What you need to know
- Microsoft announced a multi-year expansion of its NFL partnership.
- The partnership now also includes Microsoft Teams.
- Microsoft will continue to develop solutions for the NFL using Surface devices.
Microsoft announced an extension and expansion of its partnership with the NFL. Microsoft shared the news in a post, including the fact that the NFL and Microsoft agreed to a multi-year expansion of their partnership. As part of the partnership, Microsoft will continue to develop solutions for NFL teams utilizing Surface devices. Additionally, the partnership now includes Microsoft Teams.
Microsoft initially partnered with the NFL in 2013. NFL teams use Surface devices on the sidelines to view replays and stills of plays during games. Many NFL commercial breaks end with a voiceover about Microsoft Surface as well. Microsoft states in its post that the NFL uses over 2,000 Surface devices and 170 Windows servers across 35 stadiums.
The expansion into Microsoft Teams is interesting because it means the partnership extends beyond Microsoft's own hardware. Microsoft states, "Rather than using separate apps for chat, calling, meetings, and document collaboration, with Microsoft Teams the NFL can stay constantly and securely connected in one hub for teamwork across all their devices, including Windows, Mac, iOS, and Android."
The post also shares a few examples of NFL teams already using Microsoft Teams. The Miami Dolphins used Teams to plan for Super Bowl LIV. The New York Jets use Teams across their business and football operations. The Kansas City Chiefs won the Super Bowl while its scouting staff used Microsoft teams to "coordinate with the club's on-the-road scouts."
Microsoft states that this expansion is "just the beginning," though it didn't hint at any specifics that could come in the future.
