When the USFL kicks off next week, viewers may notice that there won’t be a chain gang measuring the first down.
Instead, the league is planning to innovate by using a measuring system akin to the replay system in tennis. Where a chip is placed in every football, and a virtual first-down line exists that will measure whether the ball crossed or not.
The USFL tweeted out an example of the technology in-game on Friday.
First down measurements that are more accurate than ever 🔥
Take a look at the first down technology that will be featured this season in the USFL ⬇️ pic.twitter.com/fLT2boDOVd
— USFL (@USFL) April 9, 2022
That isn’t the only innovation the league is bringing to the table, however.
The USFL will also have two players from each team rigged with a helmet cam throughout the game, similar to FOX’s “Ump Cams” in years past. Not only that, but drones will be used to give fans more angles of the live action as well.
Just like it did with the XFL decades ago, expect the NFL to take these ideas for themselves if they like what they see. Modern NFL broadcasts can be traced back to the defunct league’s inaugural season.
Though the XFL is planning to make its comeback in 2023.
For now though, the USFL gets the first crack at claiming the spring football real estate.
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