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Cisco Teams with the NBA to Enhance the League’s Technology


WEBWIRE

Cisco to Integrate Products throughout the NBA and Join the League’s NBA Cares Program

NEW YORK.- The National Basketball Association and Cisco today announced a new relationship to integrate Cisco technology solutions throughout the NBA and work together on the league’s social responsibility initiative, NBA Cares. The two organizations will explore ways in which Cisco technology solutions can be used to enhance the game, increase collaboration with the global NBA community, and bring the fans closer to the sport whether at home or in the arena. This multi-year, global effort will span operations in the United States and China.

The NBA will utilize Cisco technology to expand the way the league connects with fans worldwide. Cisco core technologies and mobility solutions will be used across various league platforms to power all of the league’s communications and content delivery.

During marquee NBA events such as NBA All-Star, the NBA Playoffs and The Finals, Cisco networking technology solutions will be deployed to enhance the game for fans, corporate customers, employees and media. Throughout the year on NBA TV, all programming and full-length games will be delivered to fans throughout the United States and Asia utilizing encoders and decoders from Scientific Atlanta, a Cisco company.

As the NBA’s operations in China dramatically increase, the two organizations will explore new opportunities for the league to integrate Cisco technology, including the potential use of TelePresence to create live, “face-to-face” meeting experiences over the network. Additionally, the NBA and Cisco will examine the possibilities of expanding league partner presence at NBA games through in-arena digital signage.

Beginning this season, Cisco will join the league’s NBA Cares initiative. Through NBA Cares, Cisco will work with the NBA to provide New Orleans area school districts with educational and technological resources, and will create 30 family community resource centers.

“This relationship is a big win for Cisco because it allows us to demonstrate the power of the network to not only bring fans closer to the action but to also help the league expand the way they communicate with coaches, media, players and fans, worldwide,” said Alan Cohen, vice president, enterprise marketing, Cisco. “In addition, to a shared passion for the game of basketball, Cisco and the NBA share a commitment to social responsibility, and Cisco is honored to be a part of the NBA Cares initiative and post-Katrina recovery efforts.”

“Cisco is a proven leader with innovative products that will provide the NBA with the latest technology to stay connected and enhance the overall NBA game experience for our fans,” said Steve Hellmuth, executive vice president of operations and technology for the NBA. “Cisco’s contribution to the NBA family’s efforts in New Orleans through our NBA Cares initiative will help thousands of children and continue to aid in the resurgence of communities throughout this area.”

Overall, Cisco will contribute to the league’s season-long outreach initiative in the New Orleans region that will feature the entire NBA family: its players, teams, the National Basketball Players Association, media and marketing partners. Together, they will perform more than 30,000 hours of hands-on community service and create 40 places where families can live, learn or play -- helping more than 30,000 children by the conclusion of the 2007-08 NBA season.



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