliver quality experiences,” wrote Brian Rifkin, Co-Founder & SVP of Strategic Partnerships at Sports Video Group (SVG). “The key to winning the hearts and streaming minutes of loyal sports fans is to take a customer-first approach, prioritizing a seamless experience wherever they want to consume their favorite sports content. ” The next and final article in this series will cover the transition from a B2B model (selling to content aggregators) to DTC (selling content directly to consumers), the opportunities and challenges it presents, and the role of sports content technologies in the changing media business. - Published: 2025-06-04 - Modified: 2026-02-04 - URL: https://wsc-sports-dev.ltu.co.il/blog/industry-insights/the-business-reboot-of-sports-content-pt-1/ - Categories: Industry Insights Cutting the Cord and Raising the Stakes: Sports Networks Are at a Crossroads in the Streaming Era With the collapse of the traditional cable bundle and the rise of streaming-first sports consumption; networks, teams, and leagues are facing existential questions about how to reach fans—and how to monetize them. This article breaks down the economic forces behind cord-cutting, the power shift toward streaming platforms, and the high-stakes consequences for sports media. Key Takeaways: -Cord-cutting has critically undermined the pay-TV model, with U. S. cable subscriptions plummeting from 100. 5 million in 2014 to 69. 8 million in 2024 -Fans are leaving pay-TV not just because it’s expensive, but because sports content is more accessible than ever on streaming platforms—both subscription-based (SVOD) and free ad-supported (FAST). -Sports networks are caught in a financial bind: they rely heavily on carriage fees from cable, but rising sports rights costs and shrinking TV audiences are pushing them toward streaming. To stay relevant, they must embrace new technologies and distribution models that meet fans on their terms. In late January, Congressman Pat Ryan, who represents New York's 18th District, and Connecticut Senator Chris Murphy introduced a bill that every sports fan in the U. S. would get behind. Under the proposed legislation, dubbed the “Stop Sports Blackouts Act,” cable and satellite companies would be required to refund subscribers for blackouts that occur due to carriage disputes. To underscore the importance of the bill, the two congressmen pointed out that between 2010 and 2014, New York consumers experienced 100 television blackouts, resulting in 3,350 days of disrupted viewing. The proliferation of carriage disputes is not accidental. According to Chris Winfrey, CEO of Charter Communications, one of the largest cable operators in the U. S. via its brand name Spectrum, these disputes are a result of a fundamental shift in the economics of television that has rendered the pay-TV business model “broken. ” The shift in the economics of the industry has been fueled by cord-cutting—a growing movement of consumers opting to cancel their pay TV subscriptions in favor of streaming services. The evolution of cord-cutting is well documented. Here are some numbers from the U. S. : -In 2014, 100. 5 million U. S. homes paid for a cable bundle; in 2024, that number shrank to 69. 8 million -Between 2020 and 2024, 35% of subscribers to a legacy cable, satellite, or telco-TV package have cut the cord -Annual subscriber losses for traditional Pay TV are expected to worsen, with optimistic forecasts suggesting there will be 29. 4 million subscribers in the U. S. in 2030 Cord-cutting, needless to say, is not just an American phenomenon. New data from Digital TV Research, which covers global media developments, reveals that the number of pay-TV subscribers in Western Europe is projected to fall by 8% between 2023 and 2029. Per the report, Germany will lose 2. 7 million subs during this period, with the UK (2 million lost subs), Italy (1. 5 million), and France (1. 1 million) completing the top 4 losers. Sports Without the Bundle: Why Fans Are Abandoning Pay-TV The main reason for cord-cutting, regardless of geography, is that pay-TV has become too expensive for many consumer; particularly compared to cheaper subscription video on demand (SVOD) services. In the U. S. , for instance, nearly one in five cable subscribers report paying over $200 per month for their service. As of early 2025, the average cost of cable TV was $147, of $10 to $20 monthly from most major providers in 2024. The second factor in the exodus of pay-TV consumers is that they no longer need cable to watch what they're interested in. That's especially true when it comes to sports. According to a recent report, Nielsen’s content data business unit, the industry’s leading SVOD services—Amazon Prime Video, Apple TV+, Disney+, Netflix, and Paramount+—have collectively increased sports programming by more than 72% in the last quarter of 2024. Free ad-supported streaming TV (FAST) platforms—like Pluto TV, Roku Channel, and Tubi—have also joined the fray, increasing their live sports hours by 65% in 2024. Tubi TV even aired Super Bowl LIX. “The fact that the Super Bowl was live on Tubi and generated 13 million viewers,” said Cathy Rasenberger, co-founder of media consulting firm Rasenberger Media, “indicates there is a large audience who want to get sports content on free streaming platforms. " Sr. Sports Media Writer for The Athletic, Andrew Marchand in conversation with ESPN Chairman, Jimmy Pitaro, at WSC Sports’ NYC office. The Carriage Fee Conundrum: Sports Networks Caught in a Pricing Paradox This poses a challenge for sports networks, which are highly dependent on carriage fees. In 2023, for example, six sports-affiliated networks in the U. S. made more than $1 billion in carriage fees. To make matters more complicated, sports rights are only getting more expensive, as new bidders—led by SVOD services like Amazon, Apple, and Netflix—drive up the prices of live events. “Streaming is absolutely critical as a complement to distribution on broadcast and cable,” said Lee Berke, a broadcast industry analyst and consultant. “From a team standpoint or a league standpoint, if you’re going to get younger demos, your next generation of fans, you’ve got to be able to reach them on streaming. ” As sports networks try to navigate the changing landscape, one thing is clear: adjusting to it entails the use of new technologies. “While the cord-cutting movement has led to significant growing pains,” writes Ryan Cassella, a managing producer for WWE and an adjunct professor at Fairfield University, “media makers can utilize evolving technology for the content flexibility the modern viewer craves—and capture new audiences. ” The next article in this series will detail the challenges of regional sports networks (RSNs) in the streaming era, their impact on sports teams in the U. S. , and how the new media environment is shaping the business models of all these players. > Sports leaders met at the Athens Huddle to explore how automation, content, and owned platforms are reshaping fan engagement across Europe. - Published: 2025-06-03 - Modified: 2026-02-04 - URL: https://wsc-sports-dev.ltu.co.il/blog/industry-insights/top-teams-leagues-broadcasters-and-publishers-huddle-up-in-athens/ - Categories: Industry Insights WSC Sports hosted the Athens Huddle, a high-energy, day-long gathering of sports media leaders from across Europe, where the industry’s brightest minds came together to decode the Herculean challenge of engaging today’s always-on fan. The Athens Huddle brought together broadcasters, leagues, federations, and digital publishers for a candid look at how sports rights holders are adapting to meet the demands of modern fans. For anyone responsible for digital strategy, content distribution, or rights monetization, this event offered real-world examples of how to scale operations, innovate with automation, and deliver content that fans want—instantly and everywhere. Key Takeaways -Publishers and sports organizations of all kinds are evolving into full-scale content engines—leaning on automation to meet fan expectations for speed, personalization, and cross-platform delivery -Owning your ecosystem is mission-critical. Whether you’re a global league or a local publisher, the winning play is to bring fans back to your owned environment for deeper engagement and monetization -Short-form, digital-first content isn’t just a trend and must be prioritized to reinforce brand reach and relevance. From FIBA 3x3 to Ligue 1, sports organizations are unlocking their brands by prioritizing storytelling that fits modern formats and fan behaviors At the iconic Olympic Museum, the WSC Sports Athens Huddle featured speaking panels, one-on-one interviews, case studies, and countless side conversations. From media brands evolving into content powerhouses to new leagues pioneering digital-first storytelling, the day’s sessions showcased how the lines between rights holders, platforms, and creators are increasingly overlapping—and why that’s good news for fans. A View Inside the Huddle: The Highlights The day started with WSC Sports, VP of Revenue, Shaka Arnon who laid out the company’s vision in the months and years ahead. Everything from proven solutions like In-App Stories, designed to turn rights holders’ mobile apps into rich content hubs filled with tappable stories and reels, to the latest breakthroughs in gen-AI technology, Arnon set the table for later discussions by showcasing the fragmented journey of today’s sports fans, and how AI technologies are poised to deliver new, entertaining experiences that also create value for rights holders. A New Arena for Sports Media: The first panel of the day featured two voices from Europe’s publishing and digital scene, including Alan Záruba of Livesport and Eirini Panzari of EMSA Media. The conversation examined how today’s publishers are moving beyond traditional editorial to become real-time content engines—using automation and smart workflows to personalize, scale, and monetize their output across platforms. Ligue 1: A New Era of Content Production: Attendees got a behind-the-scenes look at how LFP’s International Media Project Manager, Cyprien Castanedo, and his team are reshaping Ligue 1’s brand identity and distribution strategy. With new tools, a fresh visual identity, and automation in place powered by WSC Sports, Ligue 1 is evolving from a broadcast product into a globally distributed media brand. Redefining Sports for Modern Fans: As a new sport, how do you build a loyal, young digital fanbase from the ground up? FIBA 3x3’s Senior Manager of Digital Content, Esteban Gonzalez, spoke about the league’s story, starting with its “from the streets to the Olympics” narrative, and how 3x3 has leaned fully into digital-first production, social storytelling, and creator collabs. Actionable Insights Here are three things you can start doing today to up your content strategy: -Build for speed, not perfection. Automate wherever possible so you can meet fans in the moment, not hours later -Think beyond game time. Warmups, interviews, behind-the-scenes, fan moments—these are the clips that travel, connect, and build your brand. It’s all part of the narrative -Localize with intent. Serve broadcasters, fans, and partners with customized content—by language, by player, and by region—to increase relevance and reach, and empower the entire ecosystem Looking Ahead at the Region Whether you’re operating in Greece, France, or anywhere in between, the expectations of fans are converging and so are the tools to serve them. Rights holders are increasingly being defined by how fast and creatively they can bring what fans want to life. Thanks to everyone who joined us in Athens. We’ll see you at the next Huddle! And if you’d like to hear more about what was discussed—or explore how to upgrade your own content workflows—don’t hesitate to reach out. - Published: 2025-06-02 - Modified: 2026-02-04 - URL: https://wsc-sports-dev.ltu.co.il/blog/customer-spotlight/when-socials-arent-enough-byus-blueprint-for-direct-fan-engagement/ - Categories: Customer Spotlight - Tags: byu, wmt Relying on social media to reach fans is a bit of a gamble. That’s why Brigham Young University built their own app—and it’s paying off. KEY TAKEAWAYS -College sports apps are evolving into year-round fan hubs—blending schedules, content, and community into a single owned experience -Automated, personalized video inside the app helps BYU bypass social algorithms and deliver real-time highlights straight to fans -BYU’s mobile-first strategy shows how fan data can power smarter content, better sponsorships, and stronger fan relationships In college athletics, tradition runs deep. But even legacy programs know that to win the next generation of fans, the game plan has to evolve. Today’s fans expect personalized content, real-time updates, and seamless digital experiences in the palm of their hand. Waiting around to catch highlights on TV, or digging through clunky websites for gameday info simply isn’t in their character—that’s why BYU decided to build their own app. To break down how they did it, WSC Sports joined forces with WMT Digital and BYU for a webinar focused on the power of mobile app strategy in college sports. The conversation revealed how a strategic, mobile-first approach—fueled by automation, personalization, and smart partnerships—is transforming how athletic departments connect with their fans. Here are four winning strategies from the conversation. Redefining the App as a Year-Round Engagement Hub At BYU, the marketing team behind Cougar athletics made a decision to create a mobile app that would become the crown jewel of Cougar fandom. The BYUCougars app is the go-to location for traditional information like schedules and scores, but also boasts social-style content feeds, and news articles wrapped in a design young fans know and love from social media, complete with tappable ‘stories’ and swipeable ‘reels’. “We wanted it to feel familiar, something fans would naturally want to open, use, and engage with—like they do with their favorite social platforms. ” The results speak volumes: -37% growth in users -35% increase in engagement -41% growth in time spent in-app It’s a reminder that fans will show up digitally—if you give them a reason to. Watch the full webinar: Using Automation to Scale Personalized Video Content Social media is noisy. Algorithms shift daily. And fans miss out on content, even when they want to see it. That’s why BYU turned to WSC Sports to integrate AI-powered video highlights directly into their app. Fans now get personalized highlight reels, player moments, and game recaps—all in real time, and all within BYU’s own ecosystem. No scroll required. No social gatekeepers. Just content that matters, delivered fast and friction-free. It’s a solution that scales—allowing BYU’s content team to create more, publish faster, and focus on what really moves the needle. Turning Fan Data into Actionable Strategy Behind every tap, scroll, and view in the BYU app is a story—and the team is listening. By tracking how fans engage across web, app, and email, BYU and WMT Digital are uncovering patterns in behavior, preferences, and content consumption. That insight fuels everything from editorial planning to sponsorship strategy. Knowing your fans isn’t just about sending them the right content—it’s about building a digital profile that can power tailored offers, brand partnerships, and more meaningful moments. As Hutchins put it, “We’re not just collecting data. We’re using it to create better experiences. ” Why BYU Built Its Own Channel—and Why You Should Too When it comes to communicating with fans, relying on social media alone is a gamble. BYU’s approach? Build something you own—and control. The app has become a direct-to-fan channel, where updates reach the audience instantly and reliably. Whether it’s a push notification on game day or a video drop hours after the final whistle, BYU doesn’t need to fight the algorithm. More control means more consistency. And that consistency builds trust, loyalty, and long-term digital engagement. A Blueprint for the Future of College Sports BYU’s success isn’t just about one app. It’s about a shift in mindset—from treating mobile as a utility to using it as a strategic lever for growth. With WMT’s infrastructure and WSC Sports’ automation, BYU created a system that’s scalable, sustainable, and fan-first. For athletic departments still figuring out their digital strategy, the takeaway is simple: don’t wait. The opportunity is there—if you’re ready to reimagine the role your app can play. > Get top insights from the premiere event, where leaders in the Nordic region spoke about automation, personalization, and player-driven storytelling. - Published: 2025-05-29 - Modified: 2026-02-04 - URL: https://wsc-sports-dev.ltu.co.il/blog/industry-insights/strategizing-in-stockholm-rethinking-sports-content-with-leaders-from-the-nordics/ - Categories: Industry Insights At Hotel Haymarket in the heart of Stockholm, leaders from some of the biggest names in sports got together to talk fandom strategies and how to meet fans’ growing demand for content. For anyone working on the business side of sports; especially in the Nordic region, the Stockholm Huddle is the premiere gathering where sports executives discuss digital innovation, media strategy, and how to best serve their fans. Key Takeaways -Personalization is top priority as rights holders are investing in tools and tech to deliver the right content to the right fan at the right time. -Short-form content isn’t a trend but rather part of the larger broadcast. TikTok, mobile clips, and vertical video now define relevance. -Clubs and athletes are key partners (and so are publishers) in supporting leagues by helping to fuel creativity across the ecosystem through their own channels. Earlier this month, leaders representing some of the biggest organizations in the Nordics region were in the room, including from national leagues like SHL and Liiga, to leading broadcasters, and tech giant TikTok. The goal: to learn how sports rights holders are adapting to keep pace with the expectations of today’s fans. Over four high-energy sessions the message from both the stage and room rang clear: fans now expect faster, smarter, and more personal experiences. To stay competitive, content strategy has to deliver on all three. Automation, Personalization & the Content Loop The typical fan journey is starting to look more like a loop—a continuous cycle of engagement driven by data, content, and personalized delivery. Whether it’s using AI to power predictive ticketing in Finland, automated clip distribution in the Czech Republic, or personalized League Pass feeds for NBA fans across Europe, more organizations are adopting technology that enables them to serve fans smarter, faster, and more meaningfully. These investments are helping organizations deliver personalized experiences more consistently, and at scale without adding complexity to the production process. The leagues that commit to building smart infrastructure today are setting the stage for more agile and responsive engagement in the future. Extending the Game: Telling Your Story Whether the Game’s On or Off From TikTok to Viaplay, every panel emphasized that the game itself is only one part of the content lifecycle. Audiences want more: behind-the-scenes access, personality-driven clips, and mobile-ready storytelling that meets them in the moments they scroll. That’s the “what. ” Question is, “how? ” Well, it’s technology that enables it. But by itself, is not enough. Broadcasters like Viaplay are learning to balance long-form, premium content with real-time highlight delivery across social platforms and owned apps. Meanwhile, the NBA is scaling its localization efforts, delivering player-specific highlights by market and activating influencers to reach beyond its core channels. The goal of all rights holders should be to build fandom beyond the final score while nurturing their own audiences. Teams, Clubs, and Athletes Are the New Creators Leagues are starting to build collaborative content ecosystems with the partners closest to them—empowering clubs, players, and even superfans (some of whom often have followings larger than the leagues themselves) to create, share, and monetize the story around their particular sport. From content days to athlete-led channels and influencer partnerships, creativity is expanding beyond league offices. And while not every post needs to meet TV production standards, authenticity and consistency matter. Some of the most impactful moments are captured on smartphones, voiced in a local dialect, and distributed by the people fans trust most—their favorite players, influencers, or even fellow supporters. It means going beyond mere “influencers,” and stepping into the renewed age of gatekeepers, the kind that is also experts in their field. Actionable Insights -Empower your ecosystem by giving clubs and athletes plug-and-play access to highlights, templates, and creative tools to maximize content distribution -Build momentum beyond the match by including warmups, interviews, reactions, and replays in your content repertoire. -Commit to daily, mobile-native, short-form content. Not everything has to be a major campaign—just show-up consistently Looking Ahead at the Future of Content in the Nordic Region The themes that emerged from the Stockholm Huddle mirror the shift in the larger industry. Fans are changing. Content formats are diversifying. Infrastructure is being rebuilt around flexibility, automation, and personalization. With those changes come new opportunities: to reach more fans, serve them more directly, and build relationships (some call it “fanships”) that last beyond the season. For anyone interested in hearing more about the conversations that took place, feel free to reach out—whether you’d like a recording, a follow-up, or just want to chat about your current content strategy and are curious about how to make it all happen. > Inside the Stockholm Huddle, learn how Nordic sports leaders are shaping the future of fan engagement, short-form video, and digital content. - Published: 2025-05-27 - Modified: 2026-02-04 - URL: https://wsc-sports-dev.ltu.co.il/blog/industry-insights/top-nordic-teams-leagues-and-broadcasters-gather-for-stockholm-huddle/ - Categories: Industry Insights WSC Sports hosted the Stockholm Huddle, an exclusive gathering of top sports media executives from across the Nordic region, to explore what’s next in sports media rights and technology. Stockholm was the latest destination in a series of successful Huddle events that have taken place throughout Europe over the past two years. It’s the single, largest gathering of the biggest names in sports where business leaders get together to discuss one of the industry’s most elusive topics—how to create content that’s tailored to meet the demands of today’s fans. Key Takeaways: -Nordic leagues and broadcasters are doubling down on short-form video, automation, and real-time storytelling to meet fans’ expectations across platforms -Success in short-form content is defined by optimizing your voice, volume, and timeliness. Relevance beats exclusivity in the battle for fan attention; especially on TikTok -From Viaplay to the NBA, digital leaders are prioritizing mobile-first, multi-format content ecosystems, making fan acquisition and monetization the new metrics of success Connecting Content and Community Held at Hotel Haymarket in the heart of the city, the Huddle featured panel discussions and speaking sessions that offered a glimpse into the future of sports media through the lenses of digital engagement, storytelling, and technology. The event kicked off with opening remarks from Aviv Arnon, Co-founder and CBDO of WSC Sports, who outlined the company’s vision. He highlighted the increasing importance of automation, short-form video, and personalization in sports content, alongside new innovations that enable rights holders to craft dynamic, gen AI-powered stories that go beyond the game—meeting fans where they are and fostering deeper connections through mobile, social, and in-app experiences. The Future of Sports Content, Center-Stage Hockey Fan Engagement: Leaders from HockeyAllsvenskan, Liiga, and BPA Sport Marketing shared how their leagues are embracing digital tools, automation, and club collaboration to deepen fan engagement—on and off the ice. In their words: “We entered a new content universe. Automation helped us scale, but it also pushed us to get more creative, hire new people, and think bigger about how we support clubs and connect with fans. ” The Key to TikTok: In a dynamic session, leaders from TikTok shared that success on the platform comes down to volume, voice, and authenticity. They emphasized that even without rights, brands can drive impact through consistent, timely storytelling that goes beyond just the match. In their words: “You don’t need rights to be relevant. Just be consistent, creative, and part of the conversation. That’s how you win on TikTok. ”Broadcasting at Scale: Executives from Viaplay Group and Commercial Sports Media discussed the evolving role of broadcasters, emphasizing mobile-first content, social strategy, and the need for scalable infrastructure—while also highlighting how traditional and digital platforms can coexist, and the critical role digital plays in reaching and engaging new audiences. In their words: “We used to keep everything behind a paywall . Now we’re figuring out how to meet fans where they are, on their terms, without losing the value of what we create. ”The NBA Experience: In the closing session the executives from the NBA shared how the league continues to lead in global fan engagement through digital innovation and localized content. In their words: “We don’t just export basketball, we tailor it. Every country gets its hero, its highlights, its language. That’s how you turn fans into followers, and followers into fanatics. ” From Panels to Puck Drop: Sweden vs. Latvia To cap off the day, attendees were treated to the International Ice Hockey World Championship game between Sweden and Latvia, continuing the conversation in the stands and celebrating the sport that brings so many of us together. The game itself featured a resounding win by the hometown Swedish team, but was wildly entertaining as the “three crowns” scored six goals on their way to a 6-0 victory. Actionable Insights Here are three things you can start doing today, to up your content strategy: -Don’t worry about creating the perfect post. Prioritize consistency and volume over polish to stay relevant in real time and feed the algorithm -Localize like you mean it. Create market-specific content like player-focused clips, native-language posts, local cultural cues. The more personal it is, the more powerful -Make every moment count, not just the games. Use entrances, warmups, celebrations, bloopers, and banter to tell the whole story of your organization Looking Ahead at the Nordic Region The Stockholm Huddle proved the power of regional collaboration in driving global impact. With shared challenges and bold ideas on the table, it’s clear the Nordic sports media community is ready to lead the next wave of fan engagement. Thank you to all who joined us—we’ll see you at the next Huddle! And for anyone who wants to hear about the conversations that took place, feel free to reach out to us with questions, for a recording, or just to chat about your current content strategy. - Published: 2025-05-22 - Modified: 2026-02-04 - URL: https://wsc-sports-dev.ltu.co.il/blog/industry-insights/uefa-champions-league-2024-25-how-this-season-changed-everything/ - Categories: Industry Insights From shocking upsets to a reimagined format and record-breaking engagement, the 2024-25 Champions League didn’t just entertain, it evolved. And it comes down to one last showdown between Paris Saint-Germain vs. Inter Milan in Munich on Saturday, May 31st. Introduction: A Season of Transformation The UEFA Champions League 2024–25 season will go down in history not just for what happened on the field, but for how it changed football's future off it. From thrilling upsets to a new format and record-setting global audiences, this Champions League season shifted the landscape in three major ways: Shocking surprises and trendsSignificant business and commercial changesDigital transformation in fan engagement Here’s your complete breakdown of why Champions League 2024–25 is the season that changed everything. Why This Season Changed Everything Over the years, the UEFA Champions League has delivered countless memorable seasons. But the 2024–25 campaign felt different. It was a season that not only delivered drama on the pitch but also marked a major shift in how the competition is experienced globally. It wasn’t just the football (though that was fantastic). It was the way the game evolved across every layer: the surprises on the field, the changes in how clubs make money, and the completely new ways fans are watching and connecting. This season wasn’t just another chapter in Champions League history. It was a full rewrite. 1. Let’s Talk Surprises — and They Came Fast When the season kicked off, few would’ve predicted Atalanta, Aston Villa, or Stade Brestois (better known as Brest) penciled in as breakout contenders. But here we are. Atalanta stayed true to their style: compact, creative, and hard to break. Villa pulled off one of the biggest early shocks with a matchday two win over Bayern Munich (who would eventually be eliminated by Inter Milan). And Brest delivered a 4-0 win on the road at Salzburg. One of those matches where you just sit back and go, wait, what? Meanwhile, some of the sport’s giants didn’t look so invincible. Manchester City, for all their dominance in recent years, got walloped 4-1 by Sporting CP. PSG’s Champions League run was a rollercoaster of emotion. They came back from two goals down to shock Man City 4–2, but also slipped up in games they really should’ve won. And all of it happened in their first season without Kylian Mbappé, who left for Real Madrid only for Madrid to crash out in the quarter-finals themselves. And this is where the new format comes in. What the Swiss Format Did to the Competition UEFA rolled out a Swiss-style league format this season, and whether you’re a purist or a modernist, it’s had an impact. Each of the 36 clubs played eight different teams (not the usual three in a group), with no second chances in the Europa League. It meant more variety, more chaos, and a lot more tactical adaptation. We saw: Liverpool looking rock-solid, finishing at the top. Manchester City slipping all the way down to 22nd. Real Madrid, which has built a legacy on Champions League dominance, only managed to secure an 11th-place finish and fell to a lowly 18th place at one point. This format is built for drama, and it delivered. Every week felt like a knockout round. Standout Players Who Lit Up the Season A few players really stamped their names into this year’s storyline: Serhou Guirassy from Borussia Dortmund scored 13 goals, the most by an African player in a single UCL season. Arsenal’s Ethan Nwaneri and Myles Lewis-Skelly, still just teenagers, made headlines for their fearless performances, and who can forget those Declan Rice free-kicks? Inter's long-time servant, Lautaro Martinez has had an inspired season, often single handedly being the difference maker in games, spearheading the Milan-based club to the final. Raphinha capped off a fine domestic season with Barcelona with flashes of brilliance in the UCL, scoring 12 goals and seven assists. It felt like the Champions League was introducing us to a new generation of stars in real time. 2. Behind the Scenes: Revenue, Rights, and a New Business Playbook Let’s pull back the curtain for a second because a lot changed off the pitch, too. UEFA shifted the revenue model this season. Instead of favoring clubs with long legacies and trophy cabinets, more of the prize money is now based on actual performance: 65% of the central pool is merit-based (up from 55%). Every team got €18. 62 million just for showing up. And if you ran the table? You could take home over $89 million in bonuses. There’s a message here: win now, get paid now. On top of that, UEFA handed commercial rights over to Relevant Sports, which brought a more American-style approach to sponsorships. Deals moved quicker, brands like Puma and New Balance joined the party, and even smaller clubs started landing serious front-of-shirt deals. It’s a shift in how this tournament thinks, and we’ll feel it for years to come. Broadcasting Is Now a Global, On-Demand Experience For game coverage, we’ve never seen distribution like this. In the U. S. , every match is on Paramount+, with CBS Sports airing select ones. That’s part of a $1. 5B deal through 2030. In the UK, Amazon Prime Video takes the best Tuesday matchups, while TNT Sports carries the rest. The BBC now even airs weekly highlights. Germany splits games between DAZN, Amazon, and ZDF, which still bring the final to free TV. Spain’s RTVE holds air rights to the final through 2027. And in India, where growth is booming, Sony Sports and SonyLIV stream nearly everything UEFA offers. The result? The Champions League is available everywhere. Legally, digitally, and instantly. 3. What Fans Want Now: Fast, Personalized, & Always On This part is fascinating because how fans watch the game today has completely changed. Today’s fan is mobile-first, digital-native, and interaction-driven. UEFA knows it, and so do the clubs. They’ve loaded their apps with live stats, fantasy integrations, real-time polls, and personalized content feeds tailored to individual interests. Whether you're following your favorite player, tracking team analytics, or engaging with match-specific content, it’s all just a tap away. Then there's short-form video, still the crown jewel of engagement. TikTok, YouTube Shorts, and Instagram Reels are where today’s highlights live. A goal can be automatically clipped, captioned, and watched millions of times before the post-match interviews even begin. UEFA has leaned into this shift by partnering with creators, giving them behind-the-scenes access and rapid publishing rights to get fan-first content online within minutes. But long-form isn’t dead, it’s just been reinvented. YouTube watch-alongs, Twitch tactical streams, and Discord communities have transformed matches into interactive social experiences. Fans are no longer watching alone. They’re joining global conversations in real time. UEFA is even experimenting with alternate commentary tracks featuring influencers, comedians, or tacticians to cater to different viewing preferences. Some of the most significant innovations have come in personalization. Fans can now build their own highlight packages, selecting specific players, moments, or even camera angles. These custom edits are stitched together instantly, offering an experience for Champions League content that’s fast, frictionless, and built for mobile. The regionalization of content is also paying dividends. UEFA now delivers tailored feeds with local-language commentary, culturally relevant memes, and influencer-led storytelling across Latin America, India, Southeast Asia, and the Middle East. This isn’t just distribution, it’s audience building at scale. Meanwhile, messaging platforms like WhatsApp, Telegram, and Snapchat have become second screens for millions. UEFA and its partner clubs are pushing exclusive matchday drops, such as lineups, emoji recaps, and tunnel footage, directly into group chats, allowing viral content to spread through private networks that amplify engagement organically. Even the live experience is now digitized. QR codes at fan zones and public screenings link directly to AR activations, interactive trivia, or instant replays. UEFA is blending physical presence with digital immersion. And let’s not forget UEFA’s Match Day Social Media Channel. A real-time, pitch-side content feed optimized for speed and shareability. Think of it like the Champions League’s version of RedZone. Snappy, vertical video built for Gen Z, with everything from bench reactions to goals and celebrations delivered seconds after they happen. The numbers reflect this shift: Live audiences are up 46% Total match viewership has jumped 72%, and that’s just by midseason Ultimately, the 2025 Champions League isn’t just about elite clubs and big moments. It’s about how fans everywhere are experiencing it. What used to be a 90-minute broadcast is now a global, multi-platform conversation. And every swipe, stream, or share is part of the game. This has become a whole new way to be a fan. One that’s faster, more personal, and more connected than ever. The Big Picture: Why This Season Mattered So why does all this matter? Because this year’s Champions League reminded us that football isn’t just evolving, it’s accelerating. The sport’s most elite competition became: More competitiveMore financially accessibleMore globally availableMore engaging for the next generation of fans For clubs, that means bigger opportunities and bigger risks. For broadcasters and brands, it’s a goldmine of engagement. For fans? It’s never been easier — or more fun — to stay connected. Final Thoughts As we gear up for the Champions League Final in Munich on May 31 between Paris Saint-Germain and Inter Milan, we’re not just crowning a champion. We’re closing the first chapter of a new Champions League era. An era in which global accessibility, digital-first fandom, and competitive unpredictability defined the path to Europe’s biggest stage. If you work in sports content, media, marketing, tech, or just love the game, this season is worth studying. Because we just watched the future play out in real time. - Published: 2025-05-20 - Modified: 2026-02-04 - URL: https://wsc-sports-dev.ltu.co.il/blog/industry-insights/5-ways-clubs-can-drive-fan-engagement-during-the-off-season/ - Categories: Industry Insights Creating content during the regular season when games are coming thick and fast presents digital teams at sports clubs with an abundance of opportunities. But what about in the off-season? How can clubs extend storytelling beyond the boundaries of the season? Gone are the days when a few match highlights and post-game interviews could satiate the hunger of modern fans. Regardless of the sport, cultivating a truly passionate fanbase requires clubs to venture beyond the confines of the pitch, embracing a year-round content strategy that creates compelling narratives tailored to supporters' evolving preferences. Below are five content strategies you can implement to help you connect with your fans and keep up engagement and excitement levels even during the off-season: 1. Past, Present, & Future Fandom Clubs’ video archives are a treasure trove of stories just waiting to be told. By unearthing memorable matches, legendary players, and significant achievements, clubs can showcase these moments to younger audiences while evoking nostalgia among long-time supporters. “Our new fans need to understand the history of the club... archives play a big part,” said Pierre-Olivier Bouche, director of media, programming and operations at Tottenham Hotspur. “You’re trying to tell a story building on what’s happening now, but sometimes also from archives and it’s true that how you access the archive is complicated, but with a solution like WSC Sports, this has become simpler and simpler. ” To engage Gen Z and younger fans, clubs should repurpose classic content that’s likely only ever been available in a traditional 16:9 horizontal ratio, and make it available in the ratio younger audiences prefer, 9:16. This vertical video helps to serve younger fans content on the platforms they use the most: Instagram, TikTok, and YouTube Shorts. By prioritizing these bite-sized, shareable formats, clubs can effectively connect with the next generation of supporters and ensure long-term growth. 2. Player POV Fans always want to hear from the players, and they’re particularly keen to learn how a player felt about a match or a particular moment. What was their reaction to going a goal down? What were they thinking when the referee pulled out a red card? What did the coach say to the team at half-time? With the action on hold until the new season, you can use this opportunity to repurpose your content from the previous campaign using your players to provide interesting insights for the fans. Let them pick and share their favorite individual moments and those as a team. Have them create their own highlight compilations, adding their own commentary from the perspective of someone who experienced it all first-hand. Capture their unique personalities and reactions to funny moments and have them share stories from behind the scenes—the more friendly banter between teammates, the better! 3. Promote Your International Talent The off-season typically coincides with international tournaments such as Euro 24, Copa América, and the Paris Olympics, providing clubs with opportunities to create content tailored to these key events. Modern squads are typically full of international talent. If one of your stars has been called up to represent the national team then celebrate that achievement with highlights showcasing their best moments from the season. Have a top player that didn’t make the cut? Create a video that shows the rest of the country what they’re missing out on. Did one of your players have a standout performance, or pull off a great bit of skill? Then create a compilation that shows the times they’ve done that wearing your club’s colors. Keep the story going with more and more great content. 4. Getting the Fans Involved Use your content inventory to turn passive viewers into engaged users. Add polls, quizzes and to your content to turn a regular match highlight into an interactive experience. Creating this type of content for your owned and operated channels gives clubs the ability to collect valuable first-party data. This data helps clubs better understand their users and identify different fan groups, from the casual fans to the die-hards. Clubs can learn which content types these fans typically like to watch, and who the user’s favorite players are in order to better serve them more of the content they like to see in the future, as well as tailored marketing experiences and offers and deals on merchandise and tickets. FC Bayern Munich Basketball use WSC Sports to better connect with their fans through AI-powered context experiences. Find out how here. 5. Away from the pitch The off-season is a time when rumors are rife. It’s almost impossible for fans around the world not to get caught up in all the transfer speculation. Who might leave their club, and who is tipped to join? Will they lose their biggest star? Are they linked to the next big thing? Clubs need to pounce on creating content to match this level of fan excitement. It’s also a time when interviews and press conferences are in abundance, whether it be the coach’s comments ahead of the new season, your new arrival’s first words wearing your club’s colors and the first time they meet their new teammates, or all the build-up and reaction to preseason friendlies at home and abroad. To take advantage of the multitude of conversations occurring during the off-season, you need to ensure you can identify all the interesting exchanges, from the coach’s funny comments to the captain’s inspirational leadership, and have them readily available for your fans in all formats and on all platforms. Looking to the future, one thing remains certain: clubs connect with fans through content. The clubs that will thrive are those that recognize the power of nuanced storytelling and embrace the right technologies to craft compelling, year-round narratives that keep fans engaged. Nobody knows your fans better than you, so make sure you are creating the right content experiences for them. You’ll need the right tools and solutions in place to easily create content at speed and scale and repurpose it seamlessly in the right ratios and durations to suit different fan segments across all your social platforms, website, and app. This article originally appeared on SportsPro. Want more insight into what's trending in off-season content? Check out our off-season content guide. > As the NFL nears its $25B revenue goal, the league turns to international games and digital content to fuel growth and reach new fans. - Published: 2025-05-12 - Modified: 2026-02-04 - URL: https://wsc-sports-dev.ltu.co.il/blog/industry-insights/fragmented-fandom-why-international-expansion-depends-on-reclaiming-the-fan-funnel/ - Categories: Industry Insights While international expansion has become a key strategy for leagues to grow their fanbases, hitting revenue goals goes beyond TV deals. To attract global attention and younger audiences, a content strategy that serves those fan segments is a crucial play. Key Takeaways: -International expansion is now the NFL's top growth strategy, with seven overseas games planned for 2025 and more to come -Young fans are shifting from full-game viewing to short-form, lifestyle content, forcing leagues to rethink distribution -To build lasting fan relationships, sports orgs must own the experience by delivering content across platforms and drawing audiences back to their own apps and sites Back in 2010, when NFL commissioner Roger Goodell said the league's goal is to reach $25 billion in annual revenue by 2027, it seemed ambitious at best and perhaps unrealistic. With good reason, too: at the time, the NFL's revenue amounted to $8 billion. Fast forward to today, and Goodell's goal is in sight; according to Sports Business Journal, total NFL revenue cleared $23 billion in the just-completed fiscal year. Per SBJ's report, CFO Christine Dorfler warned team owners that future growth will be more challenging. The NFL can opt out of its 11-year, $111 billion media rights deal in 2029, but until then, it needs to find other revenue engines. And judging by executives' statements and the 2025 schedule, the main engine is expected to be international expansion. International Games, Streaming Deals, and the Battle for New Fans In late March, the NFL confirmed it will play seven international games in 2025—up from five last season—with three cities (Madrid, Dublin, and Berlin) hosting for the first time. And there's more to come. The 2026 season will include the first regular season game in Australia; the league has conducted site surveys in Abu Dhabi, Paris, Barcelona, and Rome; and Goodell has said he’d like to see 16 international games per season “within five years. ” But playing games overseas is just one part of the equation. “A lot of our events are sparks to get things going, but they’re not the end goal of a strategy,” said Tim Ellis, The NFL’s Chief Marketing Officer. “It’s not hard for us to sell tickets. There were 65,000 tickets in Munich and we had four million requests. But we want those people in the stadium to be fans. We want to be a top three sport in any market we operate. ” In other words, the challenge is turning first-time game-goers into regularly content-consuming fans—a critical goal overall, but especially with younger demographics, where a change in habits can have a lifelong lasting impact. Of course, content strategies and innovative distribution will play a huge role in this, which is why the NFL is prioritizing streaming in its media rights strategy. In 2023, the league passed the distribution rights for NFL Game Pass to DAZN in a 10-year deal; Netflix started streaming Christmas Day games last year; and the league is considering selling a separate international games package to a global streamer. How Young Fans Are Transforming Sports Consumption While distributing content primarily via global streamers is the smart play for sports leagues focused on international growth, they also must be mindful of changing consumption habits. That's especially true when it comes to younger generations. A recent report by research firm YouGov, based on a survey of over 19,000 sports fans in 18 markets worldwide, reveals that the way young fans consume sports is changing dramatically: -Only 22% of 18-24-year-olds watch live sports content on video streaming services -18-24-year-olds prefer consuming clips or highlights over watching live games in their entirety -41% of 25-34 year-olds are interested in watching lifestyle-focused sports content, compared to 30% of 45-54 year-olds and 16% of those aged 55+ Given the trajectory of media behaviour, these trends are unlikely to change. “We can argue whether it’s the shortened attention spans of a younger audience, but the reality is their viewing patterns are different, and their interest level and what they’re interested in are different,” said Greg Maffei, the former CEO of Liberty Media, which owns Formula 1. “You have to find them where they are in ways that meet their needs. ” When Fan Engagement Happens Elsewhere Most young sports fans are getting their needs met on platforms that leagues and teams don’t own. In other words, fan journeys are increasingly fragmented across environments where sports organizations have little control over the experience or access to valuable first-party data. Over time, this fragmentation will cost leagues both in engagement and in direct and indirect monetization opportunities. To win the war for fans’ attention, sports organizations must deliver consistent, branded experiences wherever these fans engage with their content—from social media and search engines to over-the-top (OTT) services—and capitalize on each interaction. That means building pathways that will gradually guide fans back to their owned & operated platforms, like apps or websites, where leagues and teams can turn reach into results. Other sectors of the industry already employ this strategy with great success. Digital soccer platform OneFootball, for instance, reports that capturing fans' attention with short-form content has helped increase pay-per-view purchases of live matches. “In-game clips drive conversions to our OTT offering,” said Maurits Schön, OneFootball's Chief Operating Officer. “Between 40% and 50% of purchases are made during the match. ” Funneling fans to your O&O requires the right tool: AI-powered content creation and distribution technology that maximizes each moment's potential, automates the production of diverse content formats, and distributes them instantly across multiple channels. As leagues and clubs look to become a global brand, creating and distributing content at this speed and scale will become the only way to turn fleeting fan interactions into lasting relationships—and secure their next wave of growth. > Learn how changes in fan behavior are forcing sports rights holders to adapt, and get the latest insights that emerged from our internal data. - Published: 2025-05-11 - Modified: 2026-02-04 - URL: https://wsc-sports-dev.ltu.co.il/blog/industry-insights/1-watch-99-scroll-content-needs-to-be-as-dynamic-as-your-fans-are/ - Categories: Industry Insights We analyzed the data in our own platform to uncover some of the paradigm shifts in fan behavior. Learn what it means for your content strategy, and how to keep up. Key Takeaways -The explosion of short-form video has redefined how fans consume sports, forcing sports orgs and brands to rethink how (and where) they show up -Live games are just one piece of a larger fan experience, where real-time highlights and behind-the-scenes content carry major weight -To engage fragmented audiences, organizations must create diverse content ecosystems that speak to fans wherever they are By all accounts, even the least social media-dependent among us, spend hours every day on their phones. And the majority of those hours spent—watching videos. To give things some perspective, consider these numbers. TikTok is expected to eclipse 2 billion users by the end of 2025 (there’s 8 billion people on the planet—you do the math). YouTube, the world’s leading video platform, released Shorts in 2021 and within a few years reached 70 billion daily views. Download the Full Report: And the tech giants aren’t the only ones seeing the tide shifts. Our own internal data revealed that our clients—over 550 of the top sports rights owners in the world—are creating nearly 2X the videos compared to four years ago. That trend doesn’t appear to be slowing down, and presents a daunting challenge not only for sports organizations, but for all businesses. How do you create content at scale? How do you do it while still remaining authentic and creative. Today’s successful brands are creating entire ecosystems where every piece of content works together and serves fans of all types—even the ones who may not know your brand yet. In the face of daunting challenges—like demand, allocation of resources, and creating content for multiple platforms—there are plenty of organizations that have quickly adapted and built-out successful content strategies. Who's the King of Content? Content gives fans a deeper connection to your organization, and reason to keep watching beyond the final score. In a recent webinar featuring RSC Anderlecht Media Director, Stijn Van Hemelrijck, he said, “Younger fans especially are less concerned with the standings, and more interested in supporting teams and leagues that reflect their values, style, and sense of self. A quick glance at Anderlecht social media shows just how much the club is invested in its younger audience. Here are some other organizations leading the industry when it comes to creating great content: -Cleveland Cavaliers: the Cavs punch way above their weight, with the 3rd highest social media following in the NBA despite a relatively low population. They were one of the first teams in the league to launch their own mobile app, complete with personalized highlights and other content—including 16,000 videos created with the WSC Sports platform -LALIGA: social media’s most popular football league with over 230 million followers built one of the most engaged football communities in the world thanks to its newly relaunched app. They’ve proven that the fan experience is far more valuable than just reaching fans -FIBA 3X3: one of the world’s fastest-growing leagues in terms of viewership, took itself from the streets to become a feature event at the Olympics. You can’t miss the league’s content, which is all over social media. In 2024, the league created over 10K videos from events all over the world Today’s Fans Want More Than the Game The term ‘watching the game' has changed. Now, it includes checking scores, scrolling for clips, reacting to highlights, and scanning social media—all while the game’s stil happening. In the past, being a sports fan was simple. You’d check the newspaper (maybe even the TV Guide) to find out what time the game was on and which channel to watch. After a day of anticipation, you'd settle in for the full broadcast, ads and all. But that fan journey doesn’t exist anymore. Today, it’s fragmented. It’s scattered across platforms, screens, and time zones. And to be blunt, it’s complicated. Thanks to a growing offering of streaming services and multi-million (sometimes billion) dollar rights deals, fans are often left wondering where to watch—or whether they even can. In an era when attention is harder to capture than ever, fandom is becoming harder to access. That’s why rights holders need to diversify their content portfolios. Make more from what they already have. In a recent PwC-led survey of young sports fans, a mere 1% said they “do nothing but watch the game. ” Instead, the overwhelming majority—more than two-thirds of respondents—said that they’re scrolling through social media during games. This type of behavior has serious implications. It means the live broadcast is no longer the center of attention. Rather, shoulder content, like news updates, highlights, trivia, and behind-the-scenes videos, is just as valuable as the game itself and should work to complement live games. High Demand, High Supply Falling short on content can create a problem of relevance. Because if different fans aren’t exposed to up-to-date, fast content, your organization isn’t in the conversation. The fan who watches every second of the match isn’t the same as the one catching up on TikTok the next morning—and neither wants to be served the same story in the same format. The challenge for rights holders: deliver the same game, a hundred different ways. That’s breaking it down into moments, storylines, and formats that speak to different segments of fans wherever they might be. That could be through vertical clips on social and mobile apps, sending live updates, creating more player highlights, and repurposing evergreen content from years past. The scale required to do it—massive. The value of doing it—unmatched. Building a versatile library of clips, images, and highlights, as well as longer-form and off-the-court content, like TV shows and documentaries, ensures that you can keep fans connected all year round. The more moments you capture, the more creativity you have up your sleeve. The New Rules of Engagement Because fans are now watching, scrolling, and browsing all at the same time, personalized content at scale has become the main product, rather than just a byproduct of the game. In the era of always-on fandom and no off-seasons, those that create with purpose and strategy will stay ahead. Curious to learn how you can get multiple moments from one clip? We’re helping teams, leagues, and broadcasters build content strategies designed to serve today’s fans through the power of AI-driven automation. - Published: 2025-05-09 - Modified: 2026-02-04 - URL: https://wsc-sports-dev.ltu.co.il/blog/industry-insights/driving-high-value-fans-to-owned-and-operated-platforms/ - Categories: Industry Insights Learn how to build a content strategy that generates leads and engagement rather than solely focusing on views and brand reach. Key Takeaways -Using content for reach on 3rd party platforms is giving away, data, revenue, and long-term loyalty -The main intent should serve to drive signups, app downloads, and deeper fan engagement on your owned platforms -Focus on discoverability, a smooth user journey, and analytics to build a loyal, high-value audience Every piece of content you publish either builds your business—or someone else’s. When rights holders rely on social media and third-party platforms just to rack up views, they give away the most valuable parts of fan engagement: data, revenue, and loyalty. That’s the cost of visibility without ownership. This article shares key strategies from our latest report on how to convert casual viewers into high-value fans on your owned and operated (O&O) platforms—where the real business impact happens. From acquisition tactics to journey optimization and analytics, here’s how to turn content into a true growth engine. Distribution Should Serve Acquisition, Not Just Visibility Many rights holders treat content distribution as a brand awareness play, but the real opportunity lies in using content to build deeper fan relationships. Instead of chasing passive views, content should be optimized to encourage: -Signups and registrations: for your tickets, exclusive events, gated content, or your organizations’ newsletter -App downloads: strategically placed download links within high-engagement content -Engagement: leading fans from highlight videos on social media to vote on your app or website - it could be for the “play of the game” or “man of the match” Quality Over Quantity: One Engagement is Worth a Thousand Views Not all reach is created equal. A million passive views on social media doesn’t compare to 10,000 engaged fans on an O&O platform. The focus should be on designing content experiences that generate action—on top of bringing in views. The desired results are users who: Visit regularly and engage deeply with contentShow intent to purchase or subscribeShare content and bring in additional organic traffic To achieve this, rights holders should: Prioritize owned distribution channels like websites, apps, and streaming servicesDistribute to 3rd parties only when directing users to your O&O, or sharing just enough to entice them to visitLeverage exclusive perks for logged-in users to encourage account creation Maximize Discoverability to Reduce Acquisition Costs Sustainable fan acquisition doesn’t mean spending more on paid promotion. Effective discoverability tactics can bring in new fans at minimal cost, including: SEO optimization: ensuring content ranks well for relevant searches to capture organic trafficStrategic syndication: Partnering with publishers and platforms that drive referral traffic back to O&O propertiesSocial searchability: Structuring social media for easy discovery and ensuring call-to-actions (CTAs) drive traffic to owned platforms Applicable Spaces: -Sports organizations optimizing game recaps for Google Search -Partnering with online ‘magazines’, betting operators, news websites, and more to get more eyes on your content Seamless Journeys Improve Conversion Rates Fans should move effortlessly from discovery (social, search, third-party websites) to an engaging experience on O&O platforms. Creating frictionless pathways requires: Smart CTAs: clear, compelling calls to action that guide users to sign up, download, or subscribe - Published: 2025-05-08 - Modified: 2026-02-04 - URL: https://wsc-sports-dev.ltu.co.il/blog/news/wsc-sports-announces-landmark-partnership-with-club-america-expanding-ai-powered-video-highlights-to-liga-mx/ - Categories: News WSC Sports, the global leader in AI-driven sports video content automation, is thrilled to announce its first direct partnership with a Liga MX club, Club América, the most successful and storied team in Mexican football history. Through this groundbreaking collaboration, WSC Sports will provide its cutting-edge AI technology to automate and enhance Club América’s digital content, delivering real-time highlights and tailored video content across Liga MX, Concacaf Champions Cup, and Leagues Cup matches. "This partnership with WSC Sports will allow us to create and distribute dynamic highlights at unprecedented speed and scale, ensuring that our loyal fans never miss a moment, no matter where they are,” he continued. By leveraging WSC Sports’ AI-powered platform, Club América will be able to automatically generate and distribute personalized video highlights across its owned and operated platforms, including social media, mobile apps, and official websites. This partnership ensures that millions of fans worldwide receive real-time, high-quality content, enhancing the overall fan experience. "This partnership marks a significant milestone as we expand into Mexican football, showcasing how WSC Sports’ technology seamlessly integrates with top-tier soccer organizations to elevate fan engagement. ” The agreement further cements WSC Sports’ presence in the Latin American football market, demonstrating the growing demand for AI-powered video solutions in global sports. - Published: 2025-05-06 - Modified: 2026-02-04 - URL: https://wsc-sports-dev.ltu.co.il/blog/industry-insights/goals-gags-and-glory-aprils-11-wildest-sports-moments/ - Categories: Industry Insights This month's most viral sports moment didn’t even happen on the field. For decades, the biggest sports moments were what happened on the field. But nowadays, viral stories are just as likely to come from what happens around the game. In the age of social media, 24/7 coverage, and the content explosion, fans expect to see these moments everywhere, instantly. For sports organizations, that means meeting fans as soon as possible wherever they consume content. Here are April’s top 11 moments that prove how the stories surrounding the game are now just as viral as the plays themselves. As usual, WSC Sports AI-driven content automation powered many of them in real time. 1. Shedeur Sanders Gets Prank Called at NFL Draft It’s not often that the 144th pick becomes the biggest story of the NFL Draft—and even rarer that the most viral sports moment of the month unfolds entirely off the field. In a fall that left the NFL world stunned, Colorado QB Shedeur Sanders—once projected as a top-10 pick—wasn’t selected until the third day. The most shocking moment came when Sanders - son of Hall of Famer Deion Sanders - livestreaming his draft-day reactions on Twitch, received a phone call from someone posing as the Saints' general manager. It turned out to be the son of Falcons defensive coordinator Jeff Ulbrich in a prank that led to hefty fines—and the biggest sports story of the month. The story’s impact was immediate and far-reaching. Two ESPN videos covering the incident averaged 1. 3 million views—roughly 7 times higher than the network’s typical 190,000-view average, according to ChatGPT’s ‘Deep Research’. The buzz even spilled beyond the sports world, catching the attention of broader media outlets like ABC7 News. That’s what happens when sports content organizations act fast enough, no matter if there’s a game going on or not. 2. Wayne Gretzky’s Goals Record Is Broken A record once thought unbreakable fell this month when Capitals left winger Alex Ovechkin netted his 895th career goal, surpassing NHL legend Wayne Gretzky. Gretzky’s record had stood for 31 years, and fittingly, Ovechkin broke it in his 1,487th career game—the exact number Gretzky played—underscoring the Capitals star’s incredible longevity. 3. Game-Winning, Buzzer-Beater Dunk In Game 4 of the NBA Playoffs' first round, Nuggets forward Aaron Gordon made history as the first player to win a postseason game with a buzzer-beating dunk. With the score tied, Nikola Jokić launched a three that fell short—until Gordon came flying in from the weak side to slam it home just before the buzzer. 4. Florida Wins March Madness If you’re a fan of underdog stories, this March Madness wasn’t for you. For the first time since 2008 (and only the second time ever), all four Final Four teams were No. 1 seeds. The finale saw Florida edge out Houston with a 12-point second-half comeback, securing the program’s third national title. Want to know why Florida’s title run may be just the beginning of a global shift in college hoops? https://wsc-sports-dev. ltu. co. il/blog/trending/march-madness-goes-global-the-rising-impact-of-international-talent-in-ncaa-basketball/ 5. Declan Rice’s 2 Stunning Free Kicks In the Champions League quarter-final first leg, Arsenal’s Declan Rice lit up the Emirates with two thunderous free-kicks in a 3–0 win over Real Madrid. They were the first direct free-kick goals of his senior career—and made him the first player to score two in a single Champions League knockout match. 6. Rockies on Pace to Become MLB’s Worst Team Ever The Colorado Rockies ended April 2025 with a 4–24 record—the worst start in MLB history. With a struggling rotation and an ice-cold offense, they’re on pace for just 20 wins this season. For comparison: the Mets already have 20. 7. Two Goals in 11 Seconds—Twice! In Game 4 of the Stanley Cup Playoffs, the Panthers and Lightning made NHL history—both teams scored two goals within 11 seconds, something never before seen in a playoff game. Florida went on to win and took a 3–1 lead in the series. 8. The Most Lopsided NBA Playoff Series Ever Talk about a mismatch. Cleveland swept Miami in the most lopsided NBA playoff series ever, outscoring the Heat by 122 points over four games. Game 4 ended in a 138–83 blowout, and Cleveland’s bench alone outscored the entire Miami team. 9. Paige Bueckers Drafted #1 in WNBA Draft UConn star Paige Bueckers was selected No. 1 overall in a WNBA Draft that drew a record 1. 25 million viewers—more than the NHL and MLB drafts. It marked a major cultural moment for women’s sports and a turning point for WNBA visibility. 10. Madness at WrestleMania WrestleMania 41 brought major shocks, including John Cena winning his record 17th world title in controversial fashion—with a low blow and a Travis Scott cameo. Seth Rollins beat Roman Reigns and CM Punk, Paul Heyman switched sides, and IYO SKY delivered a 5-star match to retain her title. Learn how WrestleMania was a blueprint for the future of global sports entertainment: https://wsc-sports-dev. ltu. co. il/blog/industry-insights/wrestlemania-41-a-global-spectacle-shaped-by-the-streaming-age/ 11. Champions League Semi-Finals Drama The 2025 Champions League semis kicked off with fireworks. PSG edged Arsenal 1–0 at the Emirates thanks to an early Dembélé strike, while Barcelona and Inter Milan played out a 3–3 thriller. Both ties are finely poised heading into the second legs, with a trip to Munich on the line. These moments didn’t just define April—they showed how, in today’s sports world, the most unforgettable stories can come from anywhere. Check out the top sports moments of May. - Published: 2025-05-05 - Modified: 2026-02-04 - URL: https://wsc-sports-dev.ltu.co.il/blog/industry-insights/optimizing-the-fan-funnel-for-higher-lifetime-value/ - Categories: Industry Insights Here’s the uncomfortable truth: if you’re not actively building your own ecosystem, you’re building someone else’s. Every impression on a third-party platform is borrowed attention. And the longer you wait to transition fans to owned experiences, the harder—and more expensive—it becomes to win them back. Rights holders who wait for fans to show up on their terms are already behind. For leagues, teams, and broadcasters, maximizing fan lifetime value (LTV) it’s strategically creating a fan journey from acquisition to engagement to monetization. By owning the relationship and optimizing each stage of the funnel, rights holders can drive sustainable revenue and long-term growth. Let’s break it down top to bottom. Reach & Acquire: Building a Strong Foundation Content is more than a hook, it’s the foundation of the fan journey. Every piece of content is a bridge: from discovery to download, from passive viewership to active participation. But it only works if it's intentional. The right format at the right moment turns content from entertainment into actions like sign-ups, app installs, and purchases. Without that, even great reach turns into missed opportunities. The first step is to cast your net as wide as possible. But catching new fans here and there isn’t enough—what matters most is converting them into long-term, engaged users on owned platforms where you get valuable data and the ability to monetize. Capture first-party data: Encourage sign-ups, downloads, and subscriptions to establish a direct relationship and learn more about who your fans are and what they like Use content as a tool: Strategically use highlight clips, behind-the-scenes footage, and exclusive interviews to draw fans in—-but more than that, to also nudge them toward sign-ups, app installs, and personalized journeys on owned platforms Distribute smartly: Optimize content for each platform, ensuring the right format and messaging for maximum reach and acquisition Who’s doing it best? LALIGA is the most popular football league in the world, with over 219 million followers across multiple platforms. They’re leveraging their massive following on social media to build a connected fanbase on their mobile app. Hear more about how they did it: Engage & Retain: Driving Habitual Behavior Engagement is the key to maximizing fan value. Once fans enter your ecosystem, they need reasons to stay and return frequently—just like they do on their other favorite apps, websites, and streaming platforms. At the end of the day, your brand’s goal is to entertain. Create must-see moments. Those could be real-time highlights, push notifications for breaking news, personalized recommendations, and deal offers on tickets or merch. True engagement happens on your owned platforms where you have full control. Include interactive experiences. Gamification, like polls and trivia, or even the use of proper graphics, like statistics and captions can create deeper connections with fans. It’s never too late to build out some of these products inside your ecosystem, or to simply link to a relevant site to start creating that customer journey. The team to watch The Cleveland Cavaliers might be at the top of the East as of late, but would you have guessed they're the 11th most-followed sports team on Instagram? A lot of credit goes to their social team who have packed social media and the team app full of must-see moments. Read the full case study to learn how they did it. Monetize: Maximizing Commercial Value Time spent is money earned, but only if it’s being spent in places you own. The more time fans spend in your ecosystem, the greater the opportunity to generate revenue through direct and indirect monetization strategies. -Ad monetization at scale: Leverage programmatic advertising through networks like Google Ad Manager to unlock new revenue streams -Offer personalized subscriptions: Tiered membership models, exclusive content, and pay-per-view options maximize revenue potential -E-commerce & sponsorship integration: Merchandise, ticket giveaways, events before and after games, and sponsor activations are all ways to generate revenue Turning content into revenue FZ Sports, operator of the streaming platform Fanatiz, which caters to a global audience of Spanish-speaking sports fans, 6X’d their revenue thanks to a massive increase in content production. Read the full interview with VP of Product and Tech, Rafa López, to learn how they did it. Continuous Optimization with Fan Data The fan funnel isn’t static. If you’re not evolving your experience faster than fan expectations, you’re losing attention, which is the same as saying, you’re losing revenue. Leveraging fan data allows for smarter decision-making and refined strategies at every stage. -AI-powered insights: Understand fan behavior and predict what keeps them engaged -Automated content distribution: Deliver the right content to the right fan at the right time. -Performance-driven adjustments: Constantly test, analyze, and optimize for maximum engagement and revenue. Conclusion: A Playbook for Sustainable Growth The most successful rights holders aren’t just chasing views - they’re building engaged communities that generate long-term value. Creating a fan funnel, from reach and acquisition to engagement and monetization, helps leagues and broadcasters take control of their audience and unlock full revenue potential. Want to know if your content strategy stacks up, or just want some help creating one? Our platform gives you the content you need to build a funnel. Let’s talk. - Published: 2025-04-28 - Modified: 2026-02-26 - URL: https://wsc-sports-dev.ltu.co.il/blog/sports-content-kings-podcast/the-nbas-return-to-nbc-the-strategy-behind-big-sports-deals/ - Categories: Podcast On the thirteenth episode of Sports Content Kings, Aviv and Shaka are joined by Jon Miller, President of Acquisitions and Partnerships at NBC Sports. Key Takeaways: NBC’s NBA return is built for the modern fan, with live games, Peacock streaming, and a heavy focus on clips and short-form highlights NBC sharpens its brand by focusing on the English Premier League and turning down other soccer rights—prioritizing depth, not just breadth Fans are now the programmers; NBC’s strategy includes flexible scheduling, mobile-first highlights, and content designed for always-on fandom As the President of Acquisitions and Partnerships at NBC Sports, Jon Miller is helping reshape the way sports are seen, shared, and remembered by fans. Most recently he engineered a high-profile reunion between NBC and the NBA—a major deal in the industry, and one that will have serious implications for future media deals in the streaming era. Owning the Window: Why Schedule Still Matters Amid endless streaming options and fractured attention spans, Miller pointed to one enduring truth: premium placement still holds power. Whether it’s Sunday Night Football or Saturday mornings with the Premier League, NBC’s strategy rests on appointment fandom. Each year, there’s a substantial number of Americans that wait until the NFL calendar is released in May to plan major events in the months ahead. Oh, your team is playing in Vegas this year? What a perfect time to do that bachelor party. Birthday in February? Better finally make this the year you close on those Super Bowl tickets. Predictability, Miller believes, is part of what drives memorable moments and generational habits. That could also be as simple as bonding over Premier League matches every Saturday morning on Peacock. Miller mentioned a particularly gratifying moment when a fan sent an email to the network saying that the games have improved his relationship with his grandchildren, and given them cherished time together. That type of fandom is something that NBC has been building with the Premier League for over a decade. The success of the partnership has earned attention from other leagues, but Miller says he’s turned them down because he doesn’t want to take away from the effort that’s been put in already. “NBC doesn’t want to be the network of soccer, it wants to be the network of the Premier League,” he said. From Broadcaster to Brand Builder When Miller pitches a league on joining the NBC family he’s talking brand elevation. The company’s relationship with the Premier League is a case study both in ratings growth and in cultural impact. NBC tripled the league’s U. S. audience in three years, and jerseys are now as common in Times Square as NBA or MLB gear. Part of the strategy has included rights to clips and highlights to keep American fans up on all the action. “We bought the rights, but we also bought what’s called clip rights. Because not everyone can sit and devote hours to watching a Premier League match. ” Those clips, he said, are very important to building an audience. Peacock, Flexibility, and the Fragmented Fan What NBC has learned—largely through experimentation on Peacock—is that the future isn’t linear. It’s modular. Fans have all sorts of new expectations, like alternate feeds, condensed versions, real-time highlights, and cross-device portability. As Miller puts it, “the programmer is more the viewer. ” In this ecosystem, the value of rights is measured by ratings and by how a property lifts subscriptions, powers cross-promotions, and fuels new storytelling formats. Companies like NBC Sports aren’t just competing against traditional broadcast partners like ABC and CBS, they’re competing against Apple, Netflix, and Hulu... even cats on Instagram. But the challenge doesn’t end with getting fans to watch the game—it’s about bringing them back. Building a base of loyal, return viewers is what separates today’s leading media brands from traditional media companies. To achieve this, rights holders need to invest in owned and operated platforms — like mobile apps and streaming services — to control their storytelling and deliver their messaging directly. Modern fans want to support organizations they personally identify with, whether through social causes, fashion, family connections, or simply rooting for the hometown team. The best way to create those connections is through content. Big Plans for 2026 The future is fast approaching. In the span of just 10 days in early 2026, NBC will air the Super Bowl, the NBA All-Star Game, and the Winter Olympics. It’s a convergence few networks could handle—and even fewer could elevate. Yet for Miller and his team, the bigger the spotlight, the better the storytelling opportunity. To connect sports across platforms and generations—and to create the experiences that will have fans remembering that magic moment they watched on NBC. - Published: 2025-04-22 - Modified: 2026-02-04 - URL: https://wsc-sports-dev.ltu.co.il/blog/industry-insights/how-shorts-reels-and-stories-are-changing-the-way-sports-fans-consume-content/ - Categories: Industry Insights Entertainment as we know it is changing. And changing fast. Screens once dominated by full-length broadcasts have transformed into rapid-fire feeds of reels, shorts, and stories. To help quantify this change, we analyzed the numbers on our platform which includes data from over 550 top sports rights owners. According to that data, the average length of videos created on the WSC Sports platform has decreased by 24% year over year. Today, that average sits at just 1 minute and 20 seconds. That figure aligns with a broader trend; where for the first time, vertical videos make up the majority of videos created. Key Takeaways: The average video length is decreasing 24% year over yearShorts account for 20% of all YouTube contentThe majority of all videos created with WSC Sports in 2024 were vertical i. e. 9:16 Download the Full Report: Even websites and apps traditionally associated with long-form video are being affected by this shift. YouTube Shorts, for instance, now account for over 20% of all videos uploaded to the platform. TikTok, Instagram Reels, and Stories across platforms have conditioned fans to expect fast, punchy, highly engaging content—especially in sports, where every second can feel like a highlight. Impact on the Sports Industry For rights holders it’s a signal to adapt quickly, if you haven’t already. Long-form content will always have its place, especially for live broadcasts and deep storytelling. But the window to capture fan attention before and after the game is narrowing. And here’s the catch: a lot of organizations are investing millions—sometimes hundreds of millions—just to secure the rights to live sports. Maximizing the value of that investment means extending the life of each broadcast as long as possible. That’s where short-form content comes in. By slicing key moments into dynamic, bite-sized videos optimized for social, mobile, and on-demand platforms, broadcasters can get exponentially more return on the rights they’ve acquired. It’s not just about viewership anymore, it’s about reach, engagement, and driving ROI across every digital touchpoint. If short-form consumption continues to rise—and there’s every reason to believe it will—organizations that don’t recalibrate their content strategy risk falling behind in the race for relevance and reach. What Rights Holders Are Doing—And What They Need to Do To keep up, many organizations have ramped up their short-form output, and even hired dedicated teams to manage everything “content”. From finally saying yes to opening that TikTok account, to adapting to new content formats like shorts and stories, the push is clearly there. But creating this volume of content quickly, accurately, and at scale remains a challenge—and only one piece of the puzzle. Organizations must start operating more like tech companies to market to today’s very different audiences. That means having an app that provides the kinds of experiences fans have come to expect, including an app filled with the type of videos already being created for social. An app should also be home to anything you’d find on an organization’s website including tickets, news, standings, and upcoming events—the key differentiator here: you own and access user data in your app, something that you miss when only publishing to social media platforms. Sound like a lot? That’s because it is. Traditional production and post-production workflows weren’t built for this kind of pace. And while some teams might have the manpower to produce content in real and near time, it’s often reactive, inconsistent, and difficult to maintain—especially across multiple platforms, formats, and audience segments. AI-Automation is No Longer a ‘Nice to Have’ Just like every other industry, sports organizations will need to adopt the latest AI tools to stay in the game and keep their brands competitive. WSC Sports helps rights holders meet fans where they are—with automated, personalized video content that’s ready for every screen, every moment, and every platform. Our AI-powered platform takes live broadcast streams and transforms them into short-form videos, built for the way fans consume content. Who’s Doing it Best? We’ve seen firsthand how our global client base is leveraging the WSC Sports platform to not only meet the demand for short-form—but to lead it. The NBA: produces hundreds of real-time, personalized highlight packages per night, delivered to the NBA app, social accounts, and moreNASCAR: delivers real-time highlights to its Timeline Feed in the NASCAR app so fans can follow along with zero delayBayern Munich Basketball: creates scores of videos for social media and their mobile app—including in new content formats like stories. These organizations aren’t just increasing brand reach—they’re winning more engagement with content. And the success has been measurable. Looking Ahead The data is pretty clear: short-form is getting shorter, and it’s only gaining momentum. As platforms shift and fan behavior evolves, rights holders need to stay ahead—not scramble to catch up. At WSC Sports, we’re helping organizations take control of the moment. Let’s make sure your fans never miss a second—even when seconds are all they’ve got. - Published: 2025-04-17 - Modified: 2026-02-04 - URL: https://wsc-sports-dev.ltu.co.il/blog/industry-insights/wrestlemania-41-a-global-spectacle-shaped-by-the-streaming-age/ - Categories: Industry Insights With its debut on Netflix, WWE’s crown jewel highlights how sports and entertainment organizations are adapting to the age of fragmented fan journeys—turning rights into revenue, fans into superfans, and moments into movements. The weekend of April 19–20, 2025—also known as WrestleMania 41—follows the modern (and still-evolving) blueprint for sports and entertainment organizations. Streaming live on Netflix in most international markets, it shows a greater shift in how rights are distributed, how stories are scaled, and how fan engagement is monetized. In an era of fragmented attention and always-on audiences, WWE is leaning into a platform strategy built for reach, retention, and long-term relevance. The Historic Main Event: Cena vs. Rhodes At the heart of this showcase lies a storyline rich in drama, legacy, and high stakes: Cody Rhodes vs. John Cena for the Undisputed WWE Championship. Cena, a legend both in the ring and on the silver screen, has declared that a victory will mark his retirement, and he’ll take the championship belt with him. It’s a blockbuster narrative built for the Netflix generation—fusing athletic spectacle with cinematic tension. Fueling the storyline’s intensity is Cena’s stunning heel turn—his first in over two decades. At the March 1 Elimination Chamber in Toronto, he shocked fans by adopting a darker persona and launching his "The Last Time is Now" farewell tour. His scathing promos, most notably a now-infamous tirade in Glasgow, he vowed to "ruin wrestling" by retiring as champion. Even Hulk Hogan called it, “bigger than a wrestling angle. ” But this reinvention goes far beyond shock value. It's a calculated storytelling pivot aimed at captivating both die-hard fans and newcomers alike. For WWE and Netflix, the stakes couldn’t be higher. Netflix Partnership and the End of WWE Network The Netflix partnership doesn’t just bring WrestleMania to a broader audience—it also marks the end of an era. WWE Network, the company’s pioneering OTT platform launched in 2014, is officially being phased out. As one of the first direct-to-consumer offerings in sports, it set the precedent that influenced other platforms like UFC Fight Pass and NBA League Pass. Now, WWE is betting big on scale. By teaming with Netflix, the company is trading control over its platform for unprecedented reach, a move that reflects a broader industry shift. For Netflix, it’s a deeper foray into the world of live sports, following major broadcasts like the Jake Paul vs. Mike Tyson fight (the most-streamed live sporting event in history), and two NFL Christmas Day broadcasts. In today’s media landscape, distribution power and global accessibility are overtaking the need for proprietary control. It’s a bold and strategic move that positions both WWE and Netflix for their next chapters, respectively. Goodbye Pay-Per-View, Hello Subscriber Loyalty Perhaps the most transformative shift in this deal is the end of traditional pay-per-view pricing. Marquee events like WrestleMania, Royal Rumble, SummerSlam, and weekly episodes of WWE Raw are now included under a single Netflix subscription—at no additional cost. By bundling WWE’s biggest events into a single subscription, this model lowers barriers for access while enhancing fan loyalty and engagement. Occasional viewers are more likely to stick around, while Netflix gains a powerful edge in subscriber retention. It’s a strategic win for both sides, and a clear sign of where the future of content economics is headed. WWE's YouTube Strategy and the Vault While Netflix is now the home for WWE's live events, YouTube remains the company's most potent digital engine. WWE’s flagship channel consistently ranks among the most-watched in all of sports, offering everything from post-show highlights and superstar features to full-length storyline compilations. Complementing that presence is The WWE Vault, a dedicated YouTube channel that curates classic matches, vintage episodes, and behind-the-scenes documentaries. Paired with livestreams, countdown specials, and interactive fan chats, WWE has created a 24/7 second-screen experience designed for today’s always-connected audience. Get David Gavant's take on the Global Affect of WrestleMania 41: Global Star Power WrestleMania 41 is more than a U. S. event—it’s a global statement. Superstars like Gunther (Austria), Drew McIntyre (Scotland), and Rhea Ripley (Australia) represent WWE’s international reach and resonate with fans across cultures and continents. Their presence signals the company’s continued investment in global talent and diverse storytelling. It's also an opportunity for the WWE to localize its content thanks to Netflix's unparalleled technical capabilities which offer subtitles and dubbing in over 30 languages. As fans demand more tailored and personalized content, this partnership gives fans unparalleled access to watch the event the way they want to. On the first night of action, CM Punk makes his long-awaited WrestleMania return, while rising stars like LA Knight and Iyo Sky chase breakout, career-defining moments. It’s a lineup engineered for global appeal. A New Blueprint for Sports Entertainment Marketing WWE has long blurred the lines between sport and entertainment. Through digital-native storytelling, orchestrated heel turns, and viral promo segments, it has built a model tailor-made for the streaming age. The company creates immersive, participatory worlds where fans don’t just watch, they engage, predict outcomes, debate character arcs, and form lifelong loyalties. For other brands and sports leagues alike, WWE’s playbook offers a valuable blueprint: Know your audience. Own your narrative. And ensure your content never stops moving, across platforms, screens, and time zones. Beyond the Ring: Las Vegas Goes Wrestling The event's footprint extends well beyond Allegiant Stadium. A week-long slate of WWE World experiences will transform Las Vegas into a wrestling haven, drawing fans from across the globe. The tourism impact is expected to be massive. WrestleMania has become a Super Bowl-meets-Comic Con for the wrestling world, with indie promotions hosting events nearby to capitalize on the buzz. Cities now bid to host it due to its proven economic benefits for local businesses, hotels, and tourism sectors. WrestleMania 41: A Global Moment More than just a wrestling event, WrestleMania 41 is a cultural touchstone—the intersection of sport, entertainment, technology, and international fandom. With Netflix as its launchpad, WWE is no longer just aiming to make history. It’s aiming to own the future. And come April, the whole world will be watching. > WSC Sports announces it's acquisition of Infront Lab's Engines 365 in next step to provide unmatched digital solutions to sports rights holders. - Published: 2025-04-16 - Modified: 2026-02-04 - URL: https://wsc-sports-dev.ltu.co.il/blog/news/wsc-sports-acquires-infront-labs-engine-365/ - Categories: News WSC Sports, the global leader in AI-driven sports content automation, has acquired Infront Lab’s Engines 365 and will add the solution to its offering, further helping sports organizations manage and deliver digital experiences. Beyond the acquisition, WSC Sports and Infront will continue to collaborate on OTT streaming solutions and consultancy services for sports rights holders based on the combined technology stack. Infront Lab as an independent entity will no longer be operational. The strategic move comes as sports organizations worldwide race to capture and maintain fan attention in an increasingly fragmented digital landscape. By integrating Infront Lab’s industry-leading technology and expertise, WSC Sports strengthens its position as the ultimate partner for rights holders looking to build direct fan relationships and unlock new revenue opportunities. With the acquisition, WSC Sports incorporates two new products into its technology portfolio: Stream Engine – A white-label OTT platform that empowers sports organizations to launch and manage their own streaming services with greater control and flexibilityContent Engine – A dynamic social media publishing and management system designed to maximize engagement across digital channels As part of the acquisition, WSC Sports welcomes various members of the Infront Lab team and will assume most of the existing Engines 365 client contracts, ensuring a seamless transition for current customers. "By integrating Infront Lab’s innovative technology stack with our AI-powered content automation platform, we’re creating an unmatched solution for rights holders navigating today’s complex digital landscape. I am excited to welcome Infront Lab’s employees to WSC Sports. " WSC Sports and Infront will jointly manage selected existing projects, formerly held by Infront Lab. Infront will maintain an integrated Digital Account Management team as the contact point and dedicated resource to manage and oversee digital business relations with all existing Infront Group clients previously serviced by Infront Lab. "As a leader in digital transformation, Infront Lab has consistently delivered cutting-edge technology that redefines fan engagement. WSC Sports is the perfect home to take these innovations to the next level. We’re excited to continue collaborating with WSC Sports around custom-build OTT streaming solutions and consultancy services to meet the evolving needs of our clients and the wider industry. Overall, this new set up provides all our existing partners with the highest level of continuity,” he added. The deal arrives at a pivotal moment for the sports industry, as organizations prioritize first-party data strategies and direct fan engagement. By bringing Infront Lab’s world-class technology in-house, WSC Sports expands its ability to help clients streamline operations, deepen audience relationships, and unlock powerful new revenue streams. > Learn how Alexander Mühl from Borussia Dortmund and Stijn Van Hemelrijck of RSC Anderlecht navigate the challenge of attracting younger fans. - Published: 2025-04-14 - Modified: 2026-02-04 - URL: https://wsc-sports-dev.ltu.co.il/blog/industry-insights/win-or-lose-dortmund-and-anderlecht-still-winning-over-young-fans/ - Categories: Industry Insights Young fans aren’t just watching football—they’re watching everything. Netflix, TikTok, YouTube, Fortnite. In the battle for young people’s attention, clubs need to offer something that they can identify with—and that’s good news for marketers because unlike older, more traditional fans, young fans care less about wins and losses. For them, the score doesn’t matter nearly as much as the story. They’re choosing clubs that reflect their values, style, and sense of self. To unpack how clubs are rethinking their strategies when it comes to this elusive demographic, WSC Sports brought together two of the best marketers in European football, Alexander Mühl, Director of Marketing and Digitalization at Borussia Dortmund, and Stijn Van Hemelrijck, Media Director at RSC Anderlecht. Here's a look at four key strategies that came out of the discussion. Incorporate your legacy Clubs with rich histories often face the challenge of balancing tradition with relevance. For Borussia Dortmund, the key has been treating legacy not as a static story, but as a dynamic asset that can be adapted for new generations. From revamping its visual identity to embracing pop culture aesthetics—like neon yellow kits from the ‘90s—Dortmund is reimagining its legacy through design, fashion, and cultural collaborations. For those not as fashion-forward, ‘90s fashion is en vogue, so bringing back those throw-backs is something not only appreciated by younger fans, but older fans as well, who can appreciate the element of nostalgia from their youth and young adulthood. Watch the Full Webinar: Tell the story the right way With fans consuming content across TikTok, Instagram, Twitch, and more, a one-size-fits-all content strategy is a thing of the past. One piece of content means 5 formats, 3 different tones, and zero copy-pastes. Platform-native content is the new baseline. Mühl explained how Dortmund’s content team now builds platform-specific versions of each story—something made scalable through AI-powered tools. “It’s not just about what we post, it’s how we present it, where we share it, and who we’re speaking to,” he said. “We’re following our fans’ behaviors to guide everything from channel strategy to editing style. ” This type of approach echoes a greater trend we see across the board. That fandom isn’t fueled by footage alone—it’s also heavily influenced by identity. Build a brand that’s bigger than the final score For RSC Anderlecht and Media Director, Stijn Van Hemelrijck, a turning point came when they asked themselves a thoughtful question: Why would someone choose to become a fan if they’re not winning? The response: shifting from results-focused storytelling to a bigger brand identity centered around talent development, community, events, and culture. Like it, Love it, or Live it Both clubs emphasized the importance of understanding different levels of fan engagement—and designing experiences accordingly. At Anderlecht, the team uses a simple but powerful model: fans who like the brand (casual followers), fans who love it (engaged supporters), and those who live it (die-hard, match-attending loyalists). Their “like, love, live” framework echoes a greater trend that we’ve seen in sports content. Fandom isn’t binary—it’s a spectrum. So to attract the largest possible audience, marketers need to create different types of content to serve each layer of fandom. As Van Hemelrijck put it, “The potential of our at-home fan base is massive. Not everyone needs to come to the stadium—but we need ways to make them feel part of the club. ” Winning the next generation won’t come from simply creating more highlights or clips. Surely, you must scale production to be able to deliver enough content to all levels of fandom. But true long-term relationship building (some call it fanship) will come from knowing who you are as a brand, meeting fans where they are, and building stories that matter—on and off the pitch. - Published: 2025-04-08 - Modified: 2026-02-25 - URL: https://wsc-sports-dev.ltu.co.il/blog/industry-insights/sports-fandom-understanding-the-heart-of-the-game/ - Categories: Industry Insights Explore the evolution of sports fandom and how advancements in AI and automation help sports organizations create unparalleled fan-centric content on all platforms. The way we engage with sports has undergone a seismic shift. Being a fan used to be a simple ritual: gathering around the television, waiting for the action to start, and then staying glued to the screen (even enduring the half-hour or more of commercials). It was an experience defined by set schedules and the TV guide. But today’s sports fans live in a fundamentally different universe. With games accessible on every device, live updates flowing in real-time, and platforms buzzing with takes, highlights, and memes, fandom has evolved into something entirely more dynamic and far more personal. What is Sports Fandom? Sports fandom today is immersive, participatory, and always on. It's no longer limited to just watching games; it’s about engaging with the broader ecosystem of sports culture. From watching full recaps on YouTube to debating trade rumors on Reddit and creating highlight edits for their own TikTok and Instagram Reels, today’s fans are as much content creators as consumers—and that’s reshaping the way sports organizations interact with their audiences. But no two fans are the same. The Sports Fan Spectrum Underneath the overarching spectrum of fandom, there are different types of fans, each with their own habits, rituals, and level of commitment: Casual fans: These fans enjoy watching games when they can and know the key players and teams. They might catch a big game or tune in during playoffs, but they don’t follow every detail. Dedicated fans: Dedicated fans watch most games, know the players, and keep track of stats. They stay updated on team news and care about the wins and losses, but it doesn’t take over their lives. Die-hard fans: This group lives for their team. Die-hard fans watch every game, join fan clubs, and know the ins and outs of players, strategies, and stats. Every win feels like a victory, and every loss feels personal. Superfans: Superfans go beyond loyalty—they build their lives around the sport. They create content, run fan accounts, and shape the larger fan community. Superfans start conversations online and set the tone for the culture surrounding a team. Fan Rituals, Consumption Habits, & Content Preferences No matter your level of fandom, it’s all about the little traditions fans hold dear. Some always wear that lucky jersey on game day. Others stick to the same bar or watch with the same group of friends. These habits make game day feel special and give fans a sense of belonging. With social media now in the mix, fans share their rituals, swap stories, and celebrate wins together, even if they’re miles away. Fans also have preferences for how they follow the action. Short-form vertical videos on TikTok and Reels are a hit among Gen Z sports fans who want their game highlights and reactions in quick, snackable moments. Older fans prefer more depth—settling in for long-form game recaps on YouTube. Others keep it simple, following key plays directly through their team's mobile apps or owned and operated channels. The platforms will continue to evolve, but one thing is sure to stay the same—the love for the game that unites fans across every screen. Fandom: Age, Gender, Location, & Language The path to becoming a fan often starts young. Most fans pick up their love for a team from parents, family, or friends. It's that first jersey received as a gift or the memory of watching a game together that sticks. According to Two Circles' global fan research across seven countries, the seeds of fandom are planted early—nearly half of all sports fans start following their sport by age 14. Those early days of fandom nurture passions and traditions that span many generations. Star power plays a pivotal role in forging deep, cross-border connections in the world of sports. Shohei Ohtani didn’t just sign with the Los Angeles Dodgers; he carried the hopes, pride, and passion of millions of Japanese fans with him, transforming them into some of the team’s most