Is the future of sports reporting…written by robots? That’s the question nagging at me after reading the box score from Detroit Mercy’s 74-70 win over Green Bay. The Associated Press now openly admits to using technology from Data Skrive and Sportradar to create these stories, not just distribute data. And while a straightforward recap of a Horizon League game might seem low-stakes, this isn’t about basketball. It’s about the creeping automation of narrative, and what that means for the human element – and the jobs – tied to telling those narratives. The real story here isn’t the Titans’ victory, spearheaded by Orlando Lovejoy’s impressive 33-point performance, it’s the quiet revolution happening in the press box.
The game itself was a tight contest. Lovejoy didn’t just score; he facilitated, adding five assists to his tally. Lance Stone contributed 10 points, efficiently shooting 2-for-3 from beyond the arc, while Legend Geeter demonstrated a curious stat line – 1-for-7 from the field, but a perfect 6-for-6 from the free throw line, ending with eight points. These details, dutifully recorded, are the building blocks of the AP’s automated report. On the Green Bay side, Preston Ruedinger led with 19 points, alongside six assists and three steals, supported by Justin Allen and CJ O'Hara, both scoring 17 points. But consider this: these stats existed before Data Skrive and Sportradar got involved. What’s new is the transformation of those numbers into a coherent, if somewhat sterile, news story.
This isn’t some distant, futuristic threat. The AP has been experimenting with automated journalism for years, initially focusing on earnings reports and minor league baseball. The expansion into college basketball, even at the Horizon League level, signals a clear escalation. The argument, of course, is efficiency. Why pay a human reporter to churn out a game recap when an algorithm can do it faster and cheaper? But efficiency comes at a cost. These automated reports lack the nuance, the local color, the feel of a game. They don’t capture the energy of the crowd, the subtle shifts in momentum, or the human stories unfolding on the court. They are, fundamentally, data regurgitation, not journalism.
Based on the original CBS Sports report.
The Data Skrive Difference: Beyond Basic Reporting
Data Skrive, the technology powering this shift, isn’t simply stringing together numbers with pre-written phrases. According to their marketing materials, it uses “natural language generation” to create original text. That’s a fancy way of saying it’s mimicking human writing. And it’s getting better. The AP report on the Detroit Mercy-Green Bay game isn’t riddled with grammatical errors or nonsensical sentences. It’s…competent. Which is precisely the problem. Competent, but devoid of personality. Competent, but ultimately replaceable. The Phoenix finished the season with a 16-14 record, 11-8 in the Horizon League, a respectable showing, but a detail that feels strangely hollow when delivered by an algorithm.
What This Means for Local Sports Coverage
The impact won’t be felt in the NBA or major college football. Those games will still have dedicated, human reporters. But what about smaller conferences, local high school games, or even minor league sports? These are the areas most vulnerable to automation. For many aspiring journalists, these are the proving grounds, the places where they hone their skills and build their portfolios. If those opportunities disappear, where will the next generation of sports writers come from? The AP’s move isn’t just about saving money; it’s about reshaping the entire ecosystem of sports journalism.
The 2026 Copyright Notice: A Telling Detail
Look closely at the copyright notice: “Copyright 2026 STATS LLC and Associated Press.” 2026. That’s not a typo. The story, published now, is already anticipating its future ownership. It’s a subtle but telling detail, suggesting that the AP views this automated content as a distinct asset, separate from the work of its human reporters. This isn’t about augmenting journalism; it’s about creating a parallel system, one where algorithms generate content and data companies own the rights.
The Future of the Game Story
Here’s what I predict: by the end of 2027, you’ll be able to customize your sports news feed to receive entirely AI-generated reports, tailored to your specific preferences. Want a game recap focused solely on three-point shooting? Done. Want a story that emphasizes player rivalries? No problem. The human element will become a premium feature, reserved for in-depth analysis, investigative reporting, and feature stories. The basic game story, the bread and butter of sports journalism, will be largely automated. The question isn’t if this will happen, but when will you realize you’re reading a story written by a machine?
