Innovations in Player Tracking and Replay Review Systems
A major innovation happening in the sports industry is the implementation of the Hawk-Eye Synchronized Multi-Angle Replay Technology (SMART) system. This technology will help leagues with their replay review systems and next-gen player tracking. Professional sports leagues around the globe already have some form of replay system in place, but we’re going to focus on three leagues that have started to use this technology: the NFL, MLB, and WNBA.
MLB- The Hawk-Eye’s SMART Replay technology allows MLB teams to make quick decisions on whether to challenge a call or not. The system is operated by the teams themselves with 15 camera angles to ensure they can make informed decisions on whether to challenge those close plays. Prior to Hawk-Eye SMART Replay, control of live video feeds had been exclusively in the hands of the broadcaster meaning limited access to the content in real-time. The Hawk-Eye replay technology provides new video replay and distribution that puts control of live video content into the hands of those who need it most, the teams. MLB also uses Hawk-Eye to fuel its player tracking system which helps enhance broadcasts through athlete-driven media.
NFL- The NFL announced a partnership with Hawk-Eye Innovations starting in the 2021 season. Hawk-Eye will be providing the NFL with additional cameras to help with their replay review system. Similar to what MLB is using the technology for, this is not for the fan experience but rather internal to help the league better analyze replay reviews. Unlike MLB, the NFL teams will not have access to this content, so it will not help teams decipher whether to challenge or not as MLB teams can.
WNBA- The WNBA is unveiling a new partnership with Hawk-Eye Innovations and Kinexon for the 2021 season. The league tested the new player tracking system during the Commissioner’s Cup Championship game on August 12th. To do so they put Kinexon wearable sensors on the players from the Connecticut Sun and Seattle Storm throughout the game. The sensors will track data such as how fast players sprint, how often they jump, and how quickly they change direction, with data integrated into Amazon’s live stream. Next WNBA season, the league expects its player-tracking system to offer new stats, which will be developed in partnership with Microsoft. The WNBA will also be using Hawk-Eye for ball and player tracking systems similar to how MLB uses the technology. The league expects its new player-tracking system powered by Kinexon wearables and Hawk-Eye’s AI cameras to generate about 50 million data points per game.
Hawk-Eye Innovations usually helps teams and leagues with their replay review systems, but now we have seen this technology expand outside of that field, with innovations like next-gen player tracking technology or 3D real-time highlights provided by computer vision cameras inside the venue. At Sports Innovation Lab we often discuss early adopters and industry disruptors. This technology is an example of being an early adopter, it may be more mainstream than before but there is still a lot of room for this kind of technology to grow as it continues to improve. Be on the lookout for more SMART Replay review systems and player tracking technologies to be brought into more broadcasts.