Tuesday, August 25, 2026

$12T IoT Market Could Help Grow Sports, Fitness Companies

  • The IoT industry could provide outsized returns in the sports and sports adjacent industries over the next decade.
  • McKinsey estimates that the industry as a whole could be worth up to $12.6 trillion by 2030.
Design: Alex Brooks

In early November, consulting firm McKinsey & Company released a study on the global Internet of Things — IoT — market. According to the report, the IoT industry could unlock up to $12.6 trillion in value by 2030. The IoT industry spans a wide array of verticals, including the sports and fitness industries.

Whether it’s smart stadiums, connected fitness, or commerce, IoT and the connectivity of devices has the ability to fundamentally change industries. From the Olympics to the Tour de France to Major League Baseball, new IoT technologies have helped enable interconnectivity and fan engagement.

Overall deal activity for IoT technologies has already reached $10.9 billion and 611 deals across various markets.

In September, the NFL signed a new 10-year deal with Verizon worth $1 billion. One of the key tenets of the deal was a shift in focus from content generated to technology utilized.

  • The deal includes 5G Multi-View, which allows fans to see seven different live camera angles and AR overlays of Next Gen Stats.
  • Last year, Verizon invested over $80 million to pilot the 5G Multi-View at Super Bowl LV in Tampa.

Wearables, fitness, and health monitoring are another significant use case. Companies such as Whoop, Oura, and Apple will likely see increased adoption and more use cases as 5G technology takes over.

If you want to learn more about the impact of IoT on the sports industry, check out Front Office Sports Insights.

This field is for validation purposes and should be left unchanged.

Sign up for
The Memo Newsletter

Get the biggest stories and best analysis on the business of sports delivered to your inbox twice every weekday and twice on weekends.

This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.
Linkedin
Whatsapp
Copy Link
Link Copied
Link Copied

What to Read

Royals Stadium’s $600M in City Funding Faces Local Opposition

Protesters shut down a zoning meeting about the planned ballpark project.
Jul 19, 2026; West Sacramento, California, USA; Athletics shortstop Jacob Wilson (5) hits an RBI single during the ninth inning against the Washington Nationals at Sutter Health Park.

Mark Cuban, Rashaun Williams Firm Buys Stake in A’s

It’s the first investment by Harbinger Sports Partners, which formed last May.
Soccer Football - FIFA World Cup 2026 - Semi Final - France v Spain - Dallas Stadium, Arlington, Texas, U.S. - July 14, 2026 Spain's Pedro Porro celebrates after the match

World Cup Final Get-In Ticket Soars to Around $10,000

Ticket prices spiked in the day before the Spain-Argentina match.

Bears’ Indiana Stadium Plans in ‘Red Zone,’ Governor Says

The NFL team is drawing closer to a long-awaited stadium decision.
podcast thumbnail mobile
Front Office Sports Today

8/25/26 – Kanter Freedom Ruled Ineligible for WNBA, 49ers Owner Arrested, Manfred Vows 2027 Season

0:00

Featured Today

Dan Snyder ‘Invisible’ in NFL Three Years After Commanders Sale

Snyder has had little to no contact with former NFL associates.
Soccer Football - Premier League - Arsenal v Burnley - Emirates Stadium, London, Britain - May 18, 2026 Arsenal's Kai Havertz scores their first goal past Burnley's Max Weiss
August 21, 2026

Why the Premier League’s Star-Power Shortage Doesn’t Matter

The world’s richest soccer league doesn’t rely on big stars to dominate.
August 12, 2026

Trendy Golf Hat Divide Is More Than a Fashion Fight

As golf has gotten trendier, so has the sport’s style.
Joey Spallina of the Maryland Whipsnakes
August 6, 2026

How Eye Black Became ‘War Paint’ on the Field

“You’re going into battle, doing something you only do on game days.”
August 6, 2026

Tom Brady Explains His Aggressive Push Into Trading Cards

Brady talked to FOS about his eponymous card company.

Caleb Williams’s Investment Playbook: ‘No Vices’

The Bears QB has put money into sports, tech, and wellness start-ups.
[Subscription Customers Only] Jul 13, 2025; East Rutherford, New Jersey, USA; Chelsea FC midfielder Cole Palmer (10) celebrates winning the final of the 2025 FIFA Club World Cup at MetLife Stadium
February 21, 2026

Soccer’s ‘Crown Jewels’ Are Devouring Smaller Clubs

Mega conglomerates are feeding a big business machine. Fans are furious.
Reggie Bush speaks on unionizing college football players during the Rose Bowl Hall of Fame induction ceremony at the University Club of Pasadena in Pasadena, Calif. Tuesday, Dec. 31, 2024.
March 5, 2026

Former NFL Pros Launch PE Firm for Emerging Leagues

Terrence C. Murphy and Reggie Bush are targeting $150 million for their debut fund.
Sponsored

Saints Great Turns to Ownership

Marques Colston discusses his Champions Fund launch and finding success after football.
Dec 30, 2025; Los Angeles, California, USA; Los Angeles Lakers guard Luka Doncic (77) reacts after scoring a basket against the Detroit Pistons during the second half at Crypto.com Arena
January 4, 2026

Pro Team Valuations Are Set to Keep Climbing in 2026

Asset scarcity and increasing media-rights deals underpin soaring valuations.
December 27, 2025

‘Why Not the Dodgers?’: How Billie Jean King Became an LA Owner

“Getting involved with the Dodgers literally changed our lives,” Ilana Kloss says.
December 23, 2025

Ben Simmons Buys a Sport Fishing Team

“I think I can really help this league grow,” Simmons told FOS.
Jacksonville Jumbo Shrimp mascot Scampi waves to fans during Opening Day baseball against the Gwinnett Stripers on March 29, 2024.
December 17, 2025

Private Equity Dives Further Into Minor League Baseball

Seven MiLB teams have changed hands in the last week.