The NHL "has struck a content-sharing deal with GoPro cameras" to offer TV viewers players' points of view this season, according to Michael McCarthy of ADWEEK. The NHL "will use GoPro’s POV footage in promo campaigns for the new season starting Oct. 8." NHL Senior VP/Programming Bob Chesterman said that both NBC Sports in the U.S. and Rogers in Canada will be able to "weave clips into game telecasts to illustrate the shooting, stickhandling and skating skills of NHL stars." NHL CMO & Exec VP Brian Jennings said that if a player filmed by GoPro scores this season, NBC or Rogers "can illustrate what they saw on the play by cutting to taped footage" from a commercial shoot that took place during the recent NHL/NHLPA Player Media Tour. The league will also "feature the POV content on NHL Network and NHL.com, while GoPro will use it on its YouTube channel" (
ADWEEK.com, 9/29). THE HOCKEY NEWS' Rory Boylen noted nearly a dozen NHLers had cameras "fitted to their helmets" during the media tour event. This footage "will be used for promos and, when one of them scores in a game, the taped footage will be used to give fans an idea of what the player would see, because they aren’t wearing these on their helmets" yet. When the league had referee Wes McCauley wear a GoPro camera during the Rangers-Devils Stadium Series game last season, it offered "a great -- and entertaining -- look into not only what the referees see, but also an understanding of their interactions with players and coaches," as well as, "perhaps, an appreciation for just how fast the game moves and just how challenging the job of an NHL referee is" (
THEHOCKEYNEWS.com, 9/29).
