TORONTO, May 26, 2009 - Cisco today announced that the Toronto Blue Jays have deployed Cisco StadiumVisionTM to provide new and innovative experiences for their fans in select luxury suites and the JaysShop. A new scalable Cisco® Connected Sports solution will be central to the fan experience at the Rogers Centre, providing fans with one of the most technologically advanced game-day experiences in sports. 

Proudly representing the city of Toronto and Canada as the only Canadian organization in Major League Baseball, the Toronto Blue Jays have integrated video, voice, data and wireless services into one seamless next-generation network that transcends sports operations, connecting the team to its fans in entirely new ways. Fans will be able to view sports news and scores, weather and traffic while never missing a moment of game action on the field.

"The Blue Jays organization is committed to providing fans with the best possible game-day experience," said Wilna Behr, vice president, stadium initiatives, Toronto Blue Jays.  "We were the first major league sports franchise to pilot Cisco StadiumVision technology last season, in a small controlled location to the delight of our guests who were able to participate in the pilot.  The success of the pilot led to the full-scale deployment at the new Yankee Stadium. " 

Immersive High-Definition Experience for All Fans

Cisco will work with the Toronto Blue Jays to enhance the way fans enjoy Blue Jays games and other events by making the experience more interactive, personalized and immersive. Cisco StadiumVision will allow the Blue Jays to cost-effectively deliver live game video and customized content to video monitors in the stadium, addressing the unique needs of each game or event.  The technology will also be available for other events at Rogers Centre, including the Bills Toronto Series NFL games 

The Blue Jays are implementing Cisco technology in three phases.  The pilot - Phase 1, completed during the 2008 season, comprised the following areas:

• Jays Fan Amenities: For all Jays fans who don't want to miss a moment of on-field action, Cisco and Rogers Centre will deliver the live game broadcast on HD video monitors displayed at gate TVs and eight TVs in the JaysShop. Along with the live game broadcast, monitors are capable of simultaneously providing up-to-date sports scores, Jays trivia, news and weather from a single viewing screen. At the conclusion of games, these monitors also have the ability to direct patrons to the nearest exits and provide up-to-the-moment traffic information. In the event of an emergency, all stadium monitors can be immediately and uniformly mobilized to display evacuation instructions.
• Premium Luxury Fan: Twenty-two luxury suites have been outfitted with 25 HD flat-screen TVs that use touch-screen Cisco Unified IP Phones to view different camera angles and views, including camera views from the Jays' and the visiting team's bullpens. This feature allows fans to create their own personalized view of the action on the field.

The Toronto Blue Jays plan to implement Phase II during the 2009 season by equipping 10-15 additional suites with Cisco StadiumVision technology and point-of-sale integration, which will allow fans to order merchandise right to their suites.  In addition to select HD channels, Super Sports Pak and MLB Extra Innings will be made available in StadiumVision-equipped suites.  

Phase III, proposed for deployment in 2010, will include the addition of Cisco StadiumVision to more suites and the HSBC Club VIP.  The Toronto Blue Jays and Rogers Communications are also working together to develop next-generation fan experiences to take advantage of the unique relationship between the two organizations.
   

• Fans of the Future: Cisco and the Toronto Blue Jays have also kept an eye toward the future to ensure that Rogers Centre remains state-of-the-art for years to come. For example, the new technology features in the stadium are designed to support future fan use of mobile devices for ordering concessions from their seat, viewing instant replays or chatting in real time with friends inside and outside the stadium.

"We are excited to be part of bringing this cutting-edge technology to Canadian sports," said Nitin Kawale, president of Cisco Canada. "With this deployment, the Toronto Blue Jays are clearly demonstrating that you don't need to be a new stadium to use the power of the network to provide innovative technology and new experiences to your fans and customers. 

About Toronto Blue Jays and Rogers Centre

The Toronto Blue Jays Baseball Club was originally founded in 1976 and began play in Major League Baseball's American League the following year.  The Club's historical achievements in the ensuing years have been significant, capturing five American League East Division crowns, two American League Championship titles and back-to-back victories in the World Series in 1992 and 1993, while earning the distinction of being the first team in Major League Baseball to draw more than four million fans in a single season.  In September 2000, Rogers Communications Inc. purchased controlling interest of the Club, providing strong dedicated local ownership of the team.  That ownership then purchased the stadium, now known as Rogers Centre, in 2004 and have made significant upgrades in the facility. We proudly wear the title of Canada's team in Major League Baseball and are committed to providing first class entertainment throughout the year.