The National Basketball Association (NBA) uses Microsoft Teams’ new Together mode to put basketball fans on the sidelines into a virtual experience during live games. Microsoft just revealed Together Mode for Teams earlier this month and uses artificial intelligence to segment face and shoulders and get together with other people in a virtual space.
The NBA is using this new Microsoft Teams mode combined with 17-foot-tall LED screens that will envelop the basketball arenas to bring fans close to the players. Fans will be able to react in real time and players will be able to see and hear those reactions. These virtual stands will include more than 300 fans who use Together mode to sit side by side practically in Microsoft Teams. Fans will be able to watch a live feed of the game within Teams along with a reciprocal view.
“This new experience, the first to go live following the NBA / Microsoft partnership, gives participating fans the feeling of sitting next to each other in a live game without leaving the comfort and safety of their homes” explains Jared Spataro, head of Microsoft 365. “Players, meanwhile, will experience their energy and support as they slide off the pitch and see real-time fan reaction. And viewers who tune into the game from home will feel the energy of the crowd and see the virtual stands full of fans. “
Obviously there are many possibilities of abuse if fans are not controlled properly or there is no monitoring within the game of Microsoft Teams sessions. We asked Microsoft to clarify how the company will address this issue, but Microsoft was unable to provide an answer prior to publication.
ESPN and Turner Sports are also repositioning the cameras to include new angles for fans looking at home, and the microphones around the pitch will capture the squeaky creaks of the sneakers and the ball rebounds we are used to hearing. In addition to the Microsoft Teams experience, fans will also be able to cheer on virtually using the NBA app. These virtual applause will appear on the video cards during games with animations.
The NBA’s work with Microsoft is all part of a strategic alliance that the couple formed earlier this year. Microsoft has signed a multi-year deal with the NBA to become the official AI, cloud and laptop supplier for the championship. This is the first great example of the agreement and we will also see the NBA that uses Microsoft’s Azure platform to broadcast basketball games live and on demand, with personalized content.
The NBA season will resume on July 30, after being suspended in March due to the coronavirus pandemic. This innovative use of Microsoft Teams is part of a number of ways that different sports around the world are trying to create virtual fan experiences. Fox Sports will also bring “virtual fans” to its Major League baseball broadcasts on Saturday, replacing empty seats with CGI fans and false crowd noises.
