Serie A has lost a modern legend with the passing of Gianluca Vialli, someone who was a fan favorite at every stage of his career.

Gianluca Vialli's death on Friday robbed Italian football of an iconic figure of its golden era, a powerful yet studious center-forward who won almost every honor and was one of the English Premier League's first big-name foreign imports.

Vialli, who had battled pancreatic cancer since 2017 before finally succumbing to what he called "an unwanted guest" at the age of 58, was the archetypal Italian 'signore', a well-dressed, well-spoken gentleman who nonetheless thrived in the bruising world of Italian football.

His glittering club career saw him at one point become the world's most expensive player when Juventus paid Sampdoria 16.5 million euros in 1992 and he ended his career with one final successful spell at Chelsea.

The son of a self-made millionaire, Vialli grew up in a 60-room castle in his native Cremona.

His bustling style of forward play belied his comfortable upbringing and led him to the greatest heights at club level.

During most of the 1980s and early 1990s he was part of a devastating strike partnership at Sampdoria with Roberto Mancini, one of Italy's most naturally gifted players of the era, which carried the Genoa-based team to unprecedented levels of success and led to them being nicknamed "the goal twins".

The former striker broke through a local side Cremonese in 1980, quickly making a name for himself with his reliability and instinct for goal. After four years with his hometown club, Vialli made one of the most important moves of his career, signing for Sampdoria.

On the Ligurian coast, Gianluca Vialli rediscovered his boyhood friend Roberto Mancini and the pair formed an unforgettable partnership at Sampdoria, earning the nickname 'the goal twins'. The duo guided the Blucerchiati to their most successful ever period, picking up their first ever Scudetto, three Coppa Italia titles and a second-place finish in the European Cup.

After an incredible eight-year spell with Sampdoria, Vialli joined Juventus in 1992 for a then-world-record fee of £12.5m. After a slow start, the Cremona-born forward became a key player in Turin, helping them win a Scudetto and the Champions League in 1996.

The final three years of his career were spent with Chelsea, where he earnt the love of the fans in West London. Vialli was briefly player-manager of the club before hanging up his boots to focus on his coaching role in 1999.

Gianluca Vialli stepped away from the dugout after a brief spell with Watford and worked as a pundit on Italian television before joining Mancini's Italy set-up in October 2019 as the new delegation chief. He was a key part of the team that won Euro 2020, being an important role model for the players and working well with his childhood friend.

Vialli was a much-beloved figure in the world of Italian football and his death at the age of 58 will long be felt in the peninsula.

With Arne Slot closing on winning the Premier League in his debut season as a manager, we present you the football facts of managers to win the Premier League in their debut season. If or when Liverpool win the Premier League 2024-25 title, Arne Slot will become only the fifth manager in Premier League history to achieve the feat. 

Here are the managers to win the Premier League title in their debut season in the league. Please note we have not included Claudio Ranieri's name for winning the title with Leicester City in 2015-16, because he had already managed Chelsea from 2000 to 2004. 

Managers to win Premier League in their debut season

Jose Mourinho | 2004-05

That is why he is the special one. Jose Mourinho came the Chelsea after winning the Champions League with Porto and created history right after that. In the 2004-05 season, Mourinho arrived at Chelsea with a champion mindset and started the season with a bang by beating Manchester United in his first game at the helm. 

With John Terry as the leader of the pack, young Peter Chech between the goals and players like Frank Lampard and Didier Drogba, Mourinho took Chelsea to Premier League success with the then-record highest point of a season (95). 

However, that team still holds the Premier League record for conceding the least goals in a season (15) and most clean sheets in a season (25).

Read Also | Top 10 highest scoring midfielders in the 21st century: Football facts

Carlo Ancelotti | 2009-10

One of the greatest football managers of the generation, Carlo Ancelotti arrived in the Premier League and was able to replicate what Mourinho had done in his debut season. 

While Mourinho had made them solid in defence, the team started to fall apart during his latter years. After a few failures by the next managers, Ancelotti took the responsibility to bring the silverware back to Stamford Bridge. 