dedicated supporters. Similarly, Son Heung-min’s rise in the Premier League turned Tottenham Hotspur matches into must-watch events for Korean fans, bridging continents through shared moments of pride. These athletes are more than just global icons—they are cultural ambassadors. When local heroes step onto the global stage, their hometown fans don’t just follow—they remain fiercely loyal and eager for content that reflects their own identity. They crave more than just game highlights; they want narratives told in their language, infused with cultural nuances, and crafted to resonate with their unique preferences. Whether it’s behind-the-scenes footage, interviews, or localized storytelling, the content that speaks directly to these fans deepens their connection not only to the athlete but to the entire sport or league. In this way, star players not only expand a team’s reach but also challenge organizations to meet the growing demand for personalized, culturally relevant fan experiences. The Science Behind Fandom Fandom is a window into fundamental human psychology. At its core, fandom leverages our innate need for connection and identity. When fans put on their lucky jerseys, follow game-day rituals, or gather at that favorite bar to watch the game, they’re not just supporting a franchise; they’re engaging in rituals that create a sense of belonging and strengthen social bonds. These shared habits, rooted in tradition, mirror the ways humans have connected for centuries, from tribal gatherings to religious ceremonies. The science backs it up. Neuroscientific studies reveal that dedicated sports fans experience heightened activity in regions of the brain associated with emotion and memory, such as the amygdala and hippocampus, particularly during high-stakes moments. These neural responses are tied to the release of dopamine, the brain’s reward chemical, which makes the experience not only enjoyable but addictive. This biological feedback loop helps explain why celebrating a victory—or even enduring a loss—feels so visceral. How WSC Sports Fuels Fandom Fandom is built on connection, and WSC Sports helps ensure that the bond grows stronger in the way fans consume sports today—dynamic, personalized, and always on-demand. We sit at the heart of modern sports storytelling, helping over 500 teams, leagues, and broadcasters automatically create and distribute personalized, fan-centric content at unprecedented speed and scale. With the help of AI, a full game can instantly become a 10-minute YouTube recap, highlights can be localized by auto-translating commentary into multiple languages, and key moments can be shared simultaneously on TikTok, Instagram, and team apps. WSC Sports helps content teams deliver exactly what fans want, when and where they want it, across social platforms, owned and operated channels, and beyond. Wherever your audience falls on the fan spectrum, WSC Sports is there to help Fuel the Fandom. Learn how WSC Sports helps you create content for every type of fan. - Published: 2025-04-08 - Modified: 2026-02-04 - URL: https://wsc-sports-dev.ltu.co.il/blog/news/wsc-sports-twinspires-bring-ai-powered-content-to-horse-racing-for-first-time/ - Categories: News Churchill Downs harnesses WSC Sports’ automated video technology to transform fan engagement and fuel betting activity across the TwinSpires platform. WSC Sports announced today a groundbreaking partnership with TwinSpires, the official wagering platform of Churchill Downs Incorporated (CDI), to deliver dynamic, automated content experiences for horse racing fans. As the first horse racing partner in WSC Sports’ global portfolio, TwinSpires is leveraging the company’s technology to scale video creation, enhance the user experience, and drive betting engagement ahead of the 151st Kentucky Derby in May. The partnership includes the use of WSC Sports’ automated highlights platform, which has been active since 2021 and will run through April 2026, supporting fast and consistent content delivery across TwinSpires’ digital channels. In addition, WSC Sports’ In-App Stories (IAS) product—launched on iOS and Android in March 2025—enables fans to instantly watch and share key race moments, behind-the-scenes footage, and jockey interviews directly from the TwinSpires app. The companies also collaborated to develop a customized version of WSC Sports’ Magicrop technology, optimized specifically for horse racing. This innovation automatically crops and formats vertical video content for mobile-first consumption, a vital enhancement for TwinSpires’ in-app content strategy. In-App Stories on the TwinSpires app “This collaboration with TwinSpires and Churchill Downs is a pivotal moment for WSC Sports,” said Dan Pesce, Director of Business Development at WSC Sports. “It’s not just about highlights—it’s about delivering immersive, real-time content experiences that fuel engagement, betting intent, and brand affinity across the entire fan journey. ” By integrating WSC Sports’ technology directly into the TwinSpires app experience, Churchill Downs is creating a seamless, video-driven digital environment for racing fans. Users can watch vertically formatted highlight reels, access exclusive off-track content, and jump directly from video clips to betting opportunities—all within a unified interface. This approach not only enhances user engagement but also supports customer acquisition and retention during high-profile events like the Kentucky Derby and beyond. “At TwinSpires, we’re focused on giving racing fans the most exciting, seamless experiences possible,” said Rob Sweeting, VP of Marketing at Churchill Downs Incorporated. The announcement demonstrates WSC Sports’ ability to adapt its advanced technology to new sports environments. As TwinSpires prepares for a massive audience around the 2025 Kentucky Derby, WSC Sports ensures every key moment can be captured, personalized, and distributed at scale—delivering on the promise of real-time content that meets fans wherever they are. - Published: 2025-04-07 - Modified: 2026-02-04 - URL: https://wsc-sports-dev.ltu.co.il/blog/news/wsc-sports-expands-to-greece-with-fast-river-partnership-bringing-premium-sports-content-to-gazzetta-readers/ - Categories: News WSC Sports is excited to announce a strategic partnership with Fast River, a leading digital advertising innovator based in Athens, Greece. This collaboration marks WSC’s latest continued growth in Greece, bringing the power of AI-driven sports content distribution to Greece’s top digital publishers. Executive Summary Strategic Expansion: WSC Sports has partnered with Athens-based digital advertising firm Fast River to introduce its AI-powered content distribution in Greece, starting with the top sports site, Gazzetta. gr. Discovery Network Launch: The collaboration includes the rollout of the Discovery Network, a platform designed to connect sports rights holders with publishers, delivering short-form, immersive video content and creating new monetization opportunities. Enhanced Fan Engagement & Revenue Potential: By embedding AI-generated, mobile-friendly sports highlights directly on publisher platforms, the initiative aims to increase viewer engagement, loyalty, and revenue through programmatic advertising and advanced ad management tools. Unlocking New Digital Experiences with Discovery Network As part of this partnership, WSC Sports and Fast River are launching the Discovery Network, an advanced content distribution framework that seamlessly connects rights holders with publishers. The initiative aims to help sports organizations maximize their reach while unlocking new monetization opportunities. The first publisher in Greece to leverage this groundbreaking solution is Gazzetta. gr, Greece’s leading sports website. Through this partnership, Gazzetta will introduce WSC Sports’ Stories experience, delivering immersive, vertical video experiences to its audience. This integration enhances fan engagement by offering premium, short-form sports video content from major sports properties, spearheaded by professional tennis and basketball content. Elevating Fan Engagement with AI-Powered Automation The sports media landscape is evolving, and fans increasingly demand real-time, interactive, and easily accessible content. WSC Sports’ AI technology enables publishers like Gazzetta to automatically generate and distribute high-quality highlights, keeping sports enthusiasts engaged with fresh and dynamic storytelling. By embedding these bite-sized, engaging video stories directly into Gazzetta’s digital ecosystem, users can enjoy seamless, mobile-first sports experiences without leaving the platform. This not only increases session durations but also strengthens loyalty and retention—key metrics for any digital publisher in today’s competitive content environment. A New Era of Content Monetization Beyond audience engagement, Discovery Network also presents an opportunity for new revenue streams. With integrated ad management and programmatic advertising, publishers can monetize video content more effectively while maintaining a premium viewing experience for users. Fast River, with its deep expertise in digital advertising strategies, will support the commercialization of this initiative, ensuring that Greek publishers can capitalize on the full potential of sports video content distribution. The Future of Digital Sports Media in Greece With this partnership, WSC Sports, Fast River, and Gazzetta are setting a new standard for how sports content is consumed and monetized in Greece. As digital media continues to evolve, AI-powered content solutions like Discovery Network will be instrumental in bridging the gap between rights holders, publishers, and sports fans. Stay tuned for more updates as we continue to expand our global reach, helping publishers and sports organizations deliver unparalleled digital experiences. - Published: 2025-04-06 - Modified: 2026-02-26 - URL: https://wsc-sports-dev.ltu.co.il/blog/customer-spotlight/nba-launches-genai-technology-with-wsc-sports-to-automate-multilingual-content/ - Categories: Customer Spotlight The innovative AI solution delivers automated voice-overs in multiple languages, generating more than 75% viewer completion rates across the league’s global platforms. WSC Sports’ GenAI tech allows NBA fans in France, Brazil, and Spain to consume content in their native language The automated voice-over technology enables multilingual content and boasts 75% completion rate for the 2-minute videos Expansion of WSC Sports’ GenAI deployment across the league’s digital platforms is already underway In recent months, the National Basketball Association (NBA) has successfully deployed a groundbreaking generative AI technology from long-time partner WSC Sports to automate voice-over commentary for game highlights in multiple languages across digital platforms. With billions of fans all over the world, the league is, and has been at the forefront of adapting to the complex challenge of delivering personalized sports content experiences at a global scale. And this step takes things to a new level. The technology leverages WSC Sports' LSM (large sports model)—the first-ever large language model dedicated to sports content—to analyze every game and automatically create highlights with enhanced storytelling and context. Using ground-breaking scripting capabilities and fine-tuned text-to-speech models, the system generates voice-over commentary that allows fans to enjoy NBA content in their preferred language. A few highlights (no pun intended) of the collaboration include: Languages: Voice-over provided in French, Portuguese, and Spanish Speed: 2-minute highlights from every game posted within minutes of final whistle Stickiness: viewers watch 75% of the 2-minute videos on average The initiative builds on the NBA's long-standing partnership with WSC Sports, which began in 2015. The collaboration has already revolutionized short-form content distribution across more than a dozen digital platforms, including a complete revamp of the NBA app prior to the 2022-23 season. Key features of the AI-powered system include: Real-time analysis and highlight creation using WSC Sports' proprietary platform AI-driven scripting that enhances storytelling with game context and statistics Advanced text-to-speech models optimized for sports commentary Support for multiple languages and regional variations Automated content distribution across digital platforms Introducing the technology has greatly impacted the NBA’s ability to scale the amount of localized content created on a given night, and the engagement rates have validated the approach to using AI for localization. The league plans to expand the technology to additional languages in the coming months and explore new applications for AI-driven content creation, including daily shows and original programming. > Livescore is scaling its use of WSC Sports’ Discovery Network to deliver automated, AI-powered video stories across 17 major competitions... - Published: 2025-04-03 - Modified: 2026-02-04 - URL: https://wsc-sports-dev.ltu.co.il/blog/news/livescore-expands-wsc-sports-partnership-after-successful-discovery-network-collaboration/ - Categories: News Livescore is scaling its use of WSC Sports’ Discovery Network to deliver automated, AI-powered video stories across 17 major competitions—transforming in-app fan engagement and unlocking new monetization opportunities. Executive Summary From Pilot to Scale: Livescore expands its partnership with WSC Sports, now delivering automated content from 17 major competitions across four sports through the Discovery Network. Boosting Fan Engagement: Vertical stories embedded in the Livescore app drive higher engagement, retention, and return visits—bringing fans closer to the action while games are live. New Value for Publishers & Rights Holders: The Discovery Network, centered around delivering premium sports content experiences to fans everywhere, offers a scalable, monetizable distribution channel that benefits publishers, rights holders, and advertisers alike. WSC Sports is proud to announce the expansion of its partnership with Livescore, one of the world’s leading real-time sports media platforms. After a highly successful initial phase, Livescore is now scaling its use of WSC Sports’ Discovery Network, embedding vertical story experiences to enhance its in-app sports content offering. A Seamless, Engaging Sports Experience for Livescore Users With millions of sports fans relying on Livescore for real-time updates, integrating AI-powered sports video content ensures users can access the best moments in sports without ever leaving the app. This collaboration strengthens Livescore’s position as an all-in-one destination for sports enthusiasts, delivering frictionless, premium content experiences tailored to modern fan consumption habits. From Pilot to Scale: 17 Major Competitions, 4 Sports, One Scalable Solution The initial phase focused on local competitions in the Netherlands, with WSC Sports powering content distribution directly to Livescore. The partnership expanded rapidly, ultimately covering 17 major competitions across soccer, basketball, tennis, and football. This successful phase validated Discovery Network's effectiveness, proving how WSC’s technology can scale and adapt to the needs of global sports platforms like Livescore. Driving Engagement, Retention, and Content Enrichment The expanded partnership means Livescore users will benefit from an unparalleled sports content experience, reinforcing key platform advantages: Higher Engagement: Stories keep users actively engaged with fresh, timely content. Increased Retention: By offering premium sports moments within the app, users stay longer and return more often. Content Enrichment & Monetization: Livescore enhances its storytelling capabilities by seamlessly integrating AI-powered video experiences New Revenue Streams: Publishers on WSC's Discovery Network unlock new revenue opportunities through increased engagement, dwell times, and content consumption rates. "Delivering near-live highlights for top-tier competitions is a huge benefit to the Livescore experience at the most important time–while the games are live. The user experience from our initial rollout is fantastic, and we’re excited to scale this experience even further," Vye continued. “At WSC Sports, we pride ourselves on working closely with leading sports brands to deliver scalable, AI-driven content experiences that fit their unique needs and timelines. Livescore is the perfect example of a forward-thinking platform that understands the power of personalized, real-time sports content. ” - Vadim Drozdovski, VP Growth, WSC Sports Looking Ahead: Exciting Features on the Horizon As WSC Sports and Livescore continue to strengthen their partnership, several innovative features are in development to further enhance the sports fan experience. From expanded AI-powered personalization to deeper real-time content integrations, users can expect even more ways to engage with their favorite sports like never before. Stay tuned for more updates as we continue to push the boundaries of sports content innovation. > In this interview, WSC Sports' David Gavant interviews Ian Eagle, long-time announcer and CBS and TNT Sports' lead for covering March Madness. - Published: 2025-04-02 - Modified: 2026-02-04 - URL: https://wsc-sports-dev.ltu.co.il/blog/industry-insights/behind-the-camera-david-gavant-with-ian-eagle-the-voice-of-ncaa-march-madness/ - Categories: Industry Insights Just before the 2025 tournament tipped off, we sat down with CBS and TNT’s lead announcer for NCAA March Madness, Ian Eagle, to talk about his career, how the digital age affects the broadcast booth, and what he’s learning from the next generation—sometimes under the same roof. The tightrope of live broadcasts: no second takes Calling March Madness is part chaos, part craft. With up to four games in a single day, there’s little time to second-guess or recalibrate, and in a single elimination tournament with 68 teams, there’s no way to know everything about every team and player. For Eagle, the magic is in the moment. “You don't get to re-rack the tape. It's one take. And I like that—you're on a tightrope without a protective net. ” It’s an unpredictable sprint that demands both preparation and presence. “You can prepare... but if you don’t perform, it doesn’t resonate,” he says. “And if you perform but get the facts wrong, you lose credibility. It’s got to be the perfect confluence of the two. ” That balance—between spontaneity and structure—is what turns a play into a moment. And sometimes, a moment into a memory. Watch the full interview here: Digital’s impact on linear broadcasts While he may not have personal accounts on social media, Eagle is very much in it. From burner accounts to real-time research, he treats platforms like X and Reddit as essential tools of the job. “If your viewers know things that you don’t, that’s a problem,” he says. “So I check during breaks. You don’t want to be the one on the outside looking in. ” He’s aware when a call like, “We just got the full Nelson! ” lights up the timeline—but insists it’s never the goal. “You’re not doing it to go viral. You’re doing it because it’s entertaining and informative. ” Still, he recognizes how the booth now plays multiple roles: storyteller, scanner, sense-maker. In other words, in today's world where content consumption is so fragmented, the broadcast isn’t just a feed, it’s a filter. And the person behind the mic is curating in real time. The digital layer doesn’t replace the call, it informs it, reshapes it, and sometimes turns it into a meme by halftime. Telling a story beyond the game itself One observation made by Eagle is every team, league, and coach is now surrounded by a content team, documenting everything to tell another story that lives alongside the in-game action. “Every game now has cameras around,” he says. “Someone’s filming practice. Someone’s capturing moments away from the court. ” It’s a strategic move. Because today, fandom never rests. Social clips, viral moments, and behind-the-scenes footage now shape the fan relationship just as much as the game itself. As Eagle explained, sometimes those storylines make it into the live broadcast. Case-in-point: coach Dan Hurley’s superstition-fueled underwear rotation. It all started with a post on social media, but during UCONN’s 20-point blowout against Northwestern in the 2024 NCAA tournament, it became the story. Because even when the scoreboard is quiet, fans still expect to be entertained. The next generation of talent: a new kind of prep Eagle’s son, Noah, followed in his father’s footsteps. First at Syracuse, and now by calling NFL and Big Ten games for NBC. While their styles are similar, the way they prepare for games is quite different. “He’s an audio learner. I’m a visual one,” Eagle explains. “He downloads podcasts. I read transcripts. He absorbs things while he’s working out—I write bullet points. ” What unites them is the same thing that fueled Eagle’s own path: curiosity and craft. From a young age, Noah would ask questions about delivery, camera presence, and tone—poignant questions that Eagle saw as a precursor to his son’s current career path. “He wasn’t just watching. He was studying,” Eagle says. “And now, he’s shaping his own way of doing the job. ” That generational shift—how younger voices prep, listen, and learn—mirrors the broader transformation in sports media. Attention is fragmented. Content is constant. And the next wave of broadcasters will be shaped just as much by social media and podcasts as by the traditional broadcast playbook. With decades in front of the camera and the next generation following right behind, Ian will undoubtedly continue to shape how fans experience some of the biggest moments in sports—one call at a time. - Published: 2025-03-17 - Modified: 2026-04-15 - URL: https://wsc-sports-dev.ltu.co.il/blog/news/a-new-sports-content-standard-the-bar-for-whats-essential-has-been-raised/ - Categories: News Most sports organizations still patch together tools to get their content work done—but fans expect more: better stories, deeper personalization, and faster delivery. WSC Sports' new integrated offering, now with built-in AI-powered asset management, is here to close the gap. Sports fans have never been more engaged, demanding, global, fragmented, or influential in shaping how sporting events are covered. They expect instant, immersive, and accessible content everywhere. And those expectations only keep rising. It seems that only yesterday, automated highlights transformed the industry and set a new standard. Today, while they remain a cornerstone of sports content innovation, they now power a much bigger picture—the expanding tech stack required to meet fans' ever-evolving expectations. For over a decade, WSC Sports has powered automated content creation, video editing, branded graphics, and seamless multi-channel distribution—helping over 550 sports organizations keep up with the demands of modern sports content. But to truly meet fans' expectations today, content teams need more. They need end-to-end content orchestration—managing, distributing, personalizing, and monetizing content at a global scale. Seamlessly. All from one suite. That’s a lot to ask. We did it anyway. Since our mission here at WSC Sports is to constantly enable, empower, and future-proof sports organizations' ability to rise to these challenges - we figured redefining what’s “essential” is only natural. What Does It Mean for You? To reshape the new standard, we’ve integrated a suite of sports-first asset management capabilities directly into our core platform. And we’re offering it to all clients—at no extra charge. Because in 2025, sports content pros need solutions that are holistic, efficient, and end-to-end—tools that help them engage, retain, and monetize fans everywhere. Packing all these solutions together also removes the need to patch multiple tools from different vendors. The New Standard for Sports Content By expanding WSC Sports’ foundation with these powerful capabilities, all our clients can now move faster, collaborate better, and maximize content value. The latest additions to our core suite: Sports-first Asset Management Centralized storage, automated indexing, and management of all media assets, making organization and retrieval seamless. Real-time Content Collaboration An integrated, secure environment for content teams to collaborate with both internal and external stakeholders and partners, ensuring smooth and safe content distribution and monetization. Instant Access On-the-Go Upload, manage, and distribute content from the sidelines or on the move, from any location, giving digital teams the ability to capitalize on every important moment and share every story before, during, and after game time. All of this is now seamlessly integrated with our automated content creation, video editing, graphics, and multi-channel distribution platform. One Platform, Endless Possibilities With this evolution, WSC Sports is setting a new benchmark—building on the industry’s most advanced content automation platform to create one unified solution for sports organizations. No more juggling multiple tools or patching together siloed solutions—just seamless storytelling and unmatched fan engagement. This is the future of sports content. And it starts today. Want to see what your content workflow could look like without the headaches? Let’s walk you through it. Book a demo today. - Published: 2025-03-13 - Modified: 2026-02-04 - URL: https://wsc-sports-dev.ltu.co.il/blog/industry-insights/march-madness-goes-global-the-rising-impact-of-international-talent-in-ncaa-basketball/ - Categories: Industry Insights March Madness has been synonymous with American college basketball for decades—a high-stakes, three-week spectacle where dreams are made and legends are born. But in recent years, the tournament has evolved beyond U.S. borders, becoming a global showcase of talent. The 2025 NCAA Men’s Basketball Tournament will feature a record number of international players, a testament to the sport’s increasing globalization. With more foreign-born athletes playing at the collegiate level, NCAA basketball is not just shaping future NBA stars—it’s redefining the global basketball landscape. The International Rise in NCAA Basketball International players have been part of NCAA basketball for decades, with pioneers like Hakeem Olajuwon (Nigeria, University of Houston) and Patrick Ewing (Jamaica, Georgetown) paving the way in the 1980s. However, the influx of international talent accelerated significantly in the late 1990s and early 2000s, aligning with the NBA’s global expansion efforts. Fast forward to today, and the numbers illustrate a seismic shift: A record 826 international players competed in NCAA Division I men's basketball in the 2023-24 season, marking a 5. 8% increase from the previous year. 78. 5% of Division I teams had at least one international player, and nearly 30% of programs featured three or more foreign-born athletes. International players now make up 15% of NCAA Division I rosters, with a notable concentration among taller players—nearly half of all 7-footers in the NCAA hail from overseas. This shift is not a coincidence—it’s the result of targeted recruitment, the rise of global development programs, and changing incentives that make NCAA basketball a more attractive path for international talent. How the NBA’s Global Expansion Fuels the NCAA Talent Pipeline The NBA’s reach continues to expand, delivering content to audiences worldwide and fueling the game’s growth. As more athletes are exposed to the game, the path to high-level competition becomes clearer than ever, with Division 1 college basketball serving as a crucial stepping stone for many international players aspiring to reach the NBA. One of the biggest drivers behind this international boom is the NBA’s global outreach. The league has strategically positioned itself as an international powerhouse, fostering basketball talent worldwide through initiatives like: Basketball Without Borders (BWB) Co-run by the NBA and FIBA, BWB has become a premier global development program, identifying top young players across Africa, Europe, Asia, and Latin America. Many participants use the program as a stepping stone to NCAA basketball, gaining exposure to U. S. coaches and scouts. NBA Academies The NBA has launched academies in countries like Australia, India, Mexico, and Senegal, providing elite training, education, and direct pathways to both the NCAA and professional leagues. Many top international recruits now come from these academies, bringing NBA-caliber skills to the college level. Scouting & Video Technology Advancements in scouting technology have revolutionized the way NCAA coaches and NBA scouts identify international talent. High-quality video analysis, increased exposure in global tournaments, and relaxed recruiting restrictions have enabled college programs to build relationships with international players earlier in their careers. At the same time, indexed video libraries provide scouts with instant access to player footage, making it easier than ever to evaluate prospects worldwide. With just a few clicks, highlight reels can be compiled, uncovering talent that might have previously gone unnoticed. As the game’s global footprint expands, so does the NBA’s ability to discover and develop the next wave of international stars, further cementing its status as a truly global league. The NIL Factor: A Game-Changer for International Players In addition to skill development, financial opportunities have made college basketball even more attractive to international athletes. The Name, Image, and Likeness (NIL) era has changed the equation, allowing student-athletes to earn sponsorships, endorsements, and other revenue streams while still in college. Why NIL is Driving International Recruiting Growth: Previously, top foreign prospects often turned pro overseas instead of playing college basketball. With NIL deals available, the NCAA now offers a financially viable alternative. Increased visibility through March Madness exposure can boost NIL earnings, making the tournament an appealing platform for international athletes. College basketball now competes with European and Australian professional leagues for young talent, and NIL gives schools an edge in recruiting. This shift is already impacting top-tier international recruits who are opting for the NCAA experience rather than going straight to professional leagues abroad. As NIL continues to evolve, the need for personalized athlete-driven content will only increase. What This Means for March Madness 2025 With these trends in full swing, the 2025 NCAA Men’s Basketball Tournament is poised to be the most internationally diverse in history. Here’s what to expect: More European influence: The 2024 season featured a record number of European players in Division I basketball, and that trend is set to continue. Stronger global presence in key positions: Nearly half of all NCAA 7-footers are international, meaning frontcourt matchups in March Madness will feature an unprecedented level of global talent. Recruiting powerhouses like Gonzaga, Duke, and Illinois will thrive: These programs, known for global recruiting, are expected to leverage international talent for deep tournament runs. As March Madness continues to evolve into a global spectacle, and with more international stars rising through the NCAA ranks, the tournament’s reach and viewership will only grow expanding the sport’s influence worldwide. New audiences will require more highlights, player stories and region-specific content to ensure that fans from across the world stay connected to March Madness. The NCAA’s Role in the Global Basketball Pipeline College basketball has become more than just a stepping stone to the NBA—it’s now a critical stage for international talent development. As we look ahead to the 2025 NCAA Tournament, one thing is clear: March Madness is no longer just an American event. It’s a global basketball showcase where the world’s best young players prove themselves on the biggest stage. With international stars shaping the future of the sport, the question isn’t whether foreign-born players will dominate March Madness—it’s how much they will define its future. March Madness isn’t just growing—it’s expanding its global footprint, and WSC Sports is fueling the way sports organizations go about this evolution, helping them deliver more content, to more fans, in more places than ever before. Book a demo to learn more. > WSC Sports and CSTV announce a partnership that will generate more baseball highlights for fans of the Uni-President 7-Eleven Lions of the CPBL. - Published: 2025-03-11 - Modified: 2026-02-04 - URL: https://wsc-sports-dev.ltu.co.il/blog/news/cstv-and-wsc-sports-on-deck-to-deliver-more-content-to-baseball-fans-in-taiwan/ - Categories: News WSC Sports and Chinese Satellite Communications INC. (CSTV), a leading Taiwanese broadcaster, announced a deal which will see CSTV apply WSC Sports’ market-leading, AI content solutions to create content across their MOMO TV and SPORTCAST media services. The partnership will redefine the baseball viewing experience for fans across Taiwan, and increase fandom around the sport which is already the most-popular in the country. Specifically, CSTV will use WSC Sports to automatically create content from the Uni-President 7-Eleven Lions of the Chinese Professional Baseball League (CPBL). Every one of the teams’ games will be analyzed by the WSC Sports platform which automatically creates videos of all interesting plays, and indexes them by player, team, type of play, and virtually any other variable. As part of the partnership, and to help CSTV expand its digital presence, content will be delivered to three unique YouTube channels that fall under the umbrella of CSTV. “We’re looking forward to strengthening CSTV’s digital positioning and helping them deliver more great content to baseball fans. CSTV is our second client in Taiwan in addition to the Taiwan Professional Basketball League, and we’re excited to cover the two top sports in a country with tremendous fans,” said Aviv Arnon, Chief Business Development Officer at WSC Sports. By using WSC Sports, CSTV will be able to automatically generate and distribute dynamic, high-quality content tailored to modern fan preferences. From game highlights to behind-the-scenes footage, the collaboration is set to transform the way baseball is consumed in Taiwan. "By taking full technical advantage of WSC Sports for our broadcasts we expect to generate more game highlights in the upcoming season for the Uni-President 7-Eleven Lions of the CPBL. Implementing WSC will quickly and accurately improve the personalized viewing experience for our local baseball fans. With a win-win partnership like this we can better serve our fandom and promote the new media upgrade in Taiwan," he added. > Learn how WSC Sports has partnered with the Big 12 Conference to elevate the league’s digital presence. - Published: 2025-03-04 - Modified: 2026-02-04 - URL: https://wsc-sports-dev.ltu.co.il/blog/news/big-12-conference-partners-with-wsc-sports-to-enhance-digital-presence-and-strengthen-fan-engagement/ - Categories: News WSC Sports has partnered with the Big 12 Conference to elevate the league’s digital presence. Leveraging WSC Sports’ advanced AI technology, the Big 12 generates customized video content for football, men’s basketball, and women’s basketball, instantly delivering highlights to its 16 member schools across social media and all Conference content platforms, including the Big 12 Studios FAST channel. "This cutting-edge resource not only creates valuable video resources for the Conference and its schools, but it amplifies our storytelling efforts across all 16 campuses," Kirkham continued. Since launching at the start of football season, the Big 12 has created over 9,500 videos and nearly 550 hours of content using the AI-powered system, from condensed games and game highlights to individual player clips. This influx of content fueled significant digital growth, driving a year-over-year increase of 5,290% in posts, 2,212% in video views, and 3,333% in new subscribers on the Big 12 Conference’s YouTube channel. “WSC Sports is committed to bringing our cutting-edge AI solution to college athletics, helping universities strengthen connections with their students and athletes, as well as expand their brand on a global scale,” said Joe DaCosta, Head of College Sports. “We’ve already seen some incredible sports moments from schools across the country. We’re excited to help showcase these moments and contribute to a growing sports community within the Big 12. ” - Published: 2025-03-03 - Modified: 2026-02-26 - URL: https://wsc-sports-dev.ltu.co.il/blog/customer-spotlight/how-the-utah-jazz-create-fan-driven-content-across-all-platforms/ - Categories: Customer Spotlight Angie Treasure, Senior Director of Content for the Utah Jazz, shares content strategies, the importance of localized content, and how the Jazz is using vertical video to keep fans on the team’s app. Today's sports fans demand more than just scores and stats. They crave a 24/7 content experience, making pre-game buildup, post-game reactions, and offseason stories as essential as the live broadcast itself. For teams, the challenge lies in keeping up with a digital world that never slows down. Each platform—whether it's social media pages, OTT streaming services, team websites, or owned and operated mobile apps—requires a distinct style and cadence to not only deliver the right content, but to do so precisely when, where, and how fans expect it. So how do sports organizations stay ahead of the curve and in front of their fans? Few are better suited to answer this than Angie Treasure, Senior Director of Content for the Utah Jazz. Since joining the team in 2015, Treasure’s role has grown along with the Jazz's marketing team, which now numbers over 70 members dedicated to making sure that wherever their fans are scrolling, the Jazz are there too. But when Treasure joined as the team’s social media manager, the landscape was different, less demanding. There wasn’t a blueprint for how to navigate the intersection of sports and social media. Teams posted the same clip everywhere and hoped for the best. Now, there’s a unique content strategy for each platform. X remains the last bastion of the chronological feed, where fans still expect a steady stream of real-time updates. The Jazz’s main Instagram feed is dedicated to standout plays that can live on beyond the immediacy of the game, curating content with a “wow” factor that resonates even a day or two later. YouTube Stories, meanwhile, offers a chronological fix without overwhelming viewers—a delicate balance, as too much content can quickly cause audiences to drop off. “Facebook is unique," says Angie. "We have a large Filipino audience on the platform, and they really love Jordan Clarkson. So, we try to feed that, making sure we deliver the content that resonates the most with fans. ” TikTok, meanwhile, is a different game entirely, where the focus shifts from overarching narratives to standout plays and trending moments tailored for a younger, on-the-go audience. While most teams grapple with how to deliver this kind of content at scale, the Jazz have found a competitive advantage in their partnership with WSC Sports. Since 2015, the Jazz have used WSC Sports to turn what used to be a time and labor-intensive task—pulling clips from the broadcast truck and manually editing them for different platforms—into a workflow that can now be done with a few clicks. More importantly, the platform enables the Jazz to spend less time on the manual work of clipping and cutting highlights and more time strategizing how to use them most effectively. Among NBA teams, the Jazz rank in the top 10 for video output using WSC Sports, but for Treasure, the focus isn’t just on increasing volume—it’s about ensuring every piece of content serves a purpose. "Having a tool that gives us what we need instantly lets us focus on strategy—like crafting captions or planning across platforms—instead of scrambling to get the clip. It makes our jobs so much easier and allows us to really think about how we present content to our audience. " That purpose becomes even more apparent with the Jazz's latest push into In-App Stories, an additional product offering from WSC Sports. Modeled after the 9:16 vertical video style that has captivated Gen Z on platforms like Snapchat and Instagram, the solution gives fans the experience they know from social media, right in their proprietary mobile app. But the real play here isn’t about mimicking social media; it’s about creating a hub where fans can stay engaged without ever leaving the team’s app. All of this leads to increased in-app dwell time and the retention of fans within the Jazz-owned and operated ecosystem. Treasure understands that digital storytelling in sports is never static—it’s a constant process of adapting to the distinct demands of each platform and shifting strategies with every season. The key is staying nimble and anticipating where the digital winds will blow next. With WSC Sports as a partner, the Jazz are doing just that. Automating highlight creation has freed the team to focus on crafting a content strategy that’s precise and platform-specific, allowing them to deliver exactly what fans want, when and where they want it. In a landscape where attention is hard-won, the Jazz are doing more than just keeping pace, they’re defining the game on their own terms. > The Taiwan Professional Basketball League and WSC Sports announce a collaboration to automate content creation during every game. - Published: 2025-02-19 - Modified: 2026-02-04 - URL: https://wsc-sports-dev.ltu.co.il/blog/news/the-taiwan-professional-basketball-league-and-wsc-sports-net-three-year-partnership/ - Categories: News The newly formed Taiwan Professional Basketball League (TPBL), the largest league in the country, and WSC Sports shoot to deliver every exciting moment from the hardwood to league fans all over the world. From its inception, TPBL has aimed to leverage the most advanced international sports market technologies to drive the comprehensive growth and development of Taiwanese basketball. In its inaugural season, the league will use WSC Sports’ AI-powered platform to streamline the way they create content for tens of thousands of fans on social media, including on Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, and YouTube. Every game will be analyzed by the WSC Sports platform which uses AI to automatically create videos from every broadcast, including live game action, pre and post game interviews, player arrivals, and more. The collaboration is a key to TPBL’s long-term digital strategy which includes plans to make content and game highlights more accessible to fans. Additionally, on an organizational level, use of the platform will have an impact that is three-fold: Saved resources: implementing the WSC Sports platform and its AI capabilities will help TPBL increase content production that would otherwise take a significant amount of time to do manually Consolidation to one platform: production capabilities will allow TPBL to create content for all of its social media accounts simultaneously, and according to the unique technical requirements that exist on each platform Partnering with creators: an exclusive partnership program will give content creators access to TPBL footage to use on their own channels-–a mutually beneficial collaboration that aims to maximize audience reach for the league Speaking on the partnership on behalf of WSC Sports, Chief Business Development Officer, Aviv Arnon, said, "Taiwanese fans love basketball and it's exciting for us to be part of the strategy to grow the league. The TPBL was our first client in Taiwan and we can't wait to continue building what we started and to explore new and interesting ways to deliver more great content to the fans. " > Tennis Australia and WSC Sports announce a collaboration that uses GenAI technology to create content with multi-lingual voice-over commentary. - Published: 2025-02-12 - Modified: 2026-02-26 - URL: https://wsc-sports-dev.ltu.co.il/blog/news/tennis-australia-and-wsc-sports-use-genai-to-create-multi-lingual-voice-over-commentary-for-short-form-content/ - Categories: News Fans across the world can watch key moments and highlights from the 2025 Australian Open in their native language thanks to a collaboration between Tennis Australia and WSC Sports. During the tournament, every match was analyzed by the WSC Sports platform to automatically create highlights and other short-form videos using AI. Additionally, Tennis Australia leveraged WSC’s LSM (large sports model)—the first-ever large language model dedicated to sports content—to generate voice-over commentary in multiple languages, starting with Mandarin and Spanish. The technology uses ground-breaking scripting capabilities and fine-tuned text-to-speech models, to generate voice-over for matches in multiple languages so fans can enjoy viewing content in their preferred language. "By combining cutting-edge AI technology with our passion for tennis, we’re making the tournament more accessible, inclusive, and engaging for fans around the world,” he continued. Since 2020, Tennis Australia and WSC Sports have worked together on several content-related innovations, including a vertical video experience integrated into the Australian Open website and app. To date, content was created and published via an English-language feed. This initiative is the first time Tennis Australia provided targeted, localized content for millions of international tennis fans to enjoy the best moments from the tournament in their preferred language. “AI-generated voice-overs can bring new value to fans by telling new storylines about the same video in multiple languages, voices, and styles. We’re thrilled to see the positive reaction from fans, which once again underscores our unmatched ability to deliver innovative, production-grade solutions for fans and rights holders,” said Itai Epstein, Director of WSC Sports’ GenAI Division In 2024, WSC Sports announced the creation of its GenAI-focused division to harness the power of the new technology and apply it to sports content. The team is developing innovative AI-powered products built on top of WSC Sports’ large sports model. AI-generated voice-over is the first product offering and already used by some of the top leagues in the world, and will soon be followed by several new products, including advanced features and capabilities for dubbing, automating captions, and video effects, all available on the WSC Sports platform. > Learn how leading Japanese broadcast company, WOWOW Inc., leverages AI to create more content for Japanese sports fans. - Published: 2025-02-07 - Modified: 2026-02-26 - URL: https://wsc-sports-dev.ltu.co.il/blog/customer-spotlight/the-cutting-edge-ai-technology-wowow-uses-for-sports-broadcasting-and-streaming/ - Categories: Customer Spotlight Wowow Inc. is one of Japan’s leading broadcasters of entertainment and sports content with broadcast rights for many football and tennis competitions. Since introducing WSC Sports’ technology to create highlights and recaps for its VOD service, WOWOW On Demand, the number of views and amount of viewers consuming the content has increased significantly. Why did WOWOW start using this cutting-edge technology, and what have been the results? Half-time Media, a business platform catering to the sports industry in Japan, spoke to both companies about their business partnership and what the future holds for AI in the sports industry. This interview has been translated from the original Japanese. 30 Years of Dedication to Sports Besides the World Cup, football’s most competitive tournament is the UEFA European Championship—a must-see event for Japanese football fans. One week before kickoff, WOWOW announced that it would broadcast all 51 matches marking the 8th consecutive time it broadcasted the event. Since its launch, WOWOW has had a focus on broadcasting live sports, starting with Serie A football games in 1991, followed by coverage of several tennis Grand Slam tournaments in 1992. Over the years, coverage expanded to include LALIGA matches and UEFA Champions League—bringing the world’s best football to Japan. In addition to football and tennis, WOWOW also covers LPGA Tour tournaments, which features special coverage and reporting on the Japanese players. Yuichi Togawa, Director of CX Product Division, Membership Services Business Department, WOWOW Inc. The Challenge: Creating Real-Time Content As technology has evolved over the decades and fan behavior has changed along with it, new challenges arise. WOWOW's Shota Mieno, explained: "We saw a challenge in meeting the demand for real-time content that’s now become the standard for sports fans all over the world," he continued. In the past, highlights were created manually, and it took a long time to distribute them. At the earliest, they would be released one day later. “Once a day passed, interest from the fans already moved on to the next thing. Getting content out to fans faster was key to winning the battle for attention,” Mieno said. Shota Mieno, Head of Membership Services Division, WOWOW Inc. Results Achieved with WSC Sports To speed up content production and distribution, WOWOW introduced the WSC Sports platform to help automate their processes. WSC Sports Japan Director Ben Nakagawa (left) Since using WSC Sports, there have been three noticeable results. The first is the significant improvement in the usability of WOWOW On Demand. Having all game recaps and highlights in one place helps users discover the content, and there has been a huge increase in the amount of people viewing the videos. Secondly, WOWOW has closed the gap in the amount of time it takes to get highlights out to fans. Previously, they would need to wait all day to watch highlights from last night’s match—whereas now, highlights are created the same night and posted in time for fans to enjoy on their morning commute to work or school. Lastly, WOWOW customers are now enjoying a wider variety of content like goal compilations, or highlights of Japanese players, in addition to traditional highlights. The impact of the platform is reflected in the following numbers: Unique users watching highlights increased 74% compared to before using WSC Sports. The overall number of unique users consuming football content went up 17%, mainly among younger fans. It was also found that videos that were automated with the help of WSC’s AI were played about 30 times more on average compared to videos that were manually edited and published one day later. Furthermore, because the highlight videos are shared so quickly to social media, the number of social media followers has also increased. On WOWOW’s X account for football content, the number of followers has increased an astounding 33%. WOWOW is also using content created by WSC Sports to direct fans to WOWOW On Demand. Live highlights and game recaps are shared to Google OneBox, at the top of Google search, and feature a CTA button that leads users to WOWOW OnDemand to watch the live stream or recap, respectively. Another key win from using the WSC Sports platform has been optimizing internal resources. By automating highlight production, WOWOW significantly reduced costs compared to doing everything manually. Letting AI handle the monotonous task of video editing has freed up WOWOW's internal resources to work on more creative tasks like coming up with content ideas to increase user satisfaction and improve the overall quality of their service. The Importance of Quality and Speed Ryosuke Ito, who is in charge of WOWOW On Demand products and was responsible for implementing WSC Sports, recalls seeing the first highlights created with WSC Sports. Ryosuke Ito (right) with Ben Nakagawa of WSC Sports Onboarding the solution involved creating custom graphics, implementing a bank of player names, as well as preparations around the technical aspects for creating videos; like setting up a proper workflow and error handling. Ben Nakagawa, WSC Sports’ Head of Commercial in Japan, assisted with implementation along with other members of WSC’s staff who flew in from overseas to complete the setup. After an initial QA to check quality, the system was up and running. "At its core WOWOW is proud to be a top broadcaster and we’ve been pursuing the best possible quality for our customers since our founding. During the testing phase, we showed our producers the quality of the automated videos and they were very pleased with the quality. We’re extremely happy that we’ve been able to achieve such a high standard of quality, while still generating videos at tremendous speed," said Ryosuke Ito, Head of WOWOW's CX Product Department. However, he continued, “We haven’t fully utilized all the features offered on the platform. ” Right now WSC Sports is used by over 500 of the world’s top teams, leagues, and broadcasters. Commenting on the future of the partnership, Nakagawa added, “We’re introducing some of the use cases that we’ve done with clients in other countries, but there’s still a lot more we can do. I’m very excited about the work we’ll continue to do in the months and years to come. ” What’s Next for AI in Sports? As AI continues to be applied to multiple facets of everyday life, its application in the world of sports is also likely to grow. So, what are some of the future possibilities? Ben Nakagawa says that GenAI is up next. For example, during the World Cup finals the game went to a penalty shootout and the winner was decided when the last player missed. What would the scene on the pitch have looked like if the other team had won? Showing that would be possible with GenAI. Besides creating hypothetical “what if” scenarios, there are several other applications that WSC Sports is working on to make content more fun. WOWOW’s Yuichi Togawa, Director of WOWOW’s CX Product Division, said he’s interested in using AI on data and audio. For example, visualizing the physical strength and conditioning of a player on the field, or automatically providing voice-over commentary to fans in Japanese. “Of course, there are things that need to be cleared like copyright issues,” said Nakagawa. “But we share a common vision that AI can create limitless possibilities in our field—specifically in sports content. ” What kind of future awaits us? We look forward to seeing the innovations that come to fruition from this partnership between WOWOW Inc. and WSC Sports. This article was translated from its original Japanese in halftime-media. com. > Learn how TV Azteca is leveraging WSC Sports' AI-powered technology to transform its sports content capabilities and deliver real-time highlights. - Published: 2025-02-05 - Modified: 2026-02-04 - URL: https://wsc-sports-dev.ltu.co.il/blog/news/tv-azteca-taps-wsc-sports-to-enhance-the-broadcasters-content-capabilities/ - Categories: News WSC Sports today announced a two-year partnership with TV Azteca, a premier broadcast network in Mexico and Latin America. WSC Sports will help maximize the reach and engagement of Azteca's ever-growing sports portfolio by enhancing the network’s content capabilities. Through this partnership, Azteca will leverage WSC Sports’ exclusive content solutions to enhance content automation, vertical video, and video push notifications for multiple sports properties including, Liga MX, México Selección Nacional games, Saudi Pro League, Liga Mexicana de Béisbol, and Box Azteca. WSC Sports’ solution will enable Mexico’s leading broadcast network to seamlessly cut and publish content from these sports properties in real-time across all available digital channels. This solution will help TV Azteca increase fan engagement by delivering personalized experiences with their favorite teams and athletes. "We’re excited to join forces with TV Azteca to amplify their incredible portfolio of content," said Aviv Arnon, CBDO and Co-Founder at WSC Sports. "From the passion of Liga MX fans to the excitement of Azteca Box, our AI-powered technology will help deliver real-time, dynamic stories to fans across LATAM like never before. This partnership reflects our long-standing commitment to empowering broadcasters in the region with cutting-edge tools to engage their audiences. " TV Azteca is one of the largest broadcasters in Latin America and Mexico. It was founded in 1993 and is owned by Grupo Salinas. It operates four national networks in Mexico and also owns stations in Guatemala and Honduras. The media conglomerate also owns a percentage of the Mexican rights to FIFA World Cup, Copa America, CONCACAF Gold Cup, and more. "We seek excellence and we have found the partner that gives us that confidence and that will help us to continue serving our audiences and our communities with new and fresh content. You cannot be the number one sports brand without the right partners and this will be the future of TV Azteca Deportes delivering first-hand content with the best partners and maintaining our position as the number one brand in the Mexican market," Rodolfo Ramírez, Director Azteca Deportes added. > In this interview, learn how the global leader in boxing promotions works with content creators to breathe life into historic content and attract new fans. - Published: 2025-02-04 - Modified: 2026-02-04 - URL: https://wsc-sports-dev.ltu.co.il/blog/customer-spotlight/harnessing-nostalgia-to-reach-new-fans-top-ranks-strategy-with-the-wsc-sports-creators-program/ - Categories: Customer Spotlight How does a legendary boxing promoter stay innovative and ahead of the game? We spoke with Top Rank’s Director of Content Programming, Maddie Dobbins, about how the WSC Sports Creators Program is helping transform their content archive into new opportunities to reach fans. A little bit of context before we dive into the interview: The WSC Sports Creators Program empowers rights holders with expanded global reach and new revenue opportunities by giving content creators access to their media archives. This access enables creators to enhance their content and produce new segments, while rights holders benefit from free exposure to untapped markets as creators showcase their media. By redefining the traditional relationship between rights holders and creators, this partnership fosters a more dynamic and mutually beneficial content ecosystem. Here's our conversation with Maddie Dobbins: How would you describe Top Rank’s content strategy? Top Rank's content strategy serves a dual purpose: celebrating boxing’s rich history while promoting the sport’s present and future. By showcasing our vault of legendary fights and fighters including Muhammad Ali, Floyd Mayweather, and Manny Pacquiao, along with hundreds more, we're creating nostalgia for longtime fans while introducing a new generation to the sport's past stars. At the same time, we’re promoting today’s rising stars to our eager audience. How do we make all that happen? With meaningful storytelling and speed-to-market coverage, giving fans a ringside seat to the greatest sport in the world. What drew Top Rank to join the WSC Sports Creators Program? Having a content archive dating back to 1973 is like sitting on a goldmine. We have the deepest archive in the sport, and the opportunity to share that with other creators—while also creating a direct monetizable benefit for us—made joining the WSC Sports Creators Program an easy decision. It’s a win-win: we get to showcase boxing’s rich history in new and engaging ways, while expanding our reach and revenue potential in the space. How does the WSC Sports Creators Program support Top Rank's content strategy? The WSC Creators Program is a perfect match for Top Rank’s content vision—celebrating boxing’s legacy while building its future. We’re always looking for new ways to bring those moments in boxing's history back to life. This program helps us do just that by allowing us to resurface legendary fights and to create fresh, engaging content that connects with today’s audience. What’s the biggest value you see in giving creators access to your media archive? In recent years, "ripping and stealing" content has become increasingly common on social media. Rather than simply cracking down on these accounts, this program offers a way to transform that problem into an opportunity. The program allows us to work with creators in a way that benefits everyone—protecting our content while expanding its reach. It’s a smart solution to a problem that many brands in sports face, and the value in that is huge. What’s the key factor behind the success of Top Rank’s partnership with the WSC Sports Creator Program? In order for a program like this to succeed at scale, you really need WSC Sports as the facilitator to manage it. Our reps at WSC work to ensure we partner with creators that can help us achieve our business goals while respecting our brand and rights guidelines. WSC communicates regularly with the creators, ensuring they know what they can and can’t post, that they remain consistent, and understand the full potential of being a partner of Top Rank. Would you recommend partnering with the WSC Sports Creators Program? If yes, what are the reasons? Yes, I would. They’ve really got this program down to a science. WSC has tapped into a real need in the market—connecting sports creators with content while also helping brands get even more value out of their own content. It’s a smart approach that benefits everyone involved. How do you envision the interaction between creators and Top Rank evolving over the next three years? That's a great question. We've talked about exploring ways to connect more with the creators—taking it a step further to go beyond highlights. We're excited to see where the program goes. What can fans expect from Top Rank Boxing in 2025 and beyond? We’re always looking for new ways to connect with our audience and push beyond traditional content. We’re incredibly proud to be boxing’s leading promoter since the 70s, and a big part of that success comes from constantly finding new ways to showcase our sport to the world. Expect a very exciting 2025 from Top Rank. > Learn how URC leverages WSC Sports to get maximum value from its owned content and deliver short-form videos to fans in 5 countries. - Published: 2025-02-01 - Modified: 2026-02-26 - URL: https://wsc-sports-dev.ltu.co.il/blog/customer-spotlight/how-the-united-rugby-championship-is-tackling-fragmentation/ - Categories: Customer Spotlight The United Rugby Championship’s ‘own the game’ mantra is being played out through an innovative digital strategy that strives to engage fans through a multitude of channels. With an international reach comprising 16 competing clubs from the powerhouse rugby union nations of Ireland, Italy, Scotland, South Africa and Wales, the United Rugby Championship (URC) has been keen to get on the front foot with its digital strategy. In a congested space, the URC knows that awareness is a vital first step towards fan monetization and loyalty—and partners such as WSC Sports have been helping to draw newcomers into the top of the funnel. The collaboration began more than three seasons ago, with WSC Sports’ automated artificial intelligence-driven video editing and distribution solution taking the action to a global audience. “WSC Sports’ AI-driven features connect with our live workflows,” says Aadil Mukhtar, the URC’s head of marketing – growth and technology. “We publish our highlights and clips through our social media channels, but we also use WSC Sports for our app and web ecosystem, with the technology helping out with lots of other workflows as well. Multifaceted strategy The URC’s digital strategy is deliberately multifaceted to meet a cocktail of challenges created by a fragmented media landscape. Firstly, there is a recognition that fans primarily follow athletes and clubs, with a relationship with a rights-holder such as the URC being considerably more difficult to establish. Secondly, the number of channels via which fans are active has increased exponentially—and their attention is often diverted by other forms of entertainment. “We don't see ourselves just as a sports brand; we see all similar entertainment brands as our competitors,” Mukhtar says. “So, to be able to grab that attention and keep it for longer, we have to be on all touchpoints that the audience is on, whether that's YouTube, gaming platforms or anywhere else. WSC Sports helps us to address all of those workflows from a single platform. ” URC Cloud Arguably the URC’s most innovative project in the digital space so far has been the in-house development of the URC Cloud, through which workflows are automated and WSC Sports technology is integrated, along with other solutions. According to Mukhtar, the motivation behind the creation of URC Cloud—which launched in early 2023— was rooted in the organization's mantra: ‘To be able to change the game, we need to own the game. ’ “With the workflows we need, we would have had to use multiple different platforms, and that just does not work from a cost and efficiency point of view. However, the URC Cloud supports our entire D2C ecosystem, as well as our internal stakeholder ecosystem, including broadcasters, our partners, our internal marketing teams and club marketing teams. " Short-form content So far, the URC Cloud has been rolled out to Premiership Rugby, which operates the top tier of the game in England and, like the URC, counts CVC Capital Partners as a significant minority shareholder. However, the expectation is that more partners within and outside the sport will follow. The URC Cloud also acts as a distribution network for the URCTV over-the-top streaming channel, which offers coverage worldwide in destinations where rights agreements allow, while also supporting a growing focus on short-form content. “Thanks to WSC Sports and its integration to the URC Cloud we are able to deliver a lot more content and a lot more themed content across YouTube and TikTok,” Mukhtar says. “It is very hard to acquire audiences on new platforms, so again, we go where the fans are already—and we don’t try to change their habits, because that's an evolutionary process that will take a long time. “We always try to ensure we stand out with our content. We are the third-fastest growing rugby channel on YouTube in terms of views and audience growth, so the numbers tell us that what we are doing is working. ” In-stadium experience Interestingly, when discussing digital interactions with fans, Mukhtar is keen to tie engagement back to the in-venue experience as part of a joined-up approach. While the competing clubs are responsible for delivering the bulk of the tournament’s 151 games per year, the URC delivers the quarter-finals, semi-finals and grand final, which typically attracts sell-out crowds. “At every touch point in those games we want to enable new in-stadium experiences,” Mukhtar says. “So, we have been looking at things like light shows, augmented reality gaming and virtual reality gaming in stadiums. That is where our tech strategy is for the next three to five years. ” Gamification The gamification element is expected to be a particularly powerful tool to attract younger fans who, despite being notoriously hard to reach, offer tremendous potential for long-term monetization. “They will stay loyal to you, but that audience doesn’t just stay on one platform,” Mukhtar adds. “So, they will be on YouTube, TikTok, Instagram and Snapchat – maybe eight or nine different platforms. They will loyally consume our content, but at a place, time and platform that suits them—and WSC Sports helps us connect with every fan, regardless of the platform. ” In 2024 alone, URC created more than 10,000 videos using WSC Sports, totaling over 300 hours of content. URC also reacted to the shift in demand for more vertical video content, using WSC Sports to increase the output of video in a 9:16 ratio by 28% from 2023. The engagement effort is a collective one, underpinned by a desire to stand out from the crowd—an ethos the URC is keen to share with its partners and various stakeholders. “One of our values is that we aim to amaze and want to deliver something that we hope will change the game. It is very important that we have a team at URC that buys into that, and that our partners and clubs are receptive to it,” Mukhtar says. “You can come up with an amazing idea, but if your core partners are not receptive to it, it's not going to happen. So, we are in a very fortunate position that we work with industry partners, like WSC, who are part of an ecosystem that truly embraces disruptive innovation. ” This article originally appeared in SportBusiness. > Learn how the premier basketball league in Germany, the easyCredit Basketball Bundesliga, expanded it's social media presence by using AI. - Published: 2025-01-30 - Modified: 2026-02-04 - URL: https://wsc-sports-dev.ltu.co.il/blog/customer-spotlight/nothing-but-net-gains-for-easycredit-bbl-on-social-media/ - Categories: Customer Spotlight Learn how easyCredit Basketball Bundesliga reached millions of new fans by exponentially increasing the amount of videos they shared on social media. The Basketball Bundesliga, known to fans as the BBL, is the highest level of professional basketball in Germany, and made up of 17 teams including EuroLeague name stays Bayern Munich and Alba Berlin. Following a surge in international success and interest around German basketball, the BBL’s content team made the strategic decision to turn up their content production. They started using WSC Sports’ AI platform to massively scale the amount of videos created and shared to social media, and encouraged teams to do the same in a joint effort to amplify noise around the league. These are just a few examples of what they achieved in the first year. Photo credit: Steffen Eirich PIVOTING THE CONTENT STRATEGY Recognizing the trend of fans consuming more highlights and recaps on social media, BBL decided to increase the breadth of content they produce. Going into the 2023-24 season, the content team set a goal to create and publish at least 2,000 videos to their YouTube and Instagram accounts. In the first year they more than doubled that benchmark. To create a variety of storylines on any given night, BBL’s content team saw value in creating different types of videos, not just traditional highlights. They set up 22 automation rules to capture everything from the most exciting plays, to full-game recaps, footage from the off-season, and more. Every video is then saved, stored and ready to be shared immediately, or at a later time. These new storytelling capabilities allowed the team to put their content in front of more basketball fans, and raise the awareness of the Basketball Bundesliga all over the world. Compared to the previous season, views and subscribers are up 32% and 17% respectively on YouTube and the growth is nearly identical on Instagram. Most importantly, the total number of organic views on social media has now surpassed what they used to achieve with paid, sponsored ads—a huge savings for the team in terms of budget and time invested into creating quality content. Photo credit: Lukas Adler > In this interview with VP of Product and Tech, Rafa López, learn how the streaming company creates content for millions of fans in Latin America. - Published: 2025-01-27 - Modified: 2026-02-26 - URL: https://wsc-sports-dev.ltu.co.il/blog/customer-spotlight/fz-sports-growing-digital-revenue-6x-through-ai/ - Categories: Customer Spotlight Ever wondered how streaming platforms deliver highlights to their owned and operated channels just seconds after they happen in a game? Here’s how FZ Sports, operator of the Latin American streaming platform Fanatiz, uses AI to post highlights for their fans and grow revenue, per their VP of Product & Tech, Rafa López. What is FZ Sports' digital content strategy? Our aim is to make a comprehensive media ecosystem for Latin American sports fans worldwide. By leveraging advanced technology including WSC Sports’ solutions, we can ensure fans worldwide are able to receive real-time highlights and curated clips on any social media platform. This strategy of maximizing real-time highlights and curated clips allows us to significantly boost fan engagement, which is one of our biggest goals. Since adopting this approach, we’ve seen consistent subscriber growth and a more than 10x increase in social media followers. What are the biggest challenges your content team faces and how do you address them? The sports media industry has changed dramatically in recent years, with fans now preferring short, real-time, and interactive content. They no longer want to wait for highlights—they expect instant access in formats optimized for their favorite platforms. One of our biggest challenges is standing out in an increasingly crowded digital ecosystem. Fans are inundated with options, and capturing their attention—while retaining it over time—requires a delicate balance of quality, speed, and innovation. To meet the demand for new content types and address the challenge of standing out, we've utilized WSC Sports to transform our content production process to deliver more content faster, focusing on near-live updates. We now produce more than 50videos per match, automating the process to ensure timely and engaging content delivery. As a result, our video views have grown nearly 8x and we've seen a 15x increase in impressions, driven by our commitment to consistency and quality. This approach ensures our content reaches a larger audience while building strong, lasting connections with fans and reinforcing our position as a go-to platform for sports content . What type of content have you found resonated the most with fans and why? Live sports and near-live highlights remain the crown jewels of fan engagement. Extended highlights, in particular, stand out because they allow fans to relive the most important moments while providing an opportunity for deeper storytelling. These videos also drive longer average watch times, which amplify brand exposure and monetization opportunities. By tapping into these formats, we’ve ensured that our content remains highly relevant and shareable, capturing the attention of both hardcore fans and casual viewers . What are some new formats and styles of content you are testing? We are continuously experimenting with innovative formats to keep audiences engaged. Recent successes include In-App Stories, which have achieved a 47% completion rate, and social media formats like TikTok-style vertical clips that resonate particularly well with younger demographics. These formats not only increase interaction rates but also provide valuable data on user preferences, enabling us to fine-tune our content strategy . What other teams, leagues or sports brands are creating compelling content pieces that made you think “wow”? I really like what LaLiga is doing. Their use of deep analytics, multi-angle storytelling, and tailored marketing campaigns sets a new standard in the industry. They excel at creating content that resonates across demographics while pushing the boundaries of digital engagement. Their integration of short-form content with long-form storytelling is an approach we aim to emulate . What can fans expect from FZ Sports in 2025 and beyond? In 2025 and further down the road, fans can expect a more immersive and personalized sports experience. This includes AI-driven recommendations, broader access to Latin American leagues, and innovative features like interactive watch parties and gamified fan challenges. We’re also focused on growing our presence in key markets, such as US & Canada, and doubling our digital ad revenue by integrating programmatic ad monetization and expanding our distribution channels. Our mission is to make sports content not just accessible but an integral part of fans’ daily lives . López continues, “As we prepare for 2025, we are committed to pushing the boundaries of innovation and broadening our global footprint. Together, we are not just building connections but shaping how fans experience Latin American sports globally, making our content more accessible and impactful than ever before". - Published: 2025-01-19 - Modified: 2026-02-04 - URL: https://wsc-sports-dev.ltu.co.il/blog/industry-insights/dont-drop-the-ball-on-the-mic-drop-moments/ - Categories: Industry Insights WSC Sports’ automated solution for interviews, press conferences, and studio shows lets you instantly surface, clip, and publish the off-the-court moments that matter most — before they’re old news. Press conferences, interviews, and studio shows are packed with emotional soundbites, raw reactions, and viral-ready storytelling — yet most of that gold never sees the light of day. Why? Because it’s buried under hours of footage, stuck behind manual workflows, or lost in translation. This blog breaks down why these moments matter more than ever, what’s stopping teams from using them, and how new automation tools are turning postgame chaos into content that drives reach, revenue, and relevance. Executive summary -Mic moments move audiences: the most engaging content from athletes, coaches, and on-air talent often comes after the whistle — emotional, authentic, and ready for social. -But most of it gets lost: manual workflows make it nearly impossible to find, clip, and publish these moments fast enough to matter. -Automation changes the game: with AI-powered tools, you can now identify, format, and publish the best quotes in minutes — not hours — and unlock a new content stream you already own. Book a demo and see how you can auto-capture and deliver your best soundbites: There’s a quote. Somewhere in that 47-minute show or interview. Maybe it was funny. Maybe it was fiery. Maybe it was exactly what your fans, your editors, or your sponsors would’ve loved to have posted in that moment. But instead, you or your team are sifting through a mountain of footage — rewinding, scrubbing, transcribing, translating, guessing. By the time you clip it, clean it, caption it, and format it, it’s old news. It’s a familiar grind. If press conferences, interviews, or shows are part of your content workflow, then you know the pain. They're long. They’re chaotic. And they often go underused — not because they’re not valuable, but because they’re just too damn hard to work with efficiently. The result? Some of your best content gets stuck in the editing room or is simply forgotten. Well, not anymore. Shows, interviews, and pressers deserve smarter tools At WSC Sports, we’ve spent over a decade building automation tools for the world’s leading sports organizations, and powering everything from real-time highlights to full-package distribution. Now, we took everything we learned from automating game highlights — real-time indexing, smart tagging, auto-clip generation — and applied it to the action happening on the mic. So, instead of losing hours to logging, clipping, and captioning; you can have ready-to-publish content in minutes. Because spoken content shouldn’t sit on a drive. It should be fueling fan conversations in real time. A workflow built for social storytelling This new solution automates the heavy lifting — so your team can focus on the stories worth telling, not the footage you need to sift through. With WSC Sports, you can turn the best moments on-air into ready-to-publish content in minutes. Here’s what you can do now: Instant content discovery: search by speaker, keyword, or topic. The AI indexes everything in real-time — speakers, mentions, context — so you can jump straight to the moments that matter. Let the system show you what’s worth sharing: a smart, star-rating system identifies questions and responses with the highest potential to go viral. No more guessing. Social-ready by default: clips are auto-formatted for every platform. WSC's “Magicrop” keeps speakers perfectly framed for vertical. Captions are burned in, styled, and optimized for audio-off. Break-down language barriers: Instantly translate captions — or even dub the speaker’s voice — to connect with global audiences in their native language. One library, every moment: Split-screen templates let you pair a press quote with in-game footage in seconds. And all of it lives in one searchable, AI-powered media hub for reuse and re-packaging. It actually moves the needle Some of the results from deploying the solution are: -67% increase in press content output (Australian Open) -114% increase in interview and ceremony views -46% increase in postgame presser performance -25% increase in watch time after adding captions Spotlight: on one occasion, a client beat-out their league’s official channel (who isn’t a WSC Sports user) to publish a viral clip by 10 minutes — and it made all the difference in terms of reach, views, and engagement. Control the narrative. Without losing time. In an age when moments go viral in seconds, the organizations that win are the ones that move fast and stay on message. This solution was built for digital, social, comms, and media teams who want to scale storytelling — without getting buried by playback and post. It puts narrative control back in your hands. And it does it at the speed of news. From live ingestion to social-ready clips, it turns your content workflow into an engine for engagement. Actionable Insights -Reframe content from interviews and shows as social fuel: don’t treat them as archives — but rather, as living content engines. When indexed in real time, they become searchable libraries of storylines and quotes your audience actually cares about. -Prioritize speed over polish: a 30-second quote, posted quickly with captions and vertical framing, beats a 2-minute, over-edited clip every time. Speed is the difference between relevance and regret. -Measure results: track views, engagement, and share velocity on postgame content — and compare performance with and without automated, fast-to-publish workflows, captions, translation, or split-screen packaging. Small tweaks often yield big spikes. Let’s make it work for you Want to stop losing time (and momentum) to the chaos of shows and interviews? Let us show you how it works - with your content. Reach out, and let’s turn your content into a ready-to-post package - so you can experience the speed, scale, and stories you’ve been leaving on the table. Schedule a demo and see it in action - Published: 2025-01-14 - Modified: 2026-02-04 - URL: https://wsc-sports-dev.ltu.co.il/blog/customer-spotlight/how-the-lpga-is-driving-fan-engagement-with-ai/ - Categories: Customer Spotlight Golf is experiencing a renaissance—both in how the sport is played and consumed. Today’s fans don’t just want to see the leaderboard. They want real-time highlights, stories that showcase players’ personalities, and behind-the-scenes glimpses that bring them closer to the sport than ever before. For the Ladies Professional Golf Association (LPGA), this shift presents both a challenge and an opportunity to deliver golf’s best moments at exactly the right time on each fan’s preferred platform. Meeting that demand has been the focus of Brian Carroll, Executive VP of Global Media Distribution & Partnerships, and Jake Brokaw, Senior Director of New Media. “When I came in, there wasn’t a lot of content being generated,” Brokaw recalls, reflecting on his early days with the LPGA nearly a decade ago when the entire marketing team numbered around seven at its peak. Now, the LPGA is equipped with a dedicated social media team, including five to six video producers and editors tasked with creating dynamic content tailored for social and digital platforms. Similarly, LPGA’s approach has grown significantly more sophisticated. Each platform—whether it’s a social media channel, an OTT streaming service, the LPGA website, or a custom mobile app—demands its own style, cadence, and timing to ensure the LPGA’s stories reach the right fans in the right way. “Meanwhile, on Facebook and Twitter, we can quickly share shorter clips that catch the casual fan’s attention—those who just want to see a few great shots,” Carroll added. While most organizations struggle with how to deliver this kind of content at scale, the LPGA has found a competitive advantage in its partnership with WSC Sports. Since 2020, the LPGA has relied on the platform to automate the creation and distribution of clips across all content channels and platforms, doing away with time and labor intensive manual editing workflows. Not only has WSC Sports’ highlight automation helped improve the speed of LPGA’s content creation, but the efficiency of its distribution and performance as well. "It's been a game changer for us," says Carroll. "Now we can produce highlights across all platforms seamlessly in real-time as the shots unfold, which frees up our team to focus on other creative projects. " One of these projects has been introducing another solution from WSC Sports—In-App Stories—to power vertical videos to their proprietary mobile app and website. Inspired by the 9:16 vertical video style popularized by Snapchat and Instagram, the stories allow fans to view quick, engaging highlights in a format optimized for mobile devices. September’s Solheim Cup offered a preview of the solution’s impact, with match-up highlights pulling fans into the action and deepening their engagement within the LPGA’s owned and operated ecosystem. The next step? Give fans even more content showcasing the human side of their favorite athletes. That means showcasing a player’s reaction after a birdie, capturing a signature swing, or sharing a small but authentic moment that lets fans get to know the personality behind the player. “There are so many ways we could leverage WSC Sports to create content that isn’t just highlights,” Brokaw explains. “It could really transform what we’re able to share, giving fans a richer, more personal experience with the LPGA. ” To learn more about how you can expand your storytelling to include player arrivals, press conferences, interviews and more, check out our Around the Game solution. > Learn more about the challenges facing some of the top sports clubs in the Netherlands and strategies they're putting in place to overcome them. - Published: 2025-01-10 - Modified: 2026-02-04 - URL: https://wsc-sports-dev.ltu.co.il/blog/industry-insights/antwerp-huddle-how-clubs-are-evolving-to-reconnect-with-their-fans/ - Categories: Industry Insights The Antwerp Huddle was an event hosted by WSC Sports that featured over 50 high-level business executives from some of the top teams, leagues, and broadcast companies in the Benelux region. In this article, we break down the second panel of the day, moderated by Leander Monbaliu, Chief Business Officer of LaSource, a consulting agency focused on sports, digital, and technology. The panel, centered around clubs, featured executives from three teams: Ramses Braakman, Board Member of ZZ Leiden Basketball, Stijn Van Hemelrijck Media Director at RSC Anderlecht, and Frans Janssen, Commercial Director at PSV Eindhoven. Each spoke about recent challenges they’ve encountered, and the solutions they’ve implemented (or are currently working on) to overcome them. Key themes that emerged from the conversation include expanding your content arsenal to include more than just matchday coverage, building a community for your fanbase, and collaborating with broadcast partners and leagues to maximize brand reach. More Than Just a Game: Creating New Types of Content Now more than ever, sports transcend into fashion, music, TV, and other aspects of culture. For the panelists, this presents a number of marketing opportunities that might not have been possible in years past. Stijn Van Hemelrjick spoke about opening up Anderlecht’s fan funnel to focus on more casual fans. One of their more recent projects, Mauve TV, a full-fledged streaming platform that offers fans behind-the-scenes footage, press conferences, documentaries, and more, has been a huge success in re-connecting with fans, a third of whom have never attended a game. ZZ Leiden has also stepped up its content offering. They religiously post game highlights and recaps for fans to catch up on the action, but they’re also looking beyond just gameday content to bring fans closer to the players and team. They feature write-ups about players, interviews, and more across their social media accounts and on their team website. They’ve even done a feature story on their dedicated cameraman, a life-long basketball fan with deep ties to the game and to Leiden. Building a Community of Fans When it comes to their respective communities, both Frans Janssen and Ramses Braakman find themselves in unique situations. For Janssen, the city of Eindhoven is expected to receive hundreds of thousands of new immigrants in the next five years thanks to a booming chip manufacturing plant. The challenge at hand: how can the team develop deeper cultural and emotional connections with a fast-changing community, and integrate new residents into the club’s identity? That’s something that they’ll be working on in the months and years ahead. For ZZ Leiden Board Member, Ramses Braakman, he finds himself at the helm of a basketball team in a country where the sport is still gaining in popularity. To speed up the process, he’s taken a hands-on approach towards acquiring new fans. Six times a year the club runs basketball clinics for thousands of kids from the local primary and high schools, and as a result the club has seen hundreds of the participants showing up at games, along with their family and friends. Collaborating to Expand Brand Reach Historically teams, leagues, and broadcasters were very protective of their brands, and less willing to collaborate with other organizations. But in today’s world of social media, collabs can serve a mutual benefit by exposing fans to teams and leagues that they might not otherwise have been attracted to. When PSV Eindhoven discovered that F1 superstar Max Verstappen was a fan, they immediately thought of doing a promo for an upcoming race in the Netherlands alongside F1, Verstappen, and ESPN (the broadcaster for the race)—something that resulted in millions of new followers for everyone involved. When it comes to the live broadcasts themselves there’s shared interest in offering a beautiful product. So for pre-match shows Anderlecht provides content and graphics to its broadcast partners in an effort to make the experience as attractive as possible for the viewers. For Ramses Braakman and ZZ Leiden, they have their own platforms where they post games and other content, but they’re also providing content to the league’s OTT platform BNXT. TV, and have partnerships with broadcasters across Belgium and the Netherlands. The panel showcased how clubs are expanding their content, building communities, and embracing collaboration. From immersive platforms like dedicated streaming platforms to grassroots initiatives and partnerships, the panelists highlighted creative ways to deepen engagement and adapt to the evolving sports landscape. > Learn how three broadcast companies strategize to get fans' attention in an era when they're spending a large amount of their time on social media. - Published: 2025-01-08 - Modified: 2026-02-04 - URL: https://wsc-sports-dev.ltu.co.il/blog/industry-insights/antwerp-huddle-winning-viewer-attention-in-a-fragmented-sports-media-world/ - Categories: Industry Insights The 2024 Antwerp Huddle was an event hosted by WSC Sports that featured over 50 high-level business executives from some of the top teams, leagues, and broadcast companies in the Benelux region. The first panel discussion of the day, moderated by Leander Monbaliu, Chief Business Officer for the Paris-based sports consultancy, LaSource, centered on broadcast organizations and included Michiel Ameloot, Editor in Chief of Sports at DPG Media, Bruno Bouniton, Head of Partnership Development & Sponsoring at Proximus, and Martijn Hendriks, Streaming Coordinator at NOS. While each panelist is responsible for marketing live sports events at their respective company, their different backgrounds gave the audience a unique perspective on the industry—from a large media company, a public broadcaster, and telecom operator. The goal: a top-notch product for fans Both Michiel Ameloot and Martjin Hendrilks work at organizations with their own linear, digital, and news offerings. One of the challenges they face is that their audiences have now shifted a tremendous amount of time and attention to social media; so part of their strategies are focused on raising awareness on other platforms to draw people into live games. In our first summary of the WSC Sports Huddle: Antwerp, we mentioned NOS’ success in sharing content to Google One Box using the WSC Sports platform, but both organizations cited new strategies used to capture people’s attention—like opening up WhatsApp channels to share news and content directly with fans. For Bruno Bouniton and Proximus, the strategy is to win-over customers by presenting them with the best possible product offering. That means aggregating programs to make it easier for people to find what they want to watch; and developing smart recommendations to advertise an upcoming Champions League game, for example. Collaborating to increase brand reach One of the key themes that became apparent during the panel, and indeed during the many conversations that took place during the day, was the importance of collaboration— specifically, between teams, federations/leagues, and broadcasters. The end goal is two-fold: offering the best possible product to fans and expanding the reach of each others’ brands. To start, the three panelists already had many shared interests. As a TV provider, Proximus offers channels belonging to the other two panelists. In addition, NOS partnered with Samsung and LG, as well as two large local cable operators in the Netherlands to offer its programming which includes many live sports events. The partners’ networks allow viewers to live-stream games from computers or mobile phones, and Martijn Hendriks mentioned that the live streams often surpass linear in terms of viewership. Collaboration enables shared resources and integrated fan experiences, so to offer a better overall experience to football fans, DPG teamed up with the Royal Belgian Football Association (RBFA) to deliver more content from Belgium’s national team to fans. DPG broadcasts all of the Red Devils’ games on its linear channels, but they’re challenged by limited media rights. To get the most out of their rights, the partnership enables them to share content like exclusive interviews, player spotlights, highlights, and more, to bring fans closer to their favorite athletes and action. Working together, both organizations are able to get more eyes on their brands which serves business goals while satisfying fans’ appetites for content. The 2024 Antwerp Huddle showcased how sports broadcasters and organizations in the Benelux region are adapting to changing fan behaviors through innovation and collaboration. Whether simplifying content discovery, leveraging streaming success, or enhancing fan experiences through partnerships, the event emphasized the shared goal of delivering value to fans while driving mutual growth across the industry. > From the Australian Open to the Heisman Trophy winner, let's look back at some of the amazing highlights and industry feats that defined 2024. - Published: 2025-01-02 - Modified: 2026-02-04 - URL: https://wsc-sports-dev.ltu.co.il/blog/industry-insights/a-look-back-at-2024s-defining-sports-moments/ - Categories: Industry Insights From game-winning shots that kept fans on the edge of their seats to record-breaking feats that rewrote history, 2024 has been a year filled with monumental milestones in sports. The athletes, teams, and events that defined the year captivated global audiences, sparked conversations across platforms, and set new standards of excellence, particularly for women in sports. As we look back on this unforgettable year, here’s a month-by-month breakdown of the moments that shaped careers and marked turning points for entire industries. January The 2024 Australian Open was a showcase of tennis brilliance, with Jannik Sinner and Aryna Sabalenka emerging as respective champions. In a dramatic men’s final, Sinner mounted a remarkable comeback, defeating Daniil Medvedev after losing the first two sets to claim his first Grand Slam title. On the women’s side, Sabalenka successfully defended her title with a dominant performance against Qinwen Zheng, solidifying her place as one of the top stars in women’s tennis. February In one of the most tightly contested Super Bowls in recent memory, the Kansas City Chiefs secured back-to-back titles, defeating the San Francisco 49ers 34-27. Patrick Mahomes further cemented his legacy as one of the greatest quarterbacks of all time, leading the Chiefs to their second consecutive Super Bowl victory, a feat not seen in two decades. https://www. tiktok. com/@nfl/video/7334557665588186410? q=cheifs%20win%20superbowl%20&t=1735647579911 The 2023 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON), held in 2024 after a postponement, concluded with a thrilling final where Ivory Coast triumphed 2-1 over Nigeria. The tournament, which took place from January 13 to February 11, 2024, in Ivory Coast, saw the host nation secure its third AFCON title, with goals from Franck Kessié and Sébastien Haller. Despite Nigeria taking an early lead through William Troost-Ekong, Ivory Coast mounted a comeback, with Haller’s 81st-minute strike sealing the victory. This win marked a historic achievement for Ivory Coast, making them the first host nation to claim the AFCON title since Egypt in 2006, further solidifying their footballing legacy. March 2024 will be remembered as the year of Caitlin Clark. The Iowa Hawkeyes star set the NCAA all-time scoring record, leading her team to the national women’s college basketball title game. Her rise transcended the sport, turning her into a symbol of the growing momentum behind women’s athletics. Clark’s seamless transition to the WNBA saw her setting rookie records and pushing the league into new territory. In December, she was named AP Female Athlete of the Year for her accomplishments on the court and her pivotal role in boosting viewership and attendance for the WNBA. https://www. tiktok. com/@espn/video/7354587449588223274? q=caitlin%20clark%20highlights%20espn&t=1735647469404 Women’s Sports Revenue Hits $1B A groundbreaking report from Deloitte projected that women’s sports would generate over $1 billion in global revenue for the first time in 2024. This milestone marked a 300% rise from just a few years ago and highlighted the growing commercial viability and mainstream appeal of women’s sports across the globe. April The 2024 Masters Tournament, held from April 11-14 at Augusta National, showcased some incredible performances on the course, with Scottie Scheffler taking home his second Masters title. Scheffler finished 11-under-par, four strokes ahead of Ludvig Åberg, who impressed in his Masters debut with a runner-up finish. Tommy Fleetwood, Max Homa, and Collin Morikawa rounded out the top five, finishing tied for third at 4-under-par. May In a thrilling photo finish, Mystik Dan clinched victory in the 150th Kentucky Derby on May 4, 2024, at Churchill Downs in Louisville, Kentucky. The race concluded with Mystik Dan narrowly edging out Sierra Leone and Forever Young, marking one of the closest finishes in Derby history. Trained by Kenneth McPeek and ridden by jockey Brian Hernandez Jr. , Mystik Dan's triumph was particularly significant as McPeek also secured a win in the Kentucky Oaks with Thorpedo Anna, making them the first trainer-jockey duo to achieve this feat since 1952. https://www. tiktok. com/@nbcsports/video/7365295954443963691? q=mystik%20dan%20kentucky%20derby&t=1735670184516 The 2024 UEFA Europa League Final was a captivating spectacle, played on May 22 at Dublin’s Aviva Stadium, where Atalanta claimed their first-ever European title with a commanding 3-0 win over Bayer Leverkusen. Following their emphatic Bundesliga title win—beating out Harry Kane's Bayern Munich and remaining undefeated all season in the league—many thought Leverkusen had this in the bag. However, Atalanta had other plans, as Ademola Lookman delivered an unforgettable performance, scoring all three goals to secure Atalanta’s place in history and silence the favorites. June The Boston Celtics made history by winning their 18th NBA Championship, the most in league history. Their title run was highlighted by clutch performances from Jayson Tatum and Jaylen Brown, who solidified their place among the NBA’s elite. https://www. tiktok. com/@nbacanada/video/7381676929205783813? q=nba%20celtics%202024&t=1735670463342 The Florida Panthers captured their first-ever Stanley Cup in an unforgettable Game 7 against the Edmonton Oilers. The victory ended the franchise’s long search for an NHL title and brought hockey to the forefront in Florida, where the Panthers’ triumph sparked celebrations across the state. https://www. tiktok. com/@bleacherreport/video/7384271153860218143? q=panthers%20win%20stanley%20cup&t=1735670481275 July Mark Cavendish etched his name into cycling history by breaking Eddy Merckx’s record for most Tour de France stage wins. His 35th stage victory was a testament to his longevity and prowess in the sport, securing his place as one of cycling’s greatest athletes. https://www. tiktok. com/@eurosportcycling/video/7387438942288710945? q=cavendish%20tour%20de%20france&t=1735670507861 Spain defeated England in a dramatic final to clinch the UEFA Euro 2024 title. The victory was not only a triumph for the Spanish football team but also a testament to the rise of Spain’s young talent, marking a new chapter in the country’s rich football history. August The Paris Olympics saw Simone Biles etch her name further into the history books, becoming the most decorated U. S. gymnast in Olympic history. Alongside Biles, Sydney McLaughlin-Levrone set a new 400m hurdles record and Noah Lyles edged out Jamaica’s Kishane Thompson in the men’s 100m final, delivering two of the most memorable performances of the Games. https://www. youtube. com/watch? v=y6jrrkPehI8 In a stunning display of clutch shooting, the U. S. men’s basketball team secured the gold medal at the 2024 Paris Olympics, defeating France in a thrilling final 98-87. The game was a back-and-forth affair, with both teams showing off their incredible skills, but in the end, Stephen Curry's late-game heroics sealed the victory for Team USA. With just three minutes remaining in the game and the U. S. clinging to a narrow lead, Curry put on a shooting clinic. The Golden State Warriors star knocked down four consecutive three-pointers, stunning the French defense and leaving the crowd in awe. September Coco Gauff made history off the court as well as on, becoming the highest-paid female athlete. Her meteoric rise not only saw her rack up earnings but also positioned her as one of the most marketable athletes in sports, representing a new era for women’s tennis. The long-awaited launch of the Pro Women’s Hockey League marked a milestone for women’s professional sports. The league’s inception was a step toward creating a more sustainable and professional environment for female hockey players, receiving widespread support from fans and sponsors alike. October The Los Angeles Dodgers clinched the 2024 World Series with a dominant five-game win over the New York Yankees. Freddie Freeman’s incredible 12 RBIs in the first four games set a new World Series record, capping off one of the most impressive postseasons in recent memory. Shohei Ohtani made history by becoming the first player in MLB history to hit 50 home runs and steal 50 bases in a single season. His record-breaking performance earned him the unanimous National League MVP, further solidifying Ohtani’s place as one of the most transcendent talents the sport has ever seen. https://www. tiktok. com/@espn/video/7431785785659002158? q=dodgers%20win%20world%20series&t=1735647329113 The New York Liberty capped off their historic 2024 season by claiming their first WNBA Championship, overcoming the Minnesota Lynx in a series that will go down as one of the most thrilling in league history. After finishing the regular season at the top of the standings, the Liberty’s journey to the title was filled with both domination and drama, culminating in an epic showdown in the Finals. November In 2024, Netflix made a significant leap into live sports broadcasting, beginning with the highly anticipated boxing match between Jake Paul and Mike Tyson on November 15. Held at AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas, the event attracted a record-breaking 108 million live global viewers, marking it as the most-streamed sporting event in history. The fight, which saw Jake Paul secure a unanimous decision victory over the legendary Mike Tyson, was streamed exclusively on Netflix, showcasing the platform's commitment to diversifying its content offerings. Building on this momentum, Netflix expanded its live sports portfolio by streaming two NFL games on Christmas Day, December 25, 2024. The matchups featured the Kansas City Chiefs against the Pittsburgh Steelers and the Baltimore Ravens facing the Houston Texans. These games attracted over 24 million viewers, setting a new streaming record for NFL broadcasts. Max Verstappen cemented his dominance in Formula 1 by securing his second consecutive World Championship. With nine Grand Prix wins, Verstappen broke records and proved his place among the sport’s all-time greats, becoming the first driver to win a title for a third-placed team since 1983. December In a season full of standout performances, University of Colorado WR Travis Hunter achieved something truly extraordinary, winning the Heisman Trophy as a two-way player—a feat that hadn’t been seen in decades. Hunter’s achievement has rewritten the narrative of what’s possible in college football, cementing his place in the sport’s history and marking a new era for multi-dimensional athletes. His unique skill set and versatility made him a matchup nightmare for opponents all season long, and his Heisman win in 2024 marked a historic moment for both the player and the game. https://www. tiktok. com/@nfl/video/7448456409001233694? q=travis%20hunter%20heisman%20win&t=1735650841231 Cosm is transforming the way we experience live sports. Through its Shared Reality format, fans at their Los Angeles and Dallas venues can now enjoy live events like Premier League matches, Notre Dame Football, Big Ten Football, and premium horse racing events in 8K+ visuals, all within 87-foot diameter LED domes. The immersive experience bridges the gap between the virtual and physical worlds, making it feel as though you’re courtside or pitch-side, without leaving your city. Even Wrexham, a team from the lower tiers of English football, is now part of the lineup, with their matches being screened at Cosm’s venues in Los Angeles and Las Vegas. Who needs a flight to Wales when you can cheer for Wrexham with a front-row view and a local craft beer in hand? - Published: 2024-12-23 - Modified: 2026-04-27 - URL: https://wsc-sports-dev.ltu.co.il/blog/industry-insights/wsc-sports-in-2024-fueling-fandom-through-more-than-10m-highlights/ - Categories: Industry Insights To listen to this article via our AI-generated podcast, click play on the video below. Reflecting on 2024, it's incredible to see how far we've come. This year brought us major milestones, from launching groundbreaking solutions to exciting new partnerships and a brand refresh that better reflects who we are today. Each achievement reflects our commitment to raising the bar in sports media content solutions, bringing more value to our clients and helping them build stronger connections with their fans. As we look back on a year of innovation and growth, we’re proud to share some of the highlights that have shaped WSC Sports in 2024. Solutions As leaders in sports media, we’re always looking to push boundaries and deliver more value to our clients, and 2024 was no different. This year we launched three new solutions to do just that: Stories – allows rights holders to seamlessly integrate personalized vertical video experiences such as stories and vertical feeds with interactive modules into their owned and operated apps to ensure fans spend more time on their O&O platforms. Discovery Network – helps our clients extend their reach and expose their content to fans in pre-agreed third-party platforms, creating new revenue streams and a new funnel to drive traffic into their O&O. Additionally, we’ve launched a new GenAI department that is working on building new solutions on top of our sports-dedicated LLM-LSM (Large Sports Model). We’ve already released two solutions to the market—a multilingual AI voice-over tool for highlights with automated scripts and narration and an article-to-video solution that generates relevant videos according to the articles' written content. Stay tuned, as we will release more GenAI solutions during the first quarter of 2025. WSC Sports' Stories Solution Clients Launching new solutions is only part of the journey—what really matters is seeing them in action with an ever-growing list of clients who bring them to life. That’s why we're thrilled to announce that in 2024, we’ve teamed up with over 100 new clients, including top clubs, leagues, federations, broadcasters, and OTT platforms such as Ligue de Football Professionnel, Borussia Dortmund, NWSL, and Movistar Plus+. We’re now serving more than 530 clients around the world in more than 50 different countries. New Look As our technology and solutions have evolved, we realized our branding needed a refresh. Our marketing, design, and employer branding teams took on the exciting challenge of transforming our brand—from our website and logo to our tagline and colors—to align with our company vision. This change better reflects who we are today and aligns with our vision of transforming the sports media landscape through AI-powered innovation. This new look is more than a facelift; it's a celebration of our commitment to innovation and the vibrant sports-loving community we proudly serve. Content One of our favorite year-end traditions is diving into the massive volume of content our clients created using our solutions. This year, for the first time ever, our clients smashed through the 10-million-videos-created mark; 10. 