Cisco's TelePresence a key new tool for NHL

By Dan Rosen - NHL.com Senior Writer

NEW YORK — NHL Commissioner Gary Bettman was sitting at a podium in front of a gaggle of hockey writers in Palm Beach, Fla. on Monday afternoon. They weren't alone.

Through Cisco's TelePresence connection, reporters in New York, Toronto and San Jose also participated in Bettman's press conference that capped the Board of Governors meeting. When prompted, any of the reporters located in one of the three remote cities could ask Bettman a question and through the technology he could see and hear them, and vice versa.

The cameras in New York, San Jose and Toronto were voice-prompted so when a reporter spoke the camera immediately turned to him. Bettman, still sitting at the podium, saw the reporter over a television stationed in front of him while the reporters saw Bettman on one of the big screen TVs positioned in front of them.

The reporters could also see into the other remote rooms.

The NHL is the first professional sports league to utilize Cisco's technology in this way.

In addition to showcasing Cisco's TelePresence connection on Monday, the League and Cisco also jointly announced a multi-year renewal of their strategic partnership to feature Cisco technology solutions in key video-dependent areas within the NHL such as hockey operations, business operations, marquee events and fan applications.

"We strive to be the most technologically advanced sports league and with Cisco as our partner we're committed to achieving these goals and in effect optimizing the 21st century sports experience," Bettman said.

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