On January 24, 2014 the Sacramento Kings allowed various players to wear Google Glass during their pre-game warm-up against the Indiana Pacers. With the help of CrowdOptic, a company that allows for live streaming of wearable technology, fans were able to view Sacramento players pre-game shoot around on the Jumbotron from the “eye” of the athlete.
The Kings and their use of Google Glass are just one of many technology experiments teams and the league have been trying out over the past few years to see how new innovations can help provide a more engaging product to fans. Overall, the NBA as a whole is working on ways to enhance the experience of game attendees from the casual fan to the basketball fanatic. This includes teams such as the Houston Rockets who have the largest scoreboard for any NBA arena. Their jumbotron measures 58 ft. x 25 ft. on the sidelines and 25 ft. x 25 ft. at end lines.
But the Rockets aren’t the only team pushing the envelope when it comes to giving fans an optimal experience and view of their games. New tech experiments are happening all over the league. Take for instance, the 2015 Western Conference Champions, the Golden State Warriors. From a tech perspective they are led by their Co- Owner Peter Guber who has recently teamed up with local California company NextVR to test how they can give a courtside view to fans locally and internationally.
The NBA also explored how they can engage and attract fans using virtual reality during the 2015 NBA All Star Weekend. With the aide of Samsung Gear VR fans with a Galaxy Note 4 cell phone were able to see pre-recorded clips of NBA action from a 360-degree view with the use of the virtual reality goggles.
Five years from now
With the NBA Finals just starting the league will celebrate its 69th birthday on June 6th. In 69 years of existence the way fans have viewed basketball games has evolved tremendously. Now fans are able to view games from their TV, personal computers, tablets, and even cell phones and location is irrelevant. But as technology evolves, how will fans watch the NBA playoffs in five years?
As an example, imagine players, coaches, and referees wearing small body cameras that to the common eye look as though they are a part of their uniform. This is what Barcelona company First V1sion is working on. This Spanish company was born in April 2014 and is currently providing it’s innovative camera, which includes a heart monitor, for Euroleague Basketball.
First V1sion aims to put fans in an athlete’s skin by allowing them to watch the player’s every move from their point of view. Additionally, referees wearing this same technology can give fans a better understanding of why certain fouls are called. How many times have you yelled “bad call!” at the referee whether watching at home or in an arena? Did they see something that the avid basketball fan missed? First V1sion technology gives fans a perspective that normal broadcasting can not.
The First V1sion camera itself is smaller than a quarter and is integrated into specialized form fitting shirt that can fit under any uniform. Its safe for the athlete and allows for live streaming in color without any latency.
But just seeing different camera angles is not all that will change in the next five years. A fan in India or in China having the ability to not only watch courtside via their VR goggles but also having the ability to smell popcorn or hot dogs is a very real possibility through a company called FeelReal. At FeelReal they are taking this concept to a whole other level by producing a product that will capture all five senses. They have made an attachment that can be added to many current VR goggles. This attachment will aim to allow users to use all of their senses. Capabilities include Bluetooth connection, microphone, water mist, hot air, wind flow, vibration, odor generator, and 4- hour power supply with rechargeable battery. Currently the primary use for this attachment will be for video games when it is released in fall of 2015.
It is fascinating to think about how NBA fans will watch their favorite teams in five years due to new technological advances. The aforementioned examples are just the tip of the iceberg. With companies such as Samsung, Next VR, First V1sion, and FeelReal leading the way in VR just think where this technology will be five years from now. The possibilities should excite sports fans.