NBA Considering 'Smart Ball' Technology for Officiating and Consumer Use
The NBA is exploring the use of a new smart basketball embedded with microchip Bluetooth sensors to improve officiating decisions. Commissioner Adam Silver revealed that the league, in partnership with Wilson, has tested this technology in various leagues such as the G League and Summer League without players noticing any difference in ball performance. One potential application includes detecting whether a player touched the ball before it went out of bounds or altered its trajectory during a shot. The NBA aims to implement this smart ball for officiating purposes as soon as 2027, with consumer versions potentially following later. Silver also mentioned that while wearable technology has been piloted in some games, an agreement with the National Basketball Players Association is still pending due to concerns over data usage and its impact on contract negotiations. The league sees significant potential for both officiating improvements and player development through this new tech, though it must first address privacy and contractual issues related to wearable devices.
Topics: NBA smart basketball technology in sports wearable tech