House that Ruth Built Gives Way to House that Geeks Built
The New York Yankees recently announced a $1.3 billion contract with Cisco Systems to turn the new Yankee Stadium into one of the most wired, state-of-the-art sports arenas in America.
“Take the dream of ‘Star Trek’ or other movies. That is the concept of where we’re going to go. It’s going to change all of sports. I don’t think I’m too bold in saying that,” said Cisco chairman John T. Chambers, as quoted in the New York Times.
Cisco is building technology that will allow the Yankees to program 1,100 flat-panel high-definition TVs throughout the new stadium that will show live game coverage, archival and highlight video, statistics, promotional messages, and weather and traffic updates. The TVs will be located in concession stands, in-stadium restaurants and bars, restrooms, luxury suites, and party suites. Further, the luxury suites will be fitted with touch-screen phones that allow upper crust fans to order food and merchandise, and video-conferencing technology to let players and executives talk to fans.
But Cisco isn’t stopping there. Each Yankee player will have a computer at his locker, complete with a full scouting catalog available via a central computerized system to better prepare themselves for each opponent.
Will all this advanced technology help Alex Rodriguez hit in October? Perhaps it has a better shot at doing so than does Madonna’s cabala.
By Robert Pothier