{"id":16848,"date":"2016-11-18T00:14:39","date_gmt":"2016-11-18T05:14:39","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/digital.hbs.edu\/platform-rctom\/submission\/nfl\/"},"modified":"2016-11-18T00:14:39","modified_gmt":"2016-11-18T05:14:39","slug":"football-2-0","status":"publish","type":"hck-submission","link":"https:\/\/d3.harvard.edu\/platform-rctom\/submission\/football-2-0\/","title":{"rendered":"Football 2.0"},"content":{"rendered":"<p>Athletes and coaches at the professional level often possess an unapologetically meticulous attention to detail when it comes to boosting performance, and the evolution of digital technology has enhanced the value of this instinct in a huge way.<\/p>\n<p class=\"p1\">Since the 2014, the National Football League (NFL) has partnered with Illinois-based <a href=\"https:\/\/www.zebra.com\/us\/en.html\">Zebra Technologies<\/a> to outfit their players with coin-sized radio-frequency identification (RFID) chips, one in each shoulder pad, to track their activity on the field. Additionally, 20 sensors that communicate with these chips have been installed in each of the 30+ NFL stadiums [1].<\/p>\n<figure id=\"attachment_16765\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-16765\" style=\"width: 408px\" class=\"wp-caption alignright\"><a href=\"https:\/\/d3.harvard.edu\/platform-rctom\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/4\/2016\/11\/cio.jpg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"wp-image-16765\" src=\"https:\/\/d3.harvard.edu\/platform-rctom\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/4\/2016\/11\/cio-75x300.jpg\" alt=\"cio\" width=\"408\" height=\"1632\" srcset=\"https:\/\/d3.harvard.edu\/platform-rctom\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/4\/2016\/11\/cio-75x300.jpg 75w, https:\/\/d3.harvard.edu\/platform-rctom\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/4\/2016\/11\/cio-768x3072.jpg 768w, https:\/\/d3.harvard.edu\/platform-rctom\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/4\/2016\/11\/cio-256x1024.jpg 256w, https:\/\/d3.harvard.edu\/platform-rctom\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/4\/2016\/11\/cio-150x600.jpg 150w, https:\/\/d3.harvard.edu\/platform-rctom\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/4\/2016\/11\/cio.jpg 900w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 408px) 100vw, 408px\" \/><\/a><figcaption id=\"caption-attachment-16765\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">Zebra Technologies&#8217; Motionworks System [1].<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p class=\"p1\">If this seems odd, consider this: With this RFID technology in place, each player&#8217;s field position, speed, distance traveled, and acceleration can all be captured in real time whenever a\u00a0player is suited up [1]. Two obvious uses of this data are live feedback during games and practices, and post-game analysis to improve for next week. Using Zebra&#8217;s technology,\u00a0answers to some key\u00a0questions have\u00a0become much more accessible and quantifiable:<\/p>\n<p class=\"p1\">Is every player where they need to be during each play?<\/p>\n<p class=\"p1\">How does that compare to the last time we played this team?<\/p>\n<p class=\"p1\">Do I always make the same, predictable move when it\u2019s 4<sup>th<\/sup> and 1?<\/p>\n<p class=\"p1\">Is anyone consistently reacting late to the hike?<\/p>\n<p class=\"p1\">How hard did my quarterback just get hit?<\/p>\n<p>The list goes on, and these are all questions players and coaching staff would love to explore. Some of the potential secondary uses of this data, however, make the move even more exciting for the NFL, its partners, and the fans.<\/p>\n<p><figure id=\"attachment_16882\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-16882\" style=\"width: 545px\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\"><a href=\"https:\/\/d3.harvard.edu\/platform-rctom\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/4\/2016\/11\/geekwire3.png\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"wp-image-16882 \" src=\"https:\/\/d3.harvard.edu\/platform-rctom\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/4\/2016\/11\/geekwire3-300x166.png\" alt=\"geekwire3\" width=\"545\" height=\"302\" srcset=\"https:\/\/d3.harvard.edu\/platform-rctom\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/4\/2016\/11\/geekwire3-300x166.png 300w, https:\/\/d3.harvard.edu\/platform-rctom\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/4\/2016\/11\/geekwire3-600x332.png 600w, https:\/\/d3.harvard.edu\/platform-rctom\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/4\/2016\/11\/geekwire3.png 620w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 545px) 100vw, 545px\" \/><\/a><figcaption id=\"caption-attachment-16882\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">Zebra Technologies used during broadcasting [4].<\/figcaption><\/figure><figure id=\"attachment_16767\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-16767\" style=\"width: 545px\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\"><a href=\"https:\/\/d3.harvard.edu\/platform-rctom\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/4\/2016\/11\/geekwire1.png\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"wp-image-16767\" src=\"https:\/\/d3.harvard.edu\/platform-rctom\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/4\/2016\/11\/geekwire1-300x165.png\" alt=\"geekwire1\" width=\"545\" height=\"300\" srcset=\"https:\/\/d3.harvard.edu\/platform-rctom\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/4\/2016\/11\/geekwire1-300x165.png 300w, https:\/\/d3.harvard.edu\/platform-rctom\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/4\/2016\/11\/geekwire1-600x330.png 600w, https:\/\/d3.harvard.edu\/platform-rctom\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/4\/2016\/11\/geekwire1.png 620w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 545px) 100vw, 545px\" \/><\/a><figcaption id=\"caption-attachment-16767\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">Zebra Technologies used during broadcasting [4].