Using the NFL Combine to Define What Data Matters: Diving Into Data

 

With topics ranging from the “underwear Olympics” to the impact of the Coronavirus on economics, this week’s episode of Diving Into Data with T.C. Riley is dynamic.

The NFL Combine, which is nicknamed the “underwear Olympics,” is an event where athletes likely to be drafted by the NFL are assessed in-person. Riley called this the “data version of scouting.” At this event, athletes’ physical features are measured, soft skills are tested, and there are opportunities for networking.

Riley pointed out that by televising this event for the past decade, “the NFL has taken over our calendars year-round.” Viewers get a peek behind the scenes at the push to make drafting an exact science. By the end of the event, athletes have scores on their physicality, skills, experience, and more. This allows teams to determine their topic picks based on the data that matters most to them. For instance, Riley highlighted that the Seattle Seahawks have often favored tall quarterbacks and the Oakland Raiders tend to prefer fast athletes.

Beyond the impact of data on the NFL, Riley also discussed data related to the spread of the Coronavirus.

During a previous episode of Diving Into Data, Riley discussed how the Coronavirus might have a global impact. Since that time, the virus has crossed borders, affecting many in Italy, Iran, and South Korea. The United States also has a few cases. As a result, there are quarantines and other challenges occurring in several countries.

The global influence of the virus still remains to be seen, but there are indications of significant economic impact. For instance, just a few weeks ago experts through the global growth forecast could go down slightly. Now, some experts are saying it could reach 1.5%, which would be half its current standing.

Riley also discussed stock market fluctuations, changes in the pollution rate in China as an indication of decreased production in factories, and more. Tune in for the details, and listen to Diving Into Data next week for discussions about Google updates affecting SEO, Super Tuesday data, and more.

For the latest news, videos, and podcasts in the Sports & Entertainment Industry, be sure to subscribe to our industry publication.

Follow us on social media for the latest updates in B2B!
Twitter – @MarketScale
Facebook – facebook.com/marketscale
LinkedIn – linkedin.com/company/marketscale

Follow us on social media for the latest updates in B2B!

Image

Latest

mentorship
WAVIT’s Mentorship Program: Cyndie Nelson on Building Careers Through Guidance
July 19, 2025

The AV industry, like many others in tech, often thrives on innovation—but it’s mentorship that sustains it. Behind every successful professional is often a mentor who provided guidance, shared hard-earned lessons, and opened doors that might have otherwise stayed shut. Programs like WAVIT (Women in AV/IT) bring this spirit of mentorship into focus by intentionally…

Read More
mentorship
Empowering Innovation: Kim Porter’s Role in the WAVIT Mentorship Program
July 19, 2025

In an industry where innovation often hinges on experience, mentorship is the bridge that connects the wisdom of the past with the promise of the future. Engineering, especially in the mechanical domain, is traditionally seen as a discipline of precision, but its culture is just as vital as its calculations. That’s why programs like WAVIT’s…

Read More
mentorship
Passion, Power, and the Mentorship Paradigm Shift in Tech
July 19, 2025

In today’s rapidly evolving tech world, mentorship has emerged as more than a professional development tool—it’s a powerful human connection that fosters resilience, purpose, and authenticity. Particularly for women in engineering and STEM, mentorship isn’t just about career guidance; it’s a lifeline to navigating environments where their voices may still fight to be heard. While…

Read More
AV
Lessons in Leadership: Mitek’s Cyndie Nelson on the Power of Mentoring Women in AV Technology
July 19, 2025

Mentorship has long been considered a cornerstone of professional development, but in the fast-evolving world of AV technology and sales, its value has never been more evident. The unspoken nuances of tradecraft—those bits of wisdom not found in textbooks—are often only accessible through the lived experience of mentors. Particularly for women in traditionally male-dominated industries,…

Read More