The NFL will test 'Hawk-Eye' technology in preseason to (hopefully!) replace first-down chain measurements

Football fans deserve a better way to measure a close call on a first-down and thankfully, the NFL is finally listening to such concerns.

According to AP reporting, the league will test Sony’s Hawk-Eye technology during the upcoming preseason. This would replace the “chain crew” used to measure whether or not an offense has successfully converted a first-down.

The current methodology, which feels archaic to many, could see a major improvement if it is replaced. Here are more thoughts from NFL executive Gary Brantley:

“We’re in the installation phase for all of our stadiums, really getting them calibrated and up to date,” said Brantley, the NFL’s senior vice president and chief information officer. “We’re just really getting to a place where this system is as accurate as possible and really calibrating across our multiple stadiums. … We have multiple stadiums with multiple dimensions inside of those stadiums with different age. So, we’re really just going through the installation of putting in the infrastructure and making sure these cameras are installed.”

Sony, creators of the Hawk-Eye tracking innovation, recently became the technology and headphone partner of the NFL.

While the technology may not be ready for full implementation by next season, the tracking service would add cameras to the players, officials, and the football itself.

It would immediately notify referees if a first down was converted or not.

For fans of the “chain crew” on the gridiron, they would still reportedly remain on the sideline as a backup plan. But this could be a massive step forward for the NFL. They would join the United Football League, which currently implements similar “TrU Line” technology.