The NBA is using the Together mode in Microsoft Teams to display fans on 5m tall LED screens around courts and enhance the match environment for players and spectators.
From July 30, more than 300 people will join games to watch matches and cheer on their teams alongside other basketball fans also shown within the arena.
The NBA was already working with Microsoft on a fan engagement platform and this new project sees what’s commonly considered a business tool applied creatively to leisure and entertainment.
Microsoft believes that the Together mode – which uses AI segmentation technology to bring people together into a shared background - is perfectly suited to this application and will deliver shared experiences missing from watching sport remotely.
In a statement published on a Microsoft blog, Sara Zuckert, head of Next Gen Telecast, NBA, said: “We are excited to partner with Microsoft to virtually incorporate NBA fans into our season restart. This unique live game experience will allow fans to maintain a sense of community as they watch their favourite teams and players.”