Update: Rangers Say They Will Not Be Using Tracking Chips In Jerseys
Player Tracking Tech
Yesterday we wrote a feature based on a TSN news story about how the Blueshirts would be wearing player tracking chips. The technology would allow for measurement of players movements and speeds at various times in the game in certain situations.
Late last night we learned through Rick Carpiniello of the LoHud Journal:
FYI, the story about the #NYR having analytic chips in their jerseys is not true.
— Rangers Report (@rangersreport) September 17, 2014
This refutes the report put out by Rick Westhead of TSN:
#NHL says no to ads on jerseys – and potential $120 million windfall, writes #TSN‘s @rwesthead: https://t.co/3iskgZEQTX
— SportsCentre (@SportsCentre) September 17, 2014
It is completely plausible that the Rangers were one of the teams that would participate, and Mr. Westhead may have some outdated info.
Rick Carpiniello tweeted last night that he asked for more info directly from the Rangers in order to do a story. That is when he learned they would not be wearing the player tracking gear.
Our story yesterday brought to light the difficulty in actually tracking hockey players. SportsVU, one of the companies involved tried implementing the new tech last season. The company recorded eight Washington Capitals games prior to the Sochi Olympics break, and tracking the puck reportedly proved to be challenging.
It’s very possible that not enough advancement was made to fix this issue and therefore scrapped by all parties or just the Rangers. We will stay on this story as it progresses.
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