These days there is plenty of media attention around the fact that people of all ages don't spend as much time participating in sport and physical activity as they should. Yet the truth behind the headlines is that sport is ranked in our top five pastimes. Of course, "enjoying sport" doesn't just mean going to the park and throwing a ball around. Most of us like to stay abreast of professional leagues and events, from traditional regular seasons like the NFL, NBA and NHL to global events such as last year's soccer World Cup in Russia.
There are a wealth of apps you can download that are dedicated to sport, but which ones deserve a place on your iPhone? Let's separate the wheat from the chaff and take a look at some of the very best.
ESPN
Think of sports coverage, and the above four letters are the ones that immediately spring to mind. ESPN is the go-to resource for sports fans, not just in the USA but across the world, and is one of the App Store's "essentials." The sheer volume of sports coverage can be a little overwhelming at first, but you can set up a personalized feed to ensure that the news, scores and video highlights that appeal to you are the ones that appear on your front page. If your sporting tastes are eclectic, or you like to follow international events, this is the app for you. For example, the recent cricket world cup over in the UK received just as much in-depth coverage as the current MLB season.
Bet365
For many sports fans, placing a wager on the outcome of a game, a fight or a race is all part of the fun, and there are dozens of bookmaker apps out there on which to do so. When it comes to choosing the best mobile betting app, there are several factors to keep in mind. Some are down to personal preference in terms of the interface and usability, while others concern the sports covered and the types of bet you can place. Bet365 ticks all the right boxes, and was one of the first to offer live betting on soccer games, meaning you can even place a wager after the game is underway. It's a fascinating new development in the world of sports betting, and something that simply would not have been possible prior to the internet age. Last year, Bet365 added NHL to its live betting options, and you can be sure that it will soon be available for other sports, too.
Bleacher Report
This takes more of a 21st century approach to sports reporting – instead of going to the inconvenience of creating its own sports content, it curates the best from across the web and gathers it for you in one place. The app is free to download and you can personalize the feed to deliver the type of content you want to make sure you always have the very latest at your fingertips on your favorite team. A particularly nice touch with this app is that it even scours social media for trending news and gossip, and similarly gives you the opportunity to share its content across your own news feeds. Bleacher Report provides the digital version of that "water cooler chat" that many of us miss so much in the age of virtual workplaces, which is reason enough in itself to make sure it has pride of place on your smartphone.
Fox Sports GO
Fox has been a leader in sports coverage since long before the internet age, and this mobile app is helping them to stay at the top of the pack. It is an add-on to their main mobile app, and one that allows existing subscribers to watch live coverage of selected sports spectacles wherever they are and on a range of mobile platforms. The games and events that are covered is truly mind blowing, including NFL, NHL, Nascar, UFC and plenty more besides. You can also catch all your favorite sport-related TV shows like Nascar Race Hub and UFC Tonight. Unlike other apps on here, you will need a subscription to access the services, but if you are a die-hard sports fan, you probably have that in place already via cable services.
CBS Sports
Fox and CBS go together like Simon and Garfunkel, and the relationship is often just as acrimonious. On the face of it, the CBS app doesn't do anything that Fox or ESPN's offering doesn't but that is actually its main benefit. If you just want to check out the main news relating to the main leagues, ie NFL, MLB, NHL, NBA, NCAA and MLS, this could easily end up becoming your go-to app. CBS cuts straight to the chase, leaving out the minor leagues and fringe sports, so you get a great top-level summary of the things that really matter. You can also set up push notifications to keep you updated on particular leagues or games. As with Fox, there are additional benefits for those who have an existing cable subscription, and these offerings are set to be expanded over the coming weeks and months. For those who prefer old-fashioned coverage, the app also gives you direct access to CBS Radio.
NBC Sport
Again, this is an app that might initially seem similar to those of the rival networks. However, each has its own strengths and weaknesses, and there are two areas in which NBC scores particularly high. The first is in its motorsport coverage. If Nascar, IndyCar and Formula One are your sporting lifeblood, then you definitely need the NBC app on your iPhone. The other draw here is more of a "watch this space" – when the 2020 Olympics rolls around, the rumors are that NBC will be the go-to app for live coverage, news and streaming in real time from Japan. Finally, the fact that this app is fully compatible with AirPlay makes it an obvious choice to watch on your Apple TV or other compatible device.
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