LaLiga President Highlights Tech's Role in Enhancing Fan Experience and Solving Football's Financial Challenges
Javier Tebas, president of the Spanish LaLiga, stated that technology is improving how fans experience football and could also resolve the sport's financial issues. Speaking at the Globant Tech Summit in New York, Tebas emphasized that AI and data, combined with robust anti-piracy measures, can preserve revenue and eliminate the need for expanding competitions. He noted that while the recent World Cup showcased advanced technology, wider adoption across domestic leagues is crucial for the sport's future.
Javier Tebas, president of the Spanish LaLiga, has articulated that technology is fundamentally enhancing the fan experience in football and holds the potential to address the sport's financial concerns. Tebas, speaking at the Globant Tech Summit in New York, highlighted that artificial intelligence and data are improving fan engagement with the game.
The recent World Cup featured various technological advancements, including an expanded 48-team format, the Video Assistant Referee (VAR) system, referee-cams, and semi-automated offside alerts. Tebas noted that while these innovations are prominent on the world stage, their adoption by domestic clubs is essential.
LaLiga is already leveraging data for audiovisual broadcasts to enrich the viewing experience, helping narrators visualize on-screen events and fostering greater fan interaction. Tebas described this period as "a great moment for data."
Beyond enhancing the user experience, Tebas connected technology to the financial health of football. He argued that aggressive anti-piracy enforcement, alongside technological improvements, could preserve revenue. This approach, he suggested, would negate the necessity for more competitions, which he views as a struggle for the sport.
Tebas acknowledged the challenges of technology adoption within organizations, stating it requires the human resource structure to embrace change. He envisions LaLiga transforming into a "solution provider" by effectively deploying technology to improve experiences for clients, fans, and users.
According to Fortune, Tebas believes taking advantage of the disruptive era of artificial intelligence can lead to doing "more without the need for the struggle, in this case, of football." He also highlighted that many professional players do not participate in major competitions that generate 80% of the industry's revenue, suggesting decisions are made without enough regard for this broader group.
