The world of competitive sports is one of humanity's most rigorous laboratories for innovation. But in many ways, sports can be fundamentally conservative when it comes to new technologies. From training tools that can track a player's fitness with precision to media platforms that open up new ways to connect with fans, athletes, teams, and leagues constantly balance the tension between cutting edge development and the risks and challenges associated with change. We will examine the factors at work in those tensions, drill down into specific examples where technological adoption has been stifled, and talk about how sports can accelerate the pace of innovation.