Nashville Predators is confident that future fan bases will be constantly connected to the ever-evolving digital marketplace, where sports industry analysts can grow their bottom line exponentially.
In February, the team unveiled the first limited edition jersey with a microchip in the National Hockey League. This product commemorates his beloved goalkeeper Pecke Lin’s retirement for the first time in 15 years.
This is a tech-savvy marketing move as well as an investment in a new kind of fan experience.
“We will continue to be proactive and provide our fans with more opportunities and options,” said Sean Henry, CEO of Predators. “Providing the best fan experience in sports is very important to us and we are also proud to be innovators. We are willing to try almost anything. . “
The “best fan experience” also attracts the greatest profits. That’s why the team is actively experimenting with new technologies and laying the foundation for technology-enhanced services at Bridgestone Arena.
Season ticket holders scheduled to renew have received a custom Predators non-fungible token (NFT). It’s not a digital currency, but it shares similar blockchain technology to create its own digital collectable code. Some investors are confident that they will be part of the Metaverse and Web3 infrastructure, or the next more decentralized iteration of the Internet.
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In the world of digital art, we use NFTs to trade exclusive content. According to a survey by the PwC industry, NFTs are expected to be a future trading card for sports teams.
Many teams, including the Tennessee Titans, have already adopted commemorative NFTs to mark breakthrough games like the playoffs.
According to PwC’s Sports Outlook 2022, “This isn’t a fad. The next step is a” pre-famous “card featuring college NFTs, minor league players, and college prospects. Soon, a video of a digital ticket hype. “
Real-time statistics and betting
Rinne’s $ 350 commemorative retirement jersey is priced twice as much as a regular jersey.
It is designed for long-term marketing relationships with buyers who can scan chips to register jerseys and unlock daily exclusive offers and transactions. This particular data, which team officials said wasn’t sold to external companies, provides the franchise with real-time updates on fan preferences.
According to product developer CollectID, “The history of the jersey, including the video of Peka Liney’s retirement, is permanently stored on the blockchain, making the jersey even more unique and valuable.” The company “combines encrypted smartphone-enabled NFC tags with secure NFTs on the blockchain to solve counterfeit product issues and create a physical product gateway to Metaverse / Web 3.0. “.
Bridgestone Arena installed 5G Internet last summer. Infrastructure upgrades will allow NHL franchises to track speed and distance traveled using microchips in player jerseys and packs.
Faster online connectivity enables real-time communication between teams and fans for stat updates, marketing transactions, and ultimately real-time betting.
Online sports gambling was approved in Tennessee in 2020, but MPs are still negotiating whether to allow sportsbooks.
Gambling is expected to lead growth areas in all industries over the next few years.
“Digital content and betting are reshaping sports,” said PwC’s Sports Outlook. “Sports have become synonymous with technology, casinos, media producers, etc. Behind the scenes of sports content, the entire business is budding with an eight-digit rating.”
Stadium experience
Rapidly evolving technology requires more online awareness and flexibility by businesses. Meanwhile, they are also demanding a new and upgraded stadium experience.
“If there’s one thing we’ve been taught in 2021, it’s that fans still want to see the sport first hand,” said a PwC industry survey. “Sports fans are returning to the American stadium with more hope than ever before. The competition for fans in the stadium is fierce not only because of rival teams, but also because of the appeal of 75-inch television.”
Bridgestone’s new 5G infrastructure also allows you to quickly order food, drinks and tickets online from your seat using a separate QR scan code.
Bridgestone has adopted FAST software that allows it to start in-seat orders “as soon as possible, preferably for the 2022-23 season,” Henry said.
Expanded luxury seating options and other experience-based facilities are driving fans’ attention. Ultimately, facial recognition technology, robotics, and augmented reality experiences will be adopted.
The Titans are looking for a new or heavily refurbished NFL stadium to keep pace with the facilities offered by other leagues.
The plan developed last year to split the $ 600 million stadium renovation with Titans staff was suspended when engineers reported that it would cost more than $ 1 billion to modernize the 1997 outdoor bowl. I did.
State leaders have promised significant contributions to the new Nashville Stadium, which can host the Super Bowl. Negotiations will continue with a new stadium financing strategy that is likely to cost at least $ 2 billion.
You can contact Sandy Mazza by email (smazza@tennessean.com), phone 615-726-5962, or Twitter @ SandyMazza.
