Xbox One's NFL and ESPN Integration Makes It More Than Just a Gaming System

To call the Xbox One more than a video game system is an understatement. Microsoft's newest console is attempting to bring a holistic entertainment experience that goes beyond just gaming, and one of Microsoft's major focuses is on the integration of real-life sports for fans.

The Xbox 360 had some access to pay-per-view events and sports apps such as ESPN, but it is nothing compared to what is in store with the Xbox One.

I had an opportunity to speak with Xbox Entertainment Studios senior director and executive producer, David Jurenka, public relations specialist, Ryan Luckin, also from Microsoft, as well as Seattle Seahawks quarterback Russell Wilson about some of the capabilities of the new console. 

Wilson is working with Microsoft to help promote the NFL experience on the Xbox One. Here's what I learned.

Xbox One and the NFL

A huge multi-year deal was established between the NFL and Microsoft in May. The deal allows for Xbox Live Gold subscribers to enjoy all-new interactive NFL experiences at home. It all begins on launch day for the Xbox One, which is Nov. 22.

NFL content from NFL.com, NFL Network and NFL RedZone are all blended in to supply fans with a whirlwind of information and entertainment from the NFL. Even if you're not actually watching the game, utilizing the Snap mode allows fans to watch a program or play a game while still monitoring NFL stats and info around the borders of the screen.

The NFL information can be personalized to your favorite team and/or your fantasy football squad. In addition to those customization options, there are plans for other interactive experiences with additional hardware like SmartGlass.

If you're one of those fans that watches the game with your PC/Mac while looking up stats, or if you're glued to your mobile device for the same reason, this can serve as your all-in-one option. Without changing the channel or removing game action from the screen, you can cycle through statistics and other pertinent NFL information.

Conceptually, this sounds like an option that could completely take over Sunday afternoons in the fall for football fans, but there's more.

Xbox One and ESPN

In addition to the new NFL experience, the ESPN application that is present on the Xbox 360 has evolved thanks to the enhanced capabilities of the Xbox One. Fans will have control over the live programming, sports stats and highlights they see. Essentially, the same highlight packages and statistics fans see on ESPN would be available on screen through the Xbox One.

ESPN.com, Watch ESPN and ESPN 3 content will all be available on the Xbox One ESPN app.

We talked a bit about some of the future capabilities of the Xbox One in regards to real-sports integration. The SmartGlass is a separate touch-activated screen. I first heard about it in conjunction with Madden 25.

Essentially, the screen displayed extensive data about your opponent's tendencies in Madden, and it even allowed another person to call plays for you while you executed the action with the controller. Translating this device to the real world of sports is even more exciting.

Imagine a scenario where fans could predict the next play in a game they are watching or bring up shot charts and other peripheral information with the SmartGlass device. Per Jurenka, these things aren't yet confirmed, but they are all doable with the new technology.

The Future of the Xbox One and its Devices in Real Sports

Wilson talked about how much he and his teammates enjoyed being able to follow NFL action through the Xbox One. For a player like him who is known for his diligent study of the game, this could possibly even be used as a training tool.

It wouldn't surprise me if those images we see quarterbacks looking at on the sidelines are replaced with SmartGlass-like tablets. Again, this is speculative, but based on the information acquired, it seems like a natural progression.

The NFL experience will be available for the final six weeks of the NFL season, and there will also be some new experiences launched for the postseason, per Jurenka.

More information on that front will be available in the coming weeks. It is exciting to imagine what's coming down the pike for next-gen gaming, or should I say, entertainment consoles.

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