Kurt
Heitmann and the good people at CP Communications have established a
memorial trust fund in honor of ESPN and sports industry audio
legend Ron Scalise that will be used for the college education of his
three children: Rosario, 16, RJ, 11, and his daughter Brenna, 10. At
the request of the family this will be the only fund established to
limit confusion. For more information on donating to the fund please
click on this story.
All donations should be made out to the fund and should be sent to:
Kurt G. Heitmann
CP Communications, Inc.
200 Clearbrook Road
Elmsford, NY 10523
Third Annual Sports & Technology Research Study
The Sports Video Group and the Consumer Electronics Association has released the
third-annual “Sports & Technology Research Survey, highlighting the power
that sports content has as both a driver of HD set sales as well as other new
technologies. The survey includes our exclusive 2008 Super Bowl Briefing as
well as new data about consumer online sports viewing behavior.
The new home of the (current) world-champion New York Giants and the New York Jets will feature the largest, fully integrated HD scoreboard system in the world thanks to a deal with Daktronics that could exceed $45 million and would be the largest contract in Daktronics history. The parties expect that contracts for the project would be completed in the third quarter of calendar 2008 with the stadium slated to open in 2010.
The Daktronics system will consist of multiple displays inside the seating bowl. Four large primary video displays, each measuring approximately 103 feet wide by 30 feet high, will be prominently positioned at the club level in the four corners of the seating bowl. One 360 degree LED ribbon board, game-in-progress displays, and play clocks will complement the primary video screens providing fans with additional information.
Outside the seating bowl, 20 vertically-oriented displays will be mounted back-to-back on 10 pylons around the entrances to the facility. Three sizes of boards will be installed, measuring approximately 20 feet wide by 38 feet high, 20 feet wide by 48 feet high, and 20 feet wide by 54 feet high. Four large marquee displays, measuring approximately 32 feet wide by 18 feet high, will promote events to those passing by the stadium. Smaller ticket window displays will direct and inform ticket buyers.
“The selection of Daktronics as the designer and manufacturer of an incredible, integrated display system is another big step toward the opening of the new stadium,” said Mark Lamping, President and CEO of the New Meadowlands Stadium Company. “Daktronics was chosen for their phenomenal display quality, their experience at more than 20 NFL venues, their ability to integrate and control multiple displays as a single system, and their top notch service capabilities.”
“This Daktronics video system will provide New York Jets’ and New York Giants’ fans with a truly 21st century game day experience,” said John Mara, Giants President and Chief Executive Officer. “From the moment they enter the New Meadowlands Stadium for the 2010 football season, fans will experience a state-of-the-art system that includes more than 40,000 square feet of high resolution LED technology.”
One of the seating bowl’s greatest features is the 103 feet by 30 feet video screens that will be embedded into each of the four ‘cornerstones’ which anchor the stadium, according to Jets Chairman and Chief Executive Officer Woody Johnson. “The location and size of these screens were designed to maximize viewing pleasure without compromising the stadium’s sightlines,” he explained.
“Daktronics appreciates the opportunity to be involved with this breakthrough venue,” said Jim Morgan, President and CEO of Daktronics. “What distinguishes the project in addition to its sheer scale and the size of certain displays, will be the ability to present unique live and prerecorded content on each of 28 large-screen LED video displays located both inside and outside the stadium. Having 28 unique channels of content on large at-venue video screens is unparalleled in the industry, and offers a limitless platform for promotions, sponsorships and added fan entertainment, benefitting both teams, the NFL and the New Meadowlands Stadium.”
According to Giants Chairman and Executive Vice President Steve Tisch, it will be the largest, fully integrated, high definition video display system ever installed in a stadium or public assembly facility. In an era of enhanced television and video experience, the video-centric design makes the stadium environment superlative -– the thrill of the live sporting event combined with the convenience of watching the game in your own living room.
The advanced digital display system will allow for both the New York Jets and New York Giants to customize their in-game presentations and their team branding and messages to maximize excitement and entertainment for their fans. Daktronics digital technology also provides flexibility, impact and interactivity for each team’s corporate partners.
