Sports Tech Glossary: 80+ Sport Terms Explained | SportsFirst

Sports technology has its own vocabulary. These sports technology terms appear everywhere: founders hear "delta feed" in API calls, product leads encounter "GPP" in fantasy specs, and CTOs debate "low-latency streaming" without a shared definition. This sports tech glossary is the reference we wish existed when we started building sports products.

The global sports technology market reached $39.6 billion in 2026 and is projected to hit $192 billion by 2034, according to Fortune Business Insights. That growth means more founders, more products, and more sports app terminology to master. Whether you're scoping your first sports app, evaluating vendors, or reading our technical guides, these sports tech definitions give you the clarity you need.

We've built 100+ sports products for NFL teams, federations, and startups. Here are the terms we use every day, organized by category.

Data and API Terms

This sports tech glossary starts with data fundamentals because these terms come up in every sports app project. Understanding them helps you evaluate data providers, scope integrations, and communicate with your development team.

API (Application Programming Interface)

An API is how two software systems communicate. In sports tech, you use APIs to pull scores, stats, odds, and schedules from providers like SportsData.io or Sportradar. When someone says "sports data API integration," they mean your app calls the provider's API to fetch data, then displays or processes it for users.

SDK (Software Development Kit)

An SDK is a package of code and tools that simplifies integration with a platform. A sports data provider might offer an SDK so you can fetch scores with fewer lines of code. SDKs typically handle authentication, retries, rate limiting, and sometimes caching. They save development time but add a dependency to your codebase.

REST API

REST (Representational State Transfer) is the most common API architecture for sports data. REST APIs use standard HTTP methods (GET, POST, PUT, DELETE) and return data in JSON format. Most sports data providers offer REST APIs as their primary interface. They're straightforward to integrate but require polling for updates.

GraphQL

GraphQL is an alternative to REST that lets you request exactly the data fields you need. Instead of receiving a full player object when you only need the name and score, GraphQL returns just those fields. This reduces bandwidth and speeds up responses. Fewer sports data providers offer GraphQL, but it's growing in popularity for complex apps.

Webhook

A webhook is a way for a server to push data to your app when something happens. Instead of your app polling an API every few seconds asking "any updates?", the provider sends a request to your endpoint when data changes. Webhooks are essential for real-time sports apps where seconds matter for score updates, injury alerts, or betting odds changes.

WebSocket

WebSocket is a protocol that maintains a persistent, two-way connection between your app and a server. Unlike REST (which opens a new connection for each request), WebSockets keep the connection open for continuous data flow. Live scoring apps, fantasy draft rooms, and betting platforms use WebSockets for instant updates without the overhead of repeated HTTP requests.

Real-Time Data

Data delivered with minimal delay, typically seconds, so users see live scores and stats as they happen. "Real-time" in sports is faster than in other industries. A 30-second delay acceptable for stock quotes is unacceptable for live scores. Users will switch to ESPN if your app lags. Real-time feeds require WebSockets or webhooks and careful backend architecture.

Delta Feed

A delta feed delivers only the data that changed since your last request, rather than the full dataset. Instead of fetching the entire box score every few seconds, you receive just the updated player stats. Delta feeds reduce bandwidth, lower API costs, and speed up processing. They're essential for high-frequency sports data applications.

Data Pipeline

The flow that moves data from source through processing to storage and display. A sports data pipeline might: receive a webhook from Sportradar, normalize the data format, calculate fantasy scores, update the database, and push to connected clients. Robust pipelines handle delays, stat corrections, and failures without breaking the user experience.

ETL (Extract, Transform, Load)

ETL describes the three phases of moving data between systems. Extract pulls data from the source (for example, a sports API). Transform converts it to your format (normalizing player names, calculating derived stats). Load stores it in your database. ETL processes run continuously in sports apps to keep data fresh.

Sports Data Provider

A company that sells or licenses sports data via API or feed. Major providers include:

• SportsData.io: Strong coverage across major US sports, competitive pricing, good developer experience. Our most common recommendation for startups.

