BROOKINGS, S.D., Oct. 23, 2008 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- The Minnesota Twins and Daktronics Inc. (Nasdaq:DAKT) of Brookings, S.D., announced today that Daktronics has been selected to design and build a multimillion dollar, integrated video, scoring and advertising display system at Target Field, the new downtown Minneapolis ballpark scheduled to open in 2010. The integrated system will include 50 digital LED displays, scoring and statistics systems, and fixed advertising panels. Installation of the first components of the system is scheduled to begin in April of 2009.
"The Twins organization is pleased to announce Daktronics as our scoreboard and video board technology partner for Target Field," said Dave St. Peter, President of the Minnesota Twins. "Not only is Daktronics based in Twins Territory, but we've seen what they have provided at other MLB ballparks, and the positive impact their systems have had on the overall fan experience. Our great fans will really enjoy this 1080 high definition video display and the other complementary components of the system."
The centerpiece of the integrated system is a large, true high definition display which will measure approximately 101 feet wide by 57 feet high, featuring Daktronics HD-X LED (light emitting diode) video technology. This technology and its control system allows for complete flexibility in programming. The video board can be operated as a single giant display or be divided into multiple zones (windows) to show a wide variety of content including statistics, graphics, animation and live and recorded video.
More than 1,230 feet of full-color Daktronics digital ribbon display technology, in five different configurations, will accent the inside of the ballpark. The largest single ribbon board will be more than 523 feet long and will be located behind home plate. These displays will energize fans with in-game information, out-of-town scores, advertisements and crowd prompts that create an interactive experience, immersing fans into the game. They will also open up creative opportunities for sponsors to get their messages across through motion graphics and other eye-catching content. Two of the smaller ribbon boards will be dedicated to closed-captioning for the hearing impaired.
The new ballpark will have one of Major League Baseball's largest and most capable out-of-town game scoreboards as part of the right-center field fence. The display will measure approximately 109 feet wide by 12 feet high and will have the ability to show up-to-the-minute information on the current pitcher, hitter, base runners, game scores and stats, game notes, and player head shots, as well as colorful graphics, animations and video clips.
"For more than seven years, Daktronics has provided the Minnesota Twins and their fans at the Metrodome an enhanced game-day experience," said Tony Mulder, Daktronics Regional Sales Manager. "As the Twins move back to the outdoors, Daktronics is pleased to provide Target Field with the latest in scoring and video display technology. The Twins and their fans will experience the game like never before."
The contract, which is subject to final negotiations and execution, also calls for the manufacture of full color LED displays near the bullpen and at the entry plaza, 14 backlit fixed advertising panels, 37 small LED ticket window displays, and two long LED ticker displays in the ballpark's restaurants.
Daktronics has equipment in 25 of 30 Major League Baseball facilities. Recently completed projects include large, high definition displays for the Arizona Diamondbacks and the Kansas City Royals. The company is also providing a large number of displays for new ballparks under construction for the New York Mets and New York Yankees.
About Target Field
Target Field, one of America's most urban ballparks, will be located in the North Loop neighborhood and historic Warehouse district of downtown Minneapolis. Site clearing at Target Field began May 15, 2007 with actual construction commencing in August 2007. Designed by HOK Sport with Mortenson Construction serving as construction manager, the 40,000 seat ballpark is slated for completion prior to Opening Day 2010, and the cost of construction is $412 million. The Target Field Webcams provide fans the opportunity to view progress on the construction of Target Field through completion in the spring of 2010. For more information on Target Field and to view the site through the Webcams, visit www.twinsbaseball.com/newballpark.
About Daktronics
Daktronics, celebrating its 40th year of business in 2008, is recognized as the world's leading provider of full-color LED video displays. Daktronics began manufacturing large screen, full-color, LED video displays in 1997. Since then, over 5,000 large screen video displays have been sold and installed in sporting and commercial facilities around the world. Since 2001, independent market research conducted by iSuppli Corp. lists Daktronics as the world's leading provider of large screen LED video displays.
Daktronics has strong leadership positions in, and is the world's largest supplier of, large screen video displays, electronic scoreboards, computer-programmable displays, digital billboards, and control systems. The company excels in the control of large display systems, including those that require integration of multiple complex displays showing real-time information, graphics, animation and video. Daktronics designs, manufactures, markets and services display systems for customers around the world, in sport, business and transportation applications. For more information, visit the company's World Wide Web site at: http://www.daktronics.com, e-mail the company at sales@daktronics.com, call (605) 697-4300 or toll-free (800) 325-8766 in the United States or write to the company at 331 32nd Ave. PO Box 5128 Brookings, S.D. 57006-5128.
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Cautionary Notice: In addition to statements of historical fact, this news release contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 and is intended to enjoy the protection of that Act. These forward-looking statements reflect the Company's expectations or beliefs concerning future events. The Company cautions that these and similar statements involve risk and uncertainties which could cause actual results to differ materially from our expectation, including, but not limited to, changes in economic and market conditions, management of growth, timing and magnitude of future contracts, and other risks noted in the Company's SEC filings, including its Annual Report on Form 10-K for its 2007 fiscal year. Forward-looking statements are made in the context of information available as of the date stated. The Company undertakes no obligation to update or revise such statements to reflect new circumstances or unanticipated events as they occur.