THE NATIONAL FOOTBALL LEAGUE (NFL)’s San Francisco 49ers has continued its drive to make its new Santa Clara Stadium one of the most technologically advanced sports venues in the world by announcing a multi-year partnership with Sony.
Under terms of the deal, Sony will become the official consumer electronics partner for both the franchise and the new $1.2 billion, 68,500-seat stadium, which is currently under development.
Sony will also be the presenting partner of the 49ers Hall of Fame, which is intended to be an integral part of the fan experience inside the venue.
The 49ers state the partnership with Sony centres on maximising the entertainment value provided to fans, using Sony’s technology to create “personal, engaging, compelling and interactive experiences,” both online and in the stadium.
Sony’s recruitment by the 49ers is the latest example of major US sports teams recruiting the services of technology companies to improve the game day experience for fans inside stadiums.
In the NFL, the MetLife Stadium – home to the New York Giants and the New York Jets – employs a trio of technology companies, SAP, EMC and Verizon, to provide “unparalleled technological innovations that no other stadium or arena can offer”.
Elsewhere, LIVESTRONG Sporting Park, home to Major League Soccer (MLS)’s Sporting Kansas City and widely-considered as one of the leading sports venues globally, works with consumer electronics brand Panasonic and mobile network operator Sprint to deliver top of the range consumer technology options and wireless internet services.