NHL takes big stride on data and analytics with Amazon deal

[sureLoss]

https://apnews.com/article/nfl-busin...e7c871513456b8

The NHL is taking another step forward in data, analytics, and puck and player tracking.

The league has reached an agreement with Amazon Web Services to put all its video and data on the cloud. The hope is to provide everyone from coaches, executives and players to fans an integrated look at the game with the aid of new camera angles, artificial intelligence and machine learning.

Being able to search and sort every player’s speed, shot velocity and more isn’t here yet, but this is a starting point.

“Before we can get to building, let’s just say, like a new augmented-reality app that fans can use in arena to pull up real-time stats and puck and player tracking feedback while they’re sitting and watching the game, there’s a lot of infrastructure that needs to be in place,” said Dave Lehanski, NHL executive VP of business development and innovation. “There’s a tremendous amount that we’ll be able to do.”

NHL Commissioner Gary Bettman and Amazon Web Services CEO Andy Jassy were expected to unveil the deal on NBC Sports Network late Wednesday. Bettman said the “state-of-the-art technology and services will provide us with capabilities to deliver analytics and insights that highlight the speed and skill of our game.”

The NFL, Formula One, Bundesliga soccer and Six Nations rugby already use Amazon Web Services, along with individual teams. Beyond the NFL’s “NextGen Stats,” the Seattle Seahawks have used it study practice habits.

“There’s potentially a lot of ability for coaching staffs to actually help their teams get better by just learning where players may be efficient, where there are some opportunities to coordinate better,” AWS VP of sales and marketing Matt Garman said.

Later this season, fans looking up stats on the NHL’s website will get corresponding video clips and vice versa. The league expects to have new 4K cameras mounted to each arena’s center scoreboard by at least the playoffs to add different angles.

[Flames0910]

That... is a lot of buzzwords.

Do fans even want a new in-arena augmented-reality app that pulls real-time stats and puck and player tracking feedback or do they just want... oh IDK, better reffing and shorter beer lines?

[Moneyhands23]

Screw Amazon and its horrible treatment of employees, and use of cheap sweatshop labor.

That is all.

[Cecil Terwilliger]

AWS F1 Insights, at least the public ones used on the broadcasts, are hilariously bad. Like 90s video game bad. Like 1000 chimps with typewriters bad.

I hope this is less awful because the stuff they use powered by AWS on the F1 broadcasts are routinely ridiculed by fans and experts alike.

[Ozy_Flame]

Originally Posted by Flames0910

That... is a lot of buzzwords.

Do fans even want a new in-arena augmented-reality app that pulls real-time stats and puck and player tracking feedback or do they just want... oh IDK, better reffing and shorter beer lines?

I bet you they didn't ask fans what they wanted and instead were sold on Amazon's buzzwords and "think of the possibilities" speech. This is what happens when the project team doesn't listen to actual users and instead gets hot and heavy on the sales pitch from the vendor, putting technology before needs.

It may be high profile, but I imagine it's being run just like any other software development project with all of its flaws and missteps regarding what's actually necessary or preferred by fans.

[Looch City]

You guys are getting this all wrong. The only reason, ONLY REASON, this was approved was to find new analytics to further prove the one true fact since the dawn of ice hockey:

That Edmonton in No Good^TM

Coming soon with live No Good stats, powered by AWS.

[Fuzz]

Maybe start by upgrading the potato cams and adding goal line and blue line tracking. Baby steps, guys.

[btimbit]

Lets not get too fancy until broadcasters can sync the audio with the video, and broadcast in 4k

[PaperBagger'14]

Originally Posted by Fuzz

Maybe start by upgrading the potato cams and adding goal line and blue line tracking. Baby steps, guys.

Edmonton fans won't settle until they have a fully anatomically correct connor McDavid hologram in every room of their houses. EVERY room.

[Boreal]

Originally Posted by btimbit

Lets not get too fancy until broadcasters can sync the audio with the video, and broadcast in 4k

Not to mention broadcasters that have the ability to use more information to tell a better story.

[topfiverecords]

Oh great, we already have morons staring at their phones while driving. Now we’re going to have em staring at their phones at the game. Just stay home and watch on tv.

Notification “McDavid just hit 41km/hr! Click here to view replay, analysis by Shannon and Principe!” Puke...damn I missed a goal!

[Snuffleupagus]

Originally Posted by Moneyhands23

Screw Amazon and its horrible treatment of employees, and use of cheap sweatshop labor.

That is all.

Your describing just about every large commerce/warehousing company in the world except 99% of them don't pay their employees $15.00/hr minimum.

I like Amazon, especially during this last year.

That is all.

[Cheese]

so keep fans looking at their phone during the game vs actually watching it? AmIRight?

[Moneyhands23]

Originally Posted by Snuffleupagus

Your describing just about every large commerce/warehousing company in the world except 99% of them don't pay their employees $15.00/hr minimum.

I like Amazon, especially during this last year.

That is all.

I guess you liked them stealing 60 plus million in tips from their gig workers and them making their staff pee in bottles to stay on the floor to make shipping times. You should go work there.

[GirlySports]

Nobody cares about this stuff. Have a system that can determine goals and offsides first.

[calumniate]

Guess we'll be seeing tons of amazon ads from now on