1 00:00:00,280 --> 00:00:03,360 Speaker 1: This is the business of sports. Let's talk Super Bowl 2 00:00:03,560 --> 00:00:07,160 Speaker 1: and Fox Sports. Guarantee money isn't necessarily guaranteed. One Major 3 00:00:07,200 --> 00:00:10,959 Speaker 1: League soccer owner is leading out fifty billion dollar investment 4 00:00:11,160 --> 00:00:14,200 Speaker 1: gloring of the lines between sports team owners and the 5 00:00:14,200 --> 00:00:18,599 Speaker 1: sports gambling space. How high can these valuations go? Evan 6 00:00:18,640 --> 00:00:21,200 Speaker 1: Nobody Williams Off the field, the NBA has never been buzzier. 7 00:00:21,280 --> 00:00:24,000 Speaker 1: And the leaders in the sports industry Major League Baseball 8 00:00:24,000 --> 00:00:27,000 Speaker 1: Commission to Rob Manfred Idy O'Neill is President of Director 9 00:00:27,000 --> 00:00:30,040 Speaker 1: Consumer and that then the race card driver Elio Castro 10 00:00:30,080 --> 00:00:33,400 Speaker 1: and Evs Jared Smith, president of Ticketmasters. Bloomberg Business of 11 00:00:33,440 --> 00:00:37,760 Speaker 1: Sports from Bloomberg Radio. Hello, I'm Michael barn and I'm 12 00:00:37,800 --> 00:00:40,839 Speaker 1: Evan Novie Williams. Every week of this time plus Mondays 13 00:00:40,840 --> 00:00:42,760 Speaker 1: and Wednesdays, we explore the big money issues in the 14 00:00:42,800 --> 00:00:46,599 Speaker 1: world of sports. Today we sit down with Michelle McKenna, 15 00:00:46,920 --> 00:00:50,680 Speaker 1: the chief Information officer with the NFL. That is straight 16 00:00:50,720 --> 00:00:53,720 Speaker 1: ahead on the Bloomberg Business of Sports. But first let's 17 00:00:53,760 --> 00:00:57,360 Speaker 1: start with the topics, and let's start with the fanatics. 18 00:00:57,360 --> 00:01:00,480 Speaker 1: Fanatics owner and if in the seventies sixers are power 19 00:01:00,480 --> 00:01:04,920 Speaker 1: and owner Michael rubens all in challenge. Uh, this is interesting. 20 00:01:05,280 --> 00:01:07,600 Speaker 1: You can explain this one. Yeah, I thought this was fun. 21 00:01:07,600 --> 00:01:09,200 Speaker 1: You know, there's so many people right now that are 22 00:01:09,200 --> 00:01:11,920 Speaker 1: you know, kind kind of get celebrities together to raise 23 00:01:11,959 --> 00:01:14,640 Speaker 1: money for charity, and Michael Rubens seems to have really 24 00:01:14,720 --> 00:01:18,840 Speaker 1: hit on something pretty significant. You know, he's asking celebrities 25 00:01:18,840 --> 00:01:23,360 Speaker 1: of all sorts, right, so, athletes, actors, Leonardo DiCaprio, Justin Bieber, 26 00:01:23,440 --> 00:01:25,720 Speaker 1: Tom Brady are all kind of on the list, asking 27 00:01:25,760 --> 00:01:29,000 Speaker 1: them to kind of put up for auction a really 28 00:01:29,080 --> 00:01:32,840 Speaker 1: unique experience that someone can bid on and win for, 29 00:01:33,040 --> 00:01:35,000 Speaker 1: you know, in the future when when events are back 30 00:01:35,040 --> 00:01:37,240 Speaker 1: up and running. You know, they've raised over six million 31 00:01:37,280 --> 00:01:40,000 Speaker 1: dollars right now. Some of these packages, Michael, I don't 32 00:01:40,000 --> 00:01:41,720 Speaker 1: know if you look through them, they're fantastic. I mean 33 00:01:41,720 --> 00:01:46,720 Speaker 1: Michael Ruben's package is tickets to every major sporting championship 34 00:01:46,800 --> 00:01:50,840 Speaker 1: next year, right, So that's Super Bowl, NBA Finals, NHL Finals, 35 00:01:51,280 --> 00:01:53,440 Speaker 1: U S Open, the Tokyo Olympics, you know, all the 36 00:01:53,480 --> 00:01:59,080 Speaker 1: way through twelve different events. Um, Kevin Hart is offering 37 00:01:59,280 --> 00:02:02,400 Speaker 1: a bit in his next movie. You know, Justin Bieber 38 00:02:02,480 --> 00:02:05,080 Speaker 1: is going to fly to your house and and serenade you. 39 00:02:05,480 --> 00:02:07,480 Speaker 1: There's a whole list of things that that are that 40 00:02:07,520 --> 00:02:10,040 Speaker 1: are available right now for auction. And again not not 41 00:02:10,200 --> 00:02:12,960 Speaker 1: just the proceeds, but all of the money period is 42 00:02:13,000 --> 00:02:17,480 Speaker 1: going to COVID nineteen relief. So again, Michael Rubin's whole 43 00:02:17,520 --> 00:02:22,040 Speaker 1: message was essentially trying to, you know, persuade celebrities, people 44 00:02:22,040 --> 00:02:24,400 Speaker 1: who have access to very cool things that people might want, 45 00:02:24,680 --> 00:02:26,839 Speaker 1: you might want to contribute to to kind of put 46 00:02:26,919 --> 00:02:30,519 Speaker 1: up an experience with them as a way of raising money. 47 00:02:30,919 --> 00:02:34,440 Speaker 1: Oh wow, that that is going to get over. And uh, 48 00:02:34,639 --> 00:02:37,720 Speaker 1: I wish them well because that that's I love the 49 00:02:37,760 --> 00:02:41,840 Speaker 1: part about Kevin art a piece or uh in the 50 00:02:41,919 --> 00:02:44,919 Speaker 1: next movie. I like that. That's that's gonna go over. 51 00:02:46,400 --> 00:02:48,840 Speaker 1: Mark Cuban is offering a one day contract to play 52 00:02:48,919 --> 00:02:52,560 Speaker 1: with the MAVs. You know there is you can design 53 00:02:52,720 --> 00:02:55,120 Speaker 1: and call a play with the Philadelphia Eagles in a 54 00:02:55,160 --> 00:03:00,480 Speaker 1: preseason game. There's some fun things here. Bring the old 55 00:03:00,520 --> 00:03:03,320 Speaker 1: toss powered trap man. That's good. I just gotta get 56 00:03:03,320 --> 00:03:09,560 Speaker 1: a Detroit Lions one for you. Uh. This one, uh 57 00:03:10,200 --> 00:03:13,880 Speaker 1: is kind of sad news here and maybe some some 58 00:03:13,919 --> 00:03:17,440 Speaker 1: good news involved. The US Soccer Federation announced that it 59 00:03:17,480 --> 00:03:22,240 Speaker 1: is terminating its Development Academy it's nationwide youth league encompassing 60 00:03:22,760 --> 00:03:26,440 Speaker 1: several age groups for both boys and girls, and it 61 00:03:26,600 --> 00:03:31,160 Speaker 1: ends now and that that part is sad, but they 62 00:03:31,240 --> 00:03:35,960 Speaker 1: are trying to form MLS, a new youth competition for 63 00:03:36,040 --> 00:03:39,880 Speaker 1: the league's academy teams. And I feel bad because I 64 00:03:39,920 --> 00:03:43,800 Speaker 1: always thought the I'm always big and having the youth 65 00:03:44,160 --> 00:03:49,240 Speaker 1: developed in in any sport, and unfortunately, uh, the development 66 00:03:49,240 --> 00:03:51,600 Speaker 1: Academy comes to an end. Yeah, I mean we've talked, 67 00:03:51,720 --> 00:03:53,640 Speaker 1: you know, so much over the past few weeks about, 68 00:03:53,720 --> 00:03:56,240 Speaker 1: you know, where the cracks in the in the sports 69 00:03:56,280 --> 00:03:59,480 Speaker 1: business are really going to start forming, given that everybody 70 00:03:59,520 --> 00:04:02,840 Speaker 1: is getting it's so badly by this pandemic, you know, 71 00:04:02,920 --> 00:04:05,320 Speaker 1: And similar to the conversation we had with Danny Zazner 72 00:04:05,360 --> 00:04:07,560 Speaker 1: of the U s t A a couple of weeks ago. 73 00:04:07,840 --> 00:04:11,320 Speaker 1: You know, US Soccer spends a lot of its money 74 00:04:11,400 --> 00:04:14,440 Speaker 1: kind of promoting the sport around the country, including at 75 00:04:14,480 --> 00:04:18,800 Speaker 1: the youth level, and their Youth Federation Youth Development Academy 76 00:04:19,000 --> 00:04:22,200 Speaker 1: was about a twelve million dollar a year cost that 77 00:04:22,320 --> 00:04:24,280 Speaker 1: you know, as a result of this virus, they say 78 00:04:24,279 --> 00:04:27,640 Speaker 1: that they