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Extreme helps Minor League Baseball advance in-stadium experience with Wi-Fi, SD-WAN

Extreme is now the official Wi-Fi solution, Wi-Fi analytics solution and WAN edge solution provider for Minor League Baseball

To address the decreasing interest in sports among younger audiences, Minor League Baseball (MiLB) is turning to advanced stadium and in-game technologies. As part of this modernization journey, MiLB has selected Extreme Networks as its official Wi-Fi solution, Wi-Fi analytics solution and WAN edge solution provider in a five-year agreement.

According to Extreme’s Chief Technology Officer and Chief Product Officer Nabil Bukhari, the implementation of such technologies has the power to “reshape” minor league baseball and fan engagement.

“SD-WAN [software-defined wide area network] and Wi-Fi analytics will provide the technological foundation necessary for MiLB to fearlessly adopt new technology and use data to demonstrate success,” he continued. “We are privileged to work with MiLB from their Wi-Fi networks to the edge, and our experience delivering solutions for venues of all sizes will enable MiLB to maximize the value of its stadium networks.”

More specifically, MiLB’s 120 can use ExtremeCloud SD-WAN to share data easily and securely, such as information about player performance, game review videos and other proprietary information. Further, Extreme will provide Wi-Fi 6 and Wi-Fi 6E connectivity and analytics to MiLB stadiums, enabling the testing and evaluation of new in-game technologies designed to improve fan experience.

“Though our regional teams are tied together through our organization, geographically, they are spread out across the US. Extreme’s SD-WAN solution will enable our regional teams to function as if they were all on the same campus, sharing information and knowledge that will help them play a better game,” commented Neil Boland, chief information security officer for Major League Baseball. “And in our stadiums, Extreme will provide the foundation for adopting more fan-facing and in-game technology through secure, fast and reliable connectivity, as well as analytics to help us better understand performance, adoption and impact. Extreme will make us smarter and faster when it comes to understanding how we improve our game as well as experiences on and off the field.”

The network infrastructure vendor already works with the MiLB’s big brother, providing Wi-Fi 6 solutions and analytics to several Major League Baseball (MLB) ballparks. The partnership kicked off in 2021 at Boston’s Fenway Park. At the time of the announcement, Extreme Networks’ CMO Wes Durow told RCR Wireless News that the Wi-Fi 6 solution installations are scheduled to continue throughout 2026 and include a variety of the company’s Wi-Fi 6 products.

ABOUT AUTHOR

Catherine Sbeglia Nin
Catherine Sbeglia Nin
Catherine is the Managing Editor for RCR Wireless News and Enterprise IoT Insights, where she covers topics such as Wi-Fi, network infrastructure and edge computing. She also hosts Arden Media's podcast Well, technically... After studying English and Film & Media Studies at The University of Rochester, she moved to Madison, WI. Having already lived on both coasts, she thought she’d give the middle a try. So far, she likes it very much.