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Trump says he’s terminating trade talks with Canada over tax on technology firms

President Donald Trump says the United States will suspend trade negotiations with Canada after Canada implemented a digital services tax on U.S. based companies. Trump wrote on social media that because Canada has chosen to implement a tax on U.S.-based digital services, the U.S. would be ending trade discussion. “Based on this egregious Tax, we […]

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President Donald Trump says the United States will suspend trade negotiations with Canada after Canada implemented a digital services tax on U.S. based companies.

Trump wrote on social media that because Canada has chosen to implement a tax on U.S.-based digital services, the U.S. would be ending trade discussion.

“Based on this egregious Tax, we are hereby terminating ALL discussions on Trade with Canada, effective immediately. We will let Canada know the Tariff that the will be paying to do business with the United States of America within the next seven day period.”

The 3% tax will apply to revenue that U.S. tech companies generate from Canadian users. It applies retroactively, meaning companies like Apple, Google and Netflix will owe Canada $2 billion for services already rendered through June.

RELATED STORY | Tariff engineering: The legal way companies avoid paying higher import taxes

A White House official told Scripps News the decision aligned with policies set out in a memorandum from President Trump on February 21.

“My Administration will not allow American companies and workers and American economic and national security interests to be compromised by one-sided, anti-competitive policies and practices of foreign governments. American businesses will no longer prop up failed foreign economies through extortive fines and taxes,” the memorandum reads.

Scripps News has reached out to the White House for further comment.

“Digital Services Taxes are designed to unfairly target U.S. tech companies — punishing American innovation and costing our economy and companies tens of billions,” Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick wrote. “Why do countries think they can attack our technology companies and then turn around and try to take advantage of our 30 Trillion dollar economy?”





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Double first base, new softball comms highlight new rules | High School Sports

Say goodbye to the single first base. This is the last prep season it’ll exist. Along with a bevy of other changes in various other prep sports, the National Federation of State High School Associations recently announced the introduction of a double first base in baseball starting in the 2026-27 school year to “minimize the […]

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Say goodbye to the single first base. This is the last prep season it’ll exist.

Along with a bevy of other changes in various other prep sports, the National Federation of State High School Associations recently announced the introduction of a double first base in baseball starting in the 2026-27 school year to “minimize the risk of collisions by runners and fielders.”

In a release, Elliot Hopkins, NFHS director of sports and liaison to the Baseball Rules Committee said, “Adding the double first base is symbolic to the evolution of the sport. It will immediately address running lane violations, and it will further protect the players from the violent collisions that have occurred at first base. By reducing collisions and enhancing safety, it preserves both the integrity of competition and the well-being of those who play.”

Like prep softball, which already uses the double first base, bases will be white as well as a “contrasting solid color.” The white side will indicate fair ball territory while anything on the contrasting-color base’s side will be foul.

After reaching first base, the batter-runner is required to use the white base, including when they are leading off, returning on a pick-off attempt or tagging up on a fly ball.

Softball

Starting this fall, and in a clarification on a previous standard in the NFHS softball rule book, players can’t transmit or record audio or video from the playing surface.

“While increased media exposure has positively influenced the growth and visibility of softball, the committee determined that the potential risks associated with players transmitting or recording audio or video through devices during live play outweighed the benefits,” said Sandy Searcy, NFHS director of sports and liaison to the Softball Rules Committee, in a release. “As wearable technology continues to evolve, the committee believed it was essential to establish clear guidelines regarding the permissible use of such devices to ensure the safety and integrity of the game.”

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Trump’s order to block ‘woke’ AI in government encourages tech giants to censor their chatbots | National

Tech companies looking to sell their artificial intelligence technology to the federal government must now contend with a new regulatory hurdle: prove their chatbots aren’t “woke.” President Donald Trump’s sweeping new plan to counter China in achieving “global dominance” in AI promises to cut regulations and cement American values into the AI tools increasingly used […]

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Tech companies looking to sell their artificial intelligence technology to the federal government must now contend with a new regulatory hurdle: prove their chatbots aren’t “woke.”

President Donald Trump’s sweeping new plan to counter China in achieving “global dominance” in AI promises to cut regulations and cement American values into the AI tools increasingly used at work and home.

