Daktronics announced a new 2,025‑square‑foot LED video display and Sportsound audio system for Jay & Lori Bergman Field at Illinois State University. The display will measure 31.5 feet high by 64.5 feet wide, with a 10‑mm pixel pitch and outdoor environmental protection. The Sportsound 2050 audio system will integrate with the video and scoring systems.
The contract is part of Daktronics’ strategy to deepen its presence in the collegiate sports market, a segment that historically delivers high‑margin installations. The university’s field was renamed in July 2025, and the new display will serve as a high‑profile showcase for future college contracts.
Daktronics’ Q3 FY26 results showed revenue of $181.9 million, up 21.6% year‑over‑year, driven by strong demand in its Live Events, Commercial, and High School Park & Recreation segments. However, adjusted EPS of $0.09 fell short of the consensus estimate of $0.165, a miss of roughly 45%. The miss was largely due to tariff expenses of $6 million and a shift toward lower‑margin Live Events work, which reduced gross profit margin to 24.0% from 24.6% a year earlier.
The company’s product backlog rose 25.3% to $342.3 million, reflecting robust demand for its turnkey solutions. CEO Ramesh Jayaraman said the company “continued to execute well during the fiscal third quarter, driving year‑over‑year revenue growth of 21.6 percent and more than tripling adjusted operating income through value‑based pricing and operational efficiencies.” CFO Howard Atkins noted that the backlog’s growth is a key driver of the quarter’s revenue increase.
Investors reacted negatively to the earnings miss, focusing on margin compression and tariff costs, even as revenue beat expectations and the backlog expanded. The contract with Illinois State University adds a recurring revenue stream and strengthens Daktronics’ position in a market that is expected to grow as universities invest in fan‑experience upgrades.
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