It is no secret that the NFL has been continuously working to develop a more technologically advanced way to get its audience excited to watch their preferred team. Seeming to be testing out some of their latest projects, multiple teams throughout the league have recently unleashed new “mixed-reality” versions of their mascots that are displayed over the television. The first team to show the mixed-reality version of their mascot was the Carolina Panthers this past Sunday, September 12; before defeating the New York Jets at the Bank of America Stadium in their first game of the 2021 season.
As the game commenced, television screens showed the virtual Panther leaping onto the field and standing on top of the stadium walls while eating a carefully placed Jets flag, only before jumping into the middle of the field and letting out an intimidating roar. The impressive technological updates from the program attached all sorts of positive feedback from various sources, “Most exciting thing from that franchise since, well, ever,” an unnamed Twitter vendor posted. Excluding other sports such as soccer and basketball, who are currently developing the final touches to install this aesthetic aspect for their own teams, other squads in the NFL who have officially joined the mixed-reality scene include the Baltimore Ravens and the Detroit Lions.
The Ravens debuted their virtual mascot this past Monday as they faced a surprising loss against the Las Vegas Raiders; Detroit is set to unveil the first showing of their own customized mixed-reality mascot on September 20 against the Green Bay Packers. It is very noticeable that all franchises throughout different sports are on the hunt to advance all aspects of their squad in order to attract a broader fan base while making the program more entertaining to enjoy from any screen. Before we know it all athletic corporations will have not only this under their belt, but whatever other technological advancements people create in the near future.