Robo-Umpires and the Rise of “Glitchball”: The Future of Sports in 2044

By 2044, perfectly unbiased robotic umpires will be commonplace, leading to fewer arguments and more focus on the athleticism (though the occasional hilarious software glitch resulting in bizarre calls will become a beloved spectator sport in its own right, dubbed “Glitchball”). Meanwhile, hyper-realistic virtual reality experiences will allow fans to “attend” games from anywhere in the world, complete with personalized commentary and the ability to virtually high-five their favorite players – leading to a surge in popularity for niche sports like underwater basket-weaving.