Category: Sports

Goalr! The Science of Predicting the World Cup on Tumblr

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With the 2014 FIFA World Cup kicking off on June 12, billions of fans across the world are turning their attention toward host country Brazil to root for their favorite teams. Soccer (or, if you prefer, football) fans are loud; you need only remember the last World Cup’s infamous vuvuzelas for a demonstration. But fans aren’t only loud in stadiums. They also make their voices heard across social media. And though you may assume these fans are just blowing their vuvuzelas into the social abyss, if you listen closely, you’ll discover a treasure trove of data — including possibly an answer to the most important question of all: Who will win?

As soccer fans and Yahoo Labs scientists with access to Tumblr data, we wanted to find out if we could take advantage of our unique insight to comb through an ocean of posts to predict a World Cup winner. And we have! But before we share our prediction on which nation will get to revel in World Cup glory, we’ll tell you how we figured it out.

Sifting through 188.9 million Tumblr blogs comprising 83.1 billion posts to find World Cup-related content wasn’t easy. To begin, we used two main parameters to determine which content was relevant: posts with hashtags referencing #WorldCup, #World Cup, #Copa do mundo (or other variants outlined in our technical report), and posts with hashtags referencing #soccer, #football, #futbol, etc.

However, using these parameters alone proved too broad. So once we isolated #WorldCup-related posts, we checked the bodies of the posts for mentions of country names. Then we did the same for #soccer-related posts (for Team USA, we counted only mentions in #soccer posts to avoid confusion with American football. For Team Brazil, we discounted a percentage of posts due the country hosting the event and thus receiving extra mentions — this was a percentage calculated based on an editorial evaluation on a sample of posts).

 

To get even more representative results, we checked the bodies of posts in both hashtag categories for mentions of any national team player according to FIFA’s official list of players for each nation.

Upon completion of our filtering, we were left with 27.3 million relevant posts from February through May. The fun (read: science-y) part came next.

In order to figure out how each country will stack up against each other, we needed to assign values of strength to each team. These values were calculated according to each matchup and provided a representative game score. More specifically, when two teams are positioned to play against each other, we estimated the number of goals scored by each team using a Poisson distribution with four differently-weighted parameters learned using the Maximum Likelihood algorithm on prior games (qualifications, friendlies, etc.). The four parameters included these: 1. Team mentions in #WorldCup-related posts, 2. Team mentions in #soccer-related posts, 3. The average number of player mentions per team, and 4. The standard deviation of player mentions per team.

Finally, we were left with a statistical model predicting the outcome of each successive matchup based on our calculations. Taking into account the 27.3 million relevant posts, we had a complete bracket and a winner: Team Brazil.

Do you agree with our prediction? Think some other team will win? Make sure to check back to see how well the World Cup social frenzy on Tumblr predicted the outcome.

Sony to engage in Group-wide 4K, entertainment, network service, and CSR initiatives leading towards the 2014 FIFA World Cup

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Sony Corporation , an official FIFA partner, today announced that it will further accelerate strategic initiatives that leverage the strengths of all Sony Group companies and its partnership with FIFA.

For the 2014 FIFA World Cup BrazilTM which is due to begin on June 12, 2014 (local time), Sony is focusing on the areas of “4K,” “entertainment,” “network services,” and “CSR,” with key initiatives in each category outlined below.

“At Sony, we strive to empower our consumers with complete, end-to-end entertainment experiences that will complement the best of their lives – whether at home, at work, or even on-the-go,” said Yasushi Asaoka, President and Managing Director of Sony Philippines. “In line with this commitment, we are proud to bring our best-in-class technology and devices to the highly anticipated FIFA World Cup 2014 and ensure that fans around the world enjoy this event at its best whether at home on their Bravia, or while on-the-go with their Xperia tablets and smartphones.”

■4K

 Sony is bringing its renowned, advanced technological capabilities and high value-added products to this tournament, where it will demonstrate its strengths in providing consistent solutions that span the entire 4K process — from filming and production, through to the viewing experience. In collaboration with FIFA, Sony is also seeking to expand the range of opportunities for viewers to experience 4K.

