The Metaverse Will Completely Change The Way We Engage With Sports & Here’s Why

There has been a lot of talk recently about what the metaverse is and what it isn’t.

For most people, it’s difficult to understand.

But none of this has stopped the metaverse builders from iterating, designing, and exploring the possibilities.

Recently, I spoke with Dirk Lueth, co-founder of Upland which is the largest metaverse platform in the world, and he’s as optimistic as he’s ever been.

He’s bullish on the metaverse being a place where people can work, live and play saying,

“We run a metaverse that gives new opportunities to people. In some countries, people can even earn money with Upland by producing goods instead of earning through a daytime job. So there’s so much more opportunity, and I’m very optimistic.”

Even Meta founder and CEO Mark Zuckerberg seems like he’s betting the farm on it by changing the name of Facebook last year.

It’s clear that the metaverse is fascinating but how is it actually solving consumer problems?

Furthermore, what impact does it have on the sports industry?

We’ll get into both of these questions, but first, let’s get a concrete understanding of what exactly the metaverse is.

Per dictionary definition:

“The metaverse is a vision of what many in the computer industry believe is the next iteration of the internet: a single, shared, immersive, persistent, 3D virtual space where humans experience life in ways they could not in the physical world.”

Shaan Puri, entrepreneur and host of the MFM podcast, also has an interesting and polarizing Twitter thread about what he believes the metaverse is as well.

I’ve read multiple perspectives on what the metaverse is, but to me, the most simple explanation is,

“A digital world where people can share, connect and engage with one another.”

Now how does the metaverse actually contribute to society or solve problems for the everyday person?

Well, in my opinion, this is still to be determined.

I believe it’s clear the metaverse could fundamentally change how we work, play, and interact with one another, but does this actually matter at a wide enough scale?

In some ways yes and in some ways maybe not.

We’ve already started to see virtual applications being applied to industries such as healthcare with medical training to reduce training costs.

Or with immersive educational experiences which can help build more empathy and understanding of historical events.

Or even with real estate and travel.

Regardless of whether it's solving tangible problems or not, the metaverse is still going to a place where people will engage with one another which brings me to how it will impact the sports world.

We know that sports are driven by fandom, community, and common interests.

Teams and athletes are incredible drivers to bridge the gap between people from different backgrounds and ethnicities.

They encourage camaraderie and inspire hope.

As Nelson Mandela once said,

“Sport has the power to change the world. It has the power to inspire. It has the power to unite people in a way that little else does. It speaks to youth in a language they understand.”

People love to bond over their favorite sports, athletes, and teams.

That is a fact that will never dissipate.

The metaverse will only be a catalyst to push that connection even further.

Now imagine this…

It’s 2002, and you and your best friend are both crazy about the Los Angeles Lakers.

Your dad and your friend’s dad take y’all to the games where you sit in the nosebleeds, rock the latest retro jerseys and Nike sneakers, and cheer for the dynamic duo of Kobe and Shaq.

Fast forward to 2030... you and your friend now have gotten older, moved away from one another, and gone on with your lives.

You don’t talk as frequently, but that shared love for the game and team never died.

You still watch every game from your respective houses’ and text each other back and forth about the highlights from the night before.

Now picture this… you and your best friend get access to the same metaverse experience where you can actually watch the Lakers play from inside the virtual world.

You’re able to sit next to your best friend virtually at the Lakers game just like when you all were young, even though your best friend physically lives on the other side of the country.

And this time you’re sitting courtside.

Pretty wild right?

This is the power of the metaverse and how I believe it will change sports in the future.

Fans will be able to interact virtually, participate in unique ways and share experiences all from the comfort of their own homes.

Teams and organizations will be able to create more immersive events for fans which will drive deeper connections with the players and teams.

The idea of the metaverse isn’t entirely a new concept, yet there is so much to be discovered.

When it comes to sports, you could argue that the metaverse doesn’t necessarily solve any pertinent issues, but you can’t deny that it has the potential to enhance and shift the fan experience as a whole.

Fans who didn’t have the luxury to interact with their favorite teams and players will be able to in unimaginable ways.

We are still so early in this revolution.

I can’t say I know when any of this will take place or exactly how it will shape out, but I know it will happen.

The metaverse is already here and I’m betting big on the fact that it will stay.

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