Major League Baseball today announced details of a new partnership with Mitel, a global leader in business communications, to power the league's communications tools and connections across the 30 MLB ballparks.
The new partnership will transform the existing 30 independent platforms for dugout, bullpen, video review rooms and press box communications into a common, unified system featuring enhanced security and call recording capabilities. This new system will provide the capability to record and monitor all communications conducted on the phone lines to ensure compliance with all Major League Baseball rules and regulations.
Mitel has already begun working with MLB and Club technology departments to begin installations at all 30 ballparks. The new systems and procedures are scheduled to be in place by Opening Day -- March 29, 2018 -- the first time since 1968 that every team across the Majors will open on the same date.
"Mitel is a global leader in providing the kind of sophisticated, custom communications network that addresses the unique needs of Major League Baseball and our 30 Clubs," said Chris Marinak, MLB Executive Vice President, Strategy, Technology & Innovation. "Mitel will provide a unified communications system featuring the latest technology across all 30 ballparks. We are delighted to welcome them as a new league partner."
"Major League Baseball represents the highest standard of performance, and success in the game relies on effective communications," said Rich McBee, Mitel Chief Executive Officer. "As MLB seeks to enhance the game experience for both current and future fans and participants, Mitel is privileged to help bring forward new technologies to improve collaboration."
In addition to the ballpark phone migration effort, Mitel's multi-year partnership with MLB designates the brand as the presenting sponsor of league-wide instant replay reviews. Mitel, now the Official Business Technology & Communications Partner of MLB, also has partnerships with more than 30 additional leading professional sports organizations including the Boston Red Sox, San Diego Padres and San Francisco Giants.