• Sportradar: Official partnerships with major leagues. Higher cost but necessary when official designation matters.

• Stats Perform (Opta): Deepest analytics and event-level data, especially for soccer. The source for advanced metrics like expected goals.

• ESPN API: Limited public access but useful for scores, standings, and news content.

Your choice depends on sports coverage, latency requirements, budget, and whether you need official league data. See our sports data API guide for detailed comparisons.

Video and Performance Platforms

This section of our sports tech glossary covers platforms that power coaching workflows, athlete tracking, and performance analysis. If you're building for pro teams, federations, or coaching applications, you'll likely integrate with one or more of these.

Hudl

Hudl is the dominant video analysis platform for teams, coaches, and athletes. It handles video upload, tagging, sharing, and basic analytics. Many sports apps integrate with Hudl to pull or push video and metadata. Hudl's API allows access to video clips, playlists, and annotations. If your app serves coaches, Hudl integration is often a requirement.

SportsCode

SportsCode is an elite video analysis tool used by pro teams and high-performance programs. It supports detailed tagging, multi-angle sync, and export to other systems. "SportsCode integration" typically means your app reads or writes tagged video data or syncs with existing coaching workflows. SportsCode users expect precision and reliability.

Telestration

Telestration refers to on-screen drawing and annotation during video playback, the circles and arrows you see during broadcast analysis. Telestration features are common in coaching apps and fan engagement products. Building telestration requires handling touch input, synchronizing drawings with video frames, and often supporting multiple annotation styles.

Video Tagging

The process of marking specific moments or events in video footage. Coaches tag plays, formations, and key moments for later review. Video tagging can be manual (coach clicks to mark events) or automated (AI detects events like goals or fouls). Tagged video becomes searchable and shareable.

Catapult

Catapult provides wearable sensors and software for athlete tracking. Their devices measure GPS position, acceleration, and other metrics to quantify training load. Catapult data feeds into load management decisions and injury prevention. Integration with Catapult typically means pulling athlete metrics into your own dashboards or analysis tools.

GPS Tracking

Using satellite positioning to track athlete movement during training and competition. GPS tracking measures distance covered, speed, acceleration patterns, and positioning. Pro teams use GPS data to manage training loads and analyze tactical patterns. Consumer fitness apps also use GPS for tracking runs and rides.

Wearables

Electronic devices athletes wear to collect physiological and movement data. Wearables include GPS vests, heart rate monitors, accelerometers, and smart clothing. Data from wearables feeds athlete management systems and performance dashboards. Integration complexity varies by device and data format.

Load Management

The practice of monitoring and controlling athlete training stress to optimize performance and prevent injury. Load management uses data from wearables, training logs, and subjective reports to make decisions about practice intensity and playing time. Apps that support load management need to aggregate multiple data sources and present actionable recommendations.

External Load vs Internal Load

External load measures what the athlete does: distance covered, sprints completed, jumps performed. Internal load measures how the athlete responds: heart rate, perceived exertion, recovery metrics. Both matter for complete load management. External load comes from GPS and accelerometers. Internal load comes from heart rate monitors and athlete self-reports.

Biomechanics

The study of body movement mechanics in sports. Biomechanics analysis examines joint angles, stride patterns, throwing motion, and other movement characteristics. Advanced biomechanics uses computer vision to extract data from video without wearable sensors. Biomechanics insights help improve technique and reduce injury risk.

Optical Tracking

Camera-based systems that track player and ball positions without wearable devices. Optical tracking uses multiple cameras and computer vision to reconstruct positions in three-dimensional space. Second Spectrum (now part of Genius Sports) pioneered optical tracking for NBA broadcasts. Optical tracking data powers broadcast graphics and advanced analytics.

Second Spectrum

Second Spectrum provides optical tracking and analytics for pro sports, now part of Genius Sports. Their technology powers NBA broadcast graphics and team analytics. "Second Spectrum data" often means the most detailed tracking data available, with player positions captured many times per second.

