Fake crowd noise will replace Seahawks fans for at least the first three games of the seasonGETTY IMAGES
The NFL will provide a "loop of pre-recorded crowd noise specific to each team's stadium that must be played over the PA system in empty stadiums -- and partially filled stadiums, at least to start the season -- at 70 decibels starting at kickoff," according to Tom Pelissero of NFL.com. NFL ops "will monitor the audio throughout the game to make sure that the crowd noise does not go above or below the required decibel level." Any person or club "caught attempting to manipulate the league-curated audio will be subject to fines, suspensions or potential lost draft picks" (NFL.com, 9/3). In DC, Mark Maske reports the crowd-noise audio "used in the TV broadcasts will be 'reactive to game situations.'" An audio engineer "hired by the league office will work collaboratively with the networks to incorporate the audio in the game broadcasts" (WASHINGTON POST, 9/4). In Sacramento, Chris Biderman notes it would "make sense for teams to want background noise amid the chaos of games," as it would "prevent other teams from picking up their signals." It also "might help the television networks avoid off-the-cuff cursing caught on broadcasts" (SACRAMENTO BEE, 9/4). NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell noted he went through a demonstration earlier this week with NFL Films execs and said, "You’re going to get a great experience through this” ("Good Morning Football," NFL Network, 9/3).
SUBJECT TO CHANGE? Saints coach Sean Payton said that the 70-decibel number is "really just for Week 1’s games," and suggested that it can be "adjusted as the season progresses and teams are potentially able to allow fans in the stands." In New Orleans, Luke Johnson reported the 70-decibel crowd noise that filtered through the Superdome speakers during practice on Thursday, "mostly seemed to be white noise -- the sort of standard level of ambient sound between plays in a regular game." The league-wide noise level mandate "evens the playing field." But Payton said that he is "not wasting energy worrying about that" (NOLA.com, 9/3).