Ancelotti unleashed a ruthless attacking mindset within the team which resulted in Chelsea creating the records for most goals scored in a Premier League season (103),  most goals scored at home in a season (68), and winning the league with the best goal difference in a season (71).

Didier Drogba scored 29 goals in the Premier League for them. Frank Lampard also showed his class with 22 league goals that season.

Read Also | Managers with the Most Wins in UCL History

Manuel Pellegrini | 2013-14

Pellegrini led Manchester City to their second-ever Premier League in his debut season as the head coach at Etihad Stadium. After the success of Roberto Mancini just two seasons ago, where we saw Sergio Aguero creating history for them, Pellegrini took City back to the top. 

Yaya Toure with 20 goals led them in front as they scored more than 100 goals in a season for the first time in their history. Eden Dzeko with 16 goals and Sergio Aguero with 17 also were the stars for the Blues.

They won the league two points clear of runners-up Liverpool, who had earned 84 points.

Antonio Conte | 2016-17

Roman Ibrahimbovic somehow was always right with appointing coaches at the right time. Antonio Conte joined Chelsea during the mid-season after Guus Hiddink handled the team as interim coach. 

Conte formed a fluid 3-4-2-1 system and with the team already out of the European title race, he had only one thing to focus on. In a season which he called "a Mourinho season”, Chelesea created history by winning 13 straight league games in a row, an equal record for any English top-flight team to enter this special list of football facts.

Conte went on to win the Premier League Manager of the Month Award for October, November and December months. No manager had won the award in three consecutive months before him. 

Chelsea with 93 points won the Premier League as Conte became the third Chelsea coach to win the league in his debut season. 

Three goals in a game that staff more than 22 world-renowned players have taken to mean one thing: you use a hat trick. The Hat-trick person somehow etches his name into Premier League's history. Here is a Premier League facts to determine clubs with most hat-tricks in Premier League history.

Premier League Facts: Most Premier League hat-tricks By clubs

Manchester City | 44

Manchester City sits at the top in this most Premier League hat-trick list, an achievement largely influenced by Sergio Agüero. The Argentine forward, a relentless goal-scorer, recorded 12 hat-tricks, the most by any player in Premier League history. Every time he stepped onto the pitch, defenders were on high alert- his impact was inevitable. Now, Erling Haaland continues this legacy, showcasing his goal-scoring prowess.

Liverpool | 42

Liverpool boasts a rich history of goal-scoring excellence, with players such as Luis Suárez, Robbie Fowler, and Mohamed Salah leading the way. Suárez, in particular, had a remarkable record against Norwich City, delivering multiple hat-tricks and leaving a lasting mark on Premier League history.

With such good goal-scoring talent as Luis Suárez, Robbie Fowler and now Mohamed Salah, Liverpool has a tradition that is hard to beat. Especially against Norwich City, Suárez possessed a unique record: several hat-tricks over them have left their mark in the most Premier League hat-trick list.

Arsenal | 41

Arsenal has also been a dominant force in delivering Premier League hat-tricks. The club's most frequently cited serial hat trick scorer had been Henry, followed by Van Persie and Alexis Sánchez. Henry was particularly one-of-a-kind shooting that could hit both precision and aesthetic appeal and, in any case, it screamed specific praise for the great scorer that he was.

Manchester United | 37

Manchester United's heritage is that small one in which Cristiano Ronaldo, Wayne Rooney, and Ruud van Nistelrooy all scored unforgettable hat-tricks. The best example of Rooney's explosive speed in front of goal happened at Emirates Stadium in August 2011 when he just gave one more fine display to cement Manchester United's grip on most Premier League hat-tricks.

Chelsea | 32

Chelsea's success is built on legends such as Didier Drogba, Frank Lampard and Eden Hazard. These players not only could afford to score goals, but they were true gamblers in high-stakes contests and made sure that Chelsea remained a force to be reckoned with in the Premier League's history.

