As big announcements in the tech world go, this will not go down in history as one of them.
But the news that Detroit’s Ford Field – the home of the Detroit Lions – now has a new Verizon Wi-Fi system – should be of interest to football fans, technologists, and perhaps even sociologists.
No, the Lions are certainly not the first team to do this. Months ago, we talked about how the Kraft family was breaking new ground in this same arena for Patriots games. For the Lions, this is an upgrade that will improve the fan experience, and give spectators a chance to more actively participate in what’s going on down on the field.
In this case, however, giving the fans a greater voice might come with a few downsides. It’s one thing to have a few hundred folks sitting around the stands wearing paper bags on their heads. It’s another when a disgruntled group of fans creates a hashtag and starts organizing entire sections to express their disdain with how the game is being played.
The Lions have made some major player improvements over the past few years. Rid of GM Matt Millen, their draft picks have blossomed into big-time stars – like Calvin Johnson, Matthew Stafford, and Ndamukong Suh – who have made their mark on the team and the league in just a couple years.
But you’re talking about decades of fan frustration, and now they have a well-oiled social force – right in Ford Field in real time on phones and tablets.
And maybe if the Lions are getting blown out, fans can seamlessly access Yelp and Open Table to find their way to a great restaurant more efficiently than before.
Jacobs Media has consistently walked the walk in the digital space, providing insights and guidance through its well-read national Techsurveys.
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Fred was inducted into the Radio Hall of Fame in 2018.
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Or maybe even Food Tripping to find a healthy restaurant
Why didn’t I think of that? Especially after the beers, dogs, and chips & salsa. Thanks for the reminder, Bob.