NHL Strikes Deal with GoPro
Players to wear cameras beginning this season
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The National Hockey League and GoPro have announced a content-sharing deal to give TV viewers a point-of-view look at the action on the ice. NHL players will wear cameras on their helmets, masks, and jerseys beginning this season, which starts on October 8.
GoPro, looking to branch out from its action-sports beginnings, will feature taped game clips on its YouTube channel, while the NHL will make more immediate use of the footage. The league will incorporate the video into live telecasts to walk viewers through the workings of a breakaway goal or give them a first-person look at what really happens when a goalie takes a 100 mph slap shot to the noggin. The NHL’s two national broadcasting partners, NBC Sports in the United States and Rogers in Canada, can edit the GoPro film into broadcasts; the league will also show it on the NHL Network and NHL.com.
“The [technology] demystifies our game and truly shows what skills our players have,” Brian Jennings, the NHL’s chief marketing officer, told Adweek.
Players seemed to welcome the idea. “It can definitely help the game become even more interesting for the viewer, no question,” New York Rangers goalie Henrik Lundqvist told Adweek.
The NHL will also use GoPro footage in promos for the upcoming season.