But one of Trump’s three AI executive orders signed Wednesday — the one “preventing woke AI in the federal government” — marks the first time the U.S. government has explicitly tried to shape the ideological behavior of AI.

Several leading providers of the AI language models targeted by the order — products like Google’s Gemini and Microsoft’s Copilot — have so far been silent on Trump’s anti-woke directive, which still faces a study period before it gets into official procurement rules.

While the tech industry has largely welcomed Trump’s broader AI plans, the anti-woke order forces the industry to leap into a culture war battle — or try their best to quietly avoid it.

“It will have massive influence in the industry right now,” especially as tech companies are already capitulating to other Trump administration directives, said civil rights advocate Alejandra Montoya-Boyer, senior director of The Leadership Conference’s Center for Civil Rights and Technology.

The move also pushes the tech industry to abandon years of work to combat the pervasive forms of racial and gender bias that studies and real-world examples have shown to be baked into AI systems.

“First off, there’s no such thing as woke AI,” Montoya-Boyer said. “There’s AI technology that discriminates and then there’s AI technology that actually works for all people.”

Molding the behaviors of AI large language models is challenging because of the way they’re built and the inherent randomness of what they produce. They’ve been trained on most of what’s on the internet, reflecting the biases of all the people who’ve posted commentary, edited a Wikipedia entry or shared images online.

“This will be extremely difficult for tech companies to comply with,” said former Biden official Jim Secreto, who was deputy chief of staff to U.S. Secretary of Commerce Gina Raimondo, an architect of many of Biden’s AI industry initiatives. “Large language models reflect the data they’re trained on, including all the contradictions and biases in human language.”

Tech workers also have a say in how they’re designed, from the global workforce of annotators who check their responses to the Silicon Valley engineers who craft the instructions for how they interact with people.

Trump’s order targets those “top-down” efforts at tech companies to incorporate what it calls the “destructive” ideology of diversity, equity and inclusion into AI models, including “concepts like critical race theory, transgenderism, unconscious bias, intersectionality, and systemic racism.”

For Secreto, the order resembles China’s playbook in “using the power of the state to stamp out what it sees as disfavored viewpoints.”

The method is different, with China relying on direct regulation through its Cyberspace Administration, which audits AI models, approves them before they are deployed and requires them to filter out banned content such as the bloody Tiananmen Square crackdown on pro-democracy protests in 1989.

Trump’s order doesn’t call for any such filters, relying on tech companies to instead show that their technology is ideologically neutral by disclosing some of the internal policies that guide the chatbots.

“The Trump administration is taking a softer but still coercive route by using federal contracts as leverage,” Secreto said. “That creates strong pressure for companies to self-censor in order to stay in the government’s good graces and keep the money flowing.”

The order’s call for “truth-seeking” AI echoes the language of the president’s one-time ally and adviser Elon Musk, who frequently uses that phrase as the mission for the Grok chatbot made by his company xAI.

But whether Grok or its rivals will be favored under the new policy remains to be seen.

Despite a “rhetorically pointed” introduction laying out the Trump administration’s problems with DEI, the actual language of the order’s directives shouldn’t be hard for tech companies to comply with, said Neil Chilson, a Republican former chief technologist for the Federal Trade Commission.

“It doesn’t even prohibit an ideological agenda,” just that any intentional methods to guide the model be disclosed, said Chilson, who is now head of AI policy at the nonprofit Abundance Institute. “Which is pretty light touch, frankly.”

Chilson disputes comparisons to China’s cruder modes of AI censorship.

“There is nothing in this order that says that companies have to produce or cannot produce certain types of output,” he said. “It says developers shall not intentionally encode partisan or ideological judgments. That’s the exact opposite of the Chinese requirement.”

So far, tech companies that have praised Trump’s broader AI plans haven’t said much about the order.

OpenAI on Thursday said it is awaiting more detailed guidance but believes its work to make ChatGPT objective already makes the technology consistent with what the order requires.

Microsoft, a major supplier of email, cloud computing and other online services to the federal government, declined to comment Thursday.

Musk’s xAI, through spokesperson Katie Miller, a former Trump official, pointed to a company comment praising Trump’s AI announcements as a “positive step” but didn’t respond to a follow-up question about how Grok would be affected. xAI recently announced it was awarded a U.S. defense contract for up to $200 million, just days after Grok publicly posted a barrage of antisemitic commentary that praised Adolf Hitler.

