Riedel Communications’s intercom and communications solutions have been deployed across Pittsburgh’s three major sports venues: PNC Park, home of the Pittsburgh Pirates; PPG Paints Arena, home of the Pittsburgh Penguins; and Acrisure Stadium, home of the Pittsburgh Steelers. Texolve Digital, a Pittsburgh-based systems integrator, made the installation.
Both PNC Park and PPG Paints Arena received a complete intercom system upgrade from top to bottom, with 9-10 Bolero antennas, 10-20 Bolero wireless beltpacks, 30-35 Riedel SmartPanels of various sizes, and four-wire interfaces installed at each location, as well as an Artist 1024 matrix frame, allowing from 16 to 1024 ports at each park.
Acrisure Stadium received an all new intercom system comprising 11 Bolero antennas, eight Bolero beltpacks, 35 SmartPanels of different sizes, four-wire interfaces, and Riedel’s Connect Trio for phone connections.
The Riedel systems have expanded coverage into previously inaccessible areas, such as tunnels and underground spaces where announcers and teams may travel. This enhanced reach has allowed broadcasters and production teams to capture a greater variety of content, improving the overall fan experience both in-stadium and for viewers at home.
Texolve Digital has been a partner with these three local sports teams and venues over the past decade. Since 2022, Texolve Digital has been particularly busy with these three projects, which are part of venue upgrades that occurred within a two-year period.
Chris Burns, executive producer of live stadium events for the Pittsburgh Steelers, said: “Communication is the backbone of a successful production. Bolero’s ability to navigate our stadium’s concrete and steel and still provide a clear signal gives us the confidence to go anywhere to improve our presentation for both fans and sponsorship.”
Brian Geubtner, business manager at Texolve Digital, added: “All three venues share freelance operators, so it’s important for the products to not only remain consistent but also offer clarity, reliability, and ease of use. Riedel was the clear-cut choice, and we have received nothing but good feedback on the intercom, which is great for us as we have supported the system after its installation.”
Jon Cofer, director of ballpark productions for the Pittsburgh Pirates, concluded: “The reliability of Bolero is unquestionable, providing excellent reception throughout our ballpark, and its ability to access six different channels is a standout feature that we love. It’s not just functional, but also incredibly easy to work with. In fact, it’s so user-friendly that we’ve transitioned most of our on-field staff to Bolero beltpacks instead of traditional radios. The sound quality is top-notch, ensuring clear communication with our staff no matter where they are in the ballpark. Overall, the Bolero has been a major contributor to our scoreboard team’s success.”