Microsoft has extended its partnership with the National Football League (NFL) for a multiyear deal that aims to bring real-time game data and analysis to coaches and players using its artificial intelligence technologies, including Copilot and Azure AI.
Under the agreement, 32 NFL teams will receive over 2,500 custom-built Microsoft Surface tablets equipped with the Microsoft Surface Copilot system, designed to enhance data collection during games. The deal also supports operations by helping team managers track factors such as weather delays or technical equipment issues.
Microsoft’s technology, including its AI agents for player scouting and salary cap management, will be made available to football club staff soon. This includes using artificial intelligence to evaluate more than 300 prospective players for the NFL draft during the annual combine event.
The extended partnership builds on Microsoft’s long-standing collaboration with the NFL, which has provided specially configured Microsoft Surface tablets to all teams since the 2014 season. The new technology aims to streamline data collection and analysis, allowing coaches and players to access relevant information faster and with less manual intervention.
NFL Deputy CIO Aaron Amendolia said that this technology will be particularly useful during live games, where seconds count, and AI helps players and coaches filter through massive amounts of data automatically. He also noted that the technology will support other business functions, including finance, human resources, and events, making it a valuable tool for teams to enhance their operations.
Source: https://www.cnbc.com/2025/08/20/microsoft-nfl-ai-analysis.html