Regular visitors of Notinhalloffame.com know that we are slowly working on the top 50 of every major team in the NHL, NBA, NFL, and MLB. Once that is done, we will examine how each team honors its past players, coaches, and executives. As such, it is important to us that the Erie Otters of the Ontario Hockey League will retire the number 97 of Connor McDavid.

The event will occur on January 10 during Erie’s home game against Saginaw.

Receiving a special exemption (Exceptional Player Status) to enter the OHL Draft at age 15 (only John Tavares and Aaron Ekblad have also done so), McDavid scored 285 Points in three OHL seasons and won multiple individual awards, including the CHL Player of the Year in 2015.

McDavid becomes the third player to have his number retired by the Otters, as he follows Brad Boyes (#16) and Vince Scott (#18).

We here at Notinhalloffame.com would like to congratulate Connor McDavid for his impending honor.

Regular visitors of Notinhalloffame.com know that we are slowly working on the top 50 of every major team in the NHL, NBA, NFL, and MLB. Once that is done, we will examine how each team honors its past players, coaches, and executives. As such, it is important to us that in honor of its 125^th Anniversary, the Italian club AC Milan has announced the formation of its own Hall of Fame.  Defender Franco Baresi will be its inaugural member.

Baresi played for AC Milan for his entire 20-year career (1977-97), during which he experienced the highest of highs and lowest of lows. He helped them win the 1978-79 Serie A title.   Becoming the team captain in 1982, Beresi anchored the club to five more Serie A wins (1988, 1992, 1993, 1994 & 1996), three European Cups (1989, 1990, & 1994), two European Super Cups (1990 & 1994) and two International Cups (1989 & 1990).  Individually, he was the runner-up for the 1989 Ballon d’Or, was named the AC Milan Player of the Century and Serie A Player of the Century, and was inducted into the Italian Football Hall of Fame in 2013.

Internationally, Baresi, a beacon of Italian football, led Italy to Gold in the 1982 World Cup and runners-up in the 1994 World Cup.

Moving forward, the Hall will have two categories: Elected Members (chosen through a voting process of registered AC Milan fans) and Honored Members (who will be inducted at the club’s discretion.).  There will be a four-year initial phase, where the Hall will focus on Strikers (2024), Midfielders (2025), Defenders (2026), and Goalies (2027).  Following the four years, the ballot will be open to all positions.

To qualify for the AC Milan Hall of Fame, a candidate must have played at least 50 Games, have conducted themselves with excellence and distinction, and be officially retired as a player.

We here at Notinhalloffame.com would like to congratulate AC Milan for this accomplishment.

The sports entertainment industry has huge and engaging audiences worldwide through live sports events, close analyses, and commentaries. However, online gaming, relatively a new entrant in this space, is changing the way millions of viewers now consume and view sports. This can be achieved either through an interactivity platform, fantasy sports, or live streaming of online games.

Fantasy Sports and Simulations Take Off

Fantasy sports have been in existence for nearly several decades. Online gaming has taken them to unprecedented heights. It adds an extra layer of excitement to the conventional scenario of sports as it enables the fans to be tied closer to action with much ease.

Another way online games change the game is through sports simulation. In this regard, FIFA, Madden, and NBA 2K play in ways that create sports situations closely resembling professional athletes and actual management roles.

Live Streaming and Interactive Engagement

The present reality is live streaming of sports content consumption. For example, through Twitch and YouTube, audiences can presently receive direct streaming of live events and tournaments of games and eSports competitions. This has given a new dimension to sports entertainment by allowing fans to comment on streamers, interact with them, and even participate in online events.

As viewers can comment in real-time, live streaming has more effectively become a popular platform through which fans would want to see more than the game. Combining all the aspects related to games and sports, live streaming has produced an entertainment hybrid that attracts casual viewers and diehard fans alike.

Expanding the Experience of Fans

An online game platform can allow one to be in a better relationship with fans as far as the involvement or participation part of it rather than the view-based experience. Practically every online platform carries some form of gamified content, including online quizzes, challenges, and predictions for favorite sports teams and leagues. It had become possible to turn about, thus turning on an interactive nature of the experience and the personal significance of being an active participant instead of a mere spectator.

