Rob Cornilles

What is sports tech? This is a commonly asked question I get... Here's how it's defined and all the categories within the $55B+ niche: Dictionary Definition: "𝘚𝘱𝘰𝘳𝘵𝘴 𝘛𝘦𝘤𝘩 𝘳𝘦𝘧𝘦𝘳𝘴 𝘵𝘰 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘶𝘴𝘦 𝘰𝘧 𝘵𝘦𝘤𝘩𝘯𝘰𝘭𝘰𝘨𝘺 𝘵𝘰 𝘪𝘮𝘱𝘳𝘰𝘷𝘦 𝘢𝘵𝘩𝘭𝘦𝘵𝘪𝘤 𝘱𝘦𝘳𝘧𝘰𝘳𝘮𝘢𝘯𝘤𝘦, 𝘵𝘳𝘢𝘪𝘯𝘪𝘯𝘨, 𝘢𝘯𝘢𝘭𝘺𝘴𝘪𝘴, 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘰𝘷𝘦𝘳𝘢𝘭𝘭 𝘴𝘱𝘰𝘳𝘵𝘴 𝘦𝘹𝘱𝘦𝘳𝘪𝘦𝘯𝘤𝘦." 𝐒𝐨𝐦𝐞 𝐇𝐢𝐠𝐡 𝐋𝐞𝐯𝐞𝐥 𝐂𝐚𝐭𝐞𝐠𝐨𝐫𝐢𝐞𝐬: • Wearables • Stadium and Venue • Player Development • Sports Broadcasting • Referee and Officiating • Nutrition and Diet Apps • Commerce & Consumer • Performance Analysis Tools • Data Analytics and Big Data • Sports Medicine Technology • Doping Control and Fair Play • Smart Equipment & Clothing • Virtual and Augmented Reality • Fan Engagement and Experience • Biomechanics and Motion Analysis • Sports Psychology & Mental Training It also leads to questions like.... 💭 What about Esports? Gaming? Web3? AI? 💭 Is sports betting calculated into sports tech? "Sports Tech" is 𝘦𝘴𝘵𝘪𝘮𝘢𝘵𝘦𝘥 𝘵𝘰 𝘨𝘳𝘰𝘸 to $55.14 billion by 2030 at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 20.8%, according to Grandview Research. But depending on how broad you allow it to be...it's much much larger than that. 𝗦𝗽𝗼𝗿𝘁𝘀 𝘁𝗲𝗰𝗵 𝗶𝘀 𝗻𝗼𝘁 𝗷𝘂𝘀𝘁 𝗮𝗯𝗼𝘂𝘁 𝗴𝗮𝗱𝗴𝗲𝘁𝘀 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗴𝗶𝘇𝗺𝗼𝘀, 𝗯𝘂𝘁 𝗿𝗮𝘁𝗵𝗲𝗿 𝗮 𝘃𝗮𝘀𝘁 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗲𝘃𝗲𝗿-𝗲𝘅𝗽𝗮𝗻𝗱𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗶𝗻𝗱𝘂𝘀𝘁𝗿𝘆 𝘁𝗵𝗮𝘁 𝗲𝗻𝗰𝗼𝗺𝗽𝗮𝘀𝘀𝗲𝘀 𝗮 𝗹𝗼𝘁 𝗼𝗳 𝗰𝗮𝘁𝗲𝗴𝗼𝗿𝗶𝗲𝘀.

133

20 Comments

🚨 University of Arizona Football | Performance Systems Overview (2022–2023) During the 2022–2023 season, we had the opportunity to build out a truly integrated performance system at Arizona — blending objective monitoring, individualized training, and collaborative decision-making to support player development and availability. Here’s what that looked like behind the scenes: 🔧 System Components – Developed a centralized Athlete Management System (AMS) – Integrated force plate CMJs on GD-2 and GD+1 – Mapped GPS data to every drill in practice by volume, intensity, and density – Built a stoplight readiness model (Red/Yellow/Green) based on force, asymmetry, and wellness inputs – Weekly 1080 Sprint profiling to target individual acceleration deficits and monitor trends 📊 In-Season Monitoring Strategy – Combined neuromuscular data (jump height, RSImod, asymmetry) with GPS and workload trends – Used CV% and SD thresholds to flag meaningful fatigue changes – Adjusted pre-practice prep, lifting intensities, and recovery based on G+1/G-2 trends – Created individual and positional reports shared daily with performance and coaching staff 📈 Results – Logged 31 new top speed records – Saw a 35% reduction in soft tissue injuries with minimal hamstring-related time-loss – Aligned training with the competitive calendar: Winter → Spring → Camp → Season → Postseason – Worked closely with the Performance Director to manage daily decisions around practice structure and player availability 🎯 Takeaway What made the difference wasn’t any one piece of tech or protocol — it was the ability to tie together force diagnostics, GPS load, sprint data, and on-field context into a unified decision-making system. Building that bridge between data and action is where the real impact happens. #SportsScience #AthleteMonitoring #PerformanceAnalytics #SpeedDevelopment #InjuryPrevention #CollegeFootball #ForcePlates #GPS #1080Sprint #SpellmanPerformance #ArizonaFootball

