Coaches Get a High-Tech Upgrade: How Sony and the NFL Are Changing the Game

Football coaches have a tough job. They need to make quick decisions in loud, crowded stadiums. Sometimes, the weather is extreme. To help, the NFL and Sony teamed up to create new headsets. These headsets are made to work well in any condition. The NFL announced this new partnership with Sony. It's been three years since they had a headset sponsor. The last one was Bose. The new headsets are designed to be durable and work well in extreme weather. They have better noise-cancelling features and a special microphone. This microphone makes the coach's voice clearer. Making these headsets was a team effort. Sony, the NFL, and the coaches all worked together. They tested the headsets in many different conditions. They put them in freezers, outside in humid weather, and even in the shower. This was to make sure they are waterproof. The headsets had to work perfectly in any weather. Whether it's a warm day in California or a cold game in Buffalo, they need to function well. This is important because coaches rely on them to communicate with their teams. This isn't the first time the NFL has had tech issues. In 2013, they had problems with Microsoft Surface tablets. Coaches and players complained about them. But now, the NFL is hoping for a better outcome with Sony. The financial details of the deal weren't shared. But Sony's logo will be on the headsets. This gives Sony a lot of exposure during games. It's estimated that Sony could earn about $150 million a year from this deal. The headsets are part of a bigger deal between the NFL and Sony. Sony is now the NFL's official technology partner. This includes cameras, line-calling technology, and production help for special broadcasts. The NFL is a huge league with a lot of money coming from sponsorships.