NHL changing partners in player, puck tracking data

The NHL has dropped Jogmo World Corp. as its primary technology partner in player and puck tracking.

"We're in the process of making a switch," NHL commissioner Gary Bettman told ESPN's Emily Kaplan and Greg Wyshynski on Thursday. "Jogmo had some organizational and financial challenges which we were concerned about at the offset, but actually came to fruition. We have a new partner who can do it and we're very confident that that hasn't slowed us down."

A technology company named SMT is the league's new partner, a source told ESPN.

Bettman said the change in partnership won't affect the league's plans to get player and puck tracking ready for the 2019-20 playoffs. However, a complete unveiling won't happen until 2021, executive vice president and chief revenue officer for the NHL Keith Wachtel told ESPN.

When the league announced its initial partnership with Jogmo in January, they had planned to have tracking implemented for the 2019-20 season.

"We believe we'll be up and running for the playoffs. Maybe we could be up and running sooner, but we want to set expectations because it's complicated - obviously it's taken a long time. Getting it set up in 31 buildings, none of which are identical, and it has to work perfectly. And it has to work perfectly at the same time," Bettman said.

"My belief is, based off everything I'm being told, is that we'll be up and running for the playoffs. That doesn't mean we won't use it, for example at the All-Star Game, but it's the scalability and fine-tuning of it, to make sure it does what it's supposed to do."

Player and puck tracking would allow the league to more accurately collect player data, stats, and analytics. The tracking data would also provide fans with more information on the game for pleasure, education, and betting reasons.

The NHL has exclusivity deals with MGM Grand, Fan Duel, and William Hill in anticipation of player tracking. Further delays could affect such deals.