#8 Ben Alamar: Business Lessons from Sports Analytics

The Decision Intelligence Lab

In this episode of the Decision Intelligence Lab podcast, hosts Vijay Mehrotra and Michael Watson engage with Ben Alamar, a PhD economist and sports analytics expert. They explore the evolution of sports analytics, the impact of motion tracking technology, and the challenges of integrating data into decision-making processes in sports. Ben shares personal anecdotes about his experiences with teams, the importance of understanding risk, and the role of leadership in fostering a data-driven culture. Ben offers advice for aspiring sports analysts and concludes with recommendations for further reading.

Chapters

00:00 - Preview

1:30 - Meet Ben Alamar

3:21 - The Evolution of Sports Analytics

7:04 - Motion Tracking and Its Impact

10:03 - Translating Sports Analytics to Business

12:00 - Behavior Change and Mindset Shifts

14:40 - Risk Perception in Decision Making

19:16 - Fan Engagement and Business Objectives

20:20 - Draft Decisions: Case Studies

28:00 - Fostering Evidence-Based Culture in Sports

33:43 - Advice for Aspiring Sports Analysts

36:46 - Recommendations for Further Reading

Book Recommendations:

- "Basketball Beyond Paper" by Dean Oliver

- "Ballistic" by Henry Abbott

Check out P3 Applied Sports Science: https://www.p3.md/

Follow the show

Apple: ⁠https://podcasts.apple.com/in/podcast/the-decision-intelligence-lab/id1811085064⁠

Spotify: ⁠https://open.spotify.com/show/0lFoAVKqJHTYSZNpeN61ou?si=0ae973aab0174b3b⁠

Connect with guest

Benjamin Alamar: ⁠https://www.linkedin.com/in/benalamar/

Connect with hosts

Prof. Vijay Mehrotra (University of San Francisco): ⁠https://www.linkedin.com/in/vijay-mehrotra-ba9498/⁠

Prof. Michael Watson (Northwestern University): ⁠https://www.linkedin.com/in/michael-watson-07600a1⁠

About the podcast

The Decision Intelligence Lab podcast delivers real-world insights for data professionals, business leaders, and anyone seeking to leverage data & AI for smarter decision-making & successful business outcomes.

For business inquiries, email at ⁠[email protected]⁠