  •  Filming and joint production:

FIFA will produce the Official FIFA 4K Film, packed with highlights of the best action from the tournament. FIFA will film one match from the round of 16, one quarter-final and the final using Sony’s professional 4K recording equipment. Sony will be providing extensive technical support to FIFA, and has developed a dedicated 4K live production system to be used at the tournament.

  •  The viewing experience:

Prior to the completion of the Official Film, Sony will offer its customers the opportunity to view promotional trailers of the Official Film on Sony 4K-compatible BRAVIATM LCD TVs, featuring action from selected matches, all in stunning 4K/60P resolution. Visitors to stadiums and Official FIFA Fan Fest events in Brazil will be able to enjoy the promotional trailers of the Official Film at any one of the ten commercial display booths Sony will be setting up at these venues, while customers around the world will also be able to engage in this 4K experience at approximately 20,000 Sony showrooms and retail outlets worldwide.

In addition to 4K, Sony will also be supplying FIFA with an extensive range of HD production and broadcast equipment, including approximately 300 cameras. These will be used to film every game of the tournament for global distribution in HD.

■Entertainment　

Sony is also leveraging its range of entertainment assets from across the Sony Group in order to drive the excitement and passion for the tournament through music, both in Brazil and around the world.

  •  The “SuperSong” music contest:

For three months from December 2013, Sony and companies from across the Sony Group held the global “SuperSong” music contest for aspiring songwriters, featuring Ricky Martin. More than 1,600 songs were submitted, and the winning song, “Vida,” was performed by Ricky Martin himself and recorded for the 2014 FIFA World CupTM Official Album.

  •  The official tournament songs:　

Sony Music Entertainment (“SME”) and FIFA announced “We Are One (Ole Ola),” the Official Song of the 2014 FIFA World CupTM, by global music sensation Pitbull, featuring Jennifer Lopez and Brazil’s Claudia Leitte. The song will be performed at the opening ceremony where it is set to further heighten the excitement of the games. (For details please refer to the joint announcement on Jan. 23, 2014.) Similarly, the closing ceremony will feature legendary guitarist Carlos Santana and fellow artists performing the official anthem “Dar um Jeito (We Will Find A Way).”

  •  The tournament Official Album:

The songs above are also included on SME’s “One Love, One Rhythm,” Official Album of the 2014 FIFA World CupTM, featuring a total of 14 songs (on the standard edition). (For details refer to the announcement on Apr. 8, 2014.) The album also features Mika Nakashima and Miliyah Kato and their “Fighter (Tachytelic World Cup Brazil 2014 Remix)”. Of the songs featured on the Official Album, music videos of “We Are One (Ole Ola)” and “Vida” can also be enjoyed in 4K at Sony showrooms and retail outlets worldwide.

■Network services (digital and social)　

In addition to conventional ways of enjoying football, such as watching the games at the stadium or on TV and other media networks, Sony will offer a new, interactive World Cup experience where people can join in the excitement of this tournament through various network services.

  •  The “One Stadium” Portal web site:　

Sony has launched “One Stadium” (http://football.sony.net), a portal website to serve as a global hub for communication on football, that offers an array of projects and content such as access to the aforementioned “SuperSong” contest. Maximizing the possibilities offered by the online community space, Sony is aiming to bring people together across all borders, to share their passions and inspirations through projects including:

  •  The “One Stadium Live” social networking site: Sorts and offers the latest and popular football topics from Twitter etc. for easy reference.
  •  The “Fan Ambassador” reports: Fans representing 11 countries will be stationed in Brazil, ready to upload on-site action.
  • The “UNITED” photo contest: A spin-off photo contest of the world’s largest photographic contest “Sony World Photography Awards,” themed on “football” is scheduled to start the day before the tournament.
  • Further projects include interviews with artists featured on the Official Album, and collaborations with Sony’s social news reader app, “Socialife News”.

