ESPN founder Bill Rasmussen is hitting the market this week with a new venture that he says will enhance the at-stadium experience.
The man widely credited with launching ESPN in 1979, Rasmussen has formed a company called FEVR Tech that has developed patents to allow teams and stadiums to communicate with fans using their smartphones’ geo-location services. The company name is an acronym for Fans Engage Vote Respond.
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Rasmussen believes his new service is a way for teams and stadiums to get around problems associated with slow and ineffective Wi-Fi systems.
Essentially, Rasmussen’s service allows fans to respond to in-stadium questions posted on arena video boards by pressing a number on their phone keypad. He says that his service is unique because fans do not have to text or email their responses, eliminating the need for Wi-Fi systems.
“There’s no texting involved, and there’s no streaming involved,” Rasmussen said. “It’s a one-click response. The phrase that we’re using is that we talk to fans, not at them.”
Rasmussen partnered with technologist Hutton Pulitzer, who developed the service’s patents.
“We’re a drop-in module that’s basically invisible,” Pulitzer said. “With one partnership, our features are instantly available to their fans.”
Rasmussen said that he hopes to partner with college and professional sports leagues, teams and TV networks to get the system up and running. He plans to start those conversations this week, though he already has had informal talks with ESPN.
Rasmussen said team and league partners can use the service to pitch sponsor messages more effectively.
“It’s really whatever the team wants to do with it,” Rasmussen said. “We’re still working the details, but there will be a couple of different revenue streams.”
The group involved in FEVR Tech, including Rasmussen and Pulitzer, are underwriting the company entirely. Rasmussen would not comment on startup costs.
