The National Football League (NFL) is facing mounting resistance from law enforcement agencies across the country after implementing a new policy requiring all stadium personnel, including police officers, to submit to biometric facial scans to continue providing security at games. This policy has sparked significant concern, particularly among police unions, as officers are being asked to relinquish control over their biometric data as a condition of employment.
Steve Grammas, the head of the Las Vegas police union, was among the first to raise the alarm after receiving a 20-page waiver from the NFL detailing the new security measures. Upon reviewing the fine print, Grammas realized that the NFL was not only requiring officers to undergo facial scans but also mandating that officers’ departments relinquish control of the biometric data once collected. In response, Grammas, backed by the local sheriff, firmly refused to comply with the NFL’s demands, leading to a tense Zoom meeting with the league’s head of security.
This growing rebellion against the NFL’s new league-wide policy is gaining momentum, as law enforcement officials from multiple states have expressed their concerns. Grammas and his union colleague have reported hearing from police and union officials in at least five states, all of whom are alarmed by the implications of the new requirement.
The NFL has partnered with Wicket, a technology company specializing in biometric facial recognition, to facilitate these scans. While Wicket maintains that its technology is strictly opt-in, the reality is that workers, including police officers, who refuse to participate may find themselves unable to work at NFL events. Wicket’s technology is already widely used by NFL, Major League Baseball, and other professional sports organizations to streamline stadium entry for fans, and now it is being expanded to include credentialing for personnel.
Despite the NFL’s assurances that the facial recognition system is intended to enhance security, many within law enforcement remain unconvinced. Grammas has been particularly vocal, stating, “We are a hard no because our officers do not need to be treated like a popcorn vendor or a groupie fan that wants to meet Maxx Crosby on the football field. They’re there to do a job. They’re professionals.”
The NFL’s waiver for law enforcement includes controversial terms, such as allowing the sharing of officers’ facial scans with third parties, including vendors, retaining the rights to the data for three years, and protecting the league from liability in case of data breaches. These provisions have further fueled the backlash, as privacy advocates and police officers alike question the necessity and implications of such measures.
Despite the growing controversy, Wicket’s customer base continues to expand rapidly. The company, founded in 2020, now boasts nearly 60 clients, including several professional sports teams and the National Collegiate Athletic Association’s Southeastern Conference. These organizations use Wicket’s facial recognition technology for various applications, from stadium entry to credentialing.
However, the resistance from law enforcement is not limited to Las Vegas. Police unions in Massachusetts, New Jersey, Florida, and Colorado are reportedly trying to retract agreements their departments have signed with the NFL, and Grammas has been fielding calls from concerned officers and union officials across the country. A Houston police sergeant even contacted Grammas for advice after being tasked with investigating the NFL waiver.
Grammas argues that there is no need for police officers to submit to facial scans, especially given the rigorous background checks they already undergo and the oversight provided by their department supervisors at events. “We don’t need to give up biometric data to protect the President of the United States when they come to our city, but you guys do [require it],” Grammas recounted telling NFL officials during the Friday meeting. The response he received, which emphasized that the league had been working on the system for years and believed it was a best practice, did little to alleviate his concerns.
As the debate over the NFL’s biometric policy continues, it remains to be seen how the league will address the growing discontent among its law enforcement partners. What is clear is that the issue of biometric data and privacy is poised to become an increasingly contentious topic in the world of professional sports.
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