SAN JOSE, CA -- (MARKET WIRE) -- November 14, 2006 -- Please note that a video has been uploaded to
supplement this release. The video can be found here:
http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=-181538760300646774
Cisco® (
NASDAQ:
CSCO), the worldwide leader in networking that transforms
how people connect, communicate and collaborate, today announced a broad
business, marketing and technology agreement in principle with the Oakland
Athletics (A's). As a part of the deal, the A's intend to build the
world's most technologically sophisticated baseball park in Fremont, Calif.
to serve as the new home of the A's. The development is set to include a
state-of-the-art
baseball-only stadium to be named "Cisco Field," and will feature a
Baseball Village complete with residential housing, restaurants, retail
shops and other community attractions.
As part of this expected agreement:
-- Cisco will purchase the naming rights to the ballpark. This 30-year deal
is valued at $4 million annually, with the potential for annual increases
based on inflation. This naming rights agreement is transferable at any
time. As a part of the naming rights deal, Cisco will be granted an
undisclosed amount of guaranteed print, radio and television exposure.
-- Separate to this agreement, Cisco will sell its 143-acre parcel of land
in Fremont to the A's. The land is intended to become the future site of
Cisco Field and a surrounding Baseball Village development. The terms of
this land transaction are not being publicly disclosed, as the deal is
still subject to final negotiation.
-- Cisco will become the "Official Technology Partner of the A's and Cisco
Field."
-- The A's will purchase Cisco technology to build and support the
converged network of Cisco Field that will support data, voice, video and
wireless services.
-- Cisco will create a Cisco Customer Solutions Center inside the ballpark
to showcase how Cisco networking technology is an essential part of 21st
century and other public venue operations.
-- Cisco will also have rights to utilize Cisco Field for corporate,
partner and community events.
"The A's are more than just a great baseball team, they are a symbol of the
Bay Area, and Cisco is proud to play a role in ensuring they continue to
call it home," said Cisco President and CEO John Chambers. "Technology is
changing every aspect of our life experiences and for Cisco, this is an
opportunity to harness the power of our own innovative technologies to
create a truly unique experience that transcends sports, connects
communities and takes the fan experience to a whole new level."
This project underscores the A's commitment to creating a new standard for
sports venues. As the official technology partner of the A's, Cisco will
provide networking and communication products and services to transform the
way that the A's team and ballpark operations will be managed. Cisco
Field, when completed, will be a state-of-the-art technology showcase
featuring an integrated IP network built on Cisco technology, and will be
the platform for a multitude of applications that will take the fans'
experience to the next level. For example, digital signs could ensure
"smart" traffic flow; fans could purchase merchandise or concessions while
in their seat by ordering from a mobile device, as well as onsite ticket
kiosks to enable fans to upgrade seats in real-time. Luxury suites will
have the opportunity to include multi-media amenities for premium video
content, and Cisco TelePresence technology may even enable new forms of
player-to-fan communications.
"Today marks the beginning of a new era in A's baseball in the Bay Area,"
said Lew Wolff, Owner and Managing Partner, Oakland Athletics. "Cisco Field
will become a destination attraction that will be enjoyed by baseball fans
throughout the Bay Area and beyond for generations to come. The location of
the ballpark will enable us to significantly expand our market place while
giving our fans a unique fan experience at what promises to be one of the
most exciting venues in the country. We thank Cisco for the will and
ability to make this new standard in fan and sponsor experience a reality.
We have a number of rivers to cross, but once the value of what Cisco and
the A's are committed to accomplish is clear to the citizens of Fremont and
Alameda County, we are confident our plans will add to the economic, social
and community base of the region we serve."
"This announcement of a new ball park for the Oakland Athletics ensures the
long-term stability of the club in the Bay Area," said Baseball
Commissioner Allan H. (Bud) Selig. "I congratulate Lew Wolff of the
Athletics and John Chambers of Cisco for developing a partnership that will
benefit the community as well as the A's and Cisco. As the landscape of
baseball economics has changed dramatically in recent years, the importance
of new ballparks that maximize the fan experience and expand club revenues,
enabling the home team to remain competitive, cannot be understated."
The transaction is subject to final negotiation of terms and conditions,
and will be subject to a variety of closing conditions, including
governmental approvals, site surveys and environmental reviews.
About Cisco Field
Cisco Field will be located on the west side of Interstate 880 in Fremont
off of the Automall Parkway. The ballpark and village will be privately
funded and will be built without the use of public funds.
The A's and Cisco intend to explore, with the city of Fremont, other ways
that the ballpark village can be developed, including sports-themed
attractions that reflect the diversity and interests of the Bay Area.
"Cisco intends to be aggressive in ensuring that the entire Bay Area
community, particularly younger fans, have the opportunity to enjoy the A's
experience. We have a vision for how to make Cisco Field the model for all
sports stadiums," added Chambers.
Press Conference Details:
The A's and Cisco will hold a press conference on November 14, 2006 at
11:30 a.m. PT to discuss this agreement. The press conference can be
viewed at
http://newsroom.cisco.com/ciscofield/
In addition, the press conference is available via satellite from
11:00-12:30 PT, or 2:00-3:30 ET on the following satellite coordinates:
Intelsat IA5 @ 97 degrees West
C-Band
Transponder 14C Analog
Downlink Frequency 3980MHz
Downlink Polarization Horizontal
Audio Subcarriers 6.2/6.8
B-roll will be available via satellite at 12:45 PT or 10 minutes after the
conclusion of the press conference. A replay of the press conference, and
up to date information on the progress of Cisco Field can be obtained on
the A's official website:
www.oaklandathletics.com.
About Cisco Systems
Cisco (
NASDAQ:
CSCO) is the worldwide leader in networking that transforms
how people connect, communicate and collaborate. Information about Cisco
can be found at
http://www.cisco.com. For ongoing news, please go to
http://newsroom.cisco.com.
Cisco, Cisco Systems, and the Cisco Systems logo are registered trademarks
or trademarks of Cisco Systems, Inc. and/or its affiliates in the United
States and certain other countries. All other trademarks mentioned in this
document are the property of their respective owners. The use of the word
partner does not imply a partnership relationship between Cisco and any
other company. This document is Cisco Public Information.
Contact Information: Press Contact:
Abby Smith
Cisco
408 525-8548
absmith@cisco.com
Investor Relations Contact:
Laura Graves
Cisco
408 526-6521
lagraves@cisco.com
Industry Analyst Relations Contact:
Amy Poon
Cisco
408 527-1014
apoon@cisco.com