NFL partners with NetApp to enhance data management

The American National Football League (NFL) has named NetApp as its Official Intelligent Data Infrastructure partner to boost its global presence and enhance operations through technology.

The partnership is set to aid the NFL in integrating cutting-edge data management solutions, relying heavily on artificial intelligence and machine learning, to improve player performance and streamline game planning processes. This move will also assist in elevating the off-field experience for NFL fans worldwide.

Renie Anderson, Executive Vice President and Chief Revenue Officer at the NFL, stated, "The global partnership between the NFL and NetApp represents a shared commitment to leveraging intelligent data to drive transformative solutions for the league. By combining our expertise with NetApp's industry-leading intelligent data infrastructure, we can unlock new efficiencies that accelerate innovation within our game."

The NFL currently holds a vast fan base with more than 218 million supporters in the United States, extended further by a strong international following in countries such as Mexico, Brazil, the United Kingdom, Germany, Spain, and Australia. Central to this partnership is the plan for NetApp to take a prominent role in the NFL's International Games throughout 2025, including serving as the presenting sponsor of the NFL London Games and the inaugural regular season NFL game in Madrid.

Gary Brantley, Chief Information Officer at the NFL, commented, "Working with NetApp has helped us serve football fans worldwide by streamlining our technology operations and enabling us to be better custodians of our sport. We strive to innovate and excel in everything we do and work with partners that share those values. Over the years we have worked together, NetApp has earned our trust that they can meet those high standards. With an intelligent data infrastructure powered by NetApp technology, we have a secure data storage strategy that can carry us into the future."

NetApp's involvement is expected to substantially elevate the NFL's data strategy. Through secure storage options and efficient data management systems, NetApp will help maintain the integrity and security of the NFL's data. The platform is equipped with advanced security features such as NetApp ONTAP Autonomous Ransomware Protection with AI and the NetApp cyber vault to mitigate data loss and organisational downtime.

Cesar Cernuda, President at NetApp, expressed optimism about the continued partnership, saying, "The NFL has been a long-standing customer of NetApp, and it is gratifying to see their interest in expanding our relationship. By helping the NFL build an intelligent data infrastructure, we are elevating the sport for fans of football everywhere. Bringing intelligence to the league's data storage allows them to modernise their infrastructure and gives them the tools they need to agilely adapt to the future."