With more sports fans coming to the brand exclusively through their smartphone, America’s leading sports broadcaster, ESPN, is pioneering the 'first screen' opportunity across platforms and sporting occasions, from the sofa to the stadium.

Adidas is stitching NFC functionality into its footwear, apparel and sporting equipment. The sports brand envisages a future in which this technology could unlock a huge number of ways to connect with consumers after they’ve made a purchase, and better anticipate trends.

People prefer wearable devices that are unobtrusive, fit into daily life and existing habits, and look stylish. But even if all these boxes are ticked, do they really want to wear technology on their wrists, faces and around their necks?

Adidas' miCoach Smart Ball aims to change the way football teams train and perform. A series of sensors track the movement of the ball, and communicate with an iOS app. Though the quantification of sports teams is nothing new, this ball-based technology treads new ground.