The Cleveland Browns released plans today for enhancing the fan experience at FirstEnergy Stadium on gameday. Last week, Jimmy Haslam told the media at training camp that the Browns have two long term goals that drive everything they do. The first is to build a sustainable winning team, and the second is to provide great experiences for the fans.
Today, team president Alec Scheiner unveiled some of the steps the Browns are taking to improve the gameday experience for the fans.
It started with the fans’ ability to use their cell phones and other mobile devices. The Browns have coordinated with the major cell phone service providers in the area to enhance service at a crowded stadium. Scheiner promised fans a much better signal.
The Browns would like for fans to be in the stadium and excited early. In order to get fans to their seats they have installed 20 new turnstiles around the stadium and opened 44 new security “chutes” or checkpoints. They have also added “express lanes” for fans that do not have any bags to search. The goal is to get 4,000 more fans through the gate every 15 minutes compared to 2012.
The team announced that there will be new pregame music including a DJ on the field and new video elements. Player introductions will be completely new as well. The Browns say that fans will not want to miss those introductions.
The Browns will also use a drumline this season, and what they say will be “inventive” halftime entertainment.
In addition, the Browns installed more than 100 new televisions to fan areas and upgraded the merchandise available throughout the stadium.
Obviously the best way for the Browns to pack the stadium is with a winning, exciting football team. Boosting cell phone signals, getting fans in the gates quicker and updating the in-game entertainment is not done at the expense of the former.