Skycam

Skycam is the trademarked brandname of a patented, computer-controlled, stabilized, flying camera system.

The system, similar to Steadicam, but maneuvered through three dimensions in the open space over a playing area of a stadium or arena by computer-controlled cable-drive system, is responsible for bringing video-game-like camera angles to television sports coverage.

The camera package weighs less than 30 pounds and can travel at 30mph.

NBC debuted the first wire-flown remote-controlled camera used in sports coverage in February 2001 for the XFL. ESPN first used Skycam in 2001 for an NFL pre-season telecast and then consistently in 2002 for Sunday Night Football broadcasts. Since then, ESPN and sister-network ABC have made widespread use of Skycam for NCAA football, Monday Night Football and Super Bowl XXXVII respectively.

Source: Wikipedia