can't you know, really really backstop anymore. So 79 00:04:27,920 --> 00:04:30,159 Speaker 1: that's bad news and you're right that that maybe the 80 00:04:30,200 --> 00:04:33,200 Speaker 1: silver lining here is that you know, MLS is going 81 00:04:33,240 --> 00:04:35,640 Speaker 1: to step in, it seems like and kind of start 82 00:04:35,680 --> 00:04:40,159 Speaker 1: developing you know, bigger youth competition. Uh you know segment 83 00:04:40,240 --> 00:04:43,320 Speaker 1: around you know, its own youth academies. So hopefully for 84 00:04:43,440 --> 00:04:45,640 Speaker 1: youth soccer in the US, this is just kind of 85 00:04:45,640 --> 00:04:48,159 Speaker 1: a shifting of the guard and not really a loss 86 00:04:48,200 --> 00:04:51,880 Speaker 1: of opportunity. But again, you know, another opportunity of what 87 00:04:51,880 --> 00:04:54,839 Speaker 1: we're seeing kind of some dramatic shifts in some parts 88 00:04:54,880 --> 00:04:58,760 Speaker 1: of the sports ecosystem right now. It's too bad because yes, 89 00:04:58,800 --> 00:05:02,760 Speaker 1: the coronavirus. This is another end of the coronavirus and 90 00:05:02,960 --> 00:05:06,800 Speaker 1: how they cause an effect. But again it's I hope 91 00:05:07,240 --> 00:05:12,400 Speaker 1: that other sports do not terminate their youth development program 92 00:05:12,520 --> 00:05:15,080 Speaker 1: and and and he can't fault the US Soccer Federation 93 00:05:15,120 --> 00:05:18,480 Speaker 1: because again, this is something from the COVID nineteen fallout 94 00:05:18,680 --> 00:05:21,520 Speaker 1: and it's nothing they could do about it. I just 95 00:05:21,560 --> 00:05:25,240 Speaker 1: hope it doesn't happen. And yeah, and we know you 96 00:05:25,240 --> 00:05:28,680 Speaker 1: know that all these I mean, i'll call them Olympic federations, 97 00:05:28,720 --> 00:05:32,279 Speaker 1: but you know, US Soccer, US Tennis Association, US softball, 98 00:05:32,680 --> 00:05:35,960 Speaker 1: so many of these organizations are now applying for the 99 00:05:36,000 --> 00:05:38,880 Speaker 1: exact same loans that small businesses across the country are 100 00:05:38,920 --> 00:05:41,400 Speaker 1: applying for, right you know, p p PP loans and 101 00:05:41,839 --> 00:05:44,279 Speaker 1: s p A loans and things like that. So you know, 102 00:05:44,360 --> 00:05:46,520 Speaker 1: it may be, just like you know, tons of small 103 00:05:46,520 --> 00:05:49,240 Speaker 1: businesses around the country, a lot of the sports infrastructure 104 00:05:49,600 --> 00:05:51,880 Speaker 1: right now may kind of hang in the balance of 105 00:05:51,920 --> 00:05:55,279 Speaker 1: what the federal bailout package looks like and how quickly 106 00:05:55,760 --> 00:05:58,520 Speaker 1: they can get access on that on those funds, so 107 00:05:58,560 --> 00:06:00,839 Speaker 1: that hopefully there's not a lot in war decisions like 108 00:06:00,880 --> 00:06:04,760 Speaker 1: the one that US Soccer announced this week. Finally, this 109 00:06:04,880 --> 00:06:07,719 Speaker 1: is your story of bloody imagery will be cut from 110 00:06:07,760 --> 00:06:11,400 Speaker 1: E Sports Games to keep it sponsored friendly. You can 111 00:06:11,440 --> 00:06:14,760 Speaker 1: take it from there. Yeah, I thought this is actually 112 00:06:14,880 --> 00:06:18,119 Speaker 1: very interesting. So Riot Games, which makes League of Legends, 113 00:06:18,160 --> 00:06:21,640 Speaker 1: which is probably the most popular competitive video game out 114 00:06:21,640 --> 00:06:23,760 Speaker 1: there right now, they just released their new game, mich 115 00:06:23,880 --> 00:06:26,719 Speaker 1: I don't know if your son is playing it, Valeriant um, 116 00:06:26,760 --> 00:06:28,960 Speaker 1: but you know, early returns seem to be that it 117 00:06:29,040 --> 00:06:31,839 Speaker 1: is is quite popular. Uh. And it is a game 118 00:06:32,040 --> 00:06:34,360 Speaker 1: you know where there's you know, some some sort of 119 00:06:34,400 --> 00:06:38,040 Speaker 1: shooting and gun violence, and there are games out there 120 00:06:38,120 --> 00:06:41,040 Speaker 1: right now that have gun violence that are tremendously popular, 121 00:06:41,400 --> 00:06:44,400 Speaker 1: but have kind of lost some of their commercial appeal 122 00:06:45,040 --> 00:06:48,520 Speaker 1: because sponsors don't necessarily want to be associated with a 123 00:06:48,600 --> 00:06:51,240 Speaker 1: video game in which someone is getting shot and bleeding out. 124 00:06:51,720 --> 00:06:55,440 Speaker 1: You know. One of them, Counterstrike Global Offensive, has teams 125 00:06:55,480 --> 00:06:58,440 Speaker 1: that are called terrorist and counter terrorist. You know, so 126 00:06:58,839 --> 00:07:01,800 Speaker 1: media networks answers they've kind of shied away from those 127 00:07:01,839 --> 00:07:05,520 Speaker 1: games in the past. Well, what Riot did in Valerie, 128 00:07:05,560 --> 00:07:08,279 Speaker 1: which I think is actually very smart. There's a toggle 129 00:07:08,360 --> 00:07:10,480 Speaker 1: switch before you start that says you can turn the 130 00:07:10,520 --> 00:07:13,760 Speaker 1: blood on and off, and they are requiring that anybody 131 00:07:13,760 --> 00:07:18,400 Speaker 1: who hosts a professional competitive tournament around the game do 132 00:07:18,480 --> 00:07:21,080 Speaker 1: so with the blood setting turned off, you know. And 133 00:07:21,120 --> 00:07:23,720 Speaker 1: that is an attempt, as I said, to maybe make 134 00:07:23,760 --> 00:07:26,720 Speaker 1: the game a little bit more palatable to companies and 135 00:07:26,760 --> 00:07:29,000 Speaker 1: to media broadcasters who in the past have kind of 136 00:07:29,040 --> 00:07:32,560 Speaker 1: balked at the gore associated with some of these shooting games. 137 00:07:33,280 --> 00:07:35,120 Speaker 1: There's a game you talk about that where you can 138 00:07:35,200 --> 00:07:37,240 Speaker 1: turn the blood on and turn it off. There's another 139 00:07:37,280 --> 00:07:39,560 Speaker 1: game and I forgot the name of it, and my 140 00:07:39,640 --> 00:07:43,640 Speaker 1: sons were playing it where you're trying. You you literally 141 00:07:43,880 --> 00:07:49,280 Speaker 1: start out naked, you you have nothing, and and then 142 00:07:49,360 --> 00:07:51,840 Speaker 1: you have to to get close and then you have 143 00:07:51,960 --> 00:07:55,880 Speaker 1: to to build whatever. But there's a switch where you 144 00:07:55,920 --> 00:07:59,800 Speaker 1: can turn off, you know, people being nude in the 145 00:07:59,840 --> 00:08:02,040 Speaker 1: game game, and I guess this is the same thing. 