  •  Collaboration with “FIFA Interactive World Cup”:　

As an official FIFA partner, Sony is also bringing new ways of enjoying football to the online gaming community through the FIFA Interactive World Cup (“FIWC”), organized by FIFA. Sony Computer Entertainment Inc. (“SCE”) and Electronics Arts Inc. are presenting partners of the FIWC, which is the world’s largest online gaming tournament. FIWC uses PlayStation® as its official game console, and online elimination games are played utilizing the PSN network service on PlayStation®. This tournament is the only one of its kind in FIFA’s event portfolio which gives football fans all over the world the chance to compete in a FIFA World Cup tournament. More than 2.5 million PlayStation® users worldwide participated in last year’s tournament, each competing for the honor of becoming the world champion. The FIWC 2014 has been in progress since October of last year, and the Grand Final will be held in Rio de Janeiro during the actual World Cup tournament.

■ CSR

As part of its corporate social responsibility as a global company, Sony is engaged in various efforts to support children around the world and help shape a better, more sustainable community. Leading toward the tournament, Sony is continuing these efforts through the following initiatives:

  • “Dream Goal 2014” program:

Sony is implementing the two projects below in collaboration with FIFA and streetfootballworld gGmbH to benefit children in a total of 12 countries in Central and South America, including the tournament host country Brazil, together with Africa, and other countries and regions. (For details please refer to the “Dream Goal 2014” site）

  •  “Street Football Stadium”: This project will provide mobile stadiums and educational workshops that aim to build leadership and dialogue skills through football, to more than 14,000 children. The workshops will start with those regularly scheduled to take place during a 46-day event organized by streetfootballworld in Rio de Janeiro, starting June 5th. The stadiums will continue to be used in the field of local education, even after the tournament is over.
  •  “Siyakhona Media Skills”: In partnership with FIFA, this project supports young leaders in 11 countries with media skills training programs using Sony products, while also providing them with the opportunity to share their visual message to the world.

Both projects connect communities in need of support with the global community, through designs and photographs via the “One Stadium” portal site.

  • Public Viewing:

During the tournament period, Sony will jointly host public viewing events with JICA (Japan International Cooperation Agency) in Ivory Coast, one of Africa’s representatives at the tournament. Sony’s equipment will be used to project football matches in hi-definition, while Sony will also be providing its own power supply system to deliver power to areas without electricity, based on its olivine-type lithium-ion iron phosphate rechargeable batteries. Sony engineers will also provide on-site technical support. (For details please refer to the joint announcement on May 28, 2014.) Video reports from this project will be uploaded to the “One Stadium” portal.

■Reference: Other activities

Sony is also supporting the “Flag Bearer” program which invites children (ages 12 to 17) to enter the stadium bearing the FIFA flag at the pre-game ceremonies, as well as the “Fan Photographer” program which provides photographers with access to a designated photo-shooting area within the stadium to photograph the players warming up before the match starts. These programs are being conducted in conjunction with other sales promotion campaigns of Sony Group companies, to provide football fans and customers with the unforgettable experience of standing on the same pitch as their heroes.

Coca-cola Unveils the ‘The Happiness Flag’

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32 countries are represented by their national football team in the 2014 FIFA World Cup TM, yet today, the faces of football fans from 207 countries made it onto the pitch at Arena de Sao Paulo. Ahead of the opening match, Coca-Cola unveiled “The Happiness Flag” – the largest-ever, digitally produced Photomosaic Flag. The Flag is part of the Coca-Cola 2014 FIFA World Cup TM campaign, ‘The World’s Cup’ – launched with the goal of creating the most inclusive FIFA World Cup TM Coca-Cola campaign ever.

Over 200,000 fan images were used for “The Happiness Flag” to recreate a unique design developed by Brazilian street artist Speto in collaboration with Argentinian artist Tec. The flag was digitally-produced by Robert Silvers, the inventor of Photomosaic technology.

“The Happiness Flag” was placed on the pitch ahead of the opening match of the 2014 FIFA World Cup in front of an estimated global audience of over one billion people. Formed of 192 printed nylon fabric panels, the Flag was stitched together to deliver an epic 3,015 square meter piece of art, covering almost the entirety of the playing surface.