2 million highlights were produced using WSC Sports in 2024– that’sone highlight created every 3. 1 seconds! In 2024, the demand for vertical content reached an all-time high, and WSC Sports empowered our clients to meet that demand. This year, our clients produced over4 million vertical highlights using our solutions—a marked 81% increase from the previous year. It’s incredible to see how our platform is helping clients deliver the content fans crave in the format they love. Industry Recognition 2024 was a year of innovation and impact, and it’s rewarding to see our efforts recognized on a global stage. We were honored to receive four prestigious awards: SBJ’s Sports Business Awards: Tech for Best in AI, SportsPro OTT Award for Best Use of AI, Fast Company’s Award for Established Excellence, and Front Office Sports' recognition as a top employer in the sports industry. Last but not least, ESPN named us as one of their key technology partners alongside Meta, Microsoft, and Accenture, at the fourth-annual ESPN Edge Innovation Conference in New York. These awards are not just a badge of honor, they’re a testament to the hard work of our incredible employees who make all of this possible. Team Speaking of our employees, we were delighted to welcome over 100 new faces to our offices around the world, bringing our total headcount to more than 550. At WSC we don’t just work hard, we play hard too and things don’t get much more fun than our annual hackathon—26 hours of nonstop innovation, good vibes, and friendly competition. 2024 was a landmark year for WSC Sports, defined by innovation, collaboration, and growth. As we celebrate these achievements, we’re even more excited about the future—continuing to shape the sports media landscape and bring fans closer to the moments that matter. Thank you for an incredible 2024, here’s to an even better 2025! > Learn about two of the biggest European football clubs that are using AI to create great content for their fans on social media. - Published: 2024-12-18 - Modified: 2026-02-04 - URL: https://wsc-sports-dev.ltu.co.il/blog/industry-insights/a-league-of-their-own-the-sports-clubs-creating-the-best-content/ - Categories: Industry Insights The average adult scrolls the equivalent of three marathons a year. That’s according to a recent study commissioned by footwear giant, Saucony—and it doesn’t seem a finish line is in sight. Fans are consuming more sports content than ever before, and that puts pressure on rights holders to deliver the best content to their audiences, and a lot of it. Specifically, if your business is marketing a sports team, league, or broadcast organization, you’re probably kept up at night deciphering a million and one ways to share and repurpose content from thousands of hours of game and event footage. How can you ensure that you’re capturing every piece of content? Achieving maximum brand awareness and exposure to fans? With the latest in AI technology and content management solutions it’s possible to ease the burden of creating endless amounts of content. These are two exemplary organizations using the latest in AI technology to deliver every exciting moment to their fans. Borussia Dortmund: Transforming Historic Footage Into New Content In the past, old game footage collected dust in desk drawers and filing cabinets, but with the latest technologies, it’s possible to instantly access any moment from the past. AI-powered content creation platforms and content management solutions are available that automatically create videos, tag footage, add metadata, and save the content to a searchable library—effectively streamlining processes for sports organizations. Dortmund for example, took the strategic decision to start producing more content for its massive social media audience (over 20 million followers on Instagram alone). Part of that strategy is educating younger fans about the history of the club. The content team did well to showcase a memorable match at the Bernabeu, when Marco Reus scored a dazzling two goals much to the displeasure of Real Madrid fans. This clip was used to hype-up an upcoming match between the two teams. Ligue 1: Telling the Full Story Around the Game Ever since ESPN released its 30 for 30 documentary series, sports fans have relished the opportunity to consume content that brings them as close as possible to their favorite players and teams. Traditional coverage focused solely on live action, but with so much happening on top of the game—like player arrivals, celebrity sightings, and pre and post-game interviews—today’s fans expect to get the full-story. And AI solutions are capable of curating these non-game moments just like the live action. This technology enables leagues like Ligue 1, to easily create club-specific content like this ten-minute interview with Nice team captain, Dante. Fans get to hear about his career, his promotion to captain, and reflections on the season—all from the vantage point of the locker room. Bonus points to Dante for conducting the interview in his second language, and to the Ligue 1 content team for living by their motto: “Football. But French. ” With thousands of hours of footage, it can be challenging for clubs to capture and organize content that tells a continuous story. Learn more about WSC Sports’ Around the Game solution, designed to ensure you have an endless bank of content to deliver each and every one of your fans so they never miss an exciting moment. This article was originally featured in SportsPro. > Learn how Virginia Tech Athletics uses WSC Sports to create engaging content—delivering highlights, personalized experiences, and more. - Published: 2024-12-12 - Modified: 2026-02-04 - URL: https://wsc-sports-dev.ltu.co.il/blog/customer-spotlight/how-virginia-tech-utilizes-ai-in-its-athletics-department-content-strategy/ - Categories: Customer Spotlight Ever wondered how colleges devise their content strategy? We asked VT's Associate AD for Creative Communications, Brian Cox, what it's like delivering content to Hokie fans all over the country. How would you describe the content strategy for VT's Athletic Department? We designed the content strategy to enhance engagement with fans, athletes, alumni, and the broader community here in Blacksburg. We aim to create, curate, and distribute high-quality, compelling content that tells the story of our student-athletes, highlights the excitement of our games, and promotes the values and spirit of Virginia Tech. Do you have any specific content goals? Sure, we have goals specific to our department and also some things we're working towards that are reflective of the university and the alumni base. For example: Fostering a sense of community and tradition: Content is really an incredibly powerful tool. By sharing through nostalgic footage and historical highlights (i. e relieving the Miracle in Morgantown on its anniversary each year), we can really connect with all Hokie fans. Increasing fan engagement: Highlights, behind-the-scenes footage, and player interviews are key for us. We’re living and breathing content all year long, and we’d like to increase engagement especially in our sports that typically get less of the spotlight. Driving revenue opportunities: That could mean we're collaborating with sponsors to create branded content, promoting merchandise, or driving ticket sales through targeted campaigns and engaging gameday content. Showcasing our athletes' successes: It's our job to shine the spotlight on our student-athletes, whether that's on-the field records, academic achievements, or community involvement. Telling deeper stories creates more meaningful connections with our fans, AKA Hokie Nation. How have NIL rules impacted Virginia Tech’s media team and athletes? Virginia was actually the first state to allow NIL (name, image, and likeness), so at this point we know a lot about how it all works. We've seen a huge increase in brand partnerships involving our student-athletes. As a media team it's our responsibility to help them navigate these opportunities, so we’ve developed a strong support system to help our athletes understand what's being presented to them and get the most from each opportunity. What are the biggest challenges your team faces in today’s media landscape? And how have you addressed them? Yeah, there's definitely a lot happening all the time, so there's a lot to keep track of—the demand for more highlights and sports content is just one such example. Here are some of the challenges and solutions that are top of mind: Serving fans on multiple platforms at once: Audiences on different social media platforms have different expectations of what content should look like. So for example, on TikTok, the audience prefers more raw and personal content, while on Instagram they want more curated and professional-looking content. Younger fans want things to be shorter and appreciate more interactive experiences, like quizzes and polls. Our content team is divided up into smaller specialized teams, each responsible for a different platform to make sure we’re posting optimal content for each one. Dealing with losing streaks: Whenever one of our teams is on a losing streak we sometimes get a lot of negative comments from our more-passionate fans. Hey, that's sports! We have a crisis communication plan that’s in place to help manage such situations. If a team is on a losing streak, or having a poor season overall, we often scale back our posting or target other areas of the student-athlete experience within our program. Limited staff: We are not a big team, and rely heavily on student assistance, often inviting students studying communications and media onto our team. It's a win-win—they get experience on a professional media team, and we get some much-needed assistance in running our operations. We’ve also begun investing in AI automation tools, particularly WSC Sports, to increase our media output. How does WSC Sports help Virginia Tech create sports content? It's been a game-changing tool for our department. We simply would not be able to deliver the same amount of content to our fans without it. These are the three main ways the platform serves us: Automatic highlight creation: We use WSC to capture and cut highlights from any game, and it only takes a few clicks. For us, it eliminates the need to have a team of editors sitting at a computer for hours on end to create a highlight package, instead, WSC Sports does that for us in seconds. This allows our team to focus their energy on other tasks, like capturing interviews, shooting behind-the-scenes content, and brainstorming new and creative ways to engage with Hokie Nation on social media. Editing for platform requirements: Every platform that we post to has a different set of requirements when it comes to video size and length. For example, TikTok, Instagram Reels, and YouTube Shorts require the videos to be vertical, while Facebook and YouTube videos are horizontal. Before using the WSC platform, every time we wanted to post to TikTok or YouTube Shorts, an editor had to manually edit the highlight to fit that format. WSC Sports now does that for us instantly and it's incredible. Scalability: With the automations we get from the platform we can scale our output without increasing our headcount significantly. This scalability has allowed us to cover a wider range of our sports events, broadening our reach and keeping Hokie Nation involved year-round. What type of content have you found resonated the most with fans? Career milestone accomplishments always perform well, and of course game-winning moments like the big win below over our rivals UVA! What more can Hokie Nation expect to see in 2025 and beyond? Overall, fans can look forward to a more dynamic, interactive, and personalized experience that keeps them closer to the action and everything happening with Virginia Tech athletics. In terms of content, with WSC Sports taking care of monotonous content creation tasks, our team has been able to fully focus on coming up with innovative ideas. One thing we came up with is having a player react postgame to their highlights, with a split screen of the reaction and the highlight. We’ve already implemented this idea during our men’s soccer games, and fans love it! We can’t wait to show Hokie Nation what we have in store for this season. > Learn how some of the region's biggest broadcasters, teams, and federations are leveraging new technology and content to reach new fans. - Published: 2024-12-11 - Modified: 2026-02-04 - URL: https://wsc-sports-dev.ltu.co.il/blog/industry-insights/antwerp-huddle-how-industry-leaders-are-innovating-to-engage-new-audiences/ - Categories: Industry Insights Closing out the end of the year, WSC Sports hosted its third-ever Huddle for over 50 sports media executives from the Benelux region. At the Lindner hotel in Antwerp, the group discussed shared challenges and ways they can reach new audiences and grow their fanbases with new technologies. To kick-off, WSC Sports CEO and Co-Founder, Daniel Shichman, spoke about what’s up and coming at the company in 2025, and then set the stage for the panelists. The first featured representatives from some of the region's biggest broadcast and news organizations. It included, Michiel Ameloot, Editor in Chief of Sports at DPG Media, Martjin Hendriks, Head of Streaming at NOS, a public broadcaster in the Netherlands, and Bruno Bouniton, Head of Partnership Development and Sponsorships at Proximus, Belgium’s largest telco provider whose TV service happens to include DPG and NOS programming. The common thread among all the panelists was the importance of reaching new audiences during a time of aging TV viewership. To counter this reality, the panelists spoke a lot about driving traffic from one or more additional channels, like social media or other owned websites, and directing it to live broadcasts. The second panel of the day focused on clubs and included, Ramses Braakman, Owner of Dutch basketball club, ZZ Leiden, Frans Janssen, Commercial Director for football club, PSV Eindhoven, and Stijn Van Hemelrijck, Media Director for RSC Anderlecht. Braakman and Janssen both find themselves in unique situations where their organizations are primed for growth, but more on that in our session breakdown. Much like broadcasters, all panelists mentioned the dual importance and challenge of capturing the attention of young fans. They spoke about the need to develop content and touchpoints beyond traditional matchday content. For Stijn Van Hemelrijck and Anderlecht, it’s about acting like a media company, not just a sports team. The club has invested a lot into delivering more to their fans—whether that’s creating more short-form content with WSC Sports, or launching Mauve TV, a full-on OTT platform that offers fans exclusive interviews, documentaries, and press conferences, in addition to live games. They also plan on launching a proprietary mobile app for their fans in the months ahead. The final session was delivered by Manu Leroy, Director of Marketing & Communication for the Royal Belgian Football Association, the governing body of football in the country. He spoke about the digital transformation at RBFA. Specifically, he mentioned some of the ways rights holders are using technology and AI to create better experiences for their fans. Like the Masters, who developed their own app within the Apple Vision Pro allowing viewers to select exactly which golfers they wanted to follow during the tournament. Also at the organizational level, Leroy touched on some of the tech RBFA is implementing company-wide, aimed at helping the Association streamline the way it manages 430,000+ matches per season that fall under its purview. By the end of the day, audience members were treated to a full, insider’s view from the perspective of very different types of rights owners. The overarching themes emphasized the importance of driving growth with innovation, offering the best possible product, and most importantly, collaboration between teams, leagues, and broadcast partners to reach new fans. As these organizations continue to evolve to meet the needs and wants of their fans, it will be interesting to see the new products and experiences that come to market in the region. > Learn more about WSC Sports' work with Atletico Madrid and watch the full panel discussion from the 2024 Sports Football Summit in Rome. - Published: 2024-12-03 - Modified: 2026-02-04 - URL: https://wsc-sports-dev.ltu.co.il/blog/industry-insights/social-football-summit-24-atletico-madrid-on-transforming-fan-experiences/ - Categories: Industry Insights Over 4,000 attendees from across the world of European football gathered in Rome for The Sports Football Summit 2024 (SFS24). One of the panels, moderated by Carlo De Marchis, a tech executive and long-time advisor to some of the world’s biggest football clubs, featured Alejandro Ugarrio, Director of Innovation at Club Atlético de Madrid, and Ben Mirvis, Business Development Manager at WSC Sports. Their conversation centered on the partnership between the two companies and what fans can expect to see from their respective work in the future. Ugarrio heads Atletico Madrid’s newly formed innovation department, Atleti Lab, which helps other teams within the organization reach their goals with innovative new technologies. The club’s motto, “Another way of living,” is something he says is part of the DNA of the team. For Ugarrio, introducing WSC Sports has freed up the content team to work on more creative endeavors instead of spending their time manually clipping highlights from every match. His team has been testing other applications of AI, including stream-lining monotonous tasks, like automating some of the development team’s reports. When it comes to the content team, he said that the implementation and use of the tool was a success from the outset, and was a game-changer when it came to creating new content from archived footage. With such a storied history, reminding fans about important players and feats from past seasons is an integral part of Atlético Madrid’s story. For clubs, Mirvis explained that content is one of their most important assets. Being able to 100X your organization’s content output not only helps content editors, but also monetization and marketing teams tasked with sourcing advertisers and sponsors. It gives them that much more real estate to work with. Another challenge that clubs are often faced with is a rights embargo on when and where they can post—so also having that content ready to share in just a few clicks is essential. “Sports clubs are no longer just teams, they’re also media houses,” he said. So we’re providing them with the tools they need to automate some of their content, and tailor it for the different types of fans they have. ” So what can fans expect to see in the future? Ugarrio spoke about continuing to implement technologies that will provide fans with new experiences in their 5-year-old stadium, Riyadh Air Metropolitano. Part of that has been installing HD cameras all over the stadium that allow fans to get a different view of the game, so they’re no longer isolated to a specific section. For WSC Sports, Mirvis touched on a few interesting use cases being developed in the company’s GenAI department that are focused on producing the next generation of football fans. So things like leveraging existing LLM’s that will allow both the content creator and/or the fan to generate content in kids-friendly formats, like turning athletes into animated characters or inserting personal avatars into the action. Together, Atlético Madrid and WSC Sports are pushing the boundaries of technology and creativity, ensuring the beautiful game continues to inspire fans from every generation. > Alberto Ausín, Head of Communications for basketball club Baskonia, talks about the AI technology enabling them to create highlights at scale. - Published: 2024-11-27 - Modified: 2026-02-25 - URL: https://wsc-sports-dev.ltu.co.il/blog/customer-spotlight/how-baskonia-shoots-to-be-the-goat-with-wsc-sports-technology/ - Categories: Customer Spotlight The basketball club from the heart of Basque Country is leveraging advanced artificial intelligence-powered technology to replicate its history of success on the court, with an innovative digital strategy off it. For much of its existence, Saski Baskonia has punched above its weight against big-name Spanish basketball rivals that enjoy heavyweight backing. Now, this spirit of the underdog—encapsulated by the club’s famous and feisty goat, Aker—is shifting into the digital space as the club bids to ramp up the competition off the court, as well as on it, with the likes of Barcelona and Real Madrid. Indeed, artificial intelligence-powered technology delivered via WSC Sports is enabling the Basque Country-based club to strengthen relations with its fiercely passionate supporters and engage new followers. Outside the box Located in the city of Vitoria-Gasteiz, the four-time winner of the domestic Liga ACB title is one of only three clubs this century to have played in 25 seasons of the EuroLeague, the sport’s top European competition. However, in recent years, a push to explore new commercial opportunities has led Baskonia to think outside the box in an effort to enhance competitiveness off, as well as on the court—and that is where leveraging sophisticated AI comes into play. WSC Sports first teamed up with Baskonia in June 2020, shortly after the team’s most recent league title win, to edit and distribute video clips from games on an automated basis, from spectacular breakaway dunks to outrageous three-pointers at the buzzer. Credit: Baskonia The partnership has been crucial for Baskonia in terms of driving engagement and growth, with digital innovation key for a club of its size to compete. “It’s super important,” says Alberto Ausín, Baskonia’s Head of Communications. “We have a very loyal fan base in our region, but by exploring new technologies, we are able to reach a global audience. " “At Baskonia, we are competing at the level of other clubs with greater financial power because we are an innovative club, constantly striving to be the first to do things. Tools that allow us to be agile and fast, help us to be leaders in innovation and to continue growing digitally faster than other clubs. " “We were looking for a way to grow our digital content without losing that fresh, dynamic touch, and their AI-driven technology was the perfect solution. We wanted to offer our fans quick, engaging content that was always relevant—AI and automation made that possible. ” Cross-platform growth The WSC Sports platform enables unique content to be created for every digital platform within minutes, generating engagement at speed and scale. As a result, Baskonia’s social media team is able to channel its creativity into other content ideas. This has allowed the club to generate a large volume of engaging, game-related content each week which, according to Ausín, engages followers like nothing else. "Personal content, such as player profiles and exclusive interviews has also worked really well. The platform has allowed us to make a qualitative leap in our content that allows us to highlight our players and promote the Baskonia brand on our social networks and also with our sponsors," he added. Credit: Baskonia The enthusiasm is backed up by the results. In the past year alone, Baskonia has gained more than 20,000 new followers on Instagram—a rise of more than a quarter. Baskonia currently counts around 97,000 followers on the platform, and more than 450,000 on TikTok. Baskonia also has more than 100,000 followers on X, and more than 470,000 on Facebook. More followers mean more eyeballs on video content, and Baskonia’s impressive digital growth has also helped drive traffic to the club’s website, which in turn has boosted ticket and merchandise sales. “We’ve seen huge growth in short video consumption and fan interaction on platforms like Instagram, YouTube Shorts and TikTok,” says Ausín. “Looking forward, we want to personalize content even more for different types of fans. We’re also exploring new tech like augmented reality experiences and interactive videos to keep surprising and connecting with our audience. ” Constantly evolving Baskonia’s digital strategy centers on four main pillars: fan-focused content, real-time engagement, generating business, and building a community. The aim is to leverage technology that keeps fans engaged during games while always giving them something interesting to watch or share. WSC Sports has also worked with Liga ACB, generating automated highlights for the league and its member clubs to share on their social media channels. Credit: Baskonia For Baskonia, WSC Sports is set to remain a key partner as the club continues to expand its digital footprint. “We expect to keep leveraging AI technology to stay at the forefront of content creation and distribution,” says Ausín. “More broadly, we plan to continue innovating in how we connect with fans, investing in personalized experiences and exploring new platforms that allow us to stay one step ahead. " “Our digital strategy is constantly evolving to adapt to what our fans want. We’re committed to innovation, and our partnership with WSC Sports is key to making that happen. Our goal is to make every fan feel connected to Baskonia, whether they’re in the arena or watching from anywhere in the world. ” This article was originally featured in SportBusiness. > Erfolg im Sport wird heute nicht mehr nur an Titeln gemessen, sondern an Verbindung. Fans erwarten Live-Inhalte, Emotion und Personalisierung. Für den FC Bayern München Basketball bedeutete das, die Art und Weise zu überdenken, wie Spielgeschichten schneller und skaliert über alle Plattformen erzählt werden können. - Published: 2024-11-23 - Modified: 2026-02-04 - URL: https://wsc-sports-dev.ltu.co.il/blog/industry-insights/ki-auf-dem-platz-wie-der-fc-bayern-munchen-basketball-seine-fans-noch-naher-zum-team-bringt/ - Categories: Industry Insights Erfolg im Sport wird heute nicht mehr nur an Titeln gemessen, sondern an Verbindung. Fans erwarten Live-Inhalte, Emotion und Personalisierung. Für den FC Bayern München Basketball bedeutete das, die Art und Weise zu überdenken, wie Spielgeschichten schneller und skaliert über alle Plattformen erzählt werden können. 3 Hauptergebnisse -Über 2. 400 Highlights erstellt und veröffentlicht in der Saison 2022/23 -20 Videos pro Spiel im Durchschnitt, auf allen Plattformen -342 % mehr Video-Views – ein klarer Beweis für die Nachfrage Die Geschichte Der FC Bayern München Basketball ist seit den 1950er-Jahren Teil der deutschen Sportkultur. Heute liegt die Herausforderung darin, mit dem Medienverhalten moderner Fans Schritt zu halten. Das digitale Team wollte die Fans näher an Spieler und Emotionen heranführen, doch der manuelle Schnitt verlangsamte den Prozess. Jedes Spiel bedeutete stundenlanges Sichten, Schneiden und Formatieren von Videomaterial – für die Bayern-App ebenso wie für Instagram, YouTube, Facebook und X. So drohten starke Momente ihre Wirkung zu verlieren, bevor sie überhaupt veröffentlicht wurden. Das Ziel war klar: mehr Highlights in kürzerer Zeit, ohne Qualitätsverlust. Der Wandel Die Lösung kam durch KI-gestützte Automatisierung. Das Team richtete im WSC-Sports-System über 70 Regeln ein, um automatisch Schlüsselmomente zu erkennen und Clips zu erstellen. Daraus entstanden Highlight-Pakete, Spielerporträts sowie wöchentliche und monatliche „Top Plays“ – jeweils optimiert für vertikale, horizontale oder feedgerechte Formate. Das Ergebnis: Über 2. 400 Highlights in einer Saison, 20 Videos pro Spiel im Schnitt. Was früher Stunden dauerte, passiert nun in Minuten – und jede Geschichte erreicht die Fans im passenden Format, auf jedem Gerät. Das Ergebnis Die Zahlen sprechen für sich: 342 % mehr Video-Views im Vergleich zum Vorjahr, bei über 2. 400 veröffentlichten Highlights. Der eigentliche Mehrwert: Die gewonnene Zeit. Durch Automatisierung konnten sich die Redakteure stärker auf kreative Inhalte konzentrieren – Interviews, Einblicke hinter die Kulissen oder emotionale Spielermomente, die die Bindung zu den Fans vertiefen. Lukas Horn, Head of Digital beim FC Bayern Basketball, erklärt: „Nach einem Jahr der Zusammenarbeit haben wir großartige Ergebnisse erzielt, aber wir stehen erst am Anfang. Unser nächster Schritt ist es, Fans mehr Möglichkeiten zur Personalisierung und noch tiefere Videoerlebnisse zu bieten. “ > Learn about WSC Sports' first and second place wins at the 2024 SportsPro OTT Awards. - Published: 2024-11-21 - Modified: 2026-02-04 - URL: https://wsc-sports-dev.ltu.co.il/blog/news/wsc-sports-wins-award-for-best-use-of-ai-at-the-sportspro-ott-awards/ - Categories: News WSC Sports was honored with two awards at the annual SportPro OTT awards ceremony in Madrid, Spain. WSC Sports won the top award in the category Best Use of AI and also secured second place in the category for Best Tech Company. The SportsPro OTT awards recognize and celebrate pioneers in the sports broadcasting scene, ranging from major rights holders and broadcasters to emerging technology companies driving the industry forward. The awards focus on collaboration, innovation and creativity, representing the highest standard of accolade within the industry for our shortlistees and winners. Roy Peled, Business Partnerships for WSC Sports receiving the awards The Best Use of AI award recognizes the best application of artificial intelligence in the creation, production, or delivery of sports content. WSC Sports’ winning entry demonstrated why the company is a leader in developing AI-driven content solutions for the sports industry. The entry highlighted WSC Sports’ three newest content solutions—In-App Stories, Around the Game, and Discovery Networks—as well as its exciting new GenAI department, established in 2024. WSC Sports was also recognized at the 2023 edition of the SportsPro OTT awards, winning the award for Best User Experience for its entry Delivering Exceptional User Experiences With AI-Generated Vertical Video. To see the full list of 2024 winners click here. - Published: 2024-11-20 - Modified: 2026-02-04 - URL: https://wsc-sports-dev.ltu.co.il/blog/news/wsc-sports-wins-fast-companys-next-big-things-in-tech-award-2024/ - Categories: News WSC Sports has been named in Fast Company’s fourth annual Next Big Things in Tech list, honoring emerging technology that has a profound impact for industries—from education and sustainability, to robotics and artificial intelligence. In 2024, 138 technologies developed by established companies, startups, and research teams were featured on the (NBTT) list for their potential to revolutionize the lives of consumers, businesses, and society overall. While not all technologies are available in the market yet, each is reaching key milestones to have a proven impact in the next five years. WSC Sports was one of four winners in the category, ‘Established Excellence: 5–14 Years in Business’. WSC Sports’ entry focused on its success over the past decade in delivering AI-based content solutions to the sports media industry. In this time, WSC Sports’ client roster grew to around 500 teams, leagues, federations, broadcasters and other sports media rights holders. In April this year, WSC Sports announced its next phase of growth, evolving into a comprehensive AI content management, creation, and distribution solution with a deeper focus on fan engagement for its clients. This constituted a complete visual redesign, including a new logo, website, and colorway; plus the introduction of three industry-changing products that solve content distribution and engagement issues. These products were built from organic growth and new innovation that have emerged over the past ten years. These solutions are: Around the Game, In-App Stories, and Discovery Network. Each is designed to solve a specific pain point that existed when creating, managing and distributing sports content. Around the Game allows organizations to capture events that were previously outside the scope of AI, like player interviews, studio shows, and reactions from fans. In-App Stories allows rights holders to create videos in a ‘stories’ format similar to what fans are familiar with from social media. Lastly, Discovery Network enables websites and content publishers to get access to content that is fully licensed by the original rights owners, and integrate it into their own websites and apps. "Thanks to the judges at Fast Company, and of course to all of our clients for their trust over the years, using the WSC Sports platform to grow their brands and better-connect with fans,” Shichman added. “The Next Big Things in Tech provides a fascinating glimpse at near- and long-term technological breakthroughs across a variety of sectors,” says Brendan Vaughan, editor-in-chief of Fast Company. “Spanning everything from semiconductors to agricultural gene editing, the companies featured in this year’s list are tackling some of the world’s most pressing and vexing problems. ” Click here to see the final list. > Learn how Czech Extraliga, one of the leading ice hockey leagues in Europe, is creating more content and winning-over new fans on social media. - Published: 2024-11-19 - Modified: 2026-02-04 - URL: https://wsc-sports-dev.ltu.co.il/blog/customer-spotlight/content-powerplay-how-czech-extraliga-and-bpa-are-winning-over-new-fans-with-ai/ - Categories: Customer Spotlight The Czech Extraliga is the top league in a country where ice hockey and football are interchangeably the most popular sports—depending on who you ask. When Czechia’s national team won the 2024 Ice Hockey Worlds—the preeminent event in European hockey—nearly 30% of the country tuned in to watch on TV, while the games themselves saw record attendance. To deliver more in-game action to hundreds of thousands of enthusiastic fans, the Czech Extraliga and its marketing partner, BPA Sports Marketing, enlisted the help the WSC Sports platform to give their content strategy a power play. MAKING AN IMPACT ON SOCIAL WITH VERTICAL VIDEO Anyone that’s edited hockey content knows keeping the action center-frame is a serious challenge. One made more difficult when converting horizontal game footage into vertical videos for social platforms like Instagram, TikTok, and YouTube Shorts. While the majority of videos created by Extraliga were horizontal, 40%—3. 5Kvideos—were automatically converted to a vertical, 9:16, ratio for the aforementioned platforms. The driving force behind that increase was Magicrop, a unique feature on the WSC Sports platform that uses AI to crop any video into a vertical format while maintaining focus on the action. By introducing automation, the league massively increased the amount of content it shared on social media, which resulted in tens of thousands of new followers over the duration of one season. A 180° SHIFT IN CONTENT STRATEGY In total, BPA's content team set up 180 unique rules in the WSC Sports platform that automatically created videos of goals, assists, shootouts, checks, fights, and much more. They also added rules to generate recaps of top plays from every week and month during the season. With each video tailored for its final destination, the team can quickly serve fans with content that’s optimized for any platform, whether it’s real-time highlights on X, ref-cam footage on YouTube Shorts, or top play compilations on Instagram. Beyond delivering content to fans, BPA also uses WSC Sports to send content to Extraliga teams and broadcast partners; automatically creating and sending videos of specific players to the relevant parties. Overall, the increase in content production has satisfied the fans, who are viewing more Extraliga content than ever before, and the front office whose ultimate goal is to continue to build an audience around one of the most exciting leagues to watch in all of Europe. > Learn more about the recently launched, exclusive partnership, and about the long-standing relationship between ESPN and WSC Sports. - Published: 2024-11-19 - Modified: 2026-02-04 - URL: https://wsc-sports-dev.ltu.co.il/blog/news/espn-names-wsc-sports-as-core-partner-in-espn-edge-innovation-center/ - Categories: News WSC Sports was named as a key technology and innovation partner for the Worldwide Leader in Sports, alongside tech giants Accenture, Meta, and Microsoft. The announcement was made at the fourth-annual ESPN Edge Innovation Conference held in New York City. The event featured commentary and discussions from executives of both ESPN and its aforementioned partners; focusing on some of the recent, major developments that have come to fruition. Asked about the role of AI at the company, ESPN’s Chairman, Jimmy Pitaro named WSC Sports as the best example of how they’re leveraging the technology to create a better offering for fans. Later on, speaking on a panel alongside ESPN’s VP of Sports Business Development and Innovation, Kevin Lopes, Accenture’s Chief AI Officer, Lan Guan, Microsoft’s CTO for Media and Entertainment, Andy Beach, and Meta’s Director of Metaverse Entertainment, Sarah Malkin, WSC Sports Co-Founder Aviv Arnon touched on what it meant to be a member of the Edge Innovation Center. He also spoke on WSC Sports’ expanded AI capabilities which enable its clients to capture highlights beyond just in-game footage—to be able to tell the full story of the game—from player arrivals to post-game interviews. “We’ve taken the next step in the product to cover not only the game footage itself, but everything around the game as well. We’re taking the interviews, the press conferences, the players coming on the court, the coach getting angry or whatever, and even the studio shows. This is a cool way to change automated content storytelling. ” Aviv also touched on the fact that WSC Sports recently launched a department exclusively focused on new developments in GenAI, and spoke about a particular use case using AI commentary to generate scripts capable of translating broadcast commentary into multiple languages, like French, Spanish, and Portuguese. > Ligue Football Professionel, commonly known as LFP signed a five-year agreement to use WSC Sports' AI-powered platform to create content. - Published: 2024-11-04 - Modified: 2026-02-04 - URL: https://wsc-sports-dev.ltu.co.il/blog/news/lfp-signs-agreement-with-wsc-sports/ - Categories: News The Ligue de Football Professionnel, commonly known as the LFP, has entered a five-year agreement with WSC Sports to create AI-tailored content experiences that showcase the strength and style of Ligue 1 McDonald’s, Ligue 2 BKT2, and the Trophée des Champions with worldwide audiences. The governing body that runs the major professional football leagues in France will leverage WSC Sports’ AI-powered sports content technology to overhaul its content creation and distribution processes, accelerating the LFPs digital content strategy and enabling the league and its clubs to deepen and grow the connection with their fans all year round. The scope of the agreement will see WSC Sports analyze every Ligue 1 McDonald’s, Ligue 2 BKT2, and Trophée des Champions match in real-time through its all-in-one AI-driven platform, automating the creation, management, and distribution of video content. WSC Sports’ technology will create a wide range of personalized content in different durations, formats, and aspect ratios, for use across all LFP platforms and viewing channels. This will empower the league, its teams, players, and international broadcast partners, to connect more frequently and consistently with global fan bases through AI-tailored sports video experiences, and maximize the impact of its IP and create new revenue streams for digital inventory and assets. The wide-ranging partnership will see the LFP leverage the WSC Sports platform to produce a range of tailored long and short-form content with automated graphical elements for use on league websites, apps, and social media channels. This content will also be shared with LFP international broadcast partners via a dedicated media hub. In addition to creating real-time content during this season’s matches, WSC Sports will also analyze 20-years' worth of Ligue 1 and 2 matches from its archives. This will enable thousands of memorable moments to be easily reproduced into any aspect ratio to fit any platform, helping LFP clubs and competitions better connect to younger fans who are increasingly inspired and engaged via vertical video platforms. “Our digital content strategy is absolutely central to our broader objectives, we are therefore thrilled to partner with WSC Sports, a proven pioneer when it comes to AI-tailored content experiences. Their platform will propel our ability to produce and share more content on LFP channels and with our global broadcast partners for worldwide distribution. Innovation is at the heart of the LFP and we are extremely excited to start this journey with WSC Sports. We know our fans are extremely passionate and we want to provide more of the content they covet, tailored to their evolving consumption preferences. This collaboration will enable us to deliver more fan-first experiences that will ultimately help retain and grow our fanbase,” Morel added. “This is a hugely significant partnership for WSC Sports and an exciting time to be joining forces with the LFP to help power their transformation strategy from a content perspective. The LFP clearly recognizes the need to provide fans with the best possible digital content experience to meet their ever-growing demand across all platforms,” says Aviv Arnon, Chief Business Development Officer and Co-Founder, WSC Sports. “We are delighted to be establishing AI-powered automated content creation that will significantly scale the production and distribution of video content for the league and its clubs. This will help unlock the potential of the LFP’s competitions by expanding content reach, growing fandom, and unlocking revenue opportunities,” Arnon added. The LFP is the latest football partner to join a growing community of 490 leagues, teams and broadcasters that are utilizing WSC Sports’ platform including ESPN, YouTubeTV, the NBA, Bundesliga, LALIGA, Serie A, plus a host of clubs from Europe’s top five leagues. > Learn how WSC Sports unveiled Gen AI solutions at Sportel Monaco 2024 to transform sports content and engage younger audiences. - Published: 2024-11-03 - Modified: 2026-02-04 - URL: https://wsc-sports-dev.ltu.co.il/blog/news/sportel-monaco-2024-engaging-younger-audiences-through-gen-ai/ - Categories: News Over 2,000 sports media executives gathered at Sportel Monaco 2024 to discuss the future of sports media rights and the sports-tech industry in the EMEA region. Engaging Youth with GenAI Innovation The three-day event featured influential speakers from leading sports media companies across the EMEA region, including WSC Sports' Ben Mirvis, Business Development Manager of EMEA. Mirvis delivered a presentation on the challenges of engaging younger sports audiences in today’s highly competitive market and explored how GenAI can be leveraged to connect with this demographic. During his presentation, Mirvis announced WSC Sports’ launch of the first-ever sports-dedicated Gen AI multimodal model, named the Large Sports Model. Mirvis further elaborated on the advantages of the Large Sports Model, highlighting its ability to generate AI-driven sports shows tailored for kids, create engaging commentary, and enhance content recommendations with greater accuracy and personalization. Our New Look... And Honored Guests! Sportel Monaco also marked the public debut of WSC Sports’ fresh new look following our rebranding earlier this year. Our new branding was on full display at our walk-in booth, which attracted sports media executives eager to learn more about our solutions including our newly launched In-App Stories and Around the Game products. To enhance our brand image and highlight our innovative solutions, we proudly sponsored the Ravel Lounge, the largest lounge at Sportel Monaco. As part of this initiative, we introduced a creative touch: featuring our client testimonials on the lounge tables. These testimonials underscored the impact and value of WSC Sports' offerings. We were honored to showcase quotes from esteemed organizations such as the NBA, Televisa Univision, LaLiga, and NASCAR. One standout quote was from Bob Carney, SVP of Digital & Social Content at the NBA: "WSC Sports was a game changer for our international business. We could now supply custom content to fans in any region of the world. " Another highlight of Sportel Monaco was hosting Prince Albert II of Monaco at our booth where we had the opportunity to showcase our cutting-edge solutions to him. We were proud to be one of the select organizations he visited at the event. We were also thrilled to see our Co-Founder and CBDO, Aviv Arnon, showcase a demo of our platform to Gerard Piqué, President of the Kings League and renowned former Spanish football player. Looking Ahead Sportel Monaco 2024 underscored the growing importance of innovation in shaping the future of sports media. For WSC Sports, the event was a valuable opportunity to demonstrate how Gen AI and cutting-edge solutions like the Large Sports Model can transform how younger audiences engage with sports content. As the sports media landscape continues to evolve, WSC Sports remains committed to leading the charge with groundbreaking technology and meaningful partnerships. We’re excited to see how our solutions will drive the industry forward and inspire the next generation of sports fans. > Learn how the J.League uses WSC Sports’ In-App Stories to deliver personalized highlights in its apps, revolutionizing fan engagement in Japan. - Published: 2024-10-31 - Modified: 2026-02-04 - URL: https://wsc-sports-dev.ltu.co.il/blog/news/j-league-launches-ai-powered-in-app-stories-with-wsc-sports/ - Categories: News The J.League, Japan’s top professional soccer league, has expanded their agreement with WSC Sports to bring AI-curated match highlights to both the league’s 'LINE Mini app' and 'Club J.League app', a first for sports content in Japan. J. League will begin utilizing WSC Sports’ In-App Stories solution to create and distribute short-form highlights for its owned and operated LINE Mini app and J. League Club app. Released in 2024, the technology automatically detects when an important play is made on the pitch, formats the clip to a vertical video, and in near real-time, posts the clips on apps, social media platforms, or any other digital outlet. The entire process happens with minimal to no human interaction. The solution will allow J. League fans to enjoy clips from their favorite teams and players right as the game unfolds in real-time. Club J. League app Fans will also be able to personalize their feeds, and receive the content that interests them most. By choosing to ‘follow’ any of the league’s 60 teams, or individual players, fans can enjoy a tailored experience with content curated to match their preferences. The J. League is the latest WSC Sports client to implement In-App Stories, joining the likes of NASCAR and the Belgian Pro League in 2024. The J. League's adoption of In-App Stories in its two apps marks the first time this type of technology has been introduced in any Japanese app. LINE mini app > Watch the session: Executives from some of the biggest teams and leagues in European football discuss how they use AI to promote their brands. - Published: 2024-10-29 - Modified: 2026-02-04 - URL: https://wsc-sports-dev.ltu.co.il/blog/industry-insights/how-soccer-is-scoring-with-ai/ - Categories: Industry Insights Over 400 executives from the world’s leading teams, leagues, federations, broadcasters, and AI-technology companies gathered in London Stadium to better understand how AI is shaping the future of sports. One panel hosted a deep-dive into the way soccer clubs are using AI to better the relationship with their fans. Wyndham Richardson, Executive Director of sports marketing agency, Two Circles, moderated the conversation that included Javier Gil from La Liga, Timm Jäger from EintrachtTech, Mike Armstrong from Juventus FC, and Barak Jacob from WSC Sports. Kicking off the conversation, Jäger, spoke about Eintracht Frankfurt’s need to better understand its fans—which led to the creation of EintrachtTech, a software spinoff which Jäger heads as CEO. He and his team of developers have taken all of the club’s digital platforms in-house, including a ticketing solution, e-commerce store, fan app, team credit card, and analytical tools that provide data for every fan touchpoint. Having everything under one roof gives them exclusive access to fan data. When applied, they can use AI to ask interesting questions in real-time. For example, during a live game they can identify who’s in the stadium, who’s recently purchased merch, or who’s bought a beer at a local pub, and then follow-up with appropriate, targeted marketing offers. Javier Gil, Head of AI Implementation and Development at La Liga, started an entirely new department dedicated to adopting and applying new tools to the league’s working processes in order to streamline workflows. Specifically, he mentioned that they've made it a point to work with the most preeminent AI companies, naming Microsoft and WSC Sports—which they use to create content for their social accounts, website, and app, in addition to using WSC Sports’ generative AI tools to create and translate broadcasts into multiple languages. Gil and WSC Sports' Head of Business Development, Barak Jacob, briefly touched on ways that gen-AI has helped the league personalize content not only for their fans, but also for its clubs and partners. When asked how his club is using AI, Mike Armstrong, CMO for Juventus FC, said that they’ve employed solutions around sports performance, namely in the areas of scouting, tactics, and athlete recovery. On the marketing side, he talked about using AI to scale-up the team’s content creation, which comes with an array of interesting challenges, like reaching millions of followers, 90% of whom live outside of the club’s home country of Italy. Wrapping up the session Richardson asked the panelists how AI can be utilized to maximize teams’ rights. Tim Jäger spoke about the need for team’s to have a north star when it comes to a digital strategy. You don’t need to understand every AI model that’s out there, but rather the goals that you want to achieve in order to select products that can yield results. Armstrong spoke on Juventus’ desire to be able to deliver personalized content to fans at the right moment; while on the athlete performance side, discussing an AI solution that aids in mental recuperation for injured players. After such a rigorous discussion around innovation, it will be interesting to see how these executives employ some of the things they spoke about during the session. To learn more about how La Liga is using AI to transform their content check out this case study; and to follow-up Gen-AI's impact on the greater sports industry you can read more here. > Learn how some of the world's biggest sports organizations are leveraging vertical video to deepen the relationship with their fans. - Published: 2024-10-20 - Modified: 2026-02-04 - URL: https://wsc-sports-dev.ltu.co.il/blog/industry-insights/the-rise-of-vertical-video-in-sports-content/ - Categories: Industry Insights Let’s face it, smartphone screens now command the majority of our screen time. Reports are consistent and estimate that the average adult spends 4. 6 hours on the phone every day (and that doesn’t include phone calls). While computers and TV screens still might be the go-to choice to watch a series, movie, or sports event, vertical video is becoming an attractive alternative, in particular with younger audiences and especially when that content is in shorter-form. Displayed in a 9:16 aspect ratio, vertical videos are shown to viewers in a portrait orientation, and are designed for mobile devices. Platforms like TikTok, Instagram, and YouTube have popularized the format—the former two requiring videos to be posted in a vertical format—and another popular medium Google Web Stories, display most major sports games and events in a vertical stories format, accessible at the top of Google Search inside Google OneBox. Recognizing its popularity, major sports organizations are now prioritizing vertical video and integrating stories into their OTT services (commonly short and long-form replays), and club/team apps which include a lot of exciting highlights. This strategic move allows them to deliver immersive, mobile-optimized experiences directly to fans, while retaining full control over content and engagement metrics. In this article, we’ll discuss the challenges sports organizations face when creating and implementing vertical video content, its significant impact on sports media, and real-world examples of how vertical content is bringing fans closer to the action than ever before. VERTICAL VIDEO IN SPORT: WHAT ARE THE CHALLENGES? Despite the growing demand for vertical content, the transition for sports organizations isn't as simple as flipping a switch. The major challenge: while audiences crave vertical content, sports events are still captured with a broadcast or studio-quality camera and shot in a traditional 16:9 horizontal format designed for TV. What else is holding organizations back? First, there’s the issue of infrastructure. Decades of investment in horizontal filming equipment and techniques can’t be thrown out overnight. Additionally, there’s still a need to capture events traditionally for broadcast audiences who prefer watching games on TV or highlights in the 16:9 format. Teams and leagues also face the difficulty of maintaining quality when cropping widescreen footage to accommodate both horizontal and vertical formats. While some organizations have experimented with recording major sports events vertically, it requires significant changes to camera positioning and can result in an experience that’s unfamiliar to longtime fans. Instead of overhauling entire production processes, sports organizations are turning to software designed to do the job for them, and using it to publish vertical content to websites, OTT services, and social media pages. AI-powered algorithms can automatically reframe and crop horizontal footage into engaging short-form content, eliminating the need for redundant filming setups. This tech-driven approach streamlines production workflows while providing fans with the content experiences they want on their phones. THE IMPACT VERTICAL VIDEO CREATES FOR RIGHTS HOLDERS The shift toward vertical video isn’t just about keeping up with trends; it’s about driving fan engagement and revenue. Ninety-four percent of the time, consumers are holding their phones vertically. It’s no surprise that sports organizations embracing vertical formats are seeing impressive results across the board. Vertical content boasts higher watch-through rates, gets more shares and interactions on social media, and creates new opportunities to deliver great content. More generally, it’s about offering fans the best possible user experience—and great experience and engagement can lead to new monetization opportunities. Higher interaction rates make vertical video attractive to advertisers looking for new channels to showcase their brands. Additionally, there’s a money-making opportunity in offering consumers a vertical watching experience for major events and games—the higher the view rate, the higher potential to make money. REAL-WORLD SUCCESS STORIES Sports rights holders are already seeing the benefits of integrating vertical video content across their socials, OTT services, and club-specific apps—capitalizing on the growing trend of younger consumers preferring to watch on their phones. The proof is in the numbers: LALIGA, THE NHL, AND NASCAR PAVING THE WAY Major sports properties, like LALIGA, the NHL, and NASCAR, are Using AI solutions to automatically produce short-form, 9:16 vertical video content for platforms like TikTok, Instagram, and YouTube. This approach allows them to meet the growing demand for easy-to-watch vertical content. By delivering highlights and key moments in a format optimized for mobile viewing, the leagues ensure they remain relevant and engaged with a new generation of sports fans that consume content on the go. VERTICAL VIDEO DURING THE FIFA WORLD CUP In 2022, Google rolled out Google Web Stories for one of the biggest sports events of the decade, the 2022 FIFA World Cup in Qatar. Combining prime real estate at the top of Google Search along with a ‘stories’ format similar to what fans know from social media, FIFA, and broadcasters worldwide displayed highlights of the matches in real-time, offering fans instant access to game highlights, in addition to news, scores, standings, and more. By capitalizing on the extensive reach and visibility of Google, they successfully directed traffic to their own apps and live broadcasts, maximizing the value of their original rights investments. Fans eagerly engaged with the content, resulting in over 365 million story views and an impressive 30% click-through rate (CTR). THE NEW NBA APP Since the launch of its official mobile app in 2022, the NBA has put vertical content and stories at the forefront of its digital strategy. Instead of relying solely on traditional post-game highlights, the league now delivers 15 to 18 bite-sized stories per game, offering fans a fresh, dynamic viewing experience. According to the NBA’s Vice President of Global Media Distribution, Bastien Lacheny, in just a year, the NBA app’s engagement tripled, with stories emerging as the platform’s most popular content format, driving a remarkable 700% increase in video consumption. Building on this success, the league has used stories to further promote other content within the app, resulting in dramatic increases in views and engagement across the entire app. CREATING VERTICAL CONTENT WITH WSC Sports Looking ahead, it’s clear that the demand for vertical video is not going away anytime soon. As fans continue to demand immersive, mobile-first experiences, sports organizations that embrace this shift are positioned to win big in terms of engagement, retention, and revenue. To learn more about how WSC Sports' stories solution, and how to create vertical video content at scale, read more part two in this article series. > Borussia Dortmund have entered a multi-year agreement with WSC Sports to leverage the company's AI-powered sports content technology. - Published: 2024-10-15 - Modified: 2026-02-04 - URL: https://wsc-sports-dev.ltu.co.il/blog/news/borussia-dortmund-selects-wsc-sports-to-power-digital-content-and-fan-engagement-goals/ - Categories: News German football giants, Borussia Dortmund (BVB), have entered a multi-year agreement with WSC Sports to leverage the company’s AI-powered sports content technology. The partnership provides BVB with access to WSC Sports’ pioneering AI-powered platform, which automates the creation, management, and distribution of video content. This will enable the club to connect more consistently with its global fan base through AI-tailored sports video experiences. WSC Sports’ technology will analyze BVB’s live Bundesliga, DFB-Pokal, and UEFA club competition matches, in real-time, and automatically create and distribute content to fans via social media platforms and BVB-TV, the club’s official video streaming platform and go-to destination for superfans of the Black and Yellow. In addition to creating real-time content during games, WSC Sports will also analyze five years' worth of BVB matches from its content archive. Now, thousands of memorable moments from the club’s history, the majority of which have only ever been viewed in a traditional 16:9 ratio, can easily be repurposed into any aspect ratio to fit any platform. Creating this video in a vertical 9:16 ratio will help the club better connect to younger fans in particular by introducing them to these moments in their preferred way of consuming content. The collaboration with WSC Sports will empower BVB to deliver more high-quality video content, enabling the club to consistently connect and engage with its fan base all year round. The WSC Sports platform will also allow BVB to maximize the impact of its digital IP and create new revenue streams for digital inventory and assets. BVB—who boasted the highest average attendance in Europe for home league matches during the 2023/24 season with 81,305 per game—is a global powerhouse with over 950 fan clubs worldwide. Commenting on the new partnership, Sascha Fligge, Director of Communications at Borussia Dortmund, said, “Our digital content strategy is extremely important as the key way to engage our global fanbase who cannot be with us physically at every match. We are delighted to partner with WSC Sports whose AI-powered technology will propel our ability to produce and share more great content around the games and, importantly, in the period between live matches, keeping up fan engagement throughout the year. The platform's ability to unlock our video archive means we’re now making full use of this valuable content, providing fans with iconic moments from the past at ease and we can explore fresh opportunities to monetize this content. We know our fans are extremely passionate and we want to ensure they receive more of the content they crave, on the viewing platform of their choice. " Aviv Arnon, Chief Business Development Officer and Co-Founder, WSC Sports, said, “It's a thrill to partner with a club of BVB’s stature who have one of the most passionate and recognizable fan bases across all sports. WSC Sports is a proven formula for expanding reach, growing fandom, and unlocking revenue opportunities across platforms and we are excited to realize this opportunity with BVB. BVB has seen firsthand the possibilities that our AI-powered video content solutions enable through our collaboration with the Bundesliga. Now the club will bring those same innovative solutions home, to supercharge content production and facilitate more original storytelling, which will ultimately increase engagement levels across all club platforms. " BVB joins a growing community of football clubs and leagues that are utilizing WSC Sports’ platform. The Bundesliga is a long-standing client of the pioneering AI-powered sports content company, as well as LALIGA, Serie A, and the Belgian Pro League, plus a host of clubs from Europe’s top five leagues. More broadly, BVB joins a roster of over 490 leagues, teams and broadcasters across the globe—including ESPN, YouTubeTV, and the NBA—who employ WSC Sports’ award-winning technology. > Learn about a new product that allows rights holders to manage their content in an all-in-one digital asset management solution designed for sports. - Published: 2024-10-06 - Modified: 2026-02-04 - URL: https://wsc-sports-dev.ltu.co.il/blog/industry-insights/around-the-game-a-smarter-faster-way-to-manage-your-content-with-ai/ - Categories: Industry Insights WSC Sports' latest solutions are redefining how sports organizations manage and leverage their digital assets, and they're already being used by some of the biggest leagues, teams, and broadcasters in sports. The first article in this series examined the need for digital asset management systems in sports and how to choose the right one for your organization. Now, let's talk about how you can do it with WSC Sports. Enhanced AI capabilities now allow users to capture non-game actions, like player interviews, pre and post-game shows, fan reactions and more—while simultaneously saving those assets in a well-organized library. Rather than having a passive system that requires a lot of manual effort, organizations can, for the first time, take a proactive approach. Every piece of content is indexed, stored, and shared immediately or at a later time. The choice is up to the user. The improved algorithms, plus the newly released library are a step forward in making the WSC Sports platform a one-stop-shop to create, manage, and distribute content. AI-automated tagging Say goodbye to the tedious task of manual tagging. Whether it’s a game-winning goal or a candid behind-the-scenes moment, all assets are easily discoverable and ready to use. Combined with a powerful search function, the platform is now streamlined for storing and retrieving all of your digital assets. A modernized workflow By centralizing everything in one platform, users get a seamless flow from content creation to distribution. Importantly, AI is also applied to automatically repackage videos so they can be shared to any digital platform. The AI-assisted approach gives organizations an edge at being the first to deliver highlights, interviews, and live game footage to fans. Large-scale storage plus proactive recommendations Even organizations with massive amounts of data can efficiently store and manage it all, making even the largest content libraries easily accessible and navigable. Additionally, decades of archived footage can be stored and repurposed at a later date thanks to rules that create and recommend content based on prompts like a specific date, a memorable event, or an athlete’s birthday. In addition to providing recommendations, proprietary algorithms apply metadata and tags that efficiently organize all types of content automatically. AI’s role in the future of sports asset management Mounting pressure to deliver more content faster makes AI a must-have for sports organizations’ tech stacks. As consumption of sports content is only predicted to increase, having a solution that can capture both in-game and out-of-game content is the cornerstone of a successful content strategy both now, and five to ten years from now. So instead of putting in the work to customize a solution that fits your sports organizations' needs, get an out-of-the-box one that lets you automatically create, distribute, and manage your content from one, centralized platform. *Since publishing this article, the ability to capture non-game events, like interviews and pre and post-game shows, as well as the Library to manage all digital assets is now offered as standard. > The Belgian Pro League extends its partnership with WSC Sports to include In-App Stories, and offer the platform to its teams. - Published: 2024-09-18 - Modified: 2026-02-04 - URL: https://wsc-sports-dev.ltu.co.il/blog/news/belgian-pro-league-extends-wsc-sports-partnership-into-fifth-season-adds-in-app-stories-solution/ - Categories: News Since 2019, the Belgian Pro League has provided all its member clubs with access to WSC Sports’ award-winning platform for automated video footage delivered in multiple languages, helping to drive the reach and engagement of the league, and its clubs, digital content. The league has witnessed unprecedented growth across its digital channels in recent years, with AI-powered video playing a key role. In 2023, the league shared almost 20,000 videos with its clubs, which equated to a 107% increase year-on-year, empowering teams with more content to engage fans. The new extension to the long-term partnership will see the addition of WSC Sports’ new In-App Stories product allowing Belgian Pro League clubs to provide direct-to-fan experiences within owned and operated digital platforms, enabling fans to engage with personalized vertical video experiences similar to popular social media platforms. In-App Stories will help the Belgian Pro League create new monetization inventory and increase revenues through the provision of additional advertising opportunities within and around story-based content. PHOTO TOM GOYVAERTS “The Belgian Pro League is one of the most innovative leagues we work with. They truly understand the value in lifting clubs, collectively, which is why they make our solution available to all members and are now adding our In-App Stories product to further increase direct engagement with their fans,” said Aviv Arnon, Co-Founder and Chief Business Development Office, WSC Sports. “The Belgian Pro League has gone from strength-to-strength in recent years in no small part to their digital strategy. Their focus on facilitating more content creation has helped clubs unlock a host of new revenue streams and gain invaluable data about fan consumption habits across owned and operated channels. This feeds their content strategy that helps reach new fans and keeps legacy fans coming back for more,” he added. "WSC Sports is one of our key innovation partners so we are thrilled that we will continue to offer their solution to our clubs,” commented Lorin Parys, Chief Executive Officer at Belgian Pro League. PHOTO KRISTOF VAN ACCOM In addition, all Belgian Pro League clubs now have access to a five-year archive of content with hundreds of thousands of clips available at a click of a button. This makes the content creation process extremely efficient, providing more time for original, non-live, storytelling content around their matches. > Host Lachy Wills spoke with WSC Sports' Guy Port, to discuss how the company's software has helped deliver short-form videos to millions of fans. - Published: 2024-09-17 - Modified: 2026-02-04 - URL: https://wsc-sports-dev.ltu.co.il/blog/industry-insights/wsc-sports-guy-port-on-the-sports-cutting-edge-podcast/ - Categories: Industry Insights In the latest episode of the Sports Cutting Edge podcast, host Lachy Wills sat down with Guy Port, Head of Asia-Pacific region for WSC Sports. Kicking off the conversation, they spoke about Port’s journey to WSC Sports, a career that’s spanned over a decade in the sports industry and taken him around the world, including several years as the VP of Sales in the US for research company Repucom, and a return back to Australia to serve as Managing Director for market research giant, Nielsen Sports. Port met WSC’s founders during a chance encounter at the 2018 Sports Tech World Series conference in Melbourne. After seeing how the company’s tech was being used by WSC’s first Australian client, the NBL, coupled with the greater trends he saw emerging around short-form content, Port took on the role spearheading the company’s efforts in Australia. When it comes to the region, APAC as a whole has some of the biggest names in sports including Japan's J-League and the CBA in China—both clients of WSC Sports. Specifically in Australia, the BBL, Australian Open, and a long-standing relationship with the NBL highlight a deep roster of WSC clients, who have all exponentially increased the amount of content they deliver to fans thanks to WSC Sports’ AI-powered software. In another example, Port discusses how short-form content has completely changed golf coverage. Previously the leagues and networks were only able to showcase a handful of players and shots during a tournament, but with WSC Sports they’re able to tag and index every shot, from every player, with footage from multiple camera angles. Now, lesser-known golfers are getting more screen time and increased recognition in their home countries because rights holders can capture every shot from the Australian players for example, and then deliver those videos to a highly targeted audience in Australia, or the wider region. https://open. spotify. com/episode/1cshlMPoTdCIFSS4v5C1NP? si=HpP5L1I2QemZm0fEhgmZvg Closing out the episode, Port assures Lachy that short-form content is not going to distract from live games. On the future of sports content, he says further developments in the ability to deliver personalized content and new, innovative ways that Gen-AI is enhancing it with things like customizable commentary that’s available in multiple languages. AI technology in particular is going to create a lot of new experiences when it comes to content, rest assured in the months and years ahead there’s much to get excited about. > Learn how the ACC is leveraging WSC Sports' automated AI technology to drive views of games, highlights, FAST channels, and more. - Published: 2024-09-11 - Modified: 2026-02-04 - URL: https://wsc-sports-dev.ltu.co.il/blog/news/acc-expands-partnership-with-wsc-sports/ - Categories: News Eighteen member institutions and conference office equipped with AI-powered sports content technology. The ACC and WSC Sports, the pioneer in AI-powered sports content technology, today announced the expansion of its league-wide innovative partnership. In the third year of an expanded agreement, and seventh year overall, all 18 ACC member institutions have access to WSC Sports’ cutting-edge technology, empowering each institution to deliver high-quality in-game content instantly across all digital platforms. The ACC office has collaborated with WSC Sports, building off the long-standing relationship with the ACC Digital Network (ACCDN), to provide its member institutions and all sports offered at each the ability to utilize its editing suite, and real-time highlight-creation and video-automation where available. The ACC’s commitment to technology and innovation both on and off the field is once again confirmed as the investment in the partnership continues to grow. New offerings for the 2024-25 year include access to the live feed of all specialty events - such as ACC Kickoff and Tipoff, ACC-hosted College GameDay stops, ACC Championships and NCAA Championship games - enabling the ACC and its member schools the ability to create and instantly distribute a variety of short-form content from the biggest in-game moments to all digital channels, inclusive of web, app and social. As a leader in technology and digital offerings in college athletes, the ACC was the first college athletics conference including all member institutions to form a partnership with WSC Sports, making it a peer of the NBA, NHL, MLS, and other WSC Sports partners focused on leading-edge digital media practices. "We are thrilled to expand on our partnership with the ACC now equipping every league institution with the technology to tell more stories to more fans across a variety of sports,” said Joe DaCosta, Head of College Sports at WSC Sports. “College sports fans are immensely passionate about their teams, and we are proud to be fueling the ACC and member schools to deliver the content their fans are looking for online. ” "Our partnership with WSC Sports–and being able to provide that as a league-wide initiative—has been incredibly beneficial in further showcasing the tremendous successes across our schools and sports," he added. With this enhanced agreement, the ACC is providing WSC Sports’ technology to aid all 18 members with the tools to further enhance their own brand visibility, which additionally benefits the entire Conference. Since joining forces with WSC Sports, the data unequivocally demonstrates the profound impact of technology on reputable media platforms like YouTube and the ACC Digital Network FAST Channel. ACC Digital Network (ACCDN) YouTube increases from the 2020-21 through 2023-24 seasons: Total views from 28M to 48M (71% increase)Subscribers from 241K to 340K (29% increase)Watch time (hours) from 8M to 15M (88% increase)Total videos posted from 2900 to 6600 (127% increase) ACC Digital Network (ACCDN) FAST Channel increases: Total hours viewed from 2M to 6. 6M (230% increase) The partnership began in 2017 when ACCDN, owned and operated by Raycom Sports, partnered with WSC Sports to enhance the network’s digital content and FAST Channel programming. Since then, the ACC has partnered with both ACCDN and WSC Sports in continuing to advance in the technology and digital space within college athletics. ACCDN now has over 340,000 subscribers on YouTube, the largest following of any college conference YouTube Channel, and generates an average of one million views per week. There are now over 70 million U. S. viewers watching on FAST platforms, and the ACCDN is distributed across the largest platforms in the space. ACC Team Testimonials Here's what some of the conference's leading teams had to say about their partnership with WSC Sports: “As one of the first movers with WSC Sports, Clemson has found tremendous value in our partnership with their team over the past several years. It makes both real-time coverage and building evergreen social packages incredibly easy as we develop our content calendars. They continue to push their tech to make it easier to democratize the content – it doesn’t require someone to have deep video editing knowledge. Their commitment to building out infrastructure highlights more sports, plugs into more platforms, and drives game-based content strategy. ” Jeff Kallin, Senior Associate Athletic Director of Communications, Clemson University “The ACC’s partnership with WSC Sports has been hugely beneficial to our content workflows at UVA. The AI-generated clipping and highlight creation frees up personnel during and after games, which is invaluable given the multiple hats that external personnel need to wear. WSC Sports’ tech allows us to turn highlights around as quickly as possible and drive engagement around our games across our whole array of sports. WSC Sports’ innovative tech and willingness to work with us on our specific goals has been much appreciated over the course of our partnership. ” Michael Szlamowicz, Assistant Athletic Director of Sport and Broadcast Production, University of Virginia “My team and I are so thankful that the conference decided to commit to a league-wide deal with WSC Sports. Having access to this software has greatly improved our process for providing live event coverage and postgame highlights to our fanbase. What used to be a stressful process is now simplified and smooth. We are just scratching the surface of possibilities with what we can create and accomplish with this partnership. ” Alyssa Sconzo,Director of Digital Strategy, University of Louisville “WSC Sports has been an incredible asset for NC State Athletics and getting clips/highlights. Having a system that generates clips in games for basketball, football, volleyball, and soccer has minimized the amount of time it takes us to push clips out during events. Having a system that allows us to publish to different social media platforms without having to download a clip and then upload to the platform has cut the amount of time it takes to post real-time clips in half. Knowing that the system is used across the ACC allows for us to be able to access in-game clipping on the road without hassle. In addition, being able to have several people using the system at once has minimized the hassle of trying to decide which teams access clipping when there are several events occurring at the same time. "We are able to expose more people to the NC State brand quicker and collaborate with different entities across several platforms to generate more exposure for our teams. For the teams that don’t have access to the AI generated clips, our broadcast team has been able to utilize the ‘College Athletics Clipping’ tab. Knowing that all of our sports can utilize the same system and create clips/highlights to publish in game has been a game changer in our game day content. Having access to the WSC Sports system has alleviated stress on game day as we know the system is ready to go for us. When an issue arises, the support team is incredibly responsive and tries to find a quick solution to the issue. ” Anne Hirschfeld, Assistant Athletics Director of Communications, NC State - Published: 2024-09-10 - Modified: 2026-02-04 - URL: https://wsc-sports-dev.ltu.co.il/blog/news/snap-inc-partners-with-wsc-sports-to-expand-sports-content-creation-capabilities/ - Categories: News WSC Sports’ Magicrop technology will empower teams to seamlessly bring content to fans on Snapchat while adding an additional revenue stream. WSC Sports, the pioneer in AI-powered sports content technology, and Snap Inc. have partnered to enhance the flow of content for the Snap Star program through the Snap Publish API allowing sports teams to seamlessly bring content to their fans on Snapchat. This collaboration simplifies distribution workflows and enables sports content to be published to Snapchat automatically. WSC Sports’ technology opens a new, scalable opportunity for sports teams to maximize monetization and reach through Snap Stars. With WSC Sports’ Magicrop technology, the process that teams take to give audiences end-to-end, vertical video with action tracked perfectly in frame, will be significantly changed from a tedious manual endeavor to a modern automated experience. Snap Stars accounts are highly followed content creators from a variety of genres who bring the best and most entertaining content to Snapchat - with this partnership specifically aimed at sports teams. “It’s a true win-win scenario that combines our vertical video and publishing capabilities with Snap’s consumer reach. We share many team partners with Snap and are excited to work together to find additional ways of bringing value to professional and college teams. ” The Snap Stars program was launched in 2022 with the goal of enabling influencers and creators to monetize their content on Snapchat and further incentivize audience growth. This ad revenue-sharing program has brought the biggest influencers and brands to Snapchat to engage with their audiences and build their businesses in a way unlike any other digital media platform. This partnership with WSC Sports further enables these creators to seamlessly engage audiences and share everyday and game-changing moments with their community. > Explore the challenges, benefits, and actionable steps for choosing a DAM solution to streamline your workflow and increase fan engagement. - Published: 2024-09-05 - Modified: 2026-02-04 - URL: https://wsc-sports-dev.ltu.co.il/blog/industry-insights/what-role-do-digital-asset-management-systems-play-in-the-sports-industry/ - Categories: Industry Insights Content has now become a cornerstone of business, with those who excel in the art of capturing attention also gaining significant monetary value from their content. In the sports industry, modern fans are demanding real-time, engaging content more than ever before. To keep up, sports organizations must be able to easily create different types of content at speed and scale and effectively use their vast content libraries to tell the right story to the right fans at the right time. Enter digital asset management (DAM), a software solution that organizes, stores, and assists in distributing digital assets—like images, videos, documents, and audio files—to help businesses streamline workflows and maximize value from their content. DAM solutions provide a centralized platform to manage these assets throughout their lifecycle, from creation to distribution and archiving. But when it comes to sports content, the true value of DAM is its ability to facilitate content creation proactively and deliver it to a targeted audience. To capture the attention of fans, organizations need to showcase every storyline around the main event and deliver content in the right formats at the right time. This goes beyond traditional game and event broadcasts, to deliver content to any device. To access, distribute, and repurpose content efficiently, organizations need a DAM solution to effectively build-out a content library filled with videos, images, and other media. Below we'll examine how sports organizations can use DAM solutions to improve their core workflows and elevate their content strategies. We'll look at the key features, benefits, and challenges that often arise during the evaluation process; and best practices for implementing a solution that can maximize fan engagement. Tackling the Challenge of Managing and Delivering Content Every match, training session, and roar from the crowd is an opportunity to tell a story. Without a solution to locate, tag, index, and distribute the content, it can be a struggle for organizations to get their content out fast enough. Leagues, clubs, and broadcasters are constantly accumulating footage from multiple sources, including live game streams, behind-the-scenes interviews, high-res images, training camp content, fan-created content, and more. The disparity creates more than a few challenges when it comes to sharing content, including: Content Organization: Locating, tagging, and indexing assets becomes a daunting task when scattered across different storage systems and shared to multiple platformsAccessibility: Making content readily available for current marketing efforts and potential future ones can be difficult without a centralized hub and archiveBrand Consistency: Maintaining a consistent experience and voice across all touchpoints becomes impossible when teams struggle to find and repurpose the right content for various platformsCollaboration: Siloed content makes it hard for different departments and external partners to collaborate effectively on content creation and distributionLeveraging Archives: Valuable historical content often goes to waste due to inadequate cataloging and metadata tagging The ability to organize and catalog assets based on metadata like dates, event names, locations, venues, teams, players, and type of plays, empowers multiple stakeholders to find the content they're looking for. Coupled with search and filtering capabilities and potentially a tiered access system, teams can quickly find and repurpose content for various platforms, like social media pages, official websites, and also make content available to 3rd party publishers and partners with a login and password. DAM systems also break down silos and foster collaboration by providing a single source of truth for all content. With everyone working from the same centralized platform it's easier for different departments and external partners to seamlessly work together. Furthermore, DAMs can help teams breathe new life into archived content by making historical assets more discoverable, so that no valuable content goes to waste. How to Select the DAM Solution That's Best for You While it's essential to have a solution, finding the right one that aligns with your organization's unique needs, preferences, and goals can be complex. Some of the challenges include navigating the variety of options, ensuring scalability for future growth, encouraging users to adopt the platform, and balancing cost considerations with long-term stability. To find the best fit for your team, start by assessing your organization's specific requirements and pain points. Ask yourself: What are the key areas that need improvement? Who’s going to use the system, and what challenges do they have? What are the goals or KPIs we want to achieve? Look for features and functionality that align with your needs. Important features to consider are things like automations, security, scalability, a good user experience, integrations, archive capabilities, and the level of support and training provided by the vendor. First-hand experience is invaluable throughout this process. Request demos from a shortlist of options and when possible, push for a pilot to test for potential issues and determine whether the solution truly fits your workflow. By proactively addressing these challenges sports organizations can identify a DAM solution that maximizes the value of their digital assets and scales with their organization as their content strategy evolves. In part two of this article, we will explore the unique challenges of DAM in sports and how WSC Sports has added new capabilities and products into it's offering that redefine how rights holders manage and leverage their digital assets. - Published: 2024-09-04 - Modified: 2026-02-04 - URL: https://wsc-sports-dev.ltu.co.il/blog/news/czech-league-football-association-teams-up-with-wsc-sports-in-revolutionary-content-move/ - Categories: News The Czech League Football Association (LFA) has partnered with WSC Sports, the global leader in AI-powered video content. The collaboration will see the LFA harness WSC Sports’ AI-powered solution to deliver technology innovations across the LFA and its clubs' digital platforms. The move will significantly increase the scale and speed of its video content output, enabling greater reach and engagement with fans. The LFA and clubs from the Chance Liga, will harness WSC Sports’ all-in-one platform to provide fans with AI-tailored sports content experiences. These will include the creation of more personalized content and formats that will be shared via the league and its club across digital and social media channels. “WSC Sports is a world leader in the field of AI-powered video, as evidenced by its existing list of partners. We are excited with the opportunities we can unlock for Chance Liga and Czech professional football and are confident that, thanks to the scale of footage we can access, interest in the domestic top competition will increase even more,” Hajný added. “The LFA recognizes the need to provide fans with the best possible digital experience and meet the ever-growing demand for personalized content. We are delighted that they have chosen WSC Sports to establish AI-powered automated workflows that will significantly scale the output and distribution of video content for the league and its clubs,” said Aviv Arnon, Co-Founder and Chief Business Development Office, WSC Sports. “WSC Sports has a proven track record in enabling sports rights holders to expand reach, grow fan bases, and unlock revenue opportunities across digital platforms. We look forward to helping the LFA in revolutionizing their approach and delivering success that helps the league grow on and off the pitch,” Arnon added. The LFA joins the likes of ESPN, YouTubeTV, the NBA, Bundesliga, LALIGA, and Serie A—who are part of a 450-strong client roster who employ WSC Sports’ award-winning AI-powered technology. > Learn how WSC Sports is helping leagues, teams, and broadcasters tap into the creator economy while also providing creators licensed footage. - Published: 2024-08-19 - Modified: 2026-02-04 - URL: https://wsc-sports-dev.ltu.co.il/blog/industry-insights/how-sports-organizations-are-embracing-the-creator-economy/ - Categories: Industry Insights Emmy Liederman from #paid sat down with Vadim Drozdovski, VP of Growth at WSC Sports, to learn how the company is helping sports organizations leverage their content through creators. WSC Sports, along with some of its clients including the NBA, NASCAR, and TelevisaUnivision, are recognizing the value of creators turning memorable sports moments into monetizable content. They launched their creators-focused program, WSC Sports for Creators, in 2023 to provide creators with fully-licensed footage from sports rights holders, as well as the WSC Sports platform with its AI-tools to help creators craft and share content more efficiently. On the program’s roster, are some of the sports world’s most-followed creators, including Zach Flockhart, aka DKM, who amassed 15 million views from his 200,000+ followers on YouTube, all tuning in to get his take on everything basketball. Vadim Drozdovski, VP of Growth at WSC Sports, stressed the value of creator partnerships in driving fans’ excitement for their favorite leagues, teams, and sports networks—but this often comes with relinquished control over the content. "It’s a risk, but more people are understanding that if they’re going to be over-protective, they’ll be left with no audience. ” Added Value: Commentary That Drives Engagement Creators can breathe life into old, seldom used content and most importantly, offer a fresh perspective. “An archived clip from five years ago isn’t inherently interesting until a creator puts a new spin on it,” he said. “Ninety-nine percent of sports content is irrelevant without the context and personalization from a creator. ” Outsourcing Fandom Beyond offering content analysis, Drozdovski knows major networks can’t tap into the power of fandom while maintaining their objectivity and authority. “If my official channel is the NBA, I have to be really structured in the way I tell stories. But if I’m a creator and a Nets fan, I’ll tell you exactly why I’m frustrated with the Nets," he said. "Reaching your audiences, and also telling authentic stories that networks might not be able to tell is what the digital medium is enabling. " A Rights Agreement That Makes Sense Without a solid agreement and partnership, Drozdovski stressed that both rights holders and creators suffer. “Rights holders are putting their best content out there and aren’t sure what they’re getting in return, and creators will purposely make content that flies under the radar,” he said. “For the creators, it doesn’t pay to invest in creating quality content if you’re trying to evade something. " At WSC, Drozdovski looks to balance creator autonomy and brand safety. By using the WSC Sports for Creators program, and the WSC Sports platform, networks and leagues are reaching new audiences and creators can confidently make content without the fear of demonetization. While he understands creator licensing and content might not be at the core of legacy networks' strategies, recognizing its potential is a crucial element in digital planning. The thing we tell our clients that resonates most is, "This may not be a key area of focus for you now, but let's start building something so when you wake up to the party, you won't be starting from scratch. " This article originally appeared on hashtagpaid. com. > The new season is upon us, and fan excitement levels are through the roof. This presents sports clubs with a golden opportunity, creating content that grows audience size and revenues. - Published: 2024-08-05 - Modified: 2026-02-04 - URL: https://wsc-sports-dev.ltu.co.il/blog/industry-insights/kickoff-ready-the-4-step-content-strategy-for-building-fandom/ - Categories: Industry Insights The new season is upon us, and fan excitement levels are through the roof. Content is being consumed at voracious rates across social media, websites, and apps. Whether it’s highlights of pre-season games, news about trades and transfers, behind-the-scenes footage, injury updates, and more, fans are simply craving it all in a quest for deeper connections with their favorite players and clubs. This presents sports clubs with a golden opportunity ahead of the new season, creating content that grows audience size and revenues. But, to fully capitalize on this enthusiasm, clubs must develop the right content strategy. Building on the traditional funnel approach, here are some steps your club can follow to help expose your content to more people, increase engagement, convert new and existing fans into paying customers, and build loyal and lasting fandom. Awareness: Casting a Wide Net Content reach is everything when it comes to increasing awareness. The challenge is exposing your club’s content to as many eyes as possible. Social media is the obvious go-to, thanks to the numbers who use it and its content virality potential. But not all social media platforms are the same and neither are their users, so you’ll need to create an array of content types to cater to those different audiences. Shorter, snackable content like in-game highlights, and memorable moments can capture the attention of fans on the go, while longer-form offerings like player profiles and interviews provide the depth and substance that highly engaged fans crave. This ensures there's something for everyone, from the casual observer to the diehard fans. But output is only one piece of the puzzle. Crafting the right content in the viewer's preferred format and aspect ratio is vital. It doesn't matter the size of your club, one thing is certain, younger audiences are obsessed with short-form, vertical video content (9:16 ratio). Many clubs have already excelled by adopting this format, attracting millions of new followers across various platforms. Make sure you’re able to deliver for the new season. Timing is also crucial. Not only do you need to push out content when fans are actively searching for it, like in the build-up to, during, and after a match, but you also need to be able to react quickly on the fly to fully exploit any unscripted storytelling opportunity that arises. Interest: Deepening Fan Connection Utilizing many different outlets to get your content seen is only the beginning. Clubs must then turn those impressions into engagement in the form of likes, shares, and comments. Effective engagement is achieved through innovative, personalized fan experiences that deepen the connection with the club and provide a sense of belonging. German handball club THW Kiel successfully executed a content