It’s time athletes took back control of sports data
The post It’s time athletes took back control of sports data appeared on BitcoinEthereumNews.com.
Disclosure: The views and opinions expressed here belong solely to the author and do not represent the views and opinions of crypto.news’ editorial. Web3 has already redefined how we think about money, ownership, and the internet. But there’s one untapped area that could push this sector even further: sports data. Those same metrics that help train athletes or that fans obsess over during the playoffs could underpin a whole new arm of blockchain and web3. The only barrier? Leagues and data vendors currently treat this information like proprietary assets. As a result, players lack ownership of their information and use it as they wish. To date, leagues, broadcasters, or private companies own the majority of sports data in the market. It’s big money, with the global sports analytics market valued at approximately $4.47 billion in 2024. Despite its significance, the players themselves don’t have control over their data. As athletes, we may play the game, but we rarely control the numbers that define our careers. A longstanding problem This issue isn’t new, nor is it restricted to a single sport or location. Companies like Genius Sports and Opta profit from exclusive rights deals worth tens of millions. These metrics shape scouting decisions, determine salaries, and fuel a multibillion-dollar betting industry. And yet, the ones producing the data—the athletes—have no direct control or revenue share. It’s no surprise that many organizations have begun to take note. Project Red Card, for example, is fighting to classify player performance data as personal information under GDPR. In addition, the International Federation of Professional Footballers (FIFPRO) launched a Charter of Player Data Rights to protect the privacy of footballers. Meanwhile, Breakaway has created a “career passport” for athletes, allowing them to control their data. Despite these efforts, overcoming this incumbent process is not easy. Institutional…
Filed under: News - @ July 18, 2025 1:27 pm