Football fans will be able give their favorite players a virtual high five after they make a play, thanks to technology.
CNBC reports that the NFL will feature a virtual cheering experience for football fans. The move comes as many stadiums will not be able to host fans in person amid the coronavirus pandemic.
The cheering section is being described as "virtual mirrors" that are LED screens that will show up in each end zone. Players will be able to celebrate with fans watching from home after they score. After a touchdown or field goal is made, players can celebrate around the screen with fans.
The fanfare will also be featured on TV broadcasts. Fans will appear in windows around a player who scored. NFL teams will choose 30 fans per session to participate in the cheering section, which is being created by Microsoft Teams.
"Part of watching a game on TV is seeing fan reaction," Jeff Teper, the Microsoft corporate vice president in charge of Teams, told CNBC. "This is a chance to make the games more engaging for that TV audience."
Teper said the NFL wanted to bring "energy for the players in a big stadium, so the players know that they are still playing for real people who care passionately about them."
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