Competition Commences
The MIT Sloan Sports Analytics Conference (SSAC) is a leading event in the sports analytics field, renowned for its cutting-edge research presentations. This year, the conference is set to feature baseball analyst Bill James for the first time, marking a significant milestone in its history.
Established in 2007, the SSAC aims to encourage and recognise outstanding research in sports analytics. The competition focuses on innovative methodologies and insights that can benefit both sports practitioners and scholars. Researchers submit their papers, often addressing topics such as team performance evaluation, player tracking, strategic decision-making, and fan engagement.
One of the standout papers from the competition was a study by Gartheeban Ganeshapillai and John Guttag. Using machine-learning techniques, they demonstrated that some pitchers in baseball are highly predictable in their pitch selection based on various factors, such as the pitcher's history against the batter and the pitcher's tendency to throw certain pitches in certain counts.
In a separate study, Robert Ayer MBA '11 found that certain combinations of individual skills in NBA players best complement each other in a team context. This insight could potentially revolutionise team strategies and player selection in professional basketball.
The SSAC research paper competition is judged based on originality, technical merit, clarity, and relevance to the sports industry. Winning and participating in the competition can provide a significant career boost for researchers in the field of sports analytics.
The outcomes of the SSAC research paper competition extend beyond individual careers. The research presented contributes to the development of more sophisticated analytics tools, influencing strategic decisions in sports management and operations. The conference also provides a platform for researchers to connect with industry leaders, fostering collaboration and innovation.
Jessica Gelman, CEO of Kraft Analytics Group (KAGR) and co-founder of the MIT Sloan Sports Analytics Conference, is a key figure in promoting sports analytics research and its practical applications. Professional teams now routinely employ analytics staffers, and Daryl Morey MBA '00, the general manager of the Houston Rockets, is an MIT Sloan graduate who co-founded the conference.
Examining data since 1985, Christopher Walters and Tyler Williams have found that, other things being equal, teams eliminated from the playoffs mysteriously lose 14 percent more frequently when they have the chance to improve their lottery odds than in games where their lottery odds are unaffected. Their research suggests that some NBA teams "tank," or stop trying, in order to improve their chances in the NBA draft lottery.
The SSAC continues to push the boundaries of sports analytics, showcasing innovative applications of data analytics in sports. With the inclusion of Bill James this year, the conference is set to further cement its position as the premier event in the sports analytics field.
[1] The due date for submissions for the 2026 conference is likely to be around October of the preceding year, similar to previous years. [2] A study on real-time soccer video analytics developed a sequential fusion-based approach named GameFlow, which enhances the understanding of ball-player interactions and player speed estimation in dynamic environments. [3] Dr. Patrick Lucey, who leads AI efforts at Stats Perform and has presented at the MIT Sloan Sports Analytics Conference, contributes significantly to the field through his research and leadership. [4] By 1982, "The Bill James Baseball Abstract" had gained a national publisher and wide following. [5] Bill James became a baseball insider himself, as an adviser to the Boston Red Sox, by 2002.
- The MIT Sloan Sports Analytics Conference (SSAC) is a leading event in the sports analytics field, recognized for its cutting-edge research presentations.
- Established in 2007, the SSAC aims to encourage and recognize outstanding research in sports analytics, focusing on innovative methodologies and insights.
- One of the standout papers from the competition was a study by Gartheeban Ganeshapillai and John Guttag, demonstrating that some pitchers in baseball are predictable in their pitch selection based on various factors.
- In a separate study, Robert Ayer MBA '11 found that certain combinations of individual skills in NBA players best complement each other in a team context.
- The SSAC research paper competition is judged based on originality, technical merit, clarity, and relevance to the sports industry.
- Winning or participating in the competition can provide a significant career boost for researchers in the field of sports analytics.
- The conference also provides a platform for researchers to connect with industry leaders, fostering collaboration and innovation.
- With the inclusion of Bill James this year, the conference is set to further cement its position as the premier event in the sports analytics field, contributing to the development of more sophisticated analytics tools and influencing strategic decisions in sports management and operations.
