The NBA used one of its biggest innovation stages to introduce a new way for fans to experience live games.
At the 26th NBA All-Star Technology Summit at the YouTube Theater in Los Angeles, NBA Commissioner Adam Silver joined Dallas Mavericks rookie Cooper Flagg, Charlotte Hornets rookie Kon Knueppel and basketball content creator Jesser to preview a new AI-powered feature called “POV mode.” The technology is designed to allow fans to watch live NBA games from a player’s vantage point in real time.
During an onstage demonstration, Jesser activated the feature using footage from the Jan. 29 matchup between the Mavericks and the Hornets. The demo shifted the broadcast perspective to simulate what Flagg and Knueppel were seeing on the court during live action. While the presentation used prototype animations, the league said the final version would replace those visuals with real-time renderings of the actual players.
AI used to enhance an experience
The concept behind POV mode is straightforward but ambitious. Instead of relying solely on traditional broadcast camera angles, fans would be able to toggle into a specific player’s on-court perspective. The system uses AI to process player tracking data and game footage, reconstructing the view in a way that mirrors positioning, movement and sightlines during live competition.
Flagg and Knueppel reacted onstage as clips played from their simulated perspectives. Both rookies discussed how the vantage point highlighted the speed of the game, the spacing between defenders and the split-second decision-making required at the NBA level.
The immersive view emphasized just how quickly plays develop and how limited a player’s field of vision can be compared to the wide-angle broadcast fans typically see.
A broader shift for fan experience
Silver framed the technology as part of a broader shift in how fans engage with live sports. The league believes every NBA game contains thousands of potential perspectives and storylines that can be unlocked using emerging AI tools. Beyond switching camera angles, the system could allow viewers to customize commentary style, select different languages, apply next-generation statistical overlays or even alter visual elements such as court design.
The annual NBA All-Star Technology Summit has become a platform for exploring the intersection of sports, media and innovation. This year’s demonstration underscored the league’s continued investment in personalization and digital engagement.
If fully implemented, POV mode could represent a significant evolution in sports viewing. Rather than watching the game from a single broadcast feed, fans would have the ability to tailor the experience to their preferences, stepping directly into the action from the perspective of their favorite player in real time.
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