Anthropic, Google, Meta, and Palantir didn’t immediately respond to emailed requests for comment Thursday.

AI tools are already widely used in the federal government, including AI platforms such as ChatGPT and Google Gemini for internal agency support to summarize the key points of a lengthy report.

The ideas behind the order have bubbled up for more than a year on the podcasts and social media feeds of Trump’s top AI adviser David Sacks and other influential Silicon Valley venture capitalists, many of whom endorsed Trump’s presidential campaign last year. Much of their ire centered on Google’s February 2024 release of an AI image-generating tool that produced historically inaccurate images before the tech giant took down and fixed the product.

Google later explained that the errors — including one user’s request for American Founding Fathers that generated portraits of Black, Asian and Native American men — were the result of an overcompensation for technology that, left to its own devices, was prone to favoring lighter-skinned people because of pervasive bias in the systems.

Trump allies alleged that Google engineers were hard-coding their own social agenda into the product, and made it a priority to do something about it.

“It’s 100% intentional,” said prominent venture capitalist and Trump adviser Marc Andreessen on a podcast in December. “That’s how you get Black George Washington at Google. There’s override in the system that basically says, literally, ‘Everybody has to be Black.’ Boom. There’s squads, large sets of people, at these companies who determine these policies and write them down and encode them into these systems.”

Sacks credited a conservative strategist who has fought DEI initiatives at colleges and workplaces for helping to draft the order.

“When they asked me how to define ‘woke,’ I said there’s only one person to call: Chris Rufo. And now it’s law: the federal government will not be buying WokeAI,” Sacks wrote on X.

Rufo responded that, in addition to helping define the phrase, he also helped “identify DEI ideologies within the operating constitutions of these systems.”



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Hitting This Target Can Lower Your Risk Of Death By 47 Percent

Aiming for 7,000 steps a day is great goal, researchers say. (Photo by PeopleImages.com – Yuri A on Shutterstock) In A Nutshell Walking just 7,000 steps per day is associated with a 47% lower risk of death compared to walking 2,000 steps. Significant health benefits were also seen for heart disease, cancer mortality, dementia, depression, and falls. Risk reductions begin at low […]

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Aiming for 7,000 steps a day is great goal, researchers say. (Photo by PeopleImages.com – Yuri A on Shutterstock)

In A Nutshell

  • Walking just 7,000 steps per day is associated with a 47% lower risk of death compared to walking 2,000 steps.
  • Significant health benefits were also seen for heart disease, cancer mortality, dementia, depression, and falls.
  • Risk reductions begin at low step counts (around 3,000–4,000 steps) and plateau for many outcomes around 7,000.
  • More than 10,000 steps per day may offer further gains for some conditions, but 7,000 is a realistic and achievable target for most adults.

SYDNEY — For years, fitness enthusiasts and health-conscious Americans have chased the goal of 10,000 steps per day, a target that can feel daunting for many busy adults. But new research suggests that, while it’s definitely a great goal, the number may be higher than necessary. Instead, scientists say walking just 7,000 steps a day could still deliver substantial health benefits.

The large study published in The Lancet Public Health analyzed data from over 160,000 people across dozens of countries and found that walking 7,000 steps daily was associated with significant reductions in risk for all-cause mortality and several chronic conditions. People don’t need to hit that intimidating 10,000-step milestone to see meaningful improvements in their health.

“Although 10,000 steps per day can still be a viable target for those who are more active, 7,000 steps per day is associated with clinically meaningful improvements in health outcomes and might be a more realistic and achievable target for some,” the researchers wrote.

A smartwatch fitness tracker showing 7,000 daily stepsA smartwatch fitness tracker showing 7,000 daily steps
While logging more than 10,000 steps in a day would be great, researchers say that just 7,000 steps will lower the risk of death from any cause by 47 percent.(Photo by an iva on Shutterstock)

How the 7,000-Step Benchmark Emerged From the Data

Led by Prof. Melody Ding, scientists at the University of Sydney conducted the most extensive analysis to date on daily step counts and health outcomes. Unlike previous studies that focused primarily on mortality, this investigation also examined cardiovascular disease, cancer, Type 2 diabetes, dementia, depressive symptoms, physical function, and falls.

