New cameras capture Sporting fans' biggest reactions for free
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Lights, cameras... Photo: Alex Lorenzo, Sporting Kansas City/MLS via Getty Images
Smile, Sporting KC fans, you're on camera. New technology at Sporting Park this season is capturing the biggest moments of the game and serving up personal reaction pictures for free.
The big picture: It's the latest evolution in sports photography, one that turns the cameras on the crowds and lets fans relive the game as if they were on TV.
How it works: The cameras are installed and operated by the company Momento, which crops high-def images by seat number.
- When a major event happens at a game, an on-site worker snaps a series of pictures, which can be downloaded as stills or animated GIFs.
- The images are made available within a few minutes, meaning fans can see their reactions while still in the stadium.
Zoom in: Tom Fletcher, who founded Momento in 2023, is a sports broadcasting hall-of-famer after spending decades innovating the industry.
- When he and his dad sold Fletcher Sports in 2018, he says they used the money to innovate once again — this time, for the fans.
- "Nothing's more personalized than a picture of you and your family" having fun at a game, he says.
By the numbers: Momento's website shows operations in five NFL stadiums, four soccer stadiums, and a hockey arena.
- Fans have viewed nearly 22 million photos since the company began.
- But that's only 20% of game attendees, Fletcher says, adding that 80% don't know "there's pictures of them going nuts."
Between the lines: Fans who don't want their seat searchable can opt out on the company's website, Fletcher says.
- The cameras don't record video, and they're operated manually by a real person.
- "They're getting the true vibe of the building," Fletcher says. "To me, that's far more valuable [than automation]."
The photos remain archived, so fans can look back on memories years later.
- When one Tampa fan's father died, they used pictures from previous years to remember times they spent together.
What they're saying: Sporting's chief revenue officer Gregg Allen said in a statement that the photos enhance the fan experience "with a truly personal touch."
- The club is calling it "Pitchside Pics." A printer is located at the top of section 113 for free hard copies.
- Sporting KC communications director Kurt Austin tells Axios that the fan reaction has been positive.
What we're watching: For the next viral fan reaction to come out of KC — whether it be in triumph or heartbreak.
What's next: Sporting KC's next home game is March 21 at 7:30pm against Colorado.