from Danny Ecker of Crain's Chicago Business,

Major League Baseball's fingerprints are starting to show up more clearly on the NHL.

In one of the first major new product launches since MLB Advanced Media took control of the NHL's digital assets, the league next week is expected to roll out a new mobile app called "Arena" that is modeled after the "Ballpark" app that MLBAM introduced in 2012, according to sources close to the leagues.

Specific details of what the new app will include are under wraps, but it stands to be a substantial in-stadium smartphone tool if MLBAM puts as much emphasis on "Arena" as it has on its baseball version.

When MLBAM launched the "Ballpark" app in 2012 (then called "At The Ballpark"), it was designed to be a useful second-screen tool for fans in the stands with team and league content, social media and the ability to check-in at games. MLB has since beefed it up, adding the ability to purchase and manage tickets, upgrade seats and even buy food and beverages from your seats at some ballparks.

The "Arena" app will add features over time in a similar way and may not be used by all NHL teams to start, one source said.

continued