strategy for the 2023/24 season that brought new fans to its app. THW Kiel vastly increased the number of game highlights it published on social media, growing impressions by over 167%. Capitalizing on this new interest, they used the momentum on social media to drive fans to its app where they can vote for the "Man of the Match", “Action of the Month" and more. These efforts might seem obvious, but for Kiel they paid off, transforming fans from mere spectators into active participants, resulting in new app subscribers and key app engagement. Credit: Sascha Klahn/THW Kiel The best content strategies seek to pair fans with the content they most want to see. A prime example is the Cleveland Cavaliers, who have enhanced their app to allow users to create a personalized highlights feed featuring over 24 different types of highlights of their favorite players. Since rolling out these features, they've observed an 83% increase in app downloads and a 20-minute average dwell time. This success demonstrates how personalization can transform fan interaction. Action: Turning Engagement into Revenue Converting fans into paying customers, whether through ticket sales, merchandise, or digital subscriptions, requires clubs to create a seamless journey from interest to purchase. By analyzing fan behavior and preferences from their activity on owned and operated channels, your club can tailor content and offers to individual fans, increasing the likelihood of conversion. For example, if data shows that a segment of fans consistently watches a specific player’s highlight reels, you can create personalized offers featuring exclusive content about that player, such as behind-the-scenes footage, interviews, or special merchandise. Having access to this first-party user data is why moving your fans from followers on social media to active users on your O&O channels is so valuable to clubs. Rich YouTube libraries can also serve as a powerful tool to guide fans deeper into your ecosystem, increasing watch time and trust while enhancing both sponsor viewership and O&O click-through rates. Pre-game videos are particularly effective for sending high-intent fans to O&O platforms, generating three to four times more conversions than in-game content and boasting impressive click-through rates. Once these fans are on your O&O platforms, they are more likely to purchase or subscribe to exclusive experiences or premium services. Regardless of where the content lives, to optimize sponsorship revenue, it's essential to integrate ad sponsors seamlessly into all formats, from thumbnails to intros and outros, ensuring brand visibility without disrupting the fan experience. Loyalty: Building Long-Term Fandom So you’ve worked hard to build the perfect fan journey. You’re creating great content that your audience loves and engages with and you’re directing them to your O&O where their activity is of the most value to you. But how do you keep them there, grow a digital community, foster long-term fandom, and extract the most value along the way? The answer is pretty simple: offer the best experiences. The right technology will help you ensure that the content you create across all levels of the fan journey, from the wide-reaching social media content to the personalized experiences on your app, is of the best quality, in the optimal ratios and formats, and delivered at the right time for maximum impact. Adopting innovative content solutions that enable game-changing experiences is key to achieving deeper, more meaningful connections with fans at any stage of their journey. Wait, is your season about to finish and you're struggling for content ideas for the off-season? Don't worry here's our guide to help you do just that. This article originally appeared on SportsPro. - Published: 2024-07-23 - Modified: 2026-02-04 - URL: https://wsc-sports-dev.ltu.co.il/blog/news/bsc-young-boys-selects-wsc-sports-to-propel-ai-powered-content-strategy/ - Categories: News Reigning Swiss Super League champions, BSC Young Boys, have become the latest football club to partner with WSC Sports to power, scale, and innovate their digital content strategy and deepen their relationship with fans. The multi-year agreement will see BSC Young Boys benefit from WSC Sports’ AI-powered content solution, maximizing its production capabilities and enabling video content to be shared with fans more efficiently across the club’s raft of digital channels. As reigning Swiss Super League champions and regular UEFA Champions League participants, BSC Young Boys has a significant fanbase in Switzerland and abroad. The partnership with WSC Sports will enable the club’s digital team to automatically create and distribute video content with increased efficiency, enabling them to scale-up their social media production ambitions and deliver more original, non-live, storytelling content around their games. WSC Sports’ award-winning platform will automatically create content for all the club’s social channels, including YouTube, X, TikTok, Instagram and Facebook, in all formats. Personalized content will also be made available to players who will have the ability to publish directly to their own social channels. “By harnessing the power of AI, WSC Sports’ platform enables automated sports content creation, management, and distribution, at unprecedented speed and scale. For our club, this is a real gamechanger, enabling our team to focus on creative storytelling which we know is what our fans really love and want to consume more of," Wüthrich added. “We are delighted to be working with BSC Young Boys, one of the most progressive and innovative clubs we have partnered with,” said Aviv Arnon, Co-Founder and Chief Business Development Office, WSC Sports. “BSC Young Boys’ realize the opportunity around non-live and original content as a means to fuel fandom and engagement year-round. Now, the club has access to a platform that is going to drive their content production capability like never before, enabling them to deliver content for every type of fan, on any platform, wherever they are, whenever they want it. ” BSC Young Boys joins a roster of over 450 leagues, teams and broadcasters across the globe, including ESPN, NBA, LALIGA, Serie A, and LOSC Lille - who employ WSC Sports’ award-winning AI-powered technology. - Published: 2024-07-23 - Modified: 2026-02-04 - URL: https://wsc-sports-dev.ltu.co.il/blog/news/american-athletic-conference-partners-with-wsc-sports-to-amplify-video-content/ - Categories: News The American Athletic Conference has announced a multiyear partnership with WSC Sports, the global leader in AI-powered video content, to amplify and showcase the conference’s football and men’s and women’s basketball programs. The American Athletic Conference will utilize WSC Sports’ groundbreaking AVGen platform to produce and distribute high-quality video packages, both in real time and post-competition, as well as the Clipro platform, which enables manual access to all live and archived content for easy curation and distribution. The WSC platforms use AI-based content analysis to index and rate every play of a game and capture key moments in real time. It further allows for immediate and on-demand distribution of highlights through all key social media channels, allowing the conference to further engage with fans, expand its reach and develop revenue opportunities across its digital platforms. “We are thrilled to partner with WSC Sports as we continue to maximize our brand,” said American Athletic Conference Commissioner Tim Pernetti. “This is an exciting time for WSC Sports and the world of college sports as our collaboration with the AAC not only helps to amplify the visibility of student-athletes and their talents, but also elevates the overall college sports experience for fans,” said Joe DaCosta, Director of College Sports at WSC Sports. “With access to advanced technologies that deliver real-time highlights, expand distribution channels, and enhance fan engagement, the AAC is ensuring that fans are closer to the action and more engaged than ever before. - Published: 2024-07-18 - Modified: 2026-02-04 - URL: https://wsc-sports-dev.ltu.co.il/blog/industry-insights/discussing-game-changing-content-strategies-with-sports-and-media-leaders-in-the-mena-region/ - Categories: Industry Insights Interest in sports and media in the MENA region has exploded in recent years, spurred on by huge investment from the Saudi Pro League, which alone has brought in some of the best football talent in the world. Of course, this has sparked massive fan interest domestically and internationally, attracting new eyeballs from all over the world and presenting a unique opportunity for broadcasters to grow their audiences and explore new avenues for monetization. As CEO and co-founder Daniel Schichman outlined earlier in 2024, the MENA region represents an important area of focus for WSC Sports. So, to discuss the region in greater detail, WSC Sports and BroadcastPro, invited top local industry executives for a roundtable forum in Dubai in May 2024. WSC Sports’ Ross Munro, Head of Commercial, and Dror Yosef, Business Development for MENA, were joined by Amill Lone, CEO of SSC; Danny Bates, Co-Founder and CCO of StarzPlay; JP McKerlie, VP Marketing & Sales of TOD/BeIN Media Group; Peter Van Dam, COO of Saudi Pro League Media House; Sunil Joy, Head of Content at Evision/e; and Tanweer Anwar, Head of Monetization at Noon. The discussion covered several key themes: The recent shifts in sports consumption,The significance of diversifying content to cater to different fan demographicsEngaging with fans beyond on-field action,And the role AI can play in enhancing the production and distribution of content and better audience engagement. First up for discussion was how broadcasters can meet the demands and expectations of modern sports fans regarding their content. Meeting Modern Fan Expectations Sports fans today have many different needs. The challenge for rights holders is providing fans with the best viewing experiences. To meet these needs, they need to experiment with new technologies that facilitate these experiences. Peter Van Dam, COO, of Saudi Pro League outlined how they tackle the challenge of serving so many different audiences on different outlets. "As we are serving platforms with completely different content requirements, the media manager must be creative with sizes, types and quality, and build responsive formats. ” Van Dam continued by outlining the importance for rights holders in adopting agile content strategy. One that enables them to create and distribute content on a diverse and large scale and deliver that content when it’s most impactful. Keeping Fans Engaged Beyond The Game Tanweer Anwar of Noon and JP McKerlie explained how digital media has changed the game, disrupting traditional linear sports event coverage. A challenge broadcasters face is how to go beyond the traditional event broadcast. How can they fully capitalize on their media rights and exploit every storyline opportunity? "Sports is not just focused on a match itself. It's like a multi-course meal. Like what's the next upcoming match, the score, what happens off the field, before an actual game, during breaks and so on. ” Tanweer Anwar, Head of Monetization at Noon stated. Digital media offers so much more depth in the relationship online between the modern fan and the players and teams. Marrying traditional event coverage in the form of linear with digital content experiences results in a better overall offering and helps cater to a diverse audience—even when there’s no live action taking place. The Role of AI in Sports Content Rights holders in MENA and beyond are using AI technology and automated workflows to craft content at speed and scale. This tech enables them to seamlessly create content for different types of fans, without adding to their team headcount. Sunil Joy, Head of Content at Evision/e gave insights into how AI is helping them analyze data and create and share content at scale. AI, and its role in sports content, has already positively impacted the industry to the point where it’s almost impossible now to envisage modern workflows without it. GENERATIVE AI IN SPORTS MEDIA Whether you are in Riyadh, Dubai, New York or London, one thing is clear, the evolution of AI in sports has been on a high-speed upward trajectory for over a decade. Early pioneers like WSC Sports set the standard for content production, helping broadcasters grow their audiences, explore new monetization avenues and ultimately offer the best experiences to fans. The session concluded by looking forward to the not-so-distant future to see what impact generative AI will have on the industry and how it can be incorporated into the products and solutions already indispensable to rights holders. Gen AI brings with it fresh opportunities for broadcasters to explore innovative new ways to connect with their audiences. It has opened up the gates for much more than highlight distribution, it can turn fantasies into digital realities. Anything that has occurred in a sports event, and even situations that haven’t, can now be brought to life. To ensure the best experience for sports fans worldwide, WSC Sports recently developed three new solutions for rights holders that are sure to future-proof fandom over the next decade and beyond, including the opening up of a Gen AI-specific department. For a deeper dive into the roundtable event hosted by BroadcastPro and WSC Sports click here. - Published: 2024-07-02 - Modified: 2026-02-04 - URL: https://wsc-sports-dev.ltu.co.il/blog/news/euroleague-basketball-to-expand-creators-network-with-wsc-sports-partnership/ - Categories: News - Tags: basketball, Euroleague, PR EMEA, wsc sports Euroleague Basketball (EB) is joining forces with WSC Sports, the pioneer in AI-powered sports content technology, to provide digital creators with access to fully-licensed footage of its elite competitions. The continent’s two premier men’s basketball competitions, the Turkish Airlines EuroLeague and the BKT EuroCup, will make available fully licensed footage through the WSC Sports For Creators Program, collaborating directly with creators to increase the online brand presence and engagement, while helping to reach new audiences outside of the existing fan base. The WSC Sports For Creators Program launched last year as an innovative solution that provides value to both media rights holders and creators, allowing the latter access to an indexed video library and creation tools, which makes the creation and publishing of content easy and seamless while avoiding copyright infringement. Now, utilizing WSC Sports’ AI-powered platform, creators and influencers from across the globe will be able to access selected moments from the Turkish Airlines EuroLeague and the BKT EuroCup in seconds to automatically create and publish high-quality content, localized and customized by the creator for their audience, with the goal of helping to grow Euroleague Basketball’s overall fan base and revenue streams. https://www. youtube. com/watch? v=7xt5y1aX1kY Creator DKM utilized the WSC Sports platform to create this video about the intensity of the EuroLeague Final Four and the pressure that comes with the moment. “Our goal is to see both Euroleague Basketball, and a host of hoops creators, elevate their content and make it available for fans to watch and engage with wherever they want to consume it,” said Aviv Arnon, Co-Founder and Chief Business Developer Officer at WSC Sports. “The Creators Program is a unique model that provides clear benefits to all. It enables rights holders to maximize the full value of their content by tapping into creators' highly engaged audiences, allowing them to easily generate and monetize more of the content fans want, without the risk of copyright infringements,” he adds. Through the WSC Sports Creators Program, content creators around the world are already accessing footage of some of the most valuable sports leagues and competitions. These include Bundesliga, Serie A and Argentine Primera División football, Top Rank Boxing events, One Championship combat sports, and now basketball with the Turkish Airlines EuroLeague and the BKT EuroCup. Content creators can apply to join the Creators Program for Euroleague Basketball by visiting wsc-sports. com/wsc-for-creators. - Published: 2024-06-20 - Modified: 2026-02-04 - URL: https://wsc-sports-dev.ltu.co.il/blog/industry-insights/how-google-poland-and-wsc-sports-use-ai-to-serve-modern-sports-fans/ - Categories: Industry Insights - Tags: Thought Leadership In May 2024, Google and WSC Sports led a webinar discussing the trends in sports media and how AI is changing the future of sports consumption for the greater good. Dawid Prokopowicz, Industry Manager for E-Commerce and Sports at Google Poland, teamed up with WSC Sports’ Adam Haliva from the Business Development team to lead the webinar, with Ranit Etzion Weiss from Marketing moderating. Dawid began by outlining how important video has become: "Video is the most accessible and universal language of online communication. ” Watch the full webinar here: A key theme discussed early on in the webinar was that, over the past decade, rights holders in the sports media world have discovered that different fans have different needs. Fans enjoy consuming content on different devices, in different ratios and durations. There is no default online fan. Fans want to see everything and be able to access it on any device. The pair dived deeper into changing consumption habits, giving interesting examples from the most recent World Cup. Of the top World Cup YouTube Shorts by views, only a few were, in fact, game highlights. Some were exclusive interviews with players, live fan reactions, facts and trivia about the stadiums where the matches were being played at, etc. There is more content to share with fans than we have ever seen before, and the possibilities are endless. This is much different from a traditional broadcast or highlight package, with more content being captured and created around the game itself. One of the biggest strategies discussed in the session was timing and speed. Sports rights holders must deliver their content to fans when their emotions peak. For example, their social media posts must be the first to share the match action and news as soon as it happens. This helps to build fandom around their platforms specifically, and it’s not necessarily limited to just during the game, either. The discussion segued into introducing how the sports media community should address the change. Adam Haliva elaborated on how personalization, speed, and scale are the three main points to rights holders' success in sports media today. Content creation can be a very painful process. It is time-consuming and laborious manual work. The webinar prioritized the message that speed is the future. “This is how you win on social media; speed matters. Getting the content out first. ” Adam stated. Storytelling is essential in sports media, and changing fan consumption behavior, combined with breakthrough technologies, has meant the content being created has become much more diverse. WSC Sports and Google worked together to develop new content experiences such as Web Stories, that appear in Google Search’s OneBox, the top results page. The same technology is in use during Euro 24. Sports media rights holders used WSC Sports to create Web Stories during the last World Cup totaling over 362 million impressions and 61m views! The pair concluded in agreement that automation technology is the only way forward to help drive fan engagement and new fan experiences. AI has already enabled rights holders to tell infinite content narratives and now with Generative AI that scope is being redefined once again, unlocking a whole new world of revenue streams to explore. - Published: 2024-06-19 - Modified: 2026-02-26 - URL: https://wsc-sports-dev.ltu.co.il/blog/sports-content-kings-podcast/tech-fan-engagement-and-the-future-of-sports-content-with-david-levy-founder-ceo-of-horizon-sports-experiences/ - Categories: Podcast On the twelfth episode of Sports Content Kings, Aviv and Shaka are joined by David Levy, CEO and Partner at Horizon Sports & Experiences. Previously, he served as President of Turner Broadcasting, where he worked for over three decades. In his current role, Levy works with some of the world’s biggest teams, leagues and broadcasters, and helps manage their business relationships, including for live events, ticketing, marks, and IPs. Some of his recent work has resulted in the creation of a new pickleball tournament, Pickleball Slam, where, in the most recent competition, Andre Agassi and Steffi Graf defeated John McEnroe and Maria Sharapova for a $1 million prize. Levy’s also helped establish the Women’s Champion Classic, an early-season college basketball showcase featuring some of the game’s most storied college programs, and more. Levy spoke extensively about the evolution of content consumption, and how it’s changing sports. From cable companies to streaming services. He discusses new deals including the latest between Netflix and the NFL, and Amazon courting the NBA. He points out how these new streaming services will help attract global audiences and younger generations. Additionally, Levy says that as the sports media field continues to grow, fans will have increased personalization and better on field access. Looking to the future, Levy says he has a couple exciting things in store. Particularly, he believes there is a huge opportunity to grow womens sports and add exciting events. > Learn how Dyn Media uses WSC Sports to create content for German handball, basketball, volleyball, hockey, and table tennis competitions. - Published: 2024-06-11 - Modified: 2026-02-04 - URL: https://wsc-sports-dev.ltu.co.il/blog/customer-spotlight/dyns-digital-disruption-puts-emerging-sports-in-the-spotlight/ - Categories: Customer Spotlight - Tags: Case Studies As Dyn Media approaches its one-year anniversary following its high-profile launch in Germany, the sports streaming platform is doubling down on cutting-edge technology and artificial intelligence (AI), with the help of partners like WSC Sports, to press home its disruption of the marketplace. Former German Football League (DFL) chief executive Christian Seifert and German media company Axel Springer teamed up to launch Dyn Media with a simple mission: to provide impactful coverage of sports that are usually overshadowed in a landscape that has long been dominated by football. To provide the foundations for the vision, Dyn has acquired rights to top-tier domestic handball, basketball, volleyball, hockey and table tennis competitions. Continental or international rights have also been snapped up, such as for the Basketball Champions League, handball’s EHF Champions League and European League, and various World Table Tennis events. To achieve the desired cut-through with this content, though, Dyn has had to differentiate its offering. In a bold move, it has made its coverage as accessible as possible by providing content to leagues, clubs and media partners, to amplify exposure—with increasing exposure on non-game days viewed as essential. Simultaneously, Dyn has committed to digitizing production and distribution to encourage sustainable, rather than cost-heavy processes. Vital partnership Dyn’s partnership with WSC Sports has been vital in executing this strategy, according to chief executive Andreas Heyden. WSC Sports, the pioneer in AI-powered sports content technology, has collaborated with Dyn since April 2023 some four months before the over-the-top (OTT) platform’s launch. WSC Sports automatically creates, manages and distributes highlights and other match content in real time for Dyn to share on its platform and social media channels. As part of this cooperation, the Handball Bundesliga (HBL) and Basketball Bundesliga (BBL)—and a number of their clubs—have full access to WSC Sports’ capabilities, as part of a drive to optimize exposure of the leagues, teams and players. Clubs that opt in gain access to the technology with no operational set-up required, enabling them to leverage WSC Sports in order to grow their brand and connect with their fans. Driving awareness With the support of WSC Sports, Dyn appears to have made solid progress so far. Whilst specific numbers have not been disclosed, a subscription-based model accounts for the bulk of Dyn’s income to date, ahead of advertising and sponsorship sales. An affordable price point of €14. 50 (£12. 50/$15. 60) per month—or €12. 50 per month for a year—has enticed handball and basketball fans, who previously paid more to access less content on other platforms. Hockey coverage was primarily distributed by Dyn on YouTube in the first season to optimize exposure, but the 2024-25 season will be available on Dyn’s OTT platform. Furthermore, from over 2,400 games covered by Dyn in the 2023-24 season of sporting action, thousands of highlights videos were packaged up and, as a result, have been watched by millions of fans on social media platforms. “We are very satisfied with the results after just a few months,” Heyden says. “Dyn believes in a paradigm shift in the exploitation of media rights. The demand for paid content, our data shows, is created by the awareness of free content on non-match days. ” Content desk Dyn’s Content Desk, which gives clubs, leagues and broadcasters the opportunity to upload and download content, is at the heart of efforts to democratize coverage and ultimately boost the popularity of the sports covered by the platform. “A key component of our engagement strategy is to share content across the different players in the sports ecosystem,” Heyden says. “To this end, we have developed our Content Desk platform, which allows us to share content across the ecosystem so that everyone can tell the best story for their audience. " “Our mission is to increase the reach and appreciation of the sports that have entrusted us with their rights. We do so by sharing content we produce ourselves with clubs, leagues and media partners, increasing the accessibility of content drastically. Together with WSC Sports, we have created a model that enables collaboration. ” Automation As part of Dyn’s strategy, automated digital production and distribution is viewed as a key pillar, particularly given the scale of the coverage. For this reason, Heyden adds, it is vital for sports properties like the HBL and BBL to have access to WSC Sports’ capabilities. “With access to WSC Sports, we enable the leagues and clubs to create content in real time consistently from Monday to Sunday,” Heyden adds. “This is very important because Dyn wants to increase the awareness and appreciation of sports that are currently underrepresented in the media, such as the HBL and BBL. “With an editorial concept that combines paid and free reporting, a strong social media strategy and intensive marketing we can take a holistic approach that supports the sustainable development of the leagues and their clubs. It is therefore essential to be able to create highlights and other videos quickly and automatically. ” Primarily, the goal is to cater not just to existing fans, but also to younger generations who have a greater appetite for short-term and mobile-optimized content. AI Meanwhile, AI is playing a central role in driving Dyn’s day-to-day operations. Dyn has installed more than 40 AI cameras across different venues in Germany to capture sporting action, building on the AI that underpins WSC Sports’ automated content creation and distribution. The next step for Dyn’s digital strategy is to build on this by exploring new storytelling opportunities. “Having an emotional narrator who tells the story of the match is still something that fans want,” Heyden says. “In addition, the ability to create video assets from metadata using new developments in generative AI will open the possibility of providing more relevant content to fans. Of course, we need to tread carefully and make sure that we meet our responsibilities to our fans and sports. “When it comes to distribution, we are seeing a move towards personalized content. Social media platforms have been the gold standard here, and being able to provide similar functionality on our platforms using WSC Sports will be increasingly important to provide the best possible experience. ” This article originally appeared in SportBusiness. - Published: 2024-05-28 - Modified: 2026-02-04 - URL: https://wsc-sports-dev.ltu.co.il/blog/news/wsc-sports-announces-next-phase-of-growth/ - Categories: News Three new products headline the transformation along with an updated visual identity. WSC Sports, the pioneer in AI-powered sports content technology, announces today its evolution to a comprehensive AI content management, creation, and distribution solution. The company empowers sports rights holders to engage with fans through personalized content, ready-to-publish in multiple formats, and for any type of viewing channel. As part of the company’s next phase of growth, WSC Sports is formally introducing three new solutions to its product suite: Around the Game, In-App Stories, and Discovery Network. These solutions help all entities operating within the sports ecosystem adapt more quickly to the shifting landscape of sports content by allowing each organization to fully own its relationship with the fan. These solutions enable sports media organizations to massively scale their content inventory, expand reach, grow fan bases, and explore new revenue opportunities. “Since our inception, we have aimed to redefine the sports media landscape with our AI-powered technology,” said Daniel Shichman, CEO and Co-Founder of WSC Sports. “Over the last decade, we have consistently grown and demonstrated the value of AI content generation and automation, with our solution becoming an industry standard. "We are excited to announce the next phase of WSC Sports. We see a future where sports fans get only the content they want—content that is of personal interest to them, content that our technology helps them discover, and content that will deepen relationships between fans and sports entities on a one-to-one level. With the launch of three new solutions, the inspiration for our new tagline, ‘Fuel the Fandom,’ we are transitioning to a full AI content solution, helping our clients provide the best personalized content experience to sports fans across all platforms while generating new revenue streams. ” WSC Sports’ newly introduced Around The Game product expands the company’s AI capabilities from in-game content to indexing and automating every aspect of the game, including fan reactions, player arrivals, sponsor logos, interviews, press conferences, and studio shows. This enables sports organizations to centralize all assets in one platform, easily search for and identify interesting storylines, and automatically curates any content fans desire instantly creating new content combinations that previously were tough to identify both in and around the game. Furthermore, WSC Sports is taking a significant step toward providing direct-to-fan experiences for customers with its In-App Stories product. This product allows sports organizations to insert a vertical video experience within owned and operated digital platforms, where fans can engage with content in a similar way to popular social media platforms. In-App Stories empowers organizations to automate the creation and delivery of vertical content in formats such as stories, vertical swipeable video feeds, polls, and quizzes, enabling a path toward customized content for every fan and enhancing organizations’ first-party data on every individual’s preferences and consumption habits. Finally, WSC Sports’ Discovery Network increases rights holders’ content exposure by reaching fans on pre-agreed third-party sports properties. This approach provides avenues to reach new fans and explore monetization opportunities. Discovery Network gives rights holders full control to manage content distribution, generate exposure, drive traffic, and maximize monetization opportunities. WSC Sports’ new line of products and updated visual identity, launched today, follows a recent announcement by the company forming a dedicated Gen AI group. The refreshed visual identity showcases a new company logo and a redesigned website. - Published: 2024-05-28 - Modified: 2026-02-04 - URL: https://wsc-sports-dev.ltu.co.il/blog/industry-insights/wsc-sports-upgraded-a-qa-with-ceo-daniel-shichman-on-the-company-rebrand/ - Categories: Industry Insights A rebrand. What does it really mean? Ask someone outside of marketing or design (the two teams that typically execute rebrand projects), and they might even trivialize it to, “all of the cool, new swag we’re getting”. Others might cringe with fear at the thought of significant change in their day-to-day tasks. To throw a wrench in the rumor mill, we sat down with Co-Founder and CEO, Daniel Shichman to get his take on the company’s new look. So what were the main factors that went into the decision to rebrand? Well, this is something that’s felt right for a while now. Our company invented the use of AI to generate content a little over a decade ago and our platform became the gold standard and industry-leading solution. In the last few years, we’ve seen that sports consumption has changed dramatically. Fans consume content on many platforms, in different formats, and they’re demanding new viewing experiences that are challenging the way rights owners create and deliver content. The change in consumption habits is affecting their businesses and how they reach out to their fans directly. Specifically, we’re starting to see many organizations going with a direct-to-consumer approach in the way they communicate with their fan bases, and attempt to attract new ones. We’ve developed new products and offerings that help solve this pain point, and as our offering expanded, we knew it was also the right time to update our company’s story and visual identity to support our next phase of growth. Can you talk about some of those new products you mention? Sure. The first I’ll mention is something that’s probably already familiar to people that know us, and that’s In-App Stories. We developed an SDK that gives rights holders the ability to input vertical videos into their proprietary mobile apps. Now, they can provide all of the content experiences fans expect, like tappable stories, swipeable video feeds, and reels. It helps them to better understand their fans, offer personalized content, and generate new revenue streams—all essential to the current trend of organizations strengthening their owned and operated channels to promote business and set themselves up for more success down the road. The Discovery Network is something that’s completely new, designed to help our clients get more exposure of their content by reaching new fans on pre-agreed third-party properties. The solution gives rights holders full control through a dedicated video player, allowing them to manage content distribution, generate exposure, drive traffic, and maximize monetization opportunities. We already have several current clients that increased traffic five-fold and used it to drive significant business goals like, app downloads, subscriptions, and perhaps most importantly—added monetizable inventory. The best part, it’s providing fans with exactly the type of content experiences they want. The last product I’ll mention is also extremely interesting. Around the Game is a proactive, AI-powered digital asset management platform. It includes the expanded capability of our AI technology to capture and analyze not only in-game content, but every aspect of the game. Things like fan reactions, player arrivals, sponsor logos, interviews, press conferences, and studio shows can now be ingested, tagged, and indexed in one, centralized platform just like in-game footage. For the future, we're working on capabilities that would enable the platform to intelligently create entirely new content based on what's already been ingested. So, for example, if LeBron James is talking about a specific part of the game in an interview, the platform will automatically create a new asset—like a split-screen video of LeBron talking and the actual footage of what he's talking about. This makes it easier for content teams to weave different pieces of content together and tell a more holistic story. What is tangibly different at WSC Sports after the rebrand? I think the first, obvious thing people will notice is our new logo and website. The colors, the look and feel—it’s much more sleek and modern to match what we are doing today, our story and value proposition. Additionally, and probably more importantly, it is part of our greater vision and strategy. We’ve grown from a company that uses AI to create and distribute game highlights, to a full, end-to-end platform. For our users, the process still starts the same way, with the AI allotting for the creation and distribution of content, but now there’s an array of new products that help the relevant content reach the right fan on any platform or device. What’s on tap for WSC Sports post-rebrand? Any big plans for the future? Our goal is to continue to give our clients the tools they need to create great content. We’re constantly adding new products and features to our offering, and we’re also working in cooperation with our clients to develop solutions specific to the industry’s needs. One thing I can mention is that we recently announced the formation of our Gen-AI team here in the company, and we’ve already started working with clients on deploying relevant solutions. AI-generated voice-over commentary in multiple languages is one example. At the technology level, we’re pioneering the world’s first sports-dedicated multimodal large language model and have a very ambitious plan ahead. Now that all of the burning questions have been answered, and you know what's happening here, at WSC Sports, have a look around our new site. If you want to join the team, learn more about our platform, or rebrand, feel free to be in touch with us. - Published: 2024-05-20 - Modified: 2026-02-04 - URL: https://wsc-sports-dev.ltu.co.il/blog/customer-spotlight/german-handball-champions-thw-kiel-driving-app-growth-with-video-content/ - Categories: Customer Spotlight THW Kiel is the winningest team in Germany's most competitive handball league, the Handball-Bundesliga. Learn about some of the innovative ways they've used the WSC Sports platform to create deeper connections with fans. Summary In Germany, handball is the second most popular sport after football, and THW Kiel is one of the country’s and Europe’s most popular teams. Having won three out of the last four seasons in the Handball Bundesliga (HBL), they started the 2024 season looking to clinch their 24th league title. Off the court, Kiel’s marketing team started using the WSC Sports platform to deliver more highlights to fans on social media. With the increase in content, they started using highlights as a conversation starter and channel to get fans engaged on the Kiel Handball app. New Content Formats and Experiences The idea was to get fans voting for their favorite “Man of the Match” and “Action of the Month”. Kiel’s marketing team created highlights on the WSC Sports platform and published them to Facebook, Instagram, and YouTube, with text and links encouraging followers to go and vote in the app. The result was millions of impressions, high engagement, and new app subscribers. To date, Kiel has more than doubled the amount of videos they created and published to social media by using the WSC Sports platform. The increase in content has strengthened the relationship between the team and its fans, and created new opportunities to drive engagement and app downloads. Sascha Klahn/THW Kiel - Published: 2024-05-15 - Modified: 2026-02-04 - URL: https://wsc-sports-dev.ltu.co.il/blog/news/wsc-sports-wins-award-for-best-broadcast-technology-joins-the-sports-technology-hall-of-fame/ - Categories: News We’re excited to share that WSC Sports has been awarded the top prize in the category Best Broadcast Technology at the 2024 Sports Technology Awards. Our entry focused on how broadcasters and other media rights holders use WSC Sports’ AI technology to deliver next-level viewing experiences for sports fans. We also aimed to showcase our technology’s immense value to broadcasters and why the biggest organizations around the world, including ESPN, Canal+, TelevisaUnivision, Sky Deutschland, Movistar Plus+, and many more, trust WSC Sports as the perfect technology partner. On the win, the Sports Technology Awards judges said, “The thing that clinched this win was the multitude of first-hand experience of clients in major international sports tournaments. " On the night, WSC Sports was also honored to be inducted into the Sports Technology Hall of Fame. The STA Group’s HOF was established to celebrate sports brands showing outstanding vision and leadership in the vital field of tech-led innovation over the past 10 years. We are proud to be recognized for playing such an important part in the sports technology industry and to be listed alongside some of the biggest names in sports like the NFL, DFL, DAZN, and the NBA. Here’s to pioneering the industry forward together over the next decade and beyond! Congratulations to all the other deserved winners on the night, thanks to the judges, and a special thank you to all our amazing clients! In 2023, for the second consecutive year, WSC Sports was also ranked by the STA Group as the 16th most influential sports technology company in the world. WSC Sports was also a winner at the 2022 edition of the Sport Technology Awards for the collaborative entry with DAZN in the category, Best Technology for Communications and Storytelling’. > The company announces the creation of a Gen AI-specific group to serve sports rights holders the most cutting edge tools for creating content. - Published: 2024-05-14 - Modified: 2026-02-26 - URL: https://wsc-sports-dev.ltu.co.il/blog/news/wsc-sports-announces-establishment-of-gen-ai-specific-division/ - Categories: News WSC Sports, the global leader in AI-powered sports video content, today announced the creation of a generative artificial intelligence (Gen AI) group. WSC Sports is pioneering the next era of fan engagement again and the commitment to innovation for sports media rights holders is core to the company’s DNA. “First and foremost, we've been an AI company for over a decade. Creating this group is a logical next step given technological advances,” said CEO and Co-founder Daniel Shichman. “At the intersection of sports content and AI, our company is strategically positioned to lead the way for the sports industry. ” “We believe Gen AI will unlock even more opportunities for teams, leagues and broadcasters to create new fan experiences and have released our first product in AI-generated audio commentary. ” Itai Epstein has been named as WSC Sports’ Director of Gen AI and will lead the team. Epstein has been with the company for almost five years, most recently as the Director of Business Development and Head of EMEA and China. The current team consists of 22 full-time dedicated Gen AI engineers and business executives with plans to more than double within the year as they play a pivotal role in working with existing and new partners to drive value in this burgeoning area. “WSC Sports’ Gen AI offering is a game-changer,“ Itai Epstein, WSC Sports’ Director of Gen AI said. “At the technology level, we’re pioneering the world’s first sports-dedicated multimodal large language model (LLM) called Large Sport Model (LSM). This approach enables a suite of cutting-edge pre-trained and fine-tuned proprietary Gen AI models for multiple formats coupled with optimized techniques. It kicks off an industry revolution that allows sports organizations to deploy this new technology in a way that is customized to the entity’s specific owned IP and fanbase interests. " "WSC Sports’ Large Sports Model will ensure new, unique, authentic, engaging, and high-quality content experiences for sports fans. On the product level, we’ve built a two-year roadmap of multiple innovative Gen AI products, which we’re gradually rolling out. In fact, some have already been launched with key partners (like AI commentary with one of the world’s largest leagues). There’s much more to come in the near future. " - Published: 2024-05-09 - Modified: 2026-02-04 - URL: https://wsc-sports-dev.ltu.co.il/blog/news/national-womens-soccer-league-partners-with-wsc-sports-to-amplify-soccer-content/ - Categories: News WSC Sports, the global leader in AI-powered video content, and the National Women’s Soccer League (NWSL) today announced a partnership to continue to deliver technology innovations across the NWSL’s digital platforms to bring women’s soccer moments to fans as it happens in the match. The NSWL and its teams utilize WSC Sports’ cloud-based AI-powered solution to analyze every live match instantly and automatically create and distribute video content directly to the league’s digital platforms. This marks another significant partnership for the NWSL to increase women’s sports coverage and engagement domestically by providing the league the capability to publish every goal, save, and other top match moments to any digital platform within seconds of it happening. The 2024 season is in full swing and will run until the league’s championship match on November 23. “We are thrilled to be teamed up with the National Women’s Soccer League and bring soccer fans a premier, personalized experience,” said Aviv Arnon, Chief Business Development Officer at WSC Sports. “The NWSL had a record-breaking year in 2023 and we are proud that the league is utilizing the WSC Sports platform to produce and distribute even more stories and moments to their dedicated fans this season and beyond. ” - Published: 2024-05-01 - Modified: 2026-02-04 - URL: https://wsc-sports-dev.ltu.co.il/blog/industry-insights/wcos-2024-a-new-era-of-content-storytelling-and-innovation/ - Categories: Industry Insights In April 2024, the CAA World Congress of Sports brought together leaders from across the sports industry to Los Angeles for two days of discussion and networking. The panel A New Era of Content, Storytelling and Innovation featured notable sports heavy hitters, including our own CEO and Co-founder Daniel Shichman, along with Premier Lacrosse League’s President and Co-founder, Paul Rabil, Netflix’s VP of Nonfiction Sports, Gabe Spitzer, SVP of ESPN’s Creative Studio, Carrie Brzezinski-Hsu, and SMAC Entertainment’s VP of Non-Scripted Development, FredAnthony Smith. Watch the full 30-minute session here: All panel members agreed that sports media organizations must extend beyond live game coverage and cater to fans’ diverse content preferences across different lengths, formats, and platforms. This also means telling these stories exactly how different audiences want to receive them, including the localization and dubbing of content to audiences' preferred languages. With the barriers to content creation lower than ever, all panel members stressed the importance of speed, creativity, and innovation. For ESPN and Carrie Brzezinski-Hsu, this has taken shape in the form of strong intellectual property, thoughtful storytelling, and strategic technological partnerships, while Daniel touched on the impact of generative AI in video content creation. > WSC Sports has sealed a multi-year agreement with Movistar Plus+ who will employ its AI-driven technology across a host of its premium sports properties. - Published: 2024-04-25 - Modified: 2026-02-04 - URL: https://wsc-sports-dev.ltu.co.il/blog/news/movistar-plus-partners-with-wsc-sports/ - Categories: News - Tags: PR EMEA WSC Sports has sealed a multi-year agreement with Movistar Plus+ who will employ its AI-driven technology across a host of its premium sports properties. The leading audiovisual entertainment offering of the Telefónica Group, Movistar Plus+ will utilize WSC Sports’ award-winning platform to create real-time video for a host of its top-tier sports rights including LALIGA and LALIGA 2, UEFA’s Champions League, Europa and Conference League competitions, top domestic and international basketball – Liga ACB, EuroLeague, and the NBA – plus ATP Tour tennis and golf’s major championships. The partnership between the global leader in AI-powered sports content and Spain’s most prominent sports broadcasters, will modernize the content delivery process across Movistar’s linear, web, and social channels, as well as Movistar Plus+, the brand’s new OTT platform that launched in August. “Movistar Plus+ is the undoubted home of premium sports coverage in Spain with the depth and quality of content that WSC Sports’ platform was designed to complement and amplify. We are excited to start supercharging Movistar’s video production and distribution across all its key channels, bringing sports fans in Spain more content than ever before,” said WSC Sports Chief Business Development Officer and Co-Founder, Aviv Arnon. Movistar Plus+ joins a diverse group of more than 450 global leagues, teams, and broadcasters – including NBA, ESPN, YouTubeTV, Bundesliga, LALIGA, Serie A, and DAZN – that currently utilise WSC Sports’ acclaimed AI-driven technology. In the last year, WSC Sports has forged multiple long-term alliances with a host of leading European broadcasters and streaming entities, such as TF1, Sky, Deutsche Telekom, and United Media. - Published: 2024-04-24 - Modified: 2026-02-26 - URL: https://wsc-sports-dev.ltu.co.il/blog/sports-content-kings-podcast/reinventing-sports-consumption-with-anmol-malhotra/ - Categories: Podcast On the eleventh episode of Sports Content Kings, Aviv and Shaka are joined by Anmol Malhotra, Head of Sports Partnerships at Snap Inc. In the conversation he discusses the evolution of sports media and what Snap is doing to engage fans. In 2015, Anmol transitioned from his asset management career at BlackRock to working as a Sports Partner Sales Manager at Snap Inc. After over 8 years, he’s now the company’s Head of Sports Partnerships, forging strong relationships with top teams, tech companies, and sports rights holders like the NBA, NFL, and ESPN, helping them captivate the next generation of fans. In his time at Snap Inc. , Anmol Malhotra has witnessed a dramatic shift in the sports media landscape. Modern sports fans crave unprecedented access to the lives of their favorite athletes, consuming more "around-the-game" content on-demand than ever before. As players continue to establish their online presence, there has also been a notable rise in athlete-driven content, offering fans unique perspectives on the game and the personalities behind it. Recognizing this trend, Shaka shares that WSC Sports recently launched a new product called "Around the Game" which is able to capture memorable moments from things like, player arrivals, interviews, press conferences, and studio shows to provide fans with a comprehensive, 360-degree view of sports events, extending the narrative beyond the action on the field or court. Anmol recognizes that while these changes present various opportunities, reaching younger audiences and converting casual viewers into dedicated fans has become increasingly challenging. To achieve this, Snap focuses on delivering a more immersive and comprehensive sports experience by seamlessly blending content, technology, and community engagement. For the highly anticipated FIFA World Cup and Paris Olympics in 2024, Snap will build upon the success of its engaging fan experiences from the recent Super Bowl LVIII and NBA All-Star Game. The company plans to enhance the viewing journey by creating captivating player-focused content, developing custom Snap overlays, and integrating its AR-powered Camera Kit Live technology with stadium video boards. By leveraging these cutting-edge tools and strategies, Snap aims to provide fans with an unparalleled, interactive experience that brings them closer to the action and their favorite athletes than ever before. - Published: 2024-04-10 - Modified: 2026-02-04 - URL: https://wsc-sports-dev.ltu.co.il/blog/news/nascar-and-wsc-sports-expand-partnership-with-in-app-stories/ - Categories: News - Tags: PR EMEA NASCAR, the sanctioning body for the No. 1 motorsport in the United States, is enhancing its NASCAR Mobile app experience by launching today a new In-App Stories product from WSC Sports, the global leader in AI-powered sports video content. In-App Stories offers NASCAR fans a user-friendly, multi-clip vertical video experience in a format they are familiar with seeing on other social media platforms. Fans can tap into the new experience on race weekends and beyond, as the Stories will provide live in-race highlights for NASCAR Cup Series, Xfinity Series, and CRAFTSMAN Truck Series races. Additionally, In-App Stories will have a prominent place on the NASCAR Mobile homepage throughout the week, so fans can continue to engage with the best on-track action and additional stories centered around their favorite drivers. "We’re eager to continue collaborating with WSC Sports and building deeper connections with NASCAR fans around the world. ” The new integration comes as part of an expanded partnership between NASCAR and WSC Sports, in which NASCAR has been using the WSC Sports platform to quickly ingest and create highlight content from a multitude of video sources. The expansion coincides with NASCAR’s continued brand resurgence and growth the past several years, including increases in unique users, visits and page views inside the NASCAR Mobile app to start 2024. “We are thrilled to be growing our partnership with NASCAR,” said Aviv Arnon, Chief Business Development Officer at WSC Sports. “Together, WSC Sports and NASCAR have taken initial steps towards giving fans even closer access to racing content and I am certain the path of innovation will continue. For this racing season, fans will be able to connect with their favorite NASCAR drivers on a scale like never before. ” The In-App Stories solution is beneficial for media rights holders like NASCAR in augmenting owned and operated platforms with vertical video content in a seamless, technologically forward way. It allows rights holders to instantly update their website and mobile app to fit fan consumption behaviors driven by other social media platforms. For NASCAR specifically, the In-App Stories SDK paired with WSC Sports’ content automation will allow the league to promote personalized content specific to each driver or what is currently happening in that weekend’s race within dedicated content widgets. In-App Stories bring valuable opportunities for media rights holders to share their content on a more intimate level in a more immersive experience to a global audience while also retaining important user data. - Published: 2024-03-19 - Modified: 2026-02-04 - URL: https://wsc-sports-dev.ltu.co.il/blog/news/harvard-university-athletics-tapped-wsc-sports-to-provide-global-content-solutions/ - Categories: News - Tags: PR EMEA WSC Sports, the global leader in AI-powered video content, today announced the addition of Harvard University Athletics to access their AI-powered platform for instant delivery of highlights and additional media across Harvard’s digital channels. WSC Sports’ platform analyzes all Harvard sporting events and has the ability to create an array of digital content such as game/season recaps and previews, live highlights, customized player video packages, and more. WSC Sports is revolutionizing Harvard Athletics’ content workflows and storytelling opportunities for its student-athletes and fans. The solution analyzes each game in real-time and automatically creates and distributes highlights to Harvard’s digital channels and social media accounts, including gocrimson. com. WSC Sports has transformed other universities’ social presence, including LSU, BYU, USC, University of Pittsburgh, and more. “We are thrilled to be working with such a historic institution like Harvard to enable greater access for fans across the athletic department’s 42 varsity D-I programs,” said Joe DaCosta, Head of College Sports at WSC Sports. “In just a few months, we have already seen the impact our technology has had on the content strategy deployed by Harvard. It is a model example of what our technology opens up for innovative social and digital teams. ” “WSC Sports has made a significant impact on the way that we are able to deliver in-game video content to our fans in real-time. Particularly with its AI infrastructure for basketball and football, we are able to share clips in a more efficient manner than ever before,” said Nick Dow, Assistant Director of Communications, Harvard University Athletics. - Published: 2024-03-14 - Modified: 2026-02-26 - URL: https://wsc-sports-dev.ltu.co.il/blog/sports-content-kings-podcast/sports-content-kings-developing-distributing-content-with-hania-poole/ - Categories: Podcast On the tenth episode of Sports Content Kings, Aviv and Shaka are joined by Hania Poole, SVP of Digital at TNT Sports. In her role, Hania has spent the last decade managing TNT Sports’ digital assets for some of the biggest properties in sports, including NCAA March Madness, domestic and international NBA games, and the Bleacher Report Live brand. Today, she’s responsible for products and content that span 19 different platforms—including websites, mobile apps, and social accounts. Poole spoke at length about her work on college basketball’s biggest tournament, March Madness—what she described as a dream job and the ‘shining star’ of TNT’s sports rights portfolio. Since 2013, Poole has led projects dedicated to the tournament, and transformed what was a part-time team into a full-time operation, developing products year-round for the three-week tournament. For the past two years, Poole spent the majority of her time developing products for Bleacher Report. That includes new products for creators—something that’s becoming an essential part of BR’s business as creators continue to play a popular role in the sports media ecosystem by creating entertaining content and delivering news to millions of fans. It also includes expanding content on the Bleacher Report Sports add-on, which streams NBA, NHL, MLB, and soccer matches on the streaming service Max (formerly known as HBO Max). - Published: 2024-02-23 - Modified: 2026-02-04 - URL: https://wsc-sports-dev.ltu.co.il/blog/news/losc-scores-wsc-sports-partnership-to-propel-ai-powered-content-strategy/ - Categories: News Ligue 1 Uber Eats side LOSC, has teamed-up with WSC Sports, the global leader in AI-driven content, to power the club’s digital content strategy. The partnership will see LOSC utilize WSC Sports’ cloud-based AI-powered video content solution to maximize its production capabilities and enable video content to be shared with fans more efficiently across all digital platforms. LOSC is amongst the biggest clubs in France with over five million fans on social networks in France and abroad. Through the partnership, Lille is using WSC Sports’ solution to analyze the club’s live matches, in real-time, and automatically create and distribute content with reduced manual effort. The content, which will help the club connect and engage with its fan base during and beyond live matches, is published seamlessly on the club’s digital channels, including its social media and player accounts. This will enable Lille to maximize the use of their digital IP and create new revenue streams for digital inventory and assets. Commenting on the new partnership, Aurélien Delespierre, Director of Marketing, Communication & Ticketing, LOSC said: "One of our main objectives is to be able to offer our fans even more content. This collaboration allows us to provide footage to our in-house production teams in real-time. " "Our partnership will thus help us develop our content and digital communities and, at the same time, generate additional opportunities for the club’s partners to offer them new ways of interacting with the club’s supporters. " Aviv Arnon, Chief Business Development Office and Co-Founder, WSC Sports, said, “LOSC is a huge club with a loyal and passionate fan base. Our partnership will support the growth of Lille’s fan base around the world, and also ensure Lille fans can stay better connected across all the club’s digital platforms. Utilizing WSC Sports’ solution will enable Lille’s digital content team to dedicate more resources to original storytelling, which will increase engagement levels. ” In partnering with WSC Sports, LOSC Lille joins a roster of over 450 leagues, teams, and broadcasters across the globe, including TF1, Canal+, ESPN, YouTube TV, SKWEEK, the NBA, LALIGA, Serie A and Tottenham Hotspur, who employ WSC Sports’ award-winning AI-powered technology. > In one of the first major sports meet ups of 2024, WSC Sports hosted some of the top leagues and teams from Europe to discuss sports content. - Published: 2024-02-12 - Modified: 2026-02-04 - URL: https://wsc-sports-dev.ltu.co.il/blog/industry-insights/wsc-sports-hosts-2nd-annual-london-huddle/ - Categories: Industry Insights - Tags: London Huddle Kicking-off the new year in style, WSC Sports hosted over 80 executives from the most well-known teams and leagues in Europe at the top of the iconic Gherkin building. The conversation centered on recent innovations in sports content, and over the course of the day, several themes emerged, including the use of fan data, engaging fans before and after live games, building digital communities, and of course, how gen-AI will impact the future of sports content. Leveraging Fan Data to Personalize Content Given the fact that today’s sports fans consume the majority of their content on the internet and social media, it’s essential that teams act like tech and media companies to better understand their audiences. Key to that is fan data, specifically, using it to deliver personalized content to fans. The opportunity is ripe for teams and leagues to capture fan data on their owned and operated platforms—something they’re not able to do on social media. That was the primary goal of LALIGA when revamping their fan-facing mobile app. Alfredo Bermejo, the league’s Director of Digital Strategy, said that his team was inspired by platforms like TikTok, Snapchat, and YouTube Shorts, and applied similar strategies when building their app. The result has been an increase in KPIs across the board, including number of sessions, average session time, and stickiness. More importantly, the ability to leverage user data from the app—things like geolocation, language, and fans’ favorite teams and players—enables LALIGA to personalize content for their global fanbase in 18 languages. Engaging Multiple Audiences Fans are no longer bound to their local team—a marked difference compared to just a decade ago. Several speakers noted that they’ve seen a dramatic increase in interest around specific players and from international fans. Such a shift presents a challenge in the sense that different types of fans have their own unique preferences. So what’s the best strategy to build lasting relationships with vastly different audiences? For some, it has included setting up unique social pages and IPs in different countries and territories. It also includes a steady stream of communication through emails, push notifications, and messaging via social media platforms. The stated goal for multiple organizations is to send news and updates as a service to fans without a heavy focus on monetization. The desired effect is that over time, fans will purchase on their own terms when presented with the right offer, but the more tailored the offering is, the higher the chance they’ll buy. How to Start the Conversation A leading European football club has taken the relationship with their fans to a new level, building a digital community and loyalty program from scratch. “We don't tell the fans what they want, the fans need to tell us. That was the foundation of the idea for building the community,” said the club’s Director of Digital Strategy. But the straightforward idea didn’t exactly translate to a simple project, complicated by the fact that the vast majority of the club’s social followers reside outside of the country. To bridge any language or cultural gaps, the club localizes every piece of content, utilizing the local language, dialect, and slang; and reuses content created by fans to make sure that it looks and feels 100% authentic. It’s Not Only About Live YouTube’s Sports Lead in the UK & Ireland, Jonny Keogh, spoke in detail about fan behavior on the platform before, during and after games. Forty-four percent of fans reported looking up related content before a game, and fifty-five and sixty-four percent of fans said they watch sports videos during and after games, respectively. Because YouTube is so popular on mobile, web, and Smart TVs, format options on the platform range from short-form reels to full-length games, interviews, and more. Premiere League team West Ham United’s YouTube channel is a perfect example of how to utilize multiple content formats to engage different types of fans. James Kennedy, the team’s former Head of Marketing and Content, spoke on the need to post a variety of content, and look into subject matter beyond soccer into things like fashion and culture. That could be filming a video of newly signed Ghanaian star, Mohammed Kudus, alongside Ghanaian-British rapper, Guvna B, or discussing the latest fashion trends in player interviews. Beyond the fandom of the team itself is an intense desire from fans to know the players on a more personal level—and that’s just one more avenue to develop a lasting relationship between fans and teams. The Gen-AI Effect One common thread woven into all of the speaking sessions was the impact of generative AI and how it will affect the world of sports content. Already there’s been incredible advances in speech-to-text technology, which, applied to sports content, enable things like auto-generated subtitles, and translation into multiple languages. In the not-so-distant future, gen-AI is expected to help automate content even further through analysis of non-game events like player birthdays and identifying archival footage from a specific day to generate content recommendations. With so much speculation around AI and content, and so many products yet to be unveiled, there’s no telling what the future might hold. Stay tuned for next year’s huddle where we promise to keep the conversation going. - Published: 2024-01-25 - Modified: 2026-02-04 - URL: https://wsc-sports-dev.ltu.co.il/blog/news/wsc-sports-ranked-16th-most-influential-sports-technology-company-for-second-year/ - Categories: News The STA Group recently published its annual review of sports technology companies, where WSC Sports was honored to maintain its position as the 16th most influential company. The “Power List” is an annual assessment of organizations that are taking the most tech-forward approach to innovation in modern sports and features 100 companies selected by a public vote and input from industry experts. We’re pleased to be represented as a leading innovator among our peers, some of whom are the biggest names in sports, including ESPN, the NBA, Nike, and many more. Previously, in 2022, WSC Sports and DAZN won the STA award for “Best Technology for Communications and Storytelling” for WSC Sports’ Stories feature which creates highlights from DAZN broadcasts and automatically publishes them as vertical video highlight stories in Google OneBox. As a company, we’re proud to be recognized for our influence on sports broadcasts and production and to be named alongside the best in our industry. A huge congratulations to all of the companies that made this year’s list, and a special shout out to the team at Red Bull Racing who earned the top spot. More recently, in 2024 WSC Sports scooped the award for Best Broadcast Technology and was inducted into the Sports Technology Hall of Fame. > From Alcaraz's amazing run at Wimbledon to the Miami Dolphin's 70 point masterclass, here are the best sports highlights from 2023. - Published: 2023-12-31 - Modified: 2026-02-04 - URL: https://wsc-sports-dev.ltu.co.il/blog/industry-insights/2023-sports-highlights-you-dont-want-to-from-an-incredible-year/ - Categories: Industry Insights From Alcaraz's amazing run at Wimbledon to the Miami Dolphin's 70 point masterclass, here are the best sports highlights from 2023. January Nobody had a better start to the year than Novak Djokovic, who started 2023 by claiming his 22nd grand slam title with his victory at the Australian Open. The tournament’s final saw the Serb overcome Stefanos Tsitsipas to win the trophy, tying Rafa Nadal for what was at the time a record number of Grand Slam victories. The Australian Open turned out to be only the start of an incredible year for Djokovic, who brought home a further two Grand Slam wins in the following months. Take a look back at the final moments of his first! February While all sports fans know that February signals the Super Bowl is upon us, this past matchup between the Kansas City Chiefs and Philadelphia Eagles is one that will go down as an all-time great. The game was intensely back-and-forth, with the Eagles leading by 10 points at halftime, before the Chiefs found their footing in the game’s second half. With the score tied 35-35 with just two minutes left in the 4th quarter, it looked like either team could take the win. Ultimately, it was Patrick Mahomes who stepped up as he so often has throughout his career, carrying the Chiefs to their second Super Bowl win in just four years. March Soccer fans had their eyes on March from the moment the fixtures list was revealed. The derby game between Manchester United and Liverpool is one that is eagerly awaited by fans year after year as one of the biggest rivalries in all of sports. Whilst many Manchester United fans entered the game with confidence due to Liverpool’s somewhat sub-par season form, it soon turned into a day to forget. Liverpool ran rampant around their opponents, scoring with ease for the game’s 90 minutes, ultimately walking away 7-0 winners. Take a look back at the game United fans will surely want to forget. April April saw the crowning of a new champion at the Masters, as Spaniard Jon Rahm claimed his first-ever victory in golf’s premier event. Many will have doubted Rahm’s chances as he started the first day off with a double bogey, but his form improved, going on to win the entire tournament and green jacket. Take a look back at the tournament’s final moments. May While there have been some frantic finishes to seasons throughout soccer history, the end to the 2022-23 Bundesliga campaign was as dramatic as any ever before. The day began with Borussia Dortmund atop the table, knowing a win would be enough to secure the title. Instead, Dortmund found themselves 2-0 down early on. They were able to fight back to tie the game 2-2, a result that would only be enough if rivals Bayern Munich dropped points in their game. It looked for a moment like fortune was smiling on Dortmund as Munich conceded an 81st minute equalizer. Instead, their hearts were broken, as Bayern Munich’s young star Jamal Musiala scored a last-minute winner to not only hand his side the game, but the title. June June was a month that saw further sporting history written, as Manchester City finally were able to get their hands on the trophy they had desired more than any other, the Coupe des Clubs Champions, awarded to the winners of the Champions League. The victory also signaled the completion of a historic treble, this being City’s third trophy of their season alongside the Premier League and FA Cup. The only other English team to accomplish this feat prior to City were their arch-rivals, Manchester United, adding to the joy of the blue half of Manchester. Take a look back at the game that sealed one of the greatest seasons in all of sports. July This last year will also be remembered amongst tennis fans as the year Carlos Alcaraz fully emerged as one of the sport’s biggest names. In July, the Wimbledon final saw 20-year-old Alcaraz pitted against all-time great Novak Djokovic. Despite facing one of his heroes, Alcaraz was able to rally to a memorable victory, claiming his first-ever Grand Slam on grass. With some doubting Alcaraz’s ability on a grass court before the start of the tournament, the Spaniard silenced any questions with his victory, adding himself to the conversation of who is to be next in line to the status of tennis’ biggest star. August The eyes of the world turned to the Women’s World Cup in August, as soccer’s biggest event took place in Australia. The entire tournament was one to remember, from favorite USA’s exit, to host Australia’s unbelievable run to the semi-final. Eventually, it came down to Spain and England, two sides who had never achieved World Cup glory before, battling it out in the final. An early goal from Spain’s Olga turned out to be the decider, with England unable to break the deadlock. August also saw Inter Miami continue to revel in the brilliance of Lionel Messi, who carried the side to their first-ever trophy with a win in the Leagues Cup Final against Nashville SC. Messi opened the scoring in the game’s 23rd minute, before Nashville were able to equalize. A penalty shootout was eventually needed to separate the sides, with Miami keeper Drake Callender sealing the trophy after scoring a kick himself and saving one straight after. Another year of Messi magic! September As the NFL season got back underway in September, the Miami Dolphins hit the ground running. In the third game of the season, the Dolphins faced off against the Denver Broncos. The contest quickly turned into a decimation, as the Dolphins put 70 points on the board, scoring touchdown after touchdown. While they stopped short of attempting a field goal that would have tied the NFL record for points scored in a single game at 73, the performance was still one that NFL fans will remember for a long time to come. October More World Cup drama followed in October, as the Rugby World Cup Final between South Africa and New Zealand took place. The All Blacks looked to upset reigning champions South Africa, but their efforts were impeded when their captain Sam Cane received the first-ever red card in a Rugby World Cup Final. The game was a close affair, but it was South Africa who were able to claim their record fourth Webb-Ellis cup win. November As if the Rugby World Cup didn’t provide enough incredible sports highlights to remember, the Cricket World Cup soon followed. November’s final between India and Australia had cricket fans everywhere anticipating the big game, none more so than fans of host nation India who packed their home stadium out hoping to see their nation win. Instead, millions of hearts were broken as Australia clenched their fifth Cricket World Cup victory. Over in the US, baseball history was made in November as the Texas Rangers won their first ever World Series. The all-Texas series between the Rangers and Astros was an even affair, with a 7th game needed to decide the winner. In the end, it was the Rangers who were able to celebrate as they clinched the franchise’s first World Series trophy. December 2023’s final month did not disappoint, with some more fantastic sports highlights produced before the year’s end. Perhaps the best of the bunch came from the Premier League clash between in-form heavyweights Arsenal and Liverpool, who, along with Manchester City, are set to battle it out until the end of the season for first place in the league. The winner of this particular match would have put a serious dent in their rival’s title challenge, but in the end this hugely entertaining encounter ended in a 1-1 draw thanks to this beauty from Mo Salah. BONUS – The Poster of the Year Also in December, but back across the pond, all the way out on the West Coast, the University of Arizona’s Caleb Love threw down a nasty poster against Cal Berkeley. Watch him go coast-to-coast off the inbound to punch this one—talk about a great way to close out a year full of highlights! An incredible year of sports highlights with much to remember. We can’t wait to see what awaits in 2024! > On the ninth episode of Sports Content Kings, CEO and Founder of Kero Sports, Tomaash Devenishek, discusses the future of sports betting. - Published: 2023-12-28 - Modified: 2026-02-26 - URL: https://wsc-sports-dev.ltu.co.il/blog/sports-content-kings-podcast/sports-content-kings-the-next-generation-of-sports-betting/ - Categories: Podcast On the ninth episode of Sports Content Kings, Aviv and Shaka are joined by Tomash Devenishek, CEO and Founder of Kero Sports. Tomash talks about the next generation of sports betting and Kero Sports’ role in maximizing in-game betting engagement. Tomash Devenishek, a tech industry veteran with a passion for sports, founded Kero Sports in 2019 to revolutionize the sports betting landscape. Leveraging his experience in building mass-scale consumer technology, Tomash identified a significant pain point in traditional sports betting—navigating through static menus of betting options, calculating probabilities, and making decisions that were time-consuming and disrupting the experience for the bettor. By leveraging real-time data and proprietary algorithms to generate contextual predictions in rapid 15 to 30-second cycles, Kero Sports provides users with a seamless, casino-style experience. The company supplies odds feeds to licensed operators and delivers engaging betting solutions to 7 NBA teams, 7 NFL teams, and MLB and NHL broadcasters. Tomash envisions a future where the company's text-based betting recommendations evolve to incorporate dynamic video content, further engaging audiences and enhancing the overall user experience. He emphasizes the importance of providing entertainment value to modern users who increasingly demand greater control over their consumption habits. https://twitter. com/WSC_Sports/status/1740383350651518991 As Kero Sports sets its sights on global expansion, Tomash is confident that his team's deep industry expertise and innovative approach will enable them to secure a significant market share, even amidst intense competition in the U. S. Looking to the future, he envisions a platform that offers personalized betting recommendations, seamlessly integrating with the live sports viewing experience to create a more engaging and immersive environment for all users. - Published: 2023-12-27 - Modified: 2026-02-04 - URL: https://wsc-sports-dev.ltu.co.il/blog/industry-insights/wsc-sports-in-2023-a-new-home-awards-growth-and-a-focus-on-fan-engagement/ - Categories: Industry Insights WSC Sports CEO, Daniel Shichman, breaks down all of the company's highlights from 2023. Taking a moment to reflect on 2023 and how to sum it all up isn’t easy. So many things happened over the past 12 months, and for a company of our size we learned that everything becomes more interesting, yet admittedly more challenging, as you focus energies on big projects that have the most impact. In 2023 we grew a lot as a company, in almost every aspect, and I’m proud to highlight some of our key achievements below. Clients We pride ourselves on being partners with our clients, and over the past year we were delighted to welcome over 150 new teams, leagues, federations, broadcasters, OTT platforms, and other sports media rights holders. The list included names such as ATP Media, Sky, TelevisaUnivision, Top Rank Boxing, and Tottenham Hotspur. We can proudly say that going into 2024, our AI-based technology is automating content workflows and transforming digital strategies for more than 450 sports organizations around the world. One of the things I enjoy most throughout the year is hearing about the positive impact we’ve made for our clients in so many ways. It’s great to learn about things they’re doing with us that were previously thought to be impossible, and to see how we’ve helped them better connect with their fans and generate new revenue streams. For myself, the close relationships we’ve established with our clients are a key factor in our shared success. This connection is especially valuable to better understand every client’s needs so that we continue to develop the solutions that serve them best. Content Another one of my favorite things to do at the end of each year is to review just how much content our clients created using our platform. Well, in 2023 the numbers were huge! Not only did our platform ingest more broadcast streams than ever before, 370,000, but the number of videos created jumped 64% from 2022, to over 6. 4 million. That means that every 5 seconds a video was created using WSC Sports! Developing and maintaining a video platform that performs on that scale is certainly a huge challenge, but it's one that we're up for. Awards The recognition we receive for all of our hard work is one our proudest achievements as a company. In 2023 we were honored to receive three awards: the Football Business Award for Innovation, the SportsPro OTT Award for Best User Experience, and the prestigious Technology & Engineering Emmy® Award for AI-ML Creation of Sports Highlights. Team To better serve our clients in specific regions we set up shop in Thailand and increased our presence in the UK, US, and China. It may sound cliché, but I believe our most valuable asset is the amazing people that work at WSC Sports. They embody the ‘never give up’ attitude that defines our company, and they’ve proven that they can take on some very big challenges and succeed—no matter how difficult and complex they might be. Another big moment this year was cutting the ribbons at our new offices, both at our HQ in Tel Aviv and in New York. It’s never easy to change homes, but it was essential for us as we continue to grow. Going into 2024, the sports ecosystem finds itself in a critical position. Traditional business models are no longer sustainable because the way fans consume sports content is changing. Rights owners need to connect more directly with fans, leverage fan data, and generate new revenue streams—all by serving up the right content or the right ‘offer’ at the right time. This is a fascinating juncture and a defining moment for the industry. Generative AI has also become a hot topic and everyone is trying to understand the benefit from this new phenomenon, how to best apply it, and where it might lead us in the future. Stay tuned for some interesting updates on this in the near future. 2024 is going to be another year full of fresh challenges and opportunities. There’s a lot of scope to increase our offering. This past year, we’ve been working very hard to develop new products and provide our clients with an end-to-end solution. One platform to manage all their video assets (not just game footage), in addition to automating the creation and distribution of any type of content. By combining these two elements, our platform will set the standard for the way that rights holders create and distribute sports content, and bring fans closer to their favorite sports teams, leagues, and broadcasters than ever before. Wishing you all the best in the new year, Daniel > With the return of the Olympics, the Euros, Copa America, and much more, 2024 promises to be one of the biggest years in sports history. - Published: 2023-12-18 - Modified: 2026-02-04 - URL: https://wsc-sports-dev.ltu.co.il/blog/industry-insights/the-9-most-eagerly-anticipated-sports-events-of-2024/ - Categories: Industry Insights Last year was an incredible year for sports. LeBron surpassed Kareem as the NBA’s all-time leading scorer, the Kansas City Chiefs secured their third Lombardi trophy, Spain won their first Women’s FIFA World Cup, and Coco Gauff became the youngest tennis player since Serena Williams to win a US Open title. Building off the momentum of 2023, next year promises a strong lineup of events to win the hearts and eyeballs of fans across the globe. With so much to look forward to, we did our best to whittle it down to the nine most anticipated sports events of 2024, listed in chronological order. Get ready to mark your calendars! 1. Africa Cup of Nations The Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON), organized by the Confederation of African Football (CAF), is the crown jewel of African football and the premier sporting event on the continent. What began in 1957 as a modest competition with only three participating teams has expanded into a robust tournament featuring 24 nations as of 2019. Looking ahead, the 34th edition of AFCON is set to take place from January 13 to February 11, spanning five cities in Côte d’Ivoire. The festivities will kick off in Abidjan, where the host nation will face Guinea-Bissau in the opening match at the newly minted Alassane Ouattara Olympic Stadium. In the lead-up to this grand event, during the 2023 qualifiers, Morocco showcased their might with a decisive 3-0 victory over Liberia. This was a significant home win for Morocco under the stewardship of Regragui, who took the helm last August. With players like Harit, El Kaabi, and Adli propelling the team forward and still buzzing from a recent semi-final appearance at the World Cup, Morocco is poised for a strong performance in the 2024 tournament. The AFCON always presents an intriguing dynamic, as it takes place during the full swing of the European football season. The timing means that many key players depart their clubs to represent their nations, adding a unique twist to the season. Nottingham Forest is set to lose seven key players, the most of any team, while Manchester United will be without three, including goalkeeper, Andre Onana. Meanwhile Liverpool and Tottenham will be without their respective stars Mohamed Salah and Yves Bissouma. 2. Super Bowl LVIII The highly-anticipated Super Bowl LVIII hits Las Vegas’ Allegiant Stadium on February 11—a first for the state of Nevada. The league’s coverage continues to push the boundaries of fan experiences, like YouTube TV’s Emmy-awarded Views feature which was introduced for the 2023 season. As we look forward to 2024 and Super Bowl LVIII, fans can expect new innovations and futuristic fan experiences powered by state-of-the-art SkyCams, AR graphic overlays, and fleets of drones capturing all the action on the field. Next year’s Super Bowl promises to be the biggest yet, with an already-confirmed collaboration between the NFL and Nickelodeon to broadcast a version of the big game catered to its youngest fans. Since its first Funday Football, an alternate game that featured the Falcons and Jaguars battling it out as Toy Story characters, the NFL have been pioneers at putting on kid-focused presentations available on Disney+ and ESPN+. 3. The Daytona 500 On February 18th, NASCAR Cup Series’ most iconic event will hit Daytona International Speedway for the 66th edition of the Daytona 500. A highlight on the U. S. motorsport calendar, the race unfolds on an expansive 2. 5-mile tri-oval track that pushes drivers to their limits during the grueling 200 laps until the finish line. Much like the NFL and virtually every other major sports league, fans can expect to see noticeable changes when it comes to new technologies and viewing experiences. Recently, NASCAR has been able to capture the human element of races with its visionary in-car cameras that give fans a first-person view of the driver. Additionally, fans can experience a range of new features during live races on the NASCAR app, including a live race feed complete with essential highlights. The event not only draws massive crowds, but also commands one of the highest TV ratings in American sports. In 2023, over 10 million viewers tuned in to the race. For an in-depth look at how NASCAR is using AI to re-imagine digital storytelling, check out our recent interview with NASCAR Studios’ Head of Content Strategy. 4. Monaco Grand Prix From May 24th to 26th, Monte Carlo’s famed streets will host another iconic race—F1’s Monaco Grand Prix. The track, known for its sharp changes in elevation, tight corners, and narrow stretches; serves as a true test of both driver skill and car prowess. But beyond the sport, the race is also a spectacle of glamor, prestige, and celebrities. In 2023, Max Verstappen redefined F1 greatness, notching an unprecedented 19 victories (and counting) in a single season—including one at the Monaco Grand Prix. Despite challenging weather conditions that led to a wet track, Max Verstappen beat out Fernando Alonso, Esteban Ocon, and the rest of the competition to take home the win. Notably, Verstappen led every single lap during the entire race. 5. ICC T20 World Cups The ICC Men’s T20 World Cup, the pinnacle of Twenty20 International cricket, will kick off on June 4 and continue through June 30. Organized by the International Cricket Council (ICC), the ninth installment of this biennial championship will be co-hosted by the West Indies and, in a first for the sport, the United States, signaling cricket’s expanding appeal and viewership across the globe. Last year, 364. 2 million viewers tuned in to the live broadcast of the first 18 matches, with the India vs. New Zealand match breaking digital concurrency records by itself with 43 million viewers on Disney+ Hotstar. 6. UEFA Euro 2024 The 17th edition of the UEFA Euro Championship, Euro 2024, is set to take place in Germany from June 14 to July 14. Starting in Munich, and culminating in Berlin’s Olympiastadion, matches will be played across ten venues including stadiums that hosted the World Cup in 2006, as well as the Düsseldorf Arena. 7. Copa América Copa América, South America’s esteemed soccer championship, is set to grace the U. S. from June 20 to July 14. The tournament will feature its traditional lineup of 10 South American teams, with a new twist: six spots will be up for grabs for Concacaf teams determined by their performances in the 2023-24 Concacaf Nations League—a departure from previous editions where non-South American teams were simply guaranteed an invite. 8. Tour de France Femmes The 2024 Tour de France Femmes gears up for its third edition which takes place August 12 to 18. The race is scheduled during the short interval between the Olympics and the Paralympics, offering fans a full-schedule of sports throughout the summer. The 2024 competition will kick off in Rotterdam, marking the first time the Grand Depart takes place outside of France. The race spans eight stages, over seven days, with riders heading south through France from the Netherlands, culminating at the iconic Alpe d’Huez. As interest in women’s sports continues to skyrocket, 2024 holds unprecedented opportunities for rights holders to break barriers by covering more women’s competitions. As indicated by our intensive study around the 2023 Women’s World Cup, highlights and non-live content are key for not only driving awareness around women’s sports but also turning casual fans’ into avid ones. Time to Adapt With so many upcoming top-tier events, many of which only take place every four years, rights holders need to capitalize fully to make the most of their content at peak times. They also need to be aware of changes in fan consumption habits. A recent report shows greater number of fans are engaging with sports highlights rather than watching live games, with 87% vs 78% on linear TV, and 72% vs 53% online favoring bite-sized non-live content. This shift underscores a broader change in media habits, particularly among younger audiences, who increasingly prefer social media platforms and streaming services to get their sports fix. This isn’t a temporary shift, it’s a sign to adapt. Over the past few years, we’ve seen rights holders make impressive strides in offering fans more personalized content and innovative viewing experiences on both linear and digital. We’re thrilled to be at the heart of this innovation, and we eagerly await the new developments that will come to life in 2024 and beyond! > Tyler Price explains how TNT Sports uses WSC Sports' platform to thrive in the social media landscape and evolve. - Published: 2023-12-12 - Modified: 2026-02-04 - URL: https://wsc-sports-dev.ltu.co.il/blog/customer-spotlight/wbd-sports-tyler-price-on-creating-authentic-narratives-with-ai/ - Categories: Customer Spotlight As the sports media landscape has evolved, there’s been no shortage of disruption. Just like its impact in virtually every other industry, artificial intelligence is already playing a significant role in the way live sports are produced and consumed. TNT Sports’ Vice President of Content Development and Production, Tyler Price, is no stranger to this transition. TNT Sports, which was formerly Warner Bros. Discovery Sports, is the division of TNT responsible for sports broadcasts on various channels in the United States, including TBS, TNT, and TruTV. It also operates the online digital media outlets for the NCAA, NBA, PGA Tour, and PGA of America. Fresh out of college, Tyler and a few friends started a digital marketing agency to help brands launch their digital and social media footprint. A novel concept at the time, the agency quickly grew, landing top-tier clients like TNT Sports, and exited to Publicis a few years later. After the sale, Tyler reunited with TNT Sports to run their social media arm, handling league-adjacent projects like the NBA on TNT, NBA TV, March Madness, PGA of America, and more. Three years ago, this team merged with Bleacher Report, where Tyler now oversees all content across the Bleacher Report platform. Tyler has largely credited both his and TNT Sports’ success over the years to figuring out how to use content most efficiently and effectively across platforms. "Think about what you’re building for and who you’re building for, and that drives your creative decisions. ”But to free up more time for strategy and planning, publishers must build the necessary infrastructure to produce enough content to meet the demands of the modern-day sports fan. For TNT Sports, WSC Sports has played a major role in this transformation. The global leader in AI-powered sports content, WSC Sports helps global sports organizations like the NBA, NHL, and YouTube TV quickly generate personalized sports content, while increasing their reach and providing new monetization opportunities. Since its inception, WSC Sports has grown its current roster to over 430 organizations that use its AI platform to instantly create automated video highlights responsible for reaching billions of fans. For over six years, WSC Sports has partnered with TNT Sports and its predecessor entities to streamline their content workflows across both owned and operated and third-party social platforms, with unprecedented speed and scale. “Whether it’s building a library of assets around a single player or making sure you don’t miss anything throughout the entire night, it’s such an amazing tool for us,” Tyler said. “I’m not sure our processes look the same without it. ”Not only has WSC Sports’ highlight automation helped improve the speed of TNT Sports’ content creation, but the efficacy of its distribution and personalization. Whereas manual content workflows often require prioritizing coverage of the most popular sports, WSC Sports allows the TNT Sports team to cover everything at once—compartmentalizing content to use at a later date or repurpose across a variety of different formats. "When paired with our internal content strategy, we’re able to provide fans with a very unique personal content consumption experience. ” As for what the future holds, Tyler emphasizes the importance of bridging the gap between athletes and their audience, granting fans unparalleled access to their favorite teams and players. “We launched live streams with Micah Parsons, Von Miller, and Mookie Betts with this exact goal in mind,” he said. “These allow athletes to authentically share their story while giving our audience a direct line of communication that they didn’t have before. ” But as TNT Sports’ strategy continues to shift, Tyler is confident that WSC Sports’ product will evolve along with it. “We change our content goals and they change the product to support that. It’s always been a hand-in-hand partnership about what the tool can do, what our needs are, and how we can bring those together. ”“Whether it’s building a library of assets around a single player or making sure you don’t miss anything throughout the entire night, it’s such an amazing tool for us,” Tyler said. “I’m not sure our processes look the same without it. ” This article originally appeared in Front Office Sports > New technologies are changing the way that we consume sports. In this concise analysis, learn about the latest trends in sports viewership. - Published: 2023-12-11 - Modified: 2026-02-04 - URL: https://wsc-sports-dev.ltu.co.il/blog/industry-insights/is-linear-tv-irrelevant-for-modern-sports-fans/ - Categories: Industry Insights The digital age can be broadly categorized as the age of disruption. Nearly every product coming to market claims it has the ability to disrupt the status quo by surpassing unnecessary intermediaries, streamlining processes, or giving us that new 'gotta have it' experience. GPS systems, CD players, and even services like travel agencies were all breakthrough ideas when they were released and they've all been rendered obsolete as microcomputing power increased and mobile phones became more instrumental in our day-to-day lives. Is the live sports experience getting closer than ever to joining the list? A new generation of viewers As shown in a recent Altman Solon study about sports and media consumption, viewing habits among younger generations are trending dramatically toward online channels. Mobile devices provide audiences of all ages the ability to consume their favorite content online, anywhere, and at any time, either through social media, dedicated streaming services, or apps owned and operated by teams, leagues, and broadcast networks. Younger generations, ages 16 to 34, are spending significantly less time in front of their TV screen (1. 9 hours on average) than older generations, ages 35 to 64 (2. 6 hours on average). The results of the study correlate with younger people’s desire for immediate gratification, a well-researched topic since the advent of social media, and to disconnect from the traditional sports viewing experience sitting in the living room in front of the TV screen. Gen-Z’s reliance on social media platforms and other new technologies directly impacts the way they consume live sports. Additional studies show that their generation prefers consuming short-form highlights rather than committing to watching an entire live game. In the Altman Solon study, a commanding 87% of respondents report watching sports highlights at least once a week on linear, compared to 78% who say they watch live games or events on a weekly basis. Digital viewership trends even more heavily towards highlights with 72% of respondents saying they watch highlights online at least once a week, compared to just 53% who say they watch live games online. This is hardly news at this point Digital transformation and the rise of digital channels is nothing new to anyone working on the business side of sports. Most leagues, broadcasters, teams and even players operate their own digital channels, dedicated apps, social media accounts, and have at least considered the idea of presenting their content across one of many available streaming services. But are these channels reaching their full potential? Is the content on these channels really what fans are looking for? The answers, like everything in the digital world, lie with data. Lots of data. Big data can help sports organizations (broadcasters, leagues, and teams alike) to fully understand where their audience is digitally and to some degree mentally—with the ability to anticipate what they want to watch, how they want to watch it, and when. With data in hand, it’s then necessary to translate it into a content strategy that meets the expectations of fans, respective of whatever segment they fall into (age range, geographic location, preferred broadcast language, etc. ) “Going digital” is no longer a matter of making your content (or slight variations of it) available online. That simply doesn’t cut it anymore. Personalization is now the name of the game and delivering tailor-made content to various fan segments as fast as possible and at scale is necessary to keep your organization’s brand front and center in the eyes of fans. This is even more true for teams, leagues, and broadcasters that have an international presence or appeal. For example, most NBA teams have a primary audience based in the United States, but as more international players join the league each year, many of whom are some of the top or budding stars in the league, new connections are forged between the teams and home countries of their foreign players. It's up to the teams and the league for that matter, to produce the right content that resonates with those audiences. The NBA has been an undisputed leader when it comes to maximizing its brand globally. It might come as a surprise that outside of the US, the league’s biggest market isn’t France or Canada, but Brazil—which boasts the largest social media following and the most League Pass subscribers of all the NBA’s international markets. If you’re an individual responsible for marketing your organization’s brand, you might want to ask yourself, “Am I creating the type of content that all of our fans want to consume? Is it localized (not just translated)? And is the content being delivered at the optimal time to every fan? " Lastly, and most importantly, "Is the operation scalable? " To that end, sports organizations need to start acting more like digital advertising agencies if they want to better serve their audiences and build brand loyalty. That means creating customer journeys across multiple digital platforms and formats, with clear CTAs at the end of funnels. It also must include an understanding of different ways to engage audiences before, during and after live games, ideally in a way that’s fun and retains fans’ interest. Some readers may very well be doing these things to some degree already, but they’re a game changer for anyone who’s yet to apply these methods to their work. Key takeaways Live sports on linear TV is likely here to stay for the foreseeable future, but the trends are not something to ignore. Changing viewership habits have long been discussed in the industry, and they should be regarded as an opportunity as opposed to a challenge. The opportunity is the chance to get new, younger audiences to connect with your brand by meeting them where they are and delivering the content they enjoy most. The return is that “aha” moment when fans start taking notice and think to themselves, “Hey, these guys really get me. ” By taking a leap forward and embracing methods applied at startups and digital agencies, the potential to forge stronger bonds with existing fans will increase while opening the door to new potential fans in the process. - Published: 2023-12-06 - Modified: 2026-02-26 - URL: https://wsc-sports-dev.ltu.co.il/blog/customer-spotlight/vertical-growth-how-laliga-is-enhancing-its-digital-portrait-with-wsc-sports/ - Categories: Customer Spotlight Learn how LALIGA teams up with WSC Sports to provide vertical content to its mobile app. LALIGA’s renowned digital strategy is evolving thanks to the support of technology providers like WSC Sports, which is providing highlights in a vertical, portrait format following the relaunch of the league’s official mobile app. Like many rights-holders, LALIGA has had to contend with a momentous shift in consumption habits among its current and prospective followers in recent years. In a splintered digital landscape in which traditional media models have been disrupted irrevocably, fans are now firmly in control as they access sports content on their terms – and strategies have had to adapt accordingly. Simultaneously, younger generations of sports fans are adopting seismic behavioral changes, such as favoring highlights over live coverage in certain sports, according to a 2021 study by Maru Group for the Variety Intelligence Platform. Fortunately for LALIGA, it was an early mover in digital transformation; endeavoring to frame its digital strategy around attempts to engage younger audiences – a point of differentiation that gave it a head start over rival properties. This has been backed up by holistic efforts across LALIGA, from sealing youth-facing partnerships with the likes of EA Sports to securing a solid foothold in the esports space. Now, with the help of WSC Sports, LALIGA is taking its youth-facing digital engagement strategy to the next level in order to keep enthusiasts worldwide firmly in the picture. WSC Sports creates automated, artificial intelligence-driven highlights from every LALIGA match – and, since LALIGA’s official mobile app relaunched in July, the content has been delivered in a vertical, portrait format. This is a shift away from the traditional landscape presentation and towards a new mobile experience. For LALIGA’s digital strategy director Alfredo Bermejo, this delivery of engaging match snippets in a vertical format will resonate with those who have become accustomed to consuming social media content. Furthermore, the short-form approach enabled by WSC Sports is paying dividends by enhancing personalization for the end user, according to Bermejo, who started his role at LALIGA in 2017. Personalization prevails “We wanted to make a 360-degree content platform where the fans can find content that matters the most to them,” Bermejo explained. “That is why we decided to integrate an experience that they were used to having on social platforms and also being able to target specific content related to their team. ” In the two years that LALIGA has been partnered with WSC Sports, the collaboration has been utilized to tackle the globalization conundrum, which is cited by Bermejo as a major challenge, as well as an opportunity. At the heart of the app relaunch is a continuous drive by LALIGA to find a way of making the brand even more internationally recognized than it is in a highly competitive space. “In terms of figures, we are pretty excited with what we are seeing so far,” Bermejo says, referring to the app revamp. This increased engagement has recently helped LALIGA to cement its status as the most followed of the five major European football leagues on social media. It recently surpassed 200 million followers across 16 social media accounts which are spread across the likes of Twitter, Instagram, TikTok, Facebook, Weibo, and Line, reflecting the fragmented nature of the digital media space. “We want to use to get that strategy in place and develop new audiences not just in terms of regions but also different ages and generations,” Bermejo said. “Being able to create vertical videos is really, really key for that. We can tackle different regions and different demographics. We hope that WSC Sports can help us not just to rival the Premier League, but also the NBA or NFL. ” Working in tandem Digital transformation and optimization have long been a pivotal part of LALIGA’s development strategy. This was evident with the creation in 2021 of LALIGA Tech, which has since been rebranded as Sportian after bringing multinational tech company Globant on board, and is responsible for developing all of LALIGA’s technical solutions. AI, web 3. 