Indiana’s basketball season officially opens this Saturday, October 24, and will have a new hi-tech addition this year. The Mark Cuban Center for Sports Media and Technology introduces Virtual Reality to their fans with their new Samsung Gear VR headsets. Fans will be able to experience Hoosier Hysteria as if they were standing on Branch McCracken court with the technology. There will be five Samsung GearVR headsets in the North lobby of the Assembly Hall starting at 6pm for fans that are interested in becoming a part of the experience.
The Mark Cuban Center for Sports Media and Technology collaborated with the Dallas based company BigLook360 to introduce a new experience for sport fans. Associate Athletic Director, Jeremy Gray, comments, “Fans will be able to experience what it is like to have Troy Williams fly over you for a dunk, how quick Yogi Ferrell is off the dribble, and what it is like to watch the action courtside. This is the future of fan experience and recruiting and we are excited that the Mark Cuban Center for Sports Media and Technology is at the vanguard of this technology.”
BigLook360 has had success with past virtual reality projects that have streamed from events like the Emmys, Grammys, Golden Globes, and more. Even websites like YouTube are jumping on the trend by supporting 360-degree video uploads.
Mark Cuban, who earned his B.S. in Business Administration from Indiana University, donated $5 million to the school this summer to help kick start the launch of the Mark Cuban Center for Sports Technology. The aim is to create advanced technology for the sports world.
This new virtual reality for sports is an awesome, innovative concept, but it does need to take into account the social aspect of the game. As of now with virtual reality, there is no running to get popcorn during halftime or commenting to the stranger next to you.
Nevertheless, Hoosier fans are eager for the launching of the new technology at Hoosier Hysteria which will be the first college sporting event broadcast in VR. BTN Plus will be streaming the opening game online so be sure to check it out.