NFL inches closer to ending ‘chain gangs’ with preseason Hawk-Eye trial
The NFL is moving closer to replacing the chain gang with new technology to measure the profit line.
NFL executive Gary Brantley told the Associated Press that the league will test Sony’s Hawk-Eye technology during some preseason games. The system likely won’t be ready for full implementation until next season, though it could happen sooner.
“We’re in the installation phase of all of our stadiums, really calibrating them and getting them up to date,” said Brantley, the NFL’s senior vice president and chief information officer. “We’re just getting to the point where this system is as accurate as it can be, and we’re really calibrating all of our stadiums. We have multiple stadiums with multiple dimensions in those stadiums with different ages. So we’re just in the process of installing the infrastructure and getting these cameras installed.”
Sony, which was named an official technology partner of the NFL on Wednesday, has expanded its sports technology footprint through Hawk-Eye Innovations to support refereeing and the development of on-field and sideline technologies, including a new headset for sideline coaches scheduled for release in 2025.
Hawk-Eye’s line-to-gain tracking services add cameras to stadiums to track players, officials and the ball. The optimized tracking system instantly notifies officials when a first down is achieved after the ball is spotted by hand.
“We shave off a significant amount of time, 40 seconds for every time we use it, which actually makes the game much more impactful,” said Neal Manowitz, Sony president and chief operations officer. “And the system is also accurate to within half an inch, which is incredibly, incredibly accurate. Hopefully the fans will appreciate the objective view, or at least half the fans will appreciate it on every play.”
The NFL has long used two bright orange sticks and a chain to measure first downs, which has led to many controversial momentsThat method would be used as a backup.
In addition to new line-to-gain measurement technology and new headsets for coach communication, Sony is working with the NFL to improve sideline photography, broadcast cameras, production and more.