Due to season resumes, NBA ties up with Microsoft to beam on fans to huge video boards
When the NBA season resumes Thursday in a Florida quarantine bubble, fans should be able to appear virtually over giant video boards about the court within digital technology enhancements.
Heads and chests greater than 300 fans per game can look on boards at the sides and ends of courts on 17-foot video boards, five rows of people on each bringing a search of spectators when none might be courtside.
Similar technology has been deployed by European soccer clubs, notably Manchester City, since play resumed.
The coronavirus pandemic shut down the 2019-20 NBA season on March 11 when Utah’s Rudy Gobert tested positive for COVID-19.
Months of planning led to a great isolation bubble restart plan in Walt Disney World in Orlando with 22 teams finishing the campaign and the NBA playoffs set to begin in August.
The first connection with an NBA strategic alliance with Microsoft would be the tech firm’s “Together Mode,” part of broadcast enhancements that include previously unseen camera angles, some from camera’s operated robotically, and increased sound of more player shouts and shoe squeaks.
Beneath the NBA’s virtual video experience, fans will be taken off their individual backgrounds and brought together in a shared visual space observed in the venue and on game broadcasts. Fans can remain safe from the virus in the home while their cheers and energy can provide a way of measuring in-venue support for players.
Music DJs and announcers will be utilized at venues to help replicate natural sounds from typical NBA games.
Fans can also cheer for teams through NBA social media, virtual cheering to come to be reflected with animations and graphics to reflect the amount of global fan engagement.
“Working with our broadcast and technology partners, we will be excited to unveil a number of enhancements which will bring fans nearer to the game and allow them to personalise their viewing experience,” explained Sara Zuckert, the NBA head of Next Gen telecast.
“Our goal is to create an enjoyable and immersive experience where fans may build relationships each other and keep maintaining a feeling of community as we restart the growing season under these unique and challenging situations.”
