New arena to feature first-of-its-kind Cisco Command Center, a state-of-the-art hub to power fan experiences, venue operations and team performance 

Washington, D.C. (June 3, 2025) – Today, Monumental Sports & Entertainment (MSE) and Cisco (NASDAQ: CSCO), the worldwide leader in networking and security, unveiled a transformative new partnership between the two companies, through which Cisco’s best-in-class technology solutions will help to create a uniquely connected, next-generation experience for fans at MSE’s new arena in downtown Washington, D.C. The multi-year collaboration will be across the entire Monumental enterprise, including the NBA’s Washington Wizards, NHL’s Washington Capitals, WNBA’s Washington Mystics, Capital One Arena, and Monumental Sports Network (MNMT).  Today’s announcement comes as construction is underway on the brand-new Capital One Arena, a high-tech building that will serve millions of annual visitors for the next 25 years and set a new standard for fan experience and technological innovation.   

This collaboration between MSE and Cisco includes the creation of the Cisco Command Center at Capital One Arena, a state-of-the-art hub that will power fan experiences, venue operations and team performance through integrated data and technology. The Cisco Command Center will serve as the orchestration point for the entire technological operation of the arena, which includes solutions across Cisco’s industry-leading portfolio, such as Cisco Wi-Fi 7 with Cisco Spaces, Cisco IP Fabric for Media, Cisco ThousandEyes, Wipro VisionEDGE and more.  

“MSE and Cisco share a bold vision: to provide a unique opportunity to showcase state-of-the-art solutions on a grand stage, allowing us to push and set new boundaries of what’s possible in sports and entertainment,” said Jim Van Stone, President of Business Operations and Chief Commercial Officer at MSE. “Together, we are committed to delivering an unparalleled experience for fans, making every event at our new arena a memorable and immersive journey.” 

A variety of Cisco products and solutions will be deployed to create a flexible infrastructure to power unique experiences and content for the different types of world-class events to be hosted at the new arena: 

Capital One Arena will be one of the first sports venues in the world to deploy Cisco Wi-Fi 7 – the next-generation wireless standard that offers faster speeds, lower latency and improved efficiency, tailor-made for high-density environments.  

Cisco Spaces will allow venue operators greater operational insight across the entire digital footprint of the arena, providing real-time information and visualizations to help analyze traffic flows and track the location of people and devices.  

Cisco’s IP Fabric for Media (IPFM) solution based on Cisco Nexus 9000 series switches managed by Cisco Nexus Dashboard will allow MSE to securely and efficiently deliver 4K video content throughout the arena, as well as to fans watching live events via MNMT. This dynamic all-IP production solution has been relied on by the largest sporting events in the world, and powers some of the most cutting-edge venues, including SoFi Stadium, Gillette Stadium, and the Santiago Bernabéu Stadium.   

Wipro VisionEDGE – an innovative dynamic digital signage and IPTV solution designed to enhance customer engagement and digital experiences across various industries – will allow MSE to drive incremental revenue, activation, and fan engagement via more than 1,200 screens throughout the arena.   

Cisco ThousandEyes will assure the delivery of great digital experiences throughout the arena by providing MSE with visibility into every network that can impact performance, across both owned and unowned third-party environments, giving them unmatched insight into how everything is connecting across the cutting-edge venue. 

“We know that MSE is ready to set a new standard, by which other arenas will come to be evaluated,” said Rob McQueen, Vice President of Global Sponsorships at Cisco. “The new facility will be a platform, built on our AI-ready technology, for creative and dynamic outcomes that are possible as anyone or anything becomes connected to the venue. I cannot wait to experience this incredible showcase for both of our global brands and see the positive impact that we can have on the sports and entertainment industry.” 

As part of the new partnership, the Washington Wizards’ basketball operations team will use Cisco’s The Wharf Customer Experience Center (CXC) as their headquarters for the upcoming 2025 NBA Draft (June 25-26). The Wharf CXC is a 9,400 square foot office space situated within an iconic building at the Wharf, which showcases Cisco’s state-of-the-art technology solutions. 

