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By A.J. Perez
The NFL is working toward developing a single app platform that will house all 32 teams, Front Office Sports has confirmed.
Currently, clubs can develop their own team apps for smart devices and all but eight teams utilize offerings from Pittsburgh-based YinzCam. The league is expected to bring all the teams under an in-house app that can be customized by each club, a move the MLB made years ago.
The majority of teams are expected to be on the new platform by the end of 2021, a person with knowledge of the discussions told Front Office Sports. They were granted anonymity because the development of the platform has not been made public.
It’s likely that the NFL’s new platform will be similar to aspects of MLB’s Ballpark app that offers mobile ticketing, stadium maps, schedules and rewards perks.
The NFL had sought bids for the project two years ago when the intention was to use an outside developer to lead the effort, another source told Front Office Sports. That process “petered out.”
YinzCam, VenueNext and Venuetize are among the developers used by NFL clubs.
Beyond bringing all the teams onto one platform, the NFL is also seeking to build another app that centers around the league’s biggest events: the Super Bowl, NFL Scouting Combine and the NFL draft.
The league currently offers its main app that includes NFL.com content, live scoring, and full game replays with an NFL Game Pass subscription. It’s the second-most popular sports app on iOS behind ESPN, according to SimilarWeb. There’s also the NFL Network and NFL Fantasy Football apps.
