Cox Communications has agreed a deal to become the latest founding partner of Las Vegas Stadium, with the US telco set to work on the connected fan experience for the future home of NFL American football franchise the Oakland Raiders.
The 10-year deal also makes Cox the official WiFi and internet provider of the stadium, which is scheduled to be completed in the summer of 2020. Cox will provide multiple gig-speed bandwidth to fans and stadium operations alike, in an effort to ensure high-speed connections for visitors and staff.
“With a rich history of powering the largest stadiums, hotels and convention centres – many right here in Las Vegas – we’re excited to work with Cox on the next evolution of the connected fan experience,” said Marc Badain, president of the Raiders.
Cox will power interactive technology activations for fans during every home game and is an official video television provider of Las Vegas Stadium. As a founding partner, Cox will participate in community events and sponsor an annual program that highlights entrepreneurship and innovation. Cox Media will also sponsor the state-of-the-art media studio at the Raiders practice facility in Henderson, Nevada.
Cox Business, and its Hospitality Network group, serves more than 90% of the hotel and convention space on the Las Vegas Strip today. The company’s clients include the Las Vegas Convention Center and University of Nevada, Las Vegas’ Thomas & Mack Center.
It is the exclusive technology integration/telecommunications services provider at T-Mobile Arena, home of NHL ice hockey team the Vegas Golden Knights. Cox also supports the NFL’s Arizona Cardinals as exclusive technology provider at State Farm Stadium and is the official telecommunications partner of the New Orleans Saints.
“Las Vegas is the sports and entertainment capital of the world, but it’s also becoming one of the smartest, and most connected cities in the world,” said Pat Esser, president of Cox Communications. “The new Las Vegas Stadium will perfectly complement this progression and could become the smartest gridiron yet.”
Speaking yesterday (Thursday) at a news conference to unveil the deal, Michael Bolognini, the Las Vegas market leader for Cox, added, according to the Las Vegas Sun newspaper: “The Raiders are an integral part of the puzzle of us expanding throughout Southern Nevada.
“For the fan, they want to share their experience out into the social media world right then and there. In a lot of venues, you can’t do that, but with the technology we’re implementing, fans will be able to share those experiences and those Raider wins instantaneously.”
In November, Caesars Entertainment was announced as the first founding partner of the 65,000-seat stadium. The landmark 15-year partnership marked the Raiders’ first deal with a gaming and hospitality company.
