Daktronics to Provide Fully Integrated Stadium Information System for Seattle Mariners' New SAFECO FIELD

BROOKINGS, S.D., Sept. 16 /PRNewswire/ -- Daktronics, Inc. (Nasdaq: DAKT) announced today that it will provide an integrated scoring and video display system at SAFECO FIELD, the new home of Major League Baseball's Seattle Mariners, scheduled to open in July for the second half of the 1999 season.

The scoreboard, video and control system package, worth approximately $4 million, will be provided by Daktronics. The total contract, let by the Washington State Major League Baseball Stadium Public Facilities District, was for $7.7 million. The remainder of the contract is for structural support, wiring, installation, and other items that are not part of Daktronics responsibilities.

According to Bob Aylward, Seattle Mariners Vice President Business and Sales, "The Mariners are excited to partner with Daktronics on this project. The new integrated scoring and video system is going to raise the bar for all other ballparks in the future. The entire system, like SAFECO FIELD itself, has been designed with the fan in mind. Our goal was to help the fans get more out of the game and their experience at the ballpark."

The centerpiece of the scoreboard system is the main scoreboard in center field, which will include a Daktronics ProStar(TM) "VideoPlus" display. Daktronics new ProStar(TM) RGB (red, green and blue) LED (light emitting diode) "VideoPlus" technology will show live video and instant replays, commercials, game information, graphics and animation for fans in 16.7 million colors. The ProStar(TM) video board is one component of an integrated system which will provide for fans at the ballpark all kinds of information about the game in progress, as well as other games in both the American and National Leagues.

Daktronics ProStar(TM) technology is quickly becoming the new standard for large scale video displays at sports facilities. The ProStar(TM) display to be installed in the new SAFECO FIELD will measure approximately 26 feet high by 46 feet wide. ProStar(TM) LED technology differs from traditional CRT (cathode ray tube) technology that has been used for video displays at sports facilities in the past. The new ProStar(TM) display will have more than 1.6 million individual red, green and blue LEDs that are illuminated to show high resolution video, animation, graphics and data with excellent brightness, clarity and color.

The ProStar(TM) video display is one component of the huge main scoreboard that will be located in center field. The main scoreboard will measure approximately 56 feet high by 190 feet wide. Other components of the main scoreboard include a programmable SunSpot(R) incandescent matrix board 34 feet high by 76 feet wide and sponsor panels. The black and white, incandescent matrix board will be used primarily to show both team's lineups, inning by inning score, player information and other data for fans.

According to Dr. Al Kurtenbach, President and CEO of Daktronics, "The Mariners will pioneer an all encompassing experience for their fans. The system, with our ProStar(TM) video display, various auxiliary displays, software, and data gathering and distribution components, is a fully integrated stadium information system, all available from one equipment supplier. We believe Daktronics is the only supplier that can currently offer such an integrated system and are pleased to have been chosen to do so for the Mariners' new ballpark."

Additional displays will be located throughout the ballpark to keep fans informed. One display behind left field will be dedicated to showing up-to-the-minute scores and information via satellite from other Major League Baseball games around the country. Four auxiliary displays along the first and third base sides will show player at bat information, pitch speed and type after every pitch during the game, and other game in progress information. Two play by play boards will display a description of the most recent plays as they happen. A community relations display behind right field will also keep fans informed and entertained during breaks in the action. Two smaller displays behind right field will show strikeout data and home runs hit by Mariners for the season.

Daktronics state-of-the-art control system will make sure fans get the most current information. Prior to the start of each game, statisticians will dial up Major League Baseball's mainframe computer to download current statistics for players from both teams. During the game, plays are entered on a computer via Daktronics DakStats(R) baseball software, which automatically updates each player's statistics so information shown on the scoreboards is always current and accurate. The Company's Venus(R) 7000 controller is used to create and control the data and images that are shown on the various displays around the ballpark.

SAFECO FIELD in Seattle will be the 14th Major League Baseball venue to use Daktronics scoring and display equipment. Daktronics will also provide scoreboards and display systems for the 2000 Olympics in Sydney, Australia. In addition, many other professional sports facilities, more than 1,000 colleges and universities, and thousands of high schools count on Daktronics scoreboards and display systems.

Daktronics is an internationally-known designer and manufacturer of electronic scoring and timing systems, computer-programmable displays and electronic voting systems. For more information on this project or others, write to the company at 331 32nd Avenue, P.O. Box 5128, Brookings, SD 57006-5128, call toll-free 888-DAKTRONICS (888-325-8766) in the U.S., or visit the Company's worldwide web site at http://www.daktronics.com

Cautionary Notice: In addition to statements of historical fact, this news release contains forward-looking statements reflecting the Company's expectations or beliefs concerning future events which could materially affect Company performance in the future. The Company cautions that these and similar statements involve risk and uncertainties including changes in economic and market conditions, management of growth, and other risks noted in the Company's SEC filings which may cause actual results to differ materially. Forward-looking statements are made in the context of information available as of the date stated. The Company undertakes no obligation to update or revise such statements to reflect new circumstances or unanticipated events as they occur.

SOURCE Daktronics, Inc.

    -0-                             9/16/98

/CONTACT: Paul Weinand of Daktronics, Inc., 800-605-3258/

/Web site: http://www.daktronics.com/

(DAKT)

CO: Daktronics, Inc. ST: South Dakota, Washington IN: CPR SPT SU:

KG-ES -- MNW016 -- 4091 09/16/98 15:01 EDT http://www.prnewswire.com