Emmanuel Seuge, Vice President Global Alliances & Ventures, The Coca-Cola Company said, “At the start of our campaign for the 2014 FIFA World Cup, ‘The World’s Cup’, we set out to create the most inclusive and participatory FIFA World Cup ever. Through “The Happiness Flag”, we gave fans from all around the world the unprecedented opportunity to be a part of the greatest football stage of all. Football has an incredible power to bridge social, cultural and geographical divides and “The Happiness Flag” is the perfect illustration of this power, creating a shared experience for people.”

Speto, who also created the Coca-Cola 2014 FIFA World Cup TM VIS, was quick to respond to the challenge to create a design for the flag. “When we first briefed Speto, he told us, ‘While Brazil and Argentina have a historic rivalry in football, in art, we are comrades,’” recalls Brad Fields, Coca-Cola Global Licensing Manager, “And that’s what this project is all about: ‘Hilltop’ on a flag’” – in reference to the iconic 1971 Coca-Cola ad featuring a multinational chorus of young people gathering on a hilltop in Italy to sing together.

Producing “The Happiness Flag” was a logistically complex task that required close coordination among multiple players. Once Speto and Tec completed their canvas painting, Coca-Cola sent a digitized version to Robert Silvers.

Over the last few months, Silvers recreated the colorful flag design with fan photos posted to www.happinessflag.com and shipped the finished product, section by section, to Rio de Janeiro, where it was printed.

The digital version of the flag will live on www.happinessflag.com where consumers will be able to see an aerial shot of the flag and hover over the mosaic to explore the photos. Fans who submitted photos will now receive a link to see exactly where they were on the flag – and on the pitch and are encouraged to share their photo using #worldscup.

The Happiness Flag is the latest activation in the largest marketing campaign in the history of The Coca-Cola Company, “ The World’s Cup”, which has been brought to life through a number of key global programs to celebrate the inclusive spirit shared by Coca-Cola, football and the tournament’s host country, Brazil.

Highlights from ‘The World’s Cup’:

The FIFA World Cup Trophy Tour by Coca-Cola traveled an epic 92,000 miles around the world visiting 90 countries and offering over 1 million fans the opportunity to experience the real FIFA World Cup trophy

A series of poignant short films entitled Where Will Happiness Strike Next? – shot during the FIFA World Cup Trophy Tour by Coca-Cola – capture the ability of football to help people triumph over adversity. 13 films have been released to date, clocking in over 15 million views worldwide.

  • A global music anthem for the Coca-Cola 2014 FIFA World Cup campaign ‘The World is Ours’ – by David Correy featuring Monobloco takes inspiration from the sounds and rhythms of Brazil. To date, ‘The World is Ours’ has 32 local versions recorded around the world. Coca-Cola released a refreshed version with the help of American soul-singer, Aloe Blacc. The song, ‘The World is Ours by Aloe Blacc x David Correy’ is featured on the official FIFA World Cup Album, “One Love, One Rhythm”.
  • In a vibrant visual expression of the campaign, a uniquely Brazilian visual identity designed by Sao Paulo-based street-artist Speto has underpinned the campaign and is now visible on packaging, equipment and point-of-sale, to hundreds of thousands of customers in 175 countries around the world.
  • “One World, One Game” – a global television and digital film which tells the stories of four football teams from four different corners of the world who have each overcome challenges through their love of football. The teams’ experience will culminate in Brazil on June 16th when they will have the honor of carrying the national team flags onto the pitch at Germany vs. Portugal.
  • Coca-Cola is leveraging two global digital platforms – a partnership with Quiz Up, a trivia-based game and the fast-growing app for iOS and Android covering 40 topics across the beautiful game and Coca-Cola history. The creation of the Coca-Cola fan album in partnership with Panini has already seen 2.2 million users register for the game, with 146 million stickers traded worldwide.

