Sports Data Analyst vs. Sports Analyst

After Moneyball in 2003 a bunch of teams were trying to figure out how to build their version of the Oakland A’s.

In 2008 only 5 NBA teams had analytics departments. Now all 30 teams have a staff of mathematicians, data scientists, and programmers. They are in charge of analyzing the raw statistical data from games and getting teams to adopt strategies based on the numbers.

When looking at sports analysis, I do not think they do an excellent job distinguishing the two different analyst types.
Here is how I define a “Sports Data Analyst” and a “Sports Analyst.”

Sports Data Analyst

• A Sports data analyst is an individual that looks at all factors, including data & analytics, when assessing performance and can build or create models for their research. They can create different algorithms to prove their point and know how to access the players from a quantitative perspective.

Sports Analyst

• A sports analyst is an individual who bases their analysis on their experience from playing the game or writing about the game. They base their analyst on their expert opinion and do not focus on strictly the quantitative aspect of the game.

I think this will change as the data and analytics departments in sports continue to grow. People will know the difference between analysts.

There is one data analyst on the ESPN network and there are way more sports analysts on ESPN. I think this will change as statstical analysis becomes more of a thing that people see on the court.

My top people in both fields are below. I am biased being a basketball guy.
GOAT Sports analyst = Stuart Scott GOAT Sports data analyst = Daryl Morey, Kirk Goldsberry