SmartSeat Stations Spice It Up for Sports Fans

The Bruins and Celtics will not enjoy extended playoff seasons this year, but Boston sports buffs still have something to cheer about. The FleetCenter is championing the high-tech sports experience with new, interactive computer stations.

The arena installed SmartSeat interactive technology stations from New York City-based ChoiceSeat in each of its 108 suites. Users can request live-action shots and replays from different angles, up-to-the-second scores and stats, player profiles, rule books and more via a 15-inch flat panel monitor with touch-screen technology. Ticket-holders may be able to order that Sam Adams or a few more dogs without leaving the plate-glass view next season. Fans not lucky or loaded enough to land suite seats (sold in five- and 10-year terms at $175,000 to $220,000 per year) can find 45 other stations in “Compaq Zones” near concessions.

Also used at New York City’s Madison Square Garden and Tropicana Field in St. Petersburg, Fla., the stations give fans the best of both worlds?the information flow usually only enjoyed from a La-Z-Boy location and the excitement of a live game.

But management doesn’t expect SmartSeat technology alone to attract crowds. “It’s unrealistic to think that any single amenity added to the sporting experience is going to draw fans in droves,” says Rich Krezwick, president and CEO of the FleetCenter and executive vice president of the Bruins. “It’s the entire game experience that makes live sports a passionate draw.”

The FleetCenter may extend the SmartSeat technology to other events (think Britney Spears from all angles) or even take it wireless. There’s still one problem the new technology doesn’t solve yet?bathroom trips. Can SmartSeats in bathroom stalls be far away?