Technology
NFL awards 4 projects in helmet safety development program

By Barry Wilner Jun. 30, 2020 11:00 AM EDT
Four organizations have been awarded a total of $1.37 million by the NFL to support the creation of their helmet prototypes. As part of the...

FILE - In this May 19, 2020, file photo, Tampa Bay Buccaneers NFL football quarterback Tom Brady runs across the field at Berkeley Preparatory School in Tampa, Fla. With coaches and players scattered and team facilities shut by the NFL because of the COVID-19 pandemic, video meetings helped the league act as if business continued as usual. “Walking through and practicing is the best way to teach,” Tampa Bay coach Bruce Arians said. “So those are valuable reps missed. I don’t know how we’ll make them up. Hopefully we’ll get some extra time in practice in camp; a few extra days would help." (Chris Urso/Tampa Bay Times via AP, File)
Coaches, players make best of NFL's 1st virtual offseason

By Teresa M. Walker Jun. 16, 2020 12:57 PM EDT

FILE - In this June 1, 2020, file photo, Gavin Bollmer, left, and his buddy, Austin LaFountain, wear Globe Life Field masks as they tour the home of the Texas Rangers baseball team in Arlington, Texas. Many organizations are trying to bridge the budget gap from the coronovirus through enhanced sponsorship sales, such as temporary billboards that could be stretched over unsold sections of seats. Teams and leagues are selling branded face masks and other personal protective equipment. Almost all of them are trying to engage fans in new and creative ways. It won't come close to making up the budget shortfall, but the hope is to survive long enough for sports to return to normal. (AP Photo/LM Otero, File)
Leagues, teams wary of rising stadium expenses amid pandemic

By Dave Skretta Jun. 09, 2020 12:53 PM EDT

FILE - In this Aug. 4, 2016, file photo, University of Kentucky football manager Jordan Newton has his eyes scanned for the eye retina security system at the new University of Kentucky football training center in Lexington, Ky. Screening technology that scans a user’s eyes, face or fingerprint has multiplied around the world in recent years. (Charles Bertram/Lexington Herald-Leader via AP, File)
Stadium virus prevention steers spotlight toward fan privacy

By Dave Campbell Jun. 03, 2020 03:26 PM EDT

FILE - In this Oct. 4, 2018, file photo, fans line up to enter Gillette Stadium for an NFL football game between the New England Patriots and the Indianapolis Colts, in Foxborough, Mass. The crippling coronavirus pandemic has brought the entire world — including the sports world — to a standstill, and it shows no sign of going away anytime soon. The most obvious change in the short term will be the implementation of social distancing, something that already has permeated everyday life. Ticket sales will be capped and fans will be given an entrance time to prevent crowds at the gate. (AP Photo/Steven Senne, File)
Future of stadiums, arenas promises high tech, low capacity

By Dave Skretta May. 31, 2020 12:02 PM EDT

FILE - In this Dec. 15, 2019 file photo Los Angeles Rams punter Johnny Hekker kicks an onside kick during an NFL football game against the Dallas Cowboys in Arlington, Texas. The NFL is considering adding a “booth umpire” and a senior technology advisor to the referee to assist the officiating crew. The league also is looking at other rules changes, including an alternative to the onside kick. NFL clubs received a list of potential rules changes on Thursday, May 21, 2020. (AP Photo/Roger Steinman, file)
NFL looks at adding "booth umpire" and tech adviser for refs

By Rob Maaddi May. 21, 2020 01:04 PM EDT

FILE - In this March 16, 2003, file photo, Ricky Craven, right, crosses the finish two-thousandths of a second ahead of Kurt Busch to win the NASCAR Carolina Dodge Dealers 400 at Darlington Raceway in Darlington, S.C. The 70-year-old raceway will host the return of NASCAR Cup Series racing, among the biggest events so far as sports makes a halting comeback from a global shutdown forced by the coronavirus pandemic. (Alison Sidlo/The Morning News via AP, File)
The Latest: Mahomes to celebrate virtual grads at Texas Tech

By The Associated Press May. 15, 2020 11:22 AM EDT

FILE - In this July 31, 2019, file photo, Indianapolis Colts outside linebacker Darius Leonard (53) runs a drill during practice at the NFL team's football training camp in Westfield, Ind. Leonard works relentlessly at his rural South Carolina home to prepare for another football season. He's also wary of pushing too hard, knowing a minor injury could become a major setback given the dearth of medical experts in his area. So when in doubt the Colts star confers with his coaches, who are creating safer, more efficient individual workout programs based on data collected the past few weeks. All part of a changing NFL world: high-tech devices supplanting old-school creativity. (AP Photo/Michael Conroy, File)
High-tech devices help NFL teams keep players safe, in shape