Fantasy and Contest Terms

This fantasy sports glossary section covers its own extensive vocabulary. Whether you're building a fantasy platform, evaluating one as a user, or integrating fantasy features into a fan app, these terms are essential.

Fantasy Sports App

An application where users build virtual teams from real athletes and compete based on real-world performance. Fantasy apps require draft logic, a scoring engine, real-time data integration, and often payment processing. Season-long and daily fantasy (DFS) are the main formats. See how we approached this in our fantasy platform case study, and read our fantasy sports development guide for technical details.

DFS (Daily Fantasy Sports)

A fantasy format where contests resolve in a single day or slate of games. Users draft a lineup within a salary cap and compete for prizes. DFS adds complexity beyond season-long fantasy: salary optimization, contest variety, and regulatory compliance for paid contests. Major DFS platforms include DraftKings and FanDuel.

Season-Long Fantasy

Traditional fantasy format where users draft a team before the season and manage it throughout. Transactions (trades, waiver pickups) happen weekly. Season-long requires different features than DFS: waiver systems, trade processing, and multi-week scoring. ESPN and Yahoo dominate season-long fantasy.

Draft

The process of selecting players to form a roster. Common draft types include:

• Snake Draft: Teams pick in order, then reverse. First pick in round one picks last in round two.

• Auction Draft: Teams bid on players using a budget. Highest bid wins.

• Best Ball: Teams draft a large roster. The system automatically selects optimal starters each week.

"Draft logic" means the rules governing turn order, timers, pick validation, and roster construction.

Scoring Engine

The backend system that takes raw stats and applies rules to compute fantasy points. A scoring engine must handle configurable rules (points per reception, bonus thresholds), stat corrections (when official stats change after the fact), and real-time recalculation. Robust scoring engines are non-trivial to build correctly.

Contest Platform

A product that runs time-bound competitions. Contest platforms need registration, entry fees, scoring, leaderboards, and prize distribution. Pick'em games, bracket challenges, and DFS contests all fit this category.

GPP (Guaranteed Prize Pool)

A DFS contest where the prize pool is guaranteed regardless of how many users enter. If a GPP advertises $100,000 in prizes but doesn't fill, the platform covers the difference (called overlay). GPPs attract more entries because users know the prize structure won't shrink.

50/50 (Double-Up)

A DFS contest where the top half of entrants win approximately double their entry fee. Lower variance than GPPs since you only need to beat half the field, not finish in the top few percent.

Head-to-Head

A contest between two users. Winner takes the combined entry fees minus platform rake. Head-to-head contests are common for users who want direct competition rather than large-field tournaments.

Stacking

Selecting multiple players from the same team or game. Stacking captures correlation: if a quarterback throws four touchdowns, his receivers benefit too. Stack strategies are essential for GPP success where you need differentiated lineups.

Floor and Ceiling

Floor is the lowest reasonable point total you expect from a player. Ceiling is the highest. High-floor players provide consistency. High-ceiling players provide upside for GPPs. Different contest types favor different floor/ceiling profiles.

Exposure

The percentage of your lineups or bankroll invested in a specific player. If you enter 100 lineups and 40 contain the same quarterback, you have 40% exposure to that player. Managing exposure is a key DFS bankroll strategy.

Bankroll Management

Strategies for allocating contest entries across your available funds. Conservative bankroll management suggests risking only 10% to 20% of your bankroll per contest slate. Proper bankroll management prevents ruin during losing streaks.

Streaming and Media Terms

This section of the sports tech glossary covers streaming, which has unique requirements: low latency so fans don't see spoilers on social media, high reliability during peak events, and monetization that balances reach with revenue.

OTT (Over-the-Top)

Video delivered over the internet without traditional cable or satellite. Sports OTT includes league apps (NFL+, NBA League Pass), team streaming services, and third-party platforms. Building OTT means handling encoding, content delivery networks, digital rights management, and often multiple monetization models. Enterprise-scale streaming platforms require specialized architecture for reliability during peak events.

