1. A chip at each end of the football can identify its position at all times to the millisecond given it has to be a regulation circumference.

2. The fields are all artificial with a form of pressure/capacitive sensing. They can detect with great sensitivity when something is touching them and also basic information about the pressure of the touch.

3. All participants have gloves and shoes that send an ID signal upon contact with the reef. This helps to instantly know if the player is down but also gives ID information that provides the AI with a wealth of data.

4. With these bits of data an AI algorithm can reconstruct an entire timeline of events in near real-time. This coupled with multiple camera angles will revolutionize every aspect of the game. It will greatly reduce much of the subjectivity in officiating. AI coupled with physics algorithms (kinematics) will remove all doubt in many situations.

There is also a company working on LED turf, which turns fields into low resolution TV screens. Given the great expense to install such a field, adding pressure sensors would be a relatively trivial expense. Add holes for drainage and airflow so the field can be heated and cooled. If they can keep costs down to $250 / square foot, the NFL can afford the $15 million expense. In college, that is a fairly small fundraiser.