• Loading stock data...
Monday, July 14, 2025

NBA and NHL Games Will Feature Sphere-Type Broadcasts

  • NBA, NHL, U.S. national team soccer games to be shown in immersive venues
  • New deal involving TNT Sports focuses on “shared reality”
Cosm

The influence of Las Vegas’ new $2.3 billion Sphere venue continues to pervade the business of sports.

Warner Bros. Discovery’s TNT Sports has completed a multiyear deal with California-based Cosm to create similarly immersive game broadcasts in what the experiential media company calls “shared reality.”

Select NBA and NHL games and U.S. national soccer team matches shown on TNT will also be aired live at immersive dome venues developed by Cosm. The first two locations — one in Los Angeles and another in Dallas — will open in 2024, each accommodating about 2,000 people between seats and standing areas, with more sites in development.

Featuring wraparound, 8K LED screens, the forthcoming Cosm locations are similar in approach to the Sphere, the next-generation venue led by New York Rangers and Knicks owner James Dolan that has quickly set the industry abuzz during an ongoing run of concerts by rock superstars U2. 

The Cosm-TNT Sports deal, however, is focused specifically on live sports, unlike the initial approach for the Sphere, with NBA and NHL playoff games forming a key part of the initial rollout.

Numerous other sports properties such as UFC, WWE, and several boxing promotions have either looked into using the Sphere itself or sought to incorporate similarly immersive elements into their events.

Advancing Technology

The TNT Sports-Cosm deal also looks to introduce immersive elements of virtual reality — which despite years of attempts by entities including the NBA and Meta has never fully reached mass popularity in sports — but without the isolation inherent to wearing a VR device. 

To that end, the experience at the TNT Sports-Cosm broadcasts is designed to create a feeling of actually being at the game location, but without any required headsets or glasses.

Linkedin
Whatsapp
Copy Link
Link Copied
Link Copied

What to Read

The 153rd Open Championship at the Royal Portrush Golf Club in Northern Ireland

Open Championship Considers Ireland: Portrush ‘Will Open’ Gates

Royal Portrush Golf Club in Northern Ireland is hosting this week’s tournament.
NBC Sports
exclusive

NBC Hiring Ex-Hawks Exec Grant Liffmann As NBA Front Office Insider

Liffmann spent the last three years with Atlanta after covering the Warriors.

Nationals Take HS Star Willits No. 1 in MLB Draft, Eye Potential..

Washington shocks observers by selecting a 17-year-old high schooler.

Featured Today

May 31, 2025; Philadelphia, PA, USA; Sydney McLaughin-Levrone (USA) reacts before the women's 100m hurdles during the Grand Slam Track Philadelphia at Franklin Field
exclusive

Track’s New Money Is Running Into Old Problems

The sport’s big-money era has hit some speed bumps in 2025.
Bobbleheads are seen at Vintage Indy Sports, Tuesday, April 29, 2025 in Speedway. The local sports memorabilia store opened recently.
July 12, 2025

Baseball’s Bobbleheads Are the Center of the Collectibles Universe

Baseball’s most important keepsake drives long lines—and big business.
Rimouski, QC - JUNE 1: Final Game of the 2025 Memorial Cup between the Medicine Hats Tigers and the London Knights on June 1, 2025, at the Colisée Financière Sun Life in Rimouski, Qc.
July 11, 2025

CHL Is Facing a ‘Pandora’s Box’ of Questions Amid NCAA Talent Departure

As players defect to college, the Canadian Hockey League won’t cede ground.
Jun 28, 2025; Arlington, Texas, USA; Seattle Mariners catcher Cal Raleigh (29) bats during the game between the Texas Rangers and the Seattle Mariners at Globe Life Field.
July 9, 2025

The Torpedo Bat Business Is Still Going Strong: ‘Here to Stay’

Demand for the oddly shaped bats has stayed strong across the sport.
Paige Bueckers
exclusive
July 8, 2025

Women’s March Madness Expansion Wouldn’t Yield More ESPN Money

ESPN is not required to pay extra if women’s March Madness expands.
Jul 10, 2025; Wimbledon, United Kingdom; Iga Swiatek of Poland at her on court interview after winning her match against Belinda Bencic of Switzerland on day 11 at All England Lawn Tennis and Croquet Club.
July 10, 2025

Wimbledon Set to Deliver Strong Finals Matchup for ESPN

Novak Djokovic is still in the hunt for his 25th Grand Slam.
Sponsored

Game On: Portfolio Players Stories, Brought to You by E*TRADE from Morgan Stanley

Dealmaker Jeffrey Kaplan maps the evolution of sports as an asset class
Feb 7, 2025; Storrs, Connecticut, USA; UConn Huskies center Tarris Reed Jr. (5) reacts after his basket against the St. John's Red Storm in the first half at Harry A. Gampel Pavilion.
July 8, 2025