With Emirates NBA Cup in Full Swing, Productions Go Beyond the Look and Feel of Standard Regular-Season Games' Rebranded tourney offers new graphics and court designs, increased access By Jason Dachman, Editorial Director, U.S.
Tuesday, November 26, 2024 - 2:51 pm
Print This Story | Subscribe
Story Highlights
The NBA's second-annual In-Season Tournament, which was rebranded as the Emirates NBA Cup this season, has seen plenty of excitement throughout its opening two weeks. In addition to new City Edition jerseys and eye-popping court designs for all 30 teams, the league has boosted its production efforts for these games with an eye on making NBA Cup broadcasts stand out from the pack.
We're focused on building on the success of the inaugural Emirates NBA Cup and using our broadcasts to highlight the significance of these games for our fans, says Paul Benedict, SVP, broadcasting content management, NBA. There's so much excitement surrounding the NBA Cup, and these broadcasts should go beyond the look and feel of standard regular-season games.
All 30 teams once again have custom-designed painted courts for the NBA Cup group play and knockout rounds
Dynamic Storytelling: Creative Camera Angles, All-Access Audio Play Big Role Throughout this year's tournament, the league is experimenting with creative camera angles - including cable and drone systems - that Benedict and company believe provide a refreshing and dynamic viewing experience.
Videos and graphics that explain the NBA Cup format are key, given that it's still a relatively new concept for fans.
NBA Cup broadcasts have also featured an elevated level of access to players and coaches through more-robust and exclusive content from league broadcast partners ESPN and TNT Sports. This includes in-game player interviews as well as mics and locker-room cameras capturing pre/postgame and halftime content.
We're encouraging all of our broadcast partners to take advantage of this platform to leverage new technology and reach fans in new ways, says Benedict. I'd add that integrations such as videos that explain the NBA Cup format - given that it's still a relatively new concept - and unique graphics will remain staples of our broadcasts.
Additionally, the official anthem of the tournament - a reimagined version of LL Cool J's Mama Said Knock You Out featuring The Roots - is back again after being well-received last year.
Also back are fully painted courts for all 30 teams during Group Play and the Quarterfinals. The courts, designed by artist Victor Solomon, certainly stand out during NBA Cup broadcasts and continue to generate plenty of buzz across social media.
It Takes a Production Village: Working With National, Regional Broadcast Partners This year's NBA Cup telecasts will follow the same structure as last season's, with 46 Group Play games airing on local broadcasts and 14 on national networks.
After providing pregame shows from Bristol, CT, for Group Play and Knockout games, ESPN's NBA Countdown will hit the road for the Semifinal and Championship Game in Vegas.
We've received tremendous support and buy-in from our broadcast partners across the board, says Benedict. It's easy to focus on the Semifinals and Finals in Vegas, but the majority of our audience will experience NBA Cup games on local networks. Our initiatives with national partners obviously get plenty of exposure, but we'd be remiss not to mention the significant investment that regional networks have put into the Cup.
These enhanced broadcast elements include customized educational videos featuring NBA stars from all 30 teams, dynamic storytelling featuring the individual courts across the league, and deeper access to players and coaches.
We worked directly with everyone - above- and below-the-line personnel, game talent, and team staff - to build the presentation from the ground up, says Benedict. This collaborative approach has allowed us to explore creative and technical solutions that enhance both the coverage and the storytelling around the NBA Cup.
The league has also provided a range of assets, including a dedicated graphics package and style guide, along with the official LL Cool J and The Roots Cup Anthem.
While these elements set the foundation, says Benedict, it has been exciting to see how each broadcast partner has infused their own creativity into each telecast. Everyone is committed to the long-term success of the NBA Cup.
All About Access: Bringing Viewers Close to the Action Access remains at the forefront of the NBA's broadcast-innovation efforts, and the league is using the Emirates NBA Cup as a platform to introduce elements that bring fans closer to the players and coaches on the court.
For 76ers' NBA Cup broadcasts, NBC Sports Philadelphia has incorporated in-game interviews featuring play-by-play caller Kate Scott (right) and analyst Alaa Abdelnaby.
Our goal is to provide more-dynamic, real-time content that brings fans closer to the action, says Benedict. These initiatives reflect our ongoing efforts to evolve the broadcast experience, providing fans with a deeper, more authentic connection to the Emirates NBA Cup.
For local broadcasts, the NBA and its broadcast partners prioritize in-game interviews and increased player access, which Benedict believes add a new level of excitement and real-time connection, giving fans more forward-facing content and deepens their connection to players.
For national broadcasts, the NBA has launched two interesting features for the Knockout Rounds: live coach mics and the latest Q5X player mics.
After using live mics during the Knockout Rounds in Las Vegas last year, the NBA will leverage them during the Quarterfinals, Semifinals, and NBA Cup Championship Game this time around. The integrat
Most recent headlines
05/01/2027
Worlds first 802.15.4ab-UWB chip verified by Calterah and Rohde & Schwarz to be ...
09/10/2026
Share
Copy link
Facebook
X
Linkedin
Bluesky
Email...
09/10/2026
Share
Copy link
Facebook
X
Linkedin
Bluesky
Email...
09/10/2026
Share
Copy link
Facebook
X
Linkedin
Bluesky
Email...
09/10/2026
September 10 2026, 06:00 (PDT) Dolby Expands Dolby OptiView Platform with New Capabilities at IBC 2026
New Sports Intelligence helps providers better unders...
08/10/2026
Modern venues have come a long way since the tinny, echoing audio of the mid 20t...
08/10/2026
ESPN's first Super Bowl production will stream in English and Spanish on Disney+, while the ESPN App carries the full slate of game, ManningCast, studio, an...