0, and the metaverse have been put at the core of Sportian’s operations in an attempt to focus on fan experience and the digital transformation of backroom processes. To this end, Bermejo views WSC Sports’ support as complementary to the overall efforts. “I think we got the best from two different worlds,” said Bermejo. “Sportian know us well and they managed to integrate state-of-the-art solutions such as WSC into our product and to make it work with all the knowledge we had from our existing digital and data platform in terms of personalization and video distribution. “It’s been really challenging but we finally managed to find a way to make both work alongside each other. ” Avoid being lost in translation As the drive to enhance the offering continues, LALIGA and WSC Sports have explored ways to enhance the content and distribution even more effectively. LALIGA’s social media output is available in 20 languages around the world, which represents a key contributing factor to its international efforts. This is one area of potential development through the partnership with WSC Sports. “We have ideas in mind such as automated commentators’ translation or how to transform match footage into other kinds of images, and integrating augmented reality into traditional broadcasting,” Bermejo added. “I think the most important thing is that we are aligning on the basis of how we make a better user experience so that when they consume sports, we are asking: how can we integrate different factors or customization into it? “We did it with highlights, but why don’t we have a different layer in terms of language? We have something that is produced in English and Spanish, so can we have that in 20 or 30 languages? ” Ultimately, Bermejo wants to see the digital strategy drive increasing ticket sales in Spain and audiences abroad by encouraging fans to watch live action. He is even considering enlisting the help of superheroes and much-loved cartoon characters to reach as wide an audience as possible. Bermejo took inspiration from the NFL’s Toy Story Funday Football initiative which saw a live broadcast of the match between the Atlanta Falcons and Jacksonville Jaguars portrayed as animations in a setting from the film franchise through augmented reality. It resulted in the fixture being the most-watched live event on Disney+ this year. “If I am a Disney or Marvel fan, how can I get my favorite characters into the broadcast? ” Bermejo adds. “That is what we would like to explore and I think the sky is the limit. ” This article originally appeared in SportBusiness. - Published: 2023-12-05 - Modified: 2026-02-04 - URL: https://wsc-sports-dev.ltu.co.il/blog/news/wsc-sports-wins-best-user-experience-award-at-the-2023-sportspro-ott-awards/ - Categories: News WSC Sports won the gold award for 'Best User Experience' at the 2023 SportsPro OTT Awards in Madrid. The awards celebrated collaboration, innovation, and creativity across 19 different categories. Created with a global focus in mind, the SportsPro OTT Awards pay tribute to the most creative and inspiring uses of technology and new thinking. The 'Best User Experience' category is for platforms, products, and services that deliver an intuitive, interactive, and flexible user experience that drives greater retention and consumption of sports. WSC Sports’ winning entry Delivering Exceptional User Experiences With AI-Generated Vertical Video focused on a new WSC Sports offering, In-App Stories, which enables the automatic creation of vertical videos in 9:16 format, a game-changer that benefits both rights holders and sports fans. Watch the video below to learn how LALIGA is using WSC Sports to create vertical videos for the new LALIGA app. - Published: 2023-12-03 - Modified: 2026-02-04 - URL: https://wsc-sports-dev.ltu.co.il/blog/industry-insights/leaders-week-2023-redefining-the-connection-between-clubs-and-fans/ - Categories: Industry Insights In a saturated sports and entertainment environment, maintaining the magical connection between fans and clubs is crucial to staying relevant. But forming this initial connection is only one piece of the puzzle. With digital media becoming an increasingly larger revenue driver, it’s imperative clubs use their content to authentically maintain this relationship and constantly engage fans. By tailoring content specifically to fans’ platforms, formats, and devices of choice, clubs can better manage these fan relationships, monetize their content, and ensure their messaging stays true among all owned and third-party platforms. In a recent panel at the 2023 Leaders Week London conference, WSC Sports Head of Business at Development UK, Uri Yariv, was joined by Tottenham Hotspur’s Programming and Operations Director, Pierre-Olivier Bouché, and Head of Digital for Brighton & Hove Albion, Piers McDermott, to discuss how AI technology is strengthening the bond between sports clubs and their fan bases. The session delved into the pivotal partnership between Tottenham Hotspur and WSC Sports, where Bouché highlighted the importance of creating content from its most recent matches, while also dipping into an over a century-old archive to help build out the club’s digital storytelling. "For older fans or new fans, they need to understand the history of the club, where we’re coming from, who we are, and what our legacy is,” said Bouché. Using the WSC Sports platform, the Spurs content team has been able to automatically index and tag the footage from their archives to quickly turn decades of gameplay footage into easily searchable and retrievable assets. Now, Spurs can provide old fans with a trip down memory lane, while introducing younger audiences to greatness from the club’s past. But even amidst both teams’ current success, both executives firmly emphasized the need to perpetually evolve to meet fan expectations. To stay aligned with these ever-changing needs, McDermott reinforced the importance of calculated and consistent messaging. "It goes back to that point of promoting tailored messages on tailored platforms at tailored times to ensure that we are in a better place in a few years time,” said McDermott. "We have a lot of happy fans at the moment, but we know that in football, that’s not always the case. ” Yariv echoed this sentiment by touching on a significant shift in football dynamics, moving from volatile fan engagement to cultivating a club’s brand through a consistent narrative that engages fans beyond match days. “You want to build a story,” he said. “If there’s a story and there are constant stories all the time will keep on following. And there’s a way to build around it and I think that’s reducing the volatility and creating a narrative that’s much more sustainable. ” A crucial piece of building these stories is adapting them to the fans’ cultural nuances and preferred languages. This is perfectly exemplified by Brighton’s foothold in Japan and Spurs’ monumental reach in Korea, thanks to star player Son Heung-min. This localization and personalization help clubs deliver content that local fans truly want to see while serving as a gateway to speak authentically to untapped global markets. The ever-expanding role of AI technology and sports media is reshaping the relationship between clubs and fans, allowing a wide spectrum of fans to resonate with their club’s story beyond the confines of match day. To explore further insights into this transformative approach, download our Club’s Playbook to witness firsthand how AI technology is reshaping the landscape of fan engagement. You can also watch the full video of the discussion here. > In this episode Kelly talks about the fight for fans' attention, short-form content, and what IMG’s plans are for the future. - Published: 2023-11-29 - Modified: 2026-02-26 - URL: https://wsc-sports-dev.ltu.co.il/blog/sports-content-kings-podcast/sports-content-kings-next-level-sporting-experiences/ - Categories: Podcast On the eighth episode of Sports Content Kings, Aviv and Shaka Arnon from WSC Sports are joined by the President of IMG’s Media Division, Adam Kelly. In the episode, Kelly talks about the fight for fans' attention, the importance of short-form content, and IMG’s plans for the future. As a child Kelly lived a ‘stone's throw’ away from Wimbledon. Through his teenage years he was always passionate about sports, and was fortunate enough to turn it into a career—starting at IMG as an intern and climbing all the way to the top. Now Kelly works with some of the world's top sports rights owners to help them get a maximum return on their investments, including Wimbledon. To start the podcast, Kelly talks about how crucial it is to connect with fans and grab their attention. Part of executing that is delivering content effectively and to as big an audience as possible. According to Kelly, one of the keys to building an effective digital strategy lies in short-form content and publishing it to platforms like TikTok and Instagram—which are now go-to destinations for sports highlights and content. Looking to the future, IMG is branching out to find new, innovative opportunities for its clients. While initially skeptical of AR/VR entering the sports space, Kelly mentions his excitement about the upcoming release of the Apple Vision Pro, a mixed-reality headset with a release date scheduled for early 2024 at an asking price of $3,499. With products like the Vision Pro coupled with an increase of sports content on social media platforms, IMG continues to captivate fans, and will have a lasting impact on their clients’ bottom lines. - Published: 2023-11-27 - Modified: 2026-02-04 - URL: https://wsc-sports-dev.ltu.co.il/blog/industry-insights/sportel-2023-transforming-fan-experiences-with-ai-current-and-future-possibilities/ - Categories: Industry Insights - Tags: Events, Thought Leadership The sports media landscape is undergoing a significant transformation. Today’s audiences seek sports content tailored to their viewing habits and accessible on-demand, whenever and wherever they want. Recently, the clear trend is towards short-form, vertical content, with mobile devices increasingly becoming the preferred choice for younger viewers when watching live sports. Recognizing this shift, WSC Sports’ Co-founder and CBDO, Aviv Arnon, came together with LALIGA’s Director of Digital Strategy, Alfredo Bermejo, and the NBA’s Vice President of Global Media Distribution, Bastien Lacheny at the Sportel Conference in Monaco on October 24th, 2023 to discuss the impact of vertical content and In-App Stories on the league’s content strategies. The Rise of NBA In-App Stories Since launching its official mobile app last season, the National Basketball Association has positioned vertical content and in-app stories at the heart of its digital strategy. Moving beyond traditional post-game highlights, the NBA now offers 15 to 18 bite-sized stories per game, giving fans a fresh and dynamic viewing experience. According to Bastien, in the span of a year, the NBA app’s engagement tripled while stories became the platform’s most popular content format, showcasing an astounding 700% surge in in-app video consumption. "The growth doesn’t mean we’ve tripled the volume of content in the app. Rather, it indicates we’re doing a better job helping fans discover content,” he said. Capitalizing on this success, the league used stories to further promote other content on the app, boosting overall user engagement across all content. The Rebirth of the LALIGA App Similar to the NBA, The LALIGA team wanted to bring a completely new experience to excel beyond what fans were engaging with outside their owned and operated platforms. Previously, the LALIGA app was focused on results, calendars, and stats – generating a decent number of sessions but low time spent per user. It didn’t offer the full 360-degree experience fans wanted in terms of information and entertainment. LALIGA’s new app for the 2023/24 season "We invested a lot in the last years to better know our fans, what they like, and what they want to consume,” said Alfredo. In-app stories were a big piece of this puzzle. Drawing on years of expertise and audience insights, the league now consistently creates stories throughout the season, not just on match days. This decision to serve around-the-clock content has deeply resonated with fans, delivering an overwhelmingly positive response for LALIGA. Alfredo shared that within just four months, the platform witnessed a 70% rise in user sessions and a 40% increase in time spent, with a notable uptick in video consumption. By utilizing in-app stories, LALIGA has been able to showcase a wide range of skills, players, and teams, driving content consumption beyond just the top clubs like Real Madrid and Barcelona. This expanded reach has empowered LALIGA to engage a broader fanbase and highlight the impressive depth of talent across the league. Supercharging Content with Generative AI As both the NBA and LALIGA look to continue to bolster their content strategies, Alfredo and Bastien showed specific excitement around the potential to leverage generative AI for unprecedented personalization and efficiency. Following years of initial AI investment, LALIGA and the NBA continue to explore generative AI’s untapped potential. According to Alfredo, LALIGA is focused on using Gen AI to create sponsor-specific images, while Bastien revealed that the NBA has already been experimenting with “Ask NBA’ chatbots and AI-generated commentary in different languages. While these use cases are not ready for mainstream consumption, they are poised to present fans with an unprecedented level of immersive and interactive experiences. However, amidst the excitement, both leagues stressed the need to carefully manage their intellectual property as they push new AI frontiers. Ultimately, their achievements underscore the power of aligning technology with fan passion. When leagues understand the content fans truly crave, and provide that exactly where, when, and how they want to view it, the possibilities are truly limitless. But realizing this potential requires focus, strategic vision, and partnerships with those who grasp the intersection of sports, media, and technology. To learn more about how the NBA and LALIGA are transforming their content strategies with AI, watch the full video below. > Managing Director of Digital Media and Ticketing for the United States Golf Association, Amanda Weiner, talks about - Published: 2023-11-22 - Modified: 2026-02-04 - URL: https://wsc-sports-dev.ltu.co.il/blog/customer-spotlight/usgas-amanda-weiner-on-delivering-personalized-fan-experiences-with-ai-and-automation/ - Categories: Customer Spotlight Managing Director of Digital Media and Ticketing for the USGA, Amanda Weiner, talks about new technologies and delivering personalized content to fans. The sports media landscape is undergoing a dramatic evolution. Instead of actively seeking out specific content, today’s audiences crave personalized content experiences tailored to their unique interests and consumption habits, delivered on their preferred platform and devices of choice. To meet these demands, sports organizations must adopt a forward-leaning approach, centered around proactive engagement, data-driven insights, and personalization. But understanding these strategies is only half the challenge. As trends ebb and flow, using emerging technology to capitalize on timely momentum is equally as important. Few have executed this playbook better than Amanda Weiner, the Managing Director of Digital Media and Ticketing for the United States Golf Association (USGA). When a former colleague extended an offer to spearhead the USGA’s digital department in 2011, Amanda leapt at the opportunity. Beginning with a team of two and a single social channel – Facebook, the USGA digital department has since expanded, pioneering a robust cross-platform content strategy. By 2020, Amanda took over the USGA ticketing team as well, leading the migration from paper to mobile tickets, while unlocking a plethora of new fan engagement opportunities. This wasn’t always the case. Until 2015, the USGA didn’t allow mobile devices onto the golf course out of respect for the players. But, under Amanda’s leadership, the USGA has charged confidently toward the future, while upholding the game’s most sacred traditions. While once deferring to a more passive digital approach to fan engagement, the USGA has since shifted to a more proactive approach. Reshaped partially by the COVID-induced surge of popularity, the demographics of golf fans have become exceedingly diverse, spanning ages, interests, and preferences. “We now have hundreds of thousands of fans who have joined our free membership to explicitly receive more content from us, so we’ve had to develop our products to meet those needs. ” But delivering personalized content at scale is no easy task. It requires not only speed to action but the infrastructure and workflow to create and distribute exactly what fans are looking for at the perfect moment. For the USGA, WSC Sports has been a big piece of that puzzle. The global leader in AI-powered sports content, WSC Sports helps global sports organizations like the NBA, NHL, and YouTube TV quickly generate personalized sports content, while increasing their reach and providing new monetization opportunities. Since its inception, WSC Sports has grown its current roster to over 430 organizations that use its AI platform to instantly create automated video highlights responsible for reaching billions of fans. Since partnering with WSC Sports in 2019, the team has gone from using a production truck responsible for manually clipping highlights to an automated experience designed to streamline operations, increasing content output across all third-party social channels and owned and operated platforms. “We used to have a huge operational cost of a trailer where twelve people would manually clip content. Now our digital, social, and content teams all use the platform to quickly assign ratings and create and distribute content,” she said. “You don’t have to be an expert in CMS or graphic engines to use the platform. ”With less time required to produce and distribute content, the team can focus on using the highlights most effectively, analyzing data and engagement metrics to double down on personalization across different fan segments. This approach has been carried across all content types produced by WSC Sports, ranging from scorecard highlights across the entire championship schedule to Stories via the Google OneBox, where fans are automatically served highlight packs based on their search intent. From there, they are directed back to the USGA’s owned and operated platforms. As for what the future holds, Amanda is especially excited about the personalization opportunities around In-App Stories (a new offering from WSC Sports), and single sign-on. During the signup flow, a fan can tell us their favorite players and we can feed them a curated stories feed of players they truly want to see, along with ones they may enjoy, but not be aware of,” she said. “With Stories, we’re thinking about merging the world of automated highlights with the content on our social channels, creating a rich experience for the millions of people who are consuming our content. ” This article originally appeared in Front Office Sports. > The University of Southern California and WSC Sports partner to deliver automated, personalized highlights to trojan fans. - Published: 2023-11-14 - Modified: 2026-02-04 - URL: https://wsc-sports-dev.ltu.co.il/blog/news/wsc-sports-and-university-of-southern-california-athletics-partnership/ - Categories: News - Tags: PR USA & LATAM WSC Sports, the global leader in AI-powered video content, and University of Southern California (USC) Athletics today announced a partnership to deliver technology innovations across USC Athletics’ platforms to bring Trojan fans closer to their favorite teams. WSC Sports’ AI-powered platform analyzes USC’s football and men’s and women’s basketball games live and automatically creates and distributes highlights to USC channels, including USCtrojans. com and USC athletics social media accounts. Our partnership with WSC Sports will propel our social media content into the future thanks to their cutting edge technology and efficiency in the space,” said Jordan Moore, Chief Creative Officer at USC Athletics. “We are excited to be partnering with a legendary school like USC to build upon their football and men’s and women’s basketball branded content while enhancing the Trojans’ fan experience, ” said Aviv Arnon, Chief Business Development Officer at WSC Sports. “USC’s fans are extremely passionate and we are proud that WSC Sports’ AI-powered platform will produce even more stories that USC fans crave. This is just the beginning of what our technology can provide—real-time, personalized content for every college sports fan. ” - Published: 2023-11-13 - Modified: 2026-02-04 - URL: https://wsc-sports-dev.ltu.co.il/blog/industry-insights/sbj-media-innovators-2023-wsc-sports-amazon-wwe-and-espn-talk-innovation-and-ai-in-sports/ - Categories: Industry Insights - Tags: Events, Thought Leadership Sports Business Journal hosted its annual Media Innovators conference in New York in November, bringing together leaders from across the spectrum of sports media. This year, WSC Sports’ Head of Business Development, Amir Gelman, was featured on a panel alongside Steve Braband, VP of Digital at WWE, Marie Donoghue, VP of US Sports Content and Partnerships at Amazon, and Rosalyn Durant, EVP of Programming and Acquisitions at ESPN. The underlying theme of the discussion: rights holders are relying more on AI and new technologies to give fans innovative new experiences, and to produce content for different audiences, on multiple platforms and devices. The panel kicked-off with a discussion about alternate broadcasts. Marie Donoghue spoke about Amazon’s Prime Vision, a new viewing experience that combines graphical overlays and statistics on top of live NFL games to give fans an extra layer of knowledge as they watch the game in real-time. Rosalyn Durant touched on the innovative ways that ESPN is offering multiple options to satisfy sports fans of all ages—like their recent, Pixar-ified version of Sunday Night Football featuring the Jaguars vs. the Falcons as animated Toy Story characters. Shifting gears to sports programming, moderator, Rob Freeman, asked the group about the recent popularity of sports documentaries and biographies. All panelists recognized fans’ massive interest in getting to know individual players—which included teasers for an ESPN-released WNBA doc, as well as an upcoming series on tennis superstar, Serena Williams. Amazon Prime’s Kelce, a documentary about the NFL’s Kelce brothers, the first of three sports documentaries set to release this fall, became the most-watched documentary on the platform; and WWE’s Steve Braband spoke about extending their partnership with A&E to produce more shows, which have included successful biographies about wrestling icons Ric Flair and Cody Rhodes. Tying everything back to the fundamental role that technology will play, not only in live sports events, but also in the surrounding programming; Amir Gelman closed the conversation noting that AI will not only play a role in content creation, but also distribution. In the not-so-distant future, that could mean things like gen-AI based game commentary that’s also automatically fed to different platforms—whether that’s on linear, multiple digital platforms like websites, social channels, OTT services, or whatever else that next “big thing” might be. - Published: 2023-10-31 - Modified: 2026-02-04 - URL: https://wsc-sports-dev.ltu.co.il/blog/news/fc-diez-media-and-wsc-sports-collaborate-to-increase-conmebol-video-content/ - Categories: News - Tags: PR Global, PR ROW, PR USA & LATAM FC Diez Media, the IMG owned business, and WSC Sports, the global leader in AI-powered video content, today announced a partnership to automate and amplify FC Diez Media’s CONMEBOL club competitions. Through the partnership, FC Diez Media will use WSC Sports’ cloud-based AI-powered solution to analyze CONMEBOL competitions, like CONMEBOL Libertadores and CONMEBOL Sudamericana, in real-time to automatically create and distribute video content and highlights directly to their social media channels. FC Diez Media is a global sports marketing agency managing the media rights and production services as well as providing general consulting to the CONMEBOL including digital, sponsorship and licensing advice for all CONMEBOL club competitions. FC Diez Media is designed to radically improve the commercial program and production of the CONMEBOL Club Competitions, namely the CONMEBOL Libertadores, CONMEBOL Libertadores Femenina, CONMEBOL Sudamericana and CONMEBOL Recopa in order to bring South American men’s, women’s, and youth football to the world. Recently, the company renewed its agreement with CONMEBOL until 2026. WSC Sports’ technology will enable FC Diez Media to increase CONMEBOL’s content distribution and serve new audiences by customizing and tailoring highlights and videos for every type of fan on different platforms. “Continuing the evolution and the revolution in South American football is a fascinating mission requiring growth, innovation, relevance and passion. With WSC Sports we can continue to take the CONMEBOL competitions to new heights, especially for the fans who love and follow the continent’s principal competitions,” he added. “We are thrilled to be working with FC Diez Media to assist in bringing South America’s CONMEBOL club competitions to fans across the globe,” said Aviv Arnon, Chief Business Development Officer at WSC Sports. This partnership comes as FC Diez Media focuses on innovative ways to engage with regional and international football fans and we look forward to seeing the incredible content FC Diez Media produces for fans of all ages. - Published: 2023-10-26 - Modified: 2026-02-04 - URL: https://wsc-sports-dev.ltu.co.il/blog/customer-spotlight/nhls-chris-foster-on-amplifying-content-distribution-with-automation/ - Categories: Customer Spotlight Whether it’s a 10-minute game recap or a 10-second snippet of a post-game interview, consumers of all ages are spending more time watching highlights and other non-live content than ever. The onus is on teams, leagues, and broadcasters to innovate and adapt to these new formats, or risk falling behind. With the ever-expanding sea of channels, creators, and untapped audiences, an effective digital content strategy is crucial for building strong relationships with fans. But creating the content is only one-half of the battle. Optimizing and distributing the content for each platform is the true differentiator. Among the few who understand this best is the National Hockey League’s Vice President of Digital Business Development, Chris Foster. With 14 years of experience scaling the NHL’s digital department, Chris has developed an unparalleled grasp of the ever-shifting nature of sports media. He now spearheads the league’s digital content syndication strategy, consistently aiming to elevate the distribution of its digital footprint across X, Facebook, and YouTube, as well as emerging platforms like FAST channels. Since his NHL journey began in 2009, Chris has seen a massive shift in the way content is both consumed and distributed. With the growth of social media, fans now seek more personalized, on-demand viewing experiences delivered in their preferred formats, platforms, and devices of choice. Today, the NHL produces over 1,200 games annually, sometimes juggling 12 to 15 concurrent games per night. "Our fans expect to see great highlights without any time barriers for delivery. ” To rapidly scale the league’s content creation and distribution using AI-powered automation, the league has found an invaluable partner in WSC Sports. " The global leader in AI-powered sports content, WSC Sports helps global sports organizations like the NBA, LALIGA, and YouTube TV quickly generate personalized sports content, while increasing their reach and providing new monetization opportunities. Since its inception, WSC Sports has grown to its current roster of over 400 organizations that use its AI platform to instantly create automated video highlights responsible for reaching billions of fans. “WSC lets us really lean into the personalization and localization of our content. For example, our international group cuts weekly highlights for German and Swedish-based players. We can then cut and filter our video content by key attributes, which is crucial in helping us expand the level of personalization that we deliver to our fans. ” "It lets the content creators spend less time finding and watching videos, and more time on the actual production of the content. " Since 2019, the NHL has deeply integrated WSC Sports’ AI-powered technology across various departments, including digital production, social, international, content syndication, and footage and licensing. All 32 NHL clubs also actively use WSC Sports to craft highlights and non-live content specific to their teams and players. This allows the league to create player-specific content not only around its superstars, but also its lesser-recognized players—specifically, international stars who are beloved in their home markets. With short-form video platforms like TikTok and YouTube Shorts continuing to skyrocket in popularity, Chris predicts the trend for vertical, short-form videos is here to stay. To thrive in this competitive environment, the league’s top priority is to offer fans seamless access to high-quality, personalized NHL content, however, and whenever they want. This article originally appeared in Front Office Sports. > Sky Deutschland to use WSC Sports platform to scale content across multiple properties, including the Bundesliga, English Premier League, and F1. - Published: 2023-10-25 - Modified: 2026-02-04 - URL: https://wsc-sports-dev.ltu.co.il/blog/news/wsc-sports-to-scale-premium-content-distribution-for-sky-deutschland/ - Categories: News - Tags: PR EMEA, PR Global, PR ROW WSC Sports has today confirmed a multi-year partnership with Sky Deutschland, that will see the media company deploy WSC Sports’ AI-driven technology across a host of premium sports properties. The collaboration between the global leader in AI-powered sports content and one of the leading entertainment providers in Germany, aims to redefine the way German sports fans engage with Sky Deutschland's comprehensive coverage of the Bundesliga and 2. Bundesliga, English Premier League, and Formula 1. Sky Deutschland will utilize WSC Sports' cutting-edge AI-driven technology to create real-time short-form digital video across its OTT, web, and wide-reaching social media accounts. In addition, Sky Deutschland will leverage the WSC Sports platform to generate and distribute broadcast quality long-form content for its linear channels. Sky Deutschland will also unlock a new experience for fans of the English Premier League through WSC Sports’ end-to-end storytelling solution that automatically creates real-time highlights that appear in Google’s prime search location, OneBox. All the latest action, as it happens, will now be more discoverable and accessible than ever before, substantially increasing the reach of Sky’s content, helping to drive more people to their owned and operated channels, and providing additional advertising opportunities for brands. "This is a hugely important partnership for WSC Sports. Sky is known for broadcasting excellence and innovation so it is gratifying that they see the value our technology brings and how it can complement and amplify their award-winning sports content," said WSC Sports Chief Business Development Officer and Co-Founder, Aviv Arnon. “The scale of this partnership is a testament to the advanced capabilities of our platform that enables us to support longer-form content with the same speed and accuracy as short-form social videos,” Arnon added. "WSC Sports’ AI-driven technology will help us share even more of our award-winning programming and premium content with our audiences and, through their innovative storytelling solution, enable us to reach out to far more German sports fans than before," he continued. Sky Deutschland joins a roster of over 400 leagues, teams and broadcasters across the globe—such as the NBA, ESPN, YouTubeTV, Bundesliga, LaLiga, Serie A, and DAZN—who employ WSC Sports’ award-winning AI-powered technology. The deal with Sky marks WSC Sports third major broadcaster agreement in the German market this year, with the company having announced partnerships with Deutsche Telekom and Dyn Media, respectively. - Published: 2023-10-16 - Modified: 2026-02-04 - URL: https://wsc-sports-dev.ltu.co.il/blog/news/flosports-taps-wsc-sports-to-automate-and-amplify-college-sports-content/ - Categories: News - Tags: PR EMEA, PR Global, PR ROW, PR USA & LATAM WSC Sports, the global leader in AI-powered video content, and FloSports, a leader in sports streaming and original content, today announced a partnership to automate FloSports’ college sports content. Through the partnership, FloSports will use WSC Sports’ cloud-based AI-powered solution to analyze its college football properties, like the Coastal Athletic Association (CAA), Gulf South Conference, South Atlantic Conference (SAC) and Great Lakes Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (GLIAC), in real-time to automatically create and distribute video content and highlights directly to the OTT platform. This partnership emphasizes FloSports’ on-going commitment and investment into FCS and D2 football beyond the live games. FloSports is a world-class sports media company strategically positioned to be the essential destination for passionate sports fans. Since its inception in 2006, FloSports has provided comprehensive coverage in live event streaming, giving users access to over 200,000 competitions live or on demand, with exclusive, behind-the-scenes coverage and original programming for over 25 different sports. WSC Sports’ technology will enable FloSports to deliver a personalized fan experience by customizing and tailoring highlights and videos for every type of fan. “From getting more highlights across more games to expanding distribution through global platforms, WSC is helping FloSports take its collegiate content to the next level,” he added. “FloSports is a leader in sports content and coverage and directly aligns with where WSC Sports is trending with media rights and sports properties. We are proud to partner with FloSports to bring college sports fans the best possible viewing experience this season and beyond,” said Aviv Arnon, Chief Business Development Officer at WSC Sports. “College football fans are extremely passionate, and we are excited to play a role in providing these fans with the video content that they crave. ” > WSC Sports partners with United Media to deliver highlights to the company's core markets in Greece, Bulgaria, Serbia, Croatia and Slovenia. - Published: 2023-09-27 - Modified: 2026-02-04 - URL: https://wsc-sports-dev.ltu.co.il/blog/news/wsc-sports-partners-with-united-media/ - Categories: News - Tags: PR EMEA WSC Sports has entered a strategic partnership with United Media, one of the leading media companies in South East Europe (SEE). United Media (UM) will utilize WSC Sports’ award-winning AI-driven platform to maximize its content production and monetization capabilities across five of the Group’s core markets: Greece, Bulgaria, Serbia, Croatia and Slovenia. By leveraging WSC Sports’ automated content platform, UM can localize video for each country, servicing sports fans with real-time coverage of premium sports content—including the English Premier League, Bundesliga, EuroLeague basketball and UEFA Euro 2024 Qualifiers—across a range of UM digital platforms including OTT services, websites and social media channels. In addition, WSC Sports will amplify the reach of United Media’s real-time highlights through its end-to-end storytelling solution, WSC Stories, that serves its partner’s content directly to Google’s prime search location, OneBox, making content more discoverable and accessible than ever before. “United Media understands the evolving habits of sports viewers and the need to innovate the digital experiences it offers across the region. We are thrilled they have chosen to partner with us to turbocharge the scale and efficiency of their content workflow, providing fans in these five markets with more content than ever before," said WSC Sports Co-Founder and Chief Business Development Officer, Aviv Arnon. “We have added another leading international broadcaster to our portfolio who will lean into the localization aspects that our AI-driven platform can deliver with incredible efficiency. It’s proving to be a real game-changer for multi-market content producers,” Arnon adds. In addition, WSC Sports’ technology provides limitless potential to drive greater reach and unlock more value from our content for the benefit of all sports fans in these countries," Krstic added. United Media joins a roster of over 350 leagues, teams and broadcasters across the globe—such as the NBA, ESPN, YouTubeTV, Bundesliga, LaLiga, Serie A, and DAZN—who deploy WSC Sports’ award-winning AI-powered technology. In 2023 alone the company announced several long-term agreements with major broadcasters and streaming partners including TF1, Deutsche Telekom and Dyn Media. - Published: 2023-09-14 - Modified: 2026-02-04 - URL: https://wsc-sports-dev.ltu.co.il/blog/industry-insights/exploring-the-impact-of-generative-ai-in-sports/ - Categories: Industry Insights As the tools used to power the industry have changed, so have the needs of modern day sports organizations and fans. Since the first sporting event was televised in 1936, sports teams, leagues, and broadcasters have kept pace with the extraordinary effect that technology has made on our day-to-day lives. As the tools used to power the industry have changed, so have the needs of modern day sports organizations and fans. Using advanced technologies like streaming, data analytics, and predictive artificial intelligence is common practice for most of today’s sports organizations, yet few stand to impact the industry as broadly (and quickly) as generative artificial intelligence (GenAI). For the uninitiated, GenAI is a type of artificial intelligence that uses large language models (LLMs) trained on extensive datasets to generate a wide range of content—text, images, audio, video, and more. When provided with a text or image-based prompt, these models can identify past patterns and structures within the existing training data to generate new and contextually relevant outputs. But unlike other technologies which have slowly crept into our lives, ChatGPT, the most familiar example of GenAI, amassed over 100 million users in only two months. By comparison, it took Instagram nearly two and a half years to reach the same milestone. Why so quickly? Timing and ease of adoption. First, if the digital age has made one thing abundantly clear, it’s that attention is like gold. Content is just one of many powerful tools to mine this valuable resource. GenAI is a force multiplier for meeting sports fans’ never-ending demand for personalized content at a speed and scale that simply wouldn’t be possible without automation. Second, the value of gen-AI is highly demonstrable and the learning curve is nearly non-existent. It took years to convince people of the benefits of being active on social media. It takes just seconds to understand the magic of GenAI. Sports Journalists, Meet AI Writing Assistants A demanding job fraught by the disintegration of RSNs and the demise of print journalism, beat reporters are constantly multitasking between prepping, watching games, delivering their report, rinsing, and repeating. More traditional sportswriters face similar challenges, tirelessly producing game summaries without the advantage of being present at the events. Now, GenAI powered writing tools, like WMT’s The Six, are finally freeing journalists and reporters from the shackles of their traditional workflows. Designed by the digital engineering platform, WMT, The Six can be prompted with a simple box score and quickly generate an automated game recap, mirroring the style and tone of the writer of their choice. Research that once took hours now takes minutes, and tedious game recaps can now be automated so writers can focus on more interesting, creative pieces. Tools like DALL-E 2 or Midjourney can then be further used to spin up article images, thumbnails, and social media content to complement written narratives. Even this article’s cover image was created using gen-AI. This is a huge win for understaffed organizations, specifically collegiate athletic departments who tend to allocate the bulk of their resources to revenue-driving sports. So far, The Six has been beta-tested with Arkansas, Clemson, and Vanderbilt across a variety of non-revenue driving sports. In the future, WMT also aims to generate automated recaps for golf, lacrosse, and other sports without traditional box scores. Personalized Content at Scale But the power of GenAI extends beyond written content and static images. AI-powered tools are facilitating the production of video content, unburdening content editing teams from sifting through hours of footage for the perfect clip. Now, with AI content platforms like WSC Sports, editors can create and publish highlights at unprecedented speed and scale, spending less time on manual editing, and more time figuring out how to use content most effectively and how to tell the best story. Aside from creating highlight videos and compilations, new tools are emerging that automatically generate social media captions, thumbnails, and audio commentary. Taken a step further, text can be programmed to be written and narrated in a style only limited by the imagination—like a Shakespearean play-by-play. Really, gen-AI can deliver commentary in a style and voice eerily similar to “The Bard” (coincidentally the name assigned to Google’s ChatGPT competitor). While these capabilities are particularly powerful for organizations and rights holders with vast content libraries, it’s perhaps even more exciting for fans, coaches, and front-office staff who stand to benefit most from highly personalized consumption experiences. In December 2022, the Los Angeles Chargers announced a partnership with MeetKai, a conversational AI platform designed to transcend the 2D chat interface. When coupled with VR technology, like an Oculus headset, users can instantly compile personalized collections of 3D rendered highlights based on a simple language prompt. This could be as simple as saying, “Show me every touchdown made by Austin Ekeler last season – and voila – a video compilation of 18 touchdowns is generated in a matter of seconds. Wellness Partners & NFTs The beauty of GenAI in sports lies in the far-reaching implications of its impact. The same tools used to deliver personalized content for fans can prove incredibly valuable to coaches, players, and front-office execs to assist in film study and decision-making. Companies like Zepp Health are combining LLMs and natural language processing to transform smart sports wearables into comprehensive wellness partners. The goal? Speak to your health wearable the way you would a friend, to receive personalized coaching for training, sleep, injury prevention, mindfulness, and tailored fitness plans based on your health data. In another use case, at the 2022 FIFA World Cup, Visa’s Master of Movement campaign used an algorithm by XK studio to create generative art commemorating the goals of iconic footballers. The artwork was then minted as NFTs and auctioned to fans as part of a larger immersive activation where fans can mint digital art based on their signature movements on an interactive pitch. It’s these types of GenAI applications that stand to benefit not only professional athletes, but everyone who wants to immerse themselves deeper into the games they love. While it’s too early to predict the full extent of GenAI’s impact on sports, one thing is certain. GenAI will fundamentally change how sports are watched and played—and we can’t wait to experience all of it. > Learn how WSC Sports is fueling HockeyAllsvenskan’s digital strategy, creating new engagement opportunities inside and outside arenas. - Published: 2023-09-13 - Modified: 2026-02-04 - URL: https://wsc-sports-dev.ltu.co.il/blog/customer-spotlight/dont-play-safe-the-hockeyallsvenskans-blueprint-for-digital-success/ - Categories: Customer Spotlight WSC Sports is helping to fuel the Swedish HockeyAllsvenskan’s game-changing digital strategy, creating new engagement opportunities inside and outside arenas. Like many aspirational sports league executives worldwide, Gabriel Monidelle, the chief executive of the Swedish HockeyAllsvenskan, pinpoints the NBA as a benchmark when it comes to digital fan engagement. For Monidelle, who has steered the growth of ice hockey’s second tier in Sweden for nearly three years after previously serving as chief commercial officer, his admiration of the North American basketball league is both personal and professional. As a self-confessed hoops fanatic, he has been captivated by the league’s continuous attempts to push digital boundaries. A well-documented example occurred earlier this year with an astonishing on-stage demonstration of how fans will, in the future, be able to overlay themselves onto actual players via NBA app game coverage. However, Monidelle also believes a bold broad approach to digital is far too rare in an industry that is typically shackled by caution—and he is wary of the HockeyAllsvenskan falling into the same trap. Accordingly, he keeps a quote from legendary motor-racing driver Mario Andretti above his desk that simply says: “If everything seems under control, you’re just not going fast enough. ” Fail fast Monidelle tells SportBusiness: “Most leagues and teams are a bit afraid to embarrass themselves, so they play it safe in digital and social engagement. However, when you play safe, you get safe. If you run a power plant, playing safe is the way to go. But if you want to win, you have to take chances. You have to have a culture of learning that empowers employees and minimizes bureaucracy—and you have to fail fast. ” Such was Monidelle’s appreciation for the NBA’s digital strategy, he made it his mission to discover the league’s digital partners in an effort to replicate some of the basketball league’s creativity in the space. That is how he came across WSC Sports, which has collaborated with the NBA since 2015. “We were curious about how the NBA utilizes such a volume of digital content so effectively, and when we learnt it was thanks to the support of providers like WSC Sports, we acted swiftly,” Monidelle explains. In the first season of the HockeyAllsvenskan’s partnership with WSC Sports, more than half of the 14 clubs used the WSC Sports software to automate and distribute highlights from games. Ahead of the second season of the collaboration, which begins in late September, Monidelle is confident that all 14 will adopt the solution, given how impactful it has been so far. “With WSC Sports, the quantity and quality of gameday and non-gameday content is huge – and it needs to be as competition for attention on the internet is massive,” he says. “The sheer volume of content we can now push out thanks to this partnership frees up lots of staff hours for our clubs. ” Holistic approach However, WSC Sports’ support for the league extends beyond online engagement and expanding the clubs’ digital footprints across websites and social media channels. As part of a holistic approach to digital, WSC Sports is also working with the HockeyAllsvenskan to enhance the in-arena experience by showing highlights of other games and other snippets on big screens during game intermissions. This content is often accompanied by a sponsor logo, opening up additional commercial opportunities for clubs. “With that in mind, we have tried to introduce a couple of pieces of digital content. Firstly, showing goals and updates from other games is a really nice feature. Secondly, as this is a very stats-heavy sport, we try to include plenty of relevant game data on the screens. ” Whilst Monidelle is quick to point out that the HockeyAllsvenskan’s priority is to strive for sold-out arenas, he is confident that, with the support of partners like WSC Sports, the digital content strategy complements rather than cannibalizes the live experience. As part of this, curated digital output showcases the in-arena experience, featuring the sights and sounds from a seat at the big game, and not just the action on the ice. “If teams don’t show that then the people who follow on social media won’t know what it could be like,” Monidelle says. This strategy appears to be working. There were increases across all metrics over the first year of the WSC Sports partnership, including a 27% increase in the league’s average attendance figure. Meanwhile, television viewing figures have more than doubled over the past two seasons. “The key is to work really closely with the clubs,” Monidelle adds. “We have established lots of small working groups that meet once a month and comprise key personnel from each club to discuss everything from sponsorships to CRM systems to digital strategies. This helps to transfer knowledge. ” Fan focus The league also holds regular meetings with fans to ensure the popularity of the product itself continues to gain momentum. When it comes to the digital output, though, the league is clear in its efforts to attract new generations of followers. “We communicate with everyone like they are 15 years old, and we focus on the kids as much as possible,” Monidelle says. “This includes us trying out online ‘watchalong’ events with former stars, and focusing on ensuring the first one or two seconds of a clip are highly engaging, to capture their attention. ”At the heart of the digital strategy is a joined-up approach that highlights the league’s entertaining qualities. This is something Monidelle is keen for the clubs to build upon in the second year of the WSC Sports partnership. "Digital is evolving so fast that it can be hard to find the right companies to work with,” Monidelle says. “Let’s be honest – there are a gazillion out there that claim they can make a positive impact. So, it’s a tough landscape to navigate. " “I want to see more user-generated content this season from fans at home as well as in the arena. Above all, I want to see more content that shows the lifestyle of the league and sport, especially among younger fans. After all, being a fan is part of your identity. ” This article originally appeared in SportBusiness. > Join four female leaders from the sports media industry as they talk about the latest trends in women's sports. - Published: 2023-08-20 - Modified: 2026-02-04 - URL: https://wsc-sports-dev.ltu.co.il/blog/industry-insights/webinar-breaking-barriers-in-womens-sport-through-digital-innovation/ - Categories: Industry Insights - Tags: podcasts, Thought Leadership In August 2023, four female leaders in the sports industry got together to discuss the viewership and coverage surrounding women’s sports. Moderated by Sarah Butler of Sports Business Connected, the webinar features insights from Ranit Weiss, Head of Marketing, WSC Sports, Alice Mascia, CEO, DAZN, Rikashni Rangasamy, Senior Manager of Digital, Supersport, and Roisin McKeniry Head of Technology Timeline TV/BT Sports. The panel looked into a research study commissioned by WSC Sports, which asked 14,000 sports fans to describe how they plan to watch the 2023 Women’s World Cup. An elaboration on the key findings of this research can be found here. Key Themes Digital Platforms: Learn how new platforms are empowering women’s sports by allowing teams, leagues, and players to reach wider audiences and capture the attention of new fans. Leveraging Social Media and Digital Marketing: Hear how social media and digital marketing strategies are amplifying the voices of female athletes and teams, creating authentic connections with fans. Overcoming Challenges in Digital Sports Media: Learn about initiatives that promote inclusivity, challenge biases, and ensure fair representation in digital media coverage. Encouraging Diversity and Inclusion: Discover the ways that innovation is becoming a catalyst in achieving diversity and inclusion in women’s sports, providing opportunities for athletes from diverse backgrounds. - Published: 2023-08-16 - Modified: 2026-02-04 - URL: https://wsc-sports-dev.ltu.co.il/blog/industry-insights/how-industry-leaders-are-navigating-the-modern-sports-media-landscape/ - Categories: Industry Insights Learn about innovations the sports media industry has been using to create a more immersive and personalized experience for fans. The sports media landscape is in the midst of an exciting transformation. One where fans are no longer passive spectators but active participants, demanding a more immersive and personalized experience when it comes to consuming sports content. This evolution also impacts the nature of fandom itself. Fan-player relationships are now forged beyond the game, and are accentuated via social media, digital collectibles, fashion, and more. Geographic location is no longer a reason to follow a specific team, as technology has made fandom universal. As a result, industry leaders need to be not just reactive, but proactive, in staying ahead of trends and continually evolving to meet the needs of the modern-day sports fan. At WSC Sports, we’re able to witness firsthand how top sports executives navigate the evolving terrain of sports media—embracing transformative shifts in content formats, personalization, live viewing, and emerging technologies—decisively molding the future of sports content for the next generation. Now, let’s pull back the curtain and break down some of these game-changing insights. Adapting to New Consumption Habits Once thought that social media would overtake viewership of live events on traditional, linear television, data has shown that the two often work in harmony. Short-form highlights and long-form recaps fulfill the needs and consumption preferences of fans across a variety of demographics, ensuring that rights holders are covering all their bases when it comes to the way that fans want to consume content. In addition, they’re also increasing fans’ awareness of live games. TikTok and Instagram have quenched a relentless thirst for short-form content, and are now a go-to destination to engage younger fans scrolling for entertainment. The challenge falls to the teams, networks, and rights holders to meet their expectations, and provide quality content to generate interest in their respective brands. Central to the challenge is the ability to quickly capture, edit, and distribute content (in as close to real time as possible) to maximize interest and engagement. To facilitate this strategy, rights holders need to have the tools in place to feed a myriad of different platforms, namely a centralized repository to quickly find content, and an editing/production system that is able to publish to multiple content platforms. Redefining Content Personalization Modern fans don’t want to watch generic random highlights and videos; they’ve become accustomed to personalized content that caters to their specific interests, including videos of their favorite teams and players—or off-court interests like fashion, sneakers, and behind-the-scenes footage. As the worlds of sports media and entertainment converge, the concept of personalization is expanding beyond game recaps and highlights. In the industry, much has been said about the future of sports broadcasting and the content that’s created from it. Some of the biggest leagues in the world have started exploring augmented reality and the metaverse, and the better technology gets, the more opportunities there are for innovation. Imagine a sports broadcast summary curated by AI-generated avatars. A Monday morning mini-broadcast that summarizes your fantasy team's performance, or a highlight-filled recap tailored to your betting history. This level of personalization not only enhances the fan experience, but also showcases the potential for advanced technologies to revolutionize how fans consume and engage with their favorite sports organizations. In one real-world example, YouTube TV implemented a feature that recommends content to users based on their preferences, and then offers a handful of options to users that allows them to customize the way they navigate through the platform. This marks an important shift from passive viewing environments to interactive content experiences, giving audiences the power to actively shape their own user journey. True personalization goes beyond deciding what content to watch, it's about handing fans the reins and asking, "How do you want to watch this? Do you want to watch from the beginning, catch the key plays on your phone, or watch live on your iPad? ” Enhancing the Live Viewing Experience Exceptional video quality is the cornerstone of a premium live-viewing experience. Fans expect high-quality video and buffer-free streams. Latency and lag are the quickest way to lose viewers. To meet fans’ expectations when it comes to quality, YouTube TV has put an emphasis on providing a more visually immersive experience by expanding its 4K resolution content. Similarly, in the past few years the NHL has made strides to enhance their live viewing experience by installing an array of 8K cameras, equipped with advanced features like iso-cam and crop zoom functionalities to give fans a unique perspective during games. Every NHL stadium is equipped with 14 to 16 infrared cameras that track player movements and statistics. An invaluable asset that gives fans and coaches deeper insight into the game, while also providing value to referees—who can now rely on the tech to assist them in making calls that are difficult to decipher by the human eye alone. As the demand for personalized live content grows, viewers may soon be able to customize their live sports experience by selecting preferred camera angles, audio inputs, and graphical overlays. Moreover, organizations are poised to enhance the in-person sports experience by providing high-quality real-time content directly to fans' mobile devices within stadiums. Embracing Innovation and Risk Innovation and risk go hand in hand, and leaders must embrace both to unlock the full potential of the digital age. The willingness to invest, test and tinker with new technologies—without the impatient need to see quick results—allows companies to adapt to the evolving needs of their fans and stay ahead of the competition. Whether it's exploring new content mediums, venturing into digital environments, or revolutionizing how a sport is played, calculated risks are essential for success. The above insights are themes and commentary sourced from the Sports Content Kings Podcast, which features top executives from the sports and entertainment industries. To learn more about how rights holders are embracing technology to provide better coverage and entertainment for fans, tune in to the seventh episode of Sports Content Kings, featuring Jeff Gerttula, Executive Vice President of Digital at CBS Sports. > Damien Delautier joins Itai Epstein at Vivatech Paris to discuss how Canal+ is utilizing the WSC Sports technology in their platforms. - Published: 2023-08-03 - Modified: 2026-02-04 - URL: https://wsc-sports-dev.ltu.co.il/blog/customer-spotlight/vivatech-paris-how-canal-is-using-ai-to-revolutionize-the-sports-broadcast-experience/ - Categories: Customer Spotlight The VivaTech Paris, Future of Sport conference, which took place in June 2023, saw over 150,000 visitors from 174 countries and played host to thousands of startups, investors, sports organizations, and tech companies. During this conference Damien Delautier, Chief Product Officer at Canal+, presented alongside Itai Epstein, Director of Business Development and Head of EMEA & China at WSC Sports. Highlighting their work together, Damien showcased how Canal+ is using WSC Sports’ AI platform to transform the way they create a variety of highlights for multiple sports, such as F1, football, golf, and rugby. These highlights can include full match replays, highlights by team and by player, and highlights from archived footage, to give a few examples. Damien emphasized how easy it is to distribute this automatically generated content to their entire digital ecosystem—including social media networks, Web Stories for Google Search, the myCANAL mobile app and more. Watch the full session below, to learn more about how Canal+ is using the WSC Sports platform. Damien highlighted the significant progress made by Canal+ in three crucial areas: automating video production, enhancing fan experiences, and exploring new revenue opportunities. The AI-driven technology allows Canal+ to automatically capture every exciting play as it unfolds in real time, and enables the distribution of that content to multiple platforms, in the designated technical format required by each one. - Published: 2023-07-30 - Modified: 2026-02-04 - URL: https://wsc-sports-dev.ltu.co.il/blog/sports-content-kings-podcast/sports-content-kings-the-future-of-streaming-sports_/ - Categories: Podcast On the seventh episode of the Sports Content Kings podcast, Aviv and Shaka Arnon sit down with Jeff Gerttula, Executive Vice President of Digital at CBS Sports. They discuss how CBS Sports has been using WSC Sports’ technology to engage with fans more effectively. Jeff explained that initially, he was just a fan with no intention of entering the business side of sports, but eventually he got his start at Sporting News where he started working on how to better engage with fans by pioneering a social media platform tailored for fantasy league fans. Since then, Jeff’s spent the last 14 years at CBS, where he now serves in an EVP capacity in charge of digital strategy around sports. Starting in 2019, CBS acquired the rights to broadcast UEFA and UEFA Champions league competitions. They’ve gone on to expand their soccer portfolio, which now includes coverage from the CONCACAF region, the Brazilian and Argentinian Primera División, Italy’s Serie A, the AFC (Asian Football Federation), and more. With a huge volume of games to cover, Jeff touched on the necessity of using the WSC Sports platform to mine and distribute the most interesting plays and highlights from all matches. Looking to the future, Jeff gave listeners an insider’s view on the 2024 Super Bowl, which will be televised nationally by CBS. He said that the same principles mentioned above will be employed to produce the big game, although it does require additional strategies including a different look and feel on social, and even a unique audio strategy. To get a taste of all of CBS’ top-notch sports programming, fans can tune into the network on standard television, Paramount+, and Pluto TV. > Learn how the FIFA Women's World Cup 2023 has seen a growth in fans, driven by digital engagement,, and short-form content. - Published: 2023-07-18 - Modified: 2026-02-16 - URL: https://wsc-sports-dev.ltu.co.il/blog/industry-insights/half-a-billion-new-fans-set-to-follow-2023-womens-world-cup/ - Categories: Industry Insights New research has revealed the extent to which interest in women’s football has grown in the four years since the 2019 tournament in France. We recently commissioned a worldwide study, surveying over 14,000 people, spanning five continents and seven countries competing in the FIFA Women's World Cup Australia & New Zealand 2023. The research presents the very latest insights into the evolving landscape of football interest and sports content consumption. Women’s Football Fandom is on the Rise The research highlights a positive trend in growth of following for the 2023 Women's World Cup tournament. The tournament in Australia and New Zealand, which kicks-off on Thursday July 20, is set to see a 57% growth in avid followers* when compared to the 2019 edition, equating to 543 million new fans engaging with the tournament. Driving this growth, and highlighting the ability of the tournament to connect with new audiences, four in ten (40%) who will follow the tournament avidly identified themselves as casual sports followers, whilst comprising just 24% of the total audience surveyed. Of the new followers identified, 52% are female. From the countries surveyed, awareness of the tournament peaks in England with 66% of the population aware that the Lionesses will be aiming to win the World Cup for the first time, 9% higher than the awareness levels in Australia, a co-host of the tournament. However, growth in fans following the tournament from 2019 to 2023 is highest Down Under with a 127% increase. Digital Eclipses TV for Gen Z The research reveals 30% of the global audience will follow the tournament via YouTube. Streaming services and Facebook are jointly the third most popular method (17%) followed by Google Search (14%) and Instagram (13%). TikTok (8%) has surpassed Twitter (7%) in its popularity among all sports fans, this is heightened amongst Gen Z with more than a quarter (26%) of 16-24-year-olds typically tapping the vertical video platform for sports content. Building on the growing impact of short-format video for Gen Z, YouTube (43%, versus 30% all ages) and Instagram (31%, versus 13% overall) are now more popular ways for 16-24-year-olds to engage with sports than television (30%). In addition, almost four in ten (38%) young adults typically watch sports on a mobile device, compared to just 23% across all age ranges. Highlights and Non-Live Content Fuel Digital Growth Underpinning the popularity of YouTube and general rise in digital viewership is the increasing interest in highlights and non-live content, especially amongst younger audiences. A striking 47% of viewers are set to follow the Women’s World Cup via highlights, second only to those watching games live (59%), whilst analysis/commentary (20%), player-led content (18%), features and documentaries (12%) and behind-the-scenes (8%) are expected to be the most consumed types of content during the tournament. Interestingly, 16-24 year olds displayed a higher than average preference for player-focused coverage (25%, versus 17% for all ages) and behind-the-scenes content (14%, compared to 8% universally). Utilizing advanced AI technologies, WSC Sports automates the creation and distribution of video content for over 350 teams, leagues, competitions and broadcasters across the globe, including the Women's National Basketball Association and the Ladies Professional Golf Association. "At WSC Sports we’ve seen video demand from our clients increase 66% - with our AI-powered platform producing 3. 5 million videos in the first half of 2023. Sports rights holders are starting to see that more digital content equals more engagement and bigger audiences. This is also true for women’s sport evidenced by the fact that engagement levels for our clients’ YouTube content has risen 35% year-on-year. " "These figures mirror what this research is telling us about women’s sport: the more people watch, the more they want. Women’s sport has a growing and increasingly passionate audience - one that becomes more and more attractive to sponsors and investors, whose contributions can make a huge difference in accelerating the growth of women's leagues, events, and competitions, globally,” said Daniel Shichman, WSC Sports Co-founder and CEO. > Using AI-technology, MLS is able to efficiently captivate the attention of their growing fanbase through hyper-personalized content. - Published: 2023-07-17 - Modified: 2026-02-04 - URL: https://wsc-sports-dev.ltu.co.il/blog/customer-spotlight/mls-chris-schlosser-on-pioneering-the-digital-first-sports-league-with-ai/ - Categories: Customer Spotlight The last decade has ushered in a seismic shift in the traditional sports media landscape, with a fusion of old and new mediums shaping the industry's evolution. As radio defined the MLB, and television lifted the NBA and NFL into the public eye, the MLS now serves as the pioneering sports league of the internet era. With soccer continuing to get more recognition across mainstream media in the US, fans have continued to gravitate towards digital platforms for connection, news, and highlights, organically building what Chris Schlosser, MLS’ Senior VP of Emerging Ventures, dubs as the “most tech-savvy fans in sports. ” Joining the MLS as its first digital hire in 2008, Schlosser has been instrumental in driving this digital transformation. After earning his MBA at Columbia Business School, he played a pivotal role in many of the MLS’s digital “firsts,” from writing the business plan for MLS digital and the inception of MLS's social channels, to the launch of the league's mobile app and securing MLS’ inaugural streaming partnership with Disney on ESPN Plus. Founded in 1993, Major League Soccer has experienced continued growth since its inception. In the last five years alone, they've added four new clubs and have another coming soon. But despite his past successes, Schlosser, who is now responsible for discovering innovative companies to power the league and its properties, predicts an even more dynamic and exciting future ahead. With the league's addition of a 30th team, a 10-year unprecedented streaming deal with Apple, Lionel Messi joining Inter Miami, and a potential U. S. 2026 World Cup run, the MLS is anticipating a new phase of hypergrowth. At the heart of it all, lies the organization's digital-first content strategy designed to captivate young, tech-savvy fans on platforms like TikTok, YouTube, and now Apple TV. “With our global media partnership with Apple, we’re once again changing the paradigm of sports media,” said Schlosser in an interview with Front Office Sports. “Every match, on any device, worldwide, for a single price plus a handful of free matches every week. We're always trying to push the boundaries to give fans the content they crave. ” Between goals, skills, fans, and a hotbed of young and interesting talent, there are countless stories to tell. But with over 1,200 matches across three leagues, producing enough content to satisfy the needs of the modern-day sports fan is no easy task To streamline these workflows, MLS’ partnership with WSC Sports has served as an integral component of its success. The global leader in AI-powered sports content, WSC Sports helps global sports organizations like the NBA, NHL, and YouTube TV quickly generate personalized sports content, while increasing its reach and providing new monetization opportunities. Since the company’s inception, WSC Sports has grown to its current roster of over 350 organizations that use its AI platform to instantly create automated video highlights responsible for reaching billions of fans. It’s remarkable that we can input all our live video and data, and WSC then automatically generates the highlight packs we need from every match. Whether it’s 1, 3, 7, or even 15-minute packs, it’s all there. ” Since teaming up with WSC in 2017, MLS has generated hundreds of thousands of highlights across their MLS, MLS Next, and MLS Next Pro leagues, achieving impressive scale and speed across all social platforms. “With their system, it's simple to filter for specific content, like all the goals from a particular player,” explains Schlosser. But the real game-changer, according to Schlosser, lies in the tool’s ability to boost employee efficiency. WSC's automated highlight production has not only freed up staff for more creative endeavors, but also democratized the skill of video creation within their team. As for what the future holds, Schlosser is most excited about using AI to deliver hyper-personalized content, far beyond today’s geolocation personalization. In the not-too-distant future, we foresee personalization down to the individual level, whether it be highlights of your favorite team, the players on your fantasy team, or your preferred content type – goals, skills, fans – whatever it may be,” says Schlosser. “WSC will play a key part in this puzzle, helping us break down many small pieces, seamlessly adding the metadata so that it’s ready for the intelligence engine to deliver exactly what the fan is looking for. This article originally appeared in Front Office Sports. > WSC Sports and TF1 have announced a partnership to use AI-driven technology to create content for their streaming platform, MYTF1. - Published: 2023-07-13 - Modified: 2026-02-04 - URL: https://wsc-sports-dev.ltu.co.il/blog/news/tf1-teams-up-with-wsc-sports-to-offer-personalized-video-content/ - Categories: News - Tags: PR EMEA French TV media Group TF1, has selected WSC Sports and its AI-driven technology to power its automated and real-time sports content requirements by launching the Top Chrono feature on MYTF1, its streaming platform. MYTF1 will use WSC Sports' cutting-edge technology to offer innovative, on-demand content around the main sporting competitions broadcast on its channels, such as the upcoming Men’s Rugby World Cup 2023 and as part of the broadcast of other upcoming sporting competition. In addition, TF1 will utilize the technology across its archive rights for French football and rugby, enabling thousands of iconic sporting moments to be brought to life at the touch of a button. With a focus on content specifically for distribution across TF1's streaming platform, MYTF1, and its social media channels, the multi-year agreement will see TF1 utilize WSC Sports’ full suite of AI-driven tools to maximize its content production capabilities and enable all formats of video to be shared with sports fans in real-time. “In addition to the unlimited content creation, production and customization capabilities, which enable us to match the right piece of content, to the right audience, at the right time and place—WSC Sports will provide huge value to our partners, providing more visibility,” Basini added. TF1 joins a roster of over 350 leagues and broadcasters across the globe - including the NBA, ESPN, YouTubeTV, Bundesliga, LaLiga, Serie A, and DAZN—who have partnered with WSC Sports. > Aviv Arnon joins panelists from the NBA, Orange Events, and the Hurricane Group, as they discuss the future of fan engagement. - Published: 2023-07-07 - Modified: 2026-02-04 - URL: https://wsc-sports-dev.ltu.co.il/blog/industry-insights/vivatech-paris-how-new-platforms-engage-with-fans/ - Categories: Industry Insights In June 2023, we packed our bags for Paris and headed to The Future of Sport, an annual conference hosted by Viva Technology and Global Sports Week. In total, over 150,000 visitors from 174 countries participated in the event which featured thousands of startups, investors, sports organizations, and tech companies. Speaking on the future of sports broadcasting and how organizations engage with younger fans, WSC Sports co-founder and CBDO, Aviv Arnon, was featured on the main stage alongside representatives from the NBA, Orange Events, and Hurricane Group, an action sports event company. Starting off the conversation, George Aivazoglou, the NBA’s Head of Fan Engagement and D2C in Europe and the Middle East, was asked what the league is doing to engage with fans on digital. He said that their main priority is making sure that content reaches the NBA’s global audience whether that’s on social media, through their broadcast partners, or on their mobile app. One way that they take that engagement to the next level is through two products: the NBA I. D. membership program which allows users to set preferences to receive content that they’re most interested in—like content surrounding their favorite teams and players—and then offers rewards for certain behaviors and content consumption habits. The other product is NBA League Pass, a popular streaming platform, which provides unprecedented access and coverage of all live games and a host of other original content. Asked about new experiences that fans can expect to see at the upcoming Tour de France and highly anticipated 2024 Paris Olympic Games, Pierre-Louis De Guillebon, CEO of Orange Events, said that they have a few new innovations planned. Cycling fans can expect 4K quality coverage of the race and cutting-edge camera angles from the perspective of the athletes and even from drones flying overhead. At the Olympics, there will be two apps launched for live spectators. One that will provide access to rules for games that some fans might be unfamiliar with, and another that will provide commentary and analysis just like you’d hear if you were watching on TV. A third innovation is aimed at accessibility, and will offer tablets to blind and seeing-impaired fans that allow them to follow the action by touching the screen. Wrapping up the session, moderator and CEO of Next Sports, Mounir Zok, closed with a high level question to all the panelists: “What excites you the most when you think about the potential that’s out there? ” For George, it’s the journey of kids becoming young athletes and eventually professional athletes, citing France’s basketball phenom, Victor Wembanyama as an example. Pierre-Louis said that for him, it’s all about being able to connect fans to the game wherever they may be. Aviv’s excitement stems from the advancements in WSC Sports’ technology and ability to personalize content, and the potential for that capability to be more refined in the future. And finally, Belén said she’s encouraged by the increased reach sports will have thanks to technology, and that new audiences will be exposed to sports that they previously would not have access to. The full session is available to watch below: https://www. youtube. com/watch? v=DOvLu_cJiuI > We're recapping the first six episodes of Sports Content Kings, where Aviv and Shaka Arnon talk to some of the brightest minds in sports. - Published: 2023-06-21 - Modified: 2026-02-04 - URL: https://wsc-sports-dev.ltu.co.il/blog/sports-content-kings-podcast/sports-content-kings-recapping-the-first-six-episodes/ - Categories: Podcast - Tags: Sports Content Kings After debuting in October, 2022, Sports Content Kings has since climbed the charts, peaking at #79 on Chartable’s list of top podcasts in the United States. As the podcast takes a short break, we thought we’d look back at some of the highlights from the first half of season one. The season kicked-off with a dual premier. Episode one featured Pete Scott, VP of Emerging Media and Innovation at Warner Media, who spoke about the evolution of sports production and broadcasting since he got his start in the early 90s. He touched on some of the industry’s monumental shifts, including the recent emergence of tech giants Apple and Amazon onto the sports scene, and gave his insights as to what that might mean for the industry and fans going forward. Episode two, featured YouTube TV’s Kathryn Cochrane, Group Product Manager, and head of the team focused on sports—and providing a best-in-class experience for fans. During the discussion, Kathryn broke down some of the things that her team is working on, including “Key Plays”, a unique feature exclusive to YouTube TV that allows fans to catch-up to the live broadcast by viewing only the most important action that has already occurred. The feature, which was implemented in tandem with WSC Sports, recently won a Technical Emmy® Award, and is just one example of the larger work that YouTube TV is doing to build a flexible product that’s perfectly suited for the modern sports fan. Switching focus to the ever-elusive Gen Z audience, the season’s third episode featured the Co-founder and CEO of Overtime, Dan Porter, who turned what was a grassroots collection of social media channels into two professional leagues—Overtime Elite and OT7. Dan walked Shaka, Aviv, and the listeners through the evolution of the brand, and spoke about some of the things that he’s doing that have completely changed the professional sports industry—including paying young athletes six-figure salaries to play in his leagues, which also include mandatory academic studies, and courses around finances and NIL laws. As the NHL’s EVP of Business Development and Innovation for nearly two decades, episode four’s guest, Dave Lehanski, is a true industry vet. He spoke about the league’s groundbreaking puck and player tracking system, which has completely changed the way that players, fans, coaches, and even referees consume games. Moreover, Dave gave listeners a taste of the future, touching on a few things that hockey fans might see in the months and years ahead, including a potential foray into the metaverse, NHL-minted NFTs, incorporating AR and replay, and more. Episode 5 featured another Head of Business Development and Innovation, this time from the worldwide leader in sports, ESPN. Mark Walker is a former engineer turned lawyer, currently tasked with developing new experiences for sports fans and keeping ESPN on the cutting-edge of developing new products. He spoke at length about some of the latest industry trends, including betting, AI, and VR, and how they might be incorporated into the broadcaster’s offering. He also touched on the recent phenomenon of fans’ interests extending beyond their favorite hometown teams and players—-which is changing the way fans consume sports and sports content. Concluding the first-half of season 1, Shaka and Aviv checked a box off of their bucket lists hosting rapper, actor, and CEO of the BIG3, Ice Cube. During the discussion, Cube spoke on his motivation to start the league, and some of the difficulties he had to overcome before setting things in motion. Now, as the league is about to go into its sixth inaugural season it’s about getting more eyes on the games. Part of that is recruiting top tier talent to come and play, and another aspect is trying things that are completely new. For example, instituting new and exciting rules like the four-point shot, and giving fans the ability to own a stake in their favorite teams via NFTs. It was an insightful, and entertaining way to cap-off our podcast’s first season. Now that we’ve reached halftime of season one, we wanted to say thanks to all of the show’s guests so far, and more importantly, send a special shout out to everyone that’s been tuning in. If you want to catch episodes one through six, you can catch all the podcast episodes right here on the blog or check it out on Spotify or Apple Podcasts. > WSC Sports and FEDCOM MEDIA announce a partnership to create AI-generated videos for SKWEEK, their basketball-focused OTT steaming service. - Published: 2023-06-15 - Modified: 2026-02-04 - URL: https://wsc-sports-dev.ltu.co.il/blog/news/wsc-sports-scores-fedcom-media-agreement-to-elevate-basketball-content-on-skweek/ - Categories: News - Tags: PR EMEA WSC Sports and FEDCOM MEDIA have announced a partnership that will see SKWEEK, FEDCOM MEDIA’s basketball-focused OTT streaming service, benefit from WSC’s award-winning AI-powered technology for the next three years. SKWEEK, which launched in October 2022 and provides exclusive coverage of men’s EuroLeague and EuroCup games, EuroLeague Women French clubs games and LDLC ASVEL Féminin’s EuroCup Women title across France and Monaco, will leverage WSC Sports’ comprehensive suite of AI-powered solutions to enhance the streaming brand’s video content output and fan experience. The partnership will see WSC Sports automate the production of real-time clips, highlights, and analysis that will be distributed across all SKWEEK’s digital channels, incorporating its OTT platform, web and social media accounts. “Nobody understands AI-driven basketball content better than WSC Sports. Their cutting-edge technology will enable us to deliver limitless amounts of high-quality content across all SKWEEK’s channels, opening up new ways to watch and experience basketball competitions. This tool will also enable us to offer a unique and unrivaled consumer experience to basketball fans in France. This partnership will not only help us grow the reach and engagement of SKWEEK’s exclusive content but provide an array of additional opportunities for our partners. ” WSC Sports has great heritage in the sport of basketball with the National Basketball Association a partner since 2015, plus notable partnerships with EuroLeague directly, widely recognized as the top-tier league in Europe, and the International Basketball Federation. The company also counts Cleveland Cavaliers owner Dan Gilbert as an Investor, and his franchise as a key client. “WSC Sports continues to be the ultimate end-to-end solution for the creation and distribution of personalised, real-time, AI-driven content, at scale. And our enduring new business success is testament to the value we deliver to fans of our partners’ properties. WSC Sports continues to deliver record levels of digital growth and engagement amongst fan bases of multiple sports and competitions, worldwide,” he added. SKWEEK joins a roster of over 300 leagues and broadcasters across the globe – including the NBA, ESPN, YouTubeTV, Bundesliga, LaLiga, Serie A, and DAZN – who have partnered with WSC Sports. In 2023, the company has already announced long-term agreements with ATP Media, Deutsche Telekom and Dyn Media, respectively. > Using new AI-powered technology, TelevisiaUnivision is able to create content that attracts and retains the attention of their fans. - Published: 2023-06-07 - Modified: 2026-02-26 - URL: https://wsc-sports-dev.ltu.co.il/blog/customer-spotlight/televisaunivisions-olek-loewenstein-on-producing-international-content-at-scale/ - Categories: Customer Spotlight The sports media landscape is evolving at an unprecedented rate. Between streaming services, short-form video platforms, linear broadcasts, and a barrage of pre and post-game analysis, consumers are flooded with options. In this era of immediate gratification, audiences now crave shorter, more dynamic content that aligns with their fast-paced lives. But producing the right content isn’t enough. It must be delivered on the consumer’s platform of choice, in the proper format, at the perfect time. To meet these ever-shifting expectations, sports media organizations must embrace emerging technologies to not only attract, but retain, the attention of the modern sports fan. But how? Few executives are better equipped to answer this question than the President of Sports Content at TelevisaUnivision, Olek Loewenstein. A dominant force in soccer broadcasting, TelevisaUnivision is actively seeking to further cement itself as an industry-leading sports rights holder. Since joining TelevisaUnivision eleven years ago, Loewenstein has contributed to every aspect of the business, from clipping papers to signing multi-million dollar deals. As President of Sports Content, he now oversees all content produced by TUDN, across air, cable, digital publishing, and streaming platforms. A dominant force in soccer broadcasting, TelevisaUnivision holds the majority of Mexican League soccer rights, partners with the Mexican national team, and captures 80% of soccer primetime viewership in the U. S. across all languages. In Mexico, where TelevisaUnivision controls 70% of the market in terms of ratings, it’s cemented itself as the home of landmark events like the Super Bowl, Olympics, World Cup, and NBA Finals. With the acquisition of LALIGA rights in Central America and investment in streaming platform ViX, the company is actively seeking to expand its rights footprint further into the Americas, and this is only the start. At TelevisaUnivision’s recent 2023-2024 Upfront in New York event, the network announced the acquisition of the Spanish language rights to Super Bowl LVIII, UEFA EURO 2024, and CONMEBOL Copa America 2024, further cementing itself as an industry-leading rights holder. Under Loewenstein’s leadership, TelevisaUnivision isn’t only determined to broadcast the biggest moments in sports, they want to define them. A key factor in delivering on this mission is the network’s partnership with WSC Sports. The global leader in AI-powered sports content, WSC Sports helps global sports organizations like the NBA, NHL, and YouTube TV quickly generate personalized sports content, while increasing its reach and providing new monetization opportunities. Since the company’s inception, WSC Sports has grown to its current roster of over 300 organizations that use its AI platform to instantly create automated video highlights responsible for reaching billions of fans. Recently inking a long-term, cross-border deal, TelevisaUnivision will utilize WSC Sports’ technology to generate sports highlights for 15 soccer-related properties to which TelevisaUnivision owns rights between Mexico and the United States. The network will use WSC Sports’ technology to create match highlights and personalized short and long-form content to be distributed among TelevisaUnivision’s digital outlets including OTT service ViX, along with TelevisaUnivision’s social media platforms, apps, and more. The partnership dates back to the duo’s success at the 2022 World Cup, where 19. 6 million viewers chose TelevisaUnivision’s World Cup streaming production on ViX to watch 40 of the 64 total World Cup matches, all assisted by WSC Sports’ AI technology. "WSC allowed us to distribute these clips and highlights in real-time, which let us serve our audience in a proper way,” Loewenstein said. Going forward, WSC Sports’ technology will continue to serve as a key tool in TelevisaUnivision’s content workflow, amplifying everything from content creation to monetization and platform expansion. Whereas traditional media like TV shows are slow and expensive to produce, today’s platforms and consumers place an emphasis on speed. “Now we can put out 100 clips, see what was consumed more, and then start learning,” he added. “Was it circumstantial? Was it the time when it was posted? Was it because it wasn’t an interesting game? And you start creating intelligence behind it about what is it that works and what is it that doesn’t. ” As for what’s to come, Loewenstein envisions a continued shift towards the aggregation of streaming services, shorter content formats, and a focus on maximizing value from broadcast rights. But even with decades of experience, he insists his guess is as good as anyone else’s. “The speed of change is accelerating. Kind of like Moore’s Law in media. Every year things are moving quicker. Anyone who tells you they know what will happen is lying. ” This article originally appeared in Front Office Sports. > WSC Sports and Top Rank Boxing announce a partnership to use WSC Sports' AI platform to create and distribute boxing highlights. - Published: 2023-06-06 - Modified: 2026-02-04 - URL: https://wsc-sports-dev.ltu.co.il/blog/news/top-rank-boxing-partners-with-wsc-sports-to-generate-ai-powered-highlights/ - Categories: News - Tags: PR USA & LATAM Through partnership with Top Rank, the WSC Sports for Creators Program now provides content creators access to Top Rank’s archive of footage, allowing creators to legally utilize top boxing video content. Top Rank to maximize full value of archived video content while tapping into the power of the creator economy Top Rank, the worldwide leader in boxing promotions, and WSC Sports, the global leader in artificial intelligence (AI) powered sports video content, today announced a partnership to transform the way Top Rank creates and distributes fight highlights. Real-time fight highlights will now be automatically generated using the WSC Sports platform. This will bring fans more content than ever before and will be ready to watch just moments after the action happens in the ring. Top Rank’s entire video content archive, spanning more than 50 years, will also be incorporated into the WSC Sports platform to unlock this content treasure trove, with any type of video compilation now available to Top Rank in minutes. In addition, Top Rank will be joining the WSC Sports For Creators Program, an innovative new solution providing value to both media rights holders and creators. Through the WSC Sports for Creators Program, content creators now have access to the world’s greatest boxing footage from Top Rank’s archive. This content is free to use and can be distributed across the creators’ social media platforms, all while avoiding copyright infringement. Creators can find any moment from any Top Rank fight in seconds, creating highlights or compilations using WSC Sports’ AI-based platform. The WSC Sports for Creators Program enables rights holders to maximize the full value of their archived video content while tapping into the power of the creator economy. This unique revenue share model expands the reach of Top Rank content, reaching new fans in a more grassroots way, and introduces young boxing fans to the legends of the sport. "We’re also excited to be pioneers with WSC Sports and their mutually beneficial ‘Creators Program’ that will allow Top Rank’s content to be used by creators and shared to their audiences across their social media channels. This inventive approach means more eyeballs on our content and provides a fresh revenue opportunity for all involved. ” Top Rank’s innovative approach combined with WSC Sports’ technology empowers creators to grow their brands while unlocking new revenue opportunities,” said Daniel Shichman, Co-Founder and Chief Executive Officer, WSC Sports. “With WSC, creators can easily generate and monetize content utilizing fight footage of the all-time greatest, including Ali, Tyson, Hagler, Mayweather, Manny Pacquiao, and of current greats like Tyson Fury, Shakur Stevenson, and Lomachenko without the risk of making IP infringements. ” For more information on the WSC Sports for Creators program and to sign up, click here. > WSC Sports and European League of Football partner to deliver AI-powered videos and graphics ahead of the league's sixth season. - Published: 2023-06-01 - Modified: 2026-02-04 - URL: https://wsc-sports-dev.ltu.co.il/blog/news/wsc-sports-and-european-league-of-football-touchdown-on-long-term-partnership/ - Categories: News - Tags: PR EMEA WSC Sports, the leading global provider of AI-powered video content for sports, has announced a multi-year partnership with the European League of Football (ELF) ahead of its third season which kicks-off this weekend. The strategic collaboration will see WSC Sports provide Europe’s premier American Football league with a comprehensive suite of AI-powered solutions, including the automated creation of video content for all formats and dynamic graphics. In addition, WSC Sports’ technology will be applied to the ELF’s entire video library ensuring all archive content is available instantly at the click of a button, creating endless storytelling opportunities. WSC Sports' award-winning AI solutions will enable the ELF to create and distribute a range of video content around its 107 games this season. This content will serve football fans across the globe via the ELF’s over-the-top streaming platform and social media channels, which already count hundreds of thousands of followers and millions of views. "The potential seems almost infinite, and we are very happy to have secured such an innovative partner,” said Zeljko Karajica, CEO of the European League of Football. Founded in 2020, the ELF is a professional American football league featuring 17 teams from nine nations - including Austria, Czech Republic, France, Germany, Hungary, Italy, Poland, Spain, and Switzerland - with plans to expand to 24 teams by 2025. One newcomer for the 2024 season has already been confirmed with Madrid becoming the 18th location of the continental football league. "The European League of Football is one of the fastest-growing competitions in sports and we are delighted to partner with them to help extend their popularity through our AI-powered content production," said Daniel Shichman, CEO of WSC Sports. "Our tech is proven to play a key role in enabling leagues, clubs, and rights holders to grow their audiences, increase engagement levels and generate more content-related revenue streams. " The ELF is the latest sports rights owner to collaborate with WSC Sports, joining a portfolio of over 300 leagues and broadcast partners across the globe, including the NBA, ESPN, YouTubeTV, Bundesliga, LaLiga, Serie A, and DAZN. In 2023, the company has already announced long-term agreements with ATP Media, Deutsche Telekom and Dyn Media, respectively. > WSC Sports and Televisaunivision announce a partnership to deliver short and long form highlights to soccer fans in the US and Mexico. - Published: 2023-05-31 - Modified: 2026-02-04 - URL: https://wsc-sports-dev.ltu.co.il/blog/news/televisaunivision-to-utilize-wsc-sports-ai-powered-platform/ - Categories: News - Tags: PR USA & LATAM Partnership kicked-off during 2022 FIFA World Cup and will continue generating engaging and personalized video content for TelevisaUnivision’s digital properties across Mexico and the United States. WSC Sports, the global leader in artificial intelligence (AI) powered video content, and TelevisaUnivision, the world’s leading Spanish-language media and content company, today announced a long-term partnership. TelevisaUnivision will utilize WSC Sports’ AI video solution to generate sport highlights for 15 soccer related properties to which TelevisaUnivision owns rights between Mexico and the United States. WSC Sports’ technology will be used to analyze soccer games from TelevisaUnivision in real-time, clip highlights of all the matches, and create both short- and long-form content in real time that is customizable for every type of fan. The content generated with WSC Sports’ technology will be distributed among TelevisaUnivision’s digital outlets including OTT service ViX, along with TelevisaUnivision’s social media platforms, apps, and more. The partnership, a unique cross border deal which builds upon WSC Sports’ growing presence in Latin America, began during the 2022 FIFA World Cup when TelevisaUnivision utilized WSC Sports’ technology. During the tournament, 19. 