Tottenham Hotspur | 29

There is a player who stands out above all others for Tottenham Hotspur; Harry Kane. As an English striker, he has continuously managed to find the net. Three goals in a match are routine for this young upstart and just add to an already impressive international profile. 

Hat-Tricks from Historic Clubs:

Aston Villa-12 Premier League Hat-tricks:

Aston Villa, one of England's most historic clubs, has had more than its fair share of players scoring most Premier League hat-tricks.

Happy birthday, Dwight Yorke! 🎉

This strike after just 𝟭𝟮 𝗦𝗘𝗖𝗢𝗡𝗗𝗦 against Coventry in 1995 is our fastest Premier League goal! ⚡ pic.twitter.com/olMsZvPnID

— Aston Villa (@AVFCOfficial) November 3, 2020

Dwight Yorke: was someone who always backed up his smile with a clinical finish.

Gabriel Agbonlahor:  had a stunning turn of pace, his bursts from the back often leaving defenders trailing hopelessly in his wake.

322 Premier league appearances for Aston Villa 🌪
74 Premier League goals ⚽️
Two England caps 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁥󠁮󠁧󠁿

Gabriel Agbonlahor has officially retired from football aged 32. pic.twitter.com/CqSJUtb3VI

— Footy Accumulators (@FootyAccums) March 27, 2019

Striking the ball so fiercely reflects both the immense power underlying his well-timed shots and their accuracy too.

Regardless of spells spent in lower divisions, Aston Villa's long-held tradition of superior combat produces continuous effective results in front of the goal.

Leeds United-12 Premier League Hat-Tricks 

Leeds United is all action, high-tempo football, and die-hard fans.

130 #PL appearances
59 goals

Mark Viduka joined @LUFC #OnThisDay in the year 2️⃣0️⃣0️⃣0️⃣ pic.twitter.com/N4oQw58W4o

— Premier League (@premierleague) July 21, 2017

Mark Viduka: had his moment of glory when he scored four against Liverpool and scored four against them.

Harry Kewell: had a left foot that could conjure up moments of magic.

Harry Kewell wasting no time ⏱#GoalOfTheDay • @LUFC pic.twitter.com/PJXpcYMjx1

— Premier League (@premierleague) March 2, 2021

Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink: was a man born of the wind, hitting the ball as clean and as hard as anyone.

#OnThisDay 1999
Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink struck a brace as Leeds won 2-1 at Aston Villa.

The first goal thumped in after a powerful run, the second a brilliant free kick.

Some striker! ⚽️ #LUFCpic.twitter.com/PtwEGzgkOE

— Football Remind ⚽️ (@FootballRemind) February 17, 2025

Leeds is back in the Premier League now, and it is still in its attacking mode, and more hat-tricks are probably in its future.

Technology is quickly changing how players train in football and cricket, transforming conventional practices for these games and it is redefining human performance.

The role of technology in these two popular sports is visible, from relying on sensors which monitor all activity; to virtual reality simulations that aid decision-making, 

In recent years, technology has become smaller, more robust, and versatile, and thus new opportunities, especially in sports, have emerged. At the moment, updates are provided through smartphones, wearable functionality is used to avoid injury, GPS is used to track movement, and players are outfitted with sensors that send real-time information to a coach's device.

This article addresses the state-of-the-art equipment and approaches that are changing the paradigm of training, player development, and the game itself.

How Technology is Changing Cricket and Football Training

1. Wearable Technology

Trainers can invoke sensors wired to the body or some portion of "smart clothing" for measurement and monitoring in real-time. The real-time displays can be used to help the trainer determine what every sportsperson should push more. During training practice, trainers can use real-time measures to inform when to stretch, rest, or make training more challenging.

Laser and GPS are both being used more and more in different aspects of sports preparation. Instead of looking only at times and splits, coaches can measure athletes' exact position, distance, velocity, and acceleration, to better analyze their areas of improvement.

2. Video Analysis Tools

Modern-day football is becoming faster and more tactical. Athletes have to acquire both their athleticism and tactical awareness to enhance their decision-making process in the course of play. Video analysis is used for both individual and team tactical development.

