NBA Commissioner Adam Silver said Thursday that the league is working with Apple to provide a tech-enhanced viewing experience with the $3,499 Vision Pro virtual reality headset.
In an exclusive chat with The Post at Allen & Co.’s annual “billionaire summer camp,” hoop hoop hinted that quick breaks and dunks might be a part of a latest on-pitch experience on Apple’s hotly anticipated device.
“We work very closely with Apple,” Silver said when asked about the NBA’s plans for the Vision Pro, which is anticipated to launch in early 2024.
As reported by The Post, Silver, NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell and MLB’s Rob Manfred are in high demand at Sun Valley as viewership for live sports programming stays high during a difficult time for the media industry.
Tech and media firms are clamoring for sports listings to grab viewers’ eyes as television networks that traditionally broadcast live sports, equivalent to ESPN, face declining ad revenue and increased competition from streaming services.
![Adam Silver](https://nypost.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2023/07/NYPICHPDPICT000013083198.jpg?w=1024)
Disney boss Bob Iger, WarnerBros. Discovery head David Zaslav and Apple CEO Tim Cook were amongst the tech and media luminaries to come off the morning meeting list on day two of the conference.
Silver declined to comment on any details of his meetings, citing Allen & Co.’s policy that any behind-the-scenes discussions at the event remain unofficial.
“Generally speaking, I’ve had a whole lot of conversations with media firms and tech firms,” said Silver. “Looks like interest in premium live sports stays incredibly strong.”
![Apple VR Headset](https://nypost.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2023/07/NYPICHPDPICT000013540950.jpg?w=1024)
“I feel they’re ways they will find latest opportunities to distribute these sports rights in broader ways than before and in unique and other ways, especially in terms of personalization and customization that may come from a whole lot of advanced technology,” added Silver.
The NBA’s current $24 billion media rights deal – with Disney-owned ESPN and ABC and WarnerBros. Turner Sports owned by Discovery – operates until the end of the 2024-25 season.
VR-enhanced sports content was highlighted at Apple’s debut event for high-priced headsets in June.
During this premiere, Iger spoke about how fans will give you the chance to watch an NBA game as in the event that they were sitting on the court.
“We have two years left on our current TV deals and we’re very comfortable with Disney and WarnerBros. Discovery, said Silver. “They are going to carry these games, and we’ll go from there.”