At a conference unveiling its new console, Xbox One, on Tuesday, Microsoft announced its second major sports alliance in as many days, unveiling what was called a multi-year “landmark partnership” with the NFL.
The alliance would “deliver truly unique interactive NFL television experiences for the next-generation Xbox One and leverage Microsoft devices and services to evolve the in-game, sideline experience for coaches, players and other personnel,” Microsoft and the NFL said via press release.
The NFL deal comes a day after Microsoft signed a multi-year pact with Major League Soccer, which will be driven by marketing on Windows 8 via exclusive content, highlights, play-by-play, roster lineups, game stats, goals and club news.
The deal with the NFL makes Microsoft the “official sideline technology sponsor” of the NFL, and names Surface by Microsoft and Windows as “the “official tablet and PC operating system” of the NFL. Additionally, Xbox, which currently is the “official game console” of the league, becomes the “official interactive video entertainment console.”
Financial terms of the pact were not disclosed.
According to Microsoft, this deal “changes the game for NFL teams because coaches and players will soon have access to a variety of cutting-edge Microsoft solutions, including Surface tablets to enhance on-field communications, photo viewing and play-calling.”
Microsoft and the NFL said they envision a future with players reviewing in-game photos from different camera angles and head coaches calling plays off connected Surface tablets right on the sidelines.
“We love the passion that players, coaches and fans bring to the NFL game; it’s what makes the NFL game-day experience so unique,” Steve Ballmer, CEO for Microsoft , said in a statement. “We’re excited to apply our passion for technology to the NFL experience, both on the sidelines through the innovative use of Microsoft Surface devices, and for fans through an enhanced NFL viewing experience on Xbox One.”
Barry Janoff is director of sports media marketing initiatives for PromaxBDA. He also is the executive editor for NYSportsJournalism.com which covers national sports marketing, business and media news; and a contributing writer for Yahoo! and MediaPost.
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