Low-Latency Streaming

Streaming where the delay between live action and viewer playback is minimized, typically under 10 seconds. Standard streaming protocols introduce 30 to 60 seconds of delay. Low-latency matters for sports because fans see scores on social media before their stream shows the play. Achieving low latency requires specific protocols (LL-HLS, WebRTC) and CDN configuration.

CDN (Content Delivery Network)

A distributed network of servers that delivers video to users from geographically nearby locations. CDNs reduce latency, handle traffic spikes, and improve reliability. Major CDN providers include Cloudflare, Akamai, and AWS CloudFront. Choosing the right CDN configuration significantly impacts streaming quality and cost.

HLS and DASH

HLS (HTTP Live Streaming) and DASH (Dynamic Adaptive Streaming over HTTP) are the dominant protocols for video streaming. Both split video into small segments and adapt quality based on network conditions. HLS is Apple's protocol and works everywhere. DASH is an open standard. Most sports streaming platforms support both.

WebRTC

Web Real-Time Communication, a protocol for peer-to-peer audio and video with very low latency (often under one second). WebRTC is used for video calls and increasingly for ultra-low-latency sports streaming. The trade-off is complexity: WebRTC requires more sophisticated infrastructure than HLS/DASH.

DRM (Digital Rights Management)

Technology that controls how video content can be accessed, copied, or shared. Sports content owners require DRM to prevent piracy. Implementing DRM adds complexity: you need to integrate with services like Widevine (Google), FairPlay (Apple), or PlayReady (Microsoft). DRM is essential for premium sports content.

SVOD, AVOD, TVOD

Three monetization models for streaming:

• SVOD (Subscription Video on Demand): Users pay monthly for unlimited access. Netflix model.

• AVOD (Advertising Video on Demand): Free to users, monetized through ads. YouTube model.

• TVOD (Transactional Video on Demand): Users pay per item. Pay-per-view model.

Many sports platforms use hybrid models: free AVOD tier with SVOD upgrades for premium content.

Geo-Blocking

Restricting content access by geographic location. Sports streaming often requires geo-blocking due to broadcast rights: a game might be blacked out in local markets where it airs on regional TV. Implementing geo-blocking requires accurate location detection and clear user messaging.

Second Screen

Using a secondary device (typically a phone or tablet) alongside the primary viewing screen (TV). Second screen experiences include live stats, social features, betting integration, and interactive elements timed to the broadcast. These features are central to modern fan engagement solutions. Second screen apps require synchronization with the primary broadcast.

Sports Betting Terms

This sports tech glossary includes betting terms that have become essential since US legalization began in 2018. If you're building betting features or integrating odds into a sports app, these terms are fundamental.

Sportsbook

A platform that accepts and pays out sports wagers. Sportsbooks set odds, manage risk, and process transactions. Building a sportsbook requires licensing, compliance infrastructure, odds management, and significant regulatory work. Our sports betting app development solutions help navigate these complexities. Most apps integrate with existing sportsbooks via API rather than building from scratch.

Odds API

An API that provides betting odds from multiple sportsbooks. Odds APIs let apps display lines, identify value bets, and power betting-adjacent features without becoming a sportsbook themselves. Providers include OddsJam, The Odds API, and data from sportsbooks directly.

Money Line

A bet on which team wins, regardless of margin. Money line odds express the payout: -150 means bet $150 to win $100 on the favorite; +130 means bet $100 to win $130 on the underdog. Money line is the simplest bet type.

Spread

A bet that includes a point handicap. If the spread is -7, the favorite must win by more than 7 points for a spread bet to pay. Spreads balance action between favorites and underdogs.

Parlay

A bet combining multiple selections where all must win for the bet to pay. Parlays offer higher payouts but lower probability. A three-team parlay might pay 6:1 but requires three correct picks.

