Cosm, an immersive technology, media and entertainment company, has entered into a first-of-its-kind partnership with TNT Sports to produce and present select live premium sports programming from across the broadcaster’s footprint at its forthcoming venues.
Cosm said the deal, which will begin in 2024, marks the first time a broadcast rightsholder will present live sports content in ‘shared reality’, with the experience to bridge the virtual and physical worlds through Cosm’s pioneering technology and 87-foot diameter LED domes.
Cosm venues will host a number of premium events throughout the TNT Sports calendar, including select NBA games, NHL Stanley Cup playoffs, and select US men’s and women’s national soccer team matches.
Next year will see Cosm open its first public venue at Hollywood Park, the 300-acre sports and entertainment destination that is home to SoFi Stadium in Inglewood, California. The company recently appointed Corey Breton as its first head of venues.
“This partnership is transformative, not just for Cosm but for the live sports and entertainment industry at large,” said Jeb Terry, chief executive and president of Cosm.
US telco Verizon has renewed its partnership with the NFL’s Baltimore Ravens, with the deal including a commitment to boosting connectivity and enhancing the fan experience at M&T Bank Stadium.
As the official 5G network of the Ravens, Verizon will join the team to help fans score big at tomorrow’s (Friday’s) Purple Friday event. The event will take place at Verizon’s Frederick store and will give fans the chance to earn a $50 (£41/€47) discount when they add a new line of service or Verizon Home Internet.
Verizon has boosted 5G Ultra Wideband coverage at macro sites around the stadium. Ravens fans can also hear messages from augmented reality versions of players through the team’s official mobile app via the Ravens in Reality programme, which Verizon serves as the presenting sponsor of.
Elsewhere, Verizon has partnered with Syracuse University and JMA Dome to deliver advanced wireless experiences to students, staff and fans.
Due to equipment delays and to prevent negatively impacting Verizon customers’ experience at the Dome, the new system will go live before the end of November.
National Women’s Soccer League (NWSL) team Kansas City Current has partnered with Good Energy Solutions to promote sustainability and install new solar panels at CPKC Stadium.
A fleet of 180 REC Alpha Pure-R solar panels will be installed on top of the main gate entrance and the team store for maximum sun exposure. Good Energy Solutions will receive use of marks, in-game signage and social posts. The partnership will support the Current’s plans for CPKC to be awarded a LEED Gold certification.
CPKC Stadium, which will open in time for the 2024 season, will be the first venue purpose-built for an NWSL franchise. Railroad company CPKC acquired naming rights to the stadium last month as part of a 10-year deal.
AFAS Stadion, home of Eredivisie football club AZ Alkmaar, has been fitted with a new Wi-Fi system courtesy of IT provider Hallo and broadband and wireless services provider Alcadis.
The network is designed to handle 19,000-plus users at the same time and was successfully tested during AZ’s recent match against NEC Nijmegen. The entire stadium has been upgraded from Wi-Fi 5 to Wi-Fi 6 technology.
