NBA Free Agency.
Every summer, basketball fans wait anxiously for the deep vibration of their phone as a notification flashes across the screen telling us where our favorite NBA player is headed next season. Everyone remembers LeBron James’ monumental departure from Cleveland to Miami trademarked, “The Decision,” but in 2016, Kevin Durant’s own decision rocked the sports world.
After deciding to end his 8-year stint with the Oklahoma City Thunder, Durant decided to take his talents to Silicon Valley and The Golden State Warriors. The 1600+ mile trip from the Thunder’s Chesapeake Energy Arena to Golden State’s Oracle Area is a long way from home, so what sold Durant on joining the Warriors?
Could it be the Bay-area tech vibe? A team on the heels of a record 73-win season? Or perhaps teaming up with two of the most dynamic shooters in NBA history, Steph Curry and Klay Thompson? All of those answers sound likely, but Golden State did something unique that might of caught Durant’s eye.
They used virtual reality in their pitch.
During his meeting with the Warriors in a Hampton mansion, Durant was given VR goggles featuring shots of the Golden Gate Bridge, videos from Warrior’s practice and a clip of head coach, Steve Kerr, addressing the team in the locker room.
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The goggles were used to immerse Durant into a “real life” example of how he would fit in with his future city and organization. The icing on the cake featured audio from hip-hop artist, Drake’s hit song, Big Rings. I mean come on, have you heard the lyrics, “Oh we talkin’ teams? Oh we talkin’ teams? Oh you switchin’ sides? Wanna come with me?”
The message was received by Durant, loud and clear. However, this is not the first time virtual reality has changed the game in professional sports, and specifically the NBA.
In May 2016, the recently crowned NBA Champion, Cleveland Cavaliers, were the first to use virtual reality through their mobile app. After teaming up with Budweiser, the Cavs passed out cardboard VR viewers to the first 750 fans entering the stadium during Game 2 of the Eastern Conference Finals series against the Atlanta Hawks.
Four videos were featured on the Cavs’ mobile app and Budweiser’s YouTube channel. Included in one of the videos was a virtual walk-through of the Cavaliers’ locker room, practice facility and footage of the dunk team. The viewer also had a second use, a beer holder – talk about useful.
A jump and a skip from Oracle Arena, the Sacramento Kings were also experimenting with virtual reality’s capabilities. When their new $507 million stadium opens in October 2016, the Kings plan on using their in-stadium Wi-Fi to enable virtual reality replays and eventually expand to other options for fans.
Vice chairman and co-owner, Paul Jacobs, believes a movie theater-like environment in the stadium could be possible with virtual reality. “They’d still be there to feel the roar of the crowd and be part of it but be watching in a slightly different way,” said Jacobs. There are only so many courtside seats to go around, and they are reserved for those who will pay a pretty penny. You know, like Beyoncé and Jay-Z.
Across the sporting world, virtual reality is becoming more and more sought after. For the first time ever, the 2016 Olympics will feature VR programming viewed using Samsung Galaxy smartphones and the Samsung Gear VR headset. Fans will be able to see the 85 hour programming’s Opening and Closing Ceremonies, men’s basketball — including the semifinals and final — gymnastics, track and field, beach volleyball, diving, boxing and fencing.
As virtual reality capabilities grow, we will surely see other professional sports teams jumping on this high-speed bandwagon.