NBA Extends, Expands To The Meta-Versa And Beyond, Including 50+ Live Games
Monday, January 23, 2023 at 07:13PM NYSJ Sports-Entertainment Business News Service
January 23, 2023: Describing it as a way to “provide more immersive and innovative ways to experience the NBA,” the NBA and Meta today unveiled a multi-year multi-platform partnership extension.
Among the highlights will be a new virtual reality experience for visitors through Meta Horizon Worlds via Meta Quest, the official VR headset of the NBA and WNBA.
The new alliance will see NBA and Meta bring 52 live NBA League Pass games — including "five immersive 180-degree monoscopic live VR games in 2880 resolution with celebrity broadcasters" — in “NBA Arena” in Meta Horizon Worlds or via Xtadium throughout the season.
The expansion also includes the launch of NBA-licensed apparel in the Meta Avatars Store and authenticated NBA League Pass access in Xtadium, a VR sports hub app that offers shared watching experiences in high-definition.
Financial terms were not shared.
"Our extended partnership with Meta will provide more immersive and innovative ways to experience the NBA," Jennifer Chun, NBA evp and head of content partnerships, said via the league.
“Meta’s digital world opens up exciting possibilities for NBA fans to virtually attend our games and to interact with other fans around the world.”
As part of the partnership extension, NBA-licensed apparel will soon be available in the Meta Avatars Store. People will be able to purchase their favorite NBA or WNBA team apparel for their Meta Avatar and showcase it across Facebook, Instagram, Messenger and on the Meta Quest.
Existing NBA League Pass subscribers will be able to access their subscription in YBVR’s Xtadium app within Meta Quest VR in the coming weeks. 
People will then be able to sit in a “virtual” courtside seat to watch live NBA League Pass games and host private watch parties with friends.
Live WNBA, NBA G League and NBA 2K League games will also be available via a Meta Quest headset.
Meta will also have a presence at major NBA and WNBA events to showcase Meta Quest technology to NBA fans.
People can now visit the NBA Arena in Meta Horizon Worlds to watch NBA content with friends, compete in interactive mini-games and cheer on their favorite teams.
The preliminary game schedule for the NBA Arena:
• Jan. 23: Milwaukee Bucks vs. Detroit Pistons
• Jan. 24: Denver Nuggets vs. New Orleans Pelicans
• Jan. 25: Denver Nuggets vs. Milwaukee Bucks
• Jan. 27: Cleveland Cavaliers vs. Oklahoma City Thunder
• Jan. 29: LA Clippers vs. Cleveland Cavaliers
• Jan. 31: Miami Heat vs. Cleveland Cavaliers
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