In July, it was announced that all 32 NFL teams would use facial recognition to verify people’s identities entering the stadiums.
Wicket, the company the NFL will use to roll out the new technology, first reported it on LinkedIn.
“We’re excited to be part of the NFL’s league-wide credentialing initiative to shore up vulnerabilities for high-security zones, including the playing field, locker rooms, and press boxes,” wrote Wicket
As seen in the video below, identifying every face, even in a large crowd will be easier than ever.
“One of the biggest things is accountability,” said Billy Langenstein, senior director of security services for the NFL, according to Sports Business Journal. “[The league and the teams] know every single person who is being credentialed to work an NFL game, who they are, and the access levels they should have to do their job. And a big part of it is accountability for those individuals, embracing it, learning it and evaluating the safety and security of the program.”
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However, the news has not gone smoothly for many NFL fans.
“They weren’t allowed to do this a few years ago because it was profiling. What changed now? Lol,” one commented.
“I’d love to hear from the @NFL on why this is necessary? What current PROBLEM does it SOLVE? Because I cannot identify a single one,” another said.
NFL Continues to Use New Technology
This is not the only instance in which the NFL is looking to utilize new technology to create a safer and better product.
Tom Pelissero of NFL Network has reported, that the league will soon stop using physical first-down markers or “chain gangs” and will instead use optical tracking.
It’s a change that would provide much more accuracy in a game known to come down to inches.
