LOS ANGELES: NBA team L.A Clippers announced the launch of Clippers CourtVision, a new way to watch the team’s games that puts fans in control of the viewing experience.
The technology is a dream come true for Steve Ballmer, the former CEO of Microsoft who is also the owner of the Clippers franchise.
Ballmer has worked with Second Spectrum, the official tracking and analytics provider of the NBA technology to create ‘Clippers CourtVision. It uses machine learning, data visualisation and augmented reality to bring fans deeper into the game and let them customise their viewing experience. They can toggle across multiple Modes with real-time data and augmented reality features. This season’s release includes Coach Mode, which diagrams the plays as they happen; Player Mode, in which real-time-updating shooting percentages hover over each player; and Mascot Mode, which incorporates fan-friendly animations, graphics and special effects.
It is available to FOX Sports Prime Ticket subscribers via the FOX Sports mobile app in the USA at present.
“It’s long been a dream of mine to use technology to transform the sports-watching experience. Innovation is at my – and the Clippers’ – core, and we’re excited to redefine fans’ expectations of what it means to watch sports through this revolutionary new broadcast technology,” Ballmer said.
“When I first bought the Clippers, I met with Rajiv and his team at Second Spectrum. They understood what I thought might be possible, and were ultimately able to make it a reality. The real-time video visualisation technology and big data capabilities we’ve designed to power Clippers CourtVision are incredible.”
“We are proud to partner with Steve and the L.A. Clippers to bring this new technology to life,” Second Spectrum CEO and co-founder, Rajiv Maheswaran said.
“When Steve first came to us with his desire to transform the sports-watching experience, we knew that we shared a common vision and we would be able to work together to create the most innovative platform yet using Second Spectrum technology. Clippers CourtVision will be the first step in making sports more customized and interactive with cutting-edge technology. Our software is already used by many of the world’s top leagues and teams. Now fans can have the same access.”
A limited number of Clippers season ticket holders will be provided the opportunity to test a Clippers CourtVision Beta release this year, which has additional customisation features, including the choice of seven different camera angles throughout the arena, including baseline, centre court, backboard, sidelines and even the Jumbotron view.
Viewers can also choose their audio experience, including broadcast commentary or in-arena live sound. The in-game commentator feature allows CourtVision to autogenerate facts and players notes to raise fans’ basketball IQ. More devices, more modes and more functionality are planned for the 2019-20 season.
