There are many different groups in smart glasses. Privacy advocates worry about the potential using facial recognition. Courts are concerned about the potential subverts the judicial process. There are cruise ships worried about glass holes. Now professional sports also draw a line.
As reported Indian ExpressThe Indian Premier League – the advisory body for the country’s most popular cricket league – has now issued a public warning against the use of smart glasses by both players and staff when they are in “restricted matchday areas”. According to the board, the gadgets are prohibited by previous bans against communication devices in restricted areas, including fields.
The reason appears to have more to do with fixed matches/betting than players gaining a competitive edge, with a “source” telling The Indian Express that “the latest pressure highlights the league’s attempt to stay ahead of emerging integrity risks during one of world cricket’s most commercially important tournaments.”
Admittedly, I’ve watched less than zero professional cricket in my life, but even without knowing how the sport works, I can see why the world’s biggest league would want to ban smart glasses. If, for example, a player wanted to throw a match based on real-time betting lines, it would be very easy to contact an off-field bookmaker or other contact via call or text. And if there are people brave enough to communicate this way in court (in front of a judge, no less), you can bet any unscrupulous player wouldn’t hesitate.
Obviously, there are still many ways a player can do this, but there’s no denying that a discreet in-your-face contact device makes things a lot easier.
Sure, cricket may not be a big deal in the US, but I wouldn’t be surprised if similar concerns arise in the sport here. Major League Baseball (MLB) has a history of talking games and unsavory betting, and yet the biggest scandals Well in the past, sports betting by players is still a problem if a A recent investigation by the FBI getting into professional basketball is any indication.
There’s no telling if other sports leagues will follow suit Ray-Bans in the room, but it seems that smart glasses are on a collision course with just about everything these days, so if I were a betting man, I’d bet that we’ll see more of a smart glasses comeback in the coming year.