146 00:08:02,280 --> 00:08:05,080 Speaker 1: And I remember my son's telling me about Valerie. I 147 00:08:05,120 --> 00:08:07,320 Speaker 1: thought they were talking about an old car. But I 148 00:08:07,400 --> 00:08:10,960 Speaker 1: had no idea about this video game. So now I 149 00:08:11,000 --> 00:08:13,600 Speaker 1: gotta I gotta study this video game so I can 150 00:08:13,640 --> 00:08:17,760 Speaker 1: try to be somewhat hip. So yeah, that's the newest one. 151 00:08:17,800 --> 00:08:21,160 Speaker 1: You gotta get on it. Okay, all right, Today we're 152 00:08:21,160 --> 00:08:24,880 Speaker 1: talking with Michelle McKenna. She's the chief Information officer with 153 00:08:24,960 --> 00:08:28,440 Speaker 1: the NFL. Michelle, thank you so much for joining us. Yeah, 154 00:08:28,440 --> 00:08:31,400 Speaker 1: thanks for having me. This is a big time for 155 00:08:31,440 --> 00:08:35,520 Speaker 1: you because we're coming up upon the NFL Draft and 156 00:08:35,679 --> 00:08:41,000 Speaker 1: it is like no other because unlike the times in 157 00:08:41,080 --> 00:08:43,280 Speaker 1: the past where people have had it either in New 158 00:08:43,360 --> 00:08:46,000 Speaker 1: York or Las Vegas and you've had the big crowds, 159 00:08:46,400 --> 00:08:49,280 Speaker 1: there will be none of that and technology will be 160 00:08:49,360 --> 00:08:54,920 Speaker 1: really important. Can you walk us through what's going to happen. Yes, 161 00:08:55,320 --> 00:08:59,880 Speaker 1: you're right. We are setting up a virtual infrastructure really 162 00:09:00,040 --> 00:09:06,640 Speaker 1: to broadcast the draft. This share so from our head coaches, 163 00:09:07,000 --> 00:09:13,760 Speaker 1: general managers, uh, fifty eight player, prospects, fans, celebrities, all 164 00:09:13,800 --> 00:09:17,360 Speaker 1: of their content is getting fed to us over the 165 00:09:17,400 --> 00:09:23,360 Speaker 1: Internet and through up to ESPN for UM putting it 166 00:09:23,400 --> 00:09:26,280 Speaker 1: on the air. So it's a big shift from how 167 00:09:26,360 --> 00:09:31,199 Speaker 1: traditional broadcast is done with satellite, uplink and more um 168 00:09:31,240 --> 00:09:37,120 Speaker 1: over the Internet using certainly secure protocols, etcetera. But that's 169 00:09:37,160 --> 00:09:39,560 Speaker 1: that's the that's the point. The point is we're all 170 00:09:39,600 --> 00:09:43,240 Speaker 1: staying at home, we're working from home, and in a 171 00:09:43,280 --> 00:09:46,839 Speaker 1: lot of ways, this is the ultimate work from home experience, 172 00:09:46,920 --> 00:09:50,720 Speaker 1: which thousands and thousands of people are doing across the world. 173 00:09:51,200 --> 00:09:55,000 Speaker 1: Ours is just going to be televised for everyone to see. 174 00:09:55,600 --> 00:09:57,840 Speaker 1: So yes, there's been a lot of planning and a 175 00:09:57,880 --> 00:10:01,520 Speaker 1: lot of um creativity that's had to go into how 176 00:10:01,559 --> 00:10:04,600 Speaker 1: we're going to do something that really hasn't been done before. 177 00:10:05,960 --> 00:10:08,839 Speaker 1: For folks who maybe don't understand, I certainly understand the 178 00:10:08,880 --> 00:10:11,080 Speaker 1: difference between satellite and the Internet and kind of how 179 00:10:11,080 --> 00:10:15,160 Speaker 1: those things work. But from a from a broadcast television standpoint, 180 00:10:15,559 --> 00:10:17,960 Speaker 1: what is the main the big difference on your end, 181 00:10:18,000 --> 00:10:20,240 Speaker 1: what's kind of the headache, the hurdles, whatever it is 182 00:10:20,640 --> 00:10:22,920 Speaker 1: in terms of trying to put together a broadcast that 183 00:10:23,000 --> 00:10:25,960 Speaker 1: isn't coming through satellite like almost every other major NFL 184 00:10:25,960 --> 00:10:29,240 Speaker 1: broadcast is instead coming through on on the internet side 185 00:10:29,240 --> 00:10:32,600 Speaker 1: of things. Yeah, it's just the number of feeds. So 186 00:10:32,800 --> 00:10:38,000 Speaker 1: when you're doing traditional broadcast, you might have remote set 187 00:10:38,120 --> 00:10:42,440 Speaker 1: up that are uh, you know, less a number for 188 00:10:42,480 --> 00:10:47,760 Speaker 1: starters as well as you are able to manage, you know, 189 00:10:47,760 --> 00:10:51,800 Speaker 1: with a very full control room the multiple remotes you 190 00:10:51,880 --> 00:10:55,839 Speaker 1: might have, and those remotes are typically camera operators and 191 00:10:56,240 --> 00:11:02,000 Speaker 1: people who are broadcast professionals using either satellite dump links 192 00:11:02,120 --> 00:11:07,400 Speaker 1: or you know, smaller satellite uplink not the trucks and things, 193 00:11:07,440 --> 00:11:11,000 Speaker 1: but there are v SATs and things that work this time. 194 00:11:11,559 --> 00:11:14,679 Speaker 1: What ESPN is going to have to deal with with 195 00:11:15,040 --> 00:11:20,679 Speaker 1: our assistants and with partnerships with our NFL partners like AWS, 196 00:11:20,960 --> 00:11:24,560 Speaker 1: is we're having you know, hundreds of live streams that 197 00:11:24,600 --> 00:11:27,800 Speaker 1: are coming in and the producers are going to be 198 00:11:27,880 --> 00:11:32,120 Speaker 1: picking from those hundreds of live streams to decide what 199 00:11:32,240 --> 00:11:35,000 Speaker 1: gets pushed to air and when it gets pushed to air. 200 00:11:35,720 --> 00:11:39,400 Speaker 1: So it's uh, one is the way the content is created. 201 00:11:39,800 --> 00:11:43,440 Speaker 1: Another is the you know, by not professionals. The other 202 00:11:43,600 --> 00:11:48,880 Speaker 1: is how it's delivered, which is not over satellite. And 203 00:11:48,920 --> 00:11:52,360 Speaker 1: the third is the producers that are producing and getting 204 00:11:52,400 --> 00:11:55,160 Speaker 1: the show to air are dealing with a lot more 205 00:11:55,200 --> 00:11:58,920 Speaker 1: inputs and you know, put on top of that, it's live, 206 00:11:59,640 --> 00:12:03,840 Speaker 1: so that's you know, the final challenges. We've seen a 207 00:12:03,880 --> 00:12:06,719 Speaker 1: lot on television, even in the last few weeks as 208 00:12:06,720 --> 00:12:10,320 Speaker 1: people have begun to work from home, and you know, 209 00:12:10,360 --> 00:12:14,679 Speaker 1: you've seen the quality difference, and you've also seen the 210 00:12:14,760 --> 00:12:19,200 Speaker 1: fact that at times it gets a little harder to 211 00:12:19,280 --> 00:12:21,959 Speaker 1: manage and you can see it happening and the real 212 00:12:22,040 --> 00:12:25,760 Speaker 1: high quality ones tend to be recorded. Uh so ours 213 00:12:25,840 --> 00:12:27,559 Speaker 1: is not going to be recorded. It's going to be live. 214 00:12:28,280 --> 00:12:35,920 Speaker 1: So it'll be an interesting, uh really live thing that's 215 00:12:36,120 --> 00:12:39,160 Speaker 1: I think, really done for the first time, so exciting, 216 00:12:39,200 --> 00:12:42,079 Speaker 1: but also a little scary for sure. Well, I think 217 00:12:42,080 --> 00:12:44,199 Speaker 1: it's going to be interesting is that you have all 218 00:12:44,240 --> 00:12:47,640 Speaker 1: of the streaming shots of all of the especially the 219 00:12:47,679 --> 00:12:51,319 Speaker 1: first rounders are going to be in their living rooms 220 00:12:51,440 --> 00:12:54,480 Speaker 1: or whatever, and I'm assuming that's going to be part 221 00:12:54,480 --> 00:12:56,680 Speaker 1: of the shot where everybody's going to be live stream 222 00:12:56,760 --> 00:13:00,400 Speaker 1: when their name is called. That's right. We're we sent 223 00:13:00,480 --> 00:13:03,800 Speaker 1: to each prospect a camera, a set of camera kits 224 00:13:04,480 --> 00:13:07,280 Speaker 1: um that has a camera that is uh sort of 225 00:13:07,520 --> 00:13:10,880 Speaker 1: set aside for an interview camera. UM, it's a it's 226 00:13:10,880 --> 00:13:14,080 Speaker 1: a phone uh with you know, what's great is the 227 00:13:14,200 --> 00:13:18,200 Speaker 1: quality of the the video capture capability of phones today 228 00:13:18,280 --> 00:13:21,440 Speaker 1: or it's amazing how good the quality is. And then 229 00:13:21,480 --> 00:13:24,560 Speaker 1: there's another phone that is set up um as the 230 00:13:25,160 --> 00:13:28,679 Speaker 1: sort of always on live stream that is showing you know, 231 00:13:28,880 --> 00:13:31,000 Speaker 1: them in their living rooms. So what we love about 232 00:13:31,040 --> 00:13:34,960 Speaker 1: it is that it's very authentic and real and will 233 00:13:34,960 --> 00:13:38,200 Speaker 1: give us the opportunity to you know, show that we 234 00:13:38,240 --> 00:13:41,960 Speaker 1: are absolutely in you know, modeling the best