Sports lack one thing that modern technology could provide an abundance of, "Spectator Participation". Many modern materials and electronics used could easily provide a more spectator oriented sports experience. A workgroup is setup at
Modernizing Sports
RFID could be used to track ball flight and interactively show where the ball is going to go. Like in baseball, a home run is in progress of being hit, within the first 100 feet a computer can determine within a couple of feet of where the ball is going to go. So an automated system could announce something like "Right Field, Upper Deck, Seat K11, Incommmmmming".
Each player could be equiped with a custom RFID that would telemeter the players heart beat and persperation factor. A spectator with a Pocket PC could hook into local Wi-Fi and monitor any player they want and get much more info than is now available. TV stations could overlay player health stats next to each player on the screen. "Number 21 is really putting on a show today, his heart is about to pop out of his chest. Does he have enough left in this final play of Superbowl...?"
Lots of other opportunities for spectator involvement might include a polling system where if a sufficient number of the spectators see a hole in the defense they want filled, a short text message might show up on a screen with one of the coaching assistants. If it's significant, the coach might be notified.
What ideas do you have for getting spectators more involved in the sports they are watching?
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Sounds interesting. It could give a whole new meaning to "home field advantage". The spectators could influence plays on both sides, supporting the home team and sabotaging the visitors. If you include the spectators at home watching TV, then the teams with the most fans (like the Yankees) would benefit the most.
Maybe you need to devise a new game entirely, something fast moving like soccer, so that each team would be somewhat insulated from the bad advice of the other's fans. Presumably, the fans would be too busy keeping track of their own team to bother trying to disrupt the other team.
Finally, nothing improves spectator interest like betting. Interactive betting between fans, omitting the bookie, could increase interest. Keeping track of the odds and the plays being bet on, could be displayed across the screen. Gamblers could wager on each play, each possible outcome, each call, etc..
I'd be inclined to think the existing gambling interests would resist such a development. The government would resist unless it found a way to levy a tax. So, come on thinkers, come up with some new games for this idea.
This is probably one of the best ideas on the site. I would definitely use a "pay-per-view" channel for this. It could be made to record a lot of relevent and fun data. It would make even the longest game a little more interesting. It'd also be interesting to see how the bodies of true athletes are tested on the playing field.
I work with RFID on a regular basis and this seems far fetched. The systems that we use to identify train cars have antennas about 2 x 8 inches and still at a distance of ten feet we have trouble reading them. Since RFID must absorb energy from the reader before it can respond, I think small-size of the antenna you could put in a baseball would mean that the signal strength aimed at it would have to be enough to cook bacon. Wouldn't do good to the fans nearby.
The range depends on the configuration and technology of the RFID. Some RFID can be read from 1,500 feet or more.
RFID FAQ
Multiple readers for sensing the ball and player readings might be buried in the ground, floor, overhead, ... The readers are relatively inexpensive for high dollar sports events.
Muliple cameras and using sensor fusion technologies might be better suited for predicting ball trajectories. While battery boosted RFID in player belts could easily transmit player health anywhere on the field/court.
Coupled with MEMS sensor packages, a basketball could have an abundance of data transmitted for purposes of training. This is all high tech wizardry. But for multi-million dollar players, these technologies might be attractive.
Consider how much money changes hands from betting on games whose point spread is worth millions in wagers.