SAN JOSE, Calif. – The San Jose Earthquakes and Santa Clara-based technology company Avaya announced today that the club’s new home will officially be known as Avaya Stadium. The multi-year agreement includes installation of Avaya’s state-of-the-art technology throughout the venue, making the stadium one of the most advanced in professional sports.
Avaya will become the official business engagement, communications solutions and technology partner of the team and the new stadium, which will be the first cloud-enabled venue in the MLS. Using cloud-based technologies will allow the Earthquakes to easily and continually add new features to enhance the fan experience. Avaya Labs will work closely with the Earthquakes to research leading-edge fan engagement and elevate it using next generation technologies. Ultimately, Avaya and the Earthquakes will deliver immersive, interactive experiences with social sharing to enrich the powerful connection between fans and the game.
In addition to making it the first cloud-enabled MLS stadium, Avaya will provide end-to-end technology solutions, such as hardware and software installation, turnkey services and the team’s voice, data, video, wireless and contact center.
“We are very proud to partner with a giant in the technology world for our stadium naming rights,” said Earthquakes president Dave Kaval. “Both Avaya and the Earthquakes share a commitment to innovation that is the hallmark of Silicon Valley. By partnering with a leader in the technology industry, we believe that Avaya Stadium will deliver fans one of the most engaging and technologically-advanced experiences in professional sports.”
The agreement between Avaya and the Earthquakes offers the two locally-based organizations the opportunity to build greater community around the rapidly growing interest in soccer and become a showcase for the convergence of sports, technology and sponsorship on a larger stage.
“Avaya and the San Jose Earthquakes are truly a natural fit, sharing not only similar values, but also parallel business objectives,” said Pierre-Paul Allard, Senior Vice President Worldwide Sales and President of Global Field Operations for Avaya. “As two Silicon Valley-based organizations on the rise, Avaya and the Earthquakes are both committed to cutting-edge technology and delivering an innovative fan experience.”
Construction on the 18,000-seat stadium is slated for completion by the time the Earthquakes take the field in March 2015.
About Avaya
Avaya is a leading provider of solutions that enable customer and team engagement across multiple channels and devices for better customer experience, increased productivity and enhanced financial performance. Its world-class contact center and unified communications technologies and services are available in a wide variety of flexible on-premise and cloud deployed options that seamlessly integrate with non-Avaya applications. The Avaya Engagement Development Platform enables third parties to create and customize business applications for competitive advantage. Avaya’s fabric-based networking solutions help simplify and accelerate the deployment of business critical applications and services. For more information please visit www.avaya.com.
About San Jose Earthquakes
The San Jose Earthquakes are one of 20 teams in Major League Soccer. The club won MLS Cups in 2001 and 2003 and took home Supporters’ Shields in 2005 and 2012. They are led by 2012 Volkswagen MLS Most Valuable Player Chris Wondolowski, one of the most prolific goal scorers in league history. The club will move to Avaya Stadium at the beginning of the 2015 MLS season, a new 18,000-seat venue that is under construction on Coleman Ave. adjacent to the Mineta San Jose International Airport. The organization was originally founded in 1974 and was one of 10 charter members of MLS when the league began in 1996. The club’s non-profit arm, the San Jose Earthquakes Community Fund, focuses on health and fitness initiatives for underserved youth in the Bay Area. For more information about the Earthquakes, log on to www.sjearthquakes.com.
About Avaya Stadium
Avaya Stadium (capacity: 18,000) is currently under construction on Coleman Ave. adjacent to the San Jose International Airport. The European-inspired building is the first cloud-enabled venue in Major League Soccer and will be among the most technologically advanced stadiums in the world. The stadium features a canopy roof and the steepest-raked seating in Major League Soccer to provide the best possible fan experience. Additionally, the north end zone houses the largest outdoor bar in North America, a two-acre fan zone and a double-sided video scoreboard. The suites and club seats are located at field level, giving fans a premium experience unlike any other in professional sports.
