The Technology-Infused Stadium
Jed York answered several questions from summit participants. Below are some of his quotes from the session.
Jed York on "The Technology-Infused Stadium"
“You can have all the gadgets in the world, but if you can’t watch the game, the stadium has failed.”
“You can pull someone from Madden Football because you can see he’s weakening; you should be able to [monitor the athlete’s performance] in real football.”
"Even in-game replays delivered to mobile devices haven’t been as popular as expected. Our interactive efforts so far have focused more on fan convenience – parking, concessions, and other aspects of wayfinding, along with things like scanning mobile devices at entrance gates."
"The percentage of 49ers ticket holders who use mobile is significantly up. That means it’s important to help them while they’re on the move – looking for parking, navigating the stadium. And it’s equally important to use the information gained from that mobility to respond in real-time to their needs."
"Scanning mobile tickets has enabled us to reduce ticket counterfeiting, manage parking inventory, and even manage concessions. For example, it’s been discovered that more hot dogs get sold at the south end of the stadium than the north end. This discovery helped us manage inventory, reduce spoilage and keep customers happy."
Jed York
As chief executive officer of the San Francisco 49ers, Jed York oversees all aspects of the organization. Now in his fifth year as CEO, York has been a driving force behind the 49ers recent success on and off the field making bold decisions to return the team to its winning tradition and ultimately the Super Bowl. York recognizes and shares the ongoing passion of the team’s faithful fans.
Many now point to 2011 as a significant year in the history of the storied franchise, as York led the organization through a year of great change and prosperity. His promotion of Trent Baalke to general manager, and the subsequent hiring of Jim Harbaugh as head coach, set the wheels in motion for the team’s resurgence on the field. The team has since won two NFC West Division titles, advanced to three consecutive NFC Championship Games and a Super Bowl, while posting a 41-14-1 overall record.
York’s strong leadership was instrumental in providing his team and its fans a state-of- the-art new home a year ahead of schedule. On April 19, 2012, the Santa Clara Stadium Authority broke ground on Levi’s® Stadium and enlisted the 49ers to manage the construction process which achieved a ribbon cutting just two years later. Designed to set a new standard for the stadium experience, Levi’s® Stadium is certain to become known as one of the iconic sports and entertainment venues in the world.