In football, video analysis usually consists of a careful analysis and examination of game matches, practice, and player activity, to assess player performance, tactics, and strategies. Advanced technologies such as wearable tracking units and video analysis techniques are used in the process of achieving these things to capture and analyze critical elements of data, e.g., player location, combinations of teams, and player movements.

Video analysis can be used by coaches, analysts, and players to obtain a more complete picture of what goes on around the ball by giving a graphical representation of the game happening around them.

Video analysis can help a group of individuals to recognize the points of improvement, e.g., to enhance the winning approach and cope with different match situations effectively as the tool between the raw performance data and useful insights.

3. Virtual Reality (VR) Training

Virtual Reality (VR) applications have been of considerable interest in many high-performance and entertainment applications over the past few years with advances in technology, increased availability, and the mobility of VR systems.

More precisely, by embedding environmental constraints within an interactive virtual space, VR can also be used to train in motor, mental, and cognitive skills, strategy, and tactics.

VR offers promising novel solutions to many professional high-pressure, high-skill environments, especially for the training, and learning of difficult skills in otherwise expensive and/or hazardous settings. When properly used, VR provides complete control over the training environment, including cues and challenges, along with safe and reproducible training tasks. 

Because of this, it is designated as a promising instrument, which could help increase athletes' performance.

4. Biomechanical Analysis

The scientific study of biomechanics focuses on the physics and mechanics of how organisms move. In its general sense, it may include anything from knowing how a dancer entirely moves the whole body to the microscopic muscle cell-level response and observing the posture of an active horse.

Biomechanics is a narrower area in sports, which can offer helpful input to sportsmen, trainers, and sports medicine professionals who can help to enhance performance and decrease the chance of injury.

All of these biomechanical tests, including poor kinematics, rotational forces in specific joints, muscle imbalances, fatigue monitoring, and the quality of the movement being rehabilitated, may be detected.

5. Data Analytics

Data analytics has optimized athletes' performance by identifying previously unknown factors and related events. Those actions include, for example, leg motion, dive angle, rotational speed, and fluid motion.

Trainers can help players to successfully use this type of sophisticated movement tracking. If it is on the order of milliseconds, it can be the deciding factor for a race win or loss.

6. Recovery Technology

A significant reduction in injury levels and faster detection times demonstrates how technology greatly benefits sports training. Performance monitoring, movement processing, and improving communication are not only advantages but also contribute to making less susceptible environments.

Trainers and coaches can use training management software to monitor the specific training-based elements related to, for example, energy, nutrition, and sleep, that constitute the training process. Individualization of practices by trainers or coaches to optimize results helps prevent fatigue and self-inflicted injuries.

Besides the unavoidable external factors, injury-free sports may eventually be realized as a future scenario.

7. Communication and Collaboration Tools

Training communication has been enhanced by tools such as YouTube. YouTube contains millions of minutes of exercise and entertainment that are available to, and easily shared by anyone.

Physicists, especially in the area of sport and motor control, need to put much more emphasis on teaching sport and motor control with play debates or footage from films for their continuing education.1 Athletes and coaches can load and view the required films during sports practice or leisure time.

Other communication technologies have further been developed, namely My Fitness Pal, computer or mobile-phone journals on food and exercise, and personal digital health. My Fitness Pal enables trainers to monitor athletes' everyday diets, and players would be responsible for their training.

Women's football continues to rise in popularity, with elite players showcasing their talent across the globe. Whether you are a dedicated fan or a newcomer to the sport, 2025 promises to be an exciting year for women's football, with top-tier leagues and star players pushing the game to a new height.

Here is a detailed look at 20 must-watch women's football players and the leagues they play in for 2025.

Top 10 Must-Watch Women's Football Players in 2025:

1. Aitana Bonmati | Spain | FC Barcelona | Liga F:

Aitana Bonmatí is the first women's player to win The Best, Ballon d'Or, UEFA Player of the Year and World Cup Golden Ball in the same year 🤯 pic.twitter.com/7hjKNSuG20

— B/R Football (@brfootball) January 15, 2024

Fresh off winning the Ballon d'Or, Aitana Bonmati remains a crucial figure for both FC Barcelona and Spain. Her vision, dribbling, and ability to control the game from midfield make her a standout performer.

