The arrival of interactive video scoreboards has revolutionised the Endesa league, giving spectators the chance to have a much fuller experience.
Over the last few years, clubs as important as Real Madrid, Barcelona, Estudiantes, Laboral Kutxa, Bilbao Basket, Unicaja Malaga and CAI Zaragoza have installed the latest technology in LED screens in their pavilions, thus providing an added value.
The number of possibilities is unimaginable. The more “basic” ones involve using the video scoreboard for replays, to offer results from other pavilions in real time, to wish their fans a happy birthday or to advertise initiatives the club takes part in. But there is a lot more. Why not let those clubs that have known how to make the most of the potential of this LED technology tell us about it.
CAI Zaragoza, for example, has adopted a very American tradition: The kiss cam. During half-time, it selects a couple out of those attending the match, who have to kiss each other in front of all the fans.
With their video scoreboard, Laboral Kutxa broadcast the second half of the decisive match between Deportivo Alavés and Numancia live, when the former were playing to remain in the Second Division. Fans were able to watch it on the big screen before the quarter-final match of the King’s Cup between Laboral Kutxa and Barcelona.
Bilbao Basket shows the most charitable side with its initiative “One match, one cause”. Each match introduces a Basque social entity, using the LED screen as visual support.
Unicaja Malaga’s commitments are more recreational, going from adapting the graphics of the video scoreboard to special dates such as Christmas to the use of its overhead camera to choose the winner of its Halloween fancy dress contest, or to show the video clip of its anthem for the first time.
But it is Estudiantes that use it more interactively as, before each match, they publish a selection of the best photographs posted by ‘Demencia’ in their Instagram account. The Madrid club also uses the video scoreboard to publish the winners of their photography contests and, in short, to improve and increase the connection with their fans.
Is there still anybody who believes that LED technology gives nothing to sport?