The National Hockey League (NHL) has formed a partnership with Extreme Networks which names the company the official Wi-Fi analytics provider and a Wi-Fi Partner of the league.
Until 2026, ExtremeAnalytics will be implemented across NHL arenas with the brand promising to deliver greater visibility into Wi-Fi network performance at ‘cloud speed’.
Chris Golier, NHL Vice President, Business Development and Technology Partnerships, commented: “The NHL is excited to partner with Extreme and its best of breed analytics and networking solutions to uncover insights into Wi-Fi network performance in NHL arenas.
“The information they’re able to provide will allow us to gather a deeper understanding and insights in order to deliver a more personalised and engaging in-arena fan experience.”
Furthermore, the NHL will be provided with ‘instant access to business intelligence and actionable insights’ regarding foot traffic flow, application usage and network security, in a bid to enhance certain elements of venue operations for NHL teams.
Whilst looking to create ‘personalised, fluid and memorable game day experiences’, Extreme’s Wi-Fi 6 access points will provide the connectivity required to power fan-focused experiences such as mobile ticketing, cash-free concessions, video streaming and playback and in-arena apps.
Ed Meyercord, President and CEO, Extreme Networks, noted: “Adding the NHL to Extreme’s roster of professional sports organisations demonstrates Extreme is the MVP in our category when it comes to delivering Wi-Fi and Wi-Fi analytics solutions that drive significant impact.
“We’ll deliver the hat trick of insights as it pertains to fan preferences, venue operations and network efficiency – all of which will help the NHL advance their game off the ice.”
Additionally, ExtremeCloud IQ will allow NHL IT teams to control Wi-Fi capacity and efficiency, device configuration and analytics via a single view into the health, performance and security of the network.
In turn, this will streamline the management and performance of the network, while scaling IT operations and eliminating the time spent troubleshooting or searching for root causes.
Glenn Johnson, Vice President of Information Technology and Business Analytics, Carolina Hurricanes, concluded: “From the moment the puck drops, our fans in the arena expect uninterrupted access to the action. Whether it’s watching video replay or purchasing food through a touchless experience – our Wi-Fi must work.
“Extreme has provided us with the connectivity, reliability and peace of mind needed to power modern consumer experiences and the ability to manage network performance in a scalable and insightful way. Extreme has always been a partner focused on our success and we’re excited for the rest of the league to experience these same benefits.”