Read Also | Exclusive: Here's how Football giving hope to "Mini-Brazil of India"

2. Sam Kerr | Australia | Chelsea | Women's Super League:

SAM KERR PUTS CHELSEA ON THE BRINK OF THE TITLE WITH THIS 😳

(🎥: @BarclaysFAWSL)pic.twitter.com/h3OKtzNhOD

— GOAL (@goal) May 8, 2022

Sam Kerr's goal-scoring ability and leadership make her one of the most electrifying forwards in the world. Despite injury setbacks, her return in 2025 could be pivotal for Chelsea and Australia.

3. Alexia Putellas | Spain | FC Barcelona | Liga F:

⚽️✨ Throwback in 2021 when Alexia Putellas won her first Women's Ballon d'Or! #ballondor pic.twitter.com/2ojG9Be241

— Ballon d'Or (@ballondor) October 16, 2024

A two-time Ballo d'Or winner, Putellas is a creative force for Barcelona. After overcoming injuries, she remains a dominant playmaker and a key player to watch.

4. Trinity Rodman | USA | Washington Spirit | NSWL:

THE ONE AND ONLY, TRINITY RODMAN 😤

29 goals and 21 assists! pic.twitter.com/ybV1CIuMjt

— Washington Spirit (@WashSpirit) September 17, 2024

Trinity, the daughter of NBA legend Dennis Rodman, has carved out her legacy in football. Her pace, technical ability, and work ethic make her one of the most exciting young forwards in the NSWL.

5. Lauren James | England | Chelsea | Women's Super League:

1⃣3⃣ WSL goals.
0⃣2⃣ WSL assists.
0⃣1⃣ WSL title.

Lauren Elizabeth James, everyone. 👏 pic.twitter.com/qxlIwz0zUr

— Chelsea FC Women (@ChelseaFCW) May 22, 2024

James is one of the most technically gifted young players in the world. Her dribbling strength and finishing ability make her a crucial player for Chelsea and England.

6. Linda Caicedo | Colombia | Real Madrid | Liga F:

Linda Caicedo's goal was DUTTY 🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥 pic.twitter.com/lBgsnoyU8L

— PRESENCE (@TazerBlack) July 31, 2023

Linda Caicedo, a teenage sensation, has already made waves for both Club and Country. Her agility, finishing, and football intelligence make her a rising star in Women's Football.

7. Sophia Smith | USA | Portland Thorns | NSWL:

WHO ELSE BUT SOPHIA SMITH 💪

The USWNT and @ThornsFC superstar makes it 2-0 all by herself 🌹

pic.twitter.com/3xAH9iGdJt

— The Women's Game (@WomensGameMIB) April 21, 2024

Sophia Smith is a clinical forward and a key player for both the Portland Thorns and the U.S.A Women's National Football Team. Her ability to create and score goals makes her a must-watch.

8. Ada Hegerberg | Norway | Olympique Lyonnais | D1 Arkema:

The first winner of the women's Ballon d'Or Ada Hegerberg collecting her award and being asked if she knows how to 'twerk' pic.twitter.com/kVgH1cuHSm

— Football Daily (@footballdaily) December 4, 2018

The first woman to win the Ballon d'Or, Hegerberg remains a dominant striker in Europe. Her goal-scoring ability makes her vital for Lyon.

9. Caroline Graham Hansen | Norway | FC Barcelona | Liga F:

👕 31 matches
⚽️ 26 goals
🅰️ 25 assists

How highly do you rate Caroline Graham Hansen? 🇳🇴#UWCL pic.twitter.com/Xi8YiMWO35

— UEFA Women’s Champions League (@UWCL) April 9, 2024

Caroline Hansen is known for her incredible dribbling and attacking play. She is a key part of Barcelona's dominance in European Football. 