Joe Tripodi, Executive Vice President and Chief Marketing and Commercial Officer, The Coca-Cola Company, said of the campaign, “We set out on a journey to deliver the largest and most inclusive marketing program in our history. Through ‘The World’s Cup’ we brought Brazil to the world and now, wherever you live, whoever you support, Coca-Cola is looking forward to welcoming you to Brazil to celebrate with the host country for the
2014 FIFA World Cup.”

During the 2014 FIFA World Cup, Coca-Cola Jouney will act as a hub for all ‘ The World’s Cup’ campaign content, providing a single destination for media and consumers to experience the campaign and highlights from the brand during the 2014 FIFA World Cup in Brazil.

The Coca-Cola Company has had a long-standing relationship with FIFA since 1974 and has been an official sponsor of the FIFA World Cup since 1978. Coca-Cola has had stadium advertising at every FIFA World Cup since 1950 and is a long-time supporter of football at all levels.

Sports Football

jove Leave a comment
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Questions and Answers

American Football…how to follow the sport?

I used to live in South Africa, since coming to the states, I realize what a big sport American Football is here…I'd like to learn the rules, the positions of the sport, how the confrences are split and how it is determined how each team is ranked and moves on to the last game of the year, I cannot remember what you call it. Can anyone give me a crash course, I love watching, but can't quite follow yet.

Posted by Unmanageable0608
jove

There are 2 Conferences:
American Football Conference
National Football Conference

They are split into 4 Divisions each:
both; North, South, East, & West

4 Teams make up each Division:
Http://www.nfl.com/standings

Each team plays 16 games in 17 weeks. Each team is rewarded a "bye week", in which they get the week off. Typically between weeks 3 & 13.

Each team plays their "Division Rivals" (the other three teams that make up their division) twice a year. The rest of the schedule is usual set by playing the same teams from a particular division.
I.e. Colts played NFC & AFC North.

At the end of the season (a lot of times sooner) the team with the best record wins their division, and a right to play in the NFL Playoffs. (they're can be ties but there is a HUGE list of rules and stipulations to avoid this)
So the Playoffs are intially made up of the 8 Division winners. 4 more teams are awarded the right to play by simply having the best record in their conference. So, the two highest ranked teams left in the AFC & NFC (regardless of their Division) have a right to play in the Playoffs.

The teams in the Playoffs are ranking 1-6. (per Conference)

#1 Ranked plays the lowest seed throughout and who ever is left plays the leftovers.

The Playoffs are single elimination.

After 2 weeks of Playoffs the Conference Championships are held to determine the Super Bowl Contenders. The winners are awarded another bye week, then there's the Super Bowl. Nothing new, single elimination, winner gets the Lombardi Trophy. A player is always named "Super Bowl MVP" and typically all that means is people will always remember them and they win a Cadillac. Lol.

As far as the rules of the game, it seems like diehard fans are learning new ones each day the way the NFL's officiating has been lately. I recommend just watching on Sunday's and you'll pick it up in no time.

In regard to positions:
Http://www.nfl.com/teams/clevelandbrowns…
Quarterback – leads the "Offense". Throws the ball, and sometimes he runs with it.
Runningback – runs the ball; sometimes catches it; sometimes he blocks.
Tight End – a pass reciever and blocker.
Wide Receiver – a pass reciever.
Offensive Line – Block for the Quarterback & Runningback

On defense it's a little different:
Defensive Line – Try to stop the run and "sack" the Quarterback.
Linebackers – stop the run and sometimes pass coverage.
Defensivebacks – these are called the "secondary" , and it's all in the name. They are the last defense against both the pass and the run.

I spent way too much time on this so i hope it helped. Enjoy.

Which is the better sport? Football, Basketball, or Baseball?

Now, we all have an opinion on the matter, but I must have a definitive answer to the question. Facts, figures, and preferably pie charts are all required if you have something to say other than, "[insert sport here] SUCKS!?!?!?"

Posted by chanar_mayer
jove

I love sports even boring a** baseball…but, football and basketball both are my fav's.