Cisco will also play a major role in enhancing MSE’s community impact and how the new arena engages with the community in the national capital region. Through the partnership, the two organizations will build upon Cisco’s industry-leading veterans leadership program, which helps veterans at Cisco transition their military leadership skills into corporate settings, improve career integration, and boost retention. Cisco and MSE will look to collaborate on future events and initiatives aimed at introducing military veterans to careers in tech through job fairs, roundtable events, and apprenticeship opportunities. 

Today’s announcement builds upon Cisco’s robust expertise within the professional sports realm, including alongside some of the most influential international brands in the industry, such as the National Football League (NFL), Real Madrid F.C., United States Golf Association (USGA), McLaren Racing’s Formula 1 Team and more. 

Additional information about MSE’s brand-new arena is available HERE.  

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About Monumental Sports & Entertainment 

Monumental Sports & Entertainment is America’s leading integrated sports and entertainment company and is ranked as one of the most valuable globally. Our people, players, teams, and events bring excitement and joy to millions. We invest and innovate to consistently raise the game so we can deliver extraordinary experiences that will inspire and unite our community, our fans, and our people. To learn more, please visit monumentalsports.com. 

About Cisco 

Cisco (NASDAQ: CSCO) is the worldwide technology leader that is revolutionizing the way organizations connect and protect in the AI era. For more than 40 years, Cisco has securely connected the world. With its industry leading AI-powered solutions and services, Cisco enables its customers, partners and communities to unlock innovation, enhance productivity and strengthen digital resilience.  With purpose at its core, Cisco remains committed to creating a more connected and inclusive future for all. Discover more on The Newsroom and follow us on X at @Cisco. 

Cisco and the Cisco logo are trademarks or registered trademarks of Cisco and/or its affiliates in the U.S. and other countries. A listing of Cisco’s trademarks can be found at http://www.cisco.com/go/trademarks. Third-party trademarks mentioned are the property of their respective owners. The use of the word ‘partner’ does not imply a partnership relationship between Cisco and any other company. 

Products and features described in this release that are not currently available remain in varying stages of development and will be offered on a when-and-if-available basis. The delivery timeline of any future products and features is subject to change at the discretion of Cisco and its partners. 

Washington, D.C. (June 3, 2025) – Today, Monumental Sports & Entertainment (MSE) and Cisco (NASDAQ: CSCO), the worldwide leader in networking and security, unveiled a transformative new partnership between the two companies, through which Cisco’s best-in-class technology solutions will help to create a uniquely connected, next-generation experience for fans at MSE’s new arena in downtown Washington, D.C. The multi-year collaboration will be across the entire Monumental enterprise, including the NBA’s Washington Wizards, NHL’s Washington Capitals, WNBA’s Washington Mystics, Capital One Arena, and Monumental Sports Network (MNMT).  Today’s announcement comes as construction is underway on the brand-new Capital One Arena, a high-tech building that will serve millions of annual visitors for the next 25 years and set a new standard for fan experience and technological innovation.  

This collaboration between MSE and Cisco includes the creation of the Cisco Command Center at Capital One Arena, a state-of-the-art hub that will power fan experiences, venue operations and team performance through integrated data and technology. The Cisco Command Center will serve as the orchestration point for the entire technological operation of the arena, which includes solutions across Cisco’s industry-leading portfolio, such as Cisco Wi-Fi 7 with Cisco Spaces, Cisco IP Fabric for Media, Cisco ThousandEyes, Wipro VisionEDGE and more.

“MSE and Cisco share a bold vision: to provide a unique opportunity to showcase state-of-the-art solutions on a grand stage, allowing us to push and set new boundaries of what’s possible in sports and entertainment,” said Jim Van Stone, President of Business Operations and Chief Commercial Officer at MSE. “Together, we are committed to delivering an unparalleled experience for fans, making every event at our new arena a memorable and immersive journey.”

