Cisco is to partner with the City Football Group on networking and connectivity technologies.
As part of the agreement, Cisco is to become the official technology partner for five City Football Group (CFG) clubs: Premier League champions Manchester City, New York City FC, Melbourne City FC, Yokohama F. Marinos and Sichuan Jiuniu FC, including the women’s teams of Manchester City and Melbourne City FC.
The partnership is Cisco’s first with a football organisation, although the company began working with CFG in 2013, when Manchester City installed Cisco technology across the Etihad Stadium and its wider campus.
Damian Willoughby, senior vice president of partnership at City Football Group said, “We are delighted to announce this partnership with Cisco, which will span four continents across the City Football Group network. CFG is built on people and we are excited to embrace Cisco’s technologies to better connect our clubs, players and fans across the world.
“This partnership will be driven by its shared values of innovation, pushing the boundaries of our industries and providing a positive impact to the communities in which we operate, and we are delighted to welcome such a prestigious brand into the CFG family.”
Brian Eaton, director of global sports marketing at Cisco said, “In City Football Group we found a global organisation that is relentless in its pursuit of excellence and taps into people’s passions in a way that few other things can. While they already use Cisco technology to bring connectivity to fans, they see an opportunity to partner and use technology to positively shape the business of football.
“Cisco believes technology is a bridge to possible, a future that benefits people in a dynamic and positive way. That shared belief is the foundation of our partnership and from which we are excited to embark on a meaningful relationship.”
