Our 2013 NFL Tech Series follows all 32 NFL teams up until kickoff on Week 1. Each feature includes the latest from each organization, spanning stadium wifi upgrades, mobile technology, fan engagement, and the tech used by players and coaches to gain an edge. Front office personnel and technology staff throughout the league provided an inside look at how each team plans on improving their franchise through hi-tech advancements. In this new age of technology in sports we are uncovering the many new innovations and strategies being used by teams and where the present and future of NFL technology lies. Steeler Nation is looking forward to what the Black and Yellow has in store for 2013!
The Pittsburgh Steelers are one of the most recognized teams in America, not only for their winning prowess (6 Superbowl Titles, 8 AFC Championship Titles, and the most Conference Championship appearances with 15) but also for their social media activity. With over 567,000 followers on Twitter and 4.9 million page likes on Facebook, the Steelers are very engaging to their die-hard fans and are among the top teams in the NFL on social media. The Steelers are always looking to stay ahead of the curve and 2013 is looking to be an innovative year from a technology and social media standpoint.
Social Media
Fans that are attending Steelers Camp this summer may have noticed a new social media tent near the practice fields. Staying true to their engaging ways, the Steelers Social Tent provides an area for fans to connect with the team through Facebook, Twitter and email. Tools such as iPads, charging stations, and complementary Wifi are available for fans at this tent.
So far, the tent has been a huge hit for engagement with the fans. They are providing contests to win exclusive Steelers theme song “#Herewego @Steelers” t-shirts, and other prizes, by tweeting pictures from camp or just following along the Steelers on Twitter. Communications Coordinator Burt Lauten said “The response has been unbelievable! The tent is constantly packed with fans because it is visible coming into training camp. It’s also an avenue that gives us a chance to connect with fans that we typically don’t in downtown Pittsburgh. We’re reaching a different audience and teaching them what our website, Twitter account, and Facebook has to offer.”
The Steelers will be utilizing social media in new ways at Heinz Field as well. Using technology created by an on-air graphics company named Chyron, the Steelers will incorporate fans on their scoreboard production by showcasing their pics and comments from Twitter in real-time. The impressive graphics and broadcast via Chyron will help grow the fan’s experience at games using social media.
Also during the games at Heinz field, a digital street team will roam the stands capturing and sharing photos socially on the Steelers social media channels. They will be looking for interesting fans to promote the passion from Steeler Nation, with the possibility of them showing up on the scoreboard as well.
Stadium Upgrades
The technology at Heinz Field is getting a major overhaul for 2013. Starting with the WiFi, there will be an upgrade in the premium seating area. So ticket holders in the clubs and suites section of the stadium will experience a faster free WiFi service. Heinz Field began using AT&T last year to create a better wireless connection for fans, and now the DAS is getting an upgrade to include both major carries in the area, AT&T and Verizon Wireless. The upgrade to the DAS will insure more fans are able to make calls, check fantasy scores and search the Internet with an enhanced, consistent wireless coverage.
There will also be a new video display in the premium seating area that includes upgraded HD LED screens in both the east and west clubs. Each section within the clubs have also received upgraded video displays.
To accommodate fans purchasing food or merchandise, the Point of Sale system has been upgrade to include all major credit cards at each station. Also to accommodate the fan experience bringing even more excitement this year, the Steelers will officially utilize the “Pittsburgh Steeline Drumline” before, during, and after games. Steeline owner Dustin Lowes is excited to perform for Steelers fans, “there will be a lot of excitement and high energy. The crowd will be excited. The fans in the lot will be excited. We have added some ‘Here We Go Steelers’ chants in it. We want the fans to join and really enjoy themselves.”
Another big announcement is that the Steelers just formed a 3 year partnership with Legendary Entertainment. Legendary Entertainment is a film production company that has produced movies like Hangover, 300, 42, and the new Batman movies. Their CEO, Thomas Tull, became part owner of the Steelers in 2009 and was instrumental in bringing The Dark Knight Rises to Pittsburgh. Now he forms a partnership that will bring new video and scoreboard features, including intro videos. Can you imagine the type of movie quality, video production from Legendary Entertainment being made for the Steelers this season? Think about 300, or maybe just think of explosions like this…
In a statement coming from the Steelers, they said “Legendary has produced many of Hollywood’s most successful movies over the past decade including The Dark Knight Rises, which was filmed in Pittsburgh, and most recently 42. We are thrilled to partner with them on video and scoreboard elements at Heinz Field, as well as wearing the Legendary logo on our practice jerseys.”
Apps and Equipment
The Steelers Gameday Plus app (which has been available for a few years) features real-time scores, photos, drive-by-drive stats, news, roster, depth chart, standings, audio podcast, video-on-demand, and social media. Not only is the app available for Android and iOS smart phones, but just recently it became available as an iPad application.
Also, to enhance the experience on the app, the Steelers will include live in-stadium camera angles, instant replays, and access to the NFL RedZone Channel within the app.
As far as the team and players go, the Steelers will utilize digital playbook on iPad this year. Game and practice film will be uploaded to the iPad app for players to review. Players can also message each other digital notes from their iPad, creating an easy process to streamline game plans.
To ramp up for the upcoming season, Steelers players were introduced to a new training equipment called a Fitwall. Looking like a steel wall with racks, the Fitwall allows people to perform a variety of movements on a wall designed to activate muscles and burn more calories than the typical gym or cardio workout. A wearable bluetooth monitor measures and sends data to an iPad attached to the device. In total, the wall accommodates for more than 900 different exercises. As of now, the Steelers are the only sports organization with their own exclusive Fitwall. The others using this fitness technology is U.S. Military and Special Forces, and Olympic Training Centers, so that goes to show this if for elite training.
Overall, Steeler Nation shall continue to grow this season. With new initiatives for social media and fan experience put in place, as well as improving the production value at Heinz Field, Steelers’ games will be an electric atmosphere.