The NBA is focused on securing its next media rights deal, but it’s still looking at other ways to revolutionize its business.
“I’ve been having lots of conversations with media companies and tech companies,” Silver told the New York Post. “It seems like the interest in premium live sports remains incredibly strong.”
One of those tech companies happens to be Apple (AAPL) -), and Silver confirmed that the NBA is “working very closely” with the tech giant regarding its newest product, Apple Vision Pro, which is slated for release in early 2024.
DON’T MISS: Apple Announces Partnership with Disney During Game-Changing Virtual Headset Launch
When Tim Cook and Apple first announced the Vision Pro in early June, it included a segment alongside Disney CEO Bob Iger that showed that Disney (DIS) -) would be one of the first partners for the product.
A video demonstrated how the Apple Vision Pro could be utilized for various alternative viewing formats for shows, movies and sports. This included basketball, which utilized Disney’s ESPN/ABC broadcast partnership with the NBA. Iger said that fans would be able to watch basketball as if they were live and sitting courtside at the actual game.
More NBA Business:
- Disney's Bob Iger Makes Surprising Comments About ESPN
- NBA Commissioner Suggests Two Major Cities for Next Expansion Teams
- NBA Legend Michael Jordan Is Selling The NBA Team He Owned For 13 Years
But the NBA’s broadcasting rights deal does loom large in this partnership, with the league’s current deal with Disney and Warner Bros. Discovery expiring after the 2024-25 season. Other companies could get in the mix for rights deals, including Amazon and even Apple.