\n The league announced Monday it was furthering its technology partnership<\/a> with Sony, creating new headsets for coaches rolling out this season. That ends a three-year absence of a headset sponsor after its deal with Bose ended in 2022.\n <\/p>\n \n For coaches, the new headsets involved rigorous testing in sweltering hot and bone-chilling conditions, improved noise-cancelling capabilities, and a custom-built microphone that better isolates the coach\u2019s voice, improving their communication.\n <\/p>\n \n The headsets, which took a year to build, were a \u201ccollaborative process between Sony, the NFL, clubs, coaches and people who use the headset on game day,\u201d Kimberly Fields, NFL\u2019s senior vice president of football operations, told CNN. \u201cThere was a constant feedback loop from the coaches about what was important to them.\u201d\n <\/p>\n \n In particular, durability was an important attribute, especially since some games are played in downpours, high heat and sub-zero conditions. Engineers tried out the headsets in freezers, outside Sony\u2019s headquarters in humid Tokyo, and even in the shower to ensure they are waterproof, said Shunsuke Nakahashi, product manager for audio at Sony.\n <\/p>\n \n \u201cThe most important point is all the headsets work perfectly, regardless of the condition,\u201d he told CNN. \u201cIf it\u2019s autumn in Southern California, it\u2019s nice. But it needs to be working perfectly in January in Buffalo or in hot conditions in Miami.\u201d\n <\/p>\n \n The intensive testing should help the NFL avoid the debacle it had with Microsoft Surface tablets in 2013. Shortly after their reported $400 million partnership began, coaches and players publicly trashed the devices<\/a> for not working or being complicated to use. Despite the rocky beginning, Surface tablets are still in use today.\n <\/p>\n \n Financial terms of the multi-year deal with Sony weren\u2019t announced. However, the headsets are emblazoned with the company\u2019s logo, giving Sony massive exposure during the highly-rated games.\n <\/p>\n \n Apex Marketing, which tracks sponsorship<\/a> money, told CNN that Sony is estimated to earn about $150 million in advertising annually from the deal. That\u2019s because the logo can be seen during games and on other NFL-related programming, such as on HBO\u2019s \u201cHard Knocks.\u201d (Like CNN, HBO is owned by Warner Bros. Discovery).\n <\/p>\n \n The headsets are part of the NFL\u2019s 2024 deal that named Sony as its \u201cofficial technology partner,\u201d which includes cameras, line-calling technology dubbed Hawk-Eye<\/a> and production assistance for its alternative telecasts, such as inserting characters from \u201cSpongeBob SquarePants\u201d and \u201cThe Simpsons\u201d<\/a> into the broadcast.\n <\/p>\n![\"Sony](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/07\/20241203-195758000-ios.jpg\")
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