behavior of 235 00:13:42,000 --> 00:13:45,960 Speaker 1: staying home and staying safe during this time. UM, but 236 00:13:46,040 --> 00:13:49,160 Speaker 1: also gives us a much more i think closer intimate 237 00:13:49,440 --> 00:13:53,559 Speaker 1: look with really the future stars of the NFL. So 238 00:13:54,120 --> 00:13:58,320 Speaker 1: it is a very you know, tough technology challenge, but 239 00:13:58,440 --> 00:14:02,760 Speaker 1: such a unique oportunity that uh now we're also able 240 00:14:02,800 --> 00:14:06,320 Speaker 1: to do many more prospects than we would have done. 241 00:14:06,640 --> 00:14:10,280 Speaker 1: Um had we you know, had the draft in um 242 00:14:10,440 --> 00:14:13,600 Speaker 1: Las Vegas. You know, you would have had a few 243 00:14:13,640 --> 00:14:16,680 Speaker 1: people in the green room ors um as you normally have. 244 00:14:17,760 --> 00:14:22,680 Speaker 1: Now we we have eight players that have committed to 245 00:14:22,720 --> 00:14:25,200 Speaker 1: be part of this. Michelle, I want to talk about 246 00:14:25,200 --> 00:14:27,320 Speaker 1: the care packages that you guys sent out to the 247 00:14:27,320 --> 00:14:29,560 Speaker 1: fifty eight draft prospects that are going to be involved 248 00:14:29,560 --> 00:14:31,880 Speaker 1: in this telecast. When I first heard the draft was 249 00:14:31,920 --> 00:14:33,920 Speaker 1: going to be digital, I kind of assumed that Joe 250 00:14:33,920 --> 00:14:35,840 Speaker 1: Burrow would have a computer in the corner of his 251 00:14:35,920 --> 00:14:38,120 Speaker 1: living room or maybe would be talking to you guys 252 00:14:38,120 --> 00:14:41,240 Speaker 1: from his cell phone via selfie. But it's much more 253 00:14:41,280 --> 00:14:45,440 Speaker 1: complicated than that. You guys sent out packages that include tripods, 254 00:14:45,680 --> 00:14:51,440 Speaker 1: led lights, various microphones, multiple cameras. Talk us through one 255 00:14:52,200 --> 00:14:55,480 Speaker 1: how those packages, what's comprised of those? And two how 256 00:14:55,520 --> 00:14:57,080 Speaker 1: you get them to set them up when you can't 257 00:14:57,080 --> 00:15:00,520 Speaker 1: go to their house specifically to do it for them. Yeah, well, 258 00:15:00,520 --> 00:15:02,400 Speaker 1: you know, to to the first point what we sent 259 00:15:02,480 --> 00:15:04,880 Speaker 1: them was you hit on a little bit of it. Uh. 260 00:15:05,000 --> 00:15:07,920 Speaker 1: One of the most important things is setting up the 261 00:15:07,960 --> 00:15:10,880 Speaker 1: camera so that's steady and that it's in the best 262 00:15:10,920 --> 00:15:14,560 Speaker 1: angle and you've got the best light. So we made 263 00:15:14,600 --> 00:15:17,640 Speaker 1: sure we sent to light kits. We've got one that's 264 00:15:17,680 --> 00:15:20,920 Speaker 1: a that the ring light where you mount a camera 265 00:15:20,960 --> 00:15:23,280 Speaker 1: in the middle of the the phone goes in the 266 00:15:23,320 --> 00:15:28,880 Speaker 1: middle of the light. UM that has headphones, bows, headphones 267 00:15:28,960 --> 00:15:33,480 Speaker 1: attached to it, earbuds, uh we UM have made it 268 00:15:33,600 --> 00:15:37,920 Speaker 1: as uh simple as possible, and that we pre assembled 269 00:15:38,000 --> 00:15:42,440 Speaker 1: all of the power chords and the stands and all 270 00:15:42,480 --> 00:15:44,400 Speaker 1: of those things. So really all they have to do 271 00:15:44,520 --> 00:15:48,640 Speaker 1: is unfolded, plug it in and mount mount the phones 272 00:15:48,880 --> 00:15:53,280 Speaker 1: on the the holders. Um. That was that's sort of 273 00:15:53,320 --> 00:15:57,640 Speaker 1: the first kit. The second kit was sort of the 274 00:15:57,680 --> 00:16:00,880 Speaker 1: wide shot, which would be the wide shot of the 275 00:16:01,000 --> 00:16:05,160 Speaker 1: room where they are gathered with hopefully a small number 276 00:16:05,640 --> 00:16:10,760 Speaker 1: of their families and that will uh that has also 277 00:16:11,160 --> 00:16:14,880 Speaker 1: an LED light and a boom microphone that is attached 278 00:16:15,200 --> 00:16:18,160 Speaker 1: so that we can have good audio. So we tried 279 00:16:18,200 --> 00:16:20,960 Speaker 1: to give them the best of, um, what you would 280 00:16:21,000 --> 00:16:24,640 Speaker 1: typically get in a in a broadcast scenario with sort 281 00:16:24,680 --> 00:16:29,120 Speaker 1: of consumer grade devices which have have really come a 282 00:16:29,160 --> 00:16:32,080 Speaker 1: long way in the last few years. And how much 283 00:16:32,080 --> 00:16:34,200 Speaker 1: do one of these kids cost all the ingredients if 284 00:16:34,240 --> 00:16:35,720 Speaker 1: I wanted to set one up in my own house, 285 00:16:36,040 --> 00:16:40,400 Speaker 1: probably each each cost well the phones alone, I mean, 286 00:16:40,680 --> 00:16:44,400 Speaker 1: let's think about that. It's too too iPhone elevens that 287 00:16:44,480 --> 00:16:47,680 Speaker 1: are that are in there. Uh. We partnered with Verizon. 288 00:16:48,480 --> 00:16:51,640 Speaker 1: Verizon procured all the phones for us, so you know, 289 00:16:51,800 --> 00:16:53,920 Speaker 1: you know what an iPhone costs, and that's you know, 290 00:16:54,600 --> 00:16:58,160 Speaker 1: fifty eight times to um, because we have two of 291 00:16:58,200 --> 00:17:01,640 Speaker 1: them in UH. Then you know the other stuff is 292 00:17:02,080 --> 00:17:05,600 Speaker 1: really you know, maybe a couple of thousand dollars of stuff. 293 00:17:06,080 --> 00:17:08,400 Speaker 1: And we're talking about in the last segment those kids 294 00:17:08,440 --> 00:17:12,120 Speaker 1: that you send out to the prospects. I could use 295 00:17:12,160 --> 00:17:13,760 Speaker 1: one of those because when I had to set up 296 00:17:13,760 --> 00:17:20,120 Speaker 1: here at home. UH, our extraordinary engineer Charlie Volmer, who 297 00:17:20,480 --> 00:17:23,440 Speaker 1: was second is second to none in it uh and me, 298 00:17:23,640 --> 00:17:26,480 Speaker 1: I'm about as dumb as a post. Uh. And we're 299 00:17:26,520 --> 00:17:29,840 Speaker 1: trying to set it up, and he finally said, it's like, 300 00:17:30,160 --> 00:17:32,800 Speaker 1: do you have that turned on? It's like, oh, no, 301 00:17:32,960 --> 00:17:36,360 Speaker 1: I don't. So this is what you go through when 302 00:17:36,520 --> 00:17:38,800 Speaker 1: when you're trying to do something like this. This is 303 00:17:39,119 --> 00:17:41,359 Speaker 1: this is extraordinary, and I'm sure you're gonna have a 304 00:17:41,359 --> 00:17:44,560 Speaker 1: lot of those, and you've got to test fifty plus 305 00:17:44,640 --> 00:17:48,440 Speaker 1: prospects involved. So this is going to be an extraordinary 306 00:17:48,480 --> 00:17:52,480 Speaker 1: out taking for you guys. That's right. We we begin 307 00:17:52,520 --> 00:17:56,280 Speaker 1: our testing processes. We've already begun, um. Some of the 308 00:17:56,359 --> 00:18:00,000 Speaker 1: kids are already in homes and set up, and we've 309 00:18:00,040 --> 00:18:03,720 Speaker 1: begun to test the streams and help them make sure 310 00:18:03,720 --> 00:18:06,480 Speaker 1: they get them all put together and set up you know, 311 00:18:06,520 --> 00:18:09,400 Speaker 1: the players are so excited about being a part of this, 312 00:18:09,560 --> 00:18:13,040 Speaker 1: not only UM because you know, this is such a 313 00:18:13,040 --> 00:18:15,760 Speaker 1: big moment in their lives, but also they get to 314 00:18:15,800 --> 00:18:19,800 Speaker 1: help us, UM bring bring to light UM something that 315 00:18:19,840 --> 00:18:22,879 Speaker 1: I think, you know, we need in America today, which 