Empowering sports fans with technology

Technology continues to play a major role in sports. We have always been intrigued by the combination of sports and technology, and in 2002, along with a team of like-minded sports techno-fans, formed Vivid Sky. We wanted to explore ways to enhance our experience of attending live sporting events while still honoring tradition. For the past two years, we have been developing the SkyBOX system, which integrates emerging Wi-Fi and on-demand technologies with the Internet. Fans attending a game can tap in to a wireless network from anywhere in the stadium using a handheld device that, among other things, will let them 1) view on-demand instant replays from various cameras; 2) access real-time analytical and graphic player, team, and game statistics; 3) order food and merchandise; 4) learn from interactive rulebooks and playbooks; 5) play interactive games with and against other SkyBOX users; 6) send e-mail and graphic e-post-cards; 7) bid on in-stadium auction items; 8) check traffic for the drive home; 9) make reservations at nearby restaurants.