
The Deal with Alex Rodriguez and Jason Kelly
A Deep Dive Into Analytics With KAGR's Jessica Gelman
Jun 27, 2024
Jessica Gelman, CEO of Kraft Analytics Group and co-founder of the MIT Sloan Sports Analytics Conference, dives into the transformative power of data analytics in sports. She discusses the integration of AI in player evaluation and the balance between analytics and intuition. Gelman also reflects on the legacy of Willie Mays and the Negro League, emphasizing the importance of mentorship and emotional factors in athlete performance. Additionally, she shares insights on enhancing fan engagement and ticket accessibility in college sports.
32:59
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Quick takeaways
- Data analytics has revolutionized sports management by enabling real-time decisions and facilitating strategies for player performance and injury prevention.
- The celebration of the Negro Leagues underscores the importance of honoring historical contributions while highlighting the ongoing challenges faced by athletes of color.
Deep dives
The Impact of Data on Sports Business
Data has fundamentally transformed the business of sports, moving beyond traditional statistics like batting averages and home runs to more advanced metrics such as on-base plus slugging and wins above replacement. Teams are now able to track a player's biometrics throughout the season, facilitating injury prevention and recovery strategies. This shift has enabled organizations to make real-time decisions during games, such as when to pinch hit or change pitchers. Understanding these data-driven strategies is crucial for teams to enhance performance and competitiveness in today's fast-paced sports environment.