 |
|
|
On June 26 the Sports Technology Alliance, formed by Sports Video Group and top professional and collegiate sports leagues, went to Washington, DC to meet with senior officials at the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) and on the Hill. The goal? To ensure that government officials are aware of the dangers allowing unlicensed portable consumer devices into the current “White Space” spectrum poses to not only the quality of TV productions but also the quality of competition and both athlete and fan safety. “The meetings were an unqualified success,” says Ken Kerschbaumer, SVG editorial director. “Many of the FCC and Hill decision makers were surprised at the depth to which these leagues rely on the White Space spectrum. They previously thought of this as strictly a wireless microphone issue that would impact TV and radio broadcasts. But collectively the leagues made it clear that the spectrum is about much, much more than just wireless mics.” The NBA, for example, relies on wireless spectrum to allow for referees to stop the clock automatically when blown. The PGA Tour relies on it for its ShotLink system that allows for data like player, club selection, and distance of each shot to be gathered instantaneously for every swing of every tournament. NASCAR relies on it for in-car communications between the driver, pit crew, and spotters on the roof. And the NFL relies on it to allow for coaches to tell quarterbacks the play through a helmet-based communication system, ending the days of having plays run in and, in turn, speeding up the game and enhancing the product. The concern of the leagues, which included the NBA, NHL, NFL, MLB, NASCAR, PGA Tour, and the NCAA, is that allowing unlicensed devices into the White Space spectrum will knock those communication systems (and wireless mics for TV and radio productions) out of commission. To read the comments filed with the FCC please click here. “The simple existence of those devices in the marketplace and the inability to locate the source of the interfering device will mean a massive step back for a multi-billion dollar industry and literally hundreds of millions of fans,” says Kerschbaumer. “Compromised spectrum means an end to things like in-car video and audio during a NASCAR race and miked NBA or MLB players that bring the fan closer to the action. And for fans at home and in the venue that will be a sad day.” The visit to Washington, supported by Shure, Inc’s legal and personnel resources, comprised of two groups of league representatives separately spending a day at the FCC and a day on the Hill. Staffers for Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi (D-CA), Senate Majority Leader Steny Hoyer (D-MD), Majority Whip Richard Durbin (D-IL), Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-KY), Sen. Ted Stevens, Sen. Kay Bailey Hutchison (R-TX), and House Committee on Energy and Commerce Chairman John Dingell (D-MI), Rep. Joe Barton (R-TX) all set aside time during the day. On the FCC side the leagues met with Aaron Goldberger, Legal Advisor, Office of Commissioner Deborah Taylor Tate; Rick Chessen, Senior Legal Advisor, Office of Commissioner Michael Copps; Ira Keltz, acting deputy chief and the staff of the Office of Engineering and Technology; Monica Desai, Chief, and staff of the Mass Media Bureau; Honorable Jonathan Adelstein, FCC commissioner; Angela Giancarlo, Legal Advisor, Wireless & Int’l Issues for the Commissioner Robert M. McDowell; and Erika Olsen, acting legal advisor, wireless issues for Chairman Kevin J. Martin. “It was a thrill for all involved to have a chance to voice our concerns to all of these individuals who graciously opened their doors to us,” says Kerschbaumer. “Sports on all levels is such an important part of the American culture that any steps back in audio and communications while the world moves forward with HDTV images and even 3D HD are simply unacceptable. And we believe the decision makers in Washington understand this more clearly than ever.” Future steps for the Sports Technology Alliance will involve continued communication with not only FCC officials and legislators in Washington but also the beginning of a grass-roots campaign that will involve individual teams, school athletic programs and venues. “At the end of the day all sports, just like politics, are local,” adds Kerschbaumer. “And we believe that helping local government representatives understand the negative impact this legislation will have on sporting events, local news coverage, religious services and even their own press conferences is an important initiative.” © Copyright 2006-2007 sportsvideogroup |
|
||||||||||||||||||||
