Thursday, April 30, 2026

NBA Bringing Hawk-Eye to Assist in Out-of-Bounds Calls

  • The league is working Sony’s Hawk-Eye Innovations to enhance officiating accuracy and gameplay speed.
  • It is also expanding its partnership with Genius Sports’ Second Spectrum for data analytics.
Basketballs gathered at the stanchion of an NBA basket, which is advertising the NBA app.
Jerome Miron-USA TODAY Sports

The National Basketball Association is making strides to advance the technology surrounding the league — to enhance both gameplay and the fan experience.

On Thursday, the NBA announced a multiyear partnership with Sony’s Hawk-Eye Innovations to enhance officiating accuracy and gameplay speed beginning with the 2023-24 season.

The league and Hawk-Eye have been working together since 2019 to gather data from NBA Summer League and six NBA arenas to develop a proof of concept. Starting next season, the league will use Hawk-Eye to check calls — and plans to let the technology automatically make judgments on calls such as out-of-bounds and goaltending in future seasons.

Hawk-Eye is best known for its use in cricket, soccer, and especially tennis, where three of the four Grand Slam tournaments — Wimbledon, the Australian Open, and the U.S. Open — implement it to at least assist in line calls; the latter two have completely replaced line judges with the technology.

The NBA also plans to use the data gathered through Hawk-Eye to further its analytics movement and amplify tangential products, such as virtual game recreations.

A general view of an NBA basketball before a game.

NBA and Players Association Reportedly ‘Close’ To New CBA

The pair have a deadline of March 31 to reach a CBA.
February 28, 2023

Also, on Thursday, the league announced it is expanding its partnership with Genius Sports’ Second Spectrum.

The pair will work together to develop “Dragon,” a technology platform that seeks to synthesize analysis from millions of on-court basketball data points.

Additionally, Second Spectrum will create automated graphics based on optical data for alternate telecasts on NBA League Pass, which will be implemented directly into the stream. Genius will also continue to provide data to the league and all 30 teams for analytics insights.

The Association continues to be very technology-forward in its partnerships: In January, it expanded its partnership with Meta.

In 2021, it announced Sportradar as its official data provider beginning next season and that the league would take an equity stake in the company. It will play a role in the new Hawk-Eye partnership.

This field is for validation purposes and should be left unchanged.

Sign up for
The Memo Newsletter

Get the biggest stories and best analysis on the business of sports delivered to your inbox twice every weekday and twice on weekends.

This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.
Linkedin
Whatsapp
Copy Link
Link Copied
Link Copied

What to Read

Jan 29, 2026; Washington, District of Columbia, USA; Former Washington Wizards guard John Wall looks on before a game against the Milwaukee Bucks at Capital One Arena. Mandatory Credit: Daniel Kucin Jr.-Imagn Images

John Wall Joins Howard As President of Basketball Operations

Wall has already weighed in on the Bison’s roster.
Kalshi's logo is displayed on a smartphone placed on a reflective surface onto which a betting curve is projected in Creteil, France, on March 9, 2026, during a major scandal and a $54 million lawsuit concerning bets related to recent strikes in Iran. (Photo by Samuel Boivin/NurPhoto)NO USE FRANCE

CFTC: ‘Biggest Issue Is Manipulation’ in Sports Event Contracts

Michael Selig says his agency is in talks with “all the major sports leagues.”

Dusty May Says Unsigned Michigan Deal Is Just a ‘Formality’

May told FOS he won’t sign his new contract until July. 

Featured Today

INDIANAPOLIS, INDIANA - MARCH 25: Caitlin Clark of the Indiana Fever sits on the baseline and makes photographs during the Indiana Pacers game against the Los Angeles Lakers at Gainbridge Fieldhouse on March 25, 2026 in Indianapolis, Indiana.

Why Athletes Are Moonlighting As Sports Photographers

Athletes are swapping courtside seats for sideline cameras.
Quinnipiac women's varsity rugby
April 21, 2026

The Death of Quinnipiac Women’s Varsity Rugby

The sudden decision at Ilona Maher’s alma mater left players blindsided.
April 17, 2026

The Lawyer Steering the NIL Era

In the new era of college sports, Darren Heitner is everywhere.
blake griffin
April 14, 2026

Inside Blake Griffin’s Rookie Season at Prime Video

The six-time All-Star was initially hesitant to enter the media space.

Max Verstappen’s Future Looms Over F1’s Return to Miami

F1 returns after a monthlong hiatus due to two canceled races.
[US, Mexico & Canada customers only] Feb 6, 2026; Riyadh, SAUDI ARABIA; Jon Rahm in action during the third round of play at LIV Golf Riyadh at the Riyadh Golf Club.
April 30, 2026

7 Questions About LIV After Saudis Pull Funding

LIV’s 2026 season is scheduled to run through August.
April 30, 2026

F1’s New Era Hits Reset in Miami: How Will Teams Adjust to Rules?

Drivers have been unhappy about F1’s new regulations.
Sponsored

Why Brandon Marshall Bet on Athlete-Owned Media

Brandon Marshall on athlete media, life after football, building I AM ATHLETE.
April 30, 2026

MLS Says Commissioner Was Hacked Amid Whitecaps Fight

The team has been for sale since late 2024.
April 30, 2026

Saudi PIF Confirms LIV Exit; League Creates New Exec Board

The league is searching for new investors to try to survive.
April 29, 2026

Reports Reignite Talk of Saudi PIF’s LIV Golf Exit

The Saudi PIF will not fund LIV after the 2026 season.
April 29, 2026

NWSL to Keep Calendar for Rest of Decade After Player Pushback

Most players oppose a calendar flip, the players’ association says.