The deal, worth a reported $400 million over five years - and later extended in 2020 - was originally set up to be all about Xbox, according to Hall. Microsoft wanted to use the partnership to showcase how people could use their Xbox to watch live games and access fantasy football stats.

Before the 2014 season, the NFL and Microsoft made a deal to equip all NFL teams with multiple Surface Pro tablets modified to withstand weather conditions and any contact on the sidelines.

With more than 2,000 Surface devices and 170 Windows Servers deployed across 35 global stadiums, Microsoft technology powers 333 events each year for the NFL on game day. Today, we're delighted to announce a multi-year expansion of our NFL partnership.

Prior to the season, Microsoft and the NFL struck a five-year $400 million deal with one of the major components being that the Microsoft Surface would become "the official tablet of the NFL" with coaches and players using the Surface on the sidelines during games.

Microsoft Surface has quickly become an authentic tool to the game of football and is vital during all NFL games for coaches, players, and NFL officials. And now by working together to integrate Microsoft Teams across the League, together we aim to improve on communications and collaboration in a modern way.”

The Surface on the Sidelines is a Surface Pro 2 encased in an Incipio Feather Case which is available, the Surface Pro 3s used in Studio have a Blue Silkscreen or Sticker that is readily available from places like Amazon, Sticker Boy, SkinIt, DecalGirl as well as others...

Game-changer It's flawless,” said Green Bay Packers coach Matt LaFleur in a video the NFL published earlier this year showing how the tablets have helped players make key in-game changes. Microsoft now powers 269 NFL events each year with more than 2,000 Surface devices and 170 Windows servers installed at 30 stadiums.

And as a result of Brady's antics, the NFL sent out a league-wide memo this week warning players that they could face "significant fines" if they break tablets or other league-issued equipment going forward, per FOX Sports' Jay Glazer.

NFL players are generally paid weekly during the regular season with their annual salaries spread across 18 weeks. When the playoffs begin, these checks stop. Players participating in playoff games are compensated, but playoff checks are often drastically lower than regular season game checks.

Astroturf, a hard, synthetic alternative to grass, became widespread in the NFL in the 1970s, 80s, and 90s. When the Houston Astrodome, known as the “Eighth Wonder of the World,” opened in 1965 as the home to the Oilers, a problem emerged: the grass didn't grow. So fake grass, “Astroturf,” was used instead.

There are 30 NFL stadiums, including two shared by two teams, and they are split evenly, with 15 featuring various forms of grass and 15 using different types of synthetic turf.

Similar technology enables the wireless communications coaches, players and officials use during games. Technology provides players with electronic playbooks and position-specific game film on club-provided tablets. As the game unfolds, coaches can dissect opponents' offense and defense on league-provided tablets.