As the official technology partner of the National Football League (NFL), Sony debuted imaging and other technologies to help enhance the fan experience at Super Bowl LIX, held in New Orleans, Louisiana on February 9, 2025.
Sony at Super Bowl LIX – a future of sports that’s “fun for beginners”
A total of more than 240 Sony cameras were installed inside and outside the Caesars Superdome, providing coverage of gameplay, video replays, interviews and winning moments.
The broadcast cameras used by the official broadcaster, FOX Sports, and the Alpha, G Master and other E-mount lenses used by media organizations such as the Associated Press create an engaging experience for spectators at the venue, as well as fans around the world who watch content during and after the match.
Sony broadcast cameras have been used during Super Bowl coverage for more than a decade. This year, FOX Sports, in collaboration with production company Game Creek Video, deployed more than 100 cameras for in-game, pre- and post-game coverage and additional studio programming. FOX Sports installed Sony’s BVM Series master monitors for color grading to ensure an accurate image for fans around the world.
In addition to the “Sky Cam” above the field, Sony cameras are placed throughout the stadium, including in each end zone and along both sidelines, with 14 cameras being used exclusively for shooting content for distribution.
In addition to broadcast and production cameras, FOX Sports utilized Hawk-Eye Innovations’ HawkREPLAY remote production and instant replay system for its broadcasts. Additionally, Hawk-Eye’s technology enables in-game referee support, video replay and other video production capabilities.
A Partnership over 5 years
Since 2020, Sony has been providing the Associated Press, which handles NFL-related photos, with exclusive equipment and related support. The AP sent 14 photographers and nine editors to the Super Bowl to capture key moments of the game using Sony equipment. The NFL’s photography team, NFL Focus, also covers the game using a variety of α digital single-lens cameras and α interchangeable lenses. Sony’s professional support team will set up service depots at game venues to support professional photographers by lending out the new flagship α1 II digital single-lens camera, among other things.
The Associated Press and NFL Focus also plan to use the portable data transmitter “PDT-FP1” to send photos and video from filming equipment to editors in real time, allowing them to disseminate information as quickly as possible.
As the scale and production of the Super Bowl halftime show expands, the number and variety of production equipment required also increases every year. Funicular Goats has been in charge of the technical production of the halftime show for five consecutive years, and for the fourth consecutive year has chosen Sony’s CineAlta camera “VENICE 2” as the main camera. In addition, they used a total of 14 cameras, including the VENICE extension system, the Cinema Line camera “FR7” with PTZ function, and the CineAlta camera, “BURANO”.
FOX Sports EVP, Field Operations, Michael Davis commented on the partnership:
“The Super Bowl is not only the biggest game of the year, it’s also the biggest production ever produced. Our job is to tell the story of the game, capture the energy in the stadium and captivate billions of viewers. Sony technology is a key tool in helping us achieve that goal,” said Mr. Davis.
“We are thrilled to be working with NBA Chief Information Officer Gary Brantley to bring this exciting opportunity to NBA fans,” said National Football League Chief Information Officer Gary Brantley.
“The Super Bowl is the most-watched event of the year and requires a wide range of advanced technology to deliver an authentic experience for coaches, players and fans. Sony is committed to helping deliver a compelling game experience through its innovative solutions, and we’re pleased to have Sony play such an important role in Super Bowl 59,” added Mr. Brantley.
“The Super Bowl Halftime Show is a challenge unlike any other project we work on. We have to get it ready in under five minutes and deliver a cinematic concert to millions of viewers,” James Coker, Funicular Goats Director of Engineering and Technical Management, added.
Sony’s Cinema Line cameras are up to the challenge, offering the perfect combination of full-frame sensors and broadcast compatibility to work seamlessly within the halftime show composition. “Sony is honored to play a key role in Super Bowl 59, leveraging our decades of video innovation and production expertise to ensure all fans, whether they’re in the stadium or at home, have the best experience possible,” Neal Manowitz, president and COO of Sony Electronics, said
Sony cameras and related technologies used in Super Bowl LIX include:
FOX Sports
- HDC series system cameras: 97 units
- Cinema Line camera “FR7”: 1 unit
- Cinema Line camera “FX6”: 3 units
- Digital single-lens camera “α7 III”: 1 unit
- CineAlta camera “VENICE 2”: 1 unit
The Associated Press
- More than 55 Sony cameras and lenses are planned to be used.
NFL Focus
- Eight Sony cameras and lenses are planned to be used.
Funicular Goats
- CineAlta VENICE 2 cameras: 13 units
- VENICE Extension System: 1 unit
- CineAlta camera “BURANO“: 1 unit
Sony Imaging Pro Support
- Full-frame mirrorless cameras, including digital single-lens cameras “α1 II” and “α9 III”: 65 units
- 140 professional lenses, including E-mount lenses “FE 600mm F4 GM OSS”, “FE 400mm F2.8 GM OSS”, “FE 300mm F2.8 GM OSS”