6 million people chose TelevisaUnvision's World Cup streaming production on ViX to watch 40 matches all assisted by WSC Sports' artificial intelligence technology. TelevisaUnivision secured rights to air 40 of the 64 2022 FIFA World Cup games in Mexico on both linear television and ViX. "After powering the incredibly engaging video content that TelevisaUnivision produced for fans during the 2022 FIFA World Cup, we could not be more excited to officially announce the multi-year partnership between WSC Sports and TelevisaUnivision. Soccer fans are some of the most passionate sports fans in the world and soccer fans in Mexico take passion to another level, which is why we are proud to fuel TelevisaUnivision’s video content offerings for these dedicated fans,” said Aviv Arnon, Chief Business Development Officer at WSC Sports. In this multi-year partnership, TelevisaUnivision will utilize WSC Sports’ technology to generate content during upcoming seasons of Liga MX, the UEFA Champions League, among others, for broadcasting television network TUDN, and more. For more information on WSC Sports, visit wsc-sports. com. For more information on TelevisaUnivision, visit televisaunivision. com. > Learn how the ACCDN (ACC Digital Network) is using new technology to tell better stories and capture fans' attention. - Published: 2023-05-17 - Modified: 2026-02-26 - URL: https://wsc-sports-dev.ltu.co.il/blog/customer-spotlight/how-the-accdn-uses-ai-to-increase-fan-engagement/ - Categories: Customer Spotlight With college sports drawing in fervent fans from every corner of the globe, the need for diverse and engaging content has become more vital than ever. These audiences crave a deep connection with their beloved teams and star athletes, and it is up to both organizations and the conferences themselves to provide enough content to quench their thirst. Organizations must be constantly seeking out new technologies to capture eyeballs, tell engaging stories, and elevate the fan experience to unparalleled heights. Innovation is no longer a nice-to-have. It’s a necessity for survival. Few understand this better than Executive Producer and General Manager of the ACC Digital Network (ACCDN), Matt Carstens. After cutting his teeth for over a decade at ESPN and Intersport, Matt has amassed a deep understanding of the ever-evolving sports media landscape. He’s spent the bulk of his career seeking new ways of engaging fans and implementing cohesive digital strategies to transform the way they experience their favorite sports. The evolution of ACCDN has been no different. At the start of his ACCDN tenure in 2009, short-form content was supreme. Content strategies were built primarily around churning out 30-second to four-minute short-form video for social platforms and websites. And while this is still very much needed, long-form video has since emerged as a key piece of the puzzle. YouTube is now one of the ACC Digital Network’s fastest-growing channels, with nearly 285,000 subscribers. On YouTube alone, ACCDN pumps out an average of 250 videos per month, generating over 750,000 hours of viewership. Matt credits a large part of this growth to the ACCDN’s partnership with WSC Sports. Owned and operated by Raycom Sports in partnership with the ACC, the ACC Digital Network holds the broad digital rights to use all ACC footage on digital platforms as soon as the game ends. Gaining the ability to give fans their preferred choice of content immediately once the live coverage concludes is a large competitive advantage. By increasing both content output and quality, WSC Sports helps the ACCDN deliver fans exactly the content they want to consume, right when they want it. "Consumers have more choice than ever. And if you’re not putting it out there for them to get it, they’re going to go and move on to something else,” he said. “Some fans want quick game recaps, others want beefier, eight to twelve minute condensed games, and everyone always wants to see individual highlights,” he said. “So what we’ve tried to do is give them all of it and let the fans choose what they’d like to consume. ” Although much of the future of sports media is still unwritten, Matt is certain of one thing: There will always be a new platform to conquer. “They listen to their partners and they’re also proactively evolving their technology at the same time. The product is ever-improving. ” As for what the next trend is, Matt believes that data-driven technology will continue to have a major impact on both sports programming and in-game action, leading to more personalized and engaging fan experiences. But even as AI and other innovative technologies become more powerful, Matt is doubling down on the importance of human oversight in the content creation process. "We feel that our best products are coming out when we’re blending AI and other technologies with the human brain and the human touch to finish them. We’ve kept that mentality so far, and will continue to do so as new technologies emerge. ” This article originally appeared in Front Office Sports. - Published: 2023-05-11 - Modified: 2026-02-04 - URL: https://wsc-sports-dev.ltu.co.il/blog/sports-content-kings-podcast/changing-the-game-with-ice-cube/ - Categories: Podcast On the sixth episode of Sports Content Kings, Aviv and Shaka Arnon from WSC Sports are joined by hip-hop legend, actor, and CEO of the BIG3, Ice Cube. In the episode, Cube talks about starting a league from scratch, how he’s incorporated technology to engage fans and reach new audiences, and what his plans are for the future. As a sports fan himself, once the NBA Finals came to an end, Cube didn’t pay any attention to sports until the start of the NFL season in the fall—that was his motivation for creating the BIG3. Now, with a month to go before the start of the league’s sixth season, Cube and his partner, Jeff Kwatinetz, are tasked with raising the league’s profile and getting more eyeballs on the games. To start, Ice Cube gives credit to the team around him, including Amy Trask, (former CEO of the Oakland Raiders), and the CEO of the BIG3 during its inaugural season, for having decades of experience working with broadcasters, athletes, and sponsors, and bringing that know-how to the BIG3. Additionally, he talks about some of the things that they’ve done to differentiate the league from traditional basketball to make it more exciting for the fans; like the addition of the four-point shot, a shorter shot clock, and hour-long (or shorter) game times. "Even the stuff that we’re doing with our NFT’s, giving fans real utilities and a way to experience the game at an owner’s level—it’s something cool and creative that us, coming from the entertainment world, understand a difference. ”Speaking on the future of the league, there’s a lot in store for fans of the BIG3, including new experiences designed to bring fans closer to their favorite teams and players. Part of that has been offering fans a direct stake in the teams by allowing them to be partial owners via NFT’s. There’s also an initiative to find a home-city and ownership for all BIG3 teams, and eventually, plans to go international. Challenges between teams from different countries and a potential worldwide tournament—The Big Cup—are two things that are on the table for Ice Cube, so stay tuned to catch what’s new this season, and in the seasons to come. For updates and news, you can follow the league on BIG3. com, the BIG3 app, Discord, and the BIG3 YouTube channel, and follow Ice Cube on Instagram and Twitter. > Hear from the heads of ESPN, Fox Sports, NBC Sports, and WSC Sports, as they discuss what may happen in the industry in the next few years. - Published: 2023-04-28 - Modified: 2026-02-04 - URL: https://wsc-sports-dev.ltu.co.il/blog/industry-insights/discussing-the-sports-media-landscape-and-what-may-happen-by-2030/ - Categories: Industry Insights - Tags: Events In April, more than 800 leaders from the sports industry convened at the World Congress of Sports, hosted by SBJ and CAA. The prestigious event took place at the Marriott Hotel in Downtown Los Angeles, and was attended by league officers, team owners and presidents, corporate sponsors and advertisers, media executives and agency heads. At the event, WSC Sports Co-founder and Chief Business Development Officer, Aviv Arnon, joined an esteemed panel to discuss the future of the sports media landscape with NBC Sports President of Programming, Rick Cordella, ESPN President of Programming and Original Content, Burke Magnus, and Fox Sports President and COO, Mark Silverman. Watch the full 30-minute session here. The panel discussed the differences between linear and streaming services, and the strategies that they’ve employed in both of those areas. Interestingly, despite a general decline in TV ratings and an increase in the number of consumers “cutting the cord”, the panelists touched on the fact that when it comes to sports, linear ratings are at an all-time high. Still, the need to diversify into multiple channels is imperative. The guys also touched on the decline of regional networks and expressed optimism that things will straighten out and improve for both the teams and the fans, amidst a backdrop of what has proven to be an extremely challenging year for many RSN’s. Closing the session, moderator John Ourand asked the group which sport has the highest potential for growth—to which most panelists agreed that women’s sports is extremely appealing from a numbers perspective, citing a marked increase in interest over the last few years. As a company that works with over 300 rights holders worldwide, including many owners of women’s sports rights, that prediction is in line with WSC Sports’ own research. Digging into our platform usage data from the past year, we saw that the number of videos our clients created around women’s sports grew by 200%. While fan engagement (views, likes, and comments on social media) went up by over 1,000%, proving that the gap between the exposure of men’s and women’s sports is shrinking, and that there’s much more to be seen from women’s competitions in the future. > Dyn Media will use WSC Sports' AI-powered platform to create content and highlights around it's sports properties and deliver them to German fans. - Published: 2023-04-27 - Modified: 2026-02-04 - URL: https://wsc-sports-dev.ltu.co.il/blog/news/wsc-sports-selected-to-provide-ai-powered-content-for-dyn-medias-new-streaming-service/ - Categories: News - Tags: PR EMEA WSC Sports, the global leader in artificial intelligence (AI) powered sports video content, is partnering with new German streaming challenger brand Dyn Media to deliver content for its new over-the-top (OTT) streaming platform. Dyn has chosen WSC Sports’ technology to automatically create and distribute real-time video content and highlights directly to the new OTT platform, and its associated social media channels. Dyn Media, a new challenger in the German sports streaming market led by former DFL executives Christian Seifert and Andreas Heyden, will launch an OTT service later this year creating a new destination for sports fans in Germany and for the German speaking region. "As we prepare to launch the Dyn OTT platform, we are committed to working with the very best partners to provide a content experience that matches the enthusiasm our fans have for their favorite sports, Along with creating and distributing content at scale, WSC Sports’ technology will enable Dyn Media to deliver a truly personalized fan experience by customizing and tailoring highlights and videos for every type of fan. “Dyn Media is disrupting the German sports media landscape and we are excited to be partners on this journey. We have a shared belief that high-quality content and coverage helps generate passion amongst fans and helps broaden sports’ audience. Dyn’s innovative OTT offering - assisted by the unparalleled volume of real-time content our technology provides - will bring fans even closer to the sports they love,” said Aviv Arnon, Chief Business Development Officer at WSC Sports. With the mission of revolutionizing the way sports video content is generated and consumed, the partnership with Dyn Media further establishes WSC Sports’ impact in the global media landscape, with existing partnerships including ESPN, WB Discovery, ZDF and DAZN. - Published: 2023-04-26 - Modified: 2026-02-04 - URL: https://wsc-sports-dev.ltu.co.il/blog/sports-content-kings-podcast/sports-content-kings-evolving-how-fans-consume-sports/ - Categories: Podcast On the fifth episode of Sports Content Kings, Aviv and Shaka are joined by Mark Walker, Head of Business Development and Innovation at ESPN. A trained engineer turned lawyer, he’s found himself at the crossroads of media and technology for the past few decades, starting first in the music industry and later in entertainment as a Senior Vice President at Disney. Today, Mark is tasked with creating products and experiences that meet the needs and expectations of modern sports fans. As the worldwide leader in the space, Mark says that it’s his team’s responsibility to do just that—lead the industry with cutting edge solutions that deliver fans what they want. He talks about personalization and how it can be used to improve ESPN’s fantasy product, which is inherently unique to every user. “Imagine that every Monday morning you get your own mini Sportscenter-cast that’s a reflection of the picks you made in fantasy... . I think it enhances the entire experience of sports consumption. ” Mark goes on to explain how fandom has changed over the past few decades. Fans aren’t just into their local teams and players anymore. The rise of social media and connectivity has generated a new kind of interest in sports that extends beyond the hometown team. “I have a son that was born and raised in Los Angeles, went to high school in New York, and he’s a Milwaukee Bucks fan. He’s never been to Milwaukee before, but you know, Giannis is his idol. ” Another thing that Mark and his team are working on is how to incorporate betting into the ESPN offering. Now that it’s been legalized in 33 US states, it’s something that fans are excited about and creates an entirely new level of interest in games. The task at hand is how to take this thing that’s been in the dark, and turn it into something that’s light and fun. Technically speaking, there’s also a challenge of how to make it accessible and integrated in a way that’s easy to use for fans of all ages. Looking towards the future, Mark talks about bringing the magic of the movies into sports—potentially using CGI, non-live filming environments, and utilizing AI to generate content and voice-over talent. In the months and years to come, fans can expect a host of cool, new experiences to look forward to from the worldwide leader in sports. > Learn how the NBL and WSC Sports have partnered together to create engaging and personalized digital content for sports fans. - Published: 2023-04-24 - Modified: 2026-02-26 - URL: https://wsc-sports-dev.ltu.co.il/blog/customer-spotlight/long-term-partner-wsc-sports-helps-to-drive-nbls-digital-transformation/ - Categories: Customer Spotlight - Tags: Case Studies, Thought Leadership National Basketball League commissioner, Jeremy Loeliger, explains how a long-running partnership with WSC Sports has played a central role in the Australian competition’s digital growth strategy. Digital transformation has helped to inspire the resurgence of Australia’s National Basketball League (NBL) over recent years, engaging new generations in a competition that now enjoys a stellar reputation across the basketball world. Indeed, Jeremy Loeliger, who was the league’s chief executive for just over four years before becoming commissioner in 2019, has overseen growth across numerous metrics, with the action reaching more eyeballs, and a younger audience, than ever before. For example, the total attendance across NBL games was more than 984,000 over the course of the 2022-23 season—the highest for 27 years. A record 67,811 fans attended the five-game championship series between the Sydney Kings and the New Zealand Breakers, with the deciding game at Sydney’s Qudos Bank Arena attracting 18,124 fans—a record for a single NBL fixture. These tangible results have also been replicated away from the competition venues, thanks to an increasing focus on younger fans, particularly via digital channels, that have been supported by expert providers like WSC Sports. Scalability The technology provider, which enables sports rights-holders to generate personalized, automated content such as highlights in real time, began collaborating with the NBL, its first partner in the Asia-Pacific region, back in 2016. The relationship has allowed the league to take a streamlined and impactful approach to its digital content strategy—a considerable challenge given the sheer volume of games. As well as the top-tier NBL, the partnership covers NBL1, Australia’s semi-professional league, which comprises five conferences for men’s and women’s teams. “Streamlined processes and less manual labor involved in creating quality content has had a direct and immediate impact on our bottom line,” Loeliger told SportBusiness. “Having resources freed up from having to tag and edit content on the fly has allowed those staff to be more creative in the way the content WSC serves up is presented across our digital and social channels for the NBL. “NBL1 was a whole new kettle of fish for us–we couldn’t have scaled the way we have so quickly without WSC Sports. We stream roughly 1,600 games each season for NBL1, with all those games now featuring automated highlights, mini-games and full-game replays published to our digital products without any staff member clicking a button. “At times there could be close to 70 games in one night, and WSC Sports allows the team to spotlight the best moments from any game at any given time, which has resulted in significant growth across our social media platforms and most importantly a better, more timely experience for our fans. ” Resources By Loeliger’s own admission, the NBL’s digital and content team is relatively modest in terms of its size. However, with WSC Sports’ support, they can concentrate on the “intangible creative and human elements” that drive the league’s social media campaigns. In addition, the NBL has become a trusted source of meaningful feedback for WSC Sports, with the league often experimenting with new products developed by the company. So far, the technology provider’s products and services have been used across the NBL, NBL1, 3×3 Hustle events and now by NBL Oz Gaming, a new NBA 2K League esports franchise. The NBL is also currently undertaking a major database project to build out its automated CRM processes. Loeliger explains that this data will, in time, integrate with WSC Sports to provide fans with a “hyper-personalized” experience to give them the content they want. It forms part of the league’s plans to better communicate with fans and understand their habits—at home and abroad. For instance, the NBL’s Next Stars programme features highlights of future NBA Draft picks in action on Twitter and YouTube, building hype and anticipation around their debut in the sport’s number-one league in North America. “Additionally, international players like Kai Sotto in the Philippines and Zhou Qi in China have driven a need to deliver their specific highlights and content to broadcasters and media in their respective home markets, which WSC Sports allows us to do very efficiently,” Loeliger says. Viewing habits The NBL has domestic media-rights deals with pay-television broadcasters ESPN and Foxtel, media group News Corp Australia, and free-to-air broadcaster Network Ten. Last year, the league bolstered its overseas media coverage, with subscription broadcaster DAZN acquiring rights across Europe and Canada. “Our TikTok following has now surpassed our Instagram following, and we have also recently surpassed the AFL’s TikTok account. ” The growing appeal of platforms like TikTok that provide short snippets of content tallies with broader viewing habits. Research has shown that in the US, for example, most 18 to 34-year-old NBA fans now prefer to watch highlights rather than full games, with nearly half of 35 to 49-year-olds saying the same. While viewership of the NBL’s full-game coverage continues to increase “significantly” year-on-year, the growing appetite for shorter-form content cannot be ignored. “We have seen a consistent increase in the popularity of ‘Condensed Games’ or ‘Mini Games’ that sit around 10 to 12 minutes in duration—so considerably longer than traditional game highlights, allowing the fan to get a better sense of the story around the game,” Loeliger says. “We provide this content to one of our broadcast partners, Kayo (Foxtel), who have seen significant growth in viewership on NBL Minis over the past two seasons. ” More broadly, the ongoing challenge – as is the case for rights-holders across the industry – is to adapt to the demands of digitally savvy younger fans who are craving customized experiences on devices of their choice. “Greater personalization will be prioritized as we look to cater to the fan first in everything we do,” Loeliger concludes. This article was originally featured in SportBusiness. - Published: 2023-04-17 - Modified: 2026-02-04 - URL: https://wsc-sports-dev.ltu.co.il/blog/news/wsc-sports-wins-the-award-for-ai-ml-curation-of-sports-highlights-at-the-tech-emmy-awards/ - Categories: News - Tags: Award Wins At the 74th Technology & Engineering Emmy® Awards, WSC Sports took home the trophy for 'AI-ML Curation of Highlights'. The Technology & Engineering Emmy® Awards are given for developments in engineering technologies that either represent an extensive improvement on existing methods, or inventions that are so wildly innovative that they've materially affected television. A committee of highly qualified engineers working in television considers technical developments in the industry and determines which, if any, merit an award. WSC Sports was an honoree in this year’s award as the developer of an AI-powered platform that enables sports media rights holders to generate and distribute customized video highlights automatically and in real-time. Aviv Arnon, Co-Founder & Chief Business Development Officer at WSC Sports, Receiving the Emmy® Award. Content teams from the biggest names in sports, including the NBA, ESPN, NHL, DAZN (and more than 300 others), utilize the WSC Sports platform to automatically generate any type of customized video, suitable for each and every platform, without the need for extensive manual work. This caters to the desires of modern sports fans, who want to consume more content, with greater levels of personalization, on a variety of platforms as close to real time as possible. “The Technology & Engineering Emmy Award was the first Emmy Award issued in 1949 and it laid the groundwork for all the other Emmys to come,” said Adam Sharp, CEO & President, NATAS. “We are extremely happy about honoring these prestigious individuals and companies, again in partnership with NAB, where the intersection of innovation, technology and excitement in the future of television can be found. ” Other winners in the 'AI-ML curation of Sports Highlights' category included Comcast, YouTube TV (Google), and IBM. WSC Sports was also previously a shortlisted finalist at the 2022 Sports Emmy® Awards in the category for 'Outstanding Digital Innovation' that focused on a collaboration with the PGA Tour during the 2021 Player's Championship. - Published: 2023-03-26 - Modified: 2026-02-26 - URL: https://wsc-sports-dev.ltu.co.il/blog/customer-spotlight/how-clemson-university-is-rewriting-the-collegiate-sports-media-playbook/ - Categories: Customer Spotlight College sports media has come a long way since the days of grainy highlight reels and regional broadcasts. With fans increasingly turning to social media and streaming services for their sports fix, universities are constantly looking for new ways to innovate and meet the needs of modern sports fans. Whereas press releases and static websites were once the gold standard, we now live in an age of abundance where the internal demand for content stretches far beyond a teams’ regular season in-game highlights. Similar to athletes’ training schedules, creating content is a year-round job. Few understand this better than Clemson’s Associate AD of Athletic Communications and Strategic Initiatives, Jeff Kallin. Clemson now serves as a case study for other power five universities looking to employ content as a growth lever. First starting as an equipment manager in 2007, Jeff has spent over 15 years climbing the ranks of the Clemson back office, leaving his imprint on the communications strategy for nearly every Clemson sports team along the way. He now leads a team of five full-time and three graduate assistants responsible for publicity, media relations, and content for all 21 Clemson sports teams, collaborating with key leaders like Director of Athletics Graham Neff, Deputy AD Kevin White, CMO Kosha Irby, Associate AD of Creative Solutions Kevin Richarson and Assistant AD of Fan Experience Jaclyn Roh to champion the growth of Clemson Athletics. Through consistent content output, obtaining full ownership of its multimedia rights, and launching its own OTT streaming service, Clemson+, Clemson has built one of the most engaged fan bases in the country. Powered by their willingness to experiment with new technologies and workflows, Clemson now serves as a case study for other power five universities looking to employ content as a growth lever for fan engagement, sponsorships, and recruiting. A key part of this growth, says Kallin, has been Clemson’s relationship with WSC Sports. A leader in AI sports video technology, WSC Sports helps global sports organizations like the NBA, NHL, and YouTube TV quickly generate personalized sports video content, while increasing its reach and providing new monetization opportunities. Since the company’s inception in 2013, over 300 companies and organizations have used WSC Sports’ AI-powered platform to create real-time automated video highlights, responsible for driving hundreds of billions of impressions across all platforms. Over the last two years, WSC Sports has played an integral role in streamlining the content and storytelling for the entire Clemson athletic department. In addition to high-visibility sports like football and basketball, volleyball, soccer, baseball, and softball are all on the horizon. To amplify their players’ efforts, Clemson has leaned heavily into influencer marketing, empowering the student-athletes with content to use across their personal social media accounts. In the last year alone, Clemson delivered over 100,000 pieces of content to student athletes. Using WSC Sports’ INFLCR integration, Clemson plans to exponentially increase this number, automatically publishing highlights directly into their student athletes’ INFLCR app library, for them to use as they wish. But the biggest benefit of Clemson’s partnership with WSC Sports is the productivity and efficiency gains. Eliminating the need for manual video editing frees up ample time for Kallin’s team to focus on higher-level tasks. “We can filter by all of Amir Sims’ three-pointers in the second half of games over a specific date range, and it can automatically pull it. With our Clemson+ stream, we can boil the entire game down to an eight-minute clip automatically, rather than somebody watching that game and doing manual cuts,” he said. “ also can analyze announcer audio to mark plays with three, four, and five-star ratings for us to filter by. Just really smart stuff. ” As for what the future holds, Jeff and his team plan to keep their foot on the gas, upping their content output while being strategic about which channels and platforms to target. As social media platforms move away from chronological prioritization and place more of an emphasis on great content, it’s more important than ever to give in-game content life beyond the moment. “We’ve learned that just because we’ve posted something once doesn’t mean it has reached our entire target audience, so we need to capitalize on the moment and find ways to make cool plays relevant in the future,” he said. “Athletic departments have staff dedicated to covering a set number of events per year, but coaches and recruits expect coverage year-round, so this 365-day approach is a challenge, but ultimately a good thing. ” If you're interested in learning more about the WSC Sports platform, book a demo now. This article originally appeared in Front Office Sports. - Published: 2023-03-21 - Modified: 2026-02-04 - URL: https://wsc-sports-dev.ltu.co.il/blog/sports-content-kings-podcast/sports-content-kings-innovation-around-hockey-viewership-and-fandom/ - Categories: Podcast On the fourth episode of Sports Content Kings, Aviv and Shaka are joined by Dave Lehanski, EVP of Business Development and Innovation at the NHL. As the NHL’s EVP of Business Development and Innovation for the past 18 years, Dave Lehanski has been navigating the league through a complete technological change. Back when he first started, the league had been operating much like they had been throughout the 80s, 90s, and early 2000s. They had their own IP and content, they’d rely on third parties to license it out, and focus most of their resources on drawing fans into live games. But that was before the rise of social media, and before everyone had a smartphone in their pocket. In the decades that followed, Dave and his team have been at the helm of incorporating some of the most advanced sports technologies available in order to better the fan experience and make the game as good as possible for the players, coaches, and officials. A huge part of the technological evolution has been the league’s unique puck and player tracking system. In every arena, a system of 14 to 16 infrared cameras track sensors that are located in the pucks and on the players’ jerseys in order to generate data for teams, media, and fans. Since implementation, it’s allowed the NHL to provide real-time data on things like ice time, possession time, shot location, and what chance a player has at winning a face-off. Beyond data and analytics, Dave said he’s spending a lot of time thinking about how he can incorporate the NHL into the metaverse. Specifically, he mentions Roblox, Minecraft, and Fortnite, noting the sheer amount of players that are drawn to those games and how that could be an intriguing collaboration. At the end of the day, it’s Dave’s job to understand what fans want and to deliver that to them—and nothing’s off the table. Whether that’s AR, VR, minting their own NFTs, or providing in-arena highlights and replays, there’s sure to be a lot of new, exciting innovations on tap from the NHL. Dave promises that there’s a few surprises in store during the months ahead, so if you haven’t tuned in yet this season, be sure to check out a game and see first-hand how the NHL is pioneering the way that advanced technology can enhance the live and home viewing experience. > When it comes to highlights there's nothing like the NBA All-Star Game. We dug into the data to see just how much content was created. - Published: 2023-02-23 - Modified: 2026-02-04 - URL: https://wsc-sports-dev.ltu.co.il/blog/industry-insights/maximizing-content-from-an-event-full-of-highlights/ - Categories: Industry Insights This year's NBA All-Star Weekend hit record number views cross social and digital platforms. Since its inception in 1951, the NBA All-Star game has always been about one thing—the fans. At a time when attendance was down, the league decided to host an exhibition game between the best 12 players from each conference. After drawing a crowd of over 10,000 (nearly three times the league’s regular season average), the game has since become a perennial fixture on the NBA calendar and a must-see event for fans. But a lot’s changed in the past 70 years. For one, more people are tuning in to social media to catch highlights and short-form clips of the events as opposed to watching the full, live broadcast. In fact, TV viewership of the NBA All-Star game is down by nearly 50% over the past twenty years. It’s not that the NBA is doing anything wrong. In fact, declining viewership of all-star games is consistent across all four major US sports leagues. But the NBA has proven to be vanguards at mastering the art of social media—so while TV numbers may be down, views on social media are through the roof. Just check out this stat on social media viewership from this year’s All-Star Weekend. In terms of engagement and followers, the NBA is leading the pack when it comes to creating engaging content, and the rest of the industry is taking note. It’s no secret that sports viewing habits are changing and that fans want more access to short-form content and highlights before, during, and after games. Part of this evolution means that leagues, teams, and broadcasters need to publish a lot of content to get fans’ attention and drive them to their owned and operated platforms—like websites, apps, live broadcasts, and OTT services—in order to gather data from fans which can be used for targeted ads, selling subscriptions, merchandise, and more. To get an idea of just how much content is being published from NBA action, we dug into data from all of our clients broadcasting the league’s games, and found that as of the All-Star break during the 2022-23 season, LeBron James already had over 9,000 published highlight videos. That’s an average of 225 per game! But if you thought LeBron was leading the league with the most highlights, you might be surprised. Luka Doncic and Giannis Antetokounmpo hold the top two spots, which might have something to do with their international appeal. While certainly household names in the United States, they also command astounding fan bases in their home countries and all over Europe, having played abroad before joining the NBA. Personalizing Content to Drive Engagement One way that rights holders can increase engagement is by delivering content and highlights to targeted audiences. More specifically, that could be segmenting different groups by their geographic location or preferred broadcast language and then serving them that content accordingly. At an event hosted by WSC Sports, the NBA's Head of Content and Original Programming, Andrew Yaffe, discussed the great results they've seen from capturing things like every made basket by a player from France, and then delivering that to a French audience. As a fan, who wouldn't prefer to consume their favorite content in their native language? Spotlight on All-Star Weekend 2023 Huge events like the All-Star game provide ample opportunity and a perfect environment to create really great, engaging content. With so much going on, social media was buzzing with highlights and clips from the weekend's various events including the slam dunk and 3-point contests, All-Star Celebrity game, Jordan Rising Stars tournament, and the 72nd Annual All-Star game. This year, three of our clients broadcast the All-Star game, so we thought we'd take a look at the data to cast a light on how they told the story through highlights. Perhaps unsurprisingly, Jayson Tatum's record-breaking 55 points helped him earn first place when it came to the having the most highlights published. The Highlight of the Weekend While the 72nd annual All-Star Game had no shortage of electrifying dunks, without question the biggest success from the weekend in terms of viewership and engagement was the AT&T Slam Dunk Contest. Adding to the drama was the fact that winner, Mac McClung, had just been called up from the G-League and signed by the Philadelphia 76ers. The contest, which in the past featured some of the league's most iconic highlights like Michael Jordan's dunk from the free-throw line and Vince Carter's historic performance in 2000, got over 520 million views in just the first 12 hours. When it comes down to it, sometimes it helps to have inherently viral content in your bag. So to sign-off on this year's festivities, we leave you with this compilation of Mac McClung's memorable performance, which is sure to rack up tens millions of more views in the months ahead. Here's to hopefully seeing him defend his title in 2024 in Indiana. > Learn how WSC Sports is helping BYU Athletics by delivering real-time highlights, boosting engagement, and empowering student-athletes. - Published: 2023-02-23 - Modified: 2026-02-04 - URL: https://wsc-sports-dev.ltu.co.il/blog/news/wsc-sports-and-brigham-young-university-athletics-partner-to-service-highlights-to-byu-properties-and-student-athletes/ - Categories: News The partnership brings real-time highlights to BYU Athletics platforms and empowers BYU student-athletes to use sports highlights content to build personal brands. WSC Sports, the global leader in AI-powered video content, and Brigham Young University (BYU) Athletics today announced they have been collaborating to deliver real-time highlights across BYU Athletics platforms. WSC Sports’ cloud-based AI-powered solution analyzes games live and automatically creates and distributes highlights to BYU channels, including BYUcougars. com, the BYU Gameday app, BYU athletics social media accounts, and directly to BYU student-athletes for use in personal brand building. “In the NIL era, it is essential for both student athletes and the university’s athletic departments to utilize every opportunity to build their brands, and we are thrilled to be working with BYU to empower their athletes by providing them with their own highlights,” said Aviv Arnon, Chief Business Development Officer at WSC Sports. “In only a few months, we have already seen the impact our technology has had on the athletic department. BYU is a shining example of the impact our technology can have in college sports and we are excited to see where this collaboration can take us. ” WSC Sports’ product has generated more than 500 content pieces for BYU Football since its integration in September 2022 and delivered more than 200 pieces of content directly to BYU student athletes since January 1, 2023. Since implementing WSC Sports’ technology for its Football, Men's Basketball, and Women’s Basketball Programs, BYU has seen a 120% increase in engagement across YouTube, Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter platforms and generated more than $300,000 worth of branded content using the WSC Sports' technology in just six months. "Having immediate access to their own content has opened up an entirely new field of opportunities for our athletes and this technology is an invaluable resource for BYU Athletics. Athletic Departments are notoriously lean and WSC’s tools have enabled our staff to service and provide personalized content to more teams and student-athletes at a volume that would simply not be possible without WSC," Hutchins added. This partnership is an initial step in WSC Sports’ effort to empower student athletes to join in the creator economy in the Name, Image, and Likeness (NIL) era. WSC’s technology will allow all college athlete creators, whether they are the top recruit or a walk-on, to build their personal brands, develop a foothold in the exponentially growing NIL marketplace, and expand their audiences to eventually create monetizable content. BYU and WSC Sports will continue to work together in hopes of providing additional athletic programs with these services. > The Swedish Women's Hockey League partners with WSC Sports to scale highlights production and reach more fans. - Published: 2023-02-21 - Modified: 2026-02-04 - URL: https://wsc-sports-dev.ltu.co.il/blog/news/swedish-womens-hockey-league-partners-with-wsc-sports/ - Categories: News - Tags: PR EMEA The Swedish Women’s Hockey League (SDHL), the world’s leading women’s ice hockey competition, today announced a partnership with WSC Sports, the global leader in AI sports video technology, to grow the profile of women's hockey using WSC Sports’ platform. With the popularity of the sport on the rise, the move comes as a strategic one. It will enable the SDHL to scale its content production and distribution to show off the elite level of play to a rapidly growing global fanbase. All future games will be analyzed and indexed as the action unfolds on the ice by WSC Sports’ proprietary machine learning algorithms. Both short and long form video content featuring attention-grabbing moments will then be automatically created and instantly shared across the league’s social media and web-based channels. As the popularity of our sport increases, and we see more and more young girls interested in our league, we view it as our responsibility to deliver the best possible content to them, and WSC Sports’ technology will allow us to do just that. ” Because the WSC Sports platform allows content to be created and delivered to fans based on their locale, the SDHL will also share highly-localized footage with clubs to ensure every fan has access to the content that appeals to them most. The content will be posted on social media, across the different clubs’ channels, providing a new way for teams to engage younger audiences, while also generating more exposure and excitement to the game as a whole. In addition to enhancing the viewing experience for established fans, the partnership will help the SDHL to attract new, and younger audiences. With more young girls starting to participate in hockey at an amateur level, they will have increased access to content that features some of the game’s biggest stars. “Sweden continues to show the rest of the world how it’s done when it comes to women’s sport, with leagues such as the SDHL showcasing plenty of skill, excitement and entertainment—regardless of gender. Ultimately, it’s the short moments of magic that create lifelong fans, and now these moments will be instantly clipped and shared at scale for new audiences to discover. We’re proud that SDHL will be using WSC Sports’ automated video technology to showcase the standout quality of women’s hockey to the masses,” Ido Ratzon, Business Development for WSC Sports, said. The SDHL is the latest elite ice hockey division to partner with WSC Sports. With Red Bull Munich in August and HockeyAllsvenskan in September, also deploying the AI-powered platform to share video highlights across their digital properties and on stadium screens during live events. > ATP Media, has partnered with WSC Sports, the leader in AI highlight creation, to support its scalable content creation and digital strategy. - Published: 2023-02-14 - Modified: 2026-02-04 - URL: https://wsc-sports-dev.ltu.co.il/blog/news/atp-media-partners-with-wsc-sports/ - Categories: News - Tags: PR Global ATP Media, the global broadcast production and distribution arm of the ATP Tour, has partnered with WSC Sports, the global leader in AI-powered video content, to support its scalable content creation and digital strategy. The collaboration will enhance ATP Media’s digital ecosystem and enable it to offer a range of new content solutions to its broadcasters, media rights partners, tournaments and players. ATP Media will utilize WSC Sports’ AI-powered technology to create an extensive catalogue of short and long-form highlights, as well as a wide range of videos that feature all the best action on the court, from any match and featuring any player across the ATP Tour. The organization will use the technology to capture highlights and other videos from more than 2,000 matches per year. WSC Sports-generated clips will be distributed in near-live across all ATP Media stakeholders including tournaments, players, broadcasters and media partners, and delivered to digital destinations including social media channels, websites, mobile apps and ATP Media’s direct-to-consumer OTT streaming service, Tennis TV. “ATP Media is constantly looking at how we can improve engagement and super-serve our fans. By partnering with WSC Sports, we can deliver even more exciting moments from our tournaments to millions of tennis fans all over the world, at speed and scale," he added. Recognizing the global footprint of ATP Media, the company will utilize the WSC Sports platform to create more personalized and localized content. Automated footage can be segmented by player nationality, to deliver localized content to highly targeted audiences. By serving fans content that features their favorite local players, ATP Media, its broadcasters and media rights partners can forge deeper connections with tennis fans all over the world. “We’re excited to partner with ATP Media and empower their digital strategy as they focus efforts on meeting the content needs of their fans worldwide. Our AI-powered technology is proving to be a game-changer for rights holders and broadcasters across the sports world as they seek to create more content than ever before and at greater speed and scale”, said Aviv Arnon, Co-Founder and CBDO, WSC Sports. In partnering with WSC Sports, ATP Media joins fellow tennis organizations such as the WTA and Tennis Australia, in addition to over 300 teams, leagues and broadcasters that are using the platform to automate their video production workflows. - Published: 2023-02-13 - Modified: 2026-02-04 - URL: https://wsc-sports-dev.ltu.co.il/blog/sports-content-kings-podcast/sports-content-kings-building-the-leagues-of-the-future/ - Categories: Podcast On the third episode of Sports Content Kings, Aviv and Shaka are joined by Dan Porter, CEO of Overtime. After a career as an educator, successfully starting and selling two tech companies, and later heading up the digital talent division at William Morris Endeavor, Dan Porter currently serves as the co-founder and CEO of Overtime, a sports media company focused on the next generation of sports fans. What started out as a grassroots collection of social channels turned into a massive network of sports content with an audience of over 50 million followers and two professional leagues—Overtime Elite (basketball) and OT7 (football). The leagues are built around top young athletes, and offer a new, alternative path to the pros whereby athletes can get paid to play and simultaneously receive an education that includes traditional academics, as well as subjects geared towards economic empowerment and money management. Attracted by Porter’s new business model which also offers a guaranteed salary, insurance, and scholarship funds—Overtime Elite has signed some of the top basketball talent in the US in just under two years. With the OT7 football league set to kick off during the summer of 2023, fans can expect to see a similar, high-level of competition. While starting two leagues from scratch might have seemed like a risk to some, for Dan, it was a natural evolution after solidifying his audience. Once the brand and following were secured, he had the tools in place to tell stories and generate interest in the leagues and players. After a massive funding round in 2022 led by Morgan Stanley and Liberty Media, but which also included investment from the likes of Jeff Bezos, Kevin Durant, and rapper Drake, there’s a lot more on the way from Overtime. In the meantime, you can catch Overtime Elite’s basketball games on Amazon Prime and across the brand’s collection of social channels (OTE). > Deutsche Telekom and WSC Sports announce a partnership to create and distribute automated highlights via WSC Sports' AI-powered platform. - Published: 2023-02-09 - Modified: 2026-02-04 - URL: https://wsc-sports-dev.ltu.co.il/blog/news/deutsche-telekom-wsc-sports-partnership/ - Categories: News - Tags: PR EMEA WSC Sports' platform has been used since summer 2022 to create 5,500 highlights from prestigious competitions like the FIFA World Cup, the 3rd league, women’s Bundesliga, German Ice Hockey League, and basketball Euroleague Deutsche Telekom is integrating a new solution from WSC Sports, the global leader in AI-powered video highlights, to broaden the reach and engagement of its sports content. The cloud based AI-powered solution which is being utilized by Deutsche Telekom’s TV and OTT services— MagentaTV and MagentaSport—analyzes games in real-time and automatically creates highlight snippets of the match. The clips are then automatically packaged with customized branding and instantly distributed to various internal and external digital platforms. "Our Magenta sports offering stands for top-class entertainment and content diversity. Technological innovations such as the platform from our partner WSC Sports enable us to play out our exclusive content faster and more efficiently, thus significantly increasing interest in the various sports," said Arnim Butzen, Head of TV at Deutsche Telekom. During the 2022 FIFA World Cup,Telekom was the fastest cable to produce and publish highlights in the German market just minutes after the end of the match thanks to the use of the platform software. "We’re very excited with the initial results of our collaboration with Telekom through 2022 and together we are exceeding the expectations of the modern sports fan across Europe,” said Aviv Arnon, Chief Business Development Officer at WSC Sports. “Integrating our leading AI Powered highlights solution into one of the largest telecommunications networks in Europe is a natural fit, and we are looking forward to further unlocking the full potential of Deutsche Telekom’s impressive portfolio of sports media rights”, Arnon added. > The European Volleyball Confederation (CEV), the governing body for volleyball in Europe, has partnered with WSC Sports, the global leader in AI-powered sports video content, to deliver real-time match highlights and a diverse offering of near-live video content, allowing CEV to bring the sport closer to the fans and reach new target audiences across its digital ecosystem. - Published: 2023-02-06 - Modified: 2026-02-04 - URL: https://wsc-sports-dev.ltu.co.il/blog/news/cev-partners-with-wsc-sports/ - Categories: News - Tags: PR EMEA The European Volleyball Confederation (CEV), the governing body for volleyball in Europe, to deliver real-time match highlights and a diverse offering of near-live video content, in effort to reach new audiences and bring fans closer to the sport. The three-year partnership will kick-off at the CEV Champions League Volley group phase and include CEV’s key tournaments including the CEV EuroVolley, CEV EuroBeachVolley, as well as all other sanctioned CEV Volleyball and Beach Volleyball competitions. “In addition to offering more content for the CEV’s digital ecosystem, our partnership with WSC will allow for all CEV Member Federations, clubs, players and our fans to relive the most exciting moments of our competitions and benefit from the creation of targeted content only moments after the actions occur on the court. We look forward to enhancing the digital experience of our entire European volleyball family with additional, must-see, highly entertaining content. We are thrilled to partner with the European Volleyball Confederation and be there for every key match of the growing sport for the next three years, European Volleyball features sensational plays in every match and tournament, and WSC Sports’ AI-powered video content will produce every highlight within moments to enhance the audience’s viewing experience with CEV. ” Said by Aviv Arnon, Chief Business Development Officer at WSC Sports. The partnership will allow for a more immersive experience for the exponentially growing online CEV fanbase, which has already surpassed 1. 2 million on social media channels and an additional 1 million official website and OTT Platform EuroVolley. TV users. - Published: 2023-01-31 - Modified: 2026-02-04 - URL: https://wsc-sports-dev.ltu.co.il/blog/industry-insights/wsc-sports-and-google-featured-on-the-unofficial-partner-podcast/ - Categories: Industry Insights VP of Growth, Vadim Drozdovski was a featured guest on The Unofficial Partner Podcast, alongside Google's Strategic Partner Development Manager, Marvin Brischke. The wide-ranging discussion focused on coverage of the 2022 FIFA World Cup and how WSC Sports’ AI-powered platform helped rights holders generate upwards of 61 million views on Google Search. During the tournament, WSC Sports supplied more than 20 national broadcasters—including SuperSport, NOS and TV2—the means to automatically capture key highlights and distribute them directly to the top-ranked position on Google Search as the action unfolded in real-time. Out of the total number of views, CTA's from ads featured within the content registered 20 million clicks, meaning that one in three people that watched one of the clips went on to consume more content on the broadcasters' native platforms. Check out some of the key takeaways from the conversation below, and listen to the full podcast. Fans’ habits are changing Consumer habits are changing. The way younger audiences consume content is evolving, as they shift away from watching full matches and instead opt to catch up on key moments close to live airing. They enjoy sharing and discussing the content with their friends. Even during live games, they tend to multitask and catch up on other content on second screens during important moments. Content consumption is evolving The move to digital has increased the availability and accessibility of content, with near live highlights available almost instantly on various official and non-official platforms. This change has resulted in a shift from a "scarcity economy" where having exclusive content alone can retain users, to an "attention economy" where effectively utilizing the content is crucial in the ongoing struggle for viewers’ attention. Accessibility is a revenue driver Retaining content behind paywalls is not a sustainable strategy in the digital age. Although dedicated fans may seek out the content, their numbers are dwindling and they consume less content than before. To effectively reach and engage a broader audience, rights holders must make content easily accessible at the right time and place. Google is an influential tool for shaping content consumption decisions. It's the most popular place where fans search for sports information. By providing relevant and engaging content through Google One Box, rights holders can tap into a largely untapped audience and drive value. OneBox is a valuable discovery touchpoint Google OneBox’s primary function is to answer questions, and sports fans ask a lot of questions about live sports events. By providing them with captivating content, rights holders can generate revenue (through advertising) from untapped demographics. This content can motivate users to progress from the discovery phase to taking action. Each near-live story highlight includes a call-to-action, encouraging users to download an app, sign up for a free trial, or purchase a subscription (to name just a few examples). Rights holders can also gather data about their potential target audience, not just the fans that arrive on their owned and operated platforms. The future is tailor-made As the demand for content discovery continues to grow, rights holders must be willing to adapt their strategies. This includes being open to sharing content beyond paywalls and utilizing their content to drive re-acquisition and monetization. The way in which content is distributed during and after games must also be tailored to meet the needs of users and maximize reach and performance. Additionally, delivering the right type of content (such as language-specific or tailored to different formats) will become crucial for success. As more ‘casual audiences’ enter the market, rights holders will need to explore alternative pricing models such as freemium options and ad-supported subscription tiers. - Published: 2023-01-25 - Modified: 2026-02-04 - URL: https://wsc-sports-dev.ltu.co.il/blog/sports-content-kings-podcast/sports-content-kings-enhancing-the-live-experience/ - Categories: Podcast On the second episode of Sports Content Kings, Aviv and Shaka are joined by Kathryn Cochrane, Senior Product Manager at YouTube TV. For years, cable and satellite providers have dictated the programming options to their customers. In 2017, YouTube set out to disrupt that model, with the launch of YouTube TV, a revolutionary streaming service offering more than 100 major broadcast and cable networks with a variety of add-ons allowing users to truly customize their TV experience. Kathryn Cochrane was part of the team that launched YouTube TV, and now manages the group focused on sports. In her role, she’s been tasked with innovating the space and making the viewing experience as engaging and delightful as possible for fans. So when it comes to innovation, what do some of YouTube TV’s unique experiences look like? First and foremost, the main priority is having the infrastructure in place that allows users to stream dozens of games at a time without having any availability or buffering issues, then it’s about adding all the bells and whistles. One popular feature that Kathryn and her team have created is the ability to catch up to live. For users who might be tuning in late to a game, YouTube TV provides four options—watch from the beginning, watch from a specific point, watch live, or “catch up to live” by viewing all the highlights that have happened so far. When it comes to adding features, Kathryn and her team spend a lot of time conducting research, including in-depth interviews to observe consumers interacting with the product. A huge challenge that the team had to overcome was spoilers. They noticed that oftentimes, users would simultaneously be watching the game and on their phone looking-up stats. In order to eliminate the need to go searching for additional information, YouTube TV features on-screen stats that don’t give away any information that may occur later in the game. Besides the on-screen features that make YouTube TV an attractive alternative to regular cable, the core of the offering is its flexibility. Whether that’s allowing users to view shortened versions of games, watch on multiple devices, or just making it easier to find their favorite shows and sporting events—count on YouTube TV to continue building a product that focuses on their most important asset: their customers. Note: After this episode was recorded, the NFL and Google announced a multi-year deal granting YouTube TV and YouTube Primetime Channels exclusive rights to distribute NFL Sunday Ticket to consumers in the US starting with the 2023 NFL season. - Published: 2023-01-18 - Modified: 2026-02-04 - URL: https://wsc-sports-dev.ltu.co.il/blog/industry-insights/the-importance-of-personalization-in-sports-providing-a-more-immersive-experience-for-fans/ - Categories: Industry Insights - Tags: Sports Content Kings Content personalization has become increasingly important in the sports industry, with platforms like TikTok leading the charge in providing personalized experiences for their users. Pete Scott, VP of Emerging Technology and Innovation at Warner Bros. Discovery, recently spoke about the success of TikTok and its personalized approach to content on the Sports Content Kings podcast by WSC Sports. He said that the platform's algorithm is a major factor in its ability to sort through the vast amount of content on the platform and deliver highly personalized experiences to users. This personalized approach to content has proven to be incredibly effective in engaging and retaining sports fans. By providing users with content that is tailored to their individual interests and preferences, rights holders can create a more immersive and enjoyable experience for their audiences. WSC Sports makes it easy for rights holders to improve their personalization capabilities. By automating content creation and distribution, rights holders gain the speed and scale to provide the right piece of content at the right time to a fan. An important development in sports organizations' efforts to personalize content for their fans is the use of data and analytics to gain a deeper understanding of their audience. By analyzing things like user behavior and demographics, sports organizations can create content that resonates with specific groups of fans within their audience. Another way to personalize content is by offering fans the ability to customize their experience. For example, a sports team could allow fans to select their favorite players or teams, and then provide them with personalized content based on those selections. In addition to creating a more engaging experience for fans, personalization can also help sports organizations increase revenue. By providing highly targeted content, sports organizations can effectively sell sponsorships, tickets, and merchandise to a specific audience, which increases revenue generating opportunities. Overall, content personalization is an essential part of the sports industry. By using data and analytics to understand their audience, and offering customized content, rights holders can create a more engaging experience for their fans. Want to learn more about Pete Scott's take on what's to come in sports content, including personalization? Check out the first episode of Sports Content Kings on Apple, Spotify, or your preferred listening platform. - Published: 2023-01-12 - Modified: 2026-02-04 - URL: https://wsc-sports-dev.ltu.co.il/blog/sports-content-kings-podcast/sports-content-kings-innovation-in-legacy-media-companies/ - Categories: Podcast On the debut episode of Sports Content Kings, Aviv and Shaka are joined by Pete Scott, VP of Emerging Media and Innovation at Warner Media. Having worked in sports production since the dawn of the internet, and witnessing every technological breakthrough along the way, Pete Scott is uniquely positioned to have an eye on the future while still maintaining an in-depth knowledge of the past—something that’s led him to his current role as VP of Emerging Media and Innovation at Warner Bros. Discovery. In his role, Pete has his finger on the pulse of everything new that’s happening in the industry. In the debut podcast episode of Sports Content Kings, Pete discusses the future of sports broadcasting with WSC Sports’ Aviv and Shaka Arnon. As the episode kicks off, Pete talks about getting his start in the early 90s. He describes an ‘aha’ moment the first time he saw streaming video at a conference in 2000—and having that same feeling shortly afterwards when he had a hand in streaming the first college sports event ever, a football game between the University of Nebraska and San Diego State. In a way, Pete’s experience streaming that game would foreshadow the current landscape of the sports media market. As the sole proprietors of the steaming link, Pete and his colleagues quickly realized that they had a golden ticket for Aztec and Cornhusker fans, resulting in thousands of phone calls from fans and bar owners who wanted access to stream the game. Flashforward to over two decades later, and juggernaut tech companies like Amazon and Apple have emerged on the scene spending fortunes on rights contracts that have the potential of attracting tens of millions of new customers to their vast technological ecosystems. Pete uses Amazon’s recent deal to broadcast Thursday Night Football as a prime example. At the end of the day, the question is who can produce the best quality product for the fans. So what are some of the things that Pete foresees happening that could change the way we watch sports and improve the fan experience? The first thing he mentions is a fundamental shift to low-latency solutions. Right now we’re all watching IP video that’s 25 seconds delayed, so he sees the transition to real-time streaming as a fundamental shift that will happen soon. The second thing he talks about is different versions of broadcasts; so that a fan can watch a game in a virtual setting with friends, like-minded fans, or perhaps in a group where everyone has a similar bet on the line. All of these things and more could beget additional solutions that would give rights holders the ability to deliver extremely personalized content to a finely targeted audience. It’s fair to say that it’s impossible to predict what the future holds, but there’s truly no one better to offer a glimpse of the future of sports than Pete. Count on seeing some of the things he discussed with us and much more on your own TVs and phone screens in the not-so-distant future. - Published: 2023-01-11 - Modified: 2026-02-04 - URL: https://wsc-sports-dev.ltu.co.il/blog/industry-insights/three-tech-trends-for-2023-what-the-future-holds-for-sports-content/ - Categories: Industry Insights - Tags: Thought Leadership From the Beijing Olympics to the World Cup and everything in between, sports fans had a lot to be excited about in 2022. We can expect more of the same in 2023 with the Super Bowl, Australian Open, Winter X Games and FIFA Women’s World Cup just around the corner—and that’s just the first few months of the new year. As we started doing some of our own planning, we also thought about the bigger picture. Certainly, just like every other industry, technology will play a significant role in what’s new in sports. As a company immersed in the latest AI technology that’s changing the way content is created, shared, and consumed, we asked three leaders from WSC Sports about the innovations and tech trends they expect to see more of in 2023. Here’s what they had to say. 1. The Rise of FAST (Free Ad Supported Television) Streaming giants Netflix, Hulu, and Disney+ have already started offering consumers free, ad-supported content, in addition to paid, subscription-based content which served as the foundation of their platforms. We can expect more FAST channels to cross-over into sports programming and impact the way rights holders approach their direct-to-consumer monetization models. That’s according to Vadim Drozdovski, VP of Growth at WSC Sports. FAST channels are becoming increasingly popular on all connected devices. Essentially, they allow the viewer to stream live TV for free, supporting both linear and on-demand programming. Instead of paying a subscription, users have to cope with seeing an ad pop up every so often—something that could be a fair trade-off if the content is worth watching. If it’s done right, FAST provides rights holders a great option to entertain fans beyond the bounds of traditional sports broadcasts and subscription based channels, providing a key new way of monetizing their content which is likely to have huge implications for sports rights holders around the world. 2. A New Standard for UX—Social Media VP of Product, Heydar Katz, runs point on all of the cutting-edge features released on the WSC Sports platform. One tech trend that he expects to see in the future is more rights holders applying a social media-esque design approach when it comes to their proprietary apps, similar to what the NBA did in anticipation of the 2022-23 season. With a new, sleek redesign full of vertical videos, the experience is reminiscent of Instagram and TikTok complete with reels, stories and a seemingly unlimited amount of content. Just a few months after the relaunch, the league reported a record 1. 1 billion views across its social media channels and mobile app—the most views ever recorded for a single week. Nearly a month after the NBA unveiled their app, the ICC (International Cricket Council) released a new app, also centered around vertical video highlights and as a result they saw a massive increase in fan engagement. During the Men’s T20 World Cup they smashed an all-time record for app visitors with close to 80 million, a 57% increase from the previous year. The results clearly speak for themselves. Expect many more sports properties to follow the likes of the NBA and ICC in 2023 switching to vertical video highlights and a more social media like user experience on their apps. 3. Gamifying the Fan Experience As OTT platforms and league apps become more popular, a key challenge that rights holders and product teams face is how to keep fans engaged for a longer period of time, with the aim of creating new revenue opportunities. One potential solution is gamification, or incorporating elements of gameplay and design into non-game contexts—something that Yuval Benyamini, Head of Betting Business Development at WSC Sports, expects to see more of in 2023. Importantly, through gamification, rights holders benefit from gathering valuable data about their fans and customers that they wouldn’t have access to when their content is consumed on other platforms which they don’t own and operate. Some existing user experiences from the world of gamification includes quizzes, fantasy, polls, stats and betting, to name just a few examples. What’s most interesting is that these products can be designed and customized to cater to individuals or select groups of people—creating entirely new avenues to forge friendships, strengthen existing ones, and increase fandom around a particular league, team, player or sport. Additionally, those experiences may offer loyalty points or rewards to fans for playing the game—creating an entirely new incentive for users to log in. What will be the next gaming experience to take the world by storm? Who knows. But one thing’s for sure, gamification is set to become increasingly more prevalent in the sports world in 2023. - Published: 2023-01-04 - Modified: 2026-02-04 - URL: https://wsc-sports-dev.ltu.co.il/blog/news/cctv-utilized-wsc-sports-ai-technology-to-revolutionize-the-fan-experience-during-the-world-cup/ - Categories: News - Tags: PR ROW China Central Television (CCTV), China’s leading public broadcaster, and WSC Sports, the global leader in AI sports video technology, have announced they have been working together to deliver AI-powered video highlights of World Cup matches to CCTV’s more than 1 billion viewers across China. This innovative relationship enabled football fans in China to catch all of the World Cup action on CCTV platforms, including CCTV’s mobile app. During the 2022 World Cup CCTV used WSC Sports’ AI platform to generate more than 5,000 videos, on average that’s more than 80 highlights per match. The WSC Sports platform works by analyzing and indexing CCTV-owned sports content in real-time, to create personalized highlights that are delivered across CCTV’s social media, app and digital properties. Over the 64 World Cup matches, more than 250,000 actions were analyzed automatically by WSC Sports to create a huge library of content that CCTV can utilize to tell an unlimited number of stories from the action in Qatar. “The Chinese sports ecosystem is extremely significant for WSC Sports and we are excited to add CCTV to the growing list of brands we work with in the region, WSC Sports is growing its presence in China and already works with Migu, CBA and Tencent. The company recently opened an office in Beijing to better serve the Chinese market and works with EcoSports agency. > In a panel session, Pete Scott (Warner Brothers Discovery) and Dom Wedgwood (DAZN) talk about the future of sports broadcasting. - Published: 2023-01-02 - Modified: 2026-02-04 - URL: https://wsc-sports-dev.ltu.co.il/blog/industry-insights/whats-next-in-sports-broadcasting-and-streaming/ - Categories: Industry Insights - Tags: London Huddle VP of Emerging Media at WBD Sports, Pete Scott, and DAZN's SVP of Broadcast Technology, Dom Wedgwood, discuss the latest innovations in broadcasting at WSC Sports' first annual London Huddle event. Pete Scott and Dom Wedgwood are working at the crux of sports broadcasting and innovation. As VP of Emerging Media at Warner Bros. Discovery, it’s Pete’s job to have an eye on what’s up and coming in sports rights and broadcasting. Similarly, as SVP of Broadcast Technology, Dom and his team are implementing a variety of new experiences into the DAZN platform and beyond—like hosting the first-ever professional boxing fight in the metaverse (which also required purchasing an NFT for admission). Doing Business in the Attention Economy The main challenge that broadcasters face is how to create value through their digital assets and properties. Pete touches on the idea that rights holders are currently competing in the ‘attention economy’ —constantly vying for the time and attention of sports fans amid a myriad of other entertainment options. To that point, it’s critical to deliver timely content that’s personalized as much as possible, and also available on multiple platforms and devices so fans have the option of viewing however they want. Turning Content into Currency Another challenge for broadcasters and streaming platforms is how to monetize their content. Currently, the cost-per-minute to run ads on traditional, linear broadcasts is still higher than digital despite the fact that ratings are higher on digital platforms—-that’s something that could change in the future as companies like TikTok and online gaming giant, Roblox, look to incorporate ads in their content. If and when the money becomes equal on both sides then companies’ would inevitably start shifting their strategy to focus more on digital. The Rise of FAST Channels At Warner Bros. Discovery Pete and his team are working on ‘versioning’ or taking a specific game or match and then splitting it into multiple experiences for different target audiences—-that could mean watching the game with a select group of people like, friends, people who have the same bet as you, or even influencers and comedians who can offer an additional level of entertainment on top of the game. FAST channels, an acronym for free ad-supported television, are another form of versioning that are just starting to cross-over into sports programming. They’re low-cost, easy to spin up and take down, and offer fans content centered around a certain theme like highlights of a certain player, team or type of play. Additionally, programs could even be centered around the day of the week, offering up memorable sports moments from that particular date in history. These are just a few examples of things that are already in the works. As fans continue to want more control and variety when it comes to content, and rights holders look to capitalize on meeting their demands, it’s certain that there will be a variety of new viewing experiences coming to a screen near you. Check out another session from our London event where Andrew Yaffe, Head of Social, Digital, and Original Content at the NBA discussed the redesign and relaunch of the new league app prior to the 2022-23 season. - Published: 2022-12-23 - Modified: 2026-04-23 - URL: https://wsc-sports-dev.ltu.co.il/blog/industry-insights/wsc-sports-the-ai-highlights-behind-the-2022-world-cup-in-qatar/ - Categories: Industry Insights Relive the best moments from the 2022 World Cup, filled with unforgettable goals, thrilling matches, and historic achievements. The biggest sporting event on the planet has come to an end! Lionel Messi fulfilled his destiny, inspiring Argentina to their third World Cup final win, solidifying himself as football’s GOAT in the process The FIFA World Cup in Qatar will be remembered vividly for so many reasons for years to come, and of course on the pitch there was some unbelievable football on display. A whopping 64 games were packed into less than a month’s worth of action and the only way to stay on top of everything that occurred was through highlights. Whether it was a moment of individual brilliance, or a memorable team goal, highlights of all the best bits were automatically created and distributed around the world in real-time thanks to AI technology from WSC Sports. Some of the biggest broadcasters and rights holders around the world used the WSC Sports platform to create highlights and make them available to fans in real time. In total, more than 30,000 highlights were created during the tournament (based on usage data across WSC Sports’ clients) and were shared across social media, websites, apps, OTTs and other digital channels. But which moments were the most highlight-worthy? We dug into the numbers to showcase the videos these rights holders created to tell the story of Qatar 2022. The Games With so much talent on the pitch, World Cup finals can often be underwhelming affairs, with each team playing conservatively so as not to risk conceding a goal. That was simply not the case in Qatar. For 70 minutes Argentina dominated the game leading 2-0, putting themselves within touching distance of lifting the cup. But then it really got entertaining as Kyllian Mbappé’s quickfire double left Argentina shell-shocked, and the game went to extra time. Another goal from Messi and Mbappé in extra time set up an excruciating finish on penalties. If you saw the game, you already know what happened next! Six goals plus all the drama of extra time and penalties cemented Argentina vs France as the game that had the most highlights - more than 800! FIFA are calling it the greatest final ever. You can watch the highlights here. Interestingly France’s 3-1 win over Poland was in the number two spot, Costa Rica and Germany’s 2-4 clash was in third, Portugal’s demolition job on Switzerland 6-1 came in fourth, and the feisty 2-2 quarter-final between the Netherlands and Argentina finished out the top 5. Messi's penalty on 74 minutes sparked wild celebrations... The Players What can we say, Messi smashed it. Over 1,800 highlights from Qatar were of Messi alone! Next up came the World Cup top scorer Mbappé (8), with more than 1,200 highlights, followed by compatriot Oliver Giroud whose important goals (4) were crucial to France’s route to the final. In this World Cup we sadly said ‘adios’ to a number of football legends. Modric, Messi, Ronaldo, Bale, and Lewandowski, all likely won’t be seen in four years time. So it was great to see some fresh faces light up the competition to show us what the future holds. None were more electrifying than 23-year-old Cody Gakpo from the Netherlands, and Argentina’s 22-year-old Julián Álvarez, who finished in fourth and fifth place respectively on our list of players with the most highlights. The Teams There’s not really much surprise to see Argentina top the list as the team that had the most highlights created. At the end of the day they were the champions, and despite the early shock defeat to Saudi Arabia in the group stage, they played some wonderful football led by their talisman Messi. Over 4,000 highlights from Qatar focused solely on the brilliant performance of Argentina. France, Croatia and Morocco, who all came so close to World Cup glory, also rounded out the top four, but it was Portugal who surprisingly ousted the likes of entertainers Brazil, and other semi-finalists England and the Netherlands, for the fifth spot of teams with the most highlights created. The Goals Finally something Argentina didn’t win! Early tournament favourites Brazil’s Richarlison produced a moment of individual brilliance in the 73rd minute against Serbia to score his second of the game and undoubtedly most people’s goal of the tournament, by far. Mbappé bagged 8 goals in Qatar, none more impressive than his gorgeous 81st minute leveller in the final with Argentina. Seeing as we’re back talking about Argentina again, Messi’s long range strike in the 64th minute vs Mexico was third on our list. Wout Weghorst’s outrageous goal from a cheeky Netherland’s free kick in the 11th and final minute of stoppage time secured the fourth spot and Mbappé rounded out the top 5 with his last minute curling effort vs Poland. The Saves Just as important as any goal, some would argue more important, were of course the goalkeeper saves. There were some unbelievable stops made by the best men between the sticks from all over the globe. Morocco’s Yassine Bounou had an epic tournament showcased perfectly by this save in the 82nd minute against Portugal, stopping João Félix’s shot that was destined for the back of the net. This was the save that had the most number of highlights created for it from the tournament. There were notable stops by Keylor Navas (75th min - Costa Rica vs Germany) and Manuel Neuer (72nd min - Germany vs Japan). Cameroon’s Devis Epassy kept out Gabriel Jesus early on in the 13th minute to record an impressive win over Brazil in the group stages. And World Cup winner Emiliano Martínez’s stop in 90+6 mins against Australia in the Round of 16 showed just how important that save was - imagine what could have happened had that gone in, it could have all been so different! The Free-Kicks Let’s finish up by looking at some unbelievable set-plays. The aforementioned Netherlands routine was simply incredible. But what about those direct free-kicks that sailed straight into the net? There were plenty of them too... Mexico’s Luis Chávez’s glorious long range belter came first on our list for free-kicks with the most highlights created. A truly memorable strike! Coming in second place, Marcus Rashford settled English nerves in the group stage against neighbours Wales, with this powerful free-kick to send the Welshmen home and England through to the next round. Other notable goals from free-kicks included Abdelhamid Sabiri’s effort for Morocco against Belgium, and Strahinja Pavlović’s equaliser for Serbia in their game with Cameroon. So there you have it, a comprehensive breakdown of the moments deemed most highlight-worthy by our global clients from the 2022 FIFA World Cup in Qatar. We were delighted to play such a pivotal role in bringing all the action to fans in every corner of the planet. We can't wait to bring you more amazing highlights of your favourite sport in 2023. > From Nadal's win at the Australian Open to Argentina's World Cup victory, check out all of the most memorable sports moments from 2022. - Published: 2022-12-23 - Modified: 2026-02-04 - URL: https://wsc-sports-dev.ltu.co.il/blog/industry-insights/2022-an-unforgettable-year-in-sports/ - Categories: Industry Insights Relieve the best sports highlights from 2022, month by month. In 2021 we helped our clients publish millions of highlights, literally. With so many to choose from, we tried to narrow down the year’s incredible moments for you to relive some of the excitement. Here were the best moments in sports in 2022. January The year got off to a great start for tennis star Rafael Nadal. In the final of the Australian Open in January, an epic battle lasting five hours and 24 minutes took place between Rafa and Daniil Medvedev. At the end of it, it was Rafa who came out on top, claiming his record 21st Grand Slam title. A moment of pure joy for the Spaniard as he elevated himself into the top spot for all-time major wins. While he did go on to finish 2022 with 22 Grand Slams after a further victory at the French Open, the moment he first broke the record makes for great watching. February February saw the culmination of the NFL season, with the Los Angeles Rams defeating the Cincinnati Bengals to clinch the biggest prize in US sports. It felt like a long time coming for star defensive end Aaron Donald. While he had been named to 8 Pro Bowls, voted as Defensive Player of the Year 3 times, and selected as a First Team All Pro 7 times, Donald lacked football’s greatest reward; a Super Bowl ring. Those dreams came true for Donald and the rest of the Rams in February, with LA’s star man clinching the game. Donald’s celebration showed just how happy he was to get that long sought after ring, immortalizing himself in NFL history. March A truly incredible comeback story, Christian Eriksen’s return to football was nothing short of miraculous. During a game for the Danish national team, a EURO match in June of 2021, Eriksen suffered a sudden collapse, requiring CPR treatment and defibrillation. Eriksen worked hard to regain full health, and was declared fit to play in 2022. In March, Eriksen returned to the fold of the Danish national team, coming off the bench as a substitute in a game vs the Netherlands. Not only was the crowd overjoyed to see Eriksen back to full strength, but he scored on his very first touch of the ball, in a very emotional moment for all of Denmark. April In April, golfing history was made, as Scottie Scheffler claimed victory at The Masters, his first ever win in a major tournament. It wasn’t smooth sailing for Scheffler on his way to winning the green jacket, however. While Scheffler looked to be in control during the early stages of the tournament, Rory McIlroy ramped up the pressure throughout, and by the final day sat just one stroke behind Scheffler in the standings. Ultimately McIlroy walked away empty handed, as Scheffler was able to push on and claim victory. This was all the more impressive, considering just eight weeks prior to the event, Scheffler had zero PGA Tour wins! Let’s look back at the winning moment. May May saw the dramatic conclusion to the 2021-22 English Premier League season. While the league’s final day is notorious for stirring up drama, the scenes that occurred this time around were like no other. At the start of the day, Manchester City found themselves atop the Premier League, closely followed by challengers Liverpool, who trailed by a single point. City knew that a win against Aston Villa would be enough to crown them champions of English football for a second straight year. However, things did not unfold as simply as they’d hoped. After conceding in the game’s 37th minute, things worsened in the second half as Aston Villa doubled their lead to 2-0. Stunningly, with 15 minutes to go, City kicked into gear scoring 3 goals in just 5 minutes and clinched the title title, crushing the hopes of all Liverpool fans, and sending the blue half of Manchester into wild celebrations. Check out the highlights here. June The Warriors walked away from June as NBA champions. However, the odds of another victory for the team from the Bay looked unlikely at the start of the season. After missing out on the playoffs in 2020, and failing to progress past the play-in games held to determine the last playoff qualifiers in 2021, the Warriors were able to overcome the doubters in 2022. Steph Curry starred throughout the six game series – minus one off-day where he went 0-9 on three pointers. His strong showing across the other five games was enough for him to be named MVP of the finals, and helped clinch the Warriors’ fourth NBA championship in eight seasons. Check out this moment of confidence from Curry during the finals, as well as the scenes of celebration in San Francisco during the victory parade that followed. July Football finally came home this July thanks to England’s Lionnesses, as the finale of the Women’s EURO 2022 tournament saw England take on arch rival Germany. The game was dramatic and lengthy, finishing 1-1 in regulation and heading to extra time. In the 110th minute, Chloe Kelly fired in a close range shot, clinching the England Women their first ever major trophy. In fact, this was the first trophy won by either the England men or women since the famous 1966 World Cup final, where the men’s side also faced Germany at the old Wembley Stadium. Check out the scenes from inside the stadium! A night that will be remembered in England for a long time. August August saw the long awaited heavyweight rematch between Ukraine’s Oleksandr Usyk and England’s Anthony Joshua. After Usyk’s surprise victory in September 2021, Joshua faced a long wait to try and reclaim the belts he handed over. Unfortunately for Joshua, it was not to be, as Usyk proved too good yet again, winning in a split decision bout. The win brought much joy to Usyk’s native Ukraine. Have a listen to the reaction of the Ukrainian commentators after Usyk was crowned champion. September Tennis Legend Roger Federer’s waved farewell in September, signing off on an outstanding career, in which he won an immense 20 grand slam titles. Federer bowed out from the court with a final match, competing alongside his historic rival Rafa Nadal in a doubles game. After the game, we saw emotion from both Federer, as well as his former great rival Nadal. A touching moment for tennis fans everywhere, as we reflected on what Federer meant to the sport. October A viral moment that will live on in sports highlights reels for years to come from NASCAR in October. Ross Chastain’s moves in the final stages on track at Martinsville caught the eyes of sports fans everywhere. With this being the penultimate race of the season, in which the four drivers with the most points across the season would be finalized and would determine who would compete in the Championship race, Chastain found himself placed in 10th, and knew a finish that low would wipe away his chances of competing for the trophy. Trying an unorthodox method seen only in racing video games, Chastain purposefully drove his car into the wall, using its curvature to catapult him from 10th to 5th place, and pushing him over the line, getting him enough points to partake in the deciding race. Incredible! November The Houston Astros claimed baseball glory in November, defeating the Philadelphia Phillies in the World Series Championship. After going 2-1 in the first 3 games of the finals, the Astros put on a dominant performance, winning 3 games in a row to finish 5-1, and hand them The Commissioner’s Trophy once more. This was the Astros’ second ever World Series victory, the first coming in 2017. Take a look back at the victorious scenes in Houston once more. December December saw the long awaited Qatar World Cup, as the final chapter was written in one of the greatest sporting stories of all time. Argentina’s Lionel Messi has for many years been considered one of the greatest soccer players of all time, with many ranking him first overall. Debate has raged on for years, however, due to Messi’s lack of a World Cup trophy. Having played in four World Cups prior, and at 35 years of age, the World Cup in December was Messi’s final chance to get his hands on the trophy he desired so greatly. The tournament got off to a rocky start for Argentina, as underdogs Saudi Arabia defeated them in a shocking result. However, that didn’t phase Argentina, as they progressed past the group stage and all the way to the final, where they would face France. With the world’s eyes watching, a dramatic game unfolded. After a Messi penalty and a Di Maria goal in the first half, Argentina looked to be in control. This was indeed the case, up until the 80th minute, when an Mbappé penalty gave hope to France, before the Frenchman scored again just one minute later. The drama continued into extra time, with another goal from Messi seemingly sealing the win for Argentina, before Mbappé again clawed France back into the game. And so, the greatest prize in sport was to be decided on penalties. After some heroics from Argentina’s goalkeeper Emi Martinez, the game was over. Argentina was crowned world champions for the third time in their history, and Messi had reached the pinnacle of soccer. With the World Cup trophy added to his already illustrious accolades, the debate has surely been ended on who’s the greatest ever. A true pleasure to watch, see the victorious scenes from the game and from the streets of Argentina. 