Gary Brantley Is one of TIME's 2026 Executives of the Year: Tech and Data - Time Magazine

You might be surprised by how much technology goes into professional football games. There’s stadium infrastructure like Wi-Fi. There’s digital ticketing, mobile payments for concessions, and electronic medical records for team physicians. There are sensors that track players and balls; radios and tablets for officials; and heaps of cameras, mics, and satellite links for broadcasting. 

Gary Brantley, the NFL’s chief information officer since 2022, manages all that and more. “It’s a pretty interesting portfolio,” says Brantley, who’s currently leading the league’s ongoing AI rollout. Recent innovations include a virtual measurement system that tracks first downs using high-definition cameras and computer vision instead of traditional chain crews; a generative AI content engine that automatically translates and localizes media assets for global audiences; and real-time data products that help coaches strategize on the sidelines. Brantley believes innovations like these can help improve player performance and safety while increasing fan numbers and engagement. “We want to bring fans really close to the game, and technology is an enabler to do that,” he says.