Technology could be seen as an enhancement of the entertainment industry, but it is becoming more and more central. US sport championships are building entirely new strategies and rules around technological innovation. Same has happened, for instance, with the introduction of VAR (Video Assistant Referee) in European soccer. As a result, the sites that allow you to bet on these sports are also evolving to keep up with the times. Technologies such as VAR in world soccer, in fact, have caused bookmakers to open up the possibility of betting on this aspect as well. It is expected, therefore, that all the themed portals listed on oddschecker will be able to expand their betting scope in the U.S. as well, in accordance with the new technologies applied in the major sports leagues in the stars and stripes: let’s see what the latter are.
NFL: the revolution of computer vision
For decades, NFL fans have watched officials bring out the iconic chain for first-down measurements — a system both iconic and outdated. The league partnered with Sony’s Hawk-Eye Innovations in 2024, completely changing this system. This technology is already used in tennis and soccer, and brings advanced computer vision and tracking systems to football. In addition to this new technology, NFL has also started using RFID chips in players’ shoulder pads and inside the ball. Every movement, position and point is easily followed and analyzed by both coaches and fans. This precious data is used by coaches and players’ strategy, but it’s also great to capture every movement’s safety and help athletic trainers create a more personalized approach for each player.
The strategic challenges of NBA
As fans know, basketball is played on milliseconds and inches, so it needs a particularly precise technology. The NBA Replay Center is a state-of-the-art hub tirelessly working on making accurate and super fast decisions easier. It’s located in New Jersey and it’s perfecting video monitors while helping referees.
Coach’s Challenge has also been introduced in basketball in 2019. It allows head coaches to contest a limited number of calls per game. This challenge system helps coaches make more informed and accurate decisions through data analysis, creates a fairer game for all participants and grants a clean match to fans all over the world.
Automation in MLB
Automated Ball-Strike (ABS) Challenge System is the latest addition to this extremely traditionalist championship. This technology is being tested in minor leagues and spring training to better understand its usage for future matches. This hybrid model uses radar-based tracking to determine balls and strikes, while still allowing catchers, pitchers, and managers to challenge calls in real time.
Unlike a fully automated system, the ABS Challenge offers a blend of human judgment and machine precision. This is great news for people who love to watch a strategic game. Also, the Replay Review system ensures that critical plays in Major League Basketball are adjudicated with the help of multiple camera angles and centralized review stations. An important blend of technology and human intelligence to make the game even more interesting.
Tracking pucks in NHL
Though not as internationally acclaimed as other American championships, the National Hockey League is surely the most adapted to experiment with the newest technology. The NHL Situation Room, jokingly known by fans as “The War Room” is located in Toronto and works closely with on-ice officials to ensure a fair game.
Puck and player tracking technology is another addition in NHL that allows for a fairer and safer game. Using sensors embedded in the puck and players’ jerseys, real-time data give crucial information to players, referees and coaches. Each movement can be tracked and each strategy optimized to perfection. This technology makes for a fairer game and also for a more interesting match to watch, with a nice overlaying of the ice rink and the puck’s stats.