The NFL requires different camera positions than the Bundesliga. Only part of the existing infrastructure can therefore be used.
Hills
Terabits of data and New York command center
When asked how many gigabits/s the fiber optic network now has, Patel can only laugh. “We’re talking about terabits of speed here,” explains the network specialist. A look at the front of the stadium shows why Patel needs these speeds. This is where the giant trucks of the television channels broadcasting the match in the United States are parked. And no one talks about Full HD anymore: UHD, that is to say 4K, is now part of quality sound and image.
But why all these efforts? After all, the Allianz Arena in Munich is one of the most modern football stadiums in Europe. And its IT infrastructure with modern Wi-Fi, license plate monitoring in parking lots, electronic access systems, networked cash register systems, etc. has nothing to be ashamed of.
Patel admits that infrastructure sharing is indeed practiced in stadiums like the Allianz Arena. And in the Allianz Arena data center, in addition to the 19-inch racks permanently installed in the stadium, there are also a few half-size roll-up racks.
However, the IT infrastructure requirements for soccer and American football are too different. “It starts with camera positions, which are in completely different places in football, so the pre-installed infrastructure is of no use to us,” says Amendolia.
“We also need a quick connection to the Art McNally GameDay central command center in New York, as that is where NFL officials, comparable to German video referees, are based,” Patel emphasizes, explaining another particularity. And on the sidelines, small blue carts containing tablets for the referees on site. They can use them to analyze unclear game situations in more detail using VR/AR and consult with their colleagues in New York in real time.
IP phones controlled by Cisco Call Manager are also out of the way. These allow team coaches to contact tacticians and other backend experts.
