AI on the Ballfield: How Sports Teams and Fans Are Gaining a Competitive Edge
Part 3 of 3 in our series: AI in Real Life — From Dinner Table to Boardroom to Ballfield
If AI is transforming the way we learn and lead, it should be no surprise that it's changing how we play. From the front office to the locker room to the fantasy league app on your phone, AI is quietly becoming one of the most powerful players in modern sports. Let’s break down just a few ways AI is showing up on the ballfield:
🏈 Draft Day Decisions
In the lead-up to the 2025 NFL Draft, the Detroit Lions publicly embraced artificial intelligence as part of their scouting process. As detailed in the Detroit Free Press, the Lions’ front office used AI not just to analyze player performance metrics, but also to sort through massive volumes of game film, injury histories, and behavioral patterns.
One striking example: the Lions used AI-driven systems to assess how college prospects might respond to specific defensive schemes—essentially predicting how a player might perform within their existing playbook. They also utilized AI to cross-reference scouting reports with physical data like combine results and GPS-tracked game speeds, helping reduce bias and surface under-the-radar prospects.
This wasn’t a behind-the-scenes experiment—it was a frontline tool that informed who they drafted. What was once intuition and tape study is now a data-rich decision engine. It’s not about replacing scouts—it’s about supercharging them.
⚽ LaLiga's AI-Powered Performance Edge
LaLiga generates over 3.5 million data points per match through advanced tracking systems. With help from Microsoft, its "Beyond Stats" initiative blends analytics into live broadcasts and club strategies. AI supports injury prevention by monitoring workloads and predicting risk—giving coaches and trainers unprecedented control.
⚾ Robot Umpires in MLB: Precision Behind the Plate
In spring training 2024, MLB tested its Automated Ball-Strike (ABS) system—known as "robot umpires"—to improve pitch accuracy. As highlighted in a recent Popular Science article, the system uses high-speed cameras and machine learning to track pitch locations. Calls are relayed to human umpires via earpieces, reducing inconsistencies and bringing real-time fairness to the game. It’s one of the clearest examples of humans and machines collaborating to elevate sport without replacing tradition. I think there are ways to not take the umpire out of the equation but to enhance the ump’s toolbox to make them even better at their craft.
🏀 NBA's AI Strategy Platform
Using tools like Second Spectrum, the NBA tracks player movements 25 times per second to reveal optimal spacing, predict matchups, and guide in-game strategy. Coaches now leverage this AI to expose defensive gaps, time substitutions, and prevent overuse injuries.
📊 Sports Betting and Fantasy Leagues
Fans aren’t left out. AI is powering betting platforms and fantasy tools that simulate thousands of game outcomes. Platforms now use real-time player models, weather forecasts, and injury reports to help fans make smarter, faster picks. I recently sat down with a friend and neighbor who has worked to produce models just like this to accurately predict outcomes and provide better insights to people looking to bet on games.
🧐 AI for the Everyday Athlete and Executive: The Oura Ring Advantage
Even the average armchair quarterback can benefit from performance data. The Oura Ring, for example, puts powerful AI in the hands of everyday leaders like ours here at Local Fractional. We love how we can use tools like this to ensure we are well rested, not overly stressed, and generally in a good position to provide the best services we can provide to our clients.
With sensors measuring HRV, sleep staging, movement, and temperature, Oura leverages AI to:
Recommend training or rest based on recovery
Detect fatigue or potential illness early
Track deep vs. light sleep cycles
Adjust daily activity targets based on performance trends
Whether you're preparing for a board meeting or a 10K, AI is helping people show up sharper, stronger, and smarter. I used to use a FitBit and got obsessed by the step count, but that seems to be the tip of the iceberg for what you can do these days to ensure you stay sharp, enjoy life to the fullest and keep your body healthy so you can be there for all those memories to be had!
Here’s some more great links to add to those mentioned above if you want to read more on AI in sports.
