#200 Sam Schwartzstein On Playing With Andrew Luck, Building An 800+ Person Team At The XFL, And The Future Of NFL Broadcasting At Amazon
Sep 4, 2023
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Former Stanford center discusses playing with Andrew Luck, building XFL team, and Amazon's role in NFL broadcasting. Topics include rule changes, XFL challenges, Next Gen Stats, football equipment design, and future of sports viewership.
Sam Schwartzstein led an 800+ team at XFL, focused on rulebook innovation and player safety.
Amazon Prime's NFL production enhances viewer experience with player ID tags and next-gen stats.
Deep dives
Playing with Andrew Luck at Stanford
Sam Schwartzstein recalls his experience playing football at Stanford, where he was teammates with Andrew Luck. He highlights the transformation of Stanford's football program during his time there and the winning achievements they accomplished, including winning the Pac-12 and the Rose Bowl Championship. Reflecting on Andrew Luck's decision to step away from football, Sam shares insights into Luck's character and values as a teammate.
Innovating XFL 2.0 and Football Rules
Sam Schwartzstein discusses his role in the XFL 2.0, focusing on reinventing the football game through data-driven and customer-centric approaches. He details the extensive process of revamping the rule book, reducing meaningless plays, and enhancing player safety, leading to innovations like the low-impact kickoff. Sam emphasizes the rigorous testing and development that resulted in a more engaging and safer football experience.
Revolutionizing Football Broadcast with Amazon Prime Vision
Sam Schwartzstein highlights the advancements in football broadcasting through Amazon Prime Vision, aiming to educate and engage fans on a deeper level. By utilizing player ID tags, RFID tracking chips, and next-gen stats, Prime Vision provides in-depth insights and analytics during games, enhancing viewers' understanding of gameplay and strategy. Sam emphasizes the focus on making viewers smarter football fans while elevating their viewing experience.
Future of Sports Viewership and Prime Vision Strategy
Sam Schwartzstein outlines the future direction of sports viewership, particularly through Amazon Prime Vision's strategic approach. The focus is on enhancing the fan experience by offering customized and educational content that creates smarter football enthusiasts. By aiming to make the viewers more knowledgeable about the game and its intricacies, Prime Vision sets a North Star towards evolving sports broadcast and engaging a more informed fan base.
Sam Schwartzstein played center at Stanford University (with Andrew Luck). He was a founding member of XFL 2.0, building a team of 800+ employees to oversee the playing rules, on-field technology, and player/coach compensation model. He now works on Amazon Prime's NFL production, integrating Next Gen Stats into Thursday Night Football's weekly broadcasts.
We talk about playing with Andrew Luck at Stanford, how he got recruited to join the XFL, his process for reinventing different parts of the rulebook, why the XFL ultimately failed and how much it cost, how Amazon is revolutionizing football broadcasts, and more. Enjoy!
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