As sports teams at the professional and NCAA level continue to make it more attractive and inviting to attend sporting events in their stadiums, rather than have fans feel it is best to watch at home, increasing the WiFi capabilities inside the venue continues to be a focus. As far as Ohio State is concerned, the Buckeyes are not getting what they expected from Verizon and are now pursuing legal action because of it.
According to a report from Columbus Business First, Ohio State University sued Verizon Wireless in 2015 for failure to comply with the contract signed between the two back in 2012 regarding the state of the WiFi in Ohio Stadium. The stadium was to have full Wifi capabilities installed and running prior to the 2015 season opener. That deadline passed without any progress made on the Wifi installation. The struggles continue as Ohio State is still trying to catch up in the WiFi game at its sports venues, including the Schottenstein Center.
As you might expect, Verizon does not think they are at fault and is spinning the blame back on Ohio State for having unrealistic expectations.
“Some two years into the contract, Ohio State has suddenly demanded that Verizon Wireless gift to the university a campus-wide Wi-Fi system, at a cost in excess of $15 million,” Verizon’s lawyers said to a judge, according to Columbus Business First. “Ohio State’s extraordinary and unprecedented demand has no basis whatsoever in the parties’ contract.”
Verizon claims there was never an agreed install-by-date to aim for in the contract, but Ohio State clearly feels differently. The longer this legal squabble drags on, the longer it will likely be until Ohio State fans will be able to enjoy some smooth Wifi internet on their phones when attending an Ohio State game. That is, of course, unless Ohio State decides to build its own Wifi system using the oodles of cash it raises each year through various revenue shares in the money-producing Big Ten.
But why pay for it when you can get it for free, right?