<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/p>\n<p class=\"p1\">The NFL predicts that this data will generate several differentiated sources of revenue [1]:<\/p>\n<ul class=\"ul1\">\n<li class=\"li1\">Super fans of teams and players will be eager to access and pay for a deeper fan experience using the new stats<\/li>\n<li class=\"li1\">NFL\u2019s fantasy football platform will be able to distinguish itself by exclusively offering this data to its users<\/li>\n<li class=\"li1\">Software development firms and video game creators can integrate this data into their products (Microsoft has already includes the \u201cnext-gen\u201d data in its NFL apps for Xbox One and Windows 10)<\/li>\n<li class=\"li1\">Broadcasting companies will pay for access to the data to offer more in-depth analysis during game play<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<figure id=\"attachment_16768\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-16768\" style=\"width: 540px\" class=\"wp-caption alignleft\"><a href=\"https:\/\/d3.harvard.edu\/platform-rctom\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/4\/2016\/11\/geekwire2.png\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"wp-image-16768\" src=\"https:\/\/d3.harvard.edu\/platform-rctom\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/4\/2016\/11\/geekwire2-300x168.png\" alt=\"geekwire2\" width=\"540\" height=\"302\" srcset=\"https:\/\/d3.harvard.edu\/platform-rctom\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/4\/2016\/11\/geekwire2-300x168.png 300w, https:\/\/d3.harvard.edu\/platform-rctom\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/4\/2016\/11\/geekwire2-600x336.png 600w, https:\/\/d3.harvard.edu\/platform-rctom\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/4\/2016\/11\/geekwire2.png 620w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 540px) 100vw, 540px\" \/><\/a><figcaption id=\"caption-attachment-16768\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">NFL Fantasy with Next-Gen Stats [4].<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p class=\"p1\">And this is just the beginning of how the partnership with Zebra will affect aspects of the NFL\u2019s business model. The technology is bound to continue improving in terms of what it can measure and to what accuracy, and the industry will undoubtedly get more creative in finding ways to utilize and monetize the captured data.<\/p>\n<p class=\"p1\">But remember, the technology alone doesn\u2019t necessarily change the business. It must be operationally supported by the NFL in order for the customer to benefit. It\u2019s one thing to differentiate a business by creating and capturing value, but the legwork required to deliver the added value to the customers is another challenge entirely. Beyond the obvious (physically installing the 600+ sensors the NFL stadiums and outfitting each player with the RFID chips), extensive effort has been required to develop the software\u00a0that analyzes the data in an easy, user-friendly manner. Different platforms with their own, unique\u00a0capabilities are certainly required for the Offensive Coordinator for the New England Patriots than\u00a0for\u00a0the armchair quarterbacks of the world. To help manage these anticipated operational challenges, the NFL hired its first Chief Information Officer, Michelle McKenna-Doyle, in 2012. Her job is to ensure the league embraces the evolution of technology while maintaining its traditional roots \u2013 often\u00a0a difficult line to straddle [2]. Collectively, however, these initiatives clearly communicate that the NFL is serious about the future of technology and its impact on the organization.<\/p>\n<p class=\"p1\">So what else can the NFL do to further distinguish itself? One move they are considering is implanting the same RFID trackers in the footballs themselves [3]. While not used in regular-season games yet, the ability to see exactly how fast Tom Brady throws the football for each type of route is likely in the near future. And it&#8217;s no secret that more certainty would be welcome in determining whether or not a ball has crossed the goal line.<\/p>\n<p class=\"p1\">The underlying technology, however, still needs to improve in order to take the tracking and its applications to the next level. The current accuracy is quite good \u2013 within six inches [1] \u2013 but games have been won and lost over less. So stay tuned for further improvements on the existing technology and for developments in the world of football, because the digital transformation of the NFL has only just begun.<\/p>\n<p class=\"p1\">(734 words)<\/p>\n<p class=\"p1\">[1] CIO, &#8220;The Internet of Things Comes to the NFL,&#8221;\u00a0http:\/\/www.cio.com\/article\/2980853\/wearable-technology\/the-internet-of-things-comes-to-the-nfl.html, accessed November 2016.<\/p>\n<p class=\"p1\">[2] NFL Operations, &#8220;Michelle McKenna-Doyle,&#8221;\u00a0http:\/\/operations.nfl.com\/the-game\/technology\/michelle-mckenna-doyle\/, accessed November 2016.<\/p>\n<p class=\"p1\">[3] Recode, &#8220;The NFL is putting tracking sensors inside its footballs for the first time,&#8221; http:\/\/www.recode.net\/2016\/8\/29\/12678642\/nfl-football-tracking-sensors-zebra-technologies, accessed November 2016.<\/p>\n<p class=\"p1\">[4] Geekwire, &#8220;Microsoft will show \u2018next-gen stats\u2019 on NFL app thanks to RFID chips worn by players,&#8221;\u00a0http:\/\/www.geekwire.com\/2015\/microsoft-will-show-next-gen-stats-on-nfl-app-thanks-to-rfid-chips-worn-by-players\/, accessed November 2016.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>The NFL is changing the way players, coaches, and fans interact with football.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1896,"featured_media":16935,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","template":"","categories":[1053,1857,2118,167],"class_list":["post-16848","hck-submission","type-hck-submission","status-publish","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-football","category-nfl","category-rfid","category-sports"],"connected_submission_link":"https:\/\/d3.harvard.edu\/platform-rctom\/assignment\/digitization-challenge-2016\/","yoast_head":"<!-- This site is optimized with the Yoast SEO plugin v27.3 - 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