A variety of Cisco products and solutions will be deployed to create a flexible infrastructure to power unique experiences and content for the different types of world-class events to be hosted at the new arena:

• Capital One Arena will be one of the first sports venues in the world to deploy Cisco Wi-Fi 7 – the next-generation wireless standard that offers faster speeds, lower latency and improved efficiency, tailor-made for high-density environments.
• Cisco Spaces will allow venue operators greater operational insight across the entire digital footprint of the arena, providing real-time information and visualizations to help analyze traffic flows and track the location of people and devices.
• Cisco’s IP Fabric for Media (IPFM) solution based on Cisco Nexus 9000 series switches managed by Cisco Nexus Dashboard will allow MSE to securely and efficiently deliver 4K video content throughout the arena, as well as to fans watching live events via MNMT. This dynamic all-IP production solution has been relied on by the largest sporting events in the world, and powers some of the most cutting-edge venues, including SoFi Stadium, Gillette Stadium, and the Santiago Bernabéu Stadium. 
• Wipro VisionEDGE – an innovative dynamic digital signage and IPTV solution designed to enhance customer engagement and digital experiences across various industries – will allow MSE to drive incremental revenue, activation, and fan engagement via more than 1,200 screens throughout the arena.  
• Cisco ThousandEyes will assure the delivery of great digital experiences throughout the arena by providing MSE with visibility into every network that can impact performance, across both owned and unowned third-party environments, giving them unmatched insight into how everything is connecting across the cutting-edge venue.

“We know that MSE is ready to set a new standard, by which other arenas will come to be evaluated,” said Rob McQueen, Vice President of Global Sponsorships at Cisco. “The new facility will be a platform, built on our AI-ready technology, for creative and dynamic outcomes that are possible as anyone or anything becomes connected to the venue. I cannot wait to experience this incredible showcase for both of our global brands and see the positive impact that we can have on the sports and entertainment industry.”

As part of the new partnership, the Washington Wizards’ basketball operations team will use Cisco’s The Wharf Customer Experience Center (CXC) as their headquarters for the upcoming 2025 NBA Draft (June 25-26). The Wharf CXC is a 9,400 square foot office space situated within an iconic building at the Wharf, which showcases Cisco’s state-of-the-art technology solutions.

Cisco will also play a major role in enhancing MSE’s community impact and how the new arena engages with the community in the national capital region. Through the partnership, the two organizations will build upon Cisco’s industry-leading veterans leadership program, which helps veterans at Cisco transition their military leadership skills into corporate settings, improve career integration, and boost retention. Cisco and MSE will look to collaborate on future events and initiatives aimed at introducing military veterans to careers in tech through job fairs, roundtable events, and apprenticeship opportunities. 

Today’s announcement builds upon Cisco’s robust expertise within the professional sports realm, including alongside some of the most influential international brands in the industry, such as the National Football League (NFL), Real Madrid F.C., United States Golf Association (USGA), McLaren Racing’s Formula 1 Team and more.

Additional information about MSE’s brand-new arena is available HERE. 

###

About Monumental Sports & Entertainment

Monumental Sports & Entertainment is America’s leading integrated sports and entertainment company and is ranked as one of the most valuable globally. Our people, players, teams, and events bring excitement and joy to millions. We invest and innovate to consistently raise the game so we can deliver extraordinary experiences that will inspire and unite our community, our fans, and our people. To learn more, please visit monumentalsports.com.

About Cisco

Cisco (NASDAQ: CSCO) is the worldwide technology leader that is revolutionizing the way organizations connect and protect in the AI era. For more than 40 years, Cisco has securely connected the world. With its industry leading AI-powered solutions and services, Cisco enables its customers, partners and communities to unlock innovation, enhance productivity and strengthen digital resilience.  With purpose at its core, Cisco remains committed to creating a more connected and inclusive future for all. Discover more on The Newsroom and follow us on X at @Cisco.

Cisco and the Cisco logo are trademarks or registered trademarks of Cisco and/or its affiliates in the U.S. and other countries. A listing of Cisco’s trademarks can be found at http://www.cisco.com/go/trademarks. Third-party trademarks mentioned are the property of their respective owners. The use of the word ‘partner’ does not imply a partnership relationship between Cisco and any other company.

Products and features described in this release that are not currently available remain in varying stages of development and will be offered on a when-and-if-available basis. The delivery timeline of any future products and features is subject to change at the discretion of Cisco and its partners.