08/10/2026
From high-school videoboards to War Eagle Productions, the Opelika native is learning how to lead shows and capture big moments
The future of live sports produ...
08/10/2026
The Television Academy and Prime Video have announced a six-year agreement making Prime Video the exclusive global home of the Emmy Awards beginning with the 20...
08/10/2026
Techex will exhibit at NAB Show New York 2026 (Booth 623, Javits Center, October...
08/10/2026
X Games has announced the appointment of Steve Rogers as Chief Operating Officer. Rogers previously served as COO of World Supercross and spent nearly a decade ...
08/10/2026
Fonn Group has appointed Trevor Spielmann as Sales Director for Germany, Austria, and Switzerland. Spielmann joins from EVS, where he held sales and business de...
08/10/2026
The flagship program will originate from major PG events with a four-camera production, live distribution across PGTV, social platforms
Perfect Game is bringin...
08/10/2026
Innovation rarely happens in a vacuum. More often, it happens at the point of collision: when worlds that have run on separate tracks begin to converge. That is...
08/10/2026
For decades, the production and broadcast services business has run on a familia...
08/10/2026
Uplynk, Zixi, BroadView Software, and Grass Valley have published The IP Converg...
08/10/2026
The NFL has announced the return of the Big Data Bowl, the league's analytics competition, now in its ninth year and again powered by AWS. Registration is o...
08/10/2026
Eutelsat has renewed its partnership with T l diffusion d'Alg rie (TDA), Algeria's national broadcasting network operator, for continued distribution of...
08/10/2026
Disney will livestream Super Bowl LXI on February 14, 2027, alongside the game's broadcast on ESPN and ABC. All Disney subscribers in the United States wi...
08/10/2026
RHStv and Red House Streaming have announced an expansion of their partnership w...
08/10/2026
Gray Media has announced a distribution agreement with TEGNA and DAZN to simulca...
08/10/2026
SVG readers can save 10% on registration and receive a complimentary Solutions H...
08/10/2026
PROTON Camera Innovations GmbH has been named a recipient of a 2026 Technology a...
08/10/2026
Industry leaders discuss real-world cloud workflows for live game production, pl...
08/10/2026
The next-gen audio technology joins Dolby Vision as part of Apple TV's immersive F1 experience...
08/10/2026
David France, Jesse Short Bull, Mato Wayuhi, N. Bird Runningwater, Jodi Archambau, Jhane Myers, Paul McGuire, Amber Morning Star Byars, Holly Macarro, Nick Tils...
08/10/2026
Dynamic panning plug-ins get an upgrade
Sound Particles have just announced major updates for two of their popular dynamic panning plug-ins. Energy Panner 2...
08/10/2026
New expandable instrument boasts full DMNO engine
UDO Audio have just announced the upcoming release of a new, expandable synth that packs the power of the ...
08/10/2026
Two new subwoofers added to monitoring line-up
ADAM Audio's monitoring range has just been expanded with two new DSP-equipped subwoofers, the Sub8 PRO a...
08/10/2026
eds3_5_jq(document).ready(function($) { $(#eds_sliderM519).chameleonSlider_2_1({ content_source:......
08/10/2026
Calrec gives broadcasters freedom of choice at NAB Show New York We're looking forward to meeting up with you all at NAB New York on 21st-22nd October.
Cal...
08/10/2026
Share
Copy link
Facebook
X
Linkedin
Bluesky
Email...
08/10/2026
Share
Copy link
Facebook
X
Linkedin
Bluesky
Email...
08/10/2026
Share
Copy link
Facebook
X
Linkedin
Bluesky
Email...
08/10/2026
Share
Copy link
Facebook
X
Linkedin
Bluesky
Email...
08/10/2026
Share
Copy link
Facebook
X
Linkedin
Bluesky
Email...
08/10/2026
Share
Copy link
Facebook
X
Linkedin
Bluesky
Email...
08/10/2026
Globecast, a leading provider of broadcast, media and entertainment managed services, will showcase its next generation of media orchestration services at NAB S...
08/10/2026
Clear-Com played a critical role in the production communications infrastructure for Rock in Rio 2026, one of the world's largest and most recognized music...
08/10/2026
Sohonet Launches ClearView Rush: A Leap Forward in Studio Review, Built for Crea...
08/10/2026
Share
Copy link
Facebook
X
Linkedin
Bluesky
Email...
08/10/2026
Share
Copy link
Facebook
X
Linkedin
Bluesky
Email...
08/10/2026
Share
Copy link
Facebook
X
Linkedin
Bluesky
Email...
08/10/2026
Share
Copy link
Facebook
X
Linkedin
Bluesky
Email...
08/10/2026
Ikegami announces a major expansion to its range of broadcast-quality live production cameras. Scheduled for introduction on Ikegami booth 708 at NAB New York, ...
08/10/2026
Calrec will be located at Booth 444.
Freedom to choose
The media landscape is evolving quickly, and the broadcasters best placed for what comes next will be...
08/10/2026
LiveU has announced that CRD Audiovisuel relied on LiveUs LU900Q intelligent production unit, with built-in native LiveU IQ (LIQ ) connectivity, to deliver live...
08/10/2026
Share
Copy link
Facebook
X
Linkedin
Bluesky
Email...
08/10/2026
Share
Copy link
Facebook
X
Linkedin
Bluesky
Email...
With Emirates NBA Cup in Full Swing, Productions Go Beyond the Look and Feel of Standard Regular-Season Games' Rebranded tourney offers new graphics and court designs, increased access By Jason Dachman, Editorial Director, U.S. 
