How COVID-19 is disrupting and transforming the future of sport
With most of Australia in and out of COVID-19 lockdowns during 2020, sponsors and broadcasters were forced to find new ways to engage fans via digital media and at home experiences.
In summary
- A new report explores the impact of the pandemic on the business practices of Australian sport organisations from the perspectives of their leaders
- It shows COVID-19 not only disrupted Australian sport, but accelerated trends that are changing how sport is consumed, delivered and managed
- The lessons learnt from Australia have implications for the future of sport worldwide
The COVID-19 pandemic not only disrupted Australian sport, but accelerated long term trends that are fundamentally changing how sport is consumed, delivered and managed, suggest researchers of a new report from Swinburne University of Technology, Deakin University and sports thought leadership summit, SportNXT.
The researchers analysed the experiences and perspectives of senior sport executives from professional teams, sport governing bodies and advocacy groups to assess the impact of the pandemic on business practices and the key lessons learnt.
Three key areas stood out as to how business practices were disrupted, which should inform how sport is managed and delivered going forward in Australia and around the world: digital transformation, new styles of leadership and collaboration.
Embracing digital transformation
Sport organisations proactively and quickly embraced the role of technology during the pandemic, finding new ways to reimagine digital content and augment broadcast delivery.
Director of Swinburne’s Sport Innovation Research Group Associate Professor Adam Karg, says digital practices, once a strategic competitive advantage, became ‘essential for survival’.
‘The pandemic provided new ways for athletes and coaches to work together, and we found new ways to watch sport, undertake new rituals, and interact with teams and athletes.’
Sponsors and broadcasters also found new ways to engage fans via digital media and at home experiences, including digital crowds, fake crowd noises, showing images of fans in their lounge rooms as part of broadcasts, new apps, new camera angles, and increased social media content.
Associate Professor Karg says the most critical outcome has been the way organisations were able to rapidly embed digital offerings so rapidly, think flexibly and take risks.
‘Going forward, we would expect to see far greater capacity from sport organisations to utilise data practices and technologies, including blockchain and artificial intelligence to continue to provide better experiences for fans and truly lead sport into the next era.’
Report author, Associate Professor Adam Karg says the lessons learnt from leaders in the Australian sport sector have domestic and international relevance about how to manage through and recover from the pandemic.
New styles of leadership and collaboration
The collective uncertainty created by COVID-19 also drove new leadership practices and previously unseen levels of collaboration in an industry known for hierarchies and silos, which advanced the efficiency and effectiveness of the whole sport industry.
Deakin Business School’s Dr Jonathan Robertson says: ‘We found the successful leaders were agile and innovative, not hesitant to create new norms, support decision makers in new ways, and adjust quickly to the challenges of remote leadership.
‘Many sport organisations responded by embracing new ways to work and communicate, reimagine their products and processes and break out of entrenched views of leadership styles.’
Dr Robertson says one clear tool to overcome this uncertainty was collaboration.
‘Leaders and organisations communicated with each other more, shared information, formed and strengthened partnerships. Continuation of these practices opens the door to central systems and procedures, and for the right kind of partners and provided to thrive in the sport ecosystem.’
The future of sport
Dr Robertson says the sport industry will continue to be asked to do more with less, as they begin 2021 with few staff and less resources.
‘The gradual return of participants and spectators, alongside vaccination programs and the reopening of borders does provide opportunities to rebuild,’ he says.
‘However, the learnings from the pandemic about the importance of new leadership practices, collaboration and reimagined digital practices are critical for the ongoing productivity and success of the sport industry.’
One concern from the researchers is what might be left behind or ‘lost’ as a result of working with less resources, including that organisations may be forced to focus less on social responsibility and leadership in areas such as education, equality, diversity and community benefit.
‘Certainly, this is just the start of a challenging time for sport, and one that might either be seen as a disruption on the way back to ‘business as usual’ or an accelerator for new leadership, better collaboration and a more digital and efficient future,’ says Associate Professor Karg.
‘As players and spectators return to sport, the lessons learnt from leaders in the Australian sport sector have domestic and international relevance about how to manage through and recover from the pandemic.’
The full report is available online on SportNXT’s website.
The SportNXT Conference will be held at Melbourne Park from November 17-19, 2021.
-
Media Enquiries
Related articles
-
- Technology
- Business
Swinburne's Venture Cup unveils pioneering startups as entrepreneurs take centre stage
Swinburne University’s annual Venture Cup pitch night shines a spotlight on remarkable startups by students, staff and alumni.
Thursday 11 January 2024 -
- Business
Is linking time in the office to career success the best way to get us back to work?
In what some employees consider an aggressive move by their bosses to get them back where they can be seen, some companies are now linking office attendance to pay, bonuses and even promotions.
Monday 22 January 2024 -
- Business
6 questions you should be ready to answer to smash that job interview
With the new year underway employers are beginning to resume normal business activities and restart their hiring process. Similarly, many school and university graduates are beginning their job search after a well-earned break.
Wednesday 17 January 2024 -
- Student News
Swinburne helps deepen multi-disciplinary understanding
Swinburne recently hosted nine Indonesian students as part of the prestigious Indonesian International Student Mobility Awards, Vocational Edition (IISMAVO).
Thursday 07 December 2023 -
- Social Affairs
Too many renters swelter through summer. Efficient cooling should be the law for rental homes
Summer is coming – and it’s starting earlier, becoming hotter and lasting longer. As the hot weather hits, many renters will be sweltering in their homes. The World Health Organization recommends a list of actions for people to deal with heat. At the top of the list is “keep your home cool”. But for many renters, this isn’t possible.
Wednesday 22 November 2023