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ESPN brings fans close to NBA All-Star Game with Cisco TelePresence

Interactive digital signage used to communicate from the All-Star experience in Phoenix to the network's headquarters in Bristol, Conn.    

February 12, 2009

PHOENIX, Ariz. — The National Basketball Association (NBA) and ESPN today announced that they will utilize Cisco TelePresence technology to create an immersive "in-person" experience that will bring NBA players and legends closer to fans at the NBA All-Star Game in Phoenix this weekend.

ESPN will broadcast exclusive NBA All-Star Weekend reports on the network's news and information shows, such as SportsCenter, directly from the Cisco TelePresence system in Phoenix back to ESPN's studio in Bristol, Conn.

Cisco will deploy two Cisco TelePresence units at the Phoenix Convention Center and one at U.S. Airways Center for the All-Star Game activities. One of the Cisco TelePresence systems will be located directly on the show floor at the All-Star Jam Session allowing fans to interact "face-to-face" with NBA stars from the Convention Center green room and backstage at the arena.

Fans will be able to participate in trivia contests and interact with current NBA players and legends, such as the Oklahoma City Thunder's Kevin Durant, Toronto Raptors' Jason Kapono and Phoenix Suns' legend Dan Majerle, throughout the weekend via the Cisco TelePresence systems at NBA Jam Session.

"By deploying Cisco TelePresence directly on the NBA Jam Session show floor, we are bridging the gap between athletes and fans, giving basketball enthusiasts a virtual pass to the arena with a unique ability to interact with players in new ways that were not possible at previous marquee sporting events," said Alan Cohen, vice president, enterprise marketing, Cisco. "Building on our relationship with the NBA, we're bringing fans closer to the game, from the boardroom to the locker room."

In addition to TelePresence, the NBA will utilize the Cisco wireless press center for real-time mobile media reporting on multiple All-Star events happening in Phoenix. And as an official technology partner of the NBA, Cisco digital signage, part of the Cisco Digital Media System, will be on-site to provide All-Star programming content and live updates of the NBA Jam Session Trivia contest.