Phoenix Suns Utilize Verizon's BlueJeans for Digital Fan Engagement

Verizon Business has announced a new collaboration with the Phoenix Suns for a new program to enhance customer engagement during the pandemic. Using Verizon’s BlueJeans video conferencing technology, the Suns will enable fans to engage with the team through a “Second Screen”.

Fans will now have access to additional video content during live game streaming with features like live chatting, live polls, contests, and exclusive interviews. The new customer engagement features will be part of a larger collaboration between the NBA and Verizon, which will be transforming the Sun's  business operations with 5G technology and data analytics.

“There are a lot of things we learned through the last year’s challenges, our fans love the game of basketball and they still love watching. We also learned they miss, and crave, interacting with the Suns in a more intimate way,” said Dan Costello, Phoenix Suns Chief Revenue Officer & SVP, Business Innovation. “Products like BlueJeans allow us to give behind-the-scenes looks, interact with our team personalities, and allow fans to engage with us in a way that feels more intimate than on social media or simply watching a game on television.

The move to provide fans with a more immersive experience at home has been a major focus for the NBA the last year, as social distancing has forced the league to find new ways to enjoy the game from home. Although the league has continued to play in Walt Disney World’s “bubble”, sports leagues are attempting to use digital resources to keep fans entertained through the  remainder of the pandemic.

“The ways in which we engage with our favorite brands and companies hit an inflection point this year, with marketers taking note and, hopefully, taking action,” said Krish Ramakrishnan, Chief of Strategy and Product, BlueJeans by Verizon. “As the Phoenix Suns’ preferred video conferencing provider, we look forward to helping them find even more new ways to apply the power of video to scale their communication efforts, open up new revenue streams and drive meaningful relationships with their fans and partners.”