316 00:18:22,920 --> 00:18:26,639 Speaker 1: is UM, you know, a chance to come together as 317 00:18:26,640 --> 00:18:30,239 Speaker 1: a community see things, uh, you know, keep normalcy as 318 00:18:30,320 --> 00:18:33,720 Speaker 1: much as possible, and raise money as well. And and 319 00:18:34,160 --> 00:18:38,119 Speaker 1: they're all very excited about participating. So it's been quite 320 00:18:38,160 --> 00:18:40,960 Speaker 1: easy with that group. A little more challenging on the 321 00:18:41,000 --> 00:18:44,000 Speaker 1: club side. You know, we've put them in a situation 322 00:18:44,000 --> 00:18:47,360 Speaker 1: where they have to work from their private residences. They 323 00:18:47,400 --> 00:18:49,840 Speaker 1: can't gather together for the draft. It has to be 324 00:18:49,960 --> 00:18:56,080 Speaker 1: virtual as far as they're gathering, and so that's been challenging, UM. 325 00:18:56,119 --> 00:18:59,280 Speaker 1: But they're also committed to doing it and doing the 326 00:18:59,359 --> 00:19:02,439 Speaker 1: right thing. And uh so a lot of testing and 327 00:19:02,560 --> 00:19:05,280 Speaker 1: a lot of help that we've been doing over the 328 00:19:05,359 --> 00:19:09,120 Speaker 1: last you know, seven or eight days, and now we're 329 00:19:09,200 --> 00:19:12,200 Speaker 1: you know, seven days away really from from it all, 330 00:19:12,680 --> 00:19:16,160 Speaker 1: you know, all happening. Michelle, I do want to ask 331 00:19:16,160 --> 00:19:18,080 Speaker 1: you about the on the team side of things that 332 00:19:18,160 --> 00:19:20,359 Speaker 1: you just mentioned. You know, I've learned very early in 333 00:19:20,400 --> 00:19:23,439 Speaker 1: this job that NFL teams are very very strict and 334 00:19:23,520 --> 00:19:27,320 Speaker 1: sometimes kind of verge on the side of paranoia about security. 335 00:19:27,840 --> 00:19:30,280 Speaker 1: You know, Um, when you think about all of this 336 00:19:30,359 --> 00:19:34,520 Speaker 1: stuff happening digitally, how what do you guys, What steps 337 00:19:34,520 --> 00:19:37,000 Speaker 1: are you guys taking? What's different about this plan now? 338 00:19:37,600 --> 00:19:40,800 Speaker 1: You know, in terms of a digital security standpoint, something 339 00:19:40,800 --> 00:19:42,919 Speaker 1: you might not have had to worry about necessarily if 340 00:19:42,960 --> 00:19:45,560 Speaker 1: all these guys were together in their own war room 341 00:19:45,600 --> 00:19:49,960 Speaker 1: as opposed to separate in their own on their own couches. Well, 342 00:19:49,960 --> 00:19:52,800 Speaker 1: you know, certainly, you know, we don't want to go 343 00:19:52,840 --> 00:19:56,320 Speaker 1: into specifics around what we are are doing, you know, 344 00:19:56,440 --> 00:19:59,639 Speaker 1: just suffice it to say that the majority of breaches 345 00:20:00,160 --> 00:20:05,560 Speaker 1: occur um because of really poor password management, because of 346 00:20:05,600 --> 00:20:11,080 Speaker 1: poor um, you know, not having two factor authentication, uh, 347 00:20:11,240 --> 00:20:15,080 Speaker 1: things that we as a league have already implemented and 348 00:20:15,160 --> 00:20:19,520 Speaker 1: had implemented um across all clubs you know, in the 349 00:20:19,600 --> 00:20:23,320 Speaker 1: last few years. So it wasn't like we had all 350 00:20:23,359 --> 00:20:27,440 Speaker 1: of a sudden become a much more secure operation. UM. 351 00:20:27,520 --> 00:20:31,040 Speaker 1: We transmit data, very sensitive data back and forth all 352 00:20:31,080 --> 00:20:35,120 Speaker 1: the time from the clubs to to the NFL. We're 353 00:20:35,160 --> 00:20:40,240 Speaker 1: able to use you know, private networks uh where possible. UM. 354 00:20:40,520 --> 00:20:44,960 Speaker 1: So it was really more of, I guess, discussing how 355 00:20:45,520 --> 00:20:50,600 Speaker 1: teleconferencing and video teleconferencing as of late has become a 356 00:20:50,600 --> 00:20:54,480 Speaker 1: target and how do we get make sure best practices 357 00:20:54,600 --> 00:20:58,119 Speaker 1: are followed there, and if best practices are followed and 358 00:20:58,200 --> 00:21:00,280 Speaker 1: you do what you're supposed to do, the chance is 359 00:21:00,320 --> 00:21:04,879 Speaker 1: of uh, you know, getting that intercepted UM are a 360 00:21:04,920 --> 00:21:08,359 Speaker 1: lot less. So we did a little bit of you know, 361 00:21:08,440 --> 00:21:11,600 Speaker 1: just making sure we met with every single club, We 362 00:21:11,640 --> 00:21:14,880 Speaker 1: met with every single GM and head coach. We discussed 363 00:21:14,960 --> 00:21:17,920 Speaker 1: all the the types of things they're going to need 364 00:21:17,960 --> 00:21:20,560 Speaker 1: to be doing. In one whole section of that was 365 00:21:20,680 --> 00:21:25,320 Speaker 1: on security, and they certainly are very aware of the 366 00:21:25,359 --> 00:21:28,920 Speaker 1: importance of that, and we all we have contingency plans 367 00:21:29,000 --> 00:21:32,960 Speaker 1: and we have a you know, a lot of help 368 00:21:33,520 --> 00:21:36,880 Speaker 1: so to speak in making sure that you know, we're 369 00:21:36,920 --> 00:21:40,040 Speaker 1: safe and safe and secure and what to do if 370 00:21:40,080 --> 00:21:44,399 Speaker 1: we do detect any kind of UM activity that's not normal. 371 00:21:45,400 --> 00:21:47,840 Speaker 1: One of the things that's fun about watching the NFL 372 00:21:47,960 --> 00:21:51,840 Speaker 1: Draft are the fans, because the fans will react is like, yeah, 373 00:21:51,960 --> 00:21:54,280 Speaker 1: we got so and so, or no, we got so 374 00:21:54,400 --> 00:21:57,520 Speaker 1: and so. Do you have any considents of a camera 375 00:21:57,960 --> 00:22:04,000 Speaker 1: involved where they that you can watch the fan reaction. Yeah, 376 00:22:04,040 --> 00:22:06,720 Speaker 1: you know, one of the best things about the way 377 00:22:07,000 --> 00:22:10,399 Speaker 1: we're curating this content, and if you think about how 378 00:22:10,920 --> 00:22:13,919 Speaker 1: you know, social influencers have been curating and publishing and 379 00:22:13,960 --> 00:22:19,520 Speaker 1: broadcasting content forever, is they're using their own devices. And so, yes, 380 00:22:19,640 --> 00:22:22,639 Speaker 1: we have each club has worked on a plan for 381 00:22:22,720 --> 00:22:26,920 Speaker 1: how they're pulling fans in using their own devices, and 382 00:22:26,960 --> 00:22:29,560 Speaker 1: how we're going to be able to show them being 383 00:22:29,600 --> 00:22:33,720 Speaker 1: excited around picks and reacting to picks, and you'll be 384 00:22:33,760 --> 00:22:36,239 Speaker 1: able to see that on the broadcast. Michelle, I think 385 00:22:36,280 --> 00:22:38,439 Speaker 1: we'd all be in agreement that hopefully, you know, this 386 00:22:38,520 --> 00:22:40,879 Speaker 1: is the first and last NFL draft that has to 387 00:22:40,920 --> 00:22:43,440 Speaker 1: happen fully in this in this way. But I'm curious 388 00:22:43,480 --> 00:22:46,639 Speaker 1: if there are things you guys are doing playing around 389 00:22:46,720 --> 00:22:49,840 Speaker 1: with now that you think maybe permanent features and how 390 00:22:49,880 --> 00:22:53,280 Speaker 1: you think about draft coverage or big event coverage in 391 00:22:53,320 --> 00:22:56,040 Speaker 1: the future that maybe you weren't thinking about just because 392 00:22:56,200 --> 00:22:58,280 Speaker 1: you weren't, you know how having to be so reliant 393 00:22:58,320 --> 00:23:01,800 Speaker 1: on the digital, virtual side of things, you know, it's 394 00:23:01,840 --> 00:23:04,119 Speaker 1: it's interesting that you say