Tottenham’s Brennan Johnson and Wolves’ Max Kilman become first Premier League players to wear body cameras during warm-ups as TNT tries out groundbreaking technology
- The pair took fans through their warm-up ahead of kick-off at 12.30pm on Saturday
- Wolves and Tottenham are the first clubs to trial the technology during the league season
- Why Luton is the team that can stand out from promoted clubs: It all comes to the surface
Tottenham’s Brennan Johnson and Wolves’ Max Kilman have become the first players in the Premier League to wear body cameras as they go through their pre-match warm-up at Molineux.
IFAB laws do not allow the technology to be used in competitive matches, but TNT Sports – which has struck a deal with the Premier League to greenlight the technology – hopes Saturday’s trial during the warm-up offering viewers a unique perspective, with footage uploaded from the player’s bodycam immediately before broadcast.
Johnson and Kilman got the chance to try out the technology Saturday morning and took viewers through their preparations ahead of kickoff.
Broadcast footage showed players completing passing drills, interacting with teammates and receiving instructions from their coaches before heading back into the tunnel.
“It just gives a new generation of fans insight into how warm-ups work,” expert Joleon Lescott told TNT.
Wolves’ Max Kilman (left) and Spurs’ Brennan Johnson were the first players to try out bodycams
The Tottenham star was filmed adjusting the technology before taking to the pitch
The footage gives viewers a unique glimpse into how the preparations are carried out prior to the match
But the former Manchester City man was a little coy about the technology used in a match situation.
“I wouldn’t have accepted that it would have been a distraction for me,” the ex-player added. ‘Not necessarily in training, but I wouldn’t have worn them in matches.
“Maybe it’s superstition – I got injured twice wearing one – so I would have said ‘no way’.”
Joe Cole was more enthusiastic, saying the footage looked like he was “behind the player’s eyes,” but he couldn’t resist the lighthearted teasing.
“I’d be tempted to put gum on it just to mess with someone!” Cole said. ‘But it’s a great insight; it’s as if the player’s eyes are warming up.
‘It’s fantastic’
On Thursday, Mail Sport exclusively reported on the test drive of the device, which was made by Mindfly.
The Israeli start-up behind bodycams created a special AI-powered stabilization bodycam, which is attached to an ‘ultra-light’ vest.
The tiny camera is stitched onto a GPS vest under the shirt, with a small hole in the jersey at chest height to allow the lens to view the game.
Johnson shared footage of Spurs completing group exercises ahead of the 12.30pm kick-off
The cameras are even wired to be found and can transmit images, including audio of player conversations while running drills
It takes about two minutes to connect players and get them ready for use.
A wide-angle view of the field is captured and later cropped using AI automatic detection to sharpen the action. The bodycam also uses SteadiCam stabilization technology to ensure smooth footage suitable for broadcast.
The camera has an unbreakable screen and is so light that it is marketed as ‘invisible’.
Previously, Sky Sports used body cameras from a different system in pre-match situations on two occasions last season, one involving Brentford in a match against Bournemouth and another involving Brighton when they took on Manchester United.