DSA Labs Blog
Insights, research, and perspectives on sports analytics and performance technology.
From 112 Firstbeat Metrics to the 38 That Actually Matter (and the 10 That Matter Most) — Ice Hockey Edition
Wearables and GPS platforms like Firstbeat are incredible at capturing everything — and that's the problem. We reduced 112 metrics to the 38 that correlate with on-ice performance, then isolated the 10 that carry most of the predictive signal.
February 16, 2026
Scott Krotee
Industry Takeaways at the Intersection of Sport, Data, and Business Innovation
Data collection in soccer is scaling rapidly. Decision-making is not keeping pace. This year's United Soccer Coaches Convention revealed a widening gap between the volume of data teams collect and their ability to translate it into clarity. The next phase of competitive advantage will not come from more inputs, but from understanding what actually matters.
January 19, 2026
Scott Krotee
What a Year of NIL Data Taught Us About the Market
Over the past year, deal velocity increased, headlines multiplied, and budgets expanded—but clarity did not. With 9,000+ player-level NIL observations, we learned what actually drives value in the NIL market.
January 17, 2026
Scott Krotee
What the Transfer Portal Is Actually Doing: Why Capital Is Moving Faster Than Decision Quality
Trends from Jan 6 to Jan 11 reveal that capital allocation and transactions are accelerating rapidly in the transfer portal—but decision efficiency is not. Programs are separating into distinct behavioral camps, and the gaps between them are widening.
January 11, 2026
Scott Krotee
How the Transfer Portal Changed College Recruiting Forever
The NCAA Transfer Portal has revolutionized college recruiting. College coaches now have a direct line to players in the portal, allowing them to recruit players faster and more efficiently.
January 10, 2026
Scott Krotee
Who's Actually Winning the Transfer Portal?
Analysis reveals which programs are actually upgrading their rosters through the transfer portal—and it's not about volume. Using DSA Impact Rankings and Fair Market Value data, we identify the real winners and the volume trap.
January 6, 2026
Scott Krotee
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