464

16 Comments

BIGGEST SPORTS LEAGUES BY REVENUE (2025) 📊 1️⃣ NFL (USA) ~$20B 🏈 | World’s richest league 2️⃣ NBA (NA) ~$13B 🏀 | Global popularity & sponsorship power 3️⃣ MLB (NA) ~$11B ⚾ | Strong U.S. following & stadium revenues 4️⃣ EPL (UK) ~$7.5B ⚽ | Global TV reach & top-tier clubs 5️⃣ NHL (NA) ~$6B 🏒 | Loyal North American audience 6️⃣ IPL (India) ~$4.5B 🏏 | Rapid growth, huge ad revenue Insight: U.S. leagues dominate global sports income, but the IPL and EPL are closing fast.

1,406

182 Comments

The sponsorship challenge in sports. Traditional sponsorship models create friction and uncertainty. Measurability is limited: reports are delayed, and the focus is often stuck on logo placement rather than impact. Inventory is fragmented: Assets are spread too thinly across various teams, athletes and events. Personalization is low: Costs are high, yet activation is low and targeting is weak. Consequently, ROI is uncertain, which leads to low renewal rates and acts as a barrier for new sponsors. Brands are done buying empty space. They want data, access, and real results. Why? Because sports fans buy into the brands that fuel their passion, and they remain loyal for a lifetime. #GRIDXP #Sponsorship #Fanengagement #sports #motorsports #tech

21

Regardless of how many millions or billions of dollars flow into youth sports, there is no path to sustainable growth without better support and resources for volunteer coaches. Too often, a young athlete’s first sports experience is led by someone who simply doesn’t know what they’re doing…and that’s not their fault. To keep costs down, organizations rely on volunteers, and given the age of most youth participants, that volunteer is almost always a well-meaning parent. But good intentions aren’t enough. If we want to create positive, lasting experiences in sports, we need to equip these parents with the tools, training, and guidance to lead effectively. We can’t just invest in facilities, technology, and gear…we need to invest in our coaches and volunteers. #YouthSports

99

22 Comments

Quick Business Reminder: Revenue vs. Profit Revenue is the total amount of money coming in. Profit is what’s left after you subtract all the expenses. In college athletics, we talk about the need to generate more revenue and that is absolutely true. However, the real impact is about profit. You can generate millions through ticket sales, sponsorships, and donations, but if expenses like scholarships, travel, salaries, facilities, etc eat up most of that revenue then you're not turning a profit. More revenue is generated, but after you pay bills the profit margin is slim or nonexistent. And that makes it hard to build a long-term business model that’s sustainable and effective. That’s why we have to think beyond just the big numbers. It’s about: -Sustainable long-term growth -Cost control -Building new revenue streams that actually move the bottom line -Staffing & resources that support long-term growth Revenue is exciting, but profit is essential.

75

7 Comments

In sales, one of the most powerful questions is: “In comparison to what?” It’s how we reveal context. It’s how we clarify value. And in player development, it’s exactly the same. When a coach or scout says a pitcher is “late,” “early,” or “on-time” in their delivery, the question should be: “In comparison to what?” How do you know? Without a clear standard, how can we influence a generation of pitchers to be more "on-time" to support their throwing arm? At DVS Baseball, we’ve answered that question with over 15 years of hands-on application, input from professional scouts with 30+ years of experience, and a biomechanics database of more than 4,000 pitchers. We use measurable data to define what “on-time” actually means—and how to train it. We define “on-time” at the moment the front foot lands and begins to bear weight. At that point, we measure the angle of the throwing forearm in relation to the spine. If the forearm is within 10 degrees of the spine angle, the pitcher is considered on-time. This angle is a key component of the DVS Injury Risk Model, which evaluates the probability of a major arm injury. Built from a database of over 2,000 pitchers, the model has continually demonstrated that being on-time at foot strike is not just ideal—it’s predictive. Pitchers in this position show a significantly lower likelihood of serious arm injuries and a higher capacity to sustain innings over time. And more importantly—we can train it. The video demonstrates how the body can orient and sequence itself early to ensure the throwing forearm is on time, consistently, across multiple angles. As long as the upper body stays deactivated and along for the ride, the lower body can become the driver. This stretch effect allows the pelvis to begin turning at the bottom of the delivery, creating the space and timing for the throwing arm to naturally be on time—without forcing it. In a game of chasing velocity, being on-time is a way to sustain it. So the next time someone asks if a pitcher is on time—ask back: “In comparison to what?”

