You may not associate a data storage company like EMC Isilon with the sports world, but the pairing is becoming more common given the recent influx of technology being used by professional teams, broadcasters, and more around the globe.
EMC, a 36-year-old public company that acquired Seattle-based storage startup Isilon for $2.25 billion in 2010, actually first began working with sports teams more than a decade ago.
But given the growing amount of cloud-based data collected by sports franchises and the increasing consumer demand for technology like streaming media, EMC Isilon now provides its services to customers ranging from the Philadelphia Phillies, to MLB Advanced Media, to NBC for its Olympics coverage.
With the Phillies, EMC provides a unified storage system that travels with the team all season to give coaches and players a way to analyze their last at-bats, pitching sequences, or years of historical data. The company also helps the franchise with its broadcasting and video service operations, providing technology that manages the acquisition, distribution, and archiving of digital video assets throughout the season.
“If you look at what sports teams are doing, there’s a large amount of digital content being produced and EMC Isilon is in a position to service their storage needs,” said Tom Burns, EMC’s new CTO of Media and Entertainment who was hired in July.
EMC also works with MLB Advanced Media (MLBAM), the technology arm of the MLB that is preparing to spin out into its own business valued at $3 billion. MLBAM has been growing over the past several years and powers the back-end online streaming technology for not just MLB, but big-name clients like ESPN, HBO, and WWE. MLBAM uses EMC to support its live online streaming audio and video of games.
In addition, EMC Isilon technology is used at MetLife Stadium where the NFL’s New York Jets and New York Giants play home games. The stadium this year implemented EMC storage systems to increase its real-time security video storage capacity and reduce video storage administration.
Burns noted that the intersection between sports and technology has had a major impact on both teams and fans.
“Like any industry, technology gives teams a competitive advantage and access to archived footage allows coaches and athletes to analyze competitors to develop a winning strategy,” he said. “For fans, storage technology has helped shape the way we watch sports, whether we’re watching an instant replay in the stands or on our couch at home. Sports organizations will continue to rely on technology to improve their team’s performance and increase fan satisfaction.”