10. Mary Earps | England | Manchester United | Women's Super League:

Mary Earps collects her #World11 trophy, and the team reaction says it all ❤️💙@UNFP | @PFA | @PSG_Feminines pic.twitter.com/m5IvHIEXPy

— FIFPRO (@FIFPRO) February 5, 2025

Regarded as one of the best goalkeepers in the world, Marry Earps' shot-stopping ability and leadership make her a crucial figure for the club and country.

Top 10 Must-Watch Women's Football Leagues in 2025:

The Women’s FIFA World Rankings top 10 👇

1 - USA 🇺🇸
2 - Sweden 🇸🇪
3 - Germany 🇩🇪
4 - France 🇫🇷
5 - Netherlands 🇳🇱
6 - Canada 🇨🇦
7 - Brazil 🇧🇷
8 - England 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁥󠁮󠁧󠁿
9 - Spain 🇪🇸
10 - Korea DPR 🇰🇵 pic.twitter.com/8JD4ihEY3j

— GOAL (@goal) December 23, 2021

1. Liga F (Spain):

Clubs to Watch:  FC Barcelona, Real Madrid and Atletico Madrid.

Why Watch? FC Barcelona's dominance and Real Madrid's rise have made the Spanish League one of the most competitive in women's football.

2. Women's Super League (England):

Clubs to Watch: Chelsea, Manchester City, Manchester United, and Arsenal.

Why Watch? The WSL boasts some of the best players in the world, with a highly competitive league structure.

3. National Women's Soccer League (United States of America):

Clubs to Watch: Portland Thorns, OL Reign, Washington Spirit, and San Diego Wave.

Why Watch? The NSWL has some of the best homegrown and international talent, making it one of the most unpredictable leagues.

4. D1 Arkema (France)

Clubs to Watch: Lyon and Paris Saint-Germain.

Why Watch? Lyon has been a powerhouse in women's football for years, and Paris Saint-Germain continues to challenge them.

5. Frauen-Bundesliga (Germany)

Clubs to Watch: Wolfsburg and Bayern Munich.

Why Watch? The German league has a strong history of producing world-class players.

6. Serie A Femminile (Italy)

Clubs to Watch: AS Roma, Juventus, and AC Milan

Why Watch? Italy's women's league has been growing in popularity, with Roma and Juventus leading the way.

7. W-League (Australia)

Clubs to Watch: Melbourne City and Sydney FC

Why Watch? Australia's league continues to produce top talents, with many players heading to Europe and the NSWL.

8. Damallsvenskan (Sweden)

Clubs to Watch: Rosengard and BK Hacken.

Why Watch? Sweden's league has a strong reputation for developing young talent.

9. Liga MX Femenil (Mexico)

Clubs to Watch: Moneterrey, Tigres UANL and Club America.

Why Watch? One of the fastest-growing leagues in the world, with passionate fan support.

10. Frauen Bundesliga (Austria & Switzerland- combined league from 2025)

Why Watch? A newly structured league bringing together two strong football nations a develop women's football further.

Rising Stars to Watch in 2025:

Beyond the established stars, these young players are poised to become household names:

1. 1. Melchie Dumornay (Haiti, Lyon): A dynamic midfielder with incredible dribbling and playmaking skills.
   2. Esme Brugts (Netherlands, FC Barcelona): One of the brightest young Dutch talents.
   3. Giulia Dragoni (Italy, FC Barcelona): An exciting midfield prospect.
   4. Vicki Becho (France, Lyon): A fast, creative winger with a bright future.

What to Expect in 2025?

• UEFA Women's Champions League Excitement - Can anyone stop FC Barcelona's dominance?
• NSWL Expansion - The league continues to grow, with new teams and talent.
• Women's Super League Intensity- Will Chelsea maintain their supremacy, or will Arsenal and Manchester City rise?
• International Showdowns- The build-up to the 2027 FIFA Women's World Cup begins.

Artificial Intelligence has been improving the sports we watch and analyze for nearly the past 20 years, but the latest generation of ultra-modern AI tools is revolutionizing every aspect of sports, from improving player and team performances to ensuring safety along with fan engagement and the experiences.

