MLS found itself in a bit of hot water over the weekend after publishing artificial intelligence-generated match recaps to its website without any human oversight.<\/p>\n
According to a report by Margaret Fleming in Front Office Sports<\/a>, MLS began using the AI to write standard game recaps \u201cand isn\u2019t double checking their accuracy.\u201d Two recaps from this weekend\u2019s contests included a disclaimer at the bottom: \u201cThis story was automatically generated based on match data. Content has not been reviewed by editorial staff.\u201d<\/p>\n Both match recaps, one from an Orlando City-Vancouver Whitecaps game and another from an Inter Miami-Atlanta United game, featured short write-ups describing key moments in the game with little detail. The first paragraph of the Orlando-Vancouver recap reads as follows:<\/p>\n \u201cOrlando started brightly with Adri\u00e1n Mar\u00edn forcing a blocked shot in the 4\u2032, followed by a corner in the 5\u2032 and Luis Muriel\u2019s header being saved in the 6\u2032. Vancouver responded with Thomas M\u00fcller\u2019s shot saved in the 10\u2032 and created several corners throughout the first half. After Duncan McGuire replaced Robin Jansson in the 18\u2032, Orlando took the lead in the 24\u2032 when Dagur Thorhallsson finished from the center of the box, assisted by Duncan McGuire and Mart\u00edn Ojeda.\u201d<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n One would be fair to question who exactly this type of content is for, at least in its current state. The recaps lack much context or depth, and don\u2019t really provide any information one couldn\u2019t consume in a more digestible format by simply looking at the box score.<\/p>\n Of course, the intention is for the AI-generated material to get better over time. In fact, MLS is even soliciting feedback from readers at the bottom of the game recaps by linking to a form to share opinions.<\/p>\n The league\u2019s decision to be forthcoming about the lack of editorial oversight is also notable. Many other leagues and sports-focused publications use AI for recap articles without any disclaimers.<\/p>\n Per an MLS spokesperson, the AI-generated recaps used this past weekend were a dry run. And if the league were to roll out the technology at scale, each recap would be reviewed by a human prior to publishing.<\/p>\n MLS is far from the first league or publication to utilize AI-generated content. Earlier this year, the WTA was blasted by fans<\/a> for using AI-generated images of its own players on its website. ESPN has caught flak for its use of AI match recaps, like when it forgot to mention<\/a> USWNT star Alex Morgan was playing her final game for NWSL\u2019s San Diego Wave. Just this summer, Yahoo laid off multiple writers in its fantasy sports vertical before debuting AI-generated content<\/a> in their place.<\/p>\n The worry from consumers is that this type of content will only serve to diminish quality. Whereas before a human would write a game recap, potentially including some enlightening commentary or context, now AI-written recaps simply provide the bare bones, sometimes missing crucial details.<\/p>\n To be fair, MLS seems to be employing the technology in a more responsible manner than most. And quite honestly, it\u2019s unlikely anyone would\u2019ve batted an eye if it weren\u2019t for the league\u2019s prominent disclaimer. But that hasn\u2019t stopped the critics.<\/p>\n The Athletic\u2019s MLS insider Tom Bogert took to social media over the weekend to slam the league\u2019s decision.<\/p>\n This sucks. A lot.<\/p>\n I know from my own experience doing it\u2014 it is NOT expensive to pay humans to do this. I got invaluable development working there. As did countless others.<\/p>\n But hey look at that, here\u2019s a feedback form in case you also think it sucks https:\/\/t.co\/08nytMp3Aw<\/a> pic.twitter.com\/p7oMxAQ9cI<\/a><\/p>\n \u2014 Tom Bogert (@tombogert) October 12, 2025<\/a><\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n \u201cThis sucks. A lot,\u201d he wrote. Others echoed the sentiment.<\/p>\n Out of all the leagues, it had to be them first. Not only does the language feel dead but it\u2019s funny that the staff doesn\u2019t even review the article. pic.twitter.com\/xAwmTSBubW<\/a><\/p>\n\n
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