• Loading stock data...
Wednesday, December 11, 2024
The 2024 Best Employers in Sports Award winners have been announced! See the full list of winners

Wearables Offer New Type of Athlete-Fan Connection

  • WHOOP is creating new types of athlete-fan connections by publishing athlete biometrics, including during a PGA Tour broadcast.
  • The company is part of the increasingly competitive wearables market.
person_wearing_whoop_bracelet
WHOOP/Design: Alex Brooks

Most fans will never have a heart-to-heart conversation with NFL star Patrick Mahomes, but at least they can now compare heart rates.

Mahomes wears a WHOOP bracelet that tracks heart rate, movement, respiratory rate, and other metrics. The company also calculates metrics on sleep quality, recovery, and more. 

On Tuesday, WHOOP released biometric data for the 2020-2021 season on the Kansas City Chiefs quarterback, showing that Mahomes spends most games at a heart rate of 150-190 beats per minute — around twice that of the average adult.

WHOOP, which has raised around $200 million to date at a $1.2 billion valuation, is just one of many brands setting a pace in the wearables market.

  • Oura, which sells a ring that tracks health metrics, raised $100 million from the Los Angeles Dodgers’ Elysian Park, among others, earlier this month.
  • The Apple Watch is a key part of the tech giant’s push into fitness. 
  • WearOS by Google, working with Samsung, announced upcoming fitness and wellness features with FitBit, which Google bought in January. 

WHOOP includes its bracelet in its app subscriptions, which cost $30 per month, or $288 for an entire year.

In early May, the company partnered with the PGA Tour and NBC’s Golf Channel to show the live heart rates of Rory McIlroy and Justin Thomas during the Wells Fargo Championship broadcast. 

“Understanding how these athletes not just train, but sleep and recover and really deal with stress is going to be very intriguing to fans,” WHOOP CEO Will Ahmed told Front Office Sports.

Linkedin
Whatsapp
Copy Link
Link Copied
Link Copied

What to Read

Sep 13, 2024; Bolingbrook, Illinois, USA; (Editors Notes: Caption Correction) Bryson DeChambeau of the Crushers GC and Brooks Koepka of the Smash GC shake hands after the first round of the LIV Golf Chicago tournament at Bolingbrook Golf Club.

DeChambeau, Koepka Hope Showdown Helps Unite LIV–PGA Tour

The golfers will compete against Rory McIlroy and Scottie Scheffler.
Sponsored

Racing Forward: How SailGP is Redefining High-Performance Sailing and Championing Gender Equality

The most exciting racing on water is making waves by rewriting the narrative of what’s possible for women in high-performance sports.
exclusive

Talor Gooch Using LIV Golf Fortune to Start Building Sports Empire

The golfer has made more than $43 million individually from LIV.
Sep 28, 2024; Ile Bizard, Quebec, CAN; Max Homa of team U.S.A. putts on the first green during the foursomes (alternate) round of The Presidents Cup golf tournament.

The PGA Tour Wants More Players to Become Social Media Stars

YouTube golf is quickly gaining ground on the professional game.

Featured Today

Nov 2, 2024; Denver, Colorado, USA; Detailed view of a Wilson NBA basketball held by a referee during the second half between the Utah Jazz against the Denver Nuggets at Ball Arena

‘Obvious Weak Point’: Refs Remain an NBA Gambling Concern

A season after Jontay Porter, the biggest risk may not be players.
Nov 2, 2024; Ann Arbor, Michigan, USA; Michigan Wolverines cheerleader runs with a flag before the game against the Oregon Ducks at Michigan Stadium.
opinion
December 7, 2024

College Football’s Billionaire Backer Era Begins

Is this the new normal in CFB recruiting?
LA Galaxy forward Dejan Joveljic (9) celebrates with midfielder Riqui Puig (10) after scoring a goal against Seattle Sounders FC in the second half in the 2024 MLS Cup Western Conference Final match at Dignity Health Sports Park
December 6, 2024

With or Without Messi, Major League Soccer Is Barreling Into the Future

After the Cup final, the league looks to accelerate its growth.
Dec 18, 2022; Lusail, Qatar; FIFA president Gianni Infantino claps during the awards ceremony after the 2022 World Cup final between Argentina and France at Lusail Stadium.
December 2, 2024

FIFA Wants More Matches. Resistance Is Growing Inside the Global Soccer World

Resentment and frustration over expanded schedules is nearing a breaking point.

UFC’s Vegas Sphere Fight Should Set Records

The MMA fight has big aspirations and a budget to match.
August 13, 2024

Duael’s One-On-One Racing Brackets Are Yet Another Stab at Saving Track

Duael will debut in March 2025 with the inaugural Duael 100.
September 8, 2024

Guardian Caps Make NFL Debut

Multiple NFL players wore Guardian Caps over their helmets Sunday.
Sponsored

How UBS Crafts Impactful Partnerships Across Sports, Arts, and Culture

As UBS continues to expand its impressive array of sports and entertainment partnerships, the company solidifies its position as a leader in wealth management.
August 11, 2024

Guardian Caps Have Arrived in the NFL—Ahead of Schedule

Colts star Jonathan Taylor strapped one on for Sunday’s preseason game.
August 5, 2024

How Omega Timing Determined Noah Lyles Won Olympic Gold

Omega touches every corner of the Olympics.
The Adidas ball has changed over the years.
July 25, 2023

The Most Advanced Tech at the Women’s World Cup Might Surprise You

This year’s OCEAUNZ introduces connected ball technology to the women’s game.
Sponsored

Rewriting the Sports Media Playbook

WSC’s highlight automation improved Clemson’s content strategy and overall growth.