- Companies and entrepreneurs invited to submit tech-based solutions across four priority areas
- Successful applicants to receive resources and support during six-month pilot scheme
The National Basketball Association (NBA) has announced the launch of a new incubator programme to source and trial emerging technologies that it hopes will advance the league’s ‘top basketball priorities across all levels of the game’.
NBA Launchpad will see companies and entrepreneurs invited to submit their tech-based solutions across one of four priority areas: elevating health and wellness in youth basketball; enhancing elite youth player performance; innovating ankle injury prevention and recovery; and advancing referee training and development.
Successful applicants will have access to NBA resources and support, as well as ‘other unique incentives’, during a six-month research and development pilot programme encompassing the league’s elite and grassroots organisations.
According to USA Today, the league is accepting applications until August and will announce the finalists in each category in September, with pilot programmes beginning next season.
NBA-affiliated properties reportedly participating in the scheme include the G League, Basketball Africa League (BAL), Women’s National Basketball Association (WNBA) and Jr. NBA.
“With NBA Launchpad, we can identify and support the next generation of innovative sports technology, continuing to advance our top basketball priorities and elevate our global game,” Evan Wasch, the NBA’s executive vice president for basketball strategy and analytics, said in a statement.
Speaking to USA Today, Wasch said the NBA is seeking “tangible solutions” that can help improve its on-court product and reduce the impact of problems such as ankle injuries, which account for more missed games by players than any other type of injury.
“We just don’t care where it comes from,” Wasch added. “We don’t care if it comes from a big company that has invested heavily in the space. We don’t care if it comes from an entrepreneur, an academic — anyone who has a tangible product or technology that can advance these priorities, we’re open to.”
The NBA joins a growing number of sports properties in launching this type of crowdsourced incubator programme for unearthing and piloting emerging technologies.
The National Football League (NFL), for example, has previously run similar pitching competitions, namely the 1st and Future contest and HeadHealthTECH Challenge, both of which were intended to improve athlete safety and performance.
The National Basketball Association (NBA) has announced the launch of a new incubator programme to source and trial emerging technologies that it hopes will advance the league’s ‘top basketball priorities across all levels of the game’.
NBA Launchpad will see companies and entrepreneurs invited to submit their tech-based solutions across one of four priority areas: elevating health and wellness in youth basketball; enhancing elite youth player performance; innovating ankle injury prevention and recovery; and advancing referee training and development.
Successful applicants will have access to NBA resources and support, as well as ‘other unique incentives’, during a six-month research and development pilot programme encompassing the league’s elite and grassroots organisations.
According to USA Today, the league is accepting applications until August and will announce the finalists in each category in September, with pilot programmes beginning next season.
NBA-affiliated properties reportedly participating in the scheme include the G League, Basketball Africa League (BAL), Women’s National Basketball Association (WNBA) and Jr. NBA.
“With NBA Launchpad, we can identify and support the next generation of innovative sports technology, continuing to advance our top basketball priorities and elevate our global game,” Evan Wasch, the NBA’s executive vice president for basketball strategy and analytics, said in a statement.
Speaking to USA Today, Wasch said the NBA is seeking “tangible solutions” that can help improve its on-court product and reduce the impact of problems such as ankle injuries, which account for more missed games by players than any other type of injury.
“We just don’t care where it comes from,” Wasch added. “We don’t care if it comes from a big company that has invested heavily in the space. We don’t care if it comes from an entrepreneur, an academic — anyone who has a tangible product or technology that can advance these priorities, we’re open to.”
The NBA joins a growing number of sports properties in launching this type of crowdsourced incubator programme for unearthing and piloting emerging technologies.
The National Football League (NFL), for example, has previously run similar pitching competitions, namely the 1st and Future contest and HeadHealthTECH Challenge, both of which were intended to improve athlete safety and performance.
