Sep 05, 2014

Philadelphia Eagles, Panasonic Primed to Deliver Winning Fan Experience for 2014 Season

Philadelphia Eagles fans will experience the intensity and excitement of the National Football League like never before - up close and personal - with state-of-the-art, high-definition LED video boards from Panasonic Enterprise Solutions Company, a division of Panasonic Corporation of North America. Thousands of spectators attending games at newly-refurbished Lincoln Financial Field will now experience the clarity and intimacy of home viewing directly in their seats.

Photos: Panasonic with Philadelphia Eagles

As part of a two-year revitalization project and in response to fan feedback for greater levels of connectivity and video boards with higher-resolution, the Eagles partnered with Panasonic Enterprise Solutions to help modernize the stadium into a high-definition facility. Panasonic installed over 24,000 total square feet of high-definition LED video boards, more than tripling the previous area of the boards. Panasonic engineers also incorporated cutting edge 10mm Surface Mount Device (SMD) LED technology, using the tightest pixel pitch of any display to provide unparalleled imaging clarity and give the Eagles the highest resolution SMD video board in the league. The state-of-the-art boards also offer corporate partners the technology and a significantly larger display area to deliver creative, high-impact messaging.

"Our hardware platforms for professional sports are based on delivering a quality portfolio of LED products, professional flat panel display boards and control technologies that enable us to best serve the wide spectrum of varying client needs," said Jim Doyle, President of Panasonic Enterprise Solutions Company. "In working with the Eagles, the key was integrating data and video information to produce a solution with unmatched resolution and the capacity to perform multiple functions in a seamless fashion. This season, fans will notice that the video boards are brighter, have more accurate color imagery and improved stadium viewing angles," he added.

Panasonic supplied the complete graphics head-end system to integrate 39 individual LED boards installed throughout the stadium onto one network. This technical solution gives control room operators vastly improved versatility and flexibility with respect to programming and synchronizing all content. Integrated technology, in conjunction with a greater number of stadium cameras in place to capture all the action, means spectators will watch the same type of replays, close-up angles and super slow-motion reviews broadcast to home viewers on network television.

"Our primary focus is always on improving the experience for our fans," said Eagles team president, Don Smolenski. "We listened to feedback from season ticket holders and used it in an action plan designed to dramatically enhance the game day experience. Panasonic was a key partner for us in this process. The imaging clarity and technology powering the new video displays will allow fans to feel the emotion and energy on the field in a uniquely tangible way. It also gives us the ability to promote stronger involvement, enthusiasm and connectivity between the game, the players and the fans."

Advanced system capabilities allow programmers to use the optimal mix of content elements to engage fans, ranging from animation, crowd prompts, multi-screen images and social media to replays, in-game highlights, closed captioning, 3-D graphics and scores from other sports such as pro baseball and college football. More than 2,500 linear feet of ribbon fascia boards will carry updated fantasy football statistics and scores from around the league, including details such as time remaining and ball possession. And, the installation of more than 1,500 Panasonic HD TVs in the club suites, concourses and concession areas ensures fans stay connected to the game. Higher levels of connectivity and complete system integration also gives team sponsors and partners a dynamic messaging platform to solicit consumer engagement, increase brand visibility and generate revenues.

"We're thrilled with this incredible opportunity to be a founding partner of the Philadelphia Eagles, one of the pre-eminent franchises in the league, and have the chance to do what we do best, which is using our technology and engineering know-how to produce made-to-order video solutions," said Mr. Doyle. "The Eagles have shown a commitment to making investments in their fans, team, facility and community, demonstrating why they are a winning organization. We congratulate them on their excellence and agree with their belief that innovation can be a game-changer - on and off the field - to sponsors, fans and the bottom line."

Panasonic Enterprise Solutions has built some of the largest HD LED video boards in the world, including Guinness World Record-certified 'Big Hoss TV' at Texas Motor Speedway, the world's largest 4K ultra high-definition LED video board at Churchill Downs, Charlotte Motor Speedway which was the biggest video board in the world at the time it was built in 2011, and one of the largest video boards in collegiate sports at Ohio State University.

"Panasonic has been a tremendous partner - committed and professional" praised Mr. Smolenski. "We were deliberate in selecting Panasonic, because this project was very personal to us. This is our home, our fans' home. Through the investments we made and our relationship with Panasonic, we believe we're treating our fans to the first-class entertainment experience they deserve when they visit Lincoln Financial Field."