Digital Fan Communities: Technology & Authenticity in Sports

This podcast episode features a conversation between a sports commentator and a sports journalist who both examine how various sports teams utilize technology to build online fan communities. The teams mentioned include NBA, NFL, MLB, Liverpool FC, and FC Barcelona, which employ platforms like social media and VR. A central point of debate is the use of artificial intelligence to connect fans, with the journalist expressing skepticism about its authenticity and potential downsides. The two hosts (male and female) explore both the benefits and drawbacks of AI in enhancing fan engagement. Their conversation also touches on the idea of basing this process on a fan merit system.