Machine-learning algorithms can identify the right player for each position based on data collected on home grounds and overseas, in various game conditions and against differing opponents. Fan management analysis is another alluring service that promises a better return on marketing. And when the money comes in, data analytics can streamline efficiency and enhance buying and selling decisions in every area, from merchandising to TV rights.Firstly, sport is big in Ireland.
Thirdly, Ireland is big in data. We have the full spectrum of data expertise in the Irish research network to handle all the aspects of sports analytics, from body sensors capturing player movements to stadium cameras capturing crowd flow. We have the engineering expertise in our universities to harmonise these data sets so that everyone from the coach to the accountant can draw from the same dashboard.
According to the most recent estimates, the global sports analytics market is worth more than $2 billion, and that is expected to grow to $8 billion by 2026. Ireland is ideally positioned to act as a test bed for this expanding area. Our small size and the way our research ecosystem is structured means we can ride this wave.