In one of my first posts this year, I marveled at how the new Texas stadium being built for the Dallas Cowboys will try to "replicate the at-home" experience by installing 180-foot long, high-def video screens along each side (now there's a job I'll leave to the Geek Squad).
Now, a Canadian company called Sportexe intends to dwarf that installation by making the WHOLE DAMN FIELD the screen. Sportexe makes synthetic turf for athletic venues, and in an inspired brainbolt, is making each artificial blade of grass a piece of fibre-optic cable, or as President Mark Nicholls calls it, "Turf TV."
Your Next TV (A REAL Giant Screen)
Never mind the first-down markers or other field boundaries they can digitally replicate, or the advertising possibilities; just think of the replays! Players' movements can also be tracked, and replicated by post-play footsteps (which may help refs in too-close-for-comfort "on the line" calls). What's more, imagine the retribution and revenge factor of actually being able to stomp on the face of your opponent without the fear of getting suspended...or arrested.
If pulled off successfully, Sportexe can change the face of football, baseball, soccer and tennis, bringing the worlds of sport, videogaming, advertising and showbiz closer together than ever before. And if it works there, imagine what can be done with my lawn!