Step by step event log into the next gen - Microsoft Edition

[dallas]

Imagine Sean Payton holding up a Surface tablet instead of a cardboard playsheet on the sideline.

Envision Peyton Manning sitting on the bench and dissecting the last series from a variety of camera angles on his hand-held device instead of looking at still photos. Or sitting at home and pulling up real-time highlights on a Sunday afternoon.
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It's coming.

The NFL and Microsoft, through its next generation Xbox device, are combining to upgrade interactive TV viewing of pro football games in a multiyear agreement announced Tuesday. The next step after that, perhaps as early as 2014, will be bringing technology to the sidelines on tablets.

The deal is worth $400 million over five years for the NFL, according to a person familiar with the agreement. The person spoke on condition of anonymity because financial details have not been made public.

http://www.nfl.com/news/story/0ap1000000205083/article/nfl-microsoft-strike-deal-to-enhance-fans-tv-viewing-of-games

Edit:
So, Microsoft will be spending 400 million over 5 years to make its tablets, etc have a visible presence in NFL games. Basically, if you see your favorite QB using the Surface, then you will hopefully want to as well.

I think that this is kind of a waste of money to be honest, as the people that like sports and those that like tech are two different kinds. Also, instead of a couple of huge deals and a miniscule amount being spent elsewhere, it would probably be a better idea to spread the money around a bit more, to reach a wider audience, but whatever its their $$$$$$, not mine.