SAN BERNARDINO, Calif., June 3, 2025 /PRNewswire/ — Crunch Fitness today announced it will be bringing two new Crunch locations to the Apple Valley Metro Area, one in Hesperia and one in Victorville. Both $5 million, 40,000-square-foot state-of-the-art fitness facilities will begin construction this summer and will open their doors in late 2025. Crunch Hesperia will be located at 16968 Main Street and Crunch Victorville will be located at 12480 Amargosa Road, creating new fitness offerings for residents of Hesperia and Victorville. These new California locations will be owned and operated by Fitness Ventures, LLC, one of the largest franchisees in the Crunch system that now operates locations in 28 different states.

Fusing fitness with entertainment, Crunch Hesperia and Crunch Victorville will offer top-quality cardio and strength training equipment, power half-hour circuit training, TRX®, personal training, Olympic Lifting Platforms, a dedicated group fitness studio, Ride cycling classes, a functional HIITZONE^TM training area with indoor turf, tanning, HydroMassage® beds, Kids Crunch babysitting, and full-service locker rooms with showers and a sauna.

“We are excited to bring the Crunch brand to Hesperia and Victorville. Crunch is for everyone – from the first-time gym-goer to the seasoned athlete,” said Brian Hibbard, CEO of Fitness Ventures LLC. “With a high-energy and fun environment and memberships starting at $9.99 per month, we have options to meet everyone’s goals and budget. We are extremely excited to bring the new 3.0 Crunch Fitness model to the California market.”

Crunch Fitness ranked #1 in the fitness category for the second year in a row and #32 overall in the annual Entrepreneur Franchise 500® – the world’s most comprehensive franchise ranking. Crunch Fitness continues to expand nationwide and push the bar with innovative offerings for its members.

Prospective members can visit CrunchHesperia.com and CrunchVictorville.com for more information about memberships and to sign up. The first 500 founding members to lock in their rate will receive $1 down, one month free; a complimentary t-shirt; discounts on small group and personal training; and more.

Crunch is also expanding its teams within Hesperia and Victorville and is looking for individuals who are eager to help their community experience fitness, wellness, relaxation, and recovery. Crunch believes in not only being the best place to work out but also the best place to work. Interested applicants can apply today at CrunchHesperia.com and CrunchVictorville.com.

About Crunch:

Crunch is a gym that believes in making serious exercise fun by fusing fitness and entertainment and pioneering a philosophy of ‘No Judgments.’ Crunch serves a fitness community for all kinds of people with all types of goals, exercising all different ways, working it out at the same place together. Today, we are renowned for creating one-of-a-kind group fitness classes and unique programming for our wildly diverse members. Headquartered in New York City, Crunch serves three million members with over 500 gyms worldwide in 41 states, the District of Columbia, Australia, Canada, Costa Rica, Portugal, Puerto Rico, Spain, and India. Crunch is rapidly expanding across the U.S. and around the globe.

SOURCE Crunch Fitness

CHARLOTTE, N.C.—One of the most striking developments to emerge at the 2025 Golfweek Tech Lab gathering here May 15 at the J.W. Marriott was the laser-like focus placed by several startup tech firms, the venture capital community and the PGA Tour itself on fan engagement technology.

Companies like Bleachr, Cue, Mobii and PlayANYWHERE showed the 90 attendees their unique spins on elevating the experience of fans engaging with golf and other sports via their smartphones and other connected devices.

Sports fans today don’t just want to watch the game—they want to feel it. From surround sound to live player chats, the push for immersive sports audio is changing how we experience the action.

This is why “all current trends from both the creative and technological side focus on the same objective: Access and bringing fans closer to this great game,” says Jason Hedgcock, Major League Baseball’s senior director of technical production and special projects for Apple TV+.

By Thomas Buckley | Bloomberg

Walt Disney Co. is laying off several hundred employees across its film and TV businesses, cuts that underscore the tough times in Hollywood are far from over.

The staff reductions began Monday and are falling on employees in marketing, publicity, casting and development, along with corporate financial operations, according to the company.