By Michael Marot May. 13, 2020 12:48 PM EDT

FILE - In this Feb. 25, 2020, file photo, Jacksonville Jaguars general manager David Caldwell speaks during a press conference at the NFL football scouting combine in Indianapolis. General managers around the league ran their drafts virtually without a hitch last month, thanks largely to the work and ingenuity of their information technology staffs. Tech support remains a vital role in the NFL offseason as long as team facilities are closed, with coaches and officials needing to connect with players scattered about the country.(AP Photo/Charlie Neibergall, File)
Remote control: Tech support staffers star in NFL offseason

By Dave Campbell May. 09, 2020 02:04 AM EDT

NFL owners meeting for mid-May switched to video conferences

May. 01, 2020 11:33 AM EDT
NEW YORK (AP) — The NFL has switched its mid-May owners meeting to remote video conferencing because of the coronavirus pandemic. The...

FILE - In this Dec. 28, 2019, file photo, Ohio State defensive end Chase Young (2) moves in on the play during the first half of the Fiesta Bowl NCAA college football game against Clemson, in Glendale, Ariz. Young is a likely first round pick in the NFL Draft Thursday, April 23, 2020. (AP Photo/Rick Scuteri, File)
Logistics share draft spotlight with Joe Burrow, Chase Young

By Barry Wilner Apr. 22, 2020 12:59 PM EDT

FILE - In this Nov. 9, 2019, file photo, Alabama quarterback Tua Tagovailoa plays in an NCAA football game in Tuscaloosa, Ala. Tagovailoa is a likely first round pick in the NFL Draft Thursday, April 23, 2020. (AP Photo/Vasha Hunt, File)
No major hangups in NFL's mock draft heading to real thing

By Barry Wilner Apr. 20, 2020 06:35 PM EDT

Kings, Intel announce plans for new R&D center

Feb. 13, 2020 04:00 AM EST
SACRAMENTO, Calif. (AP) — The Sacramento Kings and Intel announced plans Thursday for the NBA’s first research and development site devoted to finding new ways...

NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell speaks at a press conference ahead of Super Bowl LIV, Wednesday, Jan. 29, 2020 in Miami. (Ben Liebenberg via AP)
Trio of former Duke players win NFL innovation competition

By Teresa M. Walker Jan. 31, 2020 04:14 PM EST

NFL dealing with social media hackers during Super Bowl week

By The Associated Press Jan. 28, 2020 05:39 PM EST
MIAMI (AP) — The NFL has been dealing with hackers, not someone trying to peak into the league's records or team playbooks. The hackers...

NFL free agent Antonio Brown appears at the Broward County Courthouse in Fort Lauderdale, Fla., via video link Friday, Jan. 24, 2020. Brown was granted bail on Friday after spending the night in a Florida jail. The wide receiver will have to pay a bond of $110,000, surrender his passport, wear a monitor, get mental health evaluation and pass random drug tests. He also can't have guns. Brown is accused of attacking the driver of a moving truck that carried some of his possessions from California. (Amy Beth Bennett/South Florida Sun Sentinel via AP, Pool)
Judge frees NFL star Antonio Brown from house arrest

Jan. 28, 2020 11:13 AM EST

House Speaker Nancy Pelosi and Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell of Ky., watch and listen to Saints quarterback Drew Brees, speak during a Congressional Gold Medal ceremony honoring amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) advocate and former National Football League (NFL) player, Steve Gleason, in Statuary Hall on Capitol Hill, Wednesday, Jan. 15, 2020, in Washington. (AP Photo/Manuel Balce Ceneta)
Ex-NFL player Steve Gleason honored by Congress for ALS work

Jan. 15, 2020 07:08 PM EST

FILE - In this May 4, 2019, file photo, Luis Saez rides Maximum Security, second from right, during the 145th running of the Kentucky Derby horse race at Churchill Downs in Louisville, Ky. Country House was declared the winner after Maximum Security was disqualified following a review by race stewards. (AP Photo/John Minchillo, File)
Replay dominated sports in 2019, and expect more this year

By Josh Dubow Jan. 01, 2020 12:33 PM EST

Top-rated helmet manufacturer VICIS enters receivership

Dec. 23, 2019 04:47 PM EST
SEATTLE (AP) — Helmet-manufacturer VICIS announced Monday it is entering into receivership after facing financial troubles. The board of...

FILE - In this Nov. 24, 2019, file photo, a Detroit Lions helmet sits on the field prior to an NFL football game between the Lions and Washington Redskins in Landover, Md. No piece of protective equipment has undergone as much transformation over the past decade as the helmet. Through a combination of technological advancements, investment by the NFL and an open marketplace for development, helmets are rapidly evolving _ with more innovation on the horizon. (AP Photo/Mark Tenally, File)
NFL at 100: Helmets go high tech in quest for player safety

By Tim Booth Dec. 18, 2019 01:16 PM EST