Venue News: D-backs Enhance Wireless Experience at Chase Field; UNT Announces Stadium Name

The Arizona Diamondbacks hope that a new and advanced wireless experience at Chase Field will draw younger fans to the ballpark and enhance their game-watching experience. The team partnered with AT&T to take fans’ game experience to the next level with a new Distributed Antenna System, or DAS, and free Wi-Fi access within the ballpark. The system provides download speeds up to 22.1 mbps, depending on the location and concentration of users. Fans within the ballpark will be able to upload and share photos, update social networks, and download information about the players at high speeds. The system also allows fans to order food from concession stands without leaving their seats…

… The University of North Texas and Apogee announced a 20-year naming-rights sponsorship agreement for the new Mean Green Athletics football stadium on the UNT campus in Denton, TX. The $20 million deal is the second largest naming-rights agreement for college football stadiums to date. Apogee Stadium is the centerpiece of the recently developed Mean Green Village, which encompasses most of the academic, training, and competition facilities for UNT’s nearly 400 student-athletes. The 31,000-seat stadium features 21 luxury suites, 750 club seats, banquet space, and apparel store. Apogee provides on-campus residential networks (ResNet) for higher education…

… The New Meadowlands Stadium’s team store was recognized with seven retail design awards for features that allow it to become exclusive space on game days for either the New York Jets or New York Giants. The 9,600-square-foot Flagship Store Powered by Reebok features customized lighting and a white design finish that can be illuminated in either Giants blue or Jets green. A large LED video wall and illuminated projections of either Jets or Giants players add to the feel, while customized and revolving perimeter display panels allow for an easy switch of merchandise for game days. The store opened in August 2010 during the stadium’s first year of operation. Delaware North Companies oversaw the design and development of the store and operates it through its Sportservice division, the exclusive food and retail services provider at the stadium for the two NFL teams and the New Meadowlands Stadium…

… The University of Southern California may make bringing an NFL team to Los Angeles more difficult unless the city agrees to change its current lease and give up more control over the Coliseum. An NFL team may need to play in the facility while a new football stadium is being built downtown, which could take between three and four years. However, USC wants a new “master-lease” for the Coliseum that would give it near-total control over the facility and events. If it doesn’t get it, it may leverage the veto power under its current lease to block the team from playing there…

… Before the beginning of each new Duke Blue Devils basketball season, the Cameron Indoor Stadium floor is refinished. This year, the changes went a little farther. Not only was the floor refinished, but Coach K Court was the recipient of a new paint job and new center logo. A smaller version of “DUKE” will appear on each baseline as well.