SPORTSTECHIE: Sacramento Kings Fans Will Be Able To Pour Their Own Drinks Using Nina Smart-Pouring System

via SportTechie

Fans in all suites and lofts at Golden 1 Center will soon be able to wirelessly order and pour alcoholic drinks thanks to a new partnership between the Sacramento Kings and Israeli beverage tech startup NINA. The service is already available in five suites and one loft, and will expand to the others over the next few months.

NINAā€™s smart-pouring device replaces the bottle cap on the top of liquor bottles and connects with iPads placed inside each suite or loft. Fans can unlock each bottle to pour their own drinks, without having to purchase the full bottle. The iPad app allows guests to open a tab, pay for their drinks, and select how much they want pouredā€”fans canā€™t overpour their cups.

According to the Kings, Golden 1 Center is the first arena in the world to let fans pour their own drinks this way. The team initially pilotedĀ NINAā€™s system during the 2018-19 NBA season.

ā€œWeā€™re proud to partner with the Sacramento Kings to disrupt the beverage industry and bring NINAā€™s self-pouring platform to sports for the first time,ā€ said Yair Marom, CEO and co-founder at NINA, in a press release. ā€œFrom cashierless checkout to in-seat ordering, there is no sports team more committed to bringing their guests the best possible experience than the Kings.ā€

Earlier this NBA season, theĀ Kings partnered with ZippinĀ to open a cashierless convenience store at Golden 1 Center. The arena also recently became a research and development center forĀ Intel True ViewĀ broadcast technology innovations. Also last month, the Kings launched a blockchain-backed auction platform forĀ game-used memorabilia.

THESTADIUMBUSINESS: Legends Creates New Global Partnerships Unit

via TheStadiumBusiness

Legends has launched a new global unit that will centralise and expand its existing partnership solutions into a dedicated division that connects leading properties and venues with premier brands.

Legends Global Partnerships will offer a variety of commercial consulting services, including naming rights and venue entitlement positions, premier events, emerging entertainment platforms and mixed-use real estate developments. Its services now span six divisions operating worldwide ā€“ partnerships, planning, sales, hospitality, merchandise and technology solutions.

The new Legends Global Partnerships division ā€“ which will be led by current chief commercial officer Chris Hibbs ā€“ will expand upon Legendsā€™ relationship with clients such as the University of Notre Dame, Las Vegas Raiders, Columbus Crew, AT&T Stadium, and San Diego State University.

ā€œLegends Global Partnerships will leverage our best-in-class industry experts and acumen across all aspects of the industry to create a truly unique and premium partnership service for new and existing clients,ā€ said Hibbs.

ā€œLegendsā€™ experience with recent partnership executions at SoFi Stadium, Banc of California Stadium/LAFC, and Allegiant Stadium are a good preview of where we see this division headed. We pride ourselves on delivering against the biggest and most complex projects in the industry, and ensuring that our clients are set up for long term success and growth as a result of our work.ā€

Other key appointees include senior vice president Matt Pope, who will provide leadership across the global partnership portfolio, with an emphasis on US Olympic & Paralympic properties. Legends Global Partnerships senior vice presidents Doug Smoyer and Jamie Guin will lead the east and central partnerships teams, respectively.

ā€œAs the industry continues to evolve and teams, properties, and venues are being challenged to innovate and find creative new sources of revenue, we saw a huge opportunity to build out Legendsā€™ existing partnerships business into a standalone division,ā€ said Legends president and CEO Shervin Mirhashemi.

ā€œThe combination of Legendsā€™ comprehensive full-service custom solutions, and our deep expertise in ground-up construction projects and stadia, makes us uniquely positioned to be a best-in-class holistic solution.ā€

Legends Global Partnerships recently represented theĀ National Football Leagueā€™s RaidersĀ as it secured a founding partnership with MGM Resorts as a part of its duties as the stadiumā€™s official premium ticketing and sponsorships agency.

PRESS RELEASE: LEGENDS LAUNCHES NEW GLOBAL PARTNERSHIPS DIVISION

— Legends Features Industry Leaders with Partnership Sales Experience Across

Teams, Venues, Leagues, Broadcast Partners, Agencies, and Brands —

— Legends Senior Executive Chris Hibbs Tapped to Lead Division —

Legends today announced the launch of Legends Global Partnerships, a new unit that will centralize and expand Legendsā€™ existing partnership solutions into a fully dedicated division that connects leading properties and venues with premier brands to create exceptional programming and experiences across sports and entertainment.

