The NFL has named Sony its official technology partner, with the Japan-based multinational also becoming the league’s official headphone manufacturer.
Under the agreement, Sony and the NFL will work together with coaches, players, teams, and organisational leadership on sports innovation in American football..
Objectives include expanding Sony’s sports technology offerings, such as Hawk-Eye Innovations, to enhance officiating and develop new on-field and sideline technologies.
A key aspect of this collaboration is the introduction of a new coach’s sideline headset, which will debut in the 2025 season. This headset will allow coach-to-coach communication on the field, utilising Verizon Business’ Managed Private Wireless Solution on Verizon’s 5G network.
Another aspect of this partnership involves Sony’s Beyond Sports product, which specialises in real-time visualisation. The league believes that it offers a unique opportunity to engage the next generation of NFL fans by enhancing the viewing experience and making the sport more interactive and engaging.
Gary Brantley, NFL Chief Information Officer, commented: “Building upon a long-established relationship, the NFL looks forward to embracing prominent industry leader, Sony, as an official technology partner.
“Advancing technology on and off the field is a top priority for the NFL, and this partnership will fortify Sony’s role in the NFL’s ever-growing technology ecosystem, elevating various dimensions of our sport and bringing fans closer to game-day action.
“From broadening Sony’s Hawk-Eye technology within the game to utilising Sony’s suite of advanced imaging products, to the deployment of new coaches’ headsets in 2025, the NFL will harness Sony’s expertise to drive innovation and further solidify the league’s status as a premier sports organisation.”
The NFL and Sony have a long-standing partnership, with Sony products widely used in many NFL stadiums to enhance fan experiences.
Additionally, the NFL Network studios in California have recently adopted Sony technology for key operations and cameras. These studios produce shows like “Good Morning Football,” “NFL GameDay Morning,” and “The Insiders.”
Neal Manowitz, President and COO of Sony Electronics North America, said: “We are committed to creating the future of sports with technology, and constantly driving innovation to positively impact the world of athletics for players, coaches and fans alike.
“From best-in-class professional photography and the broadcast capture of the game to some of the world’s most advanced line-to-gain optical tracking, to upgraded in-stadium experiences and more, we remain focused on this commitment.
“This partnership stems from years of integration into the NFL across these many different areas, and we are excited to officially join forces and pursue our passions together with one of the largest sports organisations in the world.”
The aforementioned Hawk-Eye technology was also introduced into athletics earlier this year, following the Japanese company announcing a partnership with World Athletics.
