SAN FRANCISCO – Stadiums have always been the epicenter of sport. The energy of being at a live game … and the camaraderie among fans, who started as strangers but quickly become family as they celebrate together in wins and lament together in losses. While technology has brought fans closer to the game in their home, there’s still nothing quite like being there, for fans and for the players. As Oakland Raiders All-Pro Defensive Back Charles Woodson notes, the venue matters a lot to the players as it adds to their experience and the atmosphere in which they play. But how can leagues and teams get fans off their couches and back to their seats? The answer: technology.
On Thursday evening at the second event of an on-going series, ChatSports: Minds Behind the Game, Jed York, CEO, San Francisco 49ers, Chip Bowers, CMO, Golden State Warriors, Dave Kaval, President, San Jose Earthquakes and Charles Woodson discussed the importance of connected, high-tech stadiums and how wearable and virtual reality technology will change the game.
Charles Woodson, Chip Bowers, Dave Kaval, and Jed York @mindsbehind @ChatSports #behindthegame pic.twitter.com/mX39ZtSD15
— katie balestreri (@kt_bal) March 6, 2015
The event was moderated by James Yoder, Chat Sports Founder & CEO and centered around bringing the fan back to the stadium by providing all the luxuries of watching from the couch.
“To enhance the fan experience, the infrastructure you need to invest in is WiFi. Give fans access to everything they want,” said York. He recently opened Levi’s Stadium, the new standard in sports stadiums, and notes the importance of easing the difficulties of going to the game through mobile ticketing, ordering food to your seats, and having the bandwidth to check on your fantasy team and other scores from your phone.
San Jose Earthquakes President Dave Kaval is preparing to open the new Avaya Stadium this month. Building on the Quakes’ 40 year history in the Bay Area, their new world class stadium will be one of the most high-tech fan experiences in soccer.
Kaval echoed York’s emphasis on WiFi saying without it you can’t do everything you want to do in terms of fan engagement. Avaya Stadium incorporates wifi, seat ordering and in-stadium mobile app capabilities. Fans can even enjoy North America’s largest outdoor bar, giving a nod to its location with a reclaimed redwood bar, while still watching the action on the pitch. Kaval hopes the new venue and affordable ticket prices will transform the fan experience and continue to grow America’s interest in soccer.
The Golden State Warriors already boast a great fan experience at Oracle Arena and they will look to translate that along with adding all the technological bells and whistles in their new arena in San Francisco. “We need to create the right kind of experience without taking away what the fans bring to the game,” noted Chip Bowers.
The biggest obstacle to that will be striking a balance between the corporate atmosphere and keeping the home court advantage with fans in seats, not suites. With two test cases in their backyard from the 49ers and Quakes, it will be exciting to see the experiential aspects of the Warriors’ new home, slated to open in 2018.
In the meantime, they will continue to capitalize on social media, both inside and outside of the arena. Bridging the actual and the virtual allows teams to engage fans wherever they are watching the game. Fans at the game are even able to share the experience of being there with the fans who aren’t. When people tweet about Steph Curry being on fire or Klay Thompson going off, Bowers says TV ratings spike.
Throughout the Minds Behind the Game event, one of the main questions was in an era of first class stadiums and connected fan engagement, where does the player come in? As Woodson reflects on the impact the venue has on the players, there are other technologies that will better prepare them for gameday.
Moneyball changed the way sports viewed and used analytics and big data, but there’s a new wave of technology hitting the sports world that will increase player efficiency and extend careers: wearable technology. Bowers claims wearable technology is the next big opportunity in sports and York commented that this technology will best be utilized in the health and safety of professional athletes.
#49ers CEO @JedYork: “This is probably the best sports panel of all sports panels in history.” #behindthegame pic.twitter.com/6qLUku34Dq
— Chat Sports (@ChatSports) March 6, 2015
With the ability to understand our bodies in a way we’ve never been able to before, players will be more efficient and their careers will be extended. This new knowledge will also make it possible for organizations to put players in the best position to succeed, which will only further elevate the quality of the players.
Another technology discussed that’s on the verge of changing sports both for players and for fans is Virtual Reality. Being able to put players inside the game during practice to reenact real situations will enhance the game, notes York. The at-home experience for fans will be changed, too. Putting the average person there ‘live’ will change how we view and even participate in sport. Bowers says, “Who wouldn’t want to take Kobe 1-on-1?” With Virtual Reality, you can do that.