The Los Angeles Clippers and Second Spectrum have partnered to bring a fan engagement tool that helps those watching at home to have the option to see the game like never before.
During live action, stats and fantasy points appear above each player as the basket is scored off an alley-oop. There are animation options that enable users to make a custom highlight of Blake Griffin dunking a cloud as lightning strikes. A screen can be automatically identified. Recommended and trending highlights are available on-demand.
The video game-like features are scheduled to be beta tested in the 2017-18 season and launched in the 2018-19 season, Clippers owner Steve Ballmer said at Recode’s Code Conference on Tuesday in Rancho Palos Verdes, Calif. Ballmer excitedly unveiled the platform that will be available for TVs, tablets, smartphones and PCs.
“You say, ‘Hmm, what if we could actually diagram what plays are going on because they can recognize it in real-time? What if we can flash your fantasy points right on your player so you could see what that was worth to you. What if we could show the probability of a shot going in?'” Ballmer said.
“What if you’re watching with your kids and want a little bit of animation in the game.”
.@Steven_Ballmer shows future of #Clippers broadcasts: plays, fantasy and lightning strikes. #codecon #sportstech https://t.co/Rg8WOV4Lgq pic.twitter.com/jPB20KOVkC
— SportTechie (@SportTechie) May 31, 2017
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The Clippers have been discussing this concept for years as Ballmer is listed as a board observer and investor at Second Spectrum, which has a deal with the NBA to have its league-wide player-tracking system fully functional in all arenas by next season. The system uses machine learning and computer vision to produce the data.
Second Spectrum already works with some NBA teams individually and has a close relationship with Ballmer, who sees even more possibilities in the future with the company.
“And frankly, with a few high-def cameras in the arena, what if we could synthesize the view from a player’s perspective?” Ballmer said. “So you could say you’re at home and ‘I want to see the game the way Chris Paul sees the game. I want to see the game the way Deandre Jordan is when he’s above the rim and pounding down.’
“We can synthesize that. The software will be able to do that. All you need is a few high-def cameras in the arena and the right software. So I get all jazzed up about what’s possible.”
For now, he is excited to launch the fan engagement platform made possible by the Clippers’ broadcast rights agreement with regional sports network FOX Sports Prime Ticket. Last September, it was announced that the team would “be conducting in-market tests for new, innovative digital offerings on a trial basis to a targeted number of fans.”
Clippers president of business operations Gillian Zucker told espnW last October that the unique app was based upon Second Spectrum technology and Ballmer’s vision.
“For example, if a coach was saying to DeAndre [Jordan], ‘When you have your shoulder out instead of your shoulder in, you’re 25 percent more effective at blocking shots.’ Now, they can say to him that exact same thing, and then they can hit two buttons and show him. This is what it looks like with your shoulder out. This is what it looks like with your shoulder in. Here’s the difference in your result. Steve’s idea was, ‘Hey. That’s really great for coaches, but what about just for regular Joe fan? Why can’t he have that?'” she said.
Asked what he wanted his legacy to be and his contribution to the game to be, Ballmer said, “If we win some championship, then I want my legacy to be that we really led people into the new world of experiencing the game.”