Venue News: Pats Intro Exclusive In-stadium Mobile Video; ECHL Moves to Orlando in ’12

Gillette Stadium, home of the New England Patriots, has outfitted its premium seating areas with a Xirrus high-performance wireless network. Club members in Gillette Stadium’s Putnam Club will now be able to access exclusive video content on their smart phones instantaneously on game days. The 6,000 fans in the Putnam Club will be able to use the stadium’s new proprietary smart phone application to instantly view NFL Network’s Red Zone channel; four exclusive camera angles — one on each sideline and one in each end zone — which are not available to network television viewers; a continuous loop of an instant replay of the previous play; highlights from earlier in the game; and real-time statistics and information. According to estimates from Gillette Stadium officials, up to one-third of Putnam Club guests will stream video content at any given time…

…The Orlando City Council has approved a three-year deal between the ECHL and the Amway Center, beginning in 2012-2013. The team, which has not yet been awarded by the ECHL, will be owned by Orlando Pro Hockey Operations LP, headed by Joseph Haleski, Bob Ohrablo, and Tim Kuhl. The team’s lease calls for a payment of $22,000 per game in the team’s first season and $25,000 per game in the second and third seasons. The city will run concessions and keep 80% of the revenue. Initially only the lower bowl will be open; if the team takes off and needs the second level, the rent payment will increase by $10,000 per game…

… Mesa, AZ, has approved key agreements that let the city and the Chicago Cubs design and build a new $99 million training complex, despite a last-minute protest the arrangements are a bad deal for taxpayers. Mesa now has a 30-year deal in place for building the stadium, managing it with the Cubs, and selling parcels to the team for the private Wrigleyville West entertainment complex. The city insists the Cubs will pay any expenses exceeding $84 million for the stadium and $15 million for related projects. Mesa expects to break ground by spring or summer of 2012 and open for spring training in 2014. The Cubs must have at least 10,000 square feet of restaurant or retail space by opening day to secure development rights on up to six acres of land. The team must begin that much development every 18 months to keep having the first option, or other developers can submit bids…

… Minnesota governor Mark Dayton is holding meetings this week on a new Vikings stadium and said Monday that he intends to call a special legislative session focused on the stadium next month. The session, which would run from November 21-23, would only take place if a plan for the stadium is in place. Per Jeff Anderson, Vikings director of corporate communications, Dayton will ask NFL commissioner Roger Goodell for his support for the session. Dayton met Monday with legislators to discuss stadium issues. Vikings V.P. of business affairs and stadium development Lester Bagley said that the team is appreciative of the efforts by the Governor and legislators. If a special session does get called, it is a positive step for backers of a new stadium.