FIBA MEDIA
are trying to work out how we can use that data. I mean, it's really it's very very relevant and useful for scouting, for teams, for technical side, but the question is how we can take data in basketball and make it relevant for viewers; to access your graphics or second screen or whatever. The perform data side now have a partnership with STATS in the US: it is a data company and stats basketball is in their DNA, that how they first started. Our aim is to bring the game closer to the fan. I think the idea for example of having the mic on the referee is a good move. Within FIBA Media we also have a digital marketing division, so we work hard not just in the media program, but also the website and the digital people to give them content and things they can use. We have historical content and we have produced a world cup documentary that for the first time will be available just before the World Cup. In terms of innovations and what's
going to happen, I think there’s ways that we can get closer to the action and the playing.
how it is the game,
We love attending Basketball games. The vibe in the venues is amazing. Do you think that one day broadcast will be able to transmit all the sensations of a real basketball match? Does technology will eventually lead us there?
each other, such as a
I think we can get closer. In Europe and internationally, we have live cameras and mics and timeouts. You can feel the tension on what the coach is saying. The NBA, for example, never does anything like because the brand and the appearance are most important. They will film a time out, they will review it, make sure it's okay and then they will show that time out maybe in the second half of the game. Or they will give a mic to a player, but never in a live situation. I think anytime we can bring life action, we can give you the feeling. How far we can get will depend on
enthusiasm and
because if it is a very close tense aggressive game with two teams don't like Barcelona – Real game… I think we should always be striving to bring the viewer closer to the game. We ain’t have, for example, a camera in the locker room just before the teams come out. And also, you can see the excitement of the team after winning when they come back to the locker room, but naturally it would be 15, 20, 30 seconds and then we leave. We’re not going to be there all time because the lockers room is really for the players and the coach, but it would just a glimpse of what's happening behind the scenes. So I think it will come, but slowly. I don't think it will be overnight and I don't think we’ll get to see absolutely everything. 59 SEPTEMBER ‘19