5 ms·

This is similar to a discussion we had a couple of months ago: http://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=3364467 http://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=3364467 I'll rep

This is similar to a discussion we had a couple of months ago: http://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=3364467 http://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=3364467 I'll repeat my response from that thread: it's not so much about in-game computations (as many posters already observed, coaches and staff already to a lot of the statistical calculations the author describes, it's just all written on paper and wristbands), it's about gambling, specifically making sure that all viewers get the same information at the same time so that particular gamblers aren't advantaged/disadvantaged. Otherwise you have situations where players may be inadvertently tweeting/messaging injury information or game strategies. That's all.

adharmad 15y ago
In addition, its also possible that the NFL does not want the best possible and perfect game. The unpredictability and human element makes for more exciting games. That's one of the reasons why they too so much time to make video replays standard in games (and mandatory in the last 2 mins).
- checker 15y ago
  I think replay took so long because they had to debate the tradeoff of a more exciting game pace versus officiating accuracy.
ChuckMcM 15y ago
It also is a modest barrier to cheating. Tech that is networked can have stuff appear on it that recently was seen somewhere else, not so with printouts. The vulnerability being that someone on the opposing side looks at the plays and sends copies over to the other side.
bo1024 15y ago
> Otherwise you have situations where players may be inadvertently tweeting/messaging injury information or game strategies. "inadvertently"
trout 15y ago
Or to reduce it down to dollars - how much does the NFL profit from advertising breaks while plays are reviewed? It's like proposing work productivity enhancements to people that are billed by the hour.
- vacri 15y ago
  Much as the NFL love their dollars, I have to give them kudos for keeping the actual area of the game free of advertising. Here in Australia, in our local version of football, we will slap advertising on absolutely everything - the grass, the goalposts, the umpires (and players, of course)... even the ball sports McDonald's golden arches!
  - megablast 15y ago
    I thought it got too far in Australia when the coaches started wearing advert on the lapels of their shirts. Looks tacky as anything. Greatest sport in the world though.

adharmad 15y ago

In addition, its also possible that the NFL does not want the best possible and perfect game. The unpredictability and human element makes for more exciting games. That's one of the reasons why they too so much time to make video replays standard in games (and mandatory in the last 2 mins).

checker 15y ago
I think replay took so long because they had to debate the tradeoff of a more exciting game pace versus officiating accuracy.

ChuckMcM 15y ago

It also is a modest barrier to cheating. Tech that is networked can have stuff appear on it that recently was seen somewhere else, not so with printouts. The vulnerability being that someone on the opposing side looks at the plays and sends copies over to the other side.

bo1024 15y ago

> Otherwise you have situations where players may be inadvertently tweeting/messaging injury information or game strategies. "inadvertently"

trout 15y ago

Or to reduce it down to dollars - how much does the NFL profit from advertising breaks while plays are reviewed? It's like proposing work productivity enhancements to people that are billed by the hour.

vacri 15y ago
Much as the NFL love their dollars, I have to give them kudos for keeping the actual area of the game free of advertising. Here in Australia, in our local version of football, we will slap advertising on absolutely everything - the grass, the goalposts, the umpires (and players, of course)... even the ball sports McDonald's golden arches!
- megablast 15y ago
  I thought it got too far in Australia when the coaches started wearing advert on the lapels of their shirts. Looks tacky as anything. Greatest sport in the world though.