And still the contenders and their business models keep coming. It's very much about the screaming heart. It's also very much about revenue streams, and building a business solid enough to appeal to investors rattled by recent fluctuations in technology stocks. But Paul Wedge, an analyst at stockbrokers Collins Stewart, remains unconvinced about the ability of the sports-Internet marriage to generate profits in Europe. Plans for the future include webcams at the training sessions of Sportal's partner clubs, and microphones in stands to record levels of crowd singing.
Market forces are as likely to drive what happens next as technological advances.
A wave of consolidation will occur as expanding companies swallow minnows. Only the biggest players will have enough cash to pay for online highlights now and, in the future, entire games. The competition will be fierce, but for those sites that secure devoted fans and the future prosperity they may bring, it will be worth the fight. Lots of companies need workers.