Statistical metrics in the NFL have done a good job of telling the story for skill position players, but not necessarily for the nuances associated with offensive and defensive positions, whose talents are best measured with unconventional methods. The players’ intangible skills and presence can be difficult to convey to fans in comparison to historically notable stats like receptions, yards, and touchdowns which are easy to translate to success. However, these aspects of the game are beginning to be illustrated in ways that will allow for fans to better appreciate the plays.
Statistics are a vital part of telling the story in the sports world. MLB baseball likely does this best with their vast array of metrics that allow scouts, coaches and even fans to best evaluate a player. Often the viewer sees a great play develop, accompanied by the tell-tale numbers which justify the performance.
NFL broadcasts have been notorious in recent years for using several different types of new analytics, statistics and vivid interactive features during a contest to further engage and educate the average fan. However, certain newly developed statistics such as QBR, DVOA , and Adjusted Line Yards are slowly being added to the discussion that help paint a clearer picture of a team’s or player’s performance.
Another factor that is influencing the use of statistics during in-game broadcasts is fantasy football. With the explosion of fantasy football, which is estimated to generate nearly $2 billion annually, fans of the game and the format enjoy not only their favorite players’ scoring, but their fantasy roster generates points for them.
Fantasy football is having a direct impact on the way the game is played and how it is viewed, turning audiences into both fans of the game and, in some ways, participants. The large swathe of people who are now in fantasy leagues thrive on the churning of statistics that may either validate their roster or allow them to improve decision-making when critically selecting players.
Some in the broadcast industry are leery of inundating audiences with statistics without the proper framing and context to show importance during a game, especially with something like sacks, protection and the play of offensive linemen. Former, NFL MVP Rich Gannon, who is now a CBS color commentator articulated this point well, stating:
“When you at the video and the stats and then you find that half of those sacks were on the quarterback for holding the ball too long, add receivers running bad routes, that’s a story that needs to be told, stats help tell the story and can make for a good mix.”
Executive Producer of NBC’s Sunday Night Football Fred Gaudelli, prime-time television’s highest rated program expressed his opinion on advanced statistics in 2014 stating:
“With the speed of the game it is hard enough to get in traditional statistics, let alone something that will need a lot of setup and a lot of explanation. If you are really going to get into these analytic statistics inside a game, you are going to be speaking a foreign language to people.”
The NFL is in an interesting place when it comes to statistics and their value, coupled with visualization of the game to its fans. The dilemma of regularly adding advanced metrics to the game could be a huge benefit, however cluttering the screen and adding a complicated educational element to America’s most popular and highest rated sport could also be received poorly, especially with casual fans who just tune in to see big plays, bright lights, and bold personalities in conjunction with one’s fantasy roster.
Competition among teams will become more complex as the stakes become higher, however the NFL will have to evaluate whether or not explaining these nuances to fans is worth it.