Verizon To Provide 5G Managed Private Wireless Network for NFL’s 30 Stadiums

Five-year deal covers support for on-field coach-to-coach communications

Verizon Business and the National Football League have signed a five-year deal to deliver a Managed Private Wireless Solution across each of the 30 U.S. NFL stadiums. The solution includes full support for coach-to-coach communications on the field and provides the NFL with speed, security, and reliability for critical on-field coach-to-coach communication. Verizon will showcase this solution in a 30-second commercial spot “Next Season Starts Now,” slated to air immediately after the Super Bowl LVII broadcast on Feb. 12.

The Managed Private Wireless solution was successfully piloted during all five international NFL games in the UK, Germany, and Mexico this season. It included deployment and management of the private-wireless technology, testing and coordination, and in-game operational support.

“In an NFL game, every moment matters — seconds matter — as the margin between winning and losing is minuscule. The backbone of world-class play on the field is communication,” says Sowmyanarayan Sampath, CEO, Verizon Business. “The NFL understands and leans into the power of innovation and technology and this Managed Private Wireless solution deployment is a testament to how the NFL uses the latest technology for the game.”

The solution is part of the broader Verizon Business Connected Venue approach, which is rooted in its 5G investment in more than 75 large public venues in the U.S., including some iconic sports and music venues. Verizon brings a mix of public- and private-network capabilities, a robust technology ecosystem, and 5G partnerships that enable leagues, teams, and stadium operators to create and deliver a first-class fan experience and achieve desired venue-operations outcomes. Examples include autonomous or cashier-less retail, accelerated access, and crowd analytics as a service.