Three years back Microsoft and the NFL inked a 400 Million dollar, 5-year deal for the NFL’s interactive TV rights. While this agreement helped get Microsoft Surface Pros on the sidelines; inept play-by-play announcers continued to call them I-Pads on national TV.

This year Microsoft are giving coaches the new Surface Pro 3 for the sidelines. They are bigger, lighter, weather proof and now have the ability to play 7 seconds of action out of every play. Also new will be enhanced whiteboard app with customizable colors. Officials will also have the capacity to use the a Surface Pro 3 in play reviews.

That’s not all Microsoft has redesigned their NFL App with a new interface and what they are calling Next Gen Stats. The app will track stats like current speed, top speed, and distance traveled. So soon you will be able to know just how far Alex Smith underthrew his receiver. The point of having this data is so the app can feature an in-house, season-long, game where people will be able to select which player they think will be the fastest person in the play or who will run the furthest. With weekly winners getting signed memorabilia like Joe Flacco’s autographed jersey, one of Lazerfaces kid, or Antonio Cromartie’s Last Child Support Check and a season winner will receive tickets to the Super Bowl. Basic Nex-Gen Stats are expected to be ready by season starts with the possibility of updates being patched in over the course of the season.
(Gizmodo screengrab)

Fantasy Football folks will also be able to set up their teams and have live updates stream regardless of what you are doing. You can also select up to two “Favorite” NFL teams  and watch thier highlights where you can actually see how players moved around the field. How? During the past offseason, all NFL players were secretly tagged like they were Cecil the Lion. Oh, wait apparently all shoulder pads now come with RFID chips.

I know what many of you are asking now. How do I get this app? Well own an X-Box One, of course, or I hope you registered for your free Windows 10 upgrade because there will be a similar app there as well.