Tottenham Hotspur shirts could contain a “computer” that relays players’
biometric signals such as heart rate and temperature to coaching staff and
even broadcasters from the start of the 2012-13 season.
Last week, the club signed a five-year kit deal with American sports clothing
manufacturer Under Armour, and the company has confirmed that it is planning
to include its “E39” technology in the shirts.
It is comprised of sensors that send second-by-second updates on everything
from a player’s heart rate to core body temperature, breathing rate and
acceleration.
Smartphones and laptops receive the data so that coaching staff can monitor
players’ fitness and performance during training and matches.
The Baltimore-based company, which is understood to have signed a deal with Tottenham
Hotspur worth £10 million a season, also wants to share the
information with broadcasters. That would give fans unprecedented access to
players’ athletic performance and even state of mind during key moments in a
match.
Mark Dowley, Under Armour’s executive vice president, said: “We can metrically
tell you what is happening to the body of somebody kicking a penalty in
front of 60,000 people.
“You can watch his heart rate as he waits to take the kick. For the first time
you can see inside an athlete as they perform. It adds to the drama.”
He added: “You could also tell who the best conditioned athlete is on the
pitch and over the season, and when to pull a player out because he’s worn
out.”
Dowley said he believed that more Premier League teams will be interested in
the technology once they see Tottenham employing it.
However, the Premier League would be unlikely to allow the technology to be
shared with broadcasters unless it was available to all 20 clubs in the
division — something that would probably depend on Under Armour reaching a
commercial agreement with the league itself.
The kit would also require regulatory clearance from Fifa, which could mean it
is initially limited to training applications at Tottenham.
The technology was developed by Under Armour in partnership with American data
software company Zephyr, which produces similar applications for the US
military.
Under Armour launched the E39 shirt in Indianapolis at the NFL Scouting
Combine last month, a week-long televised showcase of the best emerging
American football talent, which saw it successfully share player data with
broadcasters.
The company believes E39 could be used successfully in almost any televised
sport. It is planning to sell a retail version of the kit.