I'd personally choose football, what's not to love about a bunch of grown men tackling the daylights out of eachother around like a boxing bag? But, besides all that, the game has hightlighted some extremely talented athletes like running backs Jim Brown, Barry Sanders and QB Joe Montana? These guys and many others revolutionized the sport to make it what it is today and it's only gotten better with time. How could you not love a sport where athletes can exhibit a combination of power, speed and agility? Oh and did I mention shit talking?
Sorry no pie charts just history of the game is what I carry and a true passion and appreciation.

**OH and yes I do realize that Payton and Emmit Smith have all surpassed Browns rushing record but I do love the guy, he was making history and I wasn't even born.

Toughest sport, American Football?

Do we really think American football is the toughest sport in the world wearing those baby pads and bicycle helmets. To those who still say it's the toughest sport in the world I"ve got one word. RUGBYYYYYYYYYYYYY!!!!!!!
Enough said…. Opinions children?

Posted by Ferdinand
jove

Problems with your assessment that rugby is unquestionably tougher than American football tough:

1) More and more Rugby players are wearing those foam helmets and foam shoulder pads under their uniforms. You might not, but your tough rugby brothers do. And when you hit them, there's padding for both of you.

2) In rugby everyone sees the hits coming. Try taking a blindside hit before you talk.

3) There are so few hits per "try" in rugby. Best case scenario the ball-carrier runs through 4 or 5 guys on his way to a touchdown. That happens in American football too, but everyone without the ball on offense is also trying to hit the guys on defense. In American football everyone is trying to hit everyone on every play. TV really doesn't do it justice.

4) Imagine your playing rugby and the guy tackling you is wearing a motorcycle helmet. He uses his helmet to hit you in the arm, or stomach, or ribs, or lower back, or side of your thigh, or any of the other places wear American football players wear no padding. It happens to someone on every single play of every single game in American football……Oh, you have no idea what it feels like? Then by all means, please strap a motorcycle helmet on your rugby teammate, tell him to keep off your face/head, and try to get past him. Then come back here and tell us what you think.

Football is Life – Football Motivation ᴴᴰ

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http://www.jovefrancisco.com/sports

ESPN Sports

jove Leave a comment
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Questions and Answers

How much does a espn sports anchor make annually?

Posted by Kendicebay
jove

Although not all salaries are public knowledge, ESPN's sports anchors' salaries range from a low of $600,000 to a high of $1,000,000! Joe Theismann, the former NFL quarterback, gets a reported $1,000,000 serving as ESPN's color commentator, while sportscaster Chris Berman is reported to earn between $600,000 and $1,000,000 each year.

Read more Http://www.kgbanswers.com/what-is-the-sa…

Is ESPN a Sports Marketing Organization?

So im trying to look for some Professional Organizations for Sports Marketing? Can someone list some?

Posted by what
jove

ESPN would be considered a media company, typically such a far reaching service does sell ad space, perhaps making them a marketing facilitator.

This association roster should give you what you need.
Http://sportsmarketingnetwork.com/member…

What is the full form of ESPN – the sport channel?

Posted by shiva s
jove

ESPN, formerly the Entertainment and Sports Programming Network, is an American cable television network dedicated to broadcasting sports-related programming 24 hours a day. It was founded by Scott Rasmussen and his father Bill Rasmussen, and launched on September 7, 1979 under the direction of Chet Simmons, who was the network's first President and CEO. The current president, since November 19, 1998, of ESPN is George Bodenheimer. Bodenheimer is also the current head of ESPN on ABC, having been named to that position on March 3, 2003. Its signature telecast, SportsCenter, debuted with the network and aired its 30,000th episode on February 11, 2007. ESPN broadcasts primarily out of its studios in Bristol, Connecticut; it also operates offices out of Charlotte, San Francisco, and Los Angeles which will open in 2009. ESPN is available in over 100 million homes in the United States and over 150 countries and territories via ESPN International. The name of the sport company was lengthened to "ESPN Inc." in February 1985.

ESPN unofficially refers to itself as "The Worldwide Leader in Sports"; the slogan appears on nearly all company media, though its origin is unknown.

Best Damn Ncaa Football Moments Of The Decade

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