# Chip-Embedded Footballs All NFL Footballs Will Be Equipped with Data-Collecting RFID Chips By Alyson Wyers | Published 2017-09-12 | Lifestyle Source: Trend Hunter, https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/nfl-footballs References: [fastcompany](https://www.fastcompany.com/40464865/the-nfl-is-putting-data-collecting-chips-in-all-its-footballs) & [espn](http://www.espn.com/nfl/story/_/id/20618245/data-collecting-chips-every-nfl-football-2017) [ESPN](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/jameson-football-flask) recently reported that the [National Football League](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/digital-nfts) is expanding its data collection initiative so that all NFL footballs will carry data-collecting chips. Previously only kicking balls used during the preseason and Thursday Night Football games carried the chips. NFL players have also worn data-gathering shoulder pads since 2014. Equipped with software from [Zebra Technologies](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/zebras-rfid-tags), all the footballs will be outfitted with RFID (radio frequency identification) chips. The information the tech-embedded NFL footballs gather will be used by sports broadcasters as part of the NFL Next-Gen statistics program as well as the league's competition committee. The data-collecting chips are also an example of how technology can be used to improve performance in sports and physical fitness. ## Trend Insights (Trend Hunter) - Score: 2.4/10 - Popularity: 40% | Activity: 23% | Freshness: 8% - Audience gender: 70% men, 30% women - Primary generations: Gen Z, Millennial, Gen X - Top markets: North America ## Categories [Trend Hunter](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends) > [Lifestyle](https://www.trendhunter.com/lifestyle) > [Sports](https://www.trendhunter.com/sports) ## Key Themes ### What Makes This Trend Stand Out - **Data-collecting Sports Equipment:** The use of RFID chips in NFL footballs demonstrates the trend of data-collecting sports equipment, opening opportunities for improved performance analysis and personalized training. - **Tech-embedded Sports Analytics:** The NFL's Next-Gen statistics program showcases the trend of tech-embedded sports analytics, presenting opportunities for enhanced insights and strategic decision-making. - **Performance-enhancing Wearables:** The implementation of data-gathering shoulder pads and chip-embedded footballs reveals the trend of performance-enhancing wearables, allowing for real-time data monitoring and optimization. ### Sectors Adopting This - **Sports Technology:** The sports technology industry can benefit from the demand for innovative data-collecting equipment and analytics solutions fueled by the integration of RFID chips in footballs. - **Broadcasting:** The broadcasting industry can leverage the increased availability of detailed player and game data from chip-embedded footballs to enhance sports coverage and engage viewers in new ways. - **Fitness Technology:** The fitness technology industry can explore opportunities to adapt data-gathering wearables used by NFL players to consumer-focused products, allowing individuals to track their own performance and optimize their workouts. ## Related on Trend Hunter - [Connected Football Systems](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/wilson-qbx.md) - [Official Connected FIFA Balls](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/connected-soccer-ball.md) - [Camera Systems](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/sony-hawkeye.md) - [NFC-Enabled Sports Scarves](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/sports-scarf.md) - [Connected Training Baseballs](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/smart-gaming-baseball.md) - [Football-Branded Smart Speakers](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/amazon-echo-pop.md) - [Operations-Enhancing AI Tools](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/nfl-and-microsoft.md) - [Football Smart Speaker Lines](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/echo-pops.md) - [3D-Printed Football Earpieces](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/romo-in-your-ear.md)