48

6 Comments

The WNBA (Women's National Basketball Association) has an opportunity to do something special right now.    The league is at an inflection point with the breakdown in player contract negotiations, and its commissioner is struggling mightily to build (and rebuild) trust with players.    In today’s installment of Unsolicited Advice, Anne Morriss and I discuss how to *not* waste this crisis.    The predictable path is for the WNBA to retreat into its own patronizing defensiveness, a familiar crouch for sports leagues in moments like this. The unpredictable path is to find the courage to listen and do things differently this time.    We think the lessons of this moment can be applied well beyond the world of sports.   I hope you enjoy. TED Conferences | Harvard Business School | Pushkin Industries

191

23 Comments

Great article from Abe Madkour at Sports Business Journal this week regarding "Attributes of a Successful Team Owner" in sports.  That said, most people working in sports do not get to choose their ownership 𝗯𝘂𝘁 𝗰𝗮𝗻 𝗰𝗼𝗻𝘁𝗿𝗼𝗹/𝗶𝗻𝗳𝗹𝘂𝗲𝗻𝗰𝗲/𝗰𝗿𝗲𝗮𝘁𝗲 𝗮 𝗴𝗿𝗲𝗮𝘁 𝗰𝘂𝗹𝘁𝘂𝗿𝗲 𝘁𝗵𝗮𝘁 𝗵𝗲𝗹𝗽𝘀 𝗱𝗿𝗶𝘃𝗲 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗯𝘂𝘀𝗶𝗻𝗲𝘀𝘀 𝗳𝗼𝗿𝘄𝗮𝗿𝗱.  Here are six quick steps to building a great culture 👇 1. Create a team first mindset; it is "𝗡𝗼𝘁 𝗮𝗯𝗼𝘂𝘁 𝗠𝗘, 𝗶𝘁 𝗶𝘀 𝗮𝗯𝗼𝘂𝘁 𝗪𝗘".  2. Transparency throughout the organization; "𝗜𝘁'𝘀 𝗮𝗯𝗼𝘂𝘁 𝗧𝗥𝗨𝗦𝗧." 3. 𝗞𝗻𝗼𝘄 𝘆𝗼𝘂𝗿 𝘁𝗲𝗮𝗺 𝗼𝗻 𝗮 𝗗𝗘𝗘𝗣𝗘𝗥 𝗹𝗲𝘃𝗲𝗹; get to know what motivates them, how they prefer to be lead, what their personal and career goals are, etc.  4. Create a Learning and Development environment; "𝗴𝗶𝘃𝗲 𝘀𝗼𝗺𝗲𝗼𝗻𝗲 𝗮 𝗳𝗶𝘀𝗵, 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝘆𝗼𝘂 𝗳𝗲𝗲𝗱 𝗵𝗶𝗺 𝗳𝗼𝗿 𝗮 𝗱𝗮𝘆; 𝗧𝗘𝗔𝗖𝗛 𝘁𝗵𝗲𝗺 𝘁𝗼 𝗳𝗶𝘀𝗵, 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝘆𝗼𝘂 𝗳𝗲𝗲𝗱 𝘁𝗵𝗲𝗺 𝗳𝗼𝗿 𝗮 𝗟𝗜𝗙𝗘𝗧𝗜𝗠𝗘." 5. 𝗖𝗹𝗲𝗮𝗿𝗹𝘆 𝗰𝗼𝗺𝗺𝘂𝗻𝗶𝗰𝗮𝘁𝗲 𝗘𝗫𝗣𝗘𝗖𝗧𝗔𝗧𝗜𝗢𝗡𝗦; it is a lot easier to get there when everyone clearly understands the vision, plan, and direction.  5. Have clear KPI's/Goals that are tracked, discussed, and preferably visible; "𝗬𝗼𝘂 𝗰𝗮𝗻 𝗘𝗫𝗣𝗘𝗖𝗧 𝘄𝗵𝗮𝘁 𝘆𝗼𝘂 𝗜𝗡𝗦𝗣𝗘𝗖𝗧." In an honest assessment of your current organization, how are you faring on these key culture components? If you need assistance in these areas, please message me and we can work on a plan for you and your organization. #leadership #culture #learning #sportsbusiness https://lnkd.in/eHCBNf7E

22

2 Comments