By Marissa Blanchard

@MarissaBlanch

As someone who wants to enter the sports communications industry, I researched how virtual reality is being implemented in sports and what the future will hold.

You can find the full presentation here: Virtual Reality and Sports

NextVR  has created a system for capturing and live streaming virtual reality experience in real time and in broadcast quality. Though this experience is limited to Gear VR and Samsung, it shows the power that virtual reality can have on how fans watch and experience live sporting events.

STRIVR, stands for Sports Training in Virtual Reality, started with the idea of allowing coaches and players to review film in an immersive, real life experience. Their work has been used for recruiting players at the college and professional level. They recently created an exclusive experience for the New York Rangers that gave fans the chance to feel what it is like to be a goalie in a hockey game.

These two companies present two different sides of the potential for VR in sports. Give fans immersive live event viewing like they purchased a seat at the game, or and experience that makes them feel like the athlete. There is vast opportunities for new revenue streams with virtual reality. What if a Red Sox fan that lives in California could still pay to watch a game against the Yankees without purchasing airfare to get there? With the current state of live streaming video, there are dedicated fan bases that can support their teams from across the country. These audiences could be turned into virtual reality live event streaming subscribers. What if a Chicago Bears fan in Florida could still purchase season tickets and get a quality, live game experience from their own living room?

Virtual reality presents a great opportunity for growth and change for sports organizations and content creators.