Magic Launch Google Glass Technology In-Game

Josh Cohen
Digital News Manager

April 3, 2014

ORLANDO -- To further engage and enhance the fan experience, the Orlando Magic is unveiling Google Glass technology for the Magic’s matchup with the Brooklyn Nets on Wednesday, April 9. The Google Glass in-game experience, in partnership with the software platform CrowdOptic, will capture new and unique perspectives of the in-game experience in real time and instantly share these views for all fans to see through Magic Vision, the tallest high-definition video board in an NBA venue.

Magic fans will experience the game through the eyes of a variety of Magic talent and in-game performers. In future games, fans throughout the night will be surprised with random one-of-a-kind Orlando Magic experiences and their reactions to winning these prizes will be captured for the entire arena to see.

“The Magic is always looking for new ways to engage and enhance the fan experience,” said Magic CEO Alex Martins. “Google Glass and CrowdOptic provide a unique and organic opportunity for fans to see a different viewpoint of the game. We are excited to test this technology with some of the savviest fans in the league.”

The experience will be powered by CrowdOptic, a software platform which analyzes the real-time Google Glass feeds and curates them by their subject matter and quality, exporting only the highest quality live footage to the scoreboard. CrowdOptic’s ability to analyze where mobile and wearable devices are aimed allows future opportunities, such as optimizing in-seat arena services or providing fans the option to control their own broadcast.

"The Orlando Magic is on the forefront of technology adoption for fan enhancement,” said CrowdOptic CEO Jon Fisher. “CrowdOptic is pleased to bring Google Glass to the Magic to further enhance their in-arena experience."

With the Magic’s home, Amway Center, being largely focused on technology and the customer-experience, Google Glass provides another avenue to continue growing this area for the team. The Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) Gold certified Amway Center features a sustainable, environmentally-friendly design and unmatched technology, featuring 1,100 digital monitors, the tallest high-definition video board in an NBA venue and multiple premium amenities available to all patrons in the building. The more than 1,100 screens of high-definition content via Internet Protocol Television and a state-of-the-art digital signage network which maximizes fan engagement and interaction, distributes an unprecedented amount of patron information, as well as providing unlimited opportunities for advertisers and sponsors.

Magic Vision is a Daktronics center-hung scoreboard which includes four primary high definition LED video displays with 840 lines of resolution, eight auxiliary video/scoring/statistics displays and two LED ring displays. The venue is the first in the world to utilize high resolution 6 mm surface mount LED pixel technology on all of the center-hung digital displays. More than 9 million individual LEDs are used in the 18 displays incorporated into the center-hung scoreboard. Overall dimensions of the center-hung scoreboard are 42 feet by 41 feet by 41 feet (HxWxD), making it the tallest and most capable of any in NBA venues.

The Magic and Amway Center have been recognized for their efforts in the areas of technology and customer service receiving TheStadiumBusiness Awards’ 2013 Customer Experience Award and being named the 2012 Sports Facility of the Year by the SportsBusiness Journal.