Wilson Sporting Goods Co., the official football supplier of the National Football League (NFL), took a techy step with the announcement of a Wilson X Connected Football.

“Our Wilson X Connected Football marries the best in digital technology with the top performing football in the world to create an immersive gaming experience for fans that was not possible before,” said Bob Thurman, VP, Wilson Labs. “By embedding a state-of-the-art, undetectable sensor in a football that connects to a cool app on a fan’s mobile device, every fan can become their favorite NFL team’s quarterback and create their own virtual stadium anywhere, anytime they want to play.”

The ball is offered in both Official and Junior sizes. It comes with a free wrist coach, similar to those used by NFL quarterbacks, which has been designed to hold a player’s phone on their non-throwing arm so there is no restriction in passing. The companion app is free and will be ready for download from the Apple Store and via Google Play on September 8.

The Wilson X Connected Football is now available for pre-order at www.wilsonfootball.com/x. The smart football launches nationwide on September 8.