The analysis combined data from 57 studies representing 35 distinct cohorts, primarily from the United States, United Kingdom, and Japan. Participants were tracked for several years using pedometers, accelerometers, and other wearable step-counting devices. The study included both healthy adults and older individuals with chronic conditions.

A consistent pattern emerged: health benefits began to rise with step counts as low as 4,000 per day, with risk reduction continuing up to about 7,000 steps for many outcomes. For some conditions, additional benefits were observed up to 10,000 or even 12,000 steps per day, but the greatest improvements were generally seen in the range of 5,000 to 7,000 steps.

The Wide-Ranging Impact Of 7,000 Daily Steps

Compared to people who took 2,000 steps per day, those who walked 7,000 steps had significantly lower risks across a wide range of health outcomes. These included:

  • 47% lower risk of all-cause mortality
  • 25% lower risk of cardiovascular disease incidence
  • 47% lower risk of cardiovascular disease mortality
  • 37% lower risk of cancer mortality
  • 38% lower risk of dementia
  • 22% lower risk of depressive symptoms
  • 28% lower risk of falls

Even modest increases in daily steps showed benefit. For example, individuals who walked 4,000 steps daily had a 36% lower risk of death compared to those walking 2,000, a statistic directly reported in the study’s hazard ratio tables.

While more steps generally led to better health outcomes, the improvements tended to plateau for several conditions beyond 7,000 steps per day. However, continued gains were observed for mortality, cardiovascular disease, cancer mortality, dementia, and depressive symptoms up to 10,000 or more steps. For other conditions, such as falls and Type 2 diabetes, stepping beyond 7,000 offered little additional benefit.

Real-World Considerations

The study authors caution that most of the included data came from high-income countries, which may limit how applicable the findings are to global populations. Many of the studies also measured step counts over just a few days, which may not capture longer-term activity patterns.

Additionally, step counts do not reflect all forms of physical activity — such as swimming, cycling, or resistance training — which also offer significant health benefits but would not appear in daily step totals.

While the research does not establish causality (because it is based on observational data), it does provide one of the strongest statistical associations to date between daily walking volume and reduced health risks. For people currently averaging fewer than 5,000 steps per day, even small increases in activity could deliver meaningful improvements to their long-term health.

Disclaimer: This report summarizes findings from an observational study. While the associations between daily step counts and health outcomes are strong, they do not prove causation. Always consult a healthcare professional before starting a new exercise routine.


Paper Summary

Methodology

Researchers conducted a systematic review and meta-analysis of 57 studies from 35 cohorts, totaling over 160,000 participants. Step counts were measured using wearable devices, and the analysis evaluated dose-response relationships between steps and outcomes like mortality, cardiovascular disease, diabetes, dementia, depression, cancer, falls, and physical function. Statistical models assessed inflection points and risk reductions across different step thresholds.

Results

At 7,000 steps per day, individuals showed a 47% lower risk of all-cause mortality compared to those taking 2,000 steps. Similar patterns emerged for cardiovascular disease, cancer mortality, dementia, and other conditions. Benefits began at step counts as low as 3,000 and continued to increase—though at a slower pace—up to 10,000 or 12,000 steps. For some outcomes (e.g., cancer incidence, type 2 diabetes), gains plateaued around 7,000 steps.

Limitations

Many studies measured activity over only a few days and were limited to high-income countries. The analysis could not adjust for all confounders, and findings may not apply globally or to populations with significantly different activity patterns. Additionally, step counts do not capture non-ambulatory exercise like swimming or strength training.

Funding and Disclosures

This study was funded by the Australian National Health and Medical Research Council, New South Wales Health, and the Ian Potter Foundation. Authors declared no competing interests. The analysis was part of an evidence review for Australia’s updated physical activity guidelines, funded by the Department of Health and Aged Care.

