According to the 2017 PwC Sports Survey, an annual publication that tracks trends and makes predictions about the industry, “Sports may well be one of the most disrupted industries out there.
Key growth areas include eSports—competitive video-gaming between professional players. Global eSports revenues reached $15 billion in 2017 and will grow 26 percent by 2020 as it attracts a more mainstream audience, predicts research firm SuperData. Last year, eSports attracted 258 million unique viewers around the world, compared to the 204 million unique viewers who watched the 2016 NFL regular season in the U.S., according to USA Today. Coca-Cola and American Express have sponsored eSports events, reported Inc.
PwC ranked eSports the second-highest in terms of forecasted growth potential after football. What’s behind this growth? The format “is ideally packaged for commercialization among millennials,” stated the report. The PwC survey also found that 68 percent of respondents said virtual and augmented reality is here to stay and will enhance the sports viewing experience.
The International Hockey Federation is one example of a sport organization that has embraced new technology, investing in 4k Ultra HD and Hawk-Eye SMART replay technology, "giving fans, umpires and coaches the benefit of instant real-time, multi-view replays and analysis," reported GlobalSportsJobs.com.
All of these changes have a major impact on sports rights, broadcasting, and marketing. With most media now being consumed via mobile and on-demand, old models must be thrown out and new models ushered in. There will be demand for sport professionals who are educated and up to speed on such topics as new broadcasting formats like 4K, VR, and drones, as well as new sponsorship models emerging with the evolution of eSports.
Brands are increasingly interested in gathering audience data so as to better draw them consumers and target them with personalized messaging, virtual advertising, and customized viewing experiences.
Employment of entertainment and sports occupations is projected to grow 10 percent from 2016 to 2026, faster than the average for all occupations, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics. New positions and job titles are being created all the time, such as social media experts who can engage fans online and Chief Strategy Officers who use predictive analytics to help sports franchises succeed.
The MSED in Sport Administration program with UOnline prepares students for a successful career in the sport industry by teaching relevant and cutting-edge curriculum that includes topics such as digital technology in sport and eSports.
To find out more about the MSED in Sport Administration program and how it can benefit sport careers for graduates all over the world, speak with an enrollment advisor at 800-411-2290, or visit the site for more information.
