Usage of Drones in Sports Communication – New Aesthetics and Enlargement of Space

Starting with a brief introduction to technology of video drones, the potentials of the use of this technology are discussed in the context of sports communication. Apart from many advantages like new perspectives and spectacular pictures by the view from above there are some other interesting aspects concerning the usage of drones like reciprocal effects or security and legal aspects which get more and more relevant. The contribution discussed these controversial aspects by balancing chances and risks of usage of drones in sports. In the sense of "Design Based Research" (Reinmann, 2005) the discussion is based on selected results of an empirical accompanying research on a cooperative project with the Sports Department of the City of Hamburg related to Hamburg Year of Aquatic Sports 2014 as well as on a visitor survey during the final of the German national sailing league 2014. In conclusion the paper suggests high acceptance and appreciation regarding the application of video drones within a sports and event context on the user side.