that. I mean, we just 395 00:23:04,200 --> 00:23:08,199 Speaker 1: wrapped up our hundred season and as we were you know, 396 00:23:08,240 --> 00:23:12,960 Speaker 1: winding down that season, we were talking about you know, 397 00:23:13,040 --> 00:23:16,000 Speaker 1: we were onto the future and looking at the future 398 00:23:16,040 --> 00:23:20,200 Speaker 1: of how we presented our games and how our fans 399 00:23:20,240 --> 00:23:23,399 Speaker 1: were able to connect with our players in a more 400 00:23:23,480 --> 00:23:27,960 Speaker 1: authentic way, and how would we be able to uh, 401 00:23:28,000 --> 00:23:33,400 Speaker 1: you know, give more unique, um sort of content that 402 00:23:33,400 --> 00:23:36,440 Speaker 1: that pairs well with the broadcast. We just didn't have 403 00:23:36,480 --> 00:23:38,199 Speaker 1: any idea that we were going to be doing it 404 00:23:38,280 --> 00:23:42,320 Speaker 1: within you know, sixty days of having those discussions, and 405 00:23:42,400 --> 00:23:47,159 Speaker 1: so I do think there are things that are we're learning. UM. 406 00:23:47,280 --> 00:23:50,960 Speaker 1: Certainly technically it's been you know, we're going to test 407 00:23:51,000 --> 00:23:54,119 Speaker 1: out the capability of it. UM. But we've watched the 408 00:23:54,280 --> 00:23:57,199 Speaker 1: rise of you know, the YouTubers of the world who 409 00:23:57,240 --> 00:24:01,400 Speaker 1: have become international celebrities by you know, putting their own 410 00:24:01,480 --> 00:24:05,320 Speaker 1: content uh to broadcast you know, over the top on 411 00:24:05,359 --> 00:24:09,679 Speaker 1: the Internet that is very high quality and um some 412 00:24:09,800 --> 00:24:13,480 Speaker 1: of the widely you know, whide is followed people in 413 00:24:13,520 --> 00:24:17,040 Speaker 1: the world are these celebrities. So, you know, we'd like 414 00:24:17,119 --> 00:24:19,639 Speaker 1: to see our players and our fans be able to 415 00:24:19,680 --> 00:24:23,040 Speaker 1: get closer to our players in a way that's kind 416 00:24:23,040 --> 00:24:25,439 Speaker 1: of a helmets off type of way where you know 417 00:24:25,600 --> 00:24:29,080 Speaker 1: the players better and you can identify with them more. 418 00:24:29,320 --> 00:24:33,399 Speaker 1: And I think this is gonna really start that UM 419 00:24:33,480 --> 00:24:35,920 Speaker 1: in a way that you know, we probably would have 420 00:24:36,000 --> 00:24:39,920 Speaker 1: taken longer to do UM. And you know, we'll prove 421 00:24:39,960 --> 00:24:43,760 Speaker 1: out how we would be able to integrate, you know, 422 00:24:44,400 --> 00:24:48,879 Speaker 1: sort of overlying you know, fan created content or player 423 00:24:49,040 --> 00:24:52,680 Speaker 1: created content over a traditional broadcast. I think those are 424 00:24:52,680 --> 00:24:55,320 Speaker 1: the kinds of things that will probably be here to 425 00:24:55,400 --> 00:24:58,199 Speaker 1: stay for all of us, UM in all media and 426 00:24:58,280 --> 00:25:03,119 Speaker 1: entertainment after this. This was supposed to take place in 427 00:25:03,200 --> 00:25:08,080 Speaker 1: Las Vegas, uh and obviously unfortunately that's been canceled and 428 00:25:08,359 --> 00:25:12,560 Speaker 1: it's been told now is going to be in Bronxville. Uh. 429 00:25:12,680 --> 00:25:16,480 Speaker 1: What happens when obviously when you talk about a big 430 00:25:16,480 --> 00:25:20,280 Speaker 1: city like Las Vegas and it gets canceled, that has 431 00:25:20,320 --> 00:25:24,639 Speaker 1: to have some sort of a financial impact on everybody involved. 432 00:25:24,720 --> 00:25:28,399 Speaker 1: Can you take us through Hopefully maybe it will be 433 00:25:28,440 --> 00:25:31,639 Speaker 1: rescheduled for next year in Las Vegas and and what 434 00:25:31,800 --> 00:25:35,760 Speaker 1: happens from here? You know, there are definitely in talks 435 00:25:35,880 --> 00:25:41,560 Speaker 1: uh with the Las Vegas Convention and Visitors Bureau in 436 00:25:41,560 --> 00:25:44,640 Speaker 1: and around what our alternatives are. You know, we're very 437 00:25:44,680 --> 00:25:48,040 Speaker 1: excited that, uh, we're bringing a team to Las Vegas. 438 00:25:48,119 --> 00:25:52,440 Speaker 1: And that that project has been moving forward and UH 439 00:25:52,640 --> 00:25:56,800 Speaker 1: is on schedule to open. So the people in Las 440 00:25:56,880 --> 00:26:00,879 Speaker 1: Vegas are still very excited about our presence there and 441 00:26:01,000 --> 00:26:04,639 Speaker 1: certainly looking to, you know, when can we get it 442 00:26:04,680 --> 00:26:08,159 Speaker 1: back to Las Vegas and all what types of things 443 00:26:08,200 --> 00:26:11,040 Speaker 1: on our event plan could we look at for Las 444 00:26:11,119 --> 00:26:14,200 Speaker 1: Vegas as a destination. So we're trying to get through 445 00:26:14,240 --> 00:26:17,200 Speaker 1: the draft, and then I think we'll be looking at, 446 00:26:17,320 --> 00:26:20,960 Speaker 1: you know, our whole event calendar going forward, UM, including 447 00:26:21,160 --> 00:26:24,320 Speaker 1: you know, planning Super Bowl UM coming up in Tampa. 448 00:26:24,440 --> 00:26:27,280 Speaker 1: So we're going to have to turn our you know 449 00:26:27,920 --> 00:26:31,600 Speaker 1: sites to that pretty quickly after we get through this draft. 450 00:26:33,400 --> 00:26:35,720 Speaker 1: Michelle is shifting gears for a second. I'm curious if 451 00:26:35,760 --> 00:26:38,520 Speaker 1: the woman who runs the NFL's technology efforts, are you 452 00:26:38,600 --> 00:26:40,600 Speaker 1: more comfortable working from home than the rest of us 453 00:26:40,920 --> 00:26:43,960 Speaker 1: who seemed to be going crazy right now? Well, you 454 00:26:44,000 --> 00:26:46,639 Speaker 1: know what I miss is all of my social interaction 455 00:26:46,720 --> 00:26:49,360 Speaker 1: with my team and being able to just walk down 456 00:26:49,359 --> 00:26:53,440 Speaker 1: the hall and chat and catch up. But because I 457 00:26:53,960 --> 00:26:56,960 Speaker 1: you know, it's it's funny you you laughed. The other day, 458 00:26:56,960 --> 00:27:00,919 Speaker 1: I was having a problem with my computer here and 459 00:27:01,119 --> 00:27:07,040 Speaker 1: we were on a big zoom call and UH someone said, uh, 460 00:27:07,080 --> 00:27:09,720 Speaker 1: my goodness, and shall this is like the shoemaker's children. 461 00:27:09,760 --> 00:27:13,360 Speaker 1: You to your computer is not working. I s like, well, 462 00:27:13,359 --> 00:27:15,320 Speaker 1: it happens for the best of us. But yeah, I'm 463 00:27:15,400 --> 00:27:19,720 Speaker 1: very comfortable with it. Um. I've always felt like, particularly 464 00:27:19,800 --> 00:27:23,600 Speaker 1: in the tech field, UM, people that work in technology 465 00:27:23,640 --> 00:27:26,480 Speaker 1: have been working remotely for many years. We might have 466 00:27:26,560 --> 00:27:30,320 Speaker 1: been the first wave of telecommuters. And you know in 467 00:27:30,359 --> 00:27:34,640 Speaker 1: the world, and there are so most people that work 468 00:27:34,680 --> 00:27:39,280 Speaker 1: and do technology are comfortable working from home from getting 469 00:27:39,320 --> 00:27:42,680 Speaker 1: your work done. And we have found that everyone has 470 00:27:42,720 --> 00:27:47,520 Speaker 1: adopted well to it, including the commissioner. It's been uh, 471 00:27:47,680 --> 00:27:50,359 Speaker 1: you know which uh in the beginning would have been 472 00:27:51,040 --> 00:27:53,240 Speaker 1: you know, we thought, wow, this is this gonna work. 473 00:27:53,680 --> 00:27:57,520 Speaker 1: But what we do miss is seeing each other in person. 