Offseason Upgrades to Denver Broncos Home Stadium
By Craig Hurst
General view of Sports Authority Field during the game between the Denver Broncos against the Baltimore Ravens during the AFC divisional round playoff game. (Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports)
Although there are times it seems like the 2012 season ended yesterday, Broncos fans can rejoice because we are twelve weeks into the offseason. In other words, we’re twelve weeks closer to the start of the 2013 NFL season. The season tickets are paid for, free agency is well underway, and the Broncos are making it anything but boring with the Wes Welker signing and the Elvis Dumervil fax fiasco. Additionally, the draft is right around the corner, and the release of next year’s schedule is coming. Enclosed with my season ticket paperwork was an overview of the enhancements taking place over this offseason Sports Authority Field at Mile High Stadium. If the Broncos improve on the field as much as they’re improving their home stadium, Broncos fans should be in for another exciting season of Bronco football. Continue reading for a list of the improvements that are either completed or in the works as we count down the days until football season returns.
AUDIO VISUAL IMPROVEMENTS
* Conversion of stadium audio visual / broadcast facilities to high definition
* Installation of larger, higher definition LED video boards
* South Video Board: New HD LED video board from Daktronics measuring 222′ L x 40′ H (8,880 square feet); 3 times larger than current scoreboard
* Northeast / Northwest Video Boards: New HD Daktronics video boards measuring 70′ L x 30′ H (60% increase in size)
* LED Ribbon Board Expansion: Daktronics installation of 1,424 linear feet of LED Ribbon Board (100% of third level facade)
* Installation of IPTV and flat screen monitors throughout stadium concourses and public areas
* Replacement of original analog televisions on concourses and other public areas with flat screens
* Installation of over 500 additional monitors throughout the concourse areas and other public spaces
* Cisco Stadium Vision IPTV System
* Audio system improvements and enhancements
* Replacement of twelve year old technology and upgrade of overall system performance
* Replacement of original seating bowl speakers
CONCOURSE IMPROVEMENTS
* Aesthetic improvements including paint and wall treatments, improved lighting and large format graphics throughout the concourses
* For Broncos fans who have the opportunity to watch the games from a private suite, it was reported on Facebook that the manually operated windows in each suite are being replaced with motorized windows
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