Skycam
(Sports Television Technology)
| Website | http://www.skycam.tv/ |
What is Skycam?
Skycam is a computer-controlled, stabilized, cable-suspended camera system. The system is maneuvered through three dimensions in the open space over a playing area of a stadium or arena by computer-controlled cable-drive system. It is responsible for bringing video game–like camera angles to television sports coverage. The camera package weighs less than 14 kilograms (31 lb) and can travel at 13 m/s (29 mph). Invented by Garrett Brown (also the inventor of the Steadicam), Skycam was acquired by Winnercomm, Inc. in 2004. On January 12, 2009, Winnercomm was acquired by Outdoor Channel Holdings, Inc. (now a subsidiary of Kroenke Sports & Entertainment), parent company of the Outdoor Channel. On February 27, 2015, a Federal lawsuit was filed by Nic Salomon, the former President of Skycam, to include a claim of tortious interference, related to the 2013 acquisition by Kroenke Sports & Entertainment. The case was allowed to proceed by the court in the Northern District of Texas on August 31, 2017. It was then dismissed on February 27, 2019, weeks before a jury trial. Notice of appeal was given to the United States Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit on March 29, 2019. Kroenke Sports has made allegations of "misappropriated" records against Mr. Salomon. Mr. Salomon has responded by identifying the exclusive term sheet with investors to acquire the business - before Kroenke Sports, his preservation of records after an emergency purge announcement, and a lack of reply from the CEO of Kroenke Sports to his preservation request, prior to his surprise termination. Mr. Salomon identified to the Court of Appeals on June 27, 2019 that he is an SEC Whistleblower related to the Kroenke Sports acquisition of Outdoor Channel. Despite the long running dispute, Skycam remains an important technology for the presentation of football content.