Feature

Johnson Controls backs Pro Football Hall of Fame ‘smart city’ project

Johnson Controls backs Pro Football Hall of Fame 'smart city' project

The Pro Football Hall of Fame has signed up a naming-rights partner for an innovative new sports and entertainment village that is currently under construction in the US city of Canton, Ohio.

Johnson Controls, an electronic equipment manufacturer, will take on naming rights to the so-called 'smart city', which will feature a range of venues, including a virtual reality, state-of-the-art experience.

The village is being developed through a partnership with the Pro Football Hall of Fame and the Industrial Realty Group. Financial terms of Johnson Controls’ naming-rights agreement were not released, although numerous reports claim the company will pay a nine-figure fee over 18 years.

Johnson Controls will serve as the official smart city partner of the village, which will be officially called the Johnson Controls Hall of Fame Village. The company will also serve as the presenting sponsor for the Canton’s annual celebration event, the Pro Football Hall of Fame Enshrinement Week Powered by Johnson Controls.

Under the terms of the agreement, Johnson Controls’ products, services and solutions will be used within the village. Johnson Controls’ building management systems, HVAC equipment, fire and security systems and other technologies will all be used.

Pro Football Hall of Fame president David Baker said: “This historic agreement will ensure that the Johnson Controls Hall of Fame Village will be the first ‘smart’ sports and entertainment city and will serve to inspire generations of fans as a showcase for state-of-the-art technology products and services to deliver world-class fan experiences.”

Kim Metcalf-Kupres, vice-president and chief marketing officer at Johnson Controls, added: “Our innovative, integrated technologies will provide the right combination of safety and security at the Johnson Controls Hall of Fame Village in an environment that demonstrates how we connect ‘cities’ that run smartly and reliably.

“We are proud to celebrate the greats of the game who are enshrined in the Hall of Fame and create a winning experience for visiting fans.”

It is projected that the large-scale project will bring in about $15.3bn (£12.3bn/€14.4bn) to the local region in its first 25 years in operation. The facility is expected to be completed in 2019 to coincide with the National Football League’s 100th season and centennial celebration the following year.

Posted in Feature