What are these speakers/microphones alongside professional soccer fields?

[berkeman]

I keep seeing these pods along the sidelines of the professional soccer fields on TV (pro footbol pitches), and I'm wondering what they are for. There seem to be more of them at the ends of the field, and especially near the goals. Are they microphones? If so, what are they for? Who hears the sound? The game of soccer is not exactly a very player sound intensive game, IMO.

If they are speakers, what do they broadcast? Some status to the players? Something else? Sorry if it should be obvious, and thanks.

https://cdn.digitalsport.co/wp-cont...kfurt-Game-day-presentation-130_6000x4000.jpg

 

[fresh_42]

These are very likely mics to catch the stadium atmosphere and the chants of the spectators for a tv coverage. Looks like a Bundesliga match. I raise "very likely" by "certainly".

 

[berkeman]

So I guess "as heard on the field by the players"? American "football" broadcasts use some different stadium noise pickup system, I think. Searching now...

 

[berkeman]

And if so, why are there more pickup pods in the end zones near the goals?

 

[fresh_42]

And if so, why are there more pickup pods in the end zones near the goals?

Are there? AFAIK they are more or less equidistantly distributed around the playground, possibly some extra mics where the coaches are.

 

[fresh_42]

American "football" broadcasts use some different stadium noise pickup system, I think.

We don't have Cheerleaders. Except for American football matches, but then there are no spectators.

 

[BillTre]

Maybe they are sport radar devices (like this) that collect data for analyses, like these guys are talking about, but for soccer, rather than football or baseball.

An incredible amount of data are now collected for sports analyses now.
Its like high tech Moneyball.