EXCLUSIVE: Inside the NBA’s player tech revolution

In an Australian exclusive, the world’s biggest sports tech company, Sportradar has given The Ministry of Sport Podcast behind the scenes access to the NBA’s latest tech revolution.

The NBA and Sportradar have joined forces to launch human tracking technology that three-dimensionally captures 29 data points on each player live on court.

Previously, each player was a single two-dimensional dot.

The skeletal tracking is created by artificial intelligence and computer vision, with 14 cameras placed around the playing arena extracting data.

The broadcast view of the NBA’s new 3D human movement tracking. (Image supplied exclusively to Ministry of Sport from Sportradar & the NBA.)

The technology also launches a major opportunity for avatar building, gamification, fan engagement, and broadcast properties.

Sportradar Global Basketball boss Ben Turner has told Ministry of Sport, this tech can revolutionise the way the NBA is played, consumed and adjudicated.

He says the NBA’s pioneering attitude is crucial.

“The NBA does things at an unbelievable level of quality, depth and innovation. But they’re also very exploratory.

“They are one of the greatest organisations I have had the privilege to work with, where they will push you. They have a vision for what they want to achieve, and they will want to push you towards that vision to do more.

“They’re not afraid to fail. They want to test in a safe environment, but they’re not afraid to fail. And they want to take those opportunities to test, and to push the partners that they have to do more.”

Behind-the-scenes graphic, showing what NBA coaches and media broadcasters access from Sportradar’s new human movement data. (Graphic supplied exclusively to Ministry of Sport from Sportradar & the NBA.)

For behind-the-scenes access to how the tech was created, how it is now unfolding in the new NBA season, and where it can go next- listen to The Ministry of Sport Podcast.