474 00:27:57,840 --> 00:28:00,359 Speaker 1: And you know that goes to I think to the 475 00:28:00,920 --> 00:28:03,320 Speaker 1: you know, we're a family and we miss each other. 476 00:28:03,760 --> 00:28:07,360 Speaker 1: That's the biggest that's the biggest challenge of working from home. 477 00:28:08,640 --> 00:28:10,159 Speaker 1: I think the thing that I missed the most. And 478 00:28:10,200 --> 00:28:12,840 Speaker 1: Michael and I were talking about this earlier today. It's 479 00:28:12,880 --> 00:28:18,840 Speaker 1: it's not a technology piece. It's my ergonomic chair in 480 00:28:18,960 --> 00:28:22,600 Speaker 1: my office. So true, like I'm sitting in it's a 481 00:28:22,640 --> 00:28:25,200 Speaker 1: pretty chair. That was put in my home office and 482 00:28:25,440 --> 00:28:29,080 Speaker 1: looks and um, it is definitely very uncomfortable. So I 483 00:28:29,119 --> 00:28:32,879 Speaker 1: find myself roaming around the house with my laptop, sitting 484 00:28:32,920 --> 00:28:36,280 Speaker 1: in different places all day, just to try to change 485 00:28:36,320 --> 00:28:40,400 Speaker 1: up the comfort as well as the scenery. My family 486 00:28:40,560 --> 00:28:43,800 Speaker 1: just gave me a present for my birthday and it 487 00:28:43,920 --> 00:28:47,000 Speaker 1: is an office chair because I was sitting in a 488 00:28:47,080 --> 00:28:50,760 Speaker 1: folding chair before. Uh, like I was in the basement 489 00:28:51,240 --> 00:28:55,120 Speaker 1: at a party somewhere. At least they gave me something 490 00:28:55,160 --> 00:28:59,600 Speaker 1: to wear. You know, I'm halfway comfortable. I totally appreciate that. 491 00:29:00,760 --> 00:29:05,080 Speaker 1: That's a great gift. Let me ask another question. Uh, 492 00:29:05,280 --> 00:29:11,960 Speaker 1: and this involves, uh when when the game starts? Will 493 00:29:12,040 --> 00:29:15,320 Speaker 1: we ever see and I'm just just out of curiosity, 494 00:29:15,640 --> 00:29:19,240 Speaker 1: will we see fans in the stands for the first 495 00:29:19,360 --> 00:29:26,040 Speaker 1: few games? Your opinion? Uh, when we play football again? Wow? Um, 496 00:29:26,080 --> 00:29:30,400 Speaker 1: you know that's a hard one. I rembission. Yeah. Yeah. 497 00:29:30,440 --> 00:29:33,320 Speaker 1: The commissioner has come out and said that, you know, 498 00:29:33,360 --> 00:29:37,760 Speaker 1: our number one objective is to protect the health and 499 00:29:37,800 --> 00:29:40,880 Speaker 1: safety of our players and our fans. So we'll we'll 500 00:29:40,920 --> 00:29:45,760 Speaker 1: be following you know, our federal, state, and local guidelines 501 00:29:45,800 --> 00:29:49,720 Speaker 1: and regards to all of that. Um, including when players 502 00:29:49,760 --> 00:29:52,960 Speaker 1: return and when we return to the field. But right 503 00:29:53,000 --> 00:29:57,320 Speaker 1: now we are planning to begin our season in September, 504 00:29:57,400 --> 00:30:01,440 Speaker 1: and that's what we're moving ahead with UM, but with 505 00:30:01,520 --> 00:30:04,800 Speaker 1: an eye too just you know, we've we've had to 506 00:30:04,840 --> 00:30:09,760 Speaker 1: adjust very quickly on this draft, and we we began 507 00:30:09,880 --> 00:30:12,760 Speaker 1: with being in Las Vegas, and then we went to 508 00:30:12,960 --> 00:30:18,560 Speaker 1: a we'll do UM everyone where the prospects won't won't gather, 509 00:30:18,800 --> 00:30:21,480 Speaker 1: but the clubs will be able to gather in their 510 00:30:21,480 --> 00:30:24,480 Speaker 1: facility as long as it's less than ten. And then 511 00:30:24,520 --> 00:30:27,800 Speaker 1: we went from that to know we're all virtual and 512 00:30:27,840 --> 00:30:31,400 Speaker 1: everyone is staying home. So we have adjusted on the fly, 513 00:30:31,600 --> 00:30:34,680 Speaker 1: and I expect that that's what we'll have to keep 514 00:30:34,720 --> 00:30:40,440 Speaker 1: being able to do, is have the ability to make plans, 515 00:30:41,160 --> 00:30:46,040 Speaker 1: get them set, but with multiple contingency plans. Should A 516 00:30:46,200 --> 00:30:50,160 Speaker 1: B or C happen, so obviously we'd love it to 517 00:30:50,280 --> 00:30:54,640 Speaker 1: happen with fans and stadiums and able to do exactly 518 00:30:54,960 --> 00:30:57,280 Speaker 1: what we've planned, and there's a there's a lot of 519 00:30:57,280 --> 00:31:01,719 Speaker 1: hope for that, but we're planning for UM all the scenarios. 520 00:31:02,400 --> 00:31:04,720 Speaker 1: And Michelle, how do you think about specifically your job, 521 00:31:05,040 --> 00:31:07,400 Speaker 1: you know, interacting with all those kind of scenarios. I 522 00:31:07,400 --> 00:31:11,440 Speaker 1: would imagine no matter what football looks like this fall, 523 00:31:11,480 --> 00:31:13,720 Speaker 1: hopefully when we get it in, you know, there's going 524 00:31:13,760 --> 00:31:17,560 Speaker 1: to be added technology pieces to that experience that maybe 525 00:31:17,640 --> 00:31:20,280 Speaker 1: would not have been necessary or would not have been 526 00:31:20,320 --> 00:31:26,080 Speaker 1: included if everything had kind of flowed normally into September. Yeah, 527 00:31:26,160 --> 00:31:28,760 Speaker 1: you know, the game is very much uh. I mean, 528 00:31:28,800 --> 00:31:31,800 Speaker 1: I have responsibility for football technology. So even on a 529 00:31:31,880 --> 00:31:36,120 Speaker 1: regular game day, so much of what happens is UM 530 00:31:36,400 --> 00:31:41,520 Speaker 1: A technology. You know, backbones supports UM everything from you know, 531 00:31:41,600 --> 00:31:46,600 Speaker 1: instant replay to UM next gen stats too, all of 532 00:31:46,720 --> 00:31:50,400 Speaker 1: stat systems. There's a lot that goes on UM. So 533 00:31:50,480 --> 00:31:53,280 Speaker 1: those kinds of things will continue. But I do think 534 00:31:53,960 --> 00:31:57,120 Speaker 1: we'll be looking to get more and more creative around 535 00:31:57,440 --> 00:32:04,440 Speaker 1: how we produce UH content. UH. And that requires technology, 536 00:32:04,520 --> 00:32:09,000 Speaker 1: and it requires really a little bit of rethinking UM 537 00:32:09,080 --> 00:32:13,560 Speaker 1: how we do things. So I expect that we'll keep 538 00:32:13,640 --> 00:32:17,440 Speaker 1: up this creative work that's been going on within the league. 539 00:32:17,440 --> 00:32:21,760 Speaker 1: It's been awesome to see, UH we have pulled together 540 00:32:22,560 --> 00:32:25,120 Speaker 1: in a way that I'm so proud of, and people 541 00:32:25,160 --> 00:32:29,840 Speaker 1: are doing jobs that that aren't their typical jobs and 542 00:32:29,960 --> 00:32:33,120 Speaker 1: they've jumped in on this. And I think we'll we'll 543 00:32:33,160 --> 00:32:35,800 Speaker 1: see more and more of that as we go through 544 00:32:36,440 --> 00:32:40,840 Speaker 1: planning for what's next. Well, Michelle, I'm going to look 545 00:32:40,880 --> 00:32:43,720 Speaker 1: stupid again and unplug something and not make it work 546 00:32:43,720 --> 00:32:47,120 Speaker 1: on my end at home. So I appreciated that you 547 00:32:47,160 --> 00:32:49,880 Speaker 1: guys are tech savvy and can teach me a lot 548 00:32:49,960 --> 00:32:53,520 Speaker 1: of things about this. Michelle McKenna, c I O of 549 00:32:53,600 --> 00:32:57,080 Speaker 1: the NFL, thank you so much for joining us. Yeah, 550 00:32:57,120 --> 00:33:01,480 Speaker 1: thanks for having me. I am amazed how technology has 551 00:33:01,640 --> 00:33:06,160 Speaker 1: changed things, Evan, because now we're going to see as 552 00:33:06,280 --> 00:33:08,840 Speaker 1: as she put it, I think, what, uh, We're a 553 00:33:08,960 --> 00:33:13,080 Speaker 1: hundred streaming videos and the producer has to go through 554 00:33:13,120 --> 00:33:15,680 Speaker 1: all of this and try to find the best shot. 555 00:33:15,920 --> 00:33:17,920 Speaker 1: I don't know how in the world a producer can 556 00:33:17,960 --> 00:33:22,280 Speaker 1: do that, but bless their hearts. I am very interested 557 00:33:22,320 --> 00:33:26,520 Speaker 1: to see how this is going to play out on TV. Yeah, 558 00:33:26,560 --> 00:33:29,800 Speaker 1: and I think, you know, especially this idea of sending 559 00:33:30,160 --> 00:33:34,760 Speaker 1: you know, to to almost sixty prospects. These two tech kits. 560 00:33:34,760 --> 00:33:36,840 Speaker 1: She went into pretty good detail on what they were. 561 00:33:37,320 --> 00:33:40,200 Speaker 1: It's not a little microphone or a phone and a camera. 