Menu
Media

EPL In Talks With Sony, EA About Developing Immersion Technology Viewing Experience

EPL officials are holding talks with Sony and EA “aimed at offering viewers the chance to experience ‘immersion technology’ and enjoy games being played potentially on the other side of the planet as if they were present in the stands,” according to Dominic Fifield of the GUARDIAN. Sony is “aiming to deliver ‘Super Wide,’ a panoramic shot based on footage delivered by several cameras.” Meanwhile, EA is “in the process of developing a 3D ‘graphical representation package’ which Sky hopes to use to improve its analysis” beginning with the ’12-13 season. EPL CEO Richard Scudamore said the technology would be “like an Avatar-type of thing available in your home.” Scudamore: “There’s immersion technology being developed right now where you can sit down with headphones and a screen in front of you, and reproduce the feeling of being in a stadium.” He added he thinks the technology is “only between two to five years from being readily available.” Scudamore: “It might seem a bit 'blue sky,' but it isn’t. It’ll certainly happen within my working life” (GUARDIAN, 8/3). He added, “3-D is coming along and there’ll soon be a technological development that will allow people across the world to have a much richer experience of watching football. Our efforts and energies are focused in that area, rather than the old-fashioned idea of flying around the world playing a 39th game.” In London, Matt Hughes notes Scudamore has acknowledged the idea of a 39th game "was a mistake and will not be revisited on his watch." He instead is seeking the technology as an opportunity to “drive into new markets” (LONDON TIMES, 8/3). However, fans are “unlikely to be able to experience everything the new technology will have to … offer -- with Scudamore keen to ensure grounds remain full to preserve the matchday atmosphere come Saturday afternoon” (ESPNSOCCERNET.com, 8/3).

GOING GLOBAL: In N.Y., Graham Ruthven notes Scudamore "has proposed two preseason tournaments organized by the league to be played on two continents as he attempts to capitalize fully on the global appeal of England's top teams." The EPL has "become not just a global interest but also a global brand," and "naturally, it now plans to take its product where demand is highest." The league "already lends its brand name to a preseason tournament -- the Barclay's Asia Trophy is in its fourth years" (NYTIMES.com, 8/3).

SBJ Morning Buzzcast: March 25, 2024

NFL meeting preview; MLB's opening week ad effort and remembering Peter Angelos.

Big Get Jay Wright, March Madness is upon us and ESPN locks up CFP

On this week’s pod, our Big Get is CBS Sports college basketball analyst Jay Wright. The NCAA Championship-winning coach shares his insight with SBJ’s Austin Karp on key hoops issues and why being well dressed is an important part of his success. Also on the show, Poynter Institute senior writer Tom Jones shares who he has up and who is down in sports media. Later, SBJ’s Ben Portnoy talks the latest on ESPN’s CFP extension and who CBS, TNT Sports and ESPN need to make deep runs in the men’s and women's NCAA basketball tournaments.

SBJ I Factor: Nana-Yaw Asamoah

SBJ I Factor features an interview with AMB Sports and Entertainment Chief Commercial Office Nana-Yaw Asamoah. Asamoah, who moved over to AMBSE last year after 14 years at the NFL, talks with SBJ’s Ben Fischer about how his role model parents and older sisters pushed him to shrive, how the power of lifelong learning fuels successful people, and why AMBSE was an opportunity he could not pass up. Asamoah is 2021 SBJ Forty Under 40 honoree. SBJ I Factor is a monthly podcast offering interviews with sports executives who have been recipients of one of the magazine’s awards.

Shareable URL copied to clipboard!

https://www.sportsbusinessjournal.com/Daily/Issues/2011/08/03/Media/EPL.aspx

Sorry, something went wrong with the copy but here is the link for you.

https://www.sportsbusinessjournal.com/Daily/Issues/2011/08/03/Media/EPL.aspx

CLOSE