It started with subtleties.
In 2061 the NFL incorporated simple holograms to give the effect of a flaming football being hurled. Figure skaters used magical effects to bedazzle their performances, and UFC fighters felt empowered when throwing electrified haymakers.
Sports that had been declining in viewers skyrocketed. And, by 2066, nearly every current event employed special effects or "SFX."
Plenty believed that illusions diminished the art of genuine competitive sports. Though they were the minority and younger generations quickly pushed for a change.
New leagues were formed that catered to fans hankering for fictitious competition. The core mechanics behind sports remained, but flare and glamour became the name of the game.
A person's physical shape became less prevalent as players could triumph by simply having an understanding of whatever effects they were using.
It became feasible for a renowned athlete to be toppled by an amateur in a new SFX league. In one instance, a pro boxer with a decade of experience was dropped by a new fighter. Put simply, the pro who honed and relied on their fist wanted to make a statement. That the art of boxing wouldn't lose to technology. Well, he was wrong. His mastery in boxing didn't help when his opponent activated her unique ability and summoned shadow clones to swarm their enemy.
The author's content has been appropriated; report any instances of this story on Amazon.
Not only did SFX become more mainstream, but that match opened the gateway for mixed-gender leagues. Females could compete on the same field as men, with many rising to spotlighted standings.
With its rising favor and the influx of athletes and money gained, SFX sports evolved even more.
In 2070, a billionaire tech company named "Tech FX" purchased military-grade nanobots from the United States Army. They pledged to create dynamic visual illusions without holograms, effects you could hear and feel when coming in contact.
The industry evolved. Nay, it revolutionized. Unlike before, the SFX became physical manifestations that played a MUCH larger role in who was stronger. The company's expert technicians programmed limiters to halt the nanobot's lethality but players would still burn, and feel blunt force attacks. After perfecting their craft, the company created millions of unique powers, coding the nanobots to perform an ability, then compacting them inside a steel sphere.
Despite being branded as harmless, "nanospheres" still required proof of identification upon purchase. Still, that didn't stop them from selling like hotcakes. Due to an influx of active individuals, obesity rates dropped, and athletes flooded newly founded leagues.
The NFL was rebranded to the "SFX NFL" and increased from 32 teams to 60. Similar increases happened in other sports like, formula 1, hockey, tennis, etc...
There was no restriction on who could join, but becoming notable was a challenge; thus, talent agencies were formed to scout exceptional players for their teams.
Despite their differences, most nations could unite for Olympic events and watch their proud citizens conquer other countries in sports.
It was a golden time in which the world shared a joint interest—a reawakening of athletics.