AI can process and store large amounts of data, which allows us to gain insights that we couldn't see before. This capability is at the center of the revolution. For the players, this brings improved strategies, varied training methods, and a significantly lower risk of injury.

The fans enjoy a whole new level of engagement in the game, thanks to Al-powered platforms providing content tailored to them, such as virtual reality experiences and more.

The massive impact of AI in the Sports Industry

Artificial Intelligence is revolutionizing the Sports Industry rapidly by offering solutions to common problems such as individual performance, tactical requirements, injuries and recoveries, variations in training, etc.

The capacity of AI and GenAI tools to analyze complex data and provide instant insights is ushering in a new era of athletic performance and fan engagement as well.

From predictive analytics that improve player safety and performance to AI-powered viewing experiences for fans, the influence of artificial intelligence is setting the bar higher across the industry.

1. Player and team performance

GenAI can analyze team and player behavior to reach conclusions that would contribute to improved training and coaching. For example, they can monitor and analyze the movements of players with computer vision.

In this way, they can assess whether an athlete is moving wrongly or could be injured. Machine learning algorithms can watch game videos to identify patterns of the opposing team. Sports coaches can be made to develop wiser game plans and strategies by artificial intelligence.

Some techniques, including motion tracking and motion analysis, can capture changes in the posture, movement, or technique of a player that indicte fatigue or poor motor control.

According to a study by Grand View Research, the sports analytics market size was valued at $1.9 billion in 2020 and is expected to reach $5.2 billion by 2028, showcasing the rapid growth and demand for advanced analytics tools in sports.

The following two tools are widely applicable to player and team analysis:

• SportVU: This system tracks detailed player and ball motion in a game with computer vision and machine learning. It can analyze shot mechanics, accelerations and decelerations, speed, and distance.
• KINEXON: This system tracks positional and motion data in real-time by equipping players with sensors.

2. Injury Prediction and Prevention

Injuries occur regularly in professional sports. Identifying and preventing injuries before they even occur is likely one of the most thrilling applications of AI.

Teams can utilize AI algorithms to monitor an individual's motion as they move their joints and strain their muscles. It can search for patterns or instabilities that signify an injury before the symptoms themselves appear.

AI can recognize a slight deviation in the amount of strain a soccer player puts on their knee joint and warn the coaches or medical staff. Way before the injury became acute enough to cause the player to miss games, the team could either give them rest or do exercises to help them recover.

A report by MarketsandMarkets estimates that the global sports medicine market, which incorporates AI-driven health monitoring solutions, is projected to reach $9.3 billion by 2026, underlining the significant role of AI in athlete well-being.

The following two tools could be used in the AI-powered prediction and prevention of injuries:

• Sparta Science: It uses computer vision and motion sensing in analyzing movement patterns of an athlete. Based on motion data, biomechanical deficiencies, and especially risks of increased injury, machine learning models are able to identify those. 
• Zone 7: It measures injury risk using factors such as workload, degree of fatigue, and others through artificial intelligence and research in sports science. Their methods take age, position, body composition, and medical history into account. 

3. Training Through AI-Powered Analytics and Wearables

Smartwatches and fitness trackers are examples of wearable technology that have become essential for tracking many of the parameters mentioned earlier.

Wearable GPS devices that can track athletes' speed and location, overall distance traveled, and movement patterns are available to provide relevant information.

Wearable heart rate monitors use optical sensors to measure blood flow in real-time, tracking the heart rate. This is an important aspect of monitoring heart health, fitness levels, and recovery. It also helps in tracking blood oxygen levels, which is another important component of modern-day fitness trackers. They use optical sensors to track the oxygen saturation level of blood.

Since the 2010s, Inertial Measurement Units (IMUs), such as GPS tracking vests, have been commonly used in professional sports. Such vests are offered with discrete and effective GPS tracking and sensors located on the back and shoulders; they are typically worn as tank tops.

