Monday February 1, 2021

Cynopsis Sports asked Brian Mecum, VP, Device Technology at Verizon, about the partnership, the Super Bowl and a year unlike any other.

Mecum on Verizon’s Super Bowl plans: This year Verizon is elevating the fan experience with immersive and innovative “fan first” experiences that will showcase the power of 5G, making it much more personal to them. Verizon has leveraged 5G to take immersive experiences to a new level, so fans who are watching from home do not miss out on the action, almost like they are there. Whether you are in stadium or at home, fans can tap into Verizon’s 5G SuperStadium app that unlocks 5 different camera angles and leverages AR to bring the stadium experience to fans watching the Super Bowl. Fans can also use “Watch Together,” a free co-viewing experience in the Yahoo Sports app, to watch the game and interact with friends and family virtually. This year, we’ve also partnered with Epic Games to create the first-ever 5G stadium in-game in Fortnite to give fans the opportunity to interact with NFL players and pro gamers in a completely new way.

On 2020: 2020 was a difficult year for so many, and the Super Bowl has always been one of those moments where we come together. In a year when access to the stadium is limited, it was more important for Verizon to bring the game closer to fans with apps like Super Stadium. Also, COVID sped up our rate of innovation so we’re currently testing new technologies in various stadiums that can use things like facial recognition to help speed entry into arenas, touchless retail, and the use of thermal screening to detect elevated body temperatures. Once people start returning to full capacity stadiums we will have some cool technologies ready for use.

On connections: Verizon’s network and technology have been key to keeping people connected, our 5G network is impacting every part of the game, no matter if fans are in-stadium or at home. For those at the stadium it’s more personal, we’ve invested in 5G enhancements that make sure fans can access merch and concessions with less contact and avoid overcrowding so that when we are ready to return to the stadium, fans will enjoy an improved customer experience. For those who are watching from afar it’s still more personal than before, Verizon’s SuperStadium with 5 camera angles and Watch Together allow fans to immerse themselves in the game with synchronicity and offers fans a new level of immersive experiences that we’re excited to see applied to other games. The first-ever 5G stadium map in Fortnite is also offering fans a new way to engage with the gaming community – fans can participate in in-game scavenger hunts, meet and greet their favorite players’ avatar, and even watch NFL players compete in Fortnite games.

On changing the stadium experience: We’ve thought about how we can reimagine stadiums and implement new measures to make the live events experience more secure and enjoyable. In 2020, Verizon partnered with Cisco to launch future-ready infrastructure for stadiums that feature analytics to analyze wait times at ticket lines, restrooms and concession stands to ease crowd control. And over the last year, Verizon 5G and mobile edge computing has enabled CrowdVision, Zyter and Wicket to prepare applications for safety, access, concessions and crowd management which can be used when more in-person events start to return. We also equipped the Hard Rock stadium in Miami with 5G so that the stadium can welcome fans back with a stellar experience backed by an award-winning 5G network.

Here are some of the areas we’re working on in preparation for the new stadium experience:
· Free flowing access and reduction of choke points. Social distancing and safety require new ways of thinking about this. Thermal Screening on Verizon 5G Edge has the performance and low latency to allow screening of up to six people from 20 feet away. This ensures fans, employees, and players with high temperatures are identified before entering facilities.
· Knowing who is and who isn’t supposed to be in the venue. Finding ways to seamlessly screen entryways using safe and trusted facial recognition technology running on Verizon 5G Edge makes it possible to identify and recognize employees and players fast enough to enter without dreaded slow downs in the line.
· Making sure fans have the best access to merch and concessions with less contact is important. Facial payments powered by Verizon 5G is one way to make it easier and safer for fans to interact with stadium services and avoid waiting in line.

PROGRAMMING

Meanwhile ESPN laid out its coverage plans for Super Bowl LV between the defending champion Kansas City Chiefs and the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. On Super Bowl Sunday at 10a, Suzy Kolber and Sam Ponder host a special, four-hour edition of Postseason NFL Countdown live from Raymond James Stadium and ESPN’s set on St. Pete Beach. Following the game, Chris Berman, covering his 39th Super Bowl, will host NFL PrimeTime from Raymond James Stadium with Steve Young and Booger McFarland. SportsCenter and SportsCenter with Scott Van Pelt will provide additional post-game coverage with Tim Hasselbeck and Ryan Clark sharing their insights and analysis. ESPN’s on-site presence at Super Bowl LV also includes Thursday and Friday editions of NFL Live as well as morning, afternoon and evening SportsCenter segments from ESPN’s set on St. Pete Beach.