In-Play (Live Betting)

Wagering on events as they happen during a game. In-play betting requires real-time odds updates and fast transaction processing. Odds change constantly based on game state. In-play is the fastest-growing betting segment.

Prop Bet

A bet on a specific occurrence within a game, not the final outcome. Examples: "Will Player X score a touchdown?" or "Total passing yards over/under 275.5." Prop betting drives engagement and offers more betting opportunities per game.

Vigorish (Juice)

The commission sportsbooks charge on bets, built into the odds. Standard vig is around 10%: to win $100, you typically risk $110. The vig is how sportsbooks profit regardless of outcomes.

AI and Machine Learning in Sports

According to AISTS, AI is one of the fastest-growing segments in sports technology. AI applications range from broadcast enhancement to injury prediction to automated highlight generation. These terms appear increasingly in sports tech conversations.

Computer Vision

AI that extracts information from images and video. In sports, computer vision tracks players and balls, recognizes plays, analyzes technique, and generates statistics. We applied computer vision in our VenueTechConnect project for AI-powered sports asset management. Computer vision enables optical tracking, automated tagging, and broadcast graphics without manual input.

Pose Estimation

AI that identifies body position and joint locations from video. Pose estimation powers biomechanics analysis, technique coaching, and injury risk assessment. Models like MediaPipe, OpenPose, and custom trained networks can estimate pose in real-time from standard video.

Optical Tracking

Using cameras and computer vision to track positions without wearables. Optical tracking captures player and ball locations multiple times per second. This data feeds advanced analytics, broadcast graphics, and team performance analysis. Second Spectrum and Hawk-Eye are leading optical tracking providers.

Predictive Analytics

Using historical data to forecast future outcomes. In sports: injury risk prediction, game outcome probabilities, player performance projections. Our sports analytics solutions help teams turn data into competitive advantage. Predictive models inform roster decisions, betting lines, and fantasy rankings. Quality predictions require clean historical data and careful model validation.

Large Language Model (LLM)

AI models trained on text that can generate human-like responses. In sports tech, LLMs power chatbots for fan engagement, automated content generation, and natural language interfaces for data queries. GPT-4 and similar models are increasingly embedded in sports applications.

Automated Highlight Generation

AI that identifies and extracts key moments from video without manual editing. Automated highlights use computer vision to detect goals, big plays, and exciting moments, then compile clips for social media or recap packages. WSC Sports and similar platforms offer this capability.

Pro Team and Federation Terms

These sports tech glossary entries apply when building for professional teams, leagues, or governing bodies. The requirements differ significantly from consumer apps.

Pro Team Technology

Software and systems used by professional teams for operations, performance, and fan engagement. This includes internal tools (playbooks, scouting, travel logistics), fan-facing apps, and integrations with league systems. We cover this extensively in pro team technology.

Internal Tools

Applications used only by team staff: coaches, operations, front office. Internal tools aren't public-facing but need to integrate with league systems, video platforms, and data feeds. Reliability on game day is critical. Our work with the Baltimore Ravens included internal tools that handled 50,000 comp ticket requests during their Super Bowl run.

Federation Technology

Platforms supporting national governing bodies, leagues, and member organizations. Federation technology handles registration, competitions, compliance, eligibility, and multi-stakeholder access. Scale is a key challenge: federations may have millions of registered athletes across thousands of clubs. See our federation technology services.

NGB (National Governing Body)

The organization that governs a sport in a country. USA Rugby, US Soccer, and USA Basketball are examples. NGBs need technology for membership management, event operations, compliance tracking, and digital fan experiences. NGB projects often involve complex stakeholder requirements.

League Management Platform

Software that runs league operations: scheduling, standings, registrations, fees, referee assignments, and compliance. Youth leagues, amateur circuits, and some professional leagues use league management platforms. Stack Sports, SportLomo, and TeamSnap are common platforms.

Competition Operations

The systems and processes for running tournaments and leagues. Competition operations includes bracket management, seeding, scheduling, officiating assignments, and results processing. Complex tournament formats (Swiss system, round-robin into knockout) require sophisticated logic.

