Williams Communications Makes Strategic Investment in Avid Sports;Combining Technologies Enhance Teams' Performance and Fans' Viewing Experience
April 17, 2000 12:24 PM Eastern Time
TULSA, Okla. and LOWELL, Mass., April 17 /PRNewswire/ -- Williams Communications WCG , whose Vyvx Services unit is the nation's leading distributor of professional sports content for media, is making a strategic investment in Avid Sports, Inc., a leading provider of digital analysis solutions for team sports and online sports media management solutions. The agreement creates a strong linkage between the innovative services offered by Vyvx(R) and the expertise in sports information management software and services to NCAA and professional sports organizations provided by Avid Sports.
Financial terms of the agreement were not disclosed.
In addition to the investment, Williams Communications will leverage its technology through the Vyvx MediaXtranet(TM), a network and hosting platform enabling the movement of live and non-live content for business-to-business and business-to-consumer applications. It will allow access to stored information from the sports industry for use in game preparation, scouting and player development. Ultimately the business relationship will provide delivery of content to sports Internet portals for distribution to individual desktops, video screens or in-stadium monitors.
In unison with ASX(TM) technologies from Avid Sports, Vyvx MediaXtranet provides a complete end-to-end solution for delivering new forms of compelling sports content to fans via the Web. These new forms of compelling content include interactive multimedia content, live cybercasts, data mining and searchable full-motion video highlights.
"This investment in Avid Sports is a natural for Williams. Our interest and expertise in the transmission of live sporting events through Vyvx dates back to the late '80s. Our creation of Choice Seat(TM) technology underscores our commitment to bringing the latest technology to teams and their fans," said Laura Kenny, president of Williams Vyvx Services. "With Avid Sport's dominance in the digital sports information management arena and Williams' innovative solutions, the future experience for coaches, players and fans will be revolutionized."
"Williams offers a unique vision for connecting sports teams to fans and media," stated Dave Grandin, CEO of Avid Sports. "We have enjoyed a tremendous working relationship with Williams and I am now thrilled to have them as a strategic investor in Avid Sports."
Vyvx meets customers' broadband media transmission needs through integrated fiber-optic, satellite and teleport services. A service of Williams Communications based in Tulsa, Okla., Vyvx operations span the United States, with offices in Miami and Singapore to serve markets in Latin America and Asia. Vyvx transmission paths include fiber, satellite space segment, fixed and transportable earth stations to enable worldwide distribution of broadcast news, sports, advertising and special events. The Vyvx transponder inventory is linked to the Williams Multi-Service Broadband Network(TM) through four U.S. earth stations.
ASX is an online aggregator of "official sports information" and provides a fully automated process for real-time collection and distribution of sports statistics and play-by-plays on the Internet.
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