In addition, ESPN Deportes will be the Spanish-language home of Super Bowl LV and will feature exclusive Spanish-language coverage of the game on ESPN Deportes TV and streaming via the ESPN App. Coverage on ESPN Deportes will be handled by the Spanish-language Monday Night Football crew of Eduardo Varela (play-by-play), Pablo Viruega (analyst) and John Sutcliffe (sideline reporter). Additionally, ESPN and its affiliated networks will present Super Bowl LV live to more than 71 million households in 134 countries and territories throughout Spanish-speaking Latin America, Brazil, the Caribbean, Australia, New Zealand, the Pacific Islands, Canada, the Philippines, the Netherlands, and Sub Saharan Africa.

Yahoo Sports reports that MLB is again exploring a shortened season due to COVID-19, and sent a proposal to the players’ union for a potential 154-game schedule with full pay in addition to an expanded postseason. The proposal would delay the start of the spring training to March 22 while Opening Day would then kick off on April 28. The World Series would then take place in November.

Meanwhile, ESPN is reportedly looking to sell the X Games, according to The Information. The report states that ESPN is mulling two main possibilities for a potential sale of the X Games franchise: selling the broadcast rights to X Games events while retaining production oversite; or selling the intellectual property to X Games overall.

On the local front, the Seattle Kraken inked a multi-year agreement with the ROOT SPORTS regional sports network to become the team’s television broadcast partner when the team begins NHL play next season. ROOT SPORTS, a joint venture between the Seattle Mariners and AT&T Sports Networks, has a five-state footprint that includes Washington, Oregon, Alaska, Montana and Idaho and will showcase all regional games not selected for national broadcast. Additionally, the Seattle Kraken play-by-play announcer, John Forslund as the team broadcaster to call all television broadcasts on ROOT SPORTS.

Your deadline has been extended for the Sports Media Awards! Get noticed. Get more business. Apply to one of 40+ categories and see if your work has what it takes to win the gold. Apply Now!

The ASUN Conference pulled the trigger on its future, announcing the additions of the University of Central Arkansas, Eastern Kentucky University and Jacksonville State University into the league after a unanimous vote by the ASUN Presidents’ Council, while FCS Scholarship Football becomes the 20th sport sponsored by the ASUN Conference. “When a conference embarks on a mission to strengthen itself through expansion, it has to present a case for why membership with one conference would be more beneficial to the institution than membership in its current conference,” ASUN Commissioner Ted Gumbart said. “The ASUN spent two years examining and defining its advantages and then presenting interested candidates with the option to join. Every institution will select the best option for conference affiliation from the available options. Each institution owes it to the student body, the athletic department and the university community as a whole to do what is best for the university.”

Now’s the time to make your mark on the industry.

There are over 40 categories up for grabs. Winners will have their names and work boasted across Cynopsis’ website, emails, newsletters, and social feeds.

ENTER NOW

Discover Financial Services and the National Women’s Hockey League cemented a partnership that ranks as the largest in NWHL history, and includes Discover becoming the Official Credit Card of the NWHL. “The partnership between Discover and the National Women’s Hockey League is an important moment in our league’s history,” said NWHL Commissioner Tyler Tumminia. “This will be a collaboration to push for progress and we look forward to working with our new partner as the NWHL continues to grow.” The landmark sponsorship was facilitated by the NWHL and Twitch with help from Discover’s agency, Spark Foundry.

The U.S. Air Force extended its partnership with Richard Petty Motorsports, anchored by a presence on the NASCAR Cup Series No. 43 Chevrolet Camaro ZL1 1LE, driven by Erik Jones. As part of the agreement, the U.S. Air Force will serve as the primary partner of Jones’ car in the NASCAR Cup Series at the Talladega (Ala.) Superspeedway (April 25) and at the Bristol (Tenn.) Motor Speedway (September 18). The U.S. Air Force is an associate partner for the entirety of the 2021 NASCAR Cup Series season with Richard Petty Motorsports.

DIGITAL, DATA & TECH

DraftKings was named as the exclusive official daily fantasy sports partner of the NBA’s Charlotte Hornets. The multi-year agreement lifts DraftKings’ presence in North Carolina and provides the operator with access to Hornets trademarks and logos, as well as advertising on LED signage courtside, on the basket stanchion at Spectrum Center, and on top of the backboards. “Charlotte Hornets basketball games are must-watch TV for the NBA, and we look forward to providing Hornets fans with a best-in-class gaming experience,” said DraftKings chief business officer Ezra Kucharz. “We look forward to deepening our business relationship with the Hornets organization through this new agreement and showcasing DraftKings in North Carolina.”

