Data Decision Making in Sport: Can Players Stop Clubs from Collecting Their Data?

Abstract

Data analysis has become a fundamental aspect of the sports industry. It is used to improve performances and results, enhance experiences, and increase engagement. As technology has evolved, it has given rise to new means of data collection and analysis, and also new commercial applications for data. This article explores the interest shown by professional athletes in asserting their data rights and the data protection regulations of the United Kingdom as they relate to professional athletes. In particular, the article considers the extent to which the interests of sports clubs conflict with the rights of their players in respect of their special category data. This intervention piece argues that the current data regulations make it impracticable for sports clubs to carry out player special category data collection and analysis, to the extent required to be competitive in modern sport, without being exposed to potential claims from their players.