Role of Mobile Gaming

Mobile gaming has further accelerated the sports entertainment revolution. A super-sophisticated smartphone, now affordable to the masses, allows a fan to play sport-related games at his or her convenience and choosing. From fantasy leagues to sports simulations, just about every type of experience is available through mobile apps to any age group.

Apart from traditional sports games, mobile platforms have also invented non-traditional games, such as lottery and predicting games. Such games allow the user to test their knowledge about sports or predict the result of any specific event to win awards. For example, fans can play lottery games online to attach this new spice and fun element that combines games and sports.

Online Games: Redefining the Shape of Sports

Online gaming is here to stay and forms the majority of the future sports entertainment landscape owing to the continued innovation in technology. Layering live games on sporting and eSports events has brought forth a new form of entertainment that can reach a wide audience. This will be through interactive live streams, fantasy sports, lottery-style games, and so many more forms of experiences with sports that fans engage in.

Besides, the distinction between games and sports entertainment is becoming even more blurry. Thus, there are many more ways to engage and interact with your favorite team, athlete, or event.

Conclusion

Online games have transformed the face of sports fandom in terms of increased interaction, absorption, and personification. As the level of technology evolves, playing games would seemingly hold closely to sports, thus possibilities about the future of sports entertainment come to life indeed.

Online gaming has gathered much momentum, and sports enthusiasts are at the most prominent level. The primary reasons include a competition-thrill activity and the urge to stay abreast with their favorite sports. More sports fans get fascinated by online games, as these not only provide entertainment but also give new dimensions to their beloved sports.

Let's dive deeper into why online games have been going straight to the top of the sports fandom and how they are changing the face of fandom.

Passion Combined With Interaction

People are naturally competitive and would love a game of sports, and online games tap into that drive. The nature of such games that allow the excitement of competition with others like themselves is very much in line with what is usually enjoyed in live sports. Besides, online gaming at FB9999 provides fans with access to games replicating their favorite sports, providing another level of thrill and excitement.

Stay Tuned To The Sports World

The good thing about video games online is that fans never get deprived of their favorite sports even during the off-season. Traditionally, they only interact with their favorite teams and athletes when those are going on. Now, because of video games, the option opens to interact throughout the year. Thus, it solidifies the gap between seasons and keeps passion alive.

The game will enable fans to share experiences in imitating any given match, forming teams, or even participating in leagues pretty much like in real life. This means they do not put aside the world of sports at any time of the year.

Social Experience

The other reason it's becoming very popular among sports enthusiasts is the social value it affords. Most games have multiplayer features or modes. All the people sharing similar interests in games could talk, connect, and get along well with one another. They would get to know more people who like playing or watching the same sport as them.

What is valuable to the gaming platforms is the agreement between fans who can discuss strategies through live chats and forums. They share the highlights of the game and long-lasting connections more than just playing solo games becomes a shared passion.

Enhanced Experience and Realism

It is on technology that online games, especially, have relied to become more attractive to sports fans. Advanced graphics, realistic play, and immersing virtual reality make gaming a better experience. Fans can feel the thrill of being part of the game. Being real, the games look like actual games and those are several intriguing reasons why they would attract authentic sports fans.

For all those sports enthusiasts aspiring to feel the thrill of managing a team. This makes critical game decisions, or feeling what sensations their favorite players do, online games fit the bill.

The Emergence of Esports

Esports, or competitive video gaming, has exploded in the last two years. This new sideline of competition thrills many sports enthusiasts. Traditional sports rely on physical activities, whereas esports rely on strategy and quick thinking. As viewers view the tournament coverage, they are also engaged in competitive gaming themselves.

Accessible and Convenient

Perhaps one of the best features of online games is their accessibility. A sports fan does not need to wait for a live game to take place or spend thousands of dollars to be able to relish his favorite game. An online game may easily be accessed from any location to enable fans to jump into a game whenever they want.

It's pretty obvious why these games are so heavily sought after for their convenience. One can play their game on either a computer or by using a mobile phone at their convenience, which makes it ideally suited for entertainment purposes.

Conclusion

Online gaming presents a new trend among sports fans, especially because of the thrill of competition and the desire to stay connected to their favorite sports. The ability to simulate real-world experiences in sports makes online games a new avenue where fans can indulge their passion.