Publication Information

“Daily steps and health outcomes in adults: a systematic review and dose-response meta-analysis” by Ding Ding et al., published in The Lancet Public Health, July 23, 2025. DOI: 10.1016/S2468-2667(25)00164-



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Tech company headquarters in San Jose is bought at a price discount

SAN JOSE — FH One Investments, acting through an affiliate, bought the Synaptics headquarters campus for $29.5 million, according to documents filed Thursday at the Santa Clara County Recorder’s Office. Located at 1109 and 1151 McKay Ave. in North San Jose, the property’s most recently reported assessed value was $34 million. “Our investment philosophy centers […]

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SAN JOSE — FH One Investments, acting through an affiliate, bought the Synaptics headquarters campus for $29.5 million, according to documents filed Thursday at the Santa Clara County Recorder’s Office.

Located at 1109 and 1151 McKay Ave. in North San Jose, the property’s most recently reported assessed value was $34 million.

“Our investment philosophy centers on acquiring unique assets when market conditions create attractive entry points,” said Daria Hosseinyoun, president of FH One Investments, which is based in Sausalito.

In a further attractive component of the deal, Synaptics is remaining as a tenant in the building, which totals 111,000 square feet. Newmark, a commercial real estate firm, arranged the property purchase.

“Given its long-term lease, we are able to take a long-term view and acquire an irreplaceable property at valuations that will prove compelling as the technology sector continues to evolve,” Hosseinyoun said.

Slumping property values can unleash effects that extend beyond the balance sheets of real estate owners. Property taxes provide a vital revenue stream for many public agencies.

However, weaker values can attract investors such as FH One that can then seek lower rents. The lower rents could in turn entice tenants, bringing jobs into a city.

FH One has been busy in recent weeks buying office buildings at attractive prices.

In mid-June, an FH One affiliate paid $13 million for a Concord office building that totals 174,000 square feet.

FH One appears to be pursuing a classic buy low and sell high strategy.

“This acquisition, along with our recent Concord purchase, reflects our belief that now is the optimal time to secure premium assets that will benefit from the inevitable market recovery,” Housseinyuon said. “We’re building a portfolio of irreplaceable properties that technology companies will always need.”

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Google’s new AI feature lets you virtually try on clothes

Google announced on Thursday that it’s launching a new AI feature that lets users virtually try on clothes. The tech giant is also rolling out updated price alerts and teased an upcoming feature that will let users explore shoppable outfits and room inspiration using generative imagery. The official launch of the virtual try-on feature comes […]

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Google announced on Thursday that it’s launching a new AI feature that lets users virtually try on clothes. The tech giant is also rolling out updated price alerts and teased an upcoming feature that will let users explore shoppable outfits and room inspiration using generative imagery.

The official launch of the virtual try-on feature comes two months after Google began testing it. The feature works by allowing users to upload a photo of themselves to virtually try on a piece of clothing.

The feature is launching in the United States today, letting users try on apparel items in Google’s Shopping Graph across Search, Google Shopping, and product results on Google Images.

To use the feature, users need to tap on a product listing or apparel product result and select the “try it on” icon. From there, they need to upload a full-length photo of themselves. They will then be able to see what they might look like wearing the clothing. Users can save looks and share them with friends as well.

Image Credits:Google

While Google has offered virtual try-on technology before, the earlier features focused on showing items on a diverse range of models’ bodies. With this new feature, the company is letting users try clothes on a virtual version of their own body.

The launch comes as Google has been investing in the virtual try-on space. Last month, the tech giant launched an experimental app called Doppl that uses AI to visualize how different outfits might look on you.

A Google spokesperson told TechCrunch that while both the new try-on feature and Doppl are powered by the same generative AI technology, the app is designed for shoppers to go even deeper with virtual try-on to allow them to curate their personal style. Plus, Doppl can create AI-generated videos so users can get a better sense of how the outfit would look on them in real life.

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As for the new price alerts, users can now specify the amount they want to spend on an item. Starting today, shoppers in the United States can set an alert for a product and specify their preferred size and color, as well as the price they want to pay.

Image Credits:Google

“The Shopping Graph has products and prices from all across the web — so we’ll let you know when there’s an offer that meets your criteria,” said Danielle Buckley, Google’s director of Consumer Shopping, in a blog post. “No more constantly checking to see if that bag you’re eyeing is finally at the right price for you or forgetting to come back to a product you loved.”

In terms of the upcoming feature for outfit and room design inspiration, Google says users will get access to it this fall. It will let users do things like get style inspo for a green flowy dress for a garden party or design ideas for a bedroom.

