• by Tanya Gazdik , September 27, 2020

Verizon has signed a multiyear agreement to be the official 5G and Official Wireless Services partner of the National Hockey League in the United States.

Additionally, as a season-long Fantasy Sports Partner of the NHL, Verizon Media's Yahoo Sports also will have the opportunity to offer game highlights and other official NHL-produced content to its fantasy players. Yahoo Sports will also receive an Official Sports Betting Partner designation and associated promotional rights for use in connection with its strategic partnership with BetMGM.  

The deal includes Verizon bringing 5G and Mobile Edge Computing innovation to U.S. NHL arenas and NHL fans. It also makes Verizon the Official Mobile Edge Computing Partner in the United States and an Official Technology Partner.

Verizon will also pilot the development of a Mobile Edge Computing use case for in-venue applications which could include real-time access to video highlights enabled by Verizon 5G technology.

With the focus of the partnership on 5G, Verizon will have opportunities to work with arena operators to install Verizon 5G in select U.S. NHL arenas and to offer consumer demonstrations of the technology at NHL events once fans are allowed to return to stadiums. 

The 2020-2021 NHL season will tentatively begin Dec. 1. No decision has been made regarding whether fans will be allowed to attend games. 

Via the partnership, Verizon will aim to highlight solutions that enhance the fan experience and build the next generation of hockey fandom no matter where they are, says said John Nitti, chief media officer, Verizon.