2022 will surely go down as one of the greatest years in sports history and we can’t wait to see what 2023 brings! - Published: 2022-12-16 - Modified: 2026-02-04 - URL: https://wsc-sports-dev.ltu.co.il/blog/news/tv2-norway-and-wsc-sports-enhance-coverage-of-2022-fifa-world-cup/ - Categories: News - Tags: PR EMEA In anticipation of the 2022 World Cup, TV2 Norway, Norway’s leading sports broadcaster, collaborated with WSC Sports, the global leader in AI-powered video content, to deliver automated, real-time highlights to Norwegian football fans during the tournament. Part of the deal includes using WSC Stories—vertical video highlights that are automatically published to Google OneBox, located at the top of Google Search results. The stories are delivered as the action unfolds on the pitch, so Norwegian fans searching for World Cup news and updates have instant access to tournament highlights in real-time, with a ‘stories’ experience reminiscent of social media. TV2 Norway will also use Stories to direct fans toward their paid app, TV2 Play, a new, innovative way for them to register new subscribers and engage with younger audiences on mobile. In addition to utilizing WSC Stories, the broadcaster will also use WSC Sports’ AI platform to distribute short and long-form videos from every World Cup match to its social media pages and OTT streaming service. The partnership ensures that Norwegian football fans will have more coverage of the world’s biggest sporting event than ever before. - Published: 2022-12-01 - Modified: 2026-02-04 - URL: https://wsc-sports-dev.ltu.co.il/blog/industry-insights/london-huddle-spotlight-on-the-nbas-new-mobile-app-with-andrew-yaffe/ - Categories: Industry Insights - Tags: London Huddle With tens of millions of NBA fans all over the world, it’s no surprise that when it comes to content, no two fans want to see the exact same thing. The question is how do you personalize and deliver quality content at such a large scale? That’s exactly the task at hand for the league’s SVP, Head of Social, Digital, and Original Content, Andrew Yaffe. During September 2022, we invited Andrew to sit down with us at an event we hosted in London, to talk to our audience about some of the innovative things he’s doing, specifically around the new NBA app that launched just before the start of the 2022-23 season. Featuring a new, sleek design that’s full of vertical content, the app actually looks and feels more like a social media platform compared to your traditional sports app. Part of the team’s goal was to make it easier to be an NBA fan—and if you download the app and check it out, you’ll find that you have unprecedented access to everything that’s happening around the league, from in-game highlights, to recaps, and even behind the scenes footage and original content. It’s been a privilege for us to work with Andrew and his team on delivering the highlights that are featured on the app. By using WSC Sports, the NBA can deliver thousands of highlights on a given night thanks to the powerful AI and machine learning algorithms that make up the foundation of the platform. Now, on any given night, the NBA can test things like every dunk or every made basket by a player from France, and then deliver that to a French audience—something that simply wouldn’t be possible without automation. - Published: 2022-12-01 - Modified: 2026-06-03 - URL: https://wsc-sports-dev.ltu.co.il/blog/industry-insights/how-ai-helps-reach-fans-and-maximise-content-value-at-the-world-cup/ - Categories: Industry Insights - Tags: Thought Leadership As the world tunes in to watch Qatar 2022, Yitav Topaz, Vice President of Strategic Partnerships at WSC Sports, explains why AI and automation are becoming integral to the coverage of major events. The World Cup, as the old cliché would have it, is something the whole planet stops to watch. Hundreds of millions of people will be tuning into linear TV channels, streaming from digital platforms and gathering for out-of-home broadcasts during this month-long festival of soccer. Yet in reality, of course, nothing actually stops—least of all in the modern media environment. With so much to follow, fans have no chance of catching everything as it happens. The World Cup creates more essential video content than almost anything else, with hundreds of stories that can scatter in all directions. For media companies, this presents a problem and a challenge, but it is also an opportunity for much greater engagement. The World Cup’s global broadcast partners have committed billions of dollars for the rights to show Qatar 2022 and will aim to recapture much of that outlay by attracting the largest live audiences possible. But the scope to build additional value through highlights and related content is vast – providing, that is, they can process an extremely high volume and relevance (through localization and personalization to aid deeper storytelling) of video. In its current 32-team iteration—set to expand further in North America in 2026—the World Cup’s 64 live matches alone create around 110 hours of footage. Add in many times that amount from alternate angles, analysis, news coverage and interviews, B-roll and fan-created video, and the scale of the task facing production teams becomes clear. This is why artificial intelligence (AI) and automation have become so central to the coverage of major sports events. Trusted by scores of rights holders and broadcasters internationally—including SuperSport, NOS and TV2—WSC Sports’ AI-powered highlights and suite of content solutions facilitate more powerful and efficient content creation and distribution. Products like this are not just tools to optimize the production process. They are also inspiring more dynamic sports storytelling that puts fans at the center, whilst enabling broadcasters to better monetize their content. AI and content production Match highlights are the most traditional of non-live formats and remain the bedrock of any innovative sports content strategy. Deep-learning and video analysis processes help broadcasters build a comprehensive range of video packages quickly and intuitively. Content is also segmented and organized automatically in a way that goals, major incidents and moments from individual performances can be strung together in real time as a digested version of a game that can be distributed at scale across all digital platforms and formats. At an event on the scale of the World Cup, those capabilities come into their own. With as many as four games a day in Qatar, broadcasters have short windows to reach audiences. Automation enables scale across different time zones, for different fans, different devices, different platforms that was previously unimaginable via manual processes. But the smarter organization of clips is enabling a host of different programming options. Producers are now feeding in detailed video packages for more responsive and intelligent analysis, both on air and for online distribution. Automated processes are becoming the foundation of longer-form features. By deepening their offer to fans in this way, broadcasters are generating commercial leads, too. With greater capacity to produce and distribute more video, they can not only open up inventory for sponsors, but also develop bespoke content collaborations. Automation, social and search According to data from Google, there were three billion tournament-related searches on its engine for the 2018 World Cup, along with five billion video views on YouTube. Four and a half years on, those numbers can be expected to be much higher: as early as July, Google reported that interest in Qatar 2022 on its platforms was already up 80 per cent on the previous edition. Fans no longer wait for the action to come to them so wherever they look for it, broadcasters must be ready. Rapid distribution is critical. So too is better integration. Throughout the World Cup, WSC Sports automatically and continuously creates near-live clips that appear as web stories in the Google OneBox. Match recaps appear at full time, with all video formats adjusting to the device in use. Naturally, non-live content has a longer shelf life than the live game. Google analysis from the 2021 World Cup found that a 90-minute game ‘lives on YouTube for more than 15 hours’ through watching and rewatching on matchday. But just as importantly, the automation and delivery of near-live clips to personal feeds—together with instantly shared news, analysis, reaction and user-generated content—helps to keep pace with frenetic social media discourse. Video is served to fans during the emotional peaks of a game—those points of high tension, genius, agony, ecstasy or even comedy that animate social platforms—and no one is missing out because they cannot view the live broadcast. Media companies then use shared content to bring fans into their marketing funnel, and by extension their owned and operated platforms. It is there that they can demonstrate even further value, deploying automated innovations to personalize content creation and delivery by team, player or other variables. Automation and storytelling The World Cup has always been about more than the result. It is about more than your own team – especially for viewers outside of the 32 countries lucky enough to qualify. A range of distinctive stories are now being told through AI-powered highlights and video content creation, with broadcasters having the flexibility to choose the formats that work for them and their audiences. Some leverage localization and personalization capabilities through automation, compiling the experiences of home fans or the exploits of domestic league heroes. Strong storytelling is the best way for broadcast companies to foreground their own brand identity and expertise. Automation lets production teams lean into those strengths, supporting human creativity across the board. With AI-powered systems managing conventional content workflows, AI and automation can be allocated to producing original reporting, developing ground-breaking concepts, or weaving more color and charm into pre, post or in-game video. And, through the automation of archive libraries, producers are accessing football’s past in new ways, teasing out forgotten tales or finding surprising combinations with the present as they put together documentaries for their owned and social channels. The World Cup is a singular global obsession, concentrating attention like no other occasion in sport. But by embracing the full range of content possibilities it promises, broadcasters are discovering rich new potential. > Learn about WSC Sports' 16th place ranking in STA Group's ‘Sports Technology Annual Review and Industry Power List'. - Published: 2022-11-24 - Modified: 2026-02-04 - URL: https://wsc-sports-dev.ltu.co.il/blog/news/wsc-sports-ranked-16th-most-influential-sports-technology-company/ - Categories: News WSC Sports jumped 17 spots to 16th place in the STA Group's 'Sports Technology Annual Review and Industry Power List,' recognizing the company as one of the top innovators in modern sports technology. The STA Group published their 'Sports Technology Annual Review and Industry Power List' last week and we were thrilled to see WSC Sports jump up in the rankings to 16th place! The Power List, now in its third year, is an annual assessment of the brands and organizations which are taking the most tech-forward approach to innovation in modern sport and ranking them. WSC Sports rose 17 places, up from our more than respectful placing of 33rd in 2021, to 16th out of 100. As you can see we are in very good company next to the biggest names in sports like F1, NBA, ESPN and we're the the second highest ranked Technology company. In addition to the Power List, WSC Sports scooped up an award in collaboration with DAZN at the STA Group's Sport Technology Awards earlier in 2022. - Published: 2022-11-20 - Modified: 2026-02-04 - URL: https://wsc-sports-dev.ltu.co.il/blog/industry-insights/wsc-sports-amos-bercovich-explains-how-ai-keeps-the-highlights-coming/ - Categories: Industry Insights - Tags: podcasts Meet Amos Bercovich, Team Leader for our algorithm and machine learning group. Amos and his team are the brains behind the AI and computer-vision technology that makes up the foundation of the WSC Sports platform. Recently Amos sat down with Noah Kravitz, host of NVIDIA's The AI Podcast, and explained some of the logic behind our platform's event detection capabilities, and also some of the challenges that he and his team have had. Whenever we talk about our platform, people typically have a lot of questions about how it all works, and some just don't believe that what we're telling them is even possible! This is a unique chance to hear about it straight from the source. - Published: 2022-11-14 - Modified: 2026-02-04 - URL: https://wsc-sports-dev.ltu.co.il/blog/customer-spotlight/nascars-amy-anderson-on-re-imagining-storytelling-with-ai/ - Categories: Customer Spotlight - Tags: Thought Leadership NASCAR has long been one of the most popular spectator sports in America, but as the world has changed so has the way people consume content. Modern-day fans seek emotion, relatability, and authenticity. While they admire their favorite sports stars for their athletic feats, social media and digital content have provided a much-desired look into their personal lives. And in turn, fans become more connected to the players, teams, and leagues than ever before. Few people know this better than Amy Anderson, Head of Content Strategy at NASCAR Studios. In the midst of a stark shift in NASCAR’s public perception, NASCAR has introduced NASCAR Studios, an agency-like division to work with industry leaders on digital and social media projects. Whereas NASCAR had previously relied heavily on siloed content, social, and editorial teams, NASCAR Studios brings all forms of content under one roof, emphasizing deep storytelling and on-demand content across all platforms. After spending over 19 years at Fox Sports, most recently as the Vice President of Fox Sports Content Studio, it was clear to the NASCAR executive team that Amy was the perfect leader to bring this vision to life. Although Anderson has only been in her role for 7 months, her fingerprints can be found all over NASCAR Studio’s recent productions. A two-part series titled NASCAR Next Now: Class Reunion brings fans down memory lane, revisiting ten years of memories from the 2011 NASCAR Next Class drivers like Kyle Larson, Bubba Wallace, and Daniel Suarez. The series was pushed live on Twitter and then back to YouTube for people to watch at their own convenience. NASCAR Studios aims to strengthen relationships with existing fans and welcome new ones into the fold by focusing on what’s outside the broadcast, with a more engaging and intimate style of storytelling that explores the many colorful personalities, unique rivalries, and fascinating stories that make up the sport. The introduction of in-car cameras is a perfect example. After trailing four in-car cameras during select races, NASCAR rolled out the technology to the full field, capturing a wealth of footage from each driver’s perspective. Complementary to the broadcast, the in-car cameras give fans a deeper look into the fatigue, competition, and emotions that go into driving a car for 400 miles at over 100 miles per hour. But organizing, creating, and distributing from such a vast library of content is no easy feat. For that, NASCAR relies heavily on its partnership with WSC Sports, which according to Anderson, has been a pivotal cornerstone of its success. A leader in AI sports technology, WSC Sports helps global sports organizations like the NBA and NHL, as well as YouTube TV quickly generate personalized sports video content, while increasing its reach and providing new monetization opportunities. Over 250 entities use WSC’s AI platform to create real-time automated highlights, responsible for driving hundreds of billions of impressions across platforms. “WSC helps us instantly create content for each of our social channels and specifically tailor it to how users want to ingest it,” she said. Not only does WSC’s highlight automation help improve the workflow speed of NASCAR Studios, but it allows them to spread the reach of its content farther and wider. Instead of focusing on the logistics of content creation, the team can direct all of its efforts toward quality storytelling and effective distribution. “It eliminates the wait time for content,” Anderson raved. “Our social managers can make a decision in real-time based on the narrative they need to deliver for fans. We haven’t needed to rely on many other tools because it has everything we need. ” With the help of WSC, NASCAR Studios is well on its way to becoming a content powerhouse that will continue to shape the future of the sport. But to do this successfully, NASCAR needs to remain innovative, nimble, and aggressive in driving conversations both on and off the track. While it may seem “off-brand” for a more traditional league like NASCAR to have fun on TikTok, it's essential for the continued growth of the sport. “The biggest thing for us is to create the content as the platform wants you to deliver it and make sure that the people we feature in our content are right for the demographic we want it to reach,” she said. “We want to be able to turn on a dime and be involved in the conversations. We should be showing up on those platforms in new and unique ways and surprising people with who we are, but then also educating and continuing that story. ” This article originally appeared in Front Office Sports. - Published: 2022-11-01 - Modified: 2026-02-04 - URL: https://wsc-sports-dev.ltu.co.il/blog/news/sportel-monaco-2022-tackling-digital-strategy-with-europes-top-football-leagues/ - Categories: News - Tags: Events Watch the session below where WSC Sports' Shaka Arnon hosts Steffen Merkel, EVP of Audiovisual Rights from Deutsche Fußball Liga, Leonard Soler, Head of International Media Rights at La Liga, and Pierdamiano Tomagra, Head of Digital at Serie A. “If you want to succeed in this space, you need to be good in 3 different things: The first thing is content production and the solution of on-demand and highlights content because that adds a lot to live consumption. The second point is ownership of the product... the viewers at home need to feel that they’re getting a personalized experience. Third, at the end of the day, you need technology create a proper journey for fans,” Pierdamiano Tomagra, Head of Digital at Serie A. Sportel Monaco is the premier industry event where global sports media and technology companies come together to network and share industry knowledge. This year, WSC Sports’ VP of Business Development, Shaka Arnon sat down with executives from the big four leagues in Europe—Steffen Merkel, EVP of Audiovisual Rights from Deutsche Fußball Liga, Leonard Soler, Head of International Media Rights at La Liga and Pierdamiano Tomagra, Head of Digital at Serie A—to discuss how their traversing the new digital era of sports. If you’re interested in hearing from some of the brightest minds behind the business of football production, then you definitely want to listen to tune in to this session. Shaka, Steffen, Leonard and Pierdamiano discuss the intersection of social media and live sports broadcasts, how they’re utilizing social media to draw attention to live matches, and the different types of content that fans are demanding in the new era of sports. This is a unique opportunity to get a glimpse behind the scenes of the business of sports media from representatives of the most prestigious football leagues in the world. Enjoy! Shaka, Steffen, Leonard and Pierdamiano discuss the intersection of social media and live sports broadcasts, how they’re utilizing social media to draw attention to live matches, and the different types of content that fans are demanding in the new era of sports. This is a unique opportunity to get a glimpse behind the scenes of the business of sports media from representatives of the most prestigious football leagues in the world. > Over the last decade, emerging technologies have upended the traditional sports media landscape. - Published: 2022-10-24 - Modified: 2026-02-04 - URL: https://wsc-sports-dev.ltu.co.il/blog/customer-spotlight/sports-content-kings-espns-kevin-lopes-on-creating-fan-centric-content-with-ai/ - Categories: Customer Spotlight - Tags: Thought Leadership ESPN's VP of Business Development and Innovation, Kevin Lopes, discusses emerging technologies that have upended the traditional sports media landscape. Leveraging social networks like Twitter and Instagram, individual content creators and dedicated highlight pages have flourished, pumping out content at unprecedented rates. Broadcast rights are fetching record-breaking sums from once-non-existent streaming providers, and short-form video has emerged as the most valuable and favorable content medium across all platforms. And as technological innovation continues to transcend the boundaries of possibility, there are no signs of this changing anytime soon. We now live in an age of technological abundance, where content is king, distribution is fragmented, and consumers are flooded with options. With the rise of streaming and AI-powered automation, both content creation and consumption have become more accessible, and in demand, than ever before. So how do sports media companies continue to innovate and meet the needs of the modern sports fan? Perhaps no one is better suited to answer this question than ESPN’s Kevin Lopes. After fifteen years working in various roles at the worldwide leader in sports, Kevin now serves as the network’s VP of Business Development and Innovation, where he leads a team of 17 focused on all things new and next-up in sports media. Kevin also heads the ESPN Edge Innovation Center, alongside Accenture, Microsoft, and Verizon, to explore how new technologies like 5G, Augmented and Virtual Reality, and mobile edge computing will transform the industry as we know it. On the cutting edge of emerging technology and sports analytics, Kevin and his team spend countless hours thinking about how to best create memorable tech-driven experiences for both new and existing fans alike. In the last year alone, the team has executed Tom Brady’s Man in the Arena NFT collection with Autograph, intuitive player tracking with Second Spectrum, and the creation of ESPN’s beloved Football Power Index and Playoff Predictor tools. When it comes down to content creation and distribution, according to Lopes, ESPN’s relationship with WSC Sports has served as a pivotal cornerstone of its success. A leader in AI sports video technology, WSC Sports helps global sports organizations like the NBA, NHL, and YouTube TV quickly generate personalized sports video content, while increasing its reach and providing new monetization opportunities. Since the company’s inception in 2008, over 250 companies and organizations have used WSC’s AI-cloud platform to create real-time automated video highlights, responsible for driving hundreds of billions of impressions across all platforms. “We send them a feed of an NBA game and within milliseconds they can clip the five best plays ranked in order and then send those clips back to us to populate our content management systems or social if we desire,” said Lopes in an interview with Front Office Sports. “Our social team uses it frequently because it’s a fast way to turn highlights around. ” Not only has WSC’s highlight automation helped improve the speed of ESPN's content creation, but the efficacy of its distribution and performance as well. “WSC helps us deploy resources in areas for maximum impact,” Lopes said. In an effort to make its videos as accessible as possible, ESPN also relies on AI automation to produce closed captioning for its digital content. Using Microsoft’s natural language processing-enabled auto-captioning solution in conjunction with human captioners, ESPN has been able to rapidly scale its closed captioning production alongside its monstrous content output powered by WSC Sports. As for what’s to come, Lopes is most excited about the promising future of augmented reality (AR). Rather than virtual reality (VR) where one is fully immersed inside a digital world, AR enhances the physical world by adding dynamic digital content to real-world objects. While AR has already become widely prevalent in our daily lives via Snapchat and Instagram filters, highly anticipated wearable hardware like AR glasses will take fan and player immersion to an entirely new level. As new content formats continue to evolve, WSC is well-positioned to help ESPN and other rights owners provide the most-desirable content to fans, wherever and however they choose to consume it. Even with the rise of augmented reality, artificial intelligence, and every new buzzword, quality content and thoughtful positioning trump all. Meeting consumers where they already are is integral to the fan experience, adding heightened importance to the partnerships between rights owners and technology companies. The feedback loop for today’s content is rapid and straightforward. If fans want the content, they’ll vote with their wallets, time, and attention. Companies like ESPN who own strong IP and pay close attention to this data will always reinvest in the content that resonates. Ultimately, says Lopes, the ability to produce successful content boils down to two things: IP and talented creatives. “Do you have the IP and the content that people want to see? And then do you have the creatives, the producers, the directors, and the people who create the content? Are they really good? If so, people are going to continue to come back to your platform,” he said. “We aim to meet and exceed fan expectations at all times, and we’ll always continue to provide more content if the fans are consuming it. ” This article originally appeared in Front Office Sports. - Published: 2022-10-18 - Modified: 2026-02-04 - URL: https://wsc-sports-dev.ltu.co.il/blog/news/migu-utilize-wsc-sports-advanced-ai-technology-to-transform-viewing-experiences-for-sports-fans-in-china/ - Categories: News - Tags: PR ROW Migu, China’s leading sports broadcaster, and WSC Sports, the global leader in AI sports video technology, have announced a new partnership to create and distribute automated video highlights across Migu’s streaming platform and social media channels. This innovative partnership will utilize WSC Sports’ AI technology to transform the way Migu creates real-time video content and enhance the viewing experience for sports fans in China. Migu, China Mobile’s streaming service, has aggregated more than 30 sports rights and operates more than 8,000 sports events throughout the year with an average of over 20 events per day. The total live broadcast time is more than 16,000 hours throughout the year. This cooperation with WSC Sports will apply AI video technology to the live broadcast of matches from the NBA, CBA, English Premier League, LaLiga, Serie A, Bundesliga and Ligue 1, and efficiently and intelligently generate personalized real-time event highlights, bringing a better viewing experience to users. As sports media consumption habits continue to trend towards short-form content, WSC Sports’ technology, and wide range of content solutions, allow Migu to meet the demand and expectation of modern fans. The ability to scale content creation and deliver it in real-time, enables next-level event coverage and enables Migu to enhance the OTT live experience. This partnership highlights Migu’s commitment to deploying cutting edge technology to bring the best solutions and viewing experiences to fans in China. The Chinese market represents a major area of focus for WSC Sports and its presence among the largest rights holders in China is growing rapidly. The technology company already lists Tencent, CCTV, CBA and more as partners in the region. “We’re delighted to add leading sports broadcaster Migu to our growing portfolio of clients in China. Sports fans are no longer gathering around the TV in time for kick-off. "With many modern fans preferring to watch highlights instead of full games, WSC Sports’ AI-driven platform will enable Migu to continue its tradition of providing pioneering experiences to sports fans. ” - Published: 2022-10-13 - Modified: 2026-02-04 - URL: https://wsc-sports-dev.ltu.co.il/blog/news/german-football-association-dfb-leveraging-wsc-sports-ai-technology-to-grow-the-dfb-pokals-international-standing-with-localized-highlights/ - Categories: News - Tags: PR EMEA WSC Sports, the global leader in AI sports video technology, has announced a new partnership with the German Football Association (DFB) Since the 2022-23 DFB-Pokal kicked off in July, WSC Sports’ proprietary machine learning technology has been analyzing every game and every action - from Borussia Dortmund’s dominating victory over 1860 Munich, to underdogs Eintracht Braunschweig’s shootout win over Hertha Berlin - to autonomously identify the game-changing events and crowd-pleasing moments. These key events are automatically compiled into highly-engaging videos to be shared with fans in Germany and around the world across the DFB’s social media channels and digital platforms. Utilizing AI technology, the collaboration with WSC Sports will enable the creation of localized content at scale to create deeper connections with fans globally. Highlights will be tailored to feature particular teams and players to deliver content that engages fans in specific regions, encouraging interaction to drive the growth of the DFB Pokal internationally. WSC Sports’ localized highlights ensure that fans are served the moments that matter most to them. We’re delighted to be collaborating with the DFB to deliver the thrills of knockout competition to German football fans around the globe. ” The DFB partnership is WSC Sports’ latest venture into German football. Since 2018, its market-leading technology has been utilized by the German Football League (DFL) to create bespoke highlight clips for Bundesliga and 2. Bundesliga fans around the world. - Published: 2022-10-06 - Modified: 2026-02-04 - URL: https://wsc-sports-dev.ltu.co.il/blog/industry-insights/leaders-week-2022-finding-untapped-value-in-sports-content-with-wsc-stories/ - Categories: Industry Insights Leaders from WSC Sports and Google come together to discuss the value of the new product, WSC Stories. Every year, over 3,000 of the sports industry’s leading executives gather for one of the biggest events of the year—Leaders Week London. This year, WSC Sports’ VP of Growth, Vadim Drozdovski, sat down with Marvin Brischke, Strategic Partner Development Manager at Google, and Sergi Talavera, Head of SEO at DAZN. The partnership with Google and WSC is changing the behavior... before you would be searching and see a live score. Now you get a thumbnail with real, live action. You can actually click on the highlight straight from your phone,” he added. Vadim, Marvin and Sergi are working together to bring real-time highlights to more fans, via Google OneBox, which appears at the very top of Google Search results and was specifically designed to provide quick access to information to Google searchers. OneBox is the home for a new feature from WSC Sports, WSC Stories. The technology automatically clips vertical highlights from a game or match, and then posts them to OneBox in real-time. Now fans searching for updates on Google have instant access to highlights that cue them into the game, alongside all of the other pertinent information like scores, game/match time and scheduling. Since its inception, WSC Stories has been implemented by more than 40 international rights holders and boasts over 150 million views (and counting), with an average click through rate of 15 percent. Check out the full session above to hear more about WSC Stories, and to get a look at the technology that’s revolutionizing the way rights holders serve their fans. - Published: 2022-10-03 - Modified: 2026-02-04 - URL: https://wsc-sports-dev.ltu.co.il/blog/news/betsafe-lkl-implements-wsc-sports-ai-highlights-technology-to-enhance-the-viewing-experience-for-lithuanian-basketball-fans/ - Categories: News - Tags: PR EMEA Celebrating its 30th season, the Lithuanian Basketball League (Betsafe LKL) has announced a wide-ranging initiative to enhance the fan experience. The plans involve modernizing the league’s visual identity and welcoming new teams to its ranks, as well as improving access to unmissable moments by utilizing WSC Sports’ AI-based highlights technology. Since the start of the 2022-23 on 24 September, WSC Sports’ machine learning algorithms has been analyzing and indexing every action that takes place on the court. Throughout the season, the technology will automatically generate personalized highlights from every Betsafe LKL game to share with fans across the league’s digital channels. Following last season’s tightly-contested playoff final, which saw Vilnius Rytas end Žalgiris Kaunas’ 11-year spell of dominance, fans will be hoping for another competitive campaign. The partnership will ensure that the best moments are immediately accessible on more platforms than ever before. WSC Sports’ solution will also enable Betsafe LKL to create localized content, which will be shared with competing teams to distribute across their own channels. Featuring the teams and players fans love most, these personalized clips will also drive viewership and engagement for the league’s media broadcast partners. Additionally, the 30th anniversary initiative will see Lithuania’s top-tier basketball league expand to 12 teams, with last year’s National Basketball League champions BC Gargždai and the newly-formed BC Wolves invited to compete in the 2022-23 season, while the number of games broadcast on BTV TV will also increase significantly. The league’s visuals have also been revamped to reflect this new phase for Betsafe LKL. As highlighted by this new partnership with WSC Sports. Our technology will provide further excitement to fans and engagement to the league’s broadcasters and sponsors, while continuing to draw attention to the buzz of Lithuania’s premier basketball competition. ” Basketball ranks as Lithuania’s most popular sport. Last season, the Betsafe LKL finals were watched by more than one million Lithuanians, placing it among the most watched sports broadcasts of the year. - Published: 2022-09-22 - Modified: 2026-02-04 - URL: https://wsc-sports-dev.ltu.co.il/blog/news/tvp-sport-announce-technology-partnership-with-wsc-sports-to-enhance-coverage-of-2022-fifa-world-cup-for-fans-in-poland/ - Categories: News - Tags: PR EMEA Ahead of the 2022 FIFA World Cup in Qatar, Poland’s leading sports broadcaster, TVP Sport, the sports division of Polish public broadcaster TVP, has partnered with WSC Sports, the global leader in AI sports video technology, to deliver real-time football highlights and next level viewing experiences to fans in Poland. When the new partnership kicks off this September with Poland’s UEFA Nations League clash against the Netherlands, WSC Sports’ machine learning technology will analyze, index and tag every action that occurs during play. Performed entirely by WSC Sports’ proprietary algorithms, short-form video clips and highlight reels will automatically be generated and shared across the Polish state broadcaster’s range of digital channels, transforming the way its viewers consume international football. The partnership covers all future matches involving the Poland national team and other international fixtures, as well as all 64 matches at the 2022 FIFA World Cup. Through this partnership, TVP Sport are able to offer fans in Poland an exciting new way to consume World Cup highlights, utilizing WSC Sports’ real-time stories highlights solution, WSC Stories. With WSC Stories, World Cup match content will be automatically generated and published as stories that appear on Google OneBox when fans search for the World Cup. Throughout the tournament, TVP Sport’s content will be more accessible than ever before and offer an innovative new way for fans to follow the World Cup. TVP Sports joins a growing list of more than 30 major sports broadcasters that have already adopted the innovative storytelling solution since its launch in 2021. In that time WSC Stories has generated more than 210 million views for media rights holders such as, DAZN, Setanta Sports, NRK Sports, Eleven Sports and more, producing an average story clickthrough rate of 15%. From Robert Lewandowski’s goals, to Lionel Messi’s dribbles and Antonio Rüdiger’s crunching tackles, the collaboration will enable viewers to experience every exciting moment on the devices they use most, just minutes after they occur on the pitch. “As the historical World Cup is getting closer, we are happy to partner with WSC Sports in order to take our coverage to another level. We have set the bar very high, being responsible for many records, both TV and online. The game between Poland and Sweden from Euro 2020 was the most watched sports event in Polish internet history, with 860k unique users. “Few sporting events generate excitement on a global scale like the FIFA World Cup. We’re thrilled that WSC Sports’ innovative AI technology and Stories highlights will be supporting TVP Sport this winter to provide football fans in Poland with next level coverage and access to all the action. ” said Itai Epstein, Director of Business Development, Head of EMEA & China at WSC Sports. - Published: 2022-09-20 - Modified: 2026-02-04 - URL: https://wsc-sports-dev.ltu.co.il/blog/news/wsc-sports-partners-with-hockeyallsvenskan-to-bring-ai-highlights-to-ice-hockey-fans-across-sweden/ - Categories: News - Tags: PR EMEA WSC Sports, the global leader in AI sports video technology, today announced it will be bringing its AI and machine learning platform to ice hockey in Sweden, partnering with HockeyAllsvenskan. Through this collaboration, fans will now have access to real-time video highlights of all the HockeyAllsvenskan action across the league’s digital properties, as well as seeing them on big screens during live events at stadiums around the country. The 14-team HockeyAllsvenskan is the second-highest professional ice hockey league in Sweden, and the first in the region to utilize WSC Sports’ innovative machine learning platform. Video highlights of key plays and players in all league games will be automatically created and shared across the league’s digital and social platforms, driving fan engagement with real-time content and increasing opportunities for monetization. In partnership with Sportality, these highlights will also be shown on match days inside the stadiums, bringing fans a unique and innovative viewing experience. The 2022 season kicks off September 23 with Djurgården vs Västerås being the first game to bring AI highlights to fans. - Published: 2022-09-20 - Modified: 2026-02-04 - URL: https://wsc-sports-dev.ltu.co.il/blog/news/wsc-sports-brings-high-tech-video-capabilities-to-motoamerica/ - Categories: News - Tags: PR USA & LATAM MotoAmerica, North America’s premier motorcycle road racing series, is thrilled to announce its partnership with sports video technology company WSC Sports MotoAmerica, North America’s premier motorcycle road racing series, is thrilled to announce its partnership with sports video technology company WSC Sports to bring AI-powered video highlights to its fans while also providing its racers and teams with the technology to share MotoAmerica highlights with their fans and sponsors as well. WSC Sports is the global leader in AI sports video technology, which allows highlights and content to be automatically pushed to MotoAmerica’s digital and social media properties while also giving riders and teams the option of doing the same on their own platforms. The system also allows MotoAmerica to readily share content with its broadcast and sponsorship partners. MotoAmerica began using the WSC Sports technology earlier this season and has already seen the benefits. “Since we started using WSC Sports’ technology to provide highlights and content, we’ve already seen big audience gains on our platforms as well as our riders. " In addition to MotoAmerica being able to get the highlights to our fans quickly, it also allows our riders and teams to do the same with their fan bases. The system works well and is easy to use. It’s a win-win for everyone”. The WSC Sports platform is efficient in that through AI, it automatically finds, indexes, and tags each defined moment into highlights that can be shared automatically and at scale. MotoAmerica, its riders and teams can then easily use the highlights on social platforms as well as sharing with their current and prospective sponsors. "MotoAmerica is WSC Sports’ first road race motorcycle client and gives us a great opportunity to continue to showcase our tech in the motorsport industry”, said Amir Gelman, head of business development, Americas at WSC Sports. “MotoAmerica’s innovation in distribution and smart strategy of owning all its rights enables the unique use case of real-time content availability for riders and partners – a strategy more rights holders should consider”. Tytlers Cycle/RideHVMC Racing’s Corey Alexander is proof that the WSC Sports platform works well as a recent highlight of him in action at a MotoAmerica race garnered 64,000 views on his Instagram account. I’m not only just a rider but also a team owner, so attracting partners for our team to continue operating is crucial,” MotoAmerica’s partnership with WSC Sports helps tremendously with that because it allows them to provide us with highlight-type reels from each event. In turn, it has proven to be a way in which we can tap into large viewership numbers that are available through the reach of video social content”. WSC Sports also has partnerships with the NBA, NASCAR, MLS, ESPN, IndyCar and more. - Published: 2022-09-13 - Modified: 2026-02-04 - URL: https://wsc-sports-dev.ltu.co.il/blog/news/stock-car-pro-series-and-wsc-sports-bring-ai-generated-race-highlights-to-motorsport-fans-in-brazil/ - Categories: News - Tags: PR USA & LATAM Stock Car Pro Series and WSC Sports announce a partnership bringing AI and machine learning video highlights to Stock Car fans across Brazil and Latin America. Stock Car Pro Series, the leading Brazilian motorsport company, and WSC Sports, the global leader in AI sports video technology, today announced a partnership bringing AI and machine learning video highlights to stock car fans across Brazil and Latin America via social media and digital properties. Since the checkered flag was waved during the recent race in the Velocitta race track in São Paulo, Stock Car Pro Series has utilized WSC Sports’ machine learning platform to automatically create race highlights in real-time, saving valuable time and improving workflow. In addition to creating video at speed and scale, highlights can be tailored by Stock Car to serve every type of race fan, with the goal of increasing fan engagement and maximizing brand sponsorship opportunities. The WSC Sports platform works by analyzing and indexing Stock Car race actions in real-time, then cropping and applying graphics to videos, to create personalized highlights that can be delivered across Stock Car Pro Series’ social media and digital properties. "Stock Car is always looking to innovate and use the best technology to improve the content delivery for our fans," he added. “We are thrilled to join forces with Stock Car Pro Series in Brazil to help them innovate the fan viewing experience, within Brazil and the entire LATAM region. From the start of every race to the photo finish, motor sports fans will feel like they are live on the track and part of the action thanks to the power of AI”, said Raul Fernandez, Business Development North America, WSC Sports. The relationship with Stock Car Pro Series is the latest partnership in LATAM for WSC Sports as the region becomes a focal point of its expansion. The technology company also works with the media conglomerate Grupo Globo in Brazil, and other broadcasters, leagues and teams in the region. Motorsport is a growing focus for WSC Sports, with recent partnerships with NASCAR, NTT INDYCAR Series, Extreme E and more. > Learn how Conference USA is transforming fan engagement with WSC Sports by delivering real-time game highlight and boosting NIL opportunities. - Published: 2022-09-08 - Modified: 2026-02-04 - URL: https://wsc-sports-dev.ltu.co.il/blog/news/c-usa-announces-partnership-with-wsc-sports-for-2022-football-season/ - Categories: News Conference USA has become the first Group of Five conference to partner with WSC Sports, starting with the 2022 football season, to boost the league’s social media and digital presence. WSC Sports' automated AI platform provides immediate access to highlights from the league’s games, and generates highlights of individual plays, quarter, halftime, full-game, as well as individual player cuts and more. This footage is then seamlessly distributed across C-USA social and digital platforms in real-time. “WSC Sports’ automated technology allows us to deliver tailor-made video content to scale, moments after it happens live. The ability to deliver our most engaging content to our audience on a variety of digital platforms is paramount in today’s competitive media landscape,” Grey added. Conference USA joins the Pac-12 and other major conferences within the collegiate athletic space, aligning itself as early adopters of the cutting-edge platform. “WSC Sports is happy to help C-USA as it grows its content presence. The conference is also setting up member schools and student-athletes for success. Schools can opt in for football providing instant scaling of content on O&O social platforms. The infrastructure helps student-athletes by supporting more NIL activity” said Joe DaCosta, business development executive at WSC Sports. “As schools scale and index content with WSC Sports, they can send highlights in real-time to athletes. More content will help grow student-athletes' personal brands. The result is more followers and engagement that can lead to endorsements. Increased exposure of student-athletes continues a cycle also benefiting schools and the conference”. - Published: 2022-09-07 - Modified: 2026-02-04 - URL: https://wsc-sports-dev.ltu.co.il/blog/news/eleven-portugal-partners-with-wsc-sports-to-deliver-innovative-new-viewing-experiences-to-football-fans/ - Categories: News - Tags: PR EMEA ELEVEN Portugal, the leading sports media platform in Portugal, today announced a partnership with WSC Sports, the global leader in AI sports video technology. ELEVEN Portugal, the leading sports media platform in Portugal, today announced a partnership with WSC Sports, the global leader in AI sports video technology, to bring automated real-time highlights to football fans in Portugal across ELEVEN Portugal’s OTT platform and social media channels. This collaboration will include the creation of highlights for UEFA Champions League, LaLiga, Premier League, Ligue 1 and Bundesliga games, among others. WSC Sports’ AI and machine learning technology auto-detects, indexes and tags each moment from a game in real-time so that highlights can be automatically generated and distributed at speed and scale. ELEVEN Portugal will be utilizing this technology to create content to fill their owned and operated properties. In addition, ELEVEN Portugal will be implementing WSC Stories, an automated end-to-end solution that shows real-time highlights in a stories format in the OneBox on Google Search. WSC Stories are constantly updated as live games progress to bring fans an engaging, near-live viewing experience, driving traffic and potential subscribers to ELEVEN Portugal’s OTT platform. “We are very excited about this innovative partnership with WSC Sports, which, for the first time, will give fans in Portugal the opportunity to view content associated with football games in real time, generated by artificial intelligence. " As well as immediate summaries on ELEVEN’s website/app and YouTube, shortly after the final whistle, allowing fans to have a unique accompaniment of their favorite teams. ” “ELEVEN Portugal is one of the most innovative sports broadcasters in Europe, we are excited to work with them to deliver real-time football highlights and new ways for Portuguese fans to consume the top football content from Europe on the ELEVEN Portugal platforms,” said Ben Mirvis, Business Development Manager for WSC Sports. “We are thrilled to expand our relationship with ELEVEN Portugal and build upon the success we have had together in Belgium. " > Learn how Red Bull Munich teams up with WSC Sports to deliver real-time, AI-powered hockey highlights for fans across all digital platforms. - Published: 2022-08-17 - Modified: 2026-02-04 - URL: https://wsc-sports-dev.ltu.co.il/blog/news/red-bull-munich-to-innovate-the-digital-experience-for-ice-hockey-fans-utilizing-wsc-sports-ai-based-highlights-technology/ - Categories: News Red Bull München partners with WSC Sports to deliver real-time, AI-generated hockey highlights, enhancing fan engagement with personalized content across digital platforms. When the puck drops for the new Deutsche Eishockey Liga (Penny DEL) season this September, three-time winners Red Bull Munich, will use WSC Sports’ machine learning technology to auto-detect, index, and tag each moment from every game in real-time and automatically generate video content to fill their digital properties, app and social media with highlights. Red Bull Munich fans will be able to follow the club in real time across the digital channel of their choice, whether online, app or social. In addition to the speed and scale of content creation that the WSC Sports platform provides, it will also enable Red Bull Munich to generate personalized and localized video highlights to suit every type of fan in Germany, and around the world. With this collaboration, Red Bull Munich becomes the first ice hockey club in Europe to adopt the same technology being used by some of the biggest ice hockey teams, as well as other leading sports brands, around the world. “The Red Bull name is synonymous with excitement and innovation. We are thrilled to be working with Red Bull Munich, providing them with game-changing highlights technology that brings new ways for the club to interact and engage with fans,” said Ido Ratzon, Business Development, WSC Sports. “Red Bull Munich is the first ice hockey team in Europe to be using our technology and we can’t wait to see the results it will deliver. ” - Published: 2022-08-11 - Modified: 2026-02-04 - URL: https://wsc-sports-dev.ltu.co.il/blog/news/laliga-to-revolutionize-their-global-digital-strategy-and-reinvent-the-viewing-experience-for-fans-through-wsc-sports-technology/ - Categories: News - Tags: PR Global WSC Sports is proud to announce an agreement with LaLiga, the legendary Spanish football league, to innovate the league’s global digital strategy with automatically created and distributed real-time video highlights of all first and second division matches during the 2022/23 football season. Utilizing advanced AI and Machine Learning technologies, the WSC Sports platform analyzes live sports broadcasts, identifies each and every event that occurs in a game, and in real-time creates and publishes customized videos. Each video comes complete with graphical and contextual elements added for branding and sponsorship opportunities. This enables LaLiga to maximize the use of their content, creating new revenue streams and a personalized fan experience on every platform for every type of fan. This game-changing way to create real-time highlights at speed and scale will be used by LaLiga across all their digital properties (website, app, social media) for all first and second division matches during the 2022/23 season, around 800 games. Content created via the WSC Sports platform will also be distributed to LaLiga teams, so all fans across the league can enjoy the same viewing experience regardless of the team they support. LaLiga will also be using the WSC Sports platform to unlock content from the LaLiga archive. Around 5,000 matches from the past six LaLiga Santander and LaLiga SmartBank seasons will be automatically indexed and tagged making them ready for any number of highlight combinations to be created in minutes. Not only will LaLiga be able to fill their digital properties with AI generated video content, but they will also utilize a newly-launched WSC Sports product, Broadcast Pro, to easily create and edit matchday highlights at speed, in high resolution, for their broadcast TV channel. "We are pushing the boundaries of innovation to use LaLiga content in new and exciting ways, all with the goal of bringing LaLiga fans around the world closer to the games, plays and players they love," said Melcior Soler, Audiovisual Director at LaLiga. “We’re delighted that LaLiga will be using the WSC Sports platform for the upcoming season to revolutionize their global digital strategy. It’s a privilege to work with such a global name and such a forward-thinking league that is always looking to deliver the best content experiences possible for its fans. ” Itai Epstein, Director of Business Development, Head of EMEA & China at WSC Sports LaLiga joins WSC Sports’ roster of leading football clients, including UEFA, Lega Serie A, Bundesliga, Real Madrid, the English FA, MLS, J league, Belgian Pro League, the Italian Football Federation (FIGC) and more. - Published: 2022-08-04 - Modified: 2026-02-04 - URL: https://wsc-sports-dev.ltu.co.il/blog/industry-insights/premier-league-2021-22-telling-the-story-of-a-season-based-on-video-highlights-data/ - Categories: Industry Insights Let's relive the story of the tightly contested 2022/21 Premier League season by diving into the data... The 2021/22 Premier League season was unforgettable and tightly contested to say the least! The rollercoaster drama truly kept us entertained right to the wire, with the eventual winners only crowned as champions on the final day, as well as the all important top four Champions League places, and the teams relegated, all being determined only on the league’s final matchday. During the course of the season there were so many memorable moments that led up to this dramatic conclusion. These moments were immortalized forever through thousands of video highlights. Broadcasters and rights holders around the world used WSC Sports' AI platform to automatically create highlights of all the action as it unfolded. In fact, they created more than 54,000 highlights during the enthralling 2021/22 season (based on usage data across WSC Sports’ clients). With content created at speed and at scale, WSC Sports users could truly maximise the full potential of their media rights. The AI platform also helped unlock new storytelling capabilities via highlights, such as localizing and personalizing each video, to serve every type of fan with the content they most want to see, wherever in the world they may be. From the thousands of highlights our clients generated across an exhilarating season, we decided to dive deeper and learn about which moments, players, and teams were deemed the most highlight-worthy, as well as giving the context behind these. The Teams The title race was a fierce and lengthy battle between Manchester City and Liverpool. Although City spent 168 days atop the Premier League in 2021-22, compared to just 11 for closest challengers Liverpool, a league champion was not crowned until a frantic final day, with City needing three goals in five minutes in the closing stages of their last league game in order to pip Liverpool to the title at the season’s dying moments. The intense competition between these two throughout the season was reflected in the number of highlights generated per team. With chasers Liverpool’s enthralling season unfolding as it did, fans simply couldn’t get enough of the action, meaning they finished as the team with the most highlights generated with 1,676! Eventual title winners Manchester City’s equally enticing season garnered plenty of attention, finishing with the 3rd most highlights with 1,638. It was Manchester United who found themselves sandwiched between the two title challengers as the team with the second most highlights created about them. United’s season was turbulent at times, with their state of play, as well as going through two managers across the course of the season, helping make for some must see moments, both good and bad. Thanks to their status as the Premier League’s most successful team and one of the biggest global sporting superpowers, coupled with the presence of a sporting GOAT on their team, Cristiano Ronaldo, United’s highlights were highly sought after, making them the team with the second most highlights generated across the season with 1,659 highlights generated. The Players Liverpool’s title challenge putting them firmly in the spotlight meant two of the top 3 players with most highlights generated were attributed to them. Despite finishing as the 5th top goalscorer for the season, Sadio Mane topped the list. His constant creativity made him one of the most important players for the Reds, with 403 highlights attributed to him. With Mane recently departing to Bayern Munich it will be interesting to see who takes his place with the most highlights this coming season. Tottenham’s Harry Kane tied with Salah, also registering 389 highlights. Somewhat surprisingly, Kane placed higher than his teammate Son Heung-Min, who along with Salah was awarded the Golden Boot for most goals scored in a season after his 23 goals. However, Kane’s reputation as one of the sport’s best strikers, as well as his 17 goals and 55 shots on target, the second most registered, explains his high position for highlights generated from individual players. GAMES OF THE SEASON Unsurprisingly, the single game with most highlights generated across the season was the 9 goal thriller between Manchester City and Leicester, with the eventual league winners triumphing 6-3 over the 2015/16 champions. The 6 goals from 5 different goal-scorers for City, and the 3 goals from 3 different goal-scorers for Leicester, meant there were many memorable moments for highlights to be generated from. High scoring games also complete the list of top 3 games with most highlights generated. Manchester City again appear thanks to their 7-0 thrashing of Leeds United, with the goals in the dominant display coming from six different goal-scorers. Leeds’ 4-2 loss to Manchester United rounds out the list. The historic rivalry between Leeds and the red half of Manchester, coupled with the exhilarating game that unfolded between the sides, with United clawing back to win after giving up a 2 goal lead, makes it no shock to see the game placing 3rd for highlights generated. BEST GOALS A stunning solo-goal in the most highly anticipated game all season sees Mohammed Salah take top spot for goal with the most highlights generated. The April clash between Liverpool and Manchester City was eagerly awaited and heavily promoted, with the winner taking top spot in the league with only 7 games to be left afterwards. In the 75th minute with the game tied 1-1, Salah’s moment of brilliance saw him weave around the City defenders before placing the ball calmly in the back of the net. The game ultimately finished 2-2, and the title race rolled on. The goal went on to be awarded Premier League Goal of the Season. Taking second place for goals with most highlights generated is Conor Gallagher’s stunning strike against Everton. Gallagher rose to prominence in the 2021/22 season, with the Chelsea loanee breaking into the England national team thanks to his high level performances for Crystal Palace. Along with Gallagher’s rising stock, there were eyes on Everton as early as December when the game took place, with the Toffees looking like possible relegation candidates due to their string of poor performances. With fans from 3 clubs (Palace, Everton, and his parent club Chelsea) closely watching Gallagher for the game, along with the stupendous strike, it’s no surprise to see this highlight so sought after. Third on the list is Mateo Kovacic, whose sublime volley in the clash between 2nd placed Liverpool and 3rd placed Chelsea was also nominated for Goal of the Season alongside Salah. The reigning Champions League winners were able to hold title-chasing Liverpool to a 2-2 draw at the start of the new year. As with every ‘top 6’ clash, the interest and intrigue amongst fans is at a higher level than for a regular game. This, coupled with a truly highlight-worthy goal, makes it clear to see why highlights of Kovacic’s effort were in high demand. TOP FREE KICK – A CR7 SPECIAL Cristiano Ronaldo has created many moments of brilliance across his illustrious career, and the 2021/22 Premier League season was no different. Ronaldo’s sublime match-winning free kick, scored in a game where Manchester United found themselves tied with last-placed Norwich, was the free kick that drew the most attention across the season. Alongside the phenomenal set piece, Ronaldo’s reputation as one of the greatest soccer players of all time, as well as his huge global brand and status as the most followed sportsperson worldwide, means it’s understandable to see this free kick place top for number of highlights generated across WSC Sports’ clients. SAVE OF THE SEASON As the weeks went on, the possibility of Everton playing in the second tier of English football for the first time since 1954 looked increasingly realistic. Jordan Pickford’s heroics displayed during the game against Chelsea to secure a 1-0 win can now be looked back at as one of the turning points towards the survival of this historic club in the top division. While Pickford’s entire clean-sheet performance can be admired, his memorable quick-reflex save placed as the top save for the number of highlights generated, and went on to win the Premier League Save of the Season Award. So there you have it, a comprehensive breakdown of the moments deemed most highlight-worthy by our global clients from the 2021/22 Premier League season. We’re thrilled to play a part in how the story of a season is told by rights holders through short-form content and we simply can’t wait for the new season to kick off! - Published: 2022-07-14 - Modified: 2026-02-04 - URL: https://wsc-sports-dev.ltu.co.il/blog/industry-insights/9-creative-ways-sports-brands-utilize-graphics-and-effects-in-social-media/ - Categories: Industry Insights As a brand, how can you get fans to view and interact with your content? At the base of every social media post is content. Whether through text, images, or videos, brands use social media to try to convey a message to their audience. The challenge for brands is figuring out how to engage their audience. Even the most intriguing video can go unseen in the endless scroll of social media. So, as a brand, how can you get fans to view and interact with your content? Let’s use a simple metaphor—the ice cream cone. Envision two cones of chocolate ice cream, sitting side-by-side. One is simply a scoop of ice cream in a cone. The other is piled high with toppings: sprinkles, hot fudge, whipped cream, and all you can imagine. Which would you choose? The answer is obvious. This is the effect well-placed graphics can have on a social media post. When a brand uses a strong graphic or adds a visual effect, it can draw attention to the post and garner more fan interest, leading to increased engagement. 1. Relating to a Trend If you’re not an avid fan, golf can be... less-than-relatable. So how can networks like Golf TV relate to the masses? Easy, by seamlessly integrating one of the most popular film franchises ever into regular highlights and participating in or creating a cool trend. This neon visual effect is a classic way to parody pop culture and give a simple sports highlight new life. Check it out: 2. Adding Some Context Sometimes, one tweet simply isn’t enough. For videos where more context is necessary, it can be beneficial to add a secondary tweet as a graphic overlay. For example, check out this tweet from Purdue Football that utilizes a graphic overlay to give background information without detracting from the main news. 3. Attention-Grabbing Subtitles Take a look at this play by Mookie Betts that was posted on the MLB’s Twitter account. The highlight runs first, followed by conversations captured between Mookie and various players on the opposing team. The video runs around one minute long, far longer than the attention span of the average Twitter user, and yet, it accumulated almost 70 thousand views; this is credited to the use of subtitles during Mookie’s conversations. Subtitles are a clever way to keep fans’ eyes on the content for much longer while providing a new perspective that you normally don’t get with highlights. 4. Getting Creative With Stats It’s easy to simply tweet a stat line along with a photo following a game. For instance, Mississippi State Baseball could have simply tweeted, “Freshman Jackson Fristoe threw six perfect innings. ” Instead, they chose to be more creative and make a graphic that cleverly conveyed the stat. In return, the video they created received 335 thousand views. Not bad for a college baseball team! 5. Enhancing with an Edit Sometimes, a highlight is good enough on its own to gain thousands of views, but all it needs is a small edit to reach new heights. Bleacher Report is a great example of an account that utilizes amazing edits to stand out above the rest. Usually, Bleacher Report couples these edits with a small overlay graphic from a sponsor, providing an easy monetization opportunity. Here are some of their most popular edits. 6. Intros, Outros, and Midtros A way to provide context or easily watermark a video is to add an intro, midtro, or outro. Small moving graphics at the beginning, middle, or end of the video gives the viewer background information without taking away from the highlight. 7. Adding a New Demographic The NFL’s creativity has been on full display in the past couple of seasons, with the introduction of certain Playoff games being broadcast on both CBS and Nickelodeon, starting with the 2021 Wild Card Game. While the CBS broadcast targeted the NFL’s usual audience, the Nickelodeon ones target a new demographic- young children. The fun graphics and effects that were displayed during the 2021 game played a massive role in the success of the broadcast among viewers. Players were animated with googly eyes and hats, and players who scored a touchdown were ‘slimed’ by digital cannons. As a result, social media blew up during the game, including this tweet from Nickelodeon, which received over 450 thousand views. The NBA did something similar when they partnered with Marvel to create the Marvel Arena of Heroes, a broadcast with live graphics that paired NBA players with Marvel’s heroes and had them “compete” for points. Like the NFL, the NBA’s experiment was extremely successful, amassing thousands of views for each highlight posted to Twitter. 8. Dynamic Overlays Think of a top-10 highlights video with no additional graphics: no numbers, names, or context. Without those critical information-filled graphics, it’s hard to properly tell the story of what’s going on in the video. Easy, simple, and to the point, a text overlay is a great way to enhance a clip and add context without distracting from the original content. Here’s an example from the International Ice Hockey Federation, which uses graphic overlays to add context to this video full of highlights. Here, the overlay gives supplementary information to the other half of the split-screen to help make it easier to understand. 9. Putting It All Together The best cases of graphics usage are the ones that take from a variety of graphic techniques to create a single seamless video. Here are some examples of videos that do just that, utilizing a combination of overlays, trends, edits, stats, and subtitles to enhance a highlight and create an engaging post. So there you have it; nine creative ways sports teams, leagues, and broadcasters utilize graphics to help brand their content, drive monetization opportunities, offer new viewing experiences, or simply create engaging clips to take their social media post to the next level. > Learn how FC Barcelona partners with WSC Sports to deliver personalized basketball highlights and social content in real time for fans worldwide. - Published: 2022-06-08 - Modified: 2026-02-04 - URL: https://wsc-sports-dev.ltu.co.il/blog/news/fc-barcelona-to-create-personalised-basketball-highlights-using-wsc-sports-automation-technology/ - Categories: News - Tags: PR EMEA FC Barcelona basketball fans are set to enjoy tailored game highlights and engaging social content, thanks to WSC Sports' AI-powered video technology. WSC Sports, the global leader in AI sports video technology, announced today that its platform will be used by FC Barcelona to create automated basketball highlights and engaging social content from both the Liga Endesa and Copa del Rey competitions, to be shared across FC Barcelona’s owned and operated platforms. The platform’s automation tools will analyze every aspect of the game – from the team's top-tier defense to Nikola Mirotic's three-pointers and Nico Laprovittola's buzzer-beating shots – generating video highlights in real time to share across the club's digital channels. This cutting-edge AI-generated content will better connect fans to their favorite players and keep them engaged and invested in the game, both during live play and after the final buzzer. "We’re excited that FC Barcelona will use our AI video technology to create personalized basketball content at scale, engaging and entertaining over 3. 5 million FC Barcelona basketball fans across their social media networks. ” said Ben Mirvis, Business Development at WSC Sports. FC Barcelona was first introduced to automated real-time content back in 2020 when Europe’s top basketball league, Asociación de Clubs de Baloncesto (ACB) partnered with WSC Sports. In just over two years, the AI platform has provided automated highlights for ACB's 1. 1 million social media followers, in addition to creating content for the league's 19 clubs and their combined 24 million followers. WSC Sports adds FC Barcelona to its portfolio of global basketball clients, which includes the NBA, EuroLeague, the aforementioned ACB, The Basketball Champions League, France's LNB Pro A, and many others. > Learn how Lega Serie A is partnering with WSC Sports to deliver real-time AI-powered match highlights, enhancing fan engagement worldwide. - Published: 2022-05-09 - Modified: 2026-02-04 - URL: https://wsc-sports-dev.ltu.co.il/blog/news/lega-serie-a-utilizing-ai-technology-by-wsc-sports-to-create-real-time-highlights-to-reach-and-engage-global-fanbase/ - Categories: News Lega Serie A, Italy's top football league, has announced a three-year partnership with WSC Sports to improve how match highlights are created and shared using AI technology. WSC Sports’ AI technology analyzes actions as they happen, indexing, cropping, and applying graphics to videos. Lega Serie A will be using WSC Sports’ full suite of automation tools to capture every moment within a game and then automatically create and distribute video highlights, in real-time and at scale. Automated Serie A match highlights will be published across the league’s social media channels and other digital properties. By utilizing AI technology, more content will be available to fans in Italy and around the world, bringing them closer to the action in real-time to their favorite players and teams. Lega Serie A has been successfully using WSC Sports since early 2022 to increase the number of views and engagement of their video content. During this time Lega Serie A content has seen record numbers in terms of views across their owned and operated platforms. "In particular, Lega Serie A's YouTube channel alone has recently reached 8 million subscribers, confirming it as the channel with the most subscribers among football leagues worldwide, and thanks to this agreement it will be further enriched with new videos. We are confident that in collaboration with WSC Sports we will be able to provide fans with increasingly engaging and innovative content, and to all 20 clubs in Lega Serie A, a cutting-edge product to expand their social media offering. " Dallari added. “It’s an honor for us to be working with one of the biggest football leagues in the world, helping Serie A innovate their content workflow to better engage with their passionate fans. This partnership enables Serie A fans to be able to consume match content as soon as it happens on any device. We look forward to working together to push the boundaries of how content can connect fans with the teams and players they love,” said Ben Mirvis, Business Development at WSC Sports. WSC Sports adds the Lega Serie A to its ever increasing portfolio of football clients around the world which, to name a few, includes Bundesliga, Real Madrid, the English FA and the recent partnership with the Italian Football Federation (FIGC). - Published: 2022-05-09 - Modified: 2026-02-04 - URL: https://wsc-sports-dev.ltu.co.il/blog/industry-insights/the-sports-media-evolution/ - Categories: Industry Insights It seems that every day there is a new report of sports media rights changing from one network to another, or from one OTT platform to a new owner. While the media rights landscape is in a constant state of flux, no matter who owns the rights for lucrative sports leagues and games, owners need to make sure the value of the rights work best for their bottom line and that of their viewers. So how can rights owners make sure they are making their rights work hard to deliver this value? It begins by understanding the sports media landscape, where we are, and where it might be heading. Previously, in what we can call Sports Media 1. 0, sports media business models relied on content partnered with robust distribution to draw in fans and brand monetization. The one-size-fits-all approach worked as people were drawn to their TVs to consume large events and stayed for the entirety of the game or match. Jump ahead to the rise of OTT platforms and pay-per-view opportunities, and rights holders worked to bring in subscribers with bundle-based subscriptions and monetization from ads. But today, the availability of premium content alone is not enough to sustain a business model, as fans don’t flock to one single experience like they used to. Consumption habits are rapidly shifting to short form and highly engaging video content, as fueled by GenZ and the popularity of TikTok and YouTube Shorts, with the sharp decline of live, full-game viewership. According to media analyst firm Two Circles, the average sports fan is only watching 55% of the total sports content they consume in real-time, with that percentage set to decrease to 53% by 2024. A recent PWC survey clearly illustrates the trend of viewership transitioning from full games to “crunch-time”, episodic tune ins. What’s more, this change in consumption habits is happening while the nature of competition for audience attention is strongly intensifying. The digital ecosystem is filled with constant, unrelenting stimuli and the competition for audience attention is made out of any consumer facing digital offering – including Netflix, Fortnite, Snapchat and many others. Introducing Sports Media 2. 0 This shift in consumption habits, coupled with the intensifying competition for attention on digital platforms is rendering the classic “buy content and wait for the audience to show up” approach obsolete. There is an understanding that the old playbook needs to be thrown out and smart strategies need to be implemented to not just attract viewers with good content, but keep them coming back for more. While the pace of innovation is accelerating and concepts like Gamification, Personalization and Communal/Social Viewing Experiences are being thrown around as silver bullets for the struggling rights holders, the simple truth is that any long term sustainable business for the sports media ecosystem needs to start by accepting and embracing the transition to digital. This means focusing on what it takes to win the digital battle: (1) Actively and continuously driving new user acquisition, (2) Bringing existing users back (re acquisition) and delivering O&O experiences that increase the time spent and engagement all while (3) Enabling scalable and flexible monetization solutions. Planned and executed correctly, these three elements create a flywheel effect that will ensure continued long term performance and eventual dominance over competition. The formula is a variation of: Effective digital marketing and user acquisition => More new users => More data that can be collected => More meaningful content personalization => More engaging experiences => More monetization opportunities => Better ARPU => More marginal revenue to invest in every user’s acquisition. Sports media 2. 0 is very much a living and breathing concept that will continue to converge and evolve. But rights holders that prioritize the three core areas of user acquisition, content for retention and engagement and lastly monetization, will ultimately find success by making their content work to deliver value. This article was originally featured in Advertising Week. - Published: 2022-05-09 - Modified: 2026-02-04 - URL: https://wsc-sports-dev.ltu.co.il/blog/news/lega-serie-a-utilizing-ai-technology-by-wsc-sports-to-create-real-time-highlights/ - Categories: News Lega Serie A, the top football league in Italy and one of the world’s elite football leagues, announced today a three-year partnership with WSC Sports, the global leader in artificial intelligence (AI)-driven sports video technology. WSC Sports’ machine learning technology analyzes actions as they happen, indexing, cropping, and applying graphics to videos. Lega Serie A will be using WSC Sports’ full suite of automation tools to capture every moment within a game and then automatically create and distribute video highlights, in real-time and at scale. Automated Serie A match highlights will be published across the league’s social media channels and other digital properties. By utilizing AI technology, more content will be available to fans in Italy and around the world, bringing them closer to the action in real-time to their favorite players and teams. Lega Serie A has been successfully using WSC Sports since early 2022 to increase the number of views and engagement of their video content. During this time Lega Serie A content has seen record numbers in terms of views across their owned and operated platforms. "We are extremely pleased to announce this partnership with WSC Sports," said Lorenzo Dallari, Editorial & Social Director, Lega Serie A. "Thanks to this agreement, we’re able to continue the development plan for our social and digital platforms, which have now surpassed a total of 21 million fans who follow us regularly. In particular, Lega Serie A’s YouTube channel alone has recently reached 8 million subscribers, confirming it as the channel with the most subscribers among football leagues worldwide, and thanks to this agreement it will be further enriched with new videos. " "It’s an honor for us to be working with one of the biggest football leagues in the world, helping Serie A innovate their content workflow to better engage with their passionate fans. This partnership enables Serie A fans to be able to consume match content as soon as it happens on any device. We look forward to working together to push the boundaries of how content can connect fans with the teams and players they love,” said Ben Mirvis, Business Development Manager at WSC Sports. WSC Sports adds the Lega Serie A to its ever increasing portfolio of football clients around the world which, to name a few, includes Bundesliga, Real Madrid, the English FA and the recent partnership with the Italian Football Federation (FIGC). - Published: 2022-05-03 - Modified: 2026-02-04 - URL: https://wsc-sports-dev.ltu.co.il/blog/industry-insights/how-onefootball-utilize-wsc-sports-ai-technology-for-user-acquisition-and-experience-enrichment/ - Categories: Industry Insights The 2022 SportsPro Live, held at The Kia Oval in London, featured over 70 industry leaders in 40+ sessions discussing how technology is driving new revenue streams and transforming the traditional business model. In the session below, Vadim Drozdovski, VP of Growth at WSC Sports, and Yannik Ramcke, OTT Lead at OneFootball, discussed how OneFootball has leveraged WSC Sports’ AI technology since their partnership in June 2021. They highlighted innovative features like real-time automated highlights and 'WSC Stories,' which provide audiences with more ways to consume sports. They also shared their visions for the future, exploring how WSC Sports and OneFootball will continue to disrupt and innovate sports media consumption. Watch the full discussion below. - Published: 2022-05-01 - Modified: 2026-02-04 - URL: https://wsc-sports-dev.ltu.co.il/blog/news/wsc-sports-dazn-win-best-technology-for-communications-and-storytelling-award/ - Categories: News The two companies win joint award in the category, 'Best Technology for Communications and Storytelling'. In early 2021 we developed ‘WSC Stories’, an end-to-end storytelling solution that automatically creates highlights in real-time as web stories that appear on Google OneBox, one of the most valuable pieces of Internet real estate. Because WSC Stories are on Google, rights holders’ content is more discoverable and accessible than ever before. Developed with OTT providers in mind, WSC Stories are continuously updated as a match progresses, bringing fans directly into the match drama with a distinct call-to-action for fans, whether that be an app download, signup to watch the game or other paid opportunities. Leading OTT platform DAZN has been successfully leveraging WSC Stories to storytell and engage with football fans with up to the minute highlights, while also utilizing new monetization opportunities for its content and driving traffic to their owned and operated platforms. Congratulations to all the winners of this year’s awards! More recently, in 2024 WSC Sports scooped the award for Best Broadcast Technology and was inducted into the Sports Technology Hall of Fame. In 2023, for the second consecutive year, WSC Sports was also ranked by the STA Group as the 16th most influential sports technology company in the world. - Published: 2022-04-13 - Modified: 2026-02-04 - URL: https://wsc-sports-dev.ltu.co.il/blog/industry-insights/why-content-will-drive-sports-betting-growth/ - Categories: Industry Insights - Tags: Thought Leadership Sports betting has exploded over the last few years. In New York City, it was reported that $2.4 billion in wagers was placed during the first five weeks of legalization. There's also a growing trend of sportsbooks cozying up with content providers. But how these sportsbooks end up using content will ultimately decide who wins and who loses, with content helping to drive customer stickiness and loyalty and with it, their wallets. Here are three ways content and overall user experience will power customer engagement and loyalty and ultimately decide which sportsbooks find success. The Case for User Experience Speaking of user experience, the current interface for most sports sites leaves much to be desired, especially for new-to-betting recreational bettors who are trying this for the first time. Many new bettors expect an interface they are more used to—more visualized and content-heavy rather than scoreboard and filled with data/numbers. While the betting industry in Europe is more mature and may have more legacy issues to adapt, there is a huge opportunity for operators in the US to revive the interface to make it feel more like an app, be more intuitive, user friendly and fun, which in turn, will attract more bettors and will make them stay longer. The UX is also an opportunity for differentiation which will especially be needed as the industry gets more and more crowded. Using Content to Attract Bettors Betting operators understand that content is what will attract bettors and keep them coming back. But the way in which content is used has a ways to go. Currently, most operators have a simplistic offering, with content complementing traffic. For example, an article is published describing the game events, impacting odds with a link to a gaming site. Or broadcast and OTT platforms discuss betting odds and direct viewers to how to place a bet. Or registered users may also be sent an alert with a video highlightlight, directing them to place a bet on their app of choice. The next step in using content is to merge all content into a single screen experience so that bettors can read and view content and then immediately place a wager all on one screen. But what is most exciting is what the future may bring. There is an opportunity for betting operators to provide a single destination for sports fans, providing all sport content and entertainment and featuring a betting option. In addition to written content, which could include game and player news, predictions, fantasy content and more, video highlights and live play can be embedded within, more inline with what sports fans are used to from a user experience. In a recent survey by Variety Intelligence Platform , 58% of MLB fans, 54% of NBA and 48% of NFL fans aged 18-34 prefer watching highlights over full games. Video Driving Action In the near future, the use of video in sportsbooks will mature to be entirely personalized and relevant to the users betting patterns. Video-on-demand will enable users to request a video highlight of a specific play or player or a side-by-side comparison to make an educated wager. Moreover, they will be able to review their open or settled bets status through live video footage. They will have full control of what they want to see, when they want to see it and on the device of their preference. For example, a bettor will not be interested to see the full Lakers game highlights but rather a specific player performance due to the player props they wagered. With this differentiation in mind, sportsbook content strategy will not be competing with the traditional sport content publishers as it will provide more relevant and personalized content. While not yet widely implemented due to the challenges of content ownership, hopefully soon video on demand will be the cornerstone of sports betting, driven by the user. The endgame is a complete convergence of the video and betting markets. - Published: 2022-04-08 - Modified: 2026-02-04 - URL: https://wsc-sports-dev.ltu.co.il/blog/news/wsc-sports-pga-tour-nominated-for-sports-emmy-award/ - Categories: News - Tags: Award Wins We're proud to announce that we've been nominated for a Sports Emmy Award for our joint entry with PGA TOUR in the Outstanding Digital Innovation category. This submission focusses on the collaboration between PGA TOUR and WSC Sports during THE PLAYERS Championship 2021, where PGA TOUR brought golf fans 'Every Shot Live'. WSC Sports' AI technology helped deliver video highlights from every shot, from every golfer, from every hole, just moments after they took place, into PGA TOUR's TOURCAST platform for fans around the world to follow all the action. More recently, WSC Sports won a Emmy® for AI-ML Curation of Highlights. The Technology & Engineering Emmy® Awards are given for developments in engineering technologies that either represent an extensive improvement on existing methods, or inventions that are so wildly innovative that they’ve materially affected television. - Published: 2022-03-29 - Modified: 2026-02-04 - URL: https://wsc-sports-dev.ltu.co.il/blog/news/premier-sports-partners-with-ai-video-platform-wsc-sports-to-innovate-content-creation-and-distribution-throughout-uk-ireland/ - Categories: News - Tags: PR EMEA Premier Sports will be using WSC Sports’ machine learning technology to analyze actions in real-time, index, crop, and apply graphics to videos. Partnership to bring automated video highlights to all Premier Sports offerings including TV, OTT and beyond Premier Sports, a leading subscription based sports broadcaster in the UK and Ireland, and WSC Sports, the global leader in AI sports video technology, today announced they have partnered to bring automated highlights to the Premier Sports TV channel, OTT channel Premier Player, as well as the Premier Sports channel available on Amazon Prime. The relationship currently covers football highlights for all LaLiga games, the Scottish Cup and Premier Sports Cup, United Rugby Championship, Top14 Rugby, NHL and more. Premier Sports will be using WSC Sports’ machine learning technology to analyze actions in real-time, index, crop, and apply graphics to videos, to create personalized highlights to serve sports fans across the UK and Ireland. By utilizing WSC Sports’ AI platform, Premier Sports are now able to scale up their content production, providing them enough highlights (both short-form and long-form) to fill the Premier Sports linear TV channels with highlights, rather than full games, that are of more interest to viewers after an event. Previously, this would have been unrealistic to manually edit thousands of live events each week. In addition, all content generated by WSC Sports for Premier Player, Premier Sports’ subscription platform, will also be seamlessly integrated and available on the Amazon Prime Premier Sports video-on-demand channel. Lastly, Premier Sports are innovating their content output further by utilizing WSC Stories, WSC Sports’ real-time stories highlights solution. These automated stories appear during live play in the OneBox found in Google Search and are constantly updated as games progress. Premier Sports can use these stories, for example during a LaLiga game, to show snippets of the live action and drive traffic and new subscribers to their subscription platform. “We are thrilled to be working with Premier Sports to help them populate all of their offerings with innovative and exciting highlights. From linear TV to OTT to Amazon Prime, Premier Sports customers in the UK and Ireland now have many unique ways to experience sports highlights, no matter how they access Premier Sports,” said Ross Munro, Head of Commercial UK, WSC Sports. - Published: 2022-03-09 - Modified: 2026-02-04 - URL: https://wsc-sports-dev.ltu.co.il/blog/news/brave-combat-federation-partners-with-wsc-sports-to-automate-real-time-fight-highlights-to-engage-fans-and-grow-global-brand/ - Categories: News - Tags: PR ROW BRAVE Combat Federation, the fastest growing global Mixed Martial Arts (MMA) promotion, and WSC Sports, the global leader in AI sports video technology, announced today a three-year partnership ahead of the promotion’s first-event of the year, BRAVE CF 57, to create and distribute AI-powered real-time fight highlights. BRAVE CF will use WSC Sports’ machine learning technology to auto-detect, index, and tag each moment from a fight event in real-time and automatically generate video content for their digital properties. The AI platform creates content at scale, providing fans with more highlights than ever before, and delivers them moments after the action takes place. The platform also enables BRAVE Combat Federation to customize and personalize content for their fans and partners around the world. Real-time fight highlights will be used across BRAVE CF social media channels to grow their fan base and drive new subscribers, as well as enhance their subscription service offering to BRAVE CF TV. In addition to providing real-time content, the WSC Sports platform will ingest the BRAVE CF archive library, indexing and tagging along the way, so that highlights from the past are instantly available. Every punch, kick, hold, or any other action, will be available to the BRAVE CF content team in just a few clicks of a mouse. This new indexed library of historical events will also be used to facilitate VOD capabilities for fight fans around the world. BRAVE CF is the largest MMA promotion in the Middle East, and their deal with WSC Sports marks the first time a sports organization from Bahrain will use innovative Israeli AI video technology to help grow their global brand, monetize their content, and reach and engage with the fans all around the world. WSC Sports has also partnered with BRAVE CF’s holding company, KHK Media Group, who will use WSC Sports to drive innovation across their sports properties. KHK Media Group will help expand WSC Sports’ efforts in the region as more organizations in the Middle East look to utilize automation across their content workflows. “BRAVE CF is the most global MMA promotion in the world and with the partnership with WSC , we will be able to provide the top global MMA content to BRAVE Nation. “It’s extremely exciting that our AI platform will be used to automatically create and distribute real-time BRAVE CF highlights. I’m proud that WSC Sports’ innovative technology will deliver new experiences for fans in Bahrain and around the world. We look forward to showcasing our technology and bringing AI generated content to more sports organizations in the region. ” Dror Yosef, Business Development MENA, WSC Sports With this new partnership WSC Sports adds to its growing MMA portfolio of clients which includes One Championship, Professional Fighters League and UFC via various broadcasters. - Published: 2022-02-23 - Modified: 2026-02-04 - URL: https://wsc-sports-dev.ltu.co.il/blog/news/indycar-brings-real-time-automated-highlights-to-fans-through-wsc-sports-partnership/ - Categories: News - Tags: PR USA & LATAM IndyCar, the sanctioning body for the NTT IndyCar Series, and WSC Sports, the global leader in AI sports video technology, today announced they will partner for the 2022 IndyCar season to bring AI-powered video highlights direct to fans. WSC Sports’ platform identifies key moments in each race and automatically publishes highlights and content to NTT IndyCar Series digital properties along with driver and team social channels. This is the first time AI-fueled technology will deliver real-time content directly to NTT IndyCar Series fans, ultimately providing more access and personalized content to consumers across the racing season. As the title sponsor and technology partner of the NTT IndyCar Series, NTT collaborated with IndyCar to architect a multi-year digital transformation roadmap to drive enhanced fan interaction and engagement, operational excellence and deliver smart racing and smart venue innovations. To support execution, NTT not only lent its own Smart Sports, Media and Entertainment business solutions, services, and expertise, but those within its partner ecosystem which includes WSC Sports, an NTT invested company, which NTT introduced to enable and enhance IndyCar’s content creation and distribution capabilities. IndyCar initially started working with WSC Sports at the beginning of the 2021 season and based on the success of recent collaborations, the Series is now expanding to a fully-automated highlights solution for the 2022 season that begins February 27 with the Firestone Grand Prix of St. Petersburg on NBC. In addition, the WSC Sports platform will help fuel exciting new fan experiences such as ingesting streams from all race cars with In Car Cameras (ICCs), providing fans with automatically generated real-time highlights from an unprecedented and unique point of view of the race from their favorite driver. "In partnership with NTT, we’re in the midst of an aggressive and dynamic transformation that will extend the reach of our sport and convey our bold and unique narrative in increasingly relevant ways. ” “It’s a thrill for us to be able to capture the excitement of IndyCar racing and be able to share all the action with fans in real-time,” said Joe DaCosta, North America Business Development, WSC Sports. “Motorsports are a new focus for us in the U. S. and we are excited to be able to partner with a first-class organization like IndyCar. ” Using machine learning technology, the WSC Sports platform auto-detects, indexes and tags each moment from a race in real-time so that highlights can then be distributed to digital properties automatically and at scale. This helps IndyCar engage with fans and expand their reach, grow their brand and explore new monetization opportunities for their racing content. This partnership adds to WSC Sports’ growing number of motorsports clients which already includes Extreme E and NASCAR. > WSC Sports secures $100M in Series D funding to fuel global expansion and innovation in AI-driven sports highlights. - Published: 2022-02-15 - Modified: 2026-02-04 - URL: https://wsc-sports-dev.ltu.co.il/blog/news/wsc-sports-extends-growth-announces-100m-in-series-d-round/ - Categories: News - Tags: PR Global ION Crossover Partners leads a $100M Series D funding round to drive WSC Sports' growth and innovation in the sports media landscape. WSC Sports, the global leader in AI-driven sports highlights, announced today that it has closed a $100M Series D round, led by ION Crossover Partners (ICP). Existing investors, including Intel Capital, O. G. Tech and Detroit Venture Partners (Dan Gilbert), also participated in the round. The company plans to use the new funding to support its aggressive growth plans for 2022 and beyond, continuing its expansion into new geographies, sports, and platforms such as OTT, NFTs, sports betting and more. In addition, the company is set to recruit more than 150 new employees this year, both in Israel and at its regional offices in New York, Sydney, and London. WSC Sports' Employees WSC Sports, which has become one of the world’s leading sports-tech companies, surpassed more than 200 global customers in 2021, as a growing number of rights-holders are recognizing the strategic value of automating, customizing, and scaling their digital content efforts to better engage with fans and monetize their content. During 2021, more than 3. 4m highlights were created using the company’s AI-based platform, which equates to over nine years’ worth of video content. It was also a year where the company released innovative new products and tools for rights holders to connect with fans, such as WSC Stories. Over 6,000 stories were created, receiving close to 100 million views, with an average CTR of more than 11%, changing the way fans discover and engage with sports content. “ICP will contribute from their vast experience working with growth stage technology companies as we continue our global expansion. Sports media rights owners are embracing new ways to connect with their fans and generate new revenue streams. With new consumption habits moving at a rapid pace, short-form video has become a key component in user acquisition, retention, and monetization and our new products that were launched during 2021 for broadcasters, OTT providers and sports betting operators demonstrate the scale and variety of use-cases our platform supports. ” Shichman added. WSC Sports Co-founder and CEO, Daniel Shichman “We have been following WSC’s progress over the last two years and found the team’s vision and execution highly impressive. Content is king, and we view sports content as one of the crown jewels of the digital age. WSC’s undeniable technology leadership is unlocking value for different stakeholders in the value chain. We look forward to taking part in the next chapter of WSC’s growth and innovation” said Gilad Shany, ICP’s Managing Partner, who will be joining WSC Sports’ BoD. - Published: 2022-02-02 - Modified: 2026-02-04 - URL: https://wsc-sports-dev.ltu.co.il/blog/news/italian-football-federation-figc-partner-with-wsc-sports-to-bring-ai-video-highlights-to-the-womens-serie-a-timvision-2/ - Categories: News Federazione Italiana Giuoco Calcio (FIGC), the Italian Football Federation, announced today a 3-year collaboration with WSC Sports, the global leader in artificial intelligence (AI)-driven sports video technology. FIGC will be using WSC Sports’ full suite of automation tools to capture every moment within a game and then automatically create video highlights in real-time to be shared across the women’s football division social media channels and other digital properties. AI-generated highlights enable FIGC to scale the production and distribution of its content, and drive engagement with football fans, both in Italy and around the world. We are proud that our AI highlights technology is supporting the growth of women’s football in Italy and driving fandom for Serie A and the women’s game around the world. We’re excited to be a part of this project and to bring fans closer to the action, wherever they are”, said Ben Mirvis, Business Development at WSC Sports. WSC Sports adds the FIGC to its growing partnership portfolio in women’s football, which also includes the English Football Association Women’s Super League (WSL) and the Puerto Rican Football Federation’s Liga Puerto Rico. - Published: 2021-12-20 - Modified: 2026-02-04 - URL: https://wsc-sports-dev.ltu.co.il/blog/industry-insights/over-3-4m-video-highlights-a-year/ - Categories: Industry Insights Looking back at 2021, it was a tremendous year for us at WSC Sports. While 2020 was a year where we had to deal, like the whole world of sports, with COVID and its implications, thankfully during 2021 everything got back on track, and at full force. Our company experienced dramatic growth - customer base, headcount, processes, global presence and office space. As the new year begins, we’re proud to be serving over 200 of the world’s leading rights holders - leagues, teams, federations, broadcasters and OTT players. Daniel Shichman, Co-Founder and CEO WSC Sports For me personally, as an entrepreneur, a technologist and an avid sports fan since childhood, this year was truly amazing. Many companies are growing fast, many are dealing with challenges in scaling the business, this is all part of the game. Each company is paving it’s unique path - in R&D, product, sales, support, marketing, operations, finance and HR. Each of these departments has its own interesting story to tell and unique growth challenges to face, same goes for our company. But at WSC Sports we are facing an additional challenge, which is unique - handling the insane quantity of content that is being analyzed and created by our system. In 2021 alone, we ingested and analyzed close to 100,000 live streams, identified and rated over 32 million actions, and created over 3. 4 million highlights! Our customers trust us to provide them with exceptional service around the clock. They expect the content to be flawless and the platform to support all their unique use-cases. In order for us to handle such vast quantities in real-time, we’re required to provide solutions to many issues surrounding this complex technological & operational challenge: Scalable infrastructure that can handle vast amounts of video content - from ingesting a high number of streams, through analyzing them, encoding and building the right logic to integrations to dozens of external systems. Each software component is a world of its own and has dedicated R&D and product teams that develop and maintain them to make sure they can handle the scale, variety of formats and the many use cases our customers present us with. State of the art AI platform that keeps learning and getting better all the time, to enable us to process sports videos, audio and data in real-time and at scale. Very few cloud-based companies possess such real-time video processing capabilities, as there are many algorithmic, engineering, DevOps and product challenges to be addressed. Highlights that are 100% accurate - like any other AI-based system, there is no such thing as full automation with perfect accuracy, hence our system is programmed to continuously mark the confidence level it has in identifying the various events. To complement our state-of-the-art technology, we built a global, diverse Operations department. This department, which is always “live”, makes sure we maintain 24/7 availability for our customers and that the system outputs are 100% accurate. The team handles various issues with the live streams, inspects events that were flagged by our system and verifies that the highlights are made to the highest standards. At a scale of 3,700 actions and 400 highlights every hour for over 200 customers, we need to guarantee that no errors slip through the cracks and that our customers’ fans enjoy the sports highlights they love to watch. Every year, when we run our annual summaries, I get truly amazed by everything we achieved: product enhancements, technology breakthroughs, operational excellence, unique company culture and atmosphere... Each year, the challenges become more complex, yet more interesting to address. I wish for WSC Sports to continue to handle scalability issues, as we have aggressive growth plans in place for 2022 as well - it’s going to be fun! All the best for everyone in next year, Daniel. Not already part of the WSC Sports family? ! Then check out our many open positions here. > Modern sports fans are having an impact on sports around the world. From the way they consume game to brand new rules being introduced. - Published: 2021-12-10 - Modified: 2026-02-04 - URL: https://wsc-sports-dev.ltu.co.il/blog/industry-insights/three-major-sports-changing-their-game-to-suit-modern-fans/ - Categories: Industry Insights Sports are evolving and leagues are constantly competing to be the best in terms of viewership, attendance, and fan involvement. The driver behind this competition is revenue (surprise, surprise) with views and fan engagement the key to financial success. Recently, the modernization of sports has led to a “hyper-evolution” as leagues try to keep up with rapidly changing consumer habits. Younger fans consistently prefer watching highlights to full games, especially when compared to their older counterparts. For instance, 48% of NFL fans aged 18-34 said they prefer watching highlights instead of complete games. In the age 50+ group, only 11% said they prefer watching highlights over the live games. The trends are clear: young fans continue to signal a need for faster, modern, highlight-filled games. One way that a league can get ahead of the rest is through new rules and formats that revitalize the game. All professional sports leagues have a feeder league of some sort, like the NBA’s G-League, through which young talent can try out for the highest stage of competition. When a professional league needs to test a new and potentially game-changing rule, there’s no better place than a feeder league, or a new league altogether. Outside of established professional leagues, there are constantly new leagues sprouting up that bend the rules of sport and play. Some bend these rules to an extreme, like the now-defunct professional Slamball league, which featured a version of basketball played entirely on trampolines. While it’s unlikely we’ll see Kevin Durant on a trampoline any time soon, there are some leagues that utilize rule changes that could one day be brought to the forefront of the sport. Twenty20 Cricket, an experimental version of Cricket that arrived in 2003 and allowed the sport to be played in three hours instead of five days, has had a tremendous impact on the sport. This goes further than changing the rules: it was a full cricket reformat that was met with significant resistance when it was first introduced. However, Twenty20’s current success is unmistakable: the top-five earning cricket leagues in the world are all T20. As if one variation wasn’t enough, over the last few months another new format was introduced to the cricket world, The Hundred. The men’s and women’s tournament took place in England in July and August, and is an even faster paced game in which each team plays a single hundred-ball innings. The Hundred only takes about two and a half hours per match, which is more comparable to the length of a baseball game. Similar to T20, there is significant resistance from cricket traditionalists about The Hundred’s fast pace, but the results are clear: 55% of people who bought The Hundred tickets had never been to a cricket match before, and the tournament set several television and attendance records. Many modern sports leagues are trying to make similar moves to what T20 and The Hundred did, working towards a faster, harder-hitting, and more engaging game, in order to ensure fans are satisfied. Here are some of the most innovative new leagues and rules currently being tested to keep sports as engaging and entertaining as possible. Basketball’s Elam Ending Basketball is an enjoyable, fast-paced sport with minimal waiting in-between plays and lots of high-intensity action. However, the most important part of the game can often be completely negated by strategy. Intentional fouls at the end of the game are an integral part of basketball, allowing the losing team to save time in a last-gasp attempt to get back in the game. While intentional fouls are a good strategic play, they can completely ruin the end of the game, forcing fans to watch a litany of free throws instead of a real battle. A 5-on-5 tournament with a $1 million cash prize called ‘The Basketball Tournament’ aims to change that, with the help of a man named Nick Elam. In 2017, The Basketball Tournament implemented the “Elam Ending,” a new strategic way to end basketball games that involves teams playing to a target score, set with four minutes left in the fourth quarter, instead of playing until the clock runs out. By having teams play to a target score, the game will always end on a made basket. According to The Basketball Tournament’s website, the addition of the Elam Ending “led to a noticeably better end of game experience both on the court and in the stands. ” The NBA took notice of the Elam Ending in 2020, and the league now utilizes the Elam Ending in their All-Star Game each year, with 24 points tacked on to the leading team’s score going into the fourth quarter in an homage to the late Kobe Bryant. In its first implementation, the change was an immense success, turning the usually lackluster showing of All-Star talent into an intense game that ended up being won by only two points. Following the game, sports pundit Tony Kornheiser made an argument for the NBA to immediately integrate the Elam Ending. While that hasn’t happened, his argument makes it clear the ending could very easily be integrated in the future. The Atlantic League A problem facing Major League Baseball can be summed up in one word: timing. The games are simply too long for some fans. In an era of highlight-driven viewership, the MLB has done a good job of creating a more feast-or-famine game that focuses on home runs: four of the last five MLB seasons are in the top five home-run hitting seasons ever. However, professional baseball still faces stiff competition from other sports. It’s been a struggle for 'America’s Pastime' to keep modern fans’ attention, especially the new generations of fans. In search of an answer to how to modernize its game, the MLB came across a testing ground: the Atlantic League. Founded in 1998, the Atlantic League has operated for 20+ years as an independent baseball league in cities without a major league franchise. In 2019, they entered into a deal with the MLB to become an official partner. The partnership allowed the MLB to implement changes to the Atlantic League’s rules in order to test the effects of future rule-changes. The most major rule change was immediately implemented: a pitch clock, limiting the time between pitches in an attempt to speed up the game. Last season, the Atlantic League introduced what could become one of the most revolutionary tech-based enhancements to the MLB since its creation: the robot umpire. The Automated Ball-Strike System uses camera tracking to determine whether a pitch is a ball or a strike with AI precision. At the moment, the system is used in tandem with a live umpire. The system’s determination is fed verbally into the home-plate umpire’s earpiece, and then it’s up to that umpire to determine whether the system made the right decision. In the future, it may no longer be up to the live umpire at all, as the system’s accuracy increases year-over-year. An MLB with automatically determined strikes and balls would definitely improve fan morale - egregiously wrong calls are often the source of major complaints from fans on social media. There’s even an account on Twitter with over 50 thousand followers dedicated to auditing every umpire’s calls during each game. Most recently, the league implemented its newest experiment. The pitching mound was moved back one foot, to a new distance of 61 feet and 6 inches, in an effort to make batting easier to add more action and points to games. While a single foot seems like a minor change, the effect of the change has become noticeable - but not in the way one would expect. While statistically the game has remained nearly the same (the strikeout rate surprisingly actually increased by 0. 