The tech giant says its vision match technology will generate a range of visual options for the query and use the 50 billion products in the Shopping Graph to show product listings for visual matches.



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When sports stats become the real-life superpower

Sports stats used to be just trivia for die-hard fans and coaches scribbling in notebooks. Now, they’re at the heart of every smart decision in the game—on the field, in fantasy leagues, and even at the betting window. The shift has been dramatic. Athletes and coaches fine-tune strategies using detailed analytics. Bettors leverage performance data […]

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Sports stats used to be just trivia for die-hard fans and coaches scribbling in notebooks. Now, they’re at the heart of every smart decision in the game—on the field, in fantasy leagues, and even at the betting window.

The shift has been dramatic. Athletes and coaches fine-tune strategies using detailed analytics. Bettors leverage performance data to improve their odds. Even casual fans get a front-row seat to insights once reserved for insiders.

This article looks at how sports statistics have evolved into a genuine superpower, fueling sharper performance, deeper engagement, and a new era of transparency across the sports world.

Unlocking the power of sports data

Sports data is no longer reserved for analysts or pro teams. Today, everyone from fantasy league regulars to serious bettors can tap into a wealth of stats that were once out of reach.

What’s really changed is how accessible and actionable this information has become. Platforms now deliver verified insights, real-time analytics, and detailed records on athletes, teams, and even tipsters. This lets everyday fans make smarter choices—whether they’re setting a fantasy lineup or placing their first wager.

If you’ve ever wondered how some people always seem one step ahead in office pools or why certain bettors consistently win, it usually comes down to their ability to read and interpret data. No more gut feelings or guesswork—stats are fueling smarter strategies and raising the bar for everyone involved.

For those looking to move beyond casual fandom, there’s a new breed of tools designed for transparency and accountability. To see these data-driven resources in action—and learn how verified performance records can help you bet smarter—click here.

How athletes and coaches use stats for a competitive edge

Elite teams no longer leave performance up to chance. Analytics now drive every training session, lineup, and on-field adjustment.

For coaches and athletes at the highest level, stats aren’t background noise—they’re the foundation of smarter preparation and better results. One well-timed insight can separate a good season from a great one.

From personal bests to team dynamics, today’s sports pros treat data as their secret advantage. Let’s look at how they put it to work.

Performance metrics that matter

The best athletes focus on what’s measurable. Tracking speed, agility, shooting percentage, or pass accuracy helps them spot progress—and identify plateaus before they become problems.

These numbers aren’t just for post-game recaps. They shape practice plans, reveal hidden strengths, and highlight where efficiency can be gained. A runner might discover their fastest sprints happen late in a session; a basketball player could see that shot selection is far more accurate from one wing than the other.

By zeroing in on these key indicators, coaches set clear goals and tailor drills for real-world improvement. Over time, even small upticks in these stats translate into noticeable advantages on game day.

Injury prevention and recovery analytics

No athlete wants to spend time sidelined. That’s why teams are turning to data-driven monitoring of workload, biomechanics, and recovery patterns to cut down risk.

A 2024 study of elite Turkish handball teams highlights how analytics are used to track and address injury incidence throughout the season. By using real-time data, teams can better prevent injuries and adapt their training approaches to boost athlete safety and recovery (Injury Analysis Elite Handball).

This approach isn’t limited to pros—college programs and youth leagues are following suit. With tech like GPS trackers or force plates in shoes, it’s now possible to detect subtle signs of fatigue or overload before they turn into serious issues.

Opponent analysis and game planning

No two opponents play the same way—and that’s where detailed statistical breakdowns come in handy. Coaches pore over data on shot charts, set piece tendencies, or possession patterns to anticipate what’s coming next.

This intel helps teams fine-tune strategy down to individual matchups. For example: If an opponent scores most goals from crosses on the left side, defenders know exactly where to tighten up coverage.

The result? Smarter pre-game prep and more confident adjustments mid-match. By making sense of trends that used to slip by unnoticed, coaches give their teams every possible edge when it counts most.

The fan’s superpower: data-enhanced engagement

Fans are no longer just spectators—they’re becoming savvy insiders, armed with stats that shape every decision and debate.