562 00:33:40,280 --> 00:33:43,640 Speaker 1: You know. It is you know stands, it is tripods, 563 00:33:43,760 --> 00:33:48,600 Speaker 1: it's lighting fixtures, it's boom microphones, it's search protectors, it's 564 00:33:48,640 --> 00:33:51,040 Speaker 1: it's the whole setup. You know. It's so funny to 565 00:33:51,080 --> 00:33:54,160 Speaker 1: me to think about. You know, these guys who on 566 00:33:54,360 --> 00:33:57,200 Speaker 1: you know, possibly the biggest day of their professional lives, 567 00:33:57,240 --> 00:34:00,960 Speaker 1: are also kind of simultaneously getting this crash course in 568 00:34:01,320 --> 00:34:06,040 Speaker 1: kind of professional digital producing. And I think there's a 569 00:34:06,080 --> 00:34:08,400 Speaker 1: there's a really fun juxtaposition there. And I'm curious kind 570 00:34:08,440 --> 00:34:10,520 Speaker 1: of as you said, Michael, as well, you know, if 571 00:34:10,560 --> 00:34:12,920 Speaker 1: we can fast forward to what the draft looks like, 572 00:34:14,600 --> 00:34:16,600 Speaker 1: how many of the things that the NFL is actually 573 00:34:16,600 --> 00:34:20,160 Speaker 1: playing around with right now are things that become legacy 574 00:34:20,239 --> 00:34:24,080 Speaker 1: features back when they can do live in person drafts 575 00:34:24,080 --> 00:34:27,280 Speaker 1: in Las Vegas or wherever they're gonna be. Yeah, especially 576 00:34:27,320 --> 00:34:29,400 Speaker 1: this was supposed to be in Las Vegas, and I 577 00:34:29,440 --> 00:34:32,560 Speaker 1: feel bad from the fact that everybody was all set 578 00:34:32,600 --> 00:34:35,200 Speaker 1: to go to Las Vegas and people were ready to gamble, 579 00:34:35,280 --> 00:34:38,120 Speaker 1: and people were ready to have fun, and on top 580 00:34:38,160 --> 00:34:40,600 Speaker 1: of the draft, of course, and you know, the fans 581 00:34:40,640 --> 00:34:42,880 Speaker 1: were going to enjoy all of this, and now that 582 00:34:43,000 --> 00:34:46,600 Speaker 1: all got came to a crashing halt because of the 583 00:34:46,600 --> 00:34:51,799 Speaker 1: coronavirus obviously, which is that is a bigger issue than 584 00:34:52,160 --> 00:34:55,560 Speaker 1: we're talking about the NFL draft. But this has affected 585 00:34:55,640 --> 00:34:58,759 Speaker 1: so many businesses in so many ways. So I hope 586 00:34:58,800 --> 00:35:03,319 Speaker 1: we can get back to it's some normalcy, because that's 587 00:35:03,480 --> 00:35:06,440 Speaker 1: not It feels better to be number one than number five. 588 00:35:06,480 --> 00:35:08,120 Speaker 1: I'll wear a number because of Mike. We have a 589 00:35:08,200 --> 00:35:10,000 Speaker 1: chance to go for three in a row. Good numbers 590 00:35:10,000 --> 00:35:12,120 Speaker 1: at a good time. And let's first started wearing the number. 591 00:35:12,239 --> 00:35:15,360 Speaker 1: How we just happy and found Bloomberg Business of Sports 592 00:35:15,600 --> 00:35:18,879 Speaker 1: the number of the week. Time now for the number 593 00:35:18,920 --> 00:35:24,399 Speaker 1: of the week. Good luck, uh play I can't get 594 00:35:24,440 --> 00:35:27,520 Speaker 1: them in They're of you play a log at home 595 00:35:27,600 --> 00:35:31,640 Speaker 1: if you can get this one. The number is three 596 00:35:31,920 --> 00:35:40,680 Speaker 1: point three billion dollars. Oh man, oh god, I don't 597 00:35:40,680 --> 00:35:44,239 Speaker 1: even know where to begin the amount of revenue that 598 00:35:44,360 --> 00:35:48,960 Speaker 1: the NBA may lose if it can't hold his playoffs. 599 00:35:49,600 --> 00:35:53,960 Speaker 1: That's a great guess, but that's not where I was going. 600 00:35:54,600 --> 00:36:00,680 Speaker 1: But nowhere close in uh India, I'm gonna say India, 601 00:36:01,360 --> 00:36:07,040 Speaker 1: oh sports, but my sports business knowledge of India is 602 00:36:07,040 --> 00:36:09,040 Speaker 1: is not solid, Okay, I think you gotta give us 603 00:36:09,040 --> 00:36:12,319 Speaker 1: the answer, Ali Baba and ten Cent. I'm gonna try 604 00:36:12,360 --> 00:36:16,720 Speaker 1: to cash in with a billion plus cricket fans because 605 00:36:16,920 --> 00:36:21,680 Speaker 1: watching cricket and playing rummy. They are online passions for 606 00:36:21,880 --> 00:36:25,400 Speaker 1: hundreds of millions of Indians, so about three million players. 607 00:36:25,400 --> 00:36:30,160 Speaker 1: They use apps such as Dream eleven and uh they 608 00:36:30,280 --> 00:36:33,320 Speaker 1: hope that the player base can expect at least to 609 00:36:33,400 --> 00:36:35,960 Speaker 1: double by the ends year and industry sales this is 610 00:36:35,960 --> 00:36:38,480 Speaker 1: where the three point three billion is coming in their 611 00:36:38,560 --> 00:36:42,480 Speaker 1: forecast to reach about three point three billion dollars by 612 00:36:42,640 --> 00:36:48,680 Speaker 1: twenty twenty four. So that is amazing to me that cricket, Yes, 613 00:36:48,719 --> 00:36:53,440 Speaker 1: I get rummy. I didn't see that one coming. So, 614 00:36:54,560 --> 00:36:56,680 Speaker 1: you know, it's one of those things we we we've 615 00:36:56,760 --> 00:37:00,200 Speaker 1: mentioned that the gaming, especially in countries where there are 616 00:37:00,280 --> 00:37:03,560 Speaker 1: various forms of lockdowns, India included. You know, gaming and 617 00:37:03,680 --> 00:37:07,560 Speaker 1: especially mobile gaming is thriving right now. So you know, 618 00:37:07,680 --> 00:37:10,120 Speaker 1: no question that if you're Ali Baba or ten Cent, 619 00:37:10,200 --> 00:37:12,120 Speaker 1: you know all of your almost all of your business 620 00:37:12,280 --> 00:37:15,759 Speaker 1: is kind of on the digital video side of things. Uh, 621 00:37:15,760 --> 00:37:18,120 Speaker 1: this is this is a big opportunity for sure. Hey, 622 00:37:18,160 --> 00:37:21,520 Speaker 1: we watch Championship Bridge back in the sixties, so hey, 623 00:37:22,080 --> 00:37:26,880 Speaker 1: why not watch Rummy whatever? Hey, okay, you've been listening 624 00:37:26,880 --> 00:37:29,440 Speaker 1: to the Bloomberg business of sports where you're each and 625 00:37:29,480 --> 00:37:31,600 Speaker 1: every week at the same time plus online. Wherever you 626 00:37:31,640 --> 00:37:34,759 Speaker 1: get your podcasts, you can catch those Mondays, Wednesdays and 627 00:37:34,760 --> 00:37:37,280 Speaker 1: Thursdays on Michael barn on Twitter at Big Bar Sports. 628 00:37:38,440 --> 00:37:42,040 Speaker 1: I'm Evan Novi Williams at no V Underscore Williams. Please 629 00:37:42,080 --> 00:37:44,040 Speaker 1: join us next week when we speak with the biggest 630 00:37:44,080 --> 00:37:46,920 Speaker 1: and brightest in the sports business world. You're listening to 631 00:37:46,960 --> 00:37:50,240 Speaker 1: Bloomberg Business of Sports from Bloomberg Radio around the world.