Meanwhile, BetMGM locked in an exclusive sports betting partnership with The Athletic. As part of the deal, the platform will launch a new content vertical dedicated to the collaboration called the Betting Hub, as well as offer in-depth content and product integrations.

ESPN’s The Undefeated announced that the “Music For The Movement/Black History Always” EP is set for release February 26. The EP is the second volume of the ongoing project between the platform and Hollywood Records and aligns with ESPN’s “Black History Always” initiative which was announced yesterday.

As Black History Month begins, Strat-O-Matic announced the renewal and expansion of its partnership with the Negro League Baseball Museum and President Bob Kendrick. Strat-O-Matic continues to augment its selection of popular Negro League baseball roster sets, with 10% of all sales donated to the Kansas City, Mo., based museum.

ESPORTS

With Capcom Cup 2020 cancelled, Capcom laid out its plans for the online-only Season Final event to crown a champion. Competition will span Feb. 20-21 across Capcom Fighters channels, and will showcase all 20 players who originally qualified for Capcom Cup along with four additional invitees.

The Dota Pro Circuit has its first major, with the launch of the ONE Esports Singapore Major 2021 and running March 25-April 4 at the Singapore Indoor Stadium. The prize pool will dangle $500,000 and 2,700 DPC points that will be divided between the top eight teams.

Elliott Sadler eSports announced its full-time partnership with Nutrien Ag Solutions as a sponsor for the 2021 eNASCAR Coca-Cola iRacing Series season. “I fell in love with iRacing once I retired,” said Sadler. “I’ve been building this team for a year now, and we’re ready to go win races and compete for a championship. We’re bringing a new sponsors into this space with Nutrien Ag Solutions. This is going to be a lot of fun. This isn’t just a hobby for me. We are pouring a lot of resources into this to be able to go out and win.”

Misfits Gaming Group locked in a multi-year deal with British premium headwear brand, Tokyo Time, as the official headwear provider of Misfits Gaming. Tokyo Time will produce officially licensed Misfits Gaming headwear, as well as collaborating on co-branded items. “We’re excited to partner with an exciting new brand to create new products for our fans and players” said Vas Roberts, VP, Partnerships at Misfits Gaming Group. “Tokyo Time have partnered with exciting traditional sports leagues and we’re proud to be their first partner in esports.”

Ford Models, Inc. announced the signing of former All-Pro NFL Running Back and current Esports Coach for Lakeland University, Ahman Green, to its Esports and Gaming division. He currently hosts Ahman Green’s Gamers Lounge Podcast on iHeartRadio and is the Business Development Director for esports network, ESTV. “We are thrilled about adding Ahman to the division. As a former NFL legend who also genuinely loves and is passionate about gaming, he is exactly what we look for in talent that we identify to work with. The future is bright as we aim to help Ahman expand and elevate his current projects while also exploring new opportunities to grow his personal brand in the gaming and entertainment spaces,” said Justin M. Jacobson, Esq., Manager of Ford Models’ Esports and Gaming division.

INDUSTRY & ROSTER MOVES

The NHL revealed its second group of NHL Power Players, an advisory board made up of fans ages 13-17 brought together to offer their best ideas to help grow the game with a younger audience. Up from 15 in 2019, this season’s panel consists of 25 kids from the US and Canada. Each was selected from a pool of applicants because of their innovative and creative ideas. They also had to participate in a three-part interview process.

Join us on Thursday, February 25 for our virtual celebration of the industry’s Best of the Best.

Finalists will be announced later this week!

IN THE KNOW
Which WWE Superstar has the record for winning the WWE Royal Rumble, clocking in with three victories? (Email [email protected] with your answer and be sure to include your name, company and city).

Answer to Our Last Sports Trivia Question
What team has played in four Super Bowls but never led any of the games? Answer: The Vikings. (The Bills had leads against both the Giants as well as the Cowboys.) Kudos: Art Salisch-Nielsen/NY; Aymon DeMauro-ADM Media & Marketing/NY; Michael Ritz-Lenox Advisors/NY; Michael Dittelman-Dedicated Sports Marketing/NY; Keith Marder-Brown Harris Stevens Real Estate/NY; Denis Barry-CBS/NY; Sam Pittman-Juniper & Berkeley/Raleigh; Matt Sautter-WideOrbit/Harrisburg; Bill Robertson-WCHA/Bloomington; Karl Hoium-Fargo-Moorhead RedHawks Baseball/Moorhead; John Kukla-KDFW/KDFI/Dallas; Nick Monroe-Monroe Photography/San Diego; John Baghdassarian-Olympusat/LA; David Westberg-SAG•AFTRA Credit Union/Burbank; Larry Hutchings/San Luis Obispo; Tom Moore-Kalt Productions/LA