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Monday, November 25, 2013

Big Data and the NBA

In a digital world, data is everywhere. Never has human behavior been more measurable and tools to recognize patterns more accessible. So it should be no surprise that in sports, the figure-fondling arena of commentators and insatiable enthusiasts, big data is changing the way in which we watch.

The best example is the NBA.

In a announcement from the sport organization, best outlined in an article from Fast Company, the NBA has partnered with SAP and STATS LLC to elevate expectations to an free interactive real-time platform that layers specific data points for fans.

The platform works through a six-camera system that tracks the players’ names, numbers, and the ball. The data is stored under three silos: in-game tracking, historical data, and video. So, fans can collect and compare favorite teams or players’ stats and film. According to Michael Gliedman, senior vice president and chief information officer for the NBA, they are aspiring to a database with 4.5 quadrillion permutations.


This investment in measurement by the NBA is an exceptional example of how sports organizations are pushing to deepen engagement with fans and get more use out of their content. And with cutting-edge programs such as these, the idea of fantasy sports no doubt just got a whole lot more fantastic.

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