In football and rugby, the vest is mainly utilized to track the location and movement of a player and, thereby, report strengths and weaknesses.

4. Sports Commentary and Reporting

Sports commentary and reporting can automatically be generated from match events and live data by employing natural language processing (NLP) methods like GPT-3. Artificially intelligent commentary not only comments on a strategy but also summarizes the critical events of match play. 

Similarly, GenAI can create such highlights, summaries, and post-match data reportage for viewing audiences as well.

NLP methods can make the commentary more dramatic and interesting by taking into account the game statistics and situations in real-time data. With the use of generated personalities and tones, it is possible to accommodate various fan interests in the coverage.

Automated GenAI reporting enhances sports coverage and commentary without losing interesting and captivating stories.

5. Sports Officiating

The use of AI in sports officiating is not without controversy, including traditional backlash and concerns regarding technology's influence on the game. Yet, the improvements it introduces, such as real-time analysis and decision support, are dramatically enhancing the accuracy and fairness of officiating.

Its capabilities to review plays from multiple angles and analyze them in seconds are proving invaluable in high-level games where every call matters.

Despite initial doubts, the use of AI in officiating is increasingly being accepted, with many seeing its potential to eliminate human error and ensure a level playing field.

As the technology improves and its uses extend, its role in assisting fair play and accuracy in sports is poised to increase, ushering in a new era in the use of technology and sportsmanship.

6. Player Scouting

Team owners are using artificial intelligence to review the performance of the players. To determine the most skilled people to invest in, they use data analysis using artificial intelligence. It takes millions of dollars to find talent in the sports world.

So, team owners would like to ensure that scouting one player is the best decision. Artificial intelligence is used widely in scouting players for any sport, be it cricket, football, or basketball.

AI-powered Change in Fan Engagement and Experiences

1. Personalized Fan Engagement

To provide customised fan experiences, GenAI algorithms can model the preferences and behaviours of audiences. Sports teams and broadcasters can use these insights to optimize engagement across media channels.

For example, social media platforms can deliver tailored video highlights, personalized promotions, and AI-recommended content to resonate with each fan.

The NBA revealed 'NB-AI', allowing fans to activate "movie mode" and watch live games animated like popular films, such as Spider-Man

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— Dexerto (@Dexerto) February 16, 2024

Based on their past interactions and activities, the Generative AI identifies what content types, sports stats, and topics each fan finds most appealing. It creates and sends personalized content for each person. This level of customization, enabled by GenAI in sports, helps sports organizations connect more deeply with their audiences.

2. Viewing Experiences

GenAI can process live video to generate augmented reality (AR) overlays and graphics that enhance broadcasts or live streams.

For example, shot trajectories, real-time player stats, and situational analysis can be visualized and overlaid onto the gameplay footage. For virtual reality (VR), GenAI can create real-world simulated environments for an immersive in-game perspective.

The key innovation is using Generative AI to dynamically generate and adapt AR/VR overlays and environments on the fly, customized to each moment. As the narrative and action of the game shift, the GenAI-powered augmented experiences shift with them, elevating viewing to multidimensional engagement. 

A survey conducted by PwC found that 65% of sports fans are interested in using AR or virtual reality (VR) devices to watch sports, indicating a growing appetite for immersive experiences enabled by AI-driven technologies.

Conclusion

AI collaboration with sports is making the place safer as well as fairer. Predictive modeling and algorithms in AI are becoming a must for injury prevention. AI guarantees that more accuracy and fairness can be introduced in the outcome of a game by enhancing officiating. Both the aspects of performance and integrity are vital components in ensuring the prosperity and popularity of sports continue.

The impact of AI reaches sports journalism, advertising, and the creation of next-gen sports equipment, beyond the field or court. These innovations create new revenue streams and provide more exciting ways for fans to engage with their beloved sports and teams.

In this sense, artificial intelligence in the sports field could be said to be, by itself, a change not only for the athletes or for the coaches but for the sports system in general. With AI, the sports of the future could easily be foreseen because technology would harmoniously mix with manly athleticism at its highest levels.