Using Wi-Fi to Improve the Attendee Experience? Network Debuts at Patriots Home Opener

Hoping to combat multi-year, NFL-wide declines in attendance, the owners of the New England Patriots football club began offering fans access to live video and real-time scores at the NFL RedZone and social media sites via a Wi-Fi network from Enterasys (News - Alert) Networks at Gillette Stadium in Foxboro, MA.

The specially constructed high throughput and high-density Wi-Fi network was created to enhance the experience of fans that bring specific wireless devices to the game. But even the new Wi-Fi net could save the fans from experiencing a shocking upset at the hands of the Arizona Cardinals in New England’s home opener.

Gillette Stadium, Foxboro, MA. Image via New England Patriots

Trending Times Two

The Patriots owners join a growing list of NFL venue owners looking to put more fans in the stands, a mini-trend that runs smack into an also growing trend of fans watching the games from high-end, high-def. and budget- friendly big screens in their homes – thus avoiding traffic, inclement weather, high prices for concessions and parking, etc.

While extending the in-arena fan experience is a noble gesture, it remains to be seen if it’s practical. Bringing expensive and larger wireless devices means longer checks and more explaining at security checkpoints, risks from a myriad of potential damages (food, beer, inclement weather, fan altercations and much more.)

A tablet in the cold when your gloves are on? Or what about a snow game? Seriously? The entertainment may end up coming from folks trying to make these scenarios work!

Entertainment Evolution

Upon further review, it appears that the Wi-Fi network effort may be simply a step in the in-game information evolution. Out-of-town scores and highlights were long the territory of huge scoreboards which morphed into gigantic big screens.

More recently, at Foxboro, the mega-big screens have been far more about marketing and sales than game information, local or out-of-town.

At one point, the Patriots actually advertised movie start times at the adjacent cinema in the second half of games. Sigh.

NFL RedZone, owned by the league’s NFL Enterprises LLC and captures scoring drives around the league as they happen inside the 20-yard line, was used as a channel on the giant TV-like scoreboards, but were conspicuously absent from display during the home opener. It’s available to those who watch the game at home as part of their cableTV/telcoTV etc. subscriptions….

Perhaps this is an experiment and was this past Sunday in Foxboro.

I’m all for using technology to enhance the attendee AND home viewer experience. As a result, I’m a huge fan of live streaming sports with all the trimmings forward-thinking content owners have come up with.

At Video World Conference & Expo www.videoworldinsider.com/conference, you’ll hear from Web video content pioneer and visionary, Dana Golden of Silver Chalice Networks. Earlier in her career, she helped launch and evolve celebtv.com, the precursor to TMZ and other entrainment-focused content properties.

In her current position, she works extensively with live sports content owners and will be speaking in the Identifying OTT Opportunities session. Register now at www.videoworldinsider.com/conference.

Free (-for-All?)

But as far as having to have a mobile device to access core out-of-town info while at the game, I found the fan experience weakened, not strengthened. And I fear it will lead to some form of money grab as most everything in sports becomes after starting as free or included.

The Wi-Fi is free. But does that mean it’s not sponsored and doesn’t carry advertising?

Sports venues continue to be a fertile field for advanced communications and brazen advertising/sponsorships. I’m all for advancement, but if evolution means having to bring a mobile device to the game for out of town scores and highlights, I’ll pass.

Stay tuned as nothing stands still in content access and distribution.

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