Legends Global Partnerships offers a comprehensive slate of commercial consulting services, including naming rights and venue entitlement positions, jersey sponsorships, premier events, emerging entertainment platforms, universities, and mixed-use real estate developments. Legendsā€™ services now span six divisions operating worldwide ā€“ Global Partnerships, Global Planning, Global Sales, Hospitality, Global Merchandise, and Global Technology Solutions ā€“ to offer integrated 360-degree solutions for clients.

Industry veteran Chris Hibbs has been appointed President of the new Legends Global Partnerships division. Hibbs joined Legends in 2016 and has most recently served as Chief Commercial Officer for Legendsā€™ representation of SoFi Stadium and Hollywood Park. SoFi Stadium, the future home of the Los Angeles Chargers and the Los Angeles Rams, will open July 2020. Legends and Hibbs will continue to work on the expansive project, which is being developed by Rams Owner/Chairman E. Stanley Kroenke, into early 2021.

ā€œAs the industry continues to evolve and teams, properties, and venues are being challenged to innovate and find creative new sources of revenue, we saw a huge opportunity to build out Legendsā€™ existing partnerships business into a standalone division,ā€ said Legends President and CEO Shervin Mirhashemi. ā€œThe combination of Legendsā€™ comprehensive full-service custom solutions, and our deep expertise in ground-up construction projects and stadia, makes us uniquely positioned to be a best-in-class holistic solution.

Weā€™ve seen first-hand how Chrisā€™ leadership has resulted in transformational partnerships at SoFi Stadium and Hollywood Park, and weā€™re confident he will continue finding innovative ways to represent our partners and create meaningful relationships.ā€

ā€œLegends Global Partnerships will leverage our best-in-class industry experts and acumen across all aspects of the industry to create a truly unique and premium partnership service for new and existing clients,ā€ said Hibbs. ā€œLegendsā€™ experience with recent partnership executions at SoFi Stadium, Banc of California Stadium/LAFC, and Allegiant Stadium are a good preview of where we see this division headed. We pride ourselves on delivering against the biggest and most complex projects in the industry, and ensuring that our clients are set up for long term success and growth as a result of our work.ā€

The new Legends Global Partnerships team includes a broad array of talent from various partnership disciplines, including existing top talent from Legends, along with several key new hires. Among the many accomplished team members joining the group, key executives include Legends Global Partnerships Senior Vice President Matt Pope, who will provide leadership across the global partnership portfolio, with an emphasis on U.S. Olympic & Paralympic Properties (USOPP). Legends Global Partnerships Senior Vice Presidents Doug Smoyer and Jamie Guin will lead the east and central partnerships teams, respectively. Guin and Pope join the new division from the Legends Global Sales team, and Smoyer joined Legends in late 2019 after successful leadership tenures with the New York Giants and National Football League (NFL). Ben Martin, Legends Vice President, EMEA, will lead partnership efforts from London. In addition, Kristen Condo, formerly of Legends Globals Sales, has been promoted into the new role of Director, Legends Global Partnerships. Last month, Legends and LA28 announced the appointment of Katy Chambers Mollica as the Head of Partnership Sales for U.S. Olympic and Paralympic Properties. Mollica will lead sales efforts for the LA 2028 and Team USA properties for the Legends Global Partnerships team, as part of Legendsā€™ sponsorship representation of LA 2028.

The new Legends Global Partnerships division will further expand upon Legendsā€™ partnership capabilities during a time of unprecedented growth for the company. Legends represents partnership efforts for a variety of clients such as the University of Notre Dame, Las Vegas Raiders, Columbus Crew, AT&T Stadium, and San Diego State University, among others.

LEGENDS & BLACK HISTORY MONTHļæ¼

Black History Month is an opportunity to celebrate the history & culture of African Americans & people of African descent. We recognize the influence & significant contributions made by black men & women to challenge racial inequality, inspire change & their devotion to society.

Throughout the month of February, Legends profiled several of our team members to share more about the importance of Black History Month and what it means to them.