In order to provide fans with the best in-game experience, the NFL has set out a requirement for all stadiums to meet a league standard for Wi-Fi and Cellular services. This new requirement was brought to light at the end of last year and must be met by all owners by the end of the 2014 season
This set of standards includes, ensuring minimum capacity for downloads, uploads and browsing, while still holding the same threshold for phone calls and texting. While this a fantastic initiative for NFL fans, it does set a very high bar for NFL venues. The NFL holds overall larger crowds compared to other sport leagues and these large crowds already often overload the Wi-Fi networks currently set in place. The implementation is also quite difficult and expensive. Networks of this size usually cost in the mid-seven figure range. Also many of these venues are municipally owned and hold other tenants, this means investing becomes quite challenging.
Yet once implemented could drastically help NFL teams gain a more in-depth understanding of their fans. These Wi-Fi/Cellular networks will be utilizing an analytical system so the NFL can see what fans are doing, which can lead to better marketing.
The NFL isn’t the only league looking into these issues and standards. The MLB and NBA have both instilled similar practices within their organizations. MLB Advanced Media has teamed up with Qualcomm to survey the technological aspects of its teams’ stadiums to help develop a better wireless connectivity plan across the sport. The NBA isn’t quite at where the NFL is, but according to Michael Gliedman, NBA Senior Vice President and CIO, said Wi-FI and DAS are regularly discussed within the organization.
While currently there is no penalty for noncompliance, McKenna Doyle NFL CIO says, “If they do not do this, there will be poor-performing ticket sales. They will suffer enough consequences not doing it.”