Stanley Cup Final 2024: ESPN Outfits Florida Panthers Goalie With MindFly AI BodyCam for Pregame Skate

Stanley Cup Final 2024: ESPN Outfits Florida Panthers Goalie With MindFly AI BodyCam for Pregame Skate Worn under the goaltender's jersey, the camera was taken live during coverage By Brandon Costa, Director of Digital

Tuesday, June 11, 2024 - 2:31 pm

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Prior to Game 2 of the Stanley Cup Final on Monday night, ESPN took viewers onto the ice for a live pregame skate.

ESPN used the Mindfly AI BodyCam for the first time on an NHL broadcast by outfitting Florida Panthers backup goaltender Anthony Stolarz with the system. Live footage of his pregame skate aired during The Point on ESPN prior to the game broadcast live on ABC.

POV: you're the goalie in the Stanley Cup Final

Game 2 starts NOW on ABC/ESPN+ pic.twitter.com/90WsbqSZoA

- ESPN (@espn) June 11, 2024

ESPN has been working closely with the NHL and Mindfly over the past few months to perfect the accuracy and comfort of the POV-camera vest, which was worn under the jersey. A tiny hole was cut into the front of the warmup jersey, which was pulled down over the vest. The wearable device is designed to allow free movement by the athlete.

Florida Panthers backup goalie Anthony Stolarz is outfitted with the Mindfly AI BodyCam prior to Game 2 of the 2024 Stanley Cup Final. (Photo: ESPN PR)

It's with great appreciation to the Florida Panthers and their willingness to explore Mindfly in the most important time of the year, says Linda Schulz, coordinating producer, NHL on ESPN. We are very excited to see a goalie warm up first-hand.

MindFly's body-camera system uses AI technology to stabilize the POV camera. It also contains a built-in microphone, which is described as smaller than a credit card mounted inside a vest. The camera, battery, and transmitter are protected by D30 Decell padding to ensure the wearer stays safe.

The tech produces a high-quality picture, says ESPN VP, Production, Phil Orlins, who used two MindFly BodyCam systems on referees during the broadcast of a UFL playoff game this past weekend. The 4K capture with stabilization provides a comfortable viewing experience. The most important aspect is that the BodyCam vest is quite comfortable for athletes and referees to wear and has been embraced by them more often than not. The most important thing is that the subject is comfortable wearing the camera.

ESPN has been ratcheting up its use of the MindFly BodyCam. The device is also expected to be worn at the NCAA Men's College World Series by first- and second-base umpires.

LINK:	https://www.sportsvideo.org/2024/06/11/stanley-cup-final-2024-espn-out...
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