Ian Johnson/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images
The NFL announced Wednesday that it will utilize Sony’s Hawk-Eye technology in some preseason games this summer to test its viability in terms of measuring the line to gain for first downs.
According to the Associated Press (h/t ESPN), NFL Senior Vice President and Chief Information Officer Gary Brantley said the following about Hawk-Eye and its potential future within the NFL:
“We’re in the installation phase for all of our stadiums, really getting them calibrated and up to date. We’re just really getting to a place where this system is as accurate as possible and really calibrating across our multiple stadiums. … We have multiple stadiums with multiple dimensions inside of those stadiums with different age. So, we’re really just going through the installation of putting in the infrastructure and making sure these cameras are installed.”
Brantley noted that while the league likely won’t be able to fully implement Hawk-Eye technology until the 2025 season, it could potentially happen sooner.
Hawk-Eye technology has been used in multiple sports over the years with the most notable example being tennis. Hawk-Eye initially allowed players to challenge in or out calls, and it paved the way for electronic calls to replace line judges starting next year.
If everything goes smoothly, Hawk-Eye could replace the NFL’s longstanding method of the “chain gang” measuring first downs.
Per the AP, Hawk-Eye will be able to instantly notify officials whether a first down has been gained or not when the ball is spotted thanks to cameras that will track players, officials and the ball.
Sony President and Chief Operations Officer noted that Hawk-Eye could be a big time-saver for the NFL since it would eliminate the need to measure first downs with the sticks, saying:
“We’re reducing a significant amount of time, 40 seconds for each time of use that basically is making the game that much more impactful. And then also the system is accurate down to less than half an inch, which is incredibly, incredibly accurate. Hopefully the fans appreciate the objective view, or at least half the fans each play will be appreciating it.”
Even if the NFL does implement Hawk-Eye on a full-time basis next year, the sticks and chain gang will still remain in place as a backup in case anything goes wrong with the Hawk-Eye technology.
In addition to Hawk-Eye, Sony has developed new headsets for coaches, which will be used starting in 2025 in conjunction with Sony becoming the NFL’s official technology partner this week.