Athlete Management System

Software that centralizes athlete data: profiles, performance metrics, medical records, availability, and training logs. Athlete management systems integrate data from wearables, video analysis, and manual input. They're essential for pro teams and high-performance programs managing athlete load and health.

Compliance and Security Terms

Regulatory requirements in sports tech vary by product type and geography. These terms come up frequently when building fantasy, betting, or data-intensive applications.

KYC (Know Your Customer)

Processes to verify user identity, typically required for betting and paid fantasy contests. KYC confirms users are who they claim to be, are of legal age, and are located in permitted jurisdictions. KYC integration adds friction but is legally required. Providers like Jumio and Veriff offer KYC APIs.

Age Verification

Confirming users meet minimum age requirements. Age verification is mandatory for betting (21+ in most US states) and paid DFS (varies by state). Methods range from simple birth date entry to identity document verification. Our work with USA Rugby included AI-powered age verification for youth eligibility.

Geo-Restriction (Geofencing)

Limiting features by user location. Sports betting apps must block users in states where betting isn't legal. Fantasy apps face similar but different restrictions. Geo-restriction requires reliable location detection (GPS, IP, both) and clear communication when users are blocked.

NIL (Name, Image, Likeness)

The rights of athletes to profit from their personal brand. Since 2021, US college athletes can sign endorsement deals and monetize their identity. NIL creates new opportunities for athlete management platforms, marketplace apps, and compliance tracking tools.

GDPR

The European Union's General Data Protection Regulation, which sets requirements for handling personal data. If your sports app has European users, GDPR compliance affects data collection, storage, user consent, and deletion rights. GDPR violations carry significant fines.

Product and Process Terms

These terms describe how sports products get built. Understanding them helps you communicate with development teams and evaluate potential partners.

MVP (Minimum Viable Product)

The smallest version of a product that delivers real value and validates an idea. In sports app development, an MVP might cover one platform, core features only, and one key integration. We typically ship MVPs in 8 to 12 weeks. See our MVP Lab for fast proof-of-concept builds.

Sprint

A time-boxed development cycle, typically two weeks, with defined deliverables. Sprints provide predictable progress and opportunities to adjust scope. At sprint end, you see working software, not just status reports.

Agile

A development methodology emphasizing iterative delivery, collaboration, and responsiveness to change. Agile contrasts with "waterfall" approaches where all requirements are fixed upfront. Most sports app development uses agile practices because requirements evolve as products find market fit.

Tech Mapping Workshop

SportsFirst's 45-minute structured session to map your requirements, identify technical risks, and create a sprint plan. You walk away with a roadmap whether you engage us or not. Book a Tech Mapping Workshop when you're ready to get clarity on your sports app vision.

Discovery Phase

An initial project phase focused on understanding requirements before building. Discovery might include user research, technical architecture, and scope definition. Some agencies charge $5,000 to $15,000 for multi-day discovery workshops. Our Tech Mapping Workshop delivers similar clarity in 45 minutes, free.

Technical Debt

The accumulated cost of shortcuts and deferred improvements in a codebase. Technical debt slows future development and increases bug risk. Sports startups often accumulate debt during MVP rushes, then need to address it before scaling. Managing technical debt is a normal part of product evolution.

How to Use This Sports Tech Glossary

This sports tech glossary is a living reference with clear sports tech definitions for every stage of product development. Use it when you're reading our technical guides, scoping a project with developers, or evaluating vendor proposals. If you encounter a term we haven't covered, let us know.

For deeper dives on specific topics:

• Building sports apps: Start with sports app development and our sports app development investment 2026 guide

• Fantasy platforms: See fantasy sports development

• Data integrations: Explore our sports data API guide

• Why sports-only matters: Read why we focus exclusively on sports

If you're not sure how these terms apply to your specific product, book a Tech Mapping Workshop. In 45 minutes, we'll map your requirements and translate the jargon into a clear plan.