Apple and NHL Close to Striking 'Major Partnership' to Bring iPads to Team Benches

[bbeagle]

iPad and technology is great, but how exactly do these help? I know at NBA games they constantly print out scouting reports and other stats during that game...but I'm trying to think how practically they can help?

There are play designers available to show players where to go. These used to be on whiteboards that teams use during timeouts, now tablets can be used. A coach can create these before the game, and use certain ones for certain games situations.

 

[dwaltwhit]

Our team has needed iPads since 1967.

ok I literally gut laughed at this comment. good on ya

 

[EdT]

iPad and technology is great, but how exactly do these help? I know at NBA games they constantly print out scouting reports and other stats during that game...but I'm trying to think how practically they can help?

Depends on what level of IPad I suppose. A lot of coaches currently use whiteboards to diagram plays. About the only time a tv audience MIGHT see them is if a coach calls a timeout (each team only has one per game) near the end of the game to set up final game strategy and coverages. When these types of timeouts are called they are only 30 seconds and TV isn't allowed to go to commercials so they sometimes focus on one or both benches. The whiteboards and iPads, for teams that decide to use them are used often during the game but the camera isn't on the benches very often.

As long as it doesn't cause hockey to be the commercial time out cluster **** that NFL games have become I don't care what the teams use. If it helps marketing and doesn't lead to more tv time outs I'm ok with this.

 

[puckhead193]

iPad and technology is great, but how exactly do these help? I know at NBA games they constantly print out scouting reports and other stats during that game...but I'm trying to think how practically they can help?

I think they want them for coaches challenges to view the video feed.
I'm sure Neulion is kicking themselves now.

 

[ZMacintosh]

Being primarily into basketball for years and years and loving the iPad. I get where it can be useful but almost seems the simplest methods are the tried and true. Especially with time being a factor, theres no room for error if these fail or don't keep up with the pace. But that will also depend on the application, if its not develop/designed in a coordinated way then it can be sort of a paint point