5%), the effect on the players’ morale and health has been more drastic. According to CBS Sports’ R. J. Anderson, the league’s players almost went on strike as a result of the change. Pitchers complained about health and soreness, while batters complained about the change in timing. The players felt that despite being professionals in their sport, they were being treated like guinea pigs. It goes to show that behind every sports experiment are real people - and if the experiment fails, those people may have something to say about it! Fan Controlled Football The National Football League isn’t just the most profitable professional sports league in the United States - it’s the most profitable league in the world. The NFL’s overwhelmingly large brand and fan base has made it the only sustainable professional football league in America. The most recent attempts at alternative football leagues, the XFL and AAF, both only lasted a single season. This makes sense, other than playing their seasons in Spring instead of fall the leagues didn’t offer anything different than the NFL, and had nothing near the NFL’s star power. In 2017, a group of entrepreneurs, former and current NFL players, and other athletes and influencers from nearly every faction of the sports industry came together to try to create a brand new football league. Originally dubbed the “Interactive Football League,” the Fan Controlled Football League was founded on a simple premise: the fans decide everything. Everything as in everything. From league rules, to team branding (including logos and uniforms), to which players the team signs/drafts, the league is built to be a completely interactive fan experience. The teams are owned by likeable celebrities: Marshawn Lynch, Quavo, and Richard Sherman, to name a few. The league’s fan-voted rules are wacky and enjoyable, putting a new spin on an American classic. From the opening, the league emphasizes friendly competition, beginning with a game of rock-paper-scissors instead of the NFL’s coin toss to determine who receives the kickoff. Each team plays with seven players on the field instead of eleven, including a three-man offensive line. Teams have the opportunity to retain possession following a score with a one-shot play - if they gain 10 yards, they retain possession. There’s no kicking or punting, only one timeout per team, and many other minor changes. During games, fans vote on their team’s next play in real-time. In addition, fans decide the outcome of replay reviews of close calls. While the FCF lacks the star-power of the NFL, the ability to have an impact on every game kept fans engaged through the league’s inaugural season, which ended in March. What's Next Sports are moving towards a more streamlined, fan-based approach. In the age of social media, leagues are under constant pressure to keep fans happy or face the consequences of group mentality. Innovation is important in order to keep sports fresh for fans, and keep them profitable for the leagues. Who knows what the future holds for professional sports, but one thing that can certainly be expected is for all sports to strive to become more and more exciting in the coming years as they battle each other (and the many other modern day distractions) for fan engagement supremacy. - Published: 2021-12-01 - Modified: 2026-02-04 - URL: https://wsc-sports-dev.ltu.co.il/blog/news/setanta-sports-and-wsc-sports-partner-to-bring-personalised-ai-driven-highlights-to-sports-fans-in-eurasia/ - Categories: News - Tags: PR EMEA Setanta Sports and WSC Sports Partner to bring automated highlights to the new OTT platform SetantaSports.com, serving sports fans in 13 Eurasian countries. Fans from 13 different countries in the Eurasia region will have an access to the personalized, real-time sports highlights on the new OTT platform—SetantaSports. com. Setanta Sports, the largest sports broadcasting company in the Eurasia region, announced that it has partnered with WSC Sports, the global leader in AI sports video technology, to bring automated highlights to its new OTT platform SetantaSports. com, serving sports fans in 13 countries across Eurasia. For the first time ever, fans from Armenia, Azerbaijan, Belarus, Estonia, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Latvia, Lithuania, Moldova, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, Uzbekistan and Georgia will have access to real-time highlights created automatically by WSC Sports, and in three languages (English, Russian, Georgian), that will help drive fan engagement and bring sports enthusiasts closer to the teams they love and expose them to more sports in general. Setanta Sports launched its new OTT platform - SentantaSports. com, with its partner Endeavor Streaming - bringing live, on-demand sports to fans from across the region. Now sports lovers are able to watch multiple streams simultaneously and follow highlights from the UEFA Champions League, UEFA Europa League, English Premier League, La Liga, Serie A, Bundesliga, Ligue 1, NBA, NHL, Euro League Basketball, Formula 1, Formula E, NASCAR, ATP and WTA tennis, UFC and Bellator MMA. Setanta Sports will be using WSC Sports’ full suite of technology tools to analyze actions in real-time, index, crop, and apply graphics to videos, to create personalized highlights to serve each and every fan in the region. In addition to creating highlights for its OTT platform, Setanta Sports will be using WSC Sports to create real-time highlights in stories format that will appear during live play in Google Search and will be constantly updated as games progress. Setanta Sports content will now be more discoverable for fans than ever before and offers them an exciting new format to consume the sport they love. Stories highlights will also open up new monetization opportunities for Setanta Sports as well as drive significant traffic and signups to SetanaSports. com. “We are proud to partner with Setanta Sports and excited that they’re using our technology to deliver automated sports content to fans in the Eurasia region. Through real-time highlights for their OTT platform, and web stories for Google Search, we look forward to helping Setanta Sports expand their footprint and provide truly personalized sports content for fans,” said Itai Epstein, Director of Business Development, EMEA & China, WSC Sports. - Published: 2021-11-25 - Modified: 2026-02-04 - URL: https://wsc-sports-dev.ltu.co.il/blog/news/wsc-sports-ranked-33rd-most-influential-sports-technology-company/ - Categories: News - Tags: Award Wins The STA Group and the English Institute of Sport published their ‘Sports Technology Annual Review and Industry Power List‘ in November and we were excited to see WSC Sports feature among the biggest names in the world of sports. The Sports Technology Power List, ranks the 50 most influential brands shaping the future of sport and sports innovation, from the largest brands in the world. This year we were invited to submit an entry to possibly feature in the list and we were delighted that the judges ranked us as number 33! In fact we're one of the highest ranked new entries for 2021 and the highest ranked Israeli tech company to be featured. Our Power List ranking was the latest in a series of recognition that WSC Sports has received in the latter part of 2021. In October WSC Sports won the award for ‘Best Use of Technology’ in the ‘Fan Experience’ category at the 2021 Hashtag Sports Awards as well as the award for ‘Outstanding OTT Experience‘ at SVG Europe’s 2021 Sports TV Awards. To mark this recent flurry of industry acknowledgement WSC Sports Co-Founder and CEO, Daniel Shichman shared these words: “2021 was an amazing year of growth for WSC Sports and we’re delighted that in the past couple of months we started receiving some amazing recognition for our efforts. The world of sports is undergoing a revolution in the way that fans consume content. There’s a sharp shift from watching full games, to watching short, customized videos, available anytime on any platform, bringing new challenges for broadcasters and rights owners. We are proud to be one of the world’s leading technology companies in building the next generation of content consumption and plan to continue our rapid growth in the years to come. On this occasion I would like to thank our amazing team, all over the world, for their professional work, dedication, quality and for their amazing spirit. I’m most proud of the culture we have built and continue to develop. ” - Published: 2021-11-10 - Modified: 2026-02-04 - URL: https://wsc-sports-dev.ltu.co.il/blog/news/okko-sport-and-wsc-sports-innovate-the-way-russian-sports-fans-discover-and-consume-highlights-with-google-web-stories/ - Categories: News - Tags: PR ROW Fans in Russia who search for English Premier League or La Liga on Google will now be able to access real-time, in-match highlights with Google Web Stories. Okko Sport, the leading Russian subscription-based sports broadcaster, announced today it has expanded its partnership with WSC Sports, the global leader in AI sports video technology, to include highlights of all English Premier League and La Liga games in stories format embedded directly in Google Search, where users can also find sports game scores, schedules, standings, stats and other key content. With the addition of Google Web Stories, Okko Sport will innovate the in-game experience for sports fans in Russia, with real-time highlights that continuously update and populate Google Search as live games progress, making content easier to consume than ever before. Google Web Stories provides a new touchpoint for fans to discover Okko Sport content outside of their usual channels such as social media pages, apps or websites. Okko Sport will utilize Web Stories to drive traffic and subscriptions to its OTT platform and will take advantage of the new monetization opportunities that WSC Sports can help unlock via Web Stories. WSC Sports’ artificial intelligent technology provides Okko Sport with an automated end-to-end highlights storytelling solution that automatically creates stories for use on Google Search and drives traffic back to Okko Sport. Oleg Manzha, CEO at Okko Sport said: “We offer our subscribers the most advanced ways to discover the world of sports. Together with WSC Sports we take a step further making highly relevant Okko Sport content available to wider audiences”. ‘When we began working with Okko Sport, we set out to have a long-term relationship where we would build together new tools to innovate the way fans consume sports in Russia. I’m so pleased that Okko Sport will be using WSC Sports to create stories for Google Search to expose their content to more people,” said Itai Epstein, Director of Business Development, EMEA & China Okko Sport began working with WSC Sports in November 2020 to create content and automate real-time highlights for their subscription services. The expansion to include Web Stories builds on that relationship to disrupt the OTT viewing experience for fans in the Russian sports market. > Learn about WSC Sport's 'Outstanding OTT Experience' award at SVG Europe's 2021 Sports TV Awards! - Published: 2021-10-31 - Modified: 2026-02-04 - URL: https://wsc-sports-dev.ltu.co.il/blog/news/wsc-sports-wins-award-for-outstanding-ott-experience-at-the-sports-tv-awards/ - Categories: News - Tags: Award Wins We're excited to share that WSC Sports has won the award for 'Outstanding OTT Experience' at SVG Europe's 2021 Sports TV Awards! Here’s what the judges said about our entry: “Rarely does a game-changing product come along that immediately delivers on its promise, but this entry has managed exactly that. Amongst a very high-quality field, this one stood out. ” And here's what winning the award means to our CEO and Co-Founder Daniel Shichman: Read more about our award-winning OTT technology, and all the other 2021 winners, here. - Published: 2021-10-11 - Modified: 2026-02-04 - URL: https://wsc-sports-dev.ltu.co.il/blog/news/basketball-champions-league-and-wsc-sports-extend-partnership-through-2024/ - Categories: News - Tags: PR EMEA The Basketball Champions League and WSC Sports, the global leader in AI sports video technology, today announced the extension of their partnership to bring automated real-time video highlights to the BCL until 2024. The BCL, together with its official broadcast and marketing rights holder SPORTFIVE, will be working with WSC Sports to provide BCL with an innovative digital approach, automating highlights and content for their website, social media channels and more. Thanks to high-level TV production and a great cooperation with all broadcasters, this partnership will also complement the broadcasting offering and enhance the coverage of the competition, delivering the best experience to all fans. WSC Sports have been working with the BCL since 2016, helping to create personalized content and expand BCL’s reach. Earlier in 2021, SPORTFIVE became the exclusive agency managing a combined set of marketing and global media rights for the Basketball Champions League. Basketball Champions League CEO Patrick Comninos endorsed the partnership with WSC Sports: “It is a great pleasure for us to announce the extension of the agreement with WSC Sports, a global leader in automated sports video creation. " “We are thrilled to continue our long-term relationship with BCL in this new partnership with SPORTFIVE. We have the shared vision of expanding the BCL fan-first basketball experience to engage with more fans and more touch points across Europe. We also hope this is just the first of many opportunities with the SPORTFIVE team,” said Ben Mirvis, Business Development, WSC Sports. > Learn how Globo is partnering with WSC Sports to deliver real-time AI-driven soccer highlights to fans across Brazil’s digital platforms. - Published: 2021-07-21 - Modified: 2026-02-04 - URL: https://wsc-sports-dev.ltu.co.il/blog/news/globo-and-wsc-sports-announce-innovative-partnership-to-bring-ai-generated-soccer-highlights-to-fans-in-brazil/ - Categories: News - Tags: PR USA & LATAM Globo partners with WSC Sports to deliver automated real-time soccer highlights, enhancing fan engagement across digital platforms in Brazil. Globo, the largest mass media group in Latin America, and WSC Sports, the global leader in artificial intelligence (AI)-driven sports video technology, today announced a partnership to bring automated real-time video highlights and sports content to soccer fans in Brazil across Globo’s digital properties, streaming and social media. Globo will be using WSC Sports’ full suite of technology tools to share content and engage with fans, while growing their fanbase and maximizing both content production capabilities and advertising opportunities within their streaming platform, Globoplay, ge. globo and YouTube channel. “We’re excited to bring our AI platform to Globo’s footprint and proud that the largest media company in LATAM chose WSC Sports as their main provider. Globo is truly innovating in fan engagement with real-time highlights. Our partnership with Globo is an important move for WSC Sports and represents a significant step in our growth,” said Amir Gelman, Head of Enterprise Business Development, WSC Sports. WSC Sports and Globo are able to personalize and customize content for every fan in Brazil, no matter their favorite team or player and on which platform they choose to consume their content. > Fan consumption habits are ever-changing in sports. This is causing a steep increase in the value of video highlights. - Published: 2021-07-05 - Modified: 2026-02-04 - URL: https://wsc-sports-dev.ltu.co.il/blog/industry-insights/how-changing-consumption-habits-are-fueling-the-rise-in-value-of-sports-highlights/ - Categories: Industry Insights How fans consume sports is changing rapidly before our eyes. The traditional days of gathering around the television and watching games or staying up watching programs like ESPN’s SportsCenter are coming to an end. A new wave is already here, and the facts are undeniable: younger fans prefer highlights over full games. The rate at which short-form content and highlights are growing cannot be ignored. With the sports media rights market continuing to expand and grow in its value, the same can be said about short-form content. The Growth of Short-Form Content A report by Two Circles projects that by 2024 the sports media rights market will continue its steady rise to be worth $60. 9bn, up 29% from where it was in 2019, with the value of live rights estimated to grow by 18. 7%. Yet, the most interesting finding from the report is that the value of short-form highlights rights is forecast to grow at a staggering rate of 71. 15%, rising from $5. 2bn in 2019 to an estimated $8. 9bn by 2024! In an industry survey put out earlier in 2021 by PwC about sports amid the pandemic, 90. 5% of respondents said that they expect highlights and short-form content to grow or grow significantly in sports media consumption by fans. According to the study, this is because millennials are consuming highlights and other short-form content at a tremendous growth rate. The average time spent per week consuming highlights for this demographic has increased from 2 hours and 49 minutes in 2015 to 5 hours and 43 minutes in 2020—a 103% increase. Even among non-millennials, there has been a steep increase in highlight consumption too. Increasing from 1 hour and 25 minutes per week in 2015 to 3 hours and 23 minutes per week in 2020. So What’s Driving This Dramatic Rise in Value? Well, like most things around the world, it’s demand that’s driving it sky-high! So who's watching what? A recent report by Variety shows a shift in sports consumption in the younger demographic. Using data gathered by the Maru Group, the results were broken down into three different demographic age groups. 18-34, 35-49, and 50+. These were then sorted between NFL fans, MLB fans, and NBA fans. What these results show is a groundbreaking shift in consumption by younger audiences. For example, for NFL fans in the 18-34 group, 48% of fans said they prefer watching highlights instead of complete games. In comparison, for NFL fans in the 50+ age range, only 11% said they prefer watching highlights over the live games. These results then beg the question: Why do younger fans want to watch highlights over the full games? The report shows that many fans struggle to watch the regular season due to distractions from social media and streaming services to name a few. Another reason for the drop off is that some fans feel that some league’s playoffs go on for far too long. This feeling is across all three demographics, not just the younger group. To keep up with the demand of modern sports fans and appeal to younger audiences some sports have even adopted ways to speed up games and seasons. For example, the England and Wales Cricket Board created the T20 or Twenty20 cricket variant, limiting the match to just 20 overs per game. The result is a game that finishes much quicker than traditional test cricket. This means that cricket boards have recognized that the attention span of people, particularly younger people, is not as long as it once was. Of course, not every sport can realistically even be changed and if the concept seems doable, it’s very hard to win fan support for such drastic changes. However the fact remains, fans want ‘quicker’ and people are starting to take notice. Do Fans Still Care About the Games? Well of course they do! Large numbers of fans still love watching their favorite leagues and every second of the action in real time. Despite the shifts in viewing habits, fan engagement has not wavered, even among younger fans, during the rise in demand for more short form content. The reason for this continued engagement is that there are other ways to engage fans. New technologies have enabled teams and leagues to bring action to their fans faster than ever before. By reaching fans on many different devices and platforms, especially offering them personalized content has helped keep modern fans happy and engaged. Additionally activities like video games, gambling, and fantasy sports have allowed fans to enjoy the games they love without watching the full event. Fans still follow players and teams but through these other platforms. For rights holders, despite what their mainstay is, industry shifts and fan demands are becoming essential to understand and adapt to. The bottom-line: right’s holders must give the fans what they want and how they want it. What Does This All Mean? The growth of fan consumption of highlights and short form content and the decline of younger fan’s desire to watch full live sporting events in their entirety has created a massive shift within the sports media landscape. As sports media has evolved through the years, rights holders who are proactive and embrace change will thrive, while those who reject it will falter. This shift is not a brief trend but rather the next evolution of fan consumption. The challenge for rights holders now and in the years to come is how to best exploit the opportunities that short form content can offer to both engage with fans and provide new forms of revenue. - Published: 2021-06-22 - Modified: 2026-02-04 - URL: https://wsc-sports-dev.ltu.co.il/blog/news/onefootball-and-wsc-sports-join-forces-to-enhance-the-digital-fan-experience/ - Categories: News - Tags: PR EMEA Partnership to bring innovative new fan experiences around short-form content, such as match highlights, to the OneFootball platform. OneFootball, the world’s largest football media company, will be using WSC Sports’ artificial intelligence (AI)-driven sports video technology to enhance its short-form video content across its various platforms. WSC Sports’ AI and automation tools will enable OneFootball to develop personalized, localized and unique content for its 85 million monthly active users while scaling video content creation and optimizing time and resources. The partnership will provide fans with innovative live, near-live, and post-game video content, with OneFootball incorporating WSC Sports’ automated technology across its OTT offering on Website, App, OneFootball Player and Social Media. Both parties will also collaborate going forward on further differentiating and enriching the OneFootball experience with short-form video content across its multitude of touchpoints with football fans. “We are thrilled to be working with such a forward-looking brand that is as passionate as we are about reimagining the fan experience. We are excited about the roadmap ahead of us that caters to the changing consumption habits of a new generation of football fans. ” “OneFootball and WSC Sports are both focused on creating tools and technologies that can take fan experiences to the next level, making them as personalized and customizable as possible. We are excited about the prospect of a long-term relationship to create tools that engage fans even more,” said Itai Epstein, Head of Business Development, Central Eastern Europe, Russia & China, WSC Sports. - Published: 2021-06-10 - Modified: 2026-02-04 - URL: https://wsc-sports-dev.ltu.co.il/blog/news/wsc-sports-to-power-the-euro-2020-viewing-experience-for-public-broadcaster-nrk-in-norway/ - Categories: News - Tags: PR EMEA WSC Sports, the global leader in artificial intelligence (AI)-driven sports video technology, today announced it will be working with NRK Sport. Largest media organization in Norway to use WSC Sports platform to automate real-time highlights for Euro 2020 WSC Sports, the global leader in artificial intelligence (AI)-driven sports video technology, today announced it will be working with NRK Sport, the sports division of NRK, the Norwegian state-owned public broadcasting company and largest media organization in Norway, to bring automated real-time video highlights of the Euro 2020 action to fans across the region. NRK will be using WSC Sports’ full suite of tools to deliver the most innovative Euro viewing experience for the Norwegian public, sharing highlights of key plays and players across NRK’s digital and social media assets. The partnership will also include one of WSC Sports latest offerings that automatically creates Stories for Google’s OneBox, the first search result in Google, that will help them drive traffic to NRK’s website and other digital products while making NRK content more accessible than ever before. WSC Sports’ platform enables NRK to create and distribute customized video highlights that automatically create a personalized fan experience that delivers the most from live sport events, changing the way fans consume and engage with content during the Euros. NRK will be utilizing new WSC Sports’ features including Live Stories which allows NRK to publish content in stories format for better mobile experiences. In addition, NRK will be launching a live ticker on its website that will feature highlights of key play-by-plays throughout the games. “We are excited to bring WSC Sports’ AI-powered technology to NRK to help them create the best fan-viewing experience for the Euros this year. - Published: 2021-05-21 - Modified: 2026-02-04 - URL: https://wsc-sports-dev.ltu.co.il/blog/news/extreme-e-teams-up-with-wsc-sports-to-produce-race-highlights/ - Categories: News - Tags: PR EMEA Extreme E will have access to WSC Sports’ cloud-based live-clipping platform Clipro, allowing the series to create and publish near-live and post-race highlight Extreme E, the pioneering electric off-road racing series, is teaming up with WSC Sports, the global leader in artificial intelligence (AI)-driven sports video technology ahead of its second X Prix from 29–30 May 2021 at Lac Rose in Dakar, Senegal. Extreme E will have access to WSC Sports’ cloud-based live-clipping platform Clipro, allowing the series to create and publish near-live and post-race highlights in a matter of seconds, as well as WSC Sports’ innovative Graphics Engine, which automatically adds stunning visuals to videos to help brand and monetize content. Now WSC Sports partners with more organizations in the racing industry like NASCAR, IndyCar, and Stock Car. - Published: 2021-05-09 - Modified: 2026-02-04 - URL: https://wsc-sports-dev.ltu.co.il/blog/news/wsc-sports-wins-best-broadcast-technology-award-at-2021-sports-technology-awards/ - Categories: News - Tags: Award Wins We’re delighted to win the award for Best Broadcast Technology at the 2021 Sports Technology Awards! We’re delighted to win the award for Best Broadcast Technology at the 2021 Sports Technology Awards ! WSC Sports’ innovative OTT integration is a core offering that automatically fills clients’ streaming platforms with unique and personalized videos allowing them to deliver game-changing fan experiences to their subscribers, such as catching up to the live action through highlights in football matches, providing highlights of every golf shot, from every player, as they happen in tournaments, and many other experiences. More recently, in 2024 WSC Sports was ranked the 16th Most Influential Sports Technology Company for the second consecutive year. Additionally, the company received the honor of winning the award for the Best Broadcast Technology and was inducted into the Sports Technology Hall of Fame. - Published: 2021-04-07 - Modified: 2026-02-04 - URL: https://wsc-sports-dev.ltu.co.il/blog/news/wsc-sports-partners-with-vtb-united-league-the-international-professional-basketball-league-based-in-russia/ - Categories: News - Tags: PR ROW WSC Sports announced today a partnership with VTB United League, who will be using WSC Sports’ full suite of AI technology tools to create automated highlights. “We are excited to be expanding in Russia and partner with VTB United League to disrupt the way Russian basketball fans consume and share content. WSC Sports and VTB both share a passion for innovation and we look forward to bringing new technology and excitement to the league,” said Itai Epstein, Head of Central Eastern Europe, Russia & China, WSC Sports. WSC Sports began working with VTB United League at the start of the current season and was key to bringing fans all the action with its automatically created highlights during the VTB United League All-Star game held in Moscow in February. In the future, WSC Sports will look to work directly with VTB United League’s teams and players to help them maximize fan engagement, personalize their content, and build brand loyalty and excitement for the league. “We are pleased to announce that VTB United League has become the first sports league in Russia to sign an agreement with WSC Sports, joining the company’s impressive existing client list that includes the NBA, NHL, FIBA, ESPN and more. - Published: 2021-02-16 - Modified: 2026-02-04 - URL: https://wsc-sports-dev.ltu.co.il/blog/news/fanduel-group-and-wsc-sports-partner-to-provide-sports-highlights-to-fanduel-sportsbook-customers/ - Categories: News - Tags: PR USA & LATAM FanDuel Group and WSC Sports, today announced a partnership to push real-time highlights of golf events to FanDuel Sportsbook app users. The Partnership Brings In-App Highlights Directly to Users in Real-Time FanDuel Group, the premier online gaming company and America’s #1 Sportsbook, and WSC Sports, a Tel Aviv-based startup that leverages artificial intelligence to generate highlights from live sports broadcasts, today announced a partnership to push real-time highlights of golf events to FanDuel Sportsbook app users. This marks the first time a U. S. sports betting operator will deliver highlights packages to sports bettors. WSC Sports’ technology gives superpowers to video editors by using AI to automatically analyze live sports broadcasts, identify each and every event that occurs and then create customized short-form video content that can be published on any digital destination. This partnership will allow FanDuel to enhance their customer experience by sharing in-game action with their users directly to their mobiles, in near real-time. “Part of our ongoing focus is providing a fully integrated experience that gives our customers the ability to follow and interact in real-time with the sports they care about. ” The WSC Sports platform is the only one of its kind, creating personalized automated highlights for every type of sports fan. The technology currently automates the highlights editing process for 17 different sports. The partnership between FanDuel Group and WSC Sports begins with golf-specific content, but allows for the opportunity to expand into other sports. The two companies are able to provide in-app integrations and highlights related to both fantasy sports and betting, instantaneously alerting fans as to the performance of their teams and players. “Both WSC Sports and FanDuel work with the biggest names and brands in sports, providing a synergy between our two teams,” Aviv Arnon, CBDO, WSC Sports said. “Both companies’ technological innovations aim to enhance the sports fan experience and we’re looking forward to dually accomplishing those stated goals. ” - Published: 2021-02-04 - Modified: 2026-02-04 - URL: https://wsc-sports-dev.ltu.co.il/blog/news/lpga-announces-cutting-edge-partnership-with-wsc-sports-aiming-to-grow-fan-base-to-new-heights/ - Categories: News - Tags: PR USA & LATAM The Ladies Professional Golf Association (LPGA) and WSC Sports today jointly announced a partnership introducing dynamic innovation. The Ladies Professional Golf Organization Is Now Able To Provide Its Fans With Highlights In Real Time The Ladies Professional Golf Association (LPGA) and WSC Sports, the global leader in artificial intelligence (AI)-driven sports video technology, today jointly announced a partnership introducing dynamic innovation to the way in which the women’s golf organization connects with its fans. The two entities first began working together in August on a two-tournament pilot before signing a 3. 5-year engagement on October 1, 2020. WSC Sports’ technology gives superpowers to video editors by using AI to automatically analyze live sports broadcasts, identify each and every event that occurs and then create customized short-form video content that can be published on any digital destination. The LPGA will utilize the technology to provide golf fans with automated, real-time highlights via social media channels, the LPGA website lpga. com, the LPGA app and across OTT channels. By delivering this new fan experience and increasing the level of engagement across multiple proprietary digital channels, the LPGA will be able to cultivate new sponsors and help add to the offerings available to existing partners. “Our pilot program this past summer underscored the value of WSC Sports’ technology in helping to engage our great fans and double down on our desire to drive new interest in the LPGA. " “Golf offers so many exciting moments for its fans, making it one of the most highlight-oriented sports in the world,” David Gavant, Business Development at WSC Sports said. “This partnership revolutionizes the LPGA’s workflow, as the WSC Sports platform provides them with the ability to create content as it happens and then delivers it to numerous distribution points in mere seconds after actions take place on the course. ” The LPGA has long prioritized innovation, particularly as it pertains to international fan engagement, as players across its three tours represent more than 50 countries. With this partnership, the LPGA not only hopes to deliver a more engaging product to its current fanbase but also feels the WSC Sports technology has a demonstrated ability to engage and cultivate new fans for the sport. - Published: 2020-12-06 - Modified: 2026-02-04 - URL: https://wsc-sports-dev.ltu.co.il/blog/news/wsc-sports-named-best-tech-company-at-sportspro-ott-awards/ - Categories: News - Tags: Award Wins We’re delighted to win the top prize for ‘Best Tech Company’ at the 2020 SportPro OTT awards! From the Judges: “This was an innovative entry in an area that is becoming more and more important as OTT platforms develop. Added interest for fans is a key driver and this is an effective, efficient way of offering that. Impressive tech trusted by many rights holders around the world. ” Read more about the other winners at the 2020 SportsPro OTT awards here . - Published: 2020-11-24 - Modified: 2026-02-04 - URL: https://wsc-sports-dev.ltu.co.il/blog/news/okko-sport-announces-partnership-with-wsc-sports-to-automate-real-time-highlights-production/ - Categories: News - Tags: PR ROW Okko Sport announced today a partnership with WSC Sports, the global leader in artificial intelligence (AI)-driven sports video technology. The partnership will disrupt the sports tech space by introducing new technology to the russian market Okko Sport, the leading Russian subscription-based sports broadcaster, announced today a partnership with WSC Sports, the global leader in artificial intelligence (AI)-driven sports video technology. Okko Sport , the official Russian broadcaster of the English Premier League, Major League Soccer and CONCACAF qualifiers for the 2022 FIFA World Cup, will use WSC Sports’ proprietary technology to automate real-time highlights production. The technology involved in this partnership is new to the Russian market. The partnership will also feature joint efforts by the two companies to develop innovative solutions that will disrupt the over-the-top content (OTT) and sports fan experiences in the Russian market. Some of these developments and initiatives will be announced in the coming months. “This partnership will immediately get more sports content in front of the millions of sports fans in Russia,” WSC Sports Head of Business Development, Central Eastern Europe & Russia Itai Epstein said. “Our technology will not only extend Okko Sport’s offerings but also distribute highlights and other short-form content to Russian sports fans faster than ever before. Our innovation won’t stop there. This partnership is the start of other initiatives our two companies have planned for the Russian marketplace. ” “We created Okko Sport to give football fans an opportunity to watch matches of their favorite teams with comfort and pleasure” said Mikhail Gershkovich, Head of Sports Projects, Rambler Group and Okko Sport. "Now we are making the next step—thanks to the partnership with WSC Sports, Okko Sport clients will get even more premium sports content in real-time. ” - Published: 2020-11-15 - Modified: 2026-02-04 - URL: https://wsc-sports-dev.ltu.co.il/blog/news/tencent-announces-partnership-with-wsc-sports-to-develop-new-solutions-for-chinese-market/ - Categories: News - Tags: PR ROW Tencent Holdings and WSC Sports announced today a three-year partnership to fuel the development of new video production solutions for the Chinese market. The Multi-year Deal Will Provide Tencent With Automated & Personalized Sports Video Content For All Their Digital Platforms. Tencent Holdings, the Chinese holding company that is invested across multiple sectors including streaming television, social networks, e-commerce, sports, gaming, software and more and WSC Sports, the global leader in artificial intelligence (AI)-driven sports video technology, announced today a three-year partnership to fuel the development of new video production solutions for the Chinese market. As part of the agreement, WSC Sports will also provide Tencent Sports (and other Tencent divisions) with its automatic video solutions for content distribution through Tencent’s digital platforms, such as its website, apps and social media channels — all of which combine to boast over 100 million users and subscribers. This partnership will enable Tencent to distribute automated, varied, and personalized sports content on a large scale for its major properties such as the NBA, NFL, English Premier League, and many more, throughout the Chinese market. According to Tencent, the improvement of mobile broadband infrastructure such as 5G is causing short-form videos to become the leading format in which content is consumed. Data shows that the demand for short video is growing and the number of short video users is increasing strongly. The partnership between Tencent and WSC Sports will greatly improve the timeliness of content production, while the output of boutique sports highlights can be increased by 10 times under the same quality conditions and the production efficiency of creative short video content can be increased by 12 times. “This partnership is aimed at growing that fandom by providing Chinese sports fans with personalized and innovative experiences and exposing them to a large variety of content with which they can engage. ” WSC Sports will constitute a significant component in Tencent’s digital strategy, and contribute to its continuing growth. In addition, Tencent and WSC Sports will work together to develop new innovative solutions to disrupt the sports consumption experience in China. > Learn how WSC Sports leveraged AI technology to create over 67,000 personalized NBA Playoffs highlights, transforming fan engagement across platforms in real-time. - Published: 2020-11-08 - Modified: 2026-02-04 - URL: https://wsc-sports-dev.ltu.co.il/blog/industry-insights/wsc-sports-the-automagical-highlights-behind-the-nba-playoffs/ - Categories: Industry Insights Learn about the AI technology used by the NBA to automatically create and distribute thousands of game highlights. The 2020 NBA Playoffs will be remembered for many reasons. Many of which are due to the unprecedented circumstances surrounding the games: the bubble, no fans and games every other night. On the court, however, we’re going to remember the highlights and oh boy there were a lot of them! (67,290 to be exact, based on usage data across WSC Sports’ clients). 67,000+ videos may seem a lot, but not necessarily when you consider the needs and desires of modern sports fans. Gone are the days of media rights holders producing a ‘one-size-fits-all’ video highlight for all of their digital publishing points. Fans today demand personalized sports content, for whichever device or platform they may be using, and they want it as close to real time as possible. Fans on Twitter will be looking for short-form ‘snackable’ clips, whereas those on YouTube will likely be looking for longer-form highlights, and those checking their Instagram stories will need video highlights in vertical. This level of customization, at such a huge scale that’s not been seen before, is being fueled by WSC Sports' AI and Machine Learning technology. Throughout the historic 2020 NBA Playoffs and Finals, WSC Sports armed editors at over 30 of its clients worldwide with the ability to automatically create a mass of professionally edited highlight clips to tell the story of each and every game, from each and every play, maximizing the full potential of their media rights, while satisfying the cravings of basketball fans. WSC Sports analyzed all of the automatic highlight clips its platform generated to uncover the players, teams and games that were the most highlight-reel worthy, which included 25,844 highlights of players, 2,747 highlights of dunks and 1,718 three-pointers. In total, 3,070 team highlight videos were automatically created. Champions Los Angeles Lakers, as you might expect, had the most highlights created about them, besting their Finals counterpart Miami Heat by 22%. The Denver Nuggets came in third with 22% fewer highlights than Miami. 1. Davis’ game-winning three-pointer in Game 2 of the Western Conference Finals versus the Nuggets was THE ultimate highlight. 2. Followed by Luka Doncic’s Game 4 winner in the Mavs-Clippers series. 3. Raptors’ OG Anunoby’s winner in Game 3 of its second-round matchup over the Celtics came in third. How WSC Sports Makes it Happen WSC Sports’ platform generates personalized sports videos for every digital platform and every sports fan — automatically and in real-time. Currently being used by leading media rights owners such as NBA, ESPN, FIBA, NASCAR, Discovery, Bleacher Report, and many others, WSC Sports’ platform utilizes advanced AI and Machine Learning technologies to analyze live sports broadcasts, identify each and every event that occurs in the game, create customized short-form video content and publish to any digital destination. This enables partners to instantly generate and distribute professionally edited personalized clips and videos on a large scale, to engage audiences and maximize video monetization opportunities. The power of WSC Sports’ platform offers unparalleled content customization, automatically creating videos that vary in length, audio (commentator language), format (square, vertical, 16:9) and graphics packaging, enabling clients to make the perfect video for every platform, telling the exact story they want to tell, for each and every type of fan. - Published: 2020-09-29 - Modified: 2026-02-04 - URL: https://wsc-sports-dev.ltu.co.il/blog/news/acb-partners-with-wsc-sports-to-automate-highlight-creation-and-better-engage-fans/ - Categories: News - Tags: PR EMEA WSC Sports announced today an ongoing partnership with ACB, the Spanish basketball league considered to be the best in Europe. Europe’s Premiere Basketball League Utilizing WSC Sports to Grow Social Following, Generate New Revenue Opportunities and Appeal to Fans’ Desire for More Video Content WSC Sports , the AI-driven video production and distribution platform, announced today an ongoing partnership with ACB, the Spanish basketball league considered to be the best in Europe. WSC Sports’ platform uses artificial intelligence and machine learning to generate personalized sports videos for every digital platform. Following a successful collaboration that started over a year ago, ACB will continue to use WSC Sports to automate highlights for its 1. 1 million social media followers, in addition to allowing the league’s 19 clubs to utilize the platform to automate highlights for their combined 24 million followers. Liga Endesa is currently broadcast on four continents in 125 countries. The league boasts Europe’s top-tier talent and is considered one of the strongest national leagues in the world, and joins a long list of Tier-1 clients which also use the WSC Sports platform. ACB boasts some of the most talented players in the world. Last year, 17 of the FIBA World Cup medalists were playing in the ACB, including eight world champions with Spain. Liga Endesa has also been home for some of the biggest world stars: Luka Doncic, Ricky Rubio, Marc Gasol or Kristaps Porzingis were raised in ACB. The WSC platform will instantaneously help grow the league’s reach while exposing their unique talent and high level competition to global basketball fans. WSC Sports currently has over 100 league and media clients. In 2019 alone, WSC Sports’ technology created over 13 million clips and highlights for its partners. The company works with other professional sports leagues like MLS, Cricket Australia, the NHL and FIBA and rights holders like Bleacher Report, WarnerMedia and Discovery. “ACB features some of basketball’s most eye-popping highlights on a daily basis,” WSC Sports VP of Partnerships Yitav Topaz said. “We’re excited to be part of the solution that’s going to expose ACB to more of the world’s basketball fans, providing them with more content than ever before. ” - Published: 2020-08-23 - Modified: 2026-02-04 - URL: https://wsc-sports-dev.ltu.co.il/blog/news/belgian-pro-league-and-new-rightsholder-eleven-sports-partner-with-wsc-sports/ - Categories: News - Tags: PR EMEA Pro League Forward announced last week a multiyear partnership with WSC Sports, to help bring fans closer to football by delivering real-time football highlights. Pro League Forward, the Pro League’s recently announced innovation platform, announced last week a multiyear partnership with WSC Sports, the global leader in artificial intelligence (AI)-driven sports video technology, to help bring fans closer to football by delivering real-time football highlights. Together with Eleven Sports, the Pro League will utilize WSC Sports’ innovative technology to bring to life its mission statement of bringing fans “Closer to Football”, harnessing the power of automation to create and publish live highlights and digital content. This will be used by the League body itself and all the clubs in the top two divisions of Belgium’s professional football league, the Jupiler Pro League and the 1B Pro League. Eleven Sports, exclusive broadcaster of the Pro League competitions, shall also make use of the WSC Sports technology to enrich its content and distribution. This marks the first time a European sports organization, in collaboration with a rightsholder, has partnered with WSC Sports to offer the league’s clubs and distribution partners such streamlined access to content. On WSC sports’ client list are various football bodies such as the Bundesliga, J League and MLS, as well as other top global sports leagues including the NBA, NHL and many more. Pro League and Eleven Sports moved to seal this deal on behalf of, and for the benefit of, the league’s clubs and distribution partners, to help them better connect with fans and grow their fanbases domestically and internationally. One of the most attractive parts of the deal for Pro League teams is WSC Sports’ ability to provide real-time goal alert videos sent directly to club apps. These will play a particularly important role in helping bring fans into the match while stadium restrictions remain in place. The partnership with WSC Sports is part of Pro League Forward, an innovative project that aims to bring fans closer to football and helps establish the league as a forward thinker in early adoption of sports tech solutions. "The collaboration with WSC is completely in line with this strategy. We are therefore very pleased to enter into this partnership with the Pro League and WSC. ” “We are delighted to be working with the Belgian Pro League and Eleven Sports and help expose one of the most exciting leagues in Europe to a much larger audience, bringing fans closer to the teams than ever before” said Yitav Topaz, VP Strategic Partnerships at WSC Sports, “We’re looking forward to a long association with such an innovative partner who is always looking to adopt new technologies and strives to put its teams first. " > What do content teams do when there's no live sport being played? Get creative that's what. Here's some top tips to fill the content void... - Published: 2020-04-01 - Modified: 2026-02-04 - URL: https://wsc-sports-dev.ltu.co.il/blog/industry-insights/how-sports-have-been-filling-the-content-void-in-these-times-of-social-distancing/ - Categories: Industry Insights Due to the Coronavirus pandemic almost all global sports have been canceled or suspended indefinitely. This has not only left fans feeling empty but for teams, leagues, federations, and sports broadcasters it’s created a massive problem—a lack of content to fill their regular programming, websites, apps or social media pages. So what do you do when you suddenly have no fresh content? Here’s a look at some of the best examples from around the globe since the sporting world came to a sudden halt. Digging Deep in the Archives Full-Length Replays Some games are just too good not to show again from start to finish. Let’s face it, we all have a bunch of extra time on our hands now and no place to go, so re-watching footage from the archives makes perfect sense, so sit back and enjoy! Cricket Australia picked a classic game from the 90s, Australia vs New Zealand, featuring legends like the king of spin bowling Shane Warne and streamed it on YouTube. During the stream Cricket Australia tweeted dozens of highlights in sync with the broadcast on their Twitter account. These bite-sized highlights acted as a sort of real-time commentary from the test match itself to really help bring fans into the game. AUSTRALIA WIN! With two balls to spare! Whew, what a classic. #AUSvNZ97 pic. twitter. com/7GTbdFfJyJ — cricket. com. au (@cricketcomau) March 23, 2020 Sunshine, awesome beaches and of course giant waves. That can mean only one thing... The World Surf League. Every few days the WSL has been keeping us smiling by streaming full-length competitions from the WSL Vault on their YouTube channel featuring legends like Kelly Slater... The NHL has gone all-out to keep hockey fans entertained during these social distancing times by releasing NHL Pause Binge. It’s a free on-demand streaming service that can be found on their website and app which allows fans to view hours (and hours) of archive content including classic matches, documentaries and more. Getting Creative With Highlights Here, at WSC Sports we’ve seen a significant rise in production, with various sports media bodies producing thousands of highlight videos from their archive content in recent weeks. Here’s a small selection of such content that we thought you’d enjoy... Big Ten Network has been digging deep into their treasure trove of historical footage and been keeping fans happy reliving magical moments like this... 33 years ago, @IndianaMBB edged Syracuse to win its fifth NCAA crown. pic. twitter. com/yjg7YisYY8 — Big Ten Network (@BigTenNetwork) March 30, 2020 France’s LNB used a multi-video post template to complete their own online knockout bracket competition based on fans voting for the best dunk. The dunk with the most votes completes the bracket and moves to the next round. Check out the Twitter thread... 1/4 de finale ? ? ? ? - 1@DdotJAY30 - 2019 (@MSB_Officiel) ? ? ? ? @ldwilliams_4 - 2012 (@JLBourgBasket) pic. twitter. com/wZvUv0tTFd — LNB (@LNBofficiel) March 30, 2020 MLS have also been getting creative on social using their archive content. Here’s Zlatan Ibrahimovic’s LA Galaxy debut goal heard all around the world... Zlatan Ibrahimović's debut goal with @LAGalaxy was spectacular in every language. ? ? ? ? pic. twitter. com/z1RQplYrwY — Major League Soccer (@MLS) March 31, 2020 You’re probably thinking ‘where’s the NBA? ’ on this list. Well, of course, they haven’t been disappointing fans either. Among the many creative highlights they’ve put out in the past few weeks here’s one long-form video that you’re sure to enjoy... The Virtual Shift Moving away now from highlights and archive content, we’ve seen teams and leagues explore what they can do with their sport, both remotely and safely. The outcome has been a shift from the real world to the virtual world. The NBA’s Phoenix Suns have been delighting their fans recently by putting together a series of virtual games played out on the NBA2K video game. The first of these match-ups saw the Suns take on the Minnesota Timberwolves with the Sun’s Ty Jerome and Wolves’ Josh Okogie at the controls for their teams. The game was live-streamed on Twitter and racked up an astonishing 3. 1 million viewers! "YES SIR @mikal_bridges" - @tyjerome_ pic. twitter. com/wmPm6n7Omj — Phoenix Suns (@Suns) March 19, 2020 Germany’s top football league the Bundesliga has been keeping fans entertained by pumping out plenty of highlights from their archive, and additionally, they have launched Virtual Bundesliga. Each team from the league had two professional club players representing their side from the comfort of their own home in a round of FIFA matchups that were streamed on the Bundesliga’s YouTube channel. Und auch #Platte trifft mit sich selbst in #FIFA20 ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? #BundesligaHomeChallenge pic. twitter. com/m1KjA6Xdgt — bevestor Virtual Bundesliga (@vbl_official) March 29, 2020 United Soccer League has also pivoted to eSports, but forget FIFA tournaments, they’ve opted for eSport favorite Rocket League. USL players, fans, celebrity supporters, and team owners from each of the 32 teams will be competing to raise money for charity for those affected by Coronavirus. Each game will be streamed live on ESPN 3 and the ESPN app, with additional coverage on the USL’s official website. Just like that, we've got our first ever #USLeCup goal! #NCvRNO | @Reno1868FC pic. twitter. com/OczdmUa4MU — USL Championship (@USLChampionship) April 1, 2020 LET'S GET IT ? ? ? ? #USLeCup pic. twitter. com/9kZbAGUhTY — USL Championship (@USLChampionship) March 25, 2020 Getting the Fans Involved Even though we’re confined to our homes we’ve got to stay active. Luckily FIBA has been working with trainers to help you hone your skills while you’re stuck at home. This tutorial helps you work on your footwork and teaches you how to shoot like Dallas Mavericks star Luka Dončić. The FIVB has also been lending a helping hand by sharing how professional volleyball stars are training from home. View this post on Instagram A post shared by Volleyball World (@volleyballworld) And here’s some workout ideas from the WSL... Can’t stop, won’t stop @flickpalmateer’s workout creativity ? ? ? ? pic. twitter. com/vGLvzaCJWn — World Surf League (@wsl) March 31, 2020 The Spanish Basketball League, Liga ACB has joined in on the home videos front. Baskonia’s Sergi Garcia has done a #stayathome mashup combined of the toilet paper ‘keepy uppy’ challenge, with ‘the floor is lava’, ‘home parkour’ and ‘sock slam dunk’! It’s actually probably best you don’t try this one at home. ? ? ? ? Los 'challenges' de los hermanos García ? ? ? ? Reto 3 ? ? ? ? @Sergi_Garcia10 es @Andriragettli MAL #FloorIsLava#LigaEndesa VÍDEO COMPLETO https://t. co/XxVLmb1EXr pic. twitter. com/XKWley4yvp — Liga Endesa (@ACBCOM) March 26, 2020 In these sport-less times of isolation, we’ve seen a truly amazing response from the sporting world. They’re filling the gaping content void by being creative and being quick to adapt, listening to their fans and pioneering new technology and exploring areas, that they probably never thought their sport would go and seeing amazing results in the process! They’re really helping us sports fans keep going until this all blows over and we can get back onto the pitch, court, board or whatever it is you love. - Published: 2020-02-23 - Modified: 2026-02-04 - URL: https://wsc-sports-dev.ltu.co.il/blog/news/fivb-partners-with-wsc-sports-to-enrich-video-experience-for-volleyball-fans/ - Categories: News - Tags: PR EMEA WSC Sports has announced an ongoing partnership with the International Volleyball Federation (FIVB) to create and distribute AI-powered video content. The international governing body responsible for all forms of volleyball confirms a partnership with one of the world’s leading innovative technology providers to generate and distribute video content on a global level. WSC Sports, the global leader in artificial intelligence (AI)-driven sports video technology, has announced an ongoing partnership with the International Volleyball Federation (FIVB) to create and distribute AI-powered video content from the FIVB’s major men’s and women’s events, after a successful launch that included the Volleyball Nations League and the Tokyo 2020 Olympic qualification events. WSC Sports’ technology enables the FIVB to customize and distribute highlights for different geographical locations around the world. AI is used to shift the emphasis in highlights clips towards the team most relevant to each individual market. Thanks to the technology, fans around the world have already experienced tailored versions of the most exciting moments of recent international competitions, including the World Cup, Volleyball Nations League, Club World Championships, Challengers Cup and Olympic qualifications. During a six-month period, the governing body was able to generate and distribute more content to a wide array of social channels. The optimized video strategy saw the FIVB’s audience double, in a challenging time that also saw some of the major social channels change their algorithms. WSC Sports’ platform enabled the FIVB to maintain engagement levels across social channels, despite the changes. “The FIVB holds the most important role in promoting volleyball globally,” said Aviv Arnon, Co-Founder and Chief Business Development Officer, WSC Sports. “We are excited to work alongside them and support their efforts to reach each and every fan with tailored content, generating customized videos for various markets around the world. ” The FIVB’s swift adoption of the platform created by WSC Sports’ technology has effectivity transformed content production in terms of both productivity and relevance to fans. "This partnership empowers the FIVB to deliver an unprecedented experience directly to fans wherever they are. ” Looking ahead, the FIVB and WSC Sports will continue to strengthen this partnership by automating beach volleyball content creation, analyzing 10+ years of archived content and supporting FIVB’s national federations around the world in their own efforts to drive digital engagement with volleyball. - Published: 2019-12-05 - Modified: 2026-02-04 - URL: https://wsc-sports-dev.ltu.co.il/blog/news/digital-innovation-empowering-the-growth-of-womens-cricket-in-australia/ - Categories: News - Tags: Case Studies We chatted with Mike Morris, Digital Commercial Manager, Cricket Australia, about how women’s cricket is reaching new heights. Women’s cricket in Australia has extended its on-field dominance to off the field and continues to set records across the digital landscape. A focus on digital content and adoption of new technology has allowed Cricket Australia to tell the story of the world’s most successful Cricket team, the Australian Women’s National Team, current holders of the T20 World Cup, Ashes, and the longest winning streak in international one day cricket. Australia’s Women’s Big Bash League (WBBL), currently in its fifth season, has already cemented itself globally as the top women’s cricket league and viewership of the WBBL continues to grow year-on-year. This season, live games are accessible to a wider audience, with matches being broadcast via television as well as streamed on Seven Network, FOX Cricket, Kayo and Cricket Network—as well as ABC Radio. During the 2018 WBBL season, streaming grew by 38 percent, resulting in an average of 75,000 minutes streamed per match and over 10 million minutes streamed for the eight-week-long season. Cricket Australia’s digital platforms have been able to maximize coverage of the women’s game, giving fans more access than ever before by live streaming non-broadcast matches, including the women’s national team’s international tours, as well as behind the scenes video content. Meanwhile, access to broadcast quality footage and streaming services has provided Cricket Australia with the means to further promote the women’s game with both partnerships and the distribution of short-form content, such as game highlights. New digital content partnerships have helped extend reach beyond traditional Cricket audiences. This includes initiatives with Mamamia, a media company who's business is focused on making the world a better place for women and girls, and Facebook, through which WBBL matches are live-streamed to a larger audience. Technological advancements, such as the automation of video highlights by WSC Sports’ AI platform have aided Cricket Australia in gaining a broader audience reach by creating even more Women’s Cricket content, especially short-form video. “We can deliver over 100 posts on any given match day across multiple channels,” says Mike Morris, Digital Commercial Manager, Cricket Australia. Using WSC Sports has helped Cricket Australia create more women’s content and faster, helping ensure fans are up to date. Cricket Australia’s total online fan base continues to grow with 1. 4 billion video views on social channels globally in fiscal year ’19 and have more than 23 million followers. “The fact that we have enjoyed continuous growth is the most valid proof point that we are surfacing the right content to fans in the right way,” says Morris. Video content and the use of technologies have been instrumental in helping women’s cricket grow in Australia to the “strongest it has ever been. ” And this is just the beginning of an exciting summer for women’s cricket. Australia will host the ICC Women’s T20 World Cup in February and March. The Final is scheduled for March 8th, 2020, on International Women’s Day, with the aim to set a new world record for the highest attended standalone women’s sporting event. > Learn how J.League Media Promotion and Imagica Live partnered with WSC Sports to bring AI-powered sports highlights to Japanese football fans. - Published: 2019-10-15 - Modified: 2026-02-04 - URL: https://wsc-sports-dev.ltu.co.il/blog/news/wsc-sports-partners-with-j-league-and-imagica-live-to-deliver-japanese-football-to-fans/ - Categories: News WSC Sports to bring AI-powered match highlights to J.League football fans. WSC Sports, the global leader in AI-powered sports video technology, has announced its launch in Japan in partnership with J. League Media Promotion (JMP) and Imagica Live, the official J. League archive partner. Together, they will create AI-driven video content for J. League football. This initiative marks a significant investment in cutting-edge technology to deliver more personalized and engaging video content to Japanese football fans. WSC Sports will focus on digital video content of Japanese Professional football domestically, as well as the League’s international markets to offer fans outside of Japan access to Japanese football content. Fans in Thailand have already benefited watching more video content of their superstars currently active in the League. Since launching during the 2019 season, WSC’s machine learning platform has integrated with JMP and Imagica Live’s social media and other digital platforms. “We are excited to partner with JMP and WSC Sports to run an AI video service in Japan, as creating new video businesses and pursuing cloud solutions are at the heart of Imagica Group’s strategy,” said Yasuhiro Kawata, Director, Media & Planning Dept. , Imagica Live. “As WSC expands within Asia, we are thrilled to be collaborating with J. League Media Promotion and Imagica Live. Fans are the winners’ and we are excited to bring to life more moments by video,” said Guy Port, Head of APAC of WSC Sports. WSC Sport’s award-winning AI technology automatically generates and distributes personalized sports video content in near real-time. Currently being used by leading media rights owners such as the NBA, MLS, FIBA, PGA, Cricket Australia, Bundesliga and others, WSC Sports’ platform analyzes live sports broadcasts, identifies each and every event that occurs in the game, creates customized short-form video content and publishes to any digital destination including social platforms — which can then be used for audience engagement and video monetization. By letting AI handle the time-consuming clipping and editing busywork, WSC Sports enables digital teams invest in valuable storytelling and creative content delivery. J. League Media Promotion(JMP) is responsible for the production of official images of the J. League, Japan’s professional soccer league, and the worldwide distribution of the images. In the 2019 season, JMP produced footage of about 1110 games, providing live footage, highlights, news footage and official photos to rights holders around the world. JMP will continue to promote the use of sports images as an innovative organization that utilizes the latest technologies. - Published: 2019-10-15 - Modified: 2026-02-26 - URL: https://wsc-sports-dev.ltu.co.il/blog/customer-spotlight/never-miss-a-moment-how-tech-automation-changed-the-usls-game/ - Categories: Customer Spotlight - Tags: Case Studies The United Soccer League (USL) currently has three different leagues—two of them professional and the third developmental—comprised of 120 clubs. And it’s continuing to grow. The top tier league, the USL Championship, has 36 teams. The recently-established League 1 has ten teams and League 2, the developmental league, has 74 clubs in the United States and Canada. A lot of their focus is geared towards the pro leagues, and within the next four to five years, there will be 80 professional clubs playing in USL leagues, according to Lizzie Seedhouse, Senior VP of Digital and Content. Seedhouse has a staff of 22 employees on the digital, content, and communications fronts that are working on capturing footage from live games and delivering it to fans all over the world. Seedhouse’s staff makes up a third of the company, but you need more than a large staff to keep up. “We had to start leveraging tools and systems to make things scalable,” she says. During the 2019 season, on their busiest day of the week—Saturday—the league produced about 50 highlights. USL clubs that use WSC Sports’ platform added another approximately 350 videos, for a grand total of 400 highlight videos in a single day. But this wasn’t always the case. Just a few years ago, in 2016 when Seedhouse first joined the league and there were only 30 clubs, the USL’s digital and content team wasn’t able to produce highlights of their games. There were 500 games but only two video editors on staff. In 2017 they began paying college soccer players to watch games and manually tag all key events in an Excel spreadsheet, that way their video editors could find those events and create highlights. Still, it would take 2–3 hours to produce a single highlight of a game after the final whistle. If a game ended late at night, the highlights wouldn’t be ready until the following morning. These days, the USL is able to produce highlights within minutes while also increasing the number of highlights produced. During the 2018 season, they produced 26,000 videos across approximately 20 clubs and the league. What changed? Technology and automation stepped in. Automation gives the USL the ability to “own our content,” she says, and is especially valuable when looking ahead to expansions in the coming seasons. Her team will be covering 1,400 games within the next few years, and if she wants to stick to her philosophy to “show don’t tell,” technology is key. “Again going back to that 2017 way of manually doing this and it being on a four-hour delay is just not efficient, but not suitable for our fans anymore. Fans are used to the kind of ‘Amazon Effect’ where you get things immediately, you get to choose what you want, and you have good customer service, and so every digital property is kind of held to that standard as well. So for us, it would be a big step backward to not have WSC and be able to scale out what we can do, it’s been a tremendous game-changer both for us and our clubs. ” Everyone on Seedhouse’s team has access to the platform. The social media team uses it for quick hits, communication staff for feature plays, and the video team uses the platform for pre-planned content like “Goals of the Week. ” When it comes to the content itself, Seedhouse and her team are always looking to capitalize on the most exciting moments in the game. “The biggest emphasis is capturing a special moment,” she explains. "Whether it’s a great play or the ball girl doing something silly behind the net. ” It’s those special moments that she says, “might not be the ‘be all and end all’ to the game but they mean something and they show some emotion. Whether it’s about the experience of the game or just what it means to be around and a part of these teams. ” These plays can appeal to a large audience, and the USL has a very diverse group of fans. “We’re in 50 markets but they’re all very different,” says Seedhouse. The league puts an emphasis on listening to the fans and responding to their reactions, whether it be with user generated content or polls to get them engaged. They’ve joined TikTok and are always looking for new and different platforms. They also rely on their players and clubs to share content — their roles as influencers have a huge impact, and the ability to send them highlights right after a game using WSC’s platforms is a big help. Just as the USL is continuing to expand, the love for soccer in the United States is growing as well. Seedhouse, who was raised in England, says she is seeing a maturation in the sport, which she says is a bit “immature” compared to other sports in the US that have been around for at least 100 years. “The country, and the sport, and the soccer fan has matured to a point where they’re now having kids, and they’re wanting to take their kids to the game because they grew up with some form of soccer in their life,” she explains, adding that while what they are building is exciting, they’re still relatively at the beginning of the process. “We’re 20 years into a 100 year journey, 150 year journey. ” And the future is definitely bright. - Published: 2019-09-18 - Modified: 2026-02-04 - URL: https://wsc-sports-dev.ltu.co.il/blog/industry-insights/7-ways-sports-broadcasters-can-make-the-most-of-their-media-rights/ - Categories: Industry Insights - Tags: Trends / Tips / Lists In sports, competition is getting fiercer. Not just on the pitch or court, but also for broadcasters who are competing for viewers; competing against other networks. So how do you separate yourself from the competition? It starts by maximizing your media rights, and pushing your content to the limit. The right technology can help you do just that. Here are seven ways technology can help you make the most of your media rights. Elevate Brand Awareness on Digital Platforms Making sure your brand has a strong digital presence is key, and not just for engagement with fans. Digital platforms can be an incredible asset when it comes to promoting upcoming and ongoing matches and encouraging fans to watch live games. Nowadays, it’s safe to say that almost everyone is tuned in to one social media platform or another — Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, Snapchat, etc. Even more than that, a whopping 45 percent of US adults say they use a second screen “very often” or “always” while watching TV. Take advantage of constant scrolling on social by using animated graphics with video to draw viewers to your network. You can tease upcoming games to ensure fans tune in to a later broadcast or draw fans into an ongoing broadcast by, for example, showing the current score with a short clip and a one-line teaser — will your favorite team be able to complete the comeback? The good news is that you don’t need a dedicated team of graphic designers to create these graphics. Generating these graphics is quick and easy with the help of automation and AI, you just choose your graphics template and the images or videos you think will draw in your viewers. Get More Tune-Ins to Live Games People are just waiting for a reason to tune into something — 88 percent of consumers say they exhibit “ appnostic ” behavior, meaning they unlock their phones while waiting for something without having a specific app or action in mind. You can draw in these consumers by sending push notifications to fans of certain teams or athletes during games. These teasers can include a highlight from the game, or an emotionally engaging moment, that will encourage fans to not only engage with your content on their phone or tablet but also turn on the TV or subscribe to an OTT stream and catch the rest of the game. Deliver More Content, Faster Remember that fierce competition? Much of the competition comes down to volume and how quickly you can get your content out to the public. Using AI-based technology, you can instantly deliver content to viewers. Today video can be produced automatically, which means that no prior video editing experience is necessary, meaning anyone, like your social media crew, can operate as if they are fully trained editors. AI-based platforms automatically produce video highlights that are edited and published directly, while also clipping and rating plays, making it easier for your content crew to find the most exciting action and export it directly to your social accounts moments after it happened in the game. You want to be the first one to post that dagger three-pointer at the buzzer to tie the game at halftime, and, if we circle back to tune-ins, it’s a great way to draw fans from social feeds to live games. Use Your Clips For Sponsorships More content means more eyeballs and, in turn, more sponsorship opportunities. Every highlight you post to social media could become an opportunity to monetize your content: the best assists of the game sponsored by one partner, top goals of the week by another. Technology makes creating and publishing these sponsor-specific highlights even easier, and enables you to package video by context (such as best dunks or top saves) You can add graphics overlays to your content, or wrap your highlights with graphic bumpers — intros and outros — to create sponsorship-specific highlight packages. Branding just got a lot easier. Get More Broadcast Quality Content, at Speed Using automated technology you can skip the hassle and double work of editing footage separately for social and your broadcast. AI and Machine Learning technology can be used to generate content across platforms, formats and use-cases, including broadcast quality so video content can be ready to air on your studio shows. This means your content team and editors will have more time to focus on in-depth analysis and creative content. Using Archive Footage to Generate Engagement That archive footage you’ve been holding on to for so long can be put to good use. So bring the boxes out of storage, dust off the tapes, and get ready to serve up some nostalgia. It is now easy to ingest archive footage and index it using technology, just as you would with live games. Now your blast from the past footage can be distributed across all networks, to share some of the best highlights on birthdays, holidays, special events or anniversaries. This footage can lead to new exposure to fans of former superstars and create new commercial opportunities. You can even create a new consumer experience and let your fans personalize archive content they want to watch (instantly). Adding Innovative Direct-to-Consumers Experiences Personalization has become the key to engagement. This stands true for nearly everything that surrounds us on a daily basis, including sports. Content automation not only provides real-time generated content but also allows your viewers and fans to decide on the type of content they want to consume at any given moment. Imagine the following scenario: fans log on to your site and have the opportunity to generate the exact highlight they want to watch at that exact time. They no longer have to search the web for that crazy buzzer-beater they remember from last week, playing with the wording to find the right sequence of words to get a specific highlight they want to see. Instead, a few clicks on your website can produce all of Kawhi Leonard’s dunks during the NBA playoffs, or all of the Golden State Warriors 3-pointers from the Finals. An endless sea of highlights is available at a few clicks of the mouse — or taps of the screen — on your owned and operated property. You can also use automated content to enrich your LiveTicker with fresh videos as the games are being played or let your fans interact with a Facebook bot that can produce highlights on-demand and in real-time. The options for grabbing those eyeballs are endless. These seven ideas are just a few ways to maximize your media rights and ensure you are truly getting the most out of your content. Using technology on top of your content can help engage customers, create more monetization opportunities and create loyal fans to help your brand stand out from the rest. - Published: 2019-08-08 - Modified: 2026-02-04 - URL: https://wsc-sports-dev.ltu.co.il/blog/news/wsc-sports-raises-23-million-in-series-c-funding/ - Categories: News - Tags: PR Global WSC Sports announced today it has raised $23 million in Series C funding, bringing the company’s total funding to $39 million. Backed by new and existing investors, new funding to accelerate growth of AI-driven video platform. WSC Sports, the leader in AI-powered sports video content, announced today it has raised $23 million in Series C funding, bringing the company’s total funding to $39 million. The new capital will be used to further expand WSC’s growth across new sports, products and geographic regions. This funding round was led by Eyal Ofer’s O. G. Tech Ventures (“O. G. Tech”) — the international tech investment arm of Ofer Global, along with NTT DOCOMO Ventures, HBSE Ventures — the venture arm of Harris Blitzer Sports & Entertainment, Maor Investments, ISF and Go4it Capital. Roy Oron, Managing Director at O. G. Tech, will be joining the company’s board of directors. This follows the June announcement that David Stern, Commissioner Emeritus of the NBA and John Kosner, former Vice President of Digital Media at ESPN, have joined WSC Sports as advisors. WSC Sports’ award-winning AI technology generates personalized and automatic sports video content in near real-time. WSC has innovated the way sports and media owners create and distribute short-form video highlights at scale and works with tier-1 clients including NBA, Bundesliga, PGA Tour, US Open, Bleacher Report, Discovery, MLS, FIBA, Cricket Australia, WarnerMedia and many more. In 2018, WSC Sports analyzed more than 17,000 sporting events and produced more than 850,000 videos for its customers. “I am thrilled that such strategic investors have joined WSC Sports and am incredibly appreciative that our existing investors believe in the company and continue to support us. " Eyal Ofer, Chairman of Ofer Global, said: “We are proud to be a part of WSC Sports’ journey as it leads the way in revolutionizing the way in which people consume sports around the world. O. G. Tech’s lead role is consistent with our strategic ambition of focusing on unique growth opportunities led by exceptional founders. We are delighted that this funding will help the company with its global expansion across new sports, products and countries. ” Existing investors also joined the funding round, including Intel Capital, Detroit Venture Partners (Dan Gilbert’s venture capital firm), Elysian Park Ventures, WISE Ventures (Wilf family, owners of the Minnesota Vikings), 2BAngels and iAngels. The funding comes after a year of explosive growth for WSC Sports — doubling its customer base and revenue year over year for the last 3 years, growing to more than 100 employees worldwide and expanding its global footprint with offices in New York and Sydney. > Learn how David Stern and WSC Sports’ CEO Daniel Shichman explored the future of sports broadcasting at the Hashtag Sports Conference. - Published: 2019-07-15 - Modified: 2026-02-04 - URL: https://wsc-sports-dev.ltu.co.il/blog/industry-insights/david-stern-talks-technology-and-fan-engagement-with-daniel-shichman-at-hashtag-sports-conference/ - Categories: Industry Insights NBA Commissioner Emeritus David Stern showed off his innovative and humorous sides at the Hashtag Sports Conference at TheTimesCenter in New York. It was an exhilarating talk, as Stern is famous for. Here are the highlights from NBA Commissioner Emeritus David Stern and WSC Sports Co-Founder & CEO Daniel Shichman’s one-on-one chat about technology’s role in sports. NBA Commissioner Emeritus David Stern showed off his innovative and humorous sides at the Hashtag Sports Conference at TheTimesCenter in New York. The former head of the NBA joined WSC Sports’ CEO Daniel Shichman for a one-on-one interview about “Technology’s Role in Maximizing Engagement and Driving More Personalized Sports Consumption. ” Since leaving the NBA, Stern has immersed himself in hi-tech as an investor and advisor for various startups. During the discussion, Stern pulled out an impressive list of the companies he works with, many of which are having major impacts on the sporting world, including WSC Sports, which he recently joined in an advisory role alongside former EVP of Digital Media, ESPN, John Kosner. “You finished your role with the NBA, and you’re doing many things ... you decided to work with startups as an advisor hands on and as an investor, what excites you about it? ” asked Shichman. “What excites me about it was to sort of gauge for myself and learn for myself what the next generation of viewing was going to be,” explained Stern, who continued to detail the impact the companies with which he works have on the industry. Many of the startups for which Stern serves as an advisor are active in the sports content business, one which is constantly evolving to align itself with the modern day sports fan. When asked by Shichman about the role of short-form content, Stern reiterated that video is still “key to engaging people. ” “Video has a special draw and it is, in my view, one of the things that WSC does so well, video highlights. There’s nothing that tempts a fan or incentivizes a fan to turn on a TV set or switch the channel as a video highlight. ” How fans watch games will also undergo a transformation, stresses Stern, one that’s already in the works. “What’s going to happen on a global basis, the ability to listen to games on League Pass or whatever you listen on, whatever sport, you’ll be able to choose the language in which you want to hear it, your own announcer. ” According to Stern, when it comes to the future of broadcasting there will be a lot more action on the side of the FAANGs (Facebook, Amazon, Apple, Netflix, Google). He predicted their involvement in sports even before he stepped down as the Commissioner, and those who were most attentive were Disney, Time Warner, and Fox — who he says then struck longer term rights deals with the leagues. The tech giants are all over the world, and leagues “are all rushing to be global in nature. ” “There’s nothing as ubiquitous as sports,” said Stern. “I think the NFL has broad distribution, the NHL, Major League Baseball. ” “I think you’re going to see a lot more action by the so-called FAANGS, plus a couple. ” Stern wrapped up the one-on-one with a simple message: “it’s a fun time to be in sports. ” “That’s why I’m enjoying it, because life is a learning experience and it’s really great fun to keep learning and startups do that for you. ” > Learn how WSC Sports is expanding into new sports, regions, and markets with advisory roles from David Stern and John Kosner. - Published: 2019-06-19 - Modified: 2026-02-04 - URL: https://wsc-sports-dev.ltu.co.il/blog/news/former-nba-commissioner-david-stern-joins-wsc-sports-in-advisor-role/ - Categories: News WSC Sports proudly announces the appointment of two influential new advisors to its team. WSC Sports, a leader in AI-powered sports video content, announced Tuesday that NBA Commissioner Emeritus David Stern and former ESPN EVP of Digital Media John Kosner have joined the company as advisors. In this role, Stern and Kosner will assist WSC Sports as it makes a significant expansion across new sports, regions and market applications. WSC Sports’ award-winning AI technology generates personalized, automatic, sports video content in near real-time. WSC has changed the way sports and media owners create, manage and distribute short-form video highlights. Since launching in 2013, the company has built a blue-chip client list that includes the NBA, MLS, FIBA, PGA Tour, WarnerMedia/Bleacher Report, US Open, Bundesliga, Cricket Australia, Stadium and many more. WSC’s technology has been honored multiple times including for ‘Best Use of AI’ at the Digiday Awards and ‘Outstanding Sports Technology’ at the 2018 SportTechie Awards. “It’s an honor to have David and John join WSC Sports in an official capacity. David’s vision and know-how have helped the NBA become one of the most tech-savvy and consumer-focused sports leagues. We know he will have the same impact on WSC,” said Daniel Shichman, CEO and Co-Founder, WSC Sports. Since leaving the NBA as commissioner in 2014, Stern has been active in venture capital and supporting sports technology start-ups. He currently serves as CEO of DJS Global Advisors, as well as a Senior Advisor to the NBA, investment bank PJT Partners, venture capital firm Greycroft Partners and sits on the board of several non-profits. > Learn how Forward Madison FC created a viral sensation, building a strong digital brand and global fan engagement even before their first match. - Published: 2019-05-19 - Modified: 2026-02-04 - URL: https://wsc-sports-dev.ltu.co.il/blog/industry-insights/born-into-the-digital-age-forward-madison-fc-is-already-making-great-content-strides/ - Categories: Industry Insights - Tags: Case Studies How a pink flamingo and Jürgen Klopp helped Forward Madison FC build its brand. It started with a plastic pink flamingo in the snow. It was January 2019, the Polar Vortex had brought major cities in the United States to a near standstill and Forward Madison FC’s Digital Content Intern Jason Klein thought it would be funny to put a plastic flamingo in the snow for measurement. When Klein first placed the flamingo in its spot, the snow had covered half of it. Within a few days, the flamingo was covered and Forward Madison FC, one of the newest soccer teams in the US, had gone viral. The engagement on the “Full Mingo” tweet was through the roof—22 thousand likes and 7. 8 thousand retweets. It was picked up by meme accounts on social media and gained international attention. Forward Madison was on the map, even before the team itself had kicked a soccer ball in an official match. Forward Madison FC, Madison, Wisconsin’s only professional outdoor soccer team, was born into the digital age. The club was announced in May 2018 and is one of the founding members of USL League One—the United Soccer League’s second division league. #FullMingo is now the team’s—and the fans’ — go to hashtag on Twitter, and the account has gained over 8 thousand followers in just a few months. On a platform with a never-ending feed of sports content, Forward Madison FC quickly built its brand and already found some glory. “A brand strategy I like to do is building a brand like it’s a real-life person,” explains Director of Fan Engagement and Digital Media Kuba Krzyzostaniak. “If Forward Madison FC was someone on social media, how we would want them to interact with people? A lot of our inspiration was Jürgen Klopp, coach of Liverpool FC, who’s this really beloved figure in the game. Even if you’re not a Liverpool fan, you might still love Jürgen Klopp. ” Just as Jürgen Klopp stands out as a coach, standing out as a team on social media is something that Krzyzostaniak finds especially crucial. “We knew that being a third division team we have to stand out from the crowd,” he continues. “So if we do something safe, similar to an MLS team, we’re just going to blend right in and be a blimp in this big wave of things that are online. ” So far, this strategy has been working. Forward Madison FC has the attention of Madison residents, 4,462 of which showed up for the team’s inaugural home match — a sell out crowd at Breese Stevens Field. “People kind of feel connected to the team just via a lot of the social posts. ” At the moment, Forward Madison sees themselves as a “startup team” and being a small content team that comprises of Krzyzostaniak and Klein, they are trying to make the most out of the resources and manpower they have. Their social media is focused on the big three—Twitter, Facebook and Instagram—and their aim is to always have something visual accompanying their written content. “Using WSC is huge for us because we can put together all sorts of highlights, if we want, or we can put it together into something that is more than highlights,” says Klein. “The idea is we can do a normal highlights package, which is sort of plain and not that interesting because we lost and didn’t score a goal, or we could do something a little more fun, so why not do something a little more fun? And by having that video readily available, we were able to do that. ” The international community has quickly caught on as well. There is currently a Forward Madison account in French, run by a woman in Switzerland who reached out to the club on Twitter and built the page herself. Another account, Matt—The English Flamingo, is run by a Mingos fan in England, and there’s a Spanish account as well. “ wasn’t the intention exactly, but it’s something that just happened and when it happened we embraced it,” Klein explains. “I think it’s partly a product of our fan engagement, that part of what we want to do is make people feel like they’re a part of this with us, so that means always responding to people, always including them, and then people who become interested in us then develop this closer relationship if you feel like you’re part of what is going on with the club. ” As a sports team and athlete you always want to be the best, number one. At the moment, Krzyzostaniak is also eyeing second place. “We kind of built ourselves as the world’s second favorite team,” says Krzyzostaniak. “People reach out to us and are like ‘hey I live in New York and I’m a huge Red Bulls fan but I’m following you guys, you know you’re my second favorite team. ’ So wherever you are, you may never make it to Madison, you may never make it to one of our games but we hope that you still follow us on social, you like what we’re doing and you can have some fun with us and support this team on the side. ” - Published: 2019-01-27 - Modified: 2025-01-26 - URL: https://wsc-sports-dev.ltu.co.il/blog/industry-insights/glossary/ - Categories: Industry Insights Welcome to the WSC Sports Glossary. Here you'll find explanations of all the major sports media industry terms and links to learn more. ABCDEFGHIJKLMNOPQRSTUVWYZ A ActivationThe execution of marketing activities that bring a sponsorship to life, often through events, social media campaigns, and other fan engagement efforts. Affiliate MarketingPerformance-based marketing where partners earn a commission by promoting or driving sales through their efforts. Amazon Web Services (AWS)A cloud computing platform that provides on-demand services like storage, databases, and analytics to help businesses scale and manage their IT infrastructure. AnalyticsThe study of data to track performance, engagement, and audience behavior, crucial for decision-making in sports. Around The Game (ATG)WSC Sports’ technology that automatically clips videos from ‘around a sports game’, such as player entrances, warmups, and post-game interviews. Around the Game: A Smarter, Faster Way to Manage your Content with AIAthlete DevelopmentTraining and support programs to enhance athletes' skills. Athlete EndorsementWhen an athlete promotes a product or service, typically as part of a brand sponsorship or partnership. Athlete RepresentationAgents managing athletes' contracts, endorsements, and brand partnerships. Athletic TrainerHealth professionals who focus on injury prevention and treatment in sports. Audience FragmentationDivision of audiences across various platforms, challenging traditional media. Augmented Reality (AR)An interactive experience layering digital information on the real world, often enhancing fan engagement in sports. B Back OfficeThe administrative team responsible for supporting a sports organization behind the scenes. Benchmark ReportAnalysis comparing a team’s performance to industry standards. Brand ActivationThe process of bringing a brand to life through interactive experiences, usually associated with sponsorships. Brand EquityThe value of a brand based on consumer perception and recognition. Brand LoyaltyConsumer preference for a brand, often cultivated through consistent engagement. Broadcast DelayTime-lag in broadcasting to censor or prepare live sports footage. Broadcast RightsThe rights purchased by networks to show sports events, often one of the most significant revenue streams for sports leagues. 7 Ways Sports Broadcasters Can Make the Most of Their Media Rights C Cartel AgreementA legal or informal agreement between teams or leagues to control competition in specific markets. Churn RateThe rate at which fans or subscribers stop engaging with a service or content. Client ActivationEngaging a brand’s customers through experiential marketing at events. Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA)A contract between athletes and owners or leagues covering terms like salaries, benefits, and work conditions. Content CurationOrganizing and selecting relevant content to meet the interests of a specific audience. Content MarketingUsing valuable content to attract and retain a target audience, strengthening brand loyalty. Contract BuyoutA clause allowing teams or players to terminate a contract, often with a financial settlement. Cord-CuttingThe practice of canceling traditional cable or satellite television subscriptions in favor of alternative internet-based or wireless services. Corporate SponsorshipFinancial support given to sports entities by companies in exchange for promotional benefits. CrowdfundingRaising funds for a project through small contributions from a large number of people, often fans. CrowdsourcingGathering input, feedback, or ideas from the public, usually fans, to increase engagement. D Data MonetizationTurning fan data into revenue by selling it to sponsors or advertisers. Deferred CompensationPayment to athletes delayed to a future date for tax or strategic reasons. DemographicsData describing an audience, such as age, gender, and location, used for targeted marketing. Demographic TargetingTailoring marketing strategies based on audience demographics. Direct-to-Consumer (DTC)A business model where companies sell products or services directly to consumers without intermediaries. Digital AssetOnline content like videos, graphics, or social media posts used to promote events or brands. Digital Rights Management (DRM)Technology protecting digital content from unauthorized access or sharing. Dynamic PricingA strategy that adjusts ticket prices based on factors like demand, opponent, or time. E E-SportsCompetitive video gaming with professional players, tournaments, and sponsorships. Endemic SponsorA sponsor directly related to the industry, such as sports apparel brands in a sports event. Engagement RateA measure of how much the audience interacts with content (e. g. , likes, comments, shares). Event BrandingCustomizing event visuals with brand logos and messaging. Exclusivity AgreementDeals restricting certain sponsors to one brand per category. Exit StrategyA team or investor’s plan to withdraw from an investment or agreement. Experiential MarketingCreating interactive experiences that allow fans to engage with a brand on a personal level. F Fan AcquisitionStrategies to attract new fans to a team or sport. Fan DataInformation about fan behavior, demographics, and preferences. Fan EngagementStrategies used to increase fan interaction, loyalty, and satisfaction. Fan ExperienceEnhancing fans' overall satisfaction with the event or content, from stadium experiences to social media. Fan Loyalty ProgramRewards programs designed to retain fans and encourage continued engagement. Fan ZoneA designated area at sports events where fans can engage with team-related activities or promotions. Fan Tokens Digital assets that fans purchase to get closer to teams, often via blockchain. FandomA community of passionate fans who actively engage with and support a particular interest, such as a sports team, celebrity, or fictional universe. Fantasy Sports Games where fans create virtual teams from real players and compete. Franchise TagA designation that allows a team to keep a player under contract for an additional season, typically at a higher salary. Fuel the FandomWSC Sports’ tagline. G Gate RevenueIncome generated from ticket sales at live sports events. Game ScriptThe structure of a game’s flow, used in broadcast and coaching analysis. GamificationThe application of game-design elements and game principles in non-game contexts, often used to increase fan engagement in sports apps. General AdmissionNon-reserved ticketing for entry to events or venues. Gen-AlphaThe generation born from around 2013 onward, characterized by their early exposure to technology and digital media, often growing up with AI and smart devices. Gen-ZThe generation born roughly between 1997 and 2012, known for being tech-savvy, socially conscious, and highly engaged with digital and social media platforms. Grassroots MarketingPromoting sports at a community level to build local fan bases and foster long-term loyalty. Grassroots SportsLocal sports activities encouraging community engagement and participation. GuarantyA guaranteed payment to teams or players, regardless of performance or attendance. H Highlight ReelCompilations of the most exciting moments from a game or season. Hospitality PackagesPremium offerings that include VIP seating, catering, and other exclusive amenities. Household ImpressionsThe estimated number of households exposed to a sports broadcast. Hyperlocal MarketingTargeting marketing efforts within a specific geographic area to engage local fans. Hyper-PersonalizationCreating unique experiences tailored to individual fans. I In-AppReferring to actions or content that occur within a mobile application, such as in-app purchases or in-app advertising. In-App AdvertisingAds within sports apps that engage fans during games or events. In-App Stories (IAS)Short, time-sensitive content displays within mobile apps used to engage users with quick, interactive updates. In-App Stories: The Vertical Video Experience Driving Fan EngagementIn-Kind SponsorshipWhen a sponsor provides goods or services rather than cash to a sports organization. Influencer MarketingPartnering with popular social media figures to reach a broader audience. Integrated SponsorshipSponsorships woven into various touchpoints within an event. Intellectual Property (IP)Legal ownership of logos, images, or other identifiers that can be licensed for merchandising. Interactive AdvertisingAds that allow fans to interact or engage with the brand in some way, such as polls or quizzes. J Joint Marketing AgreementCollaborations between two entities to promote shared objectives. K Key Performance Indicator (KPI)A metric used to measure the success of a campaign or business activity. KitThe official uniform worn by athletes, often a source of revenue from sponsorships and merchandise sales. L Large Language ModelMachine learning models that can comprehend and generate human language text. Large Sports Model (LSM)The world’s first sports-dedicated multimodal large language model, created by WSC Sports. Licensed Merchandise Products branded with team logos or images, typically sold with a licensing agreement. Live StreamingBroadcasting events in real-time on digital platforms. London Huddle: What’s Next in Sports Broadcasting and Streaming? Luxury BoxA premium seating option in sports venues, usually with exclusive amenities. M Market ShareThe portion of an industry’s total sales controlled by a particular team or league. Market PenetrationIncreasing brand presence within a particular market segment. Media RightsLegal agreements for networks to broadcast or stream sports events. MerchandisingSelling team-branded products, often a significant revenue source for sports teams. MicrotransactionsSmall financial transactions conducted within apps or games, common in fantasy sports and sports betting applications. Milestone MarketingCelebrating significant achievements or anniversaries as a marketing tactic. Mobile AdvertisingDigital ads targeted at mobile devices, including in-app and location-based ads. N Naming RightsSponsorship agreements where a brand pays to have a venue or event named after them. NIL (Name, Image, Likeness)The rights of athletes to profit from their personal brand, including endorsements. https://wsc-sports-dev. ltu. co. il/blog/customer-spotlight/how-virginia-tech-utilizes-ai-in-its-athletics-department-content-strategy/Non-Endemic SponsorA sponsor not directly related to the sports industry but seeking exposure through it. O On-Field PromotionPromotional activities taking place on the field, such as fan games or sponsor displays. OTT (Over-the-Top)Streaming content directly to consumers over the internet without a cable provider. WSC Sports Wins 'Best User Experience' Award at 2023 SportsPro OTT AwardsOverhead CostsOngoing business expenses like rent, utilities, and admin in sports organizations. Owned and Operated (O&O)Media properties, typically television or radio stations, that are owned by the parent network rather than an affiliate. P Pay-Per-View (PPV)A model where fans pay to watch a specific event, commonly used for boxing and MMA. Personal Seat License (PSL)A fee giving fans the right to purchase season tickets for a specific seat. Pitchside AdvertisingAds placed along the field or court perimeter, highly visible to fans. Player AssociationUnions representing athletes’ interests in negotiations. Player DevelopmentPrograms aimed at improving athletes’ skills and ensuring long-term performance. Post-Game AnalysisDetailed review of a game, typically for coaching or broadcast insights. Premium ContentExclusive or high-value content for subscribers or paying fans. Primary MarketInitial sale of tickets from the team or organization. Product PlacementIncluding a brand’s product within the broadcast, often a form of subtle advertising. Promotional CampaignCoordinated marketing effort to drive event awareness or ticket sales. Q Qualifying RoundPre-tournament games determining participants in the main event. Quick-Serve ContentShort, fast-paced video or social media content aimed at mobile users and younger audiences. R ReachThe total number of people exposed to content, used as a metric in advertising. Regional Sports Network (RSN)A cable television channel that presents sports programming to a local market or geographical region. Revenue SharingThe distribution of a league’s revenue among teams, ensuring competitive balance. Revenue StreamsVarious ways a sports entity generates income, from tickets to media rights. Right of First RefusalRight to match any offer made to a competing team or brand. ROI (Return on Investment)Measuring the profitability or success of an investment, such as a sponsorship. S Seat MappingVisualization of seating arrangements to optimize ticket sales. Second ScreenThe use of an additional device (e. g. , smartphone or tablet) to access supplementary content related to the primary screen (typically a television). Secondary MarketResale of tickets, typically at a premium price. Share of Voice (SOV)A brand’s share of visibility relative to competitors in a space. Social ListeningMonitoring online conversations to understand fan sentiment. SponsorshipA brand's financial or in-kind support for a sports entity, in return for promotional benefits. Sponsorship PackageBundled sponsorship elements sold to a brand partner. Sports AnalyticsThe use of data and statistical analysis to inform decision-making in sports, both for performance and business aspects. Sports BettingWagering on the outcome of games, increasingly popular with digital platforms. Sports MarketingPromoting sports events, teams, and leagues to increase fan engagement. StakeholdersIndividuals or organizations with a vested interest in the sports entity, including fans, sponsors, and owners. Streaming PlatformDigital services that broadcast live or on-demand sports conStreaming RightsThe right to stream sports events online, often sold separately from broadcast rights. Suite LevelPremium seating areas in stadiums, often including private suites with additional amenities. T Team Performance MetricsData tracking a team’s efficiency and achievements. Ticket Bundling Selling multiple event tickets as a package deal. Title SponsorshipLead sponsor with prominent exposure, often named in the event titleTicket ScalpingThe resale of tickets, often at higher prices, sometimes regulated by event organizers. TouchpointAny interaction a fan has with a team or brand, from social media to in-game. Turnover RatioFinancial ratio indicating a team’s or league’s revenue efficiency. Title SponsorThe primary sponsor whose name is associated with the event or team. Turnstile CountThe actual number of fans attending an event, as measured by entry turnstiles. U Uniform BrandingThe branding of athletes’ uniforms, often sold to sponsors for added visibility. UpsellingOffering fans additional products or services, such as VIP experiences. User-Generated Content (UGC)Content created by fans, like photos or reviews. Utilization RateMeasure of how often venues, seats, or resources are used. V Value in Kind (VIK)A sponsorship model where brands offer goods or services rather than money. Venue ManagementOverseeing operations and events at a sports stadium or facility. Virtual Reality (VR)Simulated experiences used to immerse fans in events, often in training and fan experiences. Virtual Seat UpgradeTechnology allowing fans to change seat perspectives digitally. Visitor Analytics Data on fan attendance, behaviors, and engagement at venues. Video on Demand (VOD)A system allowing users to select and watch video content when they choose to, rather than at a scheduled broadcast time. Vertical VideoVertical video is a video format that is taller than it is wide, typically filmed in portrait orientation for mobile devices and popular on platforms like Instagram, TikTok, and Snapchat. W Wearable TechnologyDevices like fitness trackers used to monitor athletes’ performance metrics. Web StoriesShort, visually engaging, tappable content formats on the web, similar to social media stories, designed for quick consumption with images, videos, and animations. White LabelCustomizable software used by multiple teams but branded uniquely. Win ProbabilityThe calculated likelihood of a team winning a game at any point during a match. Wi-Fi SponsorshipBrand-backed internet access in sports venues. Workflow AutomationStreamlining tasks like content creation or fan engagement. Y Youth Development ProgramInitiatives to nurture young talent in sports. Z Zero-Based BudgetingBudgeting each period from scratch, requiring justification for each expense. Zero-Emissions InitiativeEfforts by teams or venues to reduce carbon footprint. Zone DefenseA defensive strategy in sports where players guard specific areas rather than opponents. ## Cases ## Careers