Oscar Brodkin
Artificial intelligence and data analytics are no longer fringe tools in modern sports—they’re fast becoming central to team success, particularly in the Asia-Pacific region. With countries like Japan, South Korea, and Singapore taking the lead, sports organizations across the region are leveraging cutting-edge technology to elevate performance, mitigate injuries, and make smarter decisions both on and off the field.
“AI is changing everything,” says Oscar Brodkin, managing director Asia Pacific (APAC) at Sportradar. “We’re no longer relying on the eye test. We’re relying on data that gives granular insight into every player, every moment, and every decision.”
In Japan’s B.League, for instance, every data point from every player is collected and processed, with coaching decisions increasingly driven by hard numbers rather than gut feel. “It’s not just about knowing whether a player is good. It’s about knowing if they’re the right fit for a specific team strategy,” Brodkin says.
Thanks to advances in camera technology and machine learning, data is now gathered effortlessly from games without the need for large production crews. “You just set up a few cameras in a gym or stadium, and the magic happens,” Brodkin explains. The result is a vast trove of video and statistical data that can be accessed, filtered, and analyzed in real time—or immediately post-game—to deliver insights that were previously impossible.
But the benefits of AI in sports go far beyond the coaching staff. Fans, too, are experiencing the transformation. Through virtual match trackers and player-specific feeds, viewers can follow their favorite athletes more closely than ever before. “We’re seeing huge growth in personalized content. Fans want to follow a player throughout the game—wherever they are on the court or field—and we make that possible,” Brodkin says.
These innovations are also removing human bias. “Before, it was always someone’s opinion: ‘I think he’s weak going left,’” Brodkin notes. “Now, the data proves it—or disproves it. That’s powerful.”
Despite the momentum, Brodkin acknowledges some cultural and financial resistance. “There are always people who say the scout’s eye or the coach’s intuition is better than numbers,” he says. “But more and more, teams are realizing that data-driven decisions deliver results.”
Even so, Brodkin is careful to say that AI won’t replace coaches or scouts, but rather enhance their capabilities. “The old saying is true: AI won’t take your job—but someone who knows how to use it will.”
Asked whether his technology can also evaluate coaches themselves, Brodkin explains, “We don’t yet have a module that says, ‘Was this a good coaching decision?’ But the data is there. You can see if players executed the plan—and whether that plan led to wins.”
As for smaller sports markets such as the Philippines or Vietnam, Brodkin believes affordability is no longer the issue it once was. “The costs have come down significantly,” he says. “These aren’t million-dollar solutions anymore. If you want to improve, you’ve got to jump in.”
While Sportradar is actively working with leagues in Japan, Taiwan, Korea, and Australia, Brodkin says conversations are ongoing with Philippine federations. “There’s no doubt we’ll see more Southeast Asian teams using this tech soon.”
Whether it’s scouting, strategy, or fan engagement, Brodkin sees a future where no aspect of sports is untouched by AI. “We’re already seeing coaches call us to say, ‘You helped us win the league.’ That’s what this is about. Giving teams the tools to succeed.”