Whether it’s picking a fantasy team, joining a heated online forum, or placing a well-researched wager, access to quality data has changed how we connect with sports.

What I’ve noticed is that fans now treat game-day like a puzzle, using real numbers to spot hidden value and even predict upsets before they happen.

This shift is turning casual viewing into an active, competitive experience—and making the journey just as exciting as the result.

Fantasy leagues and stat-based competition

Fantasy sports have raised the bar for everyone who loves stats. Winning isn’t luck—it’s about knowing which metrics matter most for each player or match-up.

I’ve seen office pools where participants debate over advanced analytics instead of gut feelings. Things like usage rates, expected goals, or efficiency ratings aren’t just for analysts—they’re everyday tools for millions of fantasy managers.

This focus on data-driven picks keeps leagues fresh and competitive. It rewards those who do their homework and aren’t afraid to challenge conventional wisdom with numbers that tell the real story.

Social sharing and community insights

The social side of sports stats has exploded. Fans gather in online communities to share graphs, argue about trends, and swap predictions based on real-time data.

PewC’s Global Sports Survey 2024 reports a surge in these communities built around data analysis. Industry leaders say this trend is fueling loyalty and deeper collaboration among fans across different platforms.

I’ve joined discussions where someone’s obscure stat changes everyone’s perspective on an upcoming match. The camaraderie—and competition—make following sports feel less solitary and more connected than ever before.

Responsible betting with verified stats

Bettors have wised up. Access to verified performance records means people can move beyond guesswork when putting money on the line.

The best platforms now show detailed win-loss records, profit margins, or yield percentages—taking much of the mystery out of picking a trusted tipster or making your own picks based on transparent history rather than hype.

This transparency helps bettors make more responsible choices and encourages a culture where both fun and accountability matter. Instead of chasing hot streaks or rumors, fans are basing decisions on data they can actually trust.

The future: data as the ultimate sports equalizer

Sports data has moved far beyond simple box scores and basic averages. Today, it’s the great equalizer—giving every competitor, coach, and fan access to insights that once belonged only to big-budget teams or professional scouts.

As technology becomes more accessible, even underdogs can harness analytics to challenge traditional powerhouses. Whether you’re tracking a youth soccer player’s progress or making predictions as a die-hard fan, data is opening doors for everyone.

The next generation of innovation—driven by artificial intelligence and wearable tech—promises tools that will reshape how we play, watch, and understand sports. The playing field has never been more level or more exciting.

AI and predictive analytics in sports

Artificial intelligence is quickly becoming a game-changer across the sports world. Machine learning models now analyze thousands of variables to predict outcomes with striking accuracy—whether it’s who might win a tennis match or which basketball team is primed for an upset.

This goes way beyond odds-making. Teams use predictive analytics for scouting new talent and planning lineups. Fans see personalized content based on their viewing habits or fantasy interests. Even casual viewers get smarter recommendations about what games to watch and which players to follow.

I’ve noticed how some clubs use AI-driven insights during matches for quick tactical adjustments—something unheard of just a few years ago. As these systems grow more advanced, they’ll help everyone make sharper decisions both on and off the field.

Wearables, sensors, and real-time insights

If you’ve seen players wearing smartwatches or chest straps during training, you’ve glimpsed the power of wearable tech in action. Sensors now track heart rate, sprint speed, jump height—even hydration levels—in real time.

This isn’t just about performance stats; it’s also reshaping injury prevention and recovery. A 2025 industry report from Catapult (Key Trends in Sports 2025) details how wearables provide instant feedback that helps athletes train smarter—not just harder—and spot early warning signs before small issues turn into injuries.

Fans benefit too. Imagine receiving live updates on your favorite player’s fitness during a match or seeing interactive stats right on your phone at the stadium. This blend of technology and insight makes the entire experience more immersive for everyone involved.

Conclusion

Sports stats are no longer just for analysts or hardcore fans—they’re shaping how everyone experiences the game.

Whether you’re a coach fine-tuning strategy, a bettor hunting for an edge, or a fan looking to outsmart your rivals, data is your superpower.

The trend is clear: as access to quality stats and insights keeps expanding, the benefits reach further across all levels of sport.

If there’s one thing I’ve seen firsthand, it’s that the smartest decisions come from facts, not hunches.

















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