In an attempt to expand its fan base and go beyond the limits of traditional television, the NFL has gone multi-platform over the last few seasons, increasing their digital and social footprint. NFL Network, NFL.com, NFL Now, and NFL Mobile will all offer a whole lot of comprehensive coverage this weekend. This is good news for sponsors, viewers, and players.
Watching the NFL Combine
Die hard NFL fans can tune in to see the 330 players scheduled to appear, watching workouts, comparing numbers, and spotting the players they hope their team will draft. There will be some new augmented reality elements, the 10 and 20 yard cut times included in last year’s coverage, and the Sportvision’s Simulcam technology used to overlay one prospect’s dash over another’s.
Over 800 credentialed members of the media will be on hand to cover the event, but possibly more important NFL Media has more specific content for NFL Digital this year.
Schedule
Tuesday, Feb. 28: First wave of players arrive
Wednesday, Mar. 1: (No workouts or media)
Thursday, Mar. 2: Running backs, offensive linemen, and special teamers meet with the media
Friday, Mar. 3: Running backs, offensive linemen, and special teamers do on-field workouts — Quarterbacks, wide receivers, and tight ends meet with the media
Saturday, Mar. 4: Quarterbacks, wide receivers, and tight ends do on-field workouts — Defensive linemen and linebackers meet with the media
Sunday, Mar. 5: Defensive linemen and linebackers meet do on-field workouts — Defensive backs meet with the media
Monday, Mar. 6: Defensive backs do on-field workouts
Television Coverage
The NFL Network will, of course, be airing all of the events and workouts starting March 2nd. Many of the highlights will be summarized in the NFL Combine Primetime recap, where they show the day’s highlights, and preview the next day’s workouts.
Social Media
There is a specific social stage, where player interviews occur and are broadcast via social networks like Twitter. Even if fans are mobile or have to (gasp) work during the events, they can follow live interviews and coverage using the hashtag #NFLCombine and following @NFL. Specific teams and their scouts will also be sharing their thoughts via social media as well.
The network also monitors all the social traffic surrounding the event, so if fans want their clever tweets to get mentioned by the league, they should use the hashtag, and tweet @NFL with their thoughts.
Digital Coverage
If fans are stuck at their desks at work, or someone in their household wants to watch a rom-com marathon on Lifetime during the workouts and other events, never fear. Going to NFL.com/combine will not only get you a sideline and even drone provided views but will offer articles and analysis of anything you might have missed.
The coverage will also be ongoing on NFL Mobile, available data usage free, but only to Verizon cell phone users. However, thanks to new unlimited plans available via Sprint and the relatively new T-Mobile One unlimited data plan, the NFL.com Combine coverage can be watched data free on those networks as well.
No matter how fans plan to watch the Scouting Combine, the NFL has provided more easy ways to do so.
