Analyzing the Role of Data Science in Professional Sports

Abstract

Data science has changed the way professional sporting organizations operate on multiple different levels. Starting many years ago, Bill James innovative works with advanced statistics, numerous different organizations have placed an importance on data science that has quite often yielded successful results. In this paper, we take a look at the early pioneers of data science in professional sports, then move on to some of the adapters that move the field along. Additionally, understanding the new technologies that allow for tracking player movements has given organizations the capabilities to develop all new ways of understanding the most efficient ways to evaluate and build a roster.