Joe Buck says Fox will pump in crowd noise, add virtual fans to NFL broadcasts

If NFL games are played in stadiums without fans, “Here we go” and “Renegade” might not blast in Heinz Field, but those songs might be pumped into your home on the TV broadcast.

According to Fox Sports broadcaster Joe Buck, networks are planning to add crowd noise and virtual fans to empty stadiums to make the TV broadcast experience more normal for viewers.

In an interview with Andy Cohen Live on SiriusXM on Wednesday, Buck said that Fox and the other networks are exploring ways to make the viewing experience appear “normal.”

“There’s probably going to be a season in doing games with no fans, which will be difficult,” Buck said, according to USA Today. “I think Fox and these networks have to put crowd noise under us to make it a normal viewing experience at home.”

Buck went on to strongly say that the league will add these measures.

“It’s pretty much a done deal,” Buck said.

“I think whoever’s going to be at that control is going to have to be really good at their job and be realistic with how a crowd would react depending on what just happened on the field, so it’s really important.”

Also viewers might see full houses at the games.

“On top of that, they’re looking at ways to put virtual fans in the stands, so when you see a wide shot it looks like the stadium is jam-packed and in fact it’ll be empty,” Buck said.

While state governments are inching toward a return to some sense of normalcy, social distancing and other covid-19 safety guidelines are still in place. Nonetheless the NFL released its schedule last week and is proceeding toward games being played in the fall.

The new season is slated to start on Thursday, Sept. 10, with the Super Bowl champs Kansas City Chiefs hosting the Houston Texans.

The Pittsburgh Steelers will open on “Monday Night Football” against the New York Giants at MetLife Stadium in New Jersey.