The National Football League (NFL) has introduced a new credentialing system for high-security areas of its stadiums in 2024, causing some controversy among those affected by the change.
According to Ben Fischer of Sports Business Journal, the league and its teams will implement facial authentication software in sensitive zones such as the playing field, locker room, and press box. This means that credential-holders will have their faces compared in real-time to a user-submitted photo already on file.
Unsurprisingly, the new system has already sparked some complaints, with the president of the Las Vegas-area police union voicing strong opposition. Steve Grammas of the Las Vegas Police Protective Association warned union members in a video via TMZ.com, stating, “They’re going to take your biometric data – your face, and they’re going to use that however they need to.” He expressed concern that this information could potentially be misused by individuals with anti-law enforcement agendas.
Despite the threat of a boycott from Grammas, the system has not yet been put into place at Allegiant Stadium, where the upcoming preseason game between the Cowboys and Raiders will be held. Talks are underway to address the concerns raised by the police union.
While some union members may heed Grammas’ advice to not work the games, many will likely choose to continue working for the financial benefits. However, it will be crucial to address the underlying issues to prevent further discontent among those affected by the new credentialing system in NFL stadiums.