There wasn’t an industry in the world that wasn’t negatively affected by the 2020 outbreak and the subsequent global lockdowns that followed. From a massive, international recession to the shut-down of countless businesses, the pandemic has proven to be disastrous from start to finish.
Football may be one of the hardest hit of them all, having all major events cancelled until further notice, lay-offs in the dozens cross the industry, as well as a number of players falling ill, causing many teams to be scattered.
Right now, while we deal with the second wave, many might be wondering what the future holds for the beloved sport and what we can expect will happen in the coming year as the world works to find a way back to normalcy.
The Impact On Sports Media
Perhaps one of the industries that has been hit the hardest during the lockdowns was sports media. With no live games happening at all and networks scrambling to fill the now empty slots during the previously busiest time of the year, it’s been more than some companies have been able to handle.
This has led to a number of lay-offs across the board, with thousands of people losing their jobs and more than a handful of well-known businesses needing to close their doors for good. We’re yet to see what the future holds for the once popular sports media franchises, but many are betting that the transition to more technology-based methods of offering sports to the public.
The Rise Of New Technologies
Speaking of technology, the pandemic paved way for entire new franchises to find their way into peoples’ homes in the form of sports management and communication platforms. The internet has grown exponentially over the last year, allowing millions of people to enjoy their favourite games virtually within the comfort of their own homes, and as the waves continue to sweep across the world, the chances are high that online viewership will continue to grow.
We’re also seeing new forms of technology entering the market, such as advanced, 3D virtual sports that have gained massive popularity in recent months, as well as improvements to the way that shop online, similar to how industries like online slots NZ have skyrocketed.
The e-commerce sector has exploded throughout the globe, with people making more purchases than ever before, especially when it comes to sports-related merchandise.
What It Means For Athletes
While many athletes have suffered at the hands of the virus, it has given others the chance to experiment with their training and start finding ways to become fitter and stronger. Most people have been stuck at home during the lockdowns, and both amateur and professional athletes the world over have reported that they have taken the chance to improve their routines and work on themselves.
We’ve seen some evidence of this with the small events that have taken place since lockdown was eased up, with many teams that were once battling now doing better than ever before.
