How the blockchain could change the NFL project

The draft of the NFL is entertaining, but it is also the framework of the negotiations with high issues where the teams often look for a competitive advantage simultaneously and cooperate with each other by exchanging draft choices. These transactions are complex, fast and are based on a clear understanding between the teams involved.

This is exactly the type of parameter where the smart blockchain intelligent contracts could be useful, according to an article proposed by researchers in engineering of systems published in the International sports marketing and sponsorship newspaper.

To find out more, we discussed with the researchers: Brandon McConnell, associate research professor in the Department of Industrial Engineering and Systems of the State University of NC, and Lieutenant-Colonel Mat Fukuzawa, assistant professor of mathematical sciences at the American military academy in West Point. McConnell and Fukuzawa proposed the idea of ​​bringing blockchain to the NFL project in a review article published last year.

What was the problem or the challenge you offered to take up here?

Fukuzawa: There is nothing wrong with the NFL project; It takes place from year to year and participants and fans generally accept its design. So we were not trying to repair a broken process.

McConnell: However, the NFL project is an interesting context for exploring blockchain applications, because it is a parameter with high issues in which sequential decisions are taken and in which various parts cooperate or competitive (or both). More specifically, we wanted to explore the conceptions of intelligent contract systems compatible with the blockchain that improved the possibility of cooperating / competing.

Fukuzawa: Some historical events highlight the need for careful management of time and clear communication during the project; These concepts are always present regardless of the technology given the current rules. Our research provides proof of concept for a project based on blockchain which could mitigate concerns over time, by particularly emphasizing project days. (Publisher’s note: two examples of these “historical events” involved the Vikings in 2003 and the Ravens in 2011.)

How is the blockchain at stake here?

Fukuzawa: Blockchain is a form of technology from the big distributed book, in which a large common book exists between a network of participants. Because the big book is shared, not only is there a recording system for all transactions, but there are rules on what constitutes a valid transaction.

Although the specific rules differ from the type of network to the type of network, blockchains are praised as a solution to the distrust problem that participants often experience in a public network. The structure and rules associated with most public blockchain networks prohibitively make cheating or deceiving others.

In addition, there is still work to do with the real use of this technology in a non -financial framework. Factors such as scalability, cost, energy consumption and regulatory uncertainty are not mature enough to manage most practical applications.

How could it work exactly?

Fukuzawa: We use smart contracts, a blockchain component that acts as the digital form of a traditional written contract.

McConnell: Instead of the teams that go back and forth by phone / e-mail, a blockchain system would allow them to use smart contracts to execute automatically once all parties were agreed. This technology offers integrated transparency and validation, but can also capture other characteristics of the commercial process such as secondary agreements, including unknown conditions – parts of the agreement that are concluded outside the public.

Fukuzawa: The parties interact with the intelligent contract and when the specified entry is received, the contract automatically runs (for example, similar to an automatic distributor after a human has moved the quantity of correct change). In our conception, an intelligent contract models the trade process between two NFL teams on the day of the draft. The digital interaction with the intelligent contract replaces the traditional elements of human vocal negotiation, but the savings of time are immense given the constrained environment of the NFL project.

Have you really expanded this idea?

Fukuzawa: Not in a large -scale implementation, only a demonstration of proof of concept. We have published the results of this research in the International Journal of Sports Marketing and Sponsorship.

So, is it ready for prime time?

Fukuzawa: No. There are many practical reasons why this idea may not gain ground. The NFL project is a marketing show; It attracts thousands of fans each year, and a blockchain -based system would probably disrupt this experience of fans. We also do not know the level of interest to adopt this form of technology.

As the best sport generator in the United States, any major change in operations that has the capacity to affect income is likely to be carefully examined. Thus, future research must at least indicate the feeling of adopting this form of technology.

In addition, the implementation in terms of practical use implies the design of the rear network as well as the frontal user application. We have explored any type of user interface in the form of an application – it would be a separate design.

McConnell: That being said, it would be useful for future research to explore how this technology could be used to benefit the teams during the project while offering auxiliary advantages such as increased opportunities for fans, marketing, etc.

Last question. You are engineering researchers whose work is largely focused on military and defense applications. What made you want to look at the NFL project?

McConnell: I like to work on the challenges of military planning and decision -making. Intelligent contracts, powered by blockchain, have potential, but we did not have a clear military demand. Fortunately, research is collaborative and one of my army doctorates. Students – mast – were creative enough to consider the draft of NFL as a decision -making environment with cooperation and competition at stake. Smart students make all the difference!

Fukuzawa: One of the interesting aspects of operational research is its interdisciplinary nature. The project is only a potential field of application for relatively recent technology. The fight against this particular application requires the development of systems and processes that support its potential implementation.

Since NFL is a company, part of this research includes reflections on business, marketing, decision -making and negotiation. The programmatic aspect of intelligent contracts also includes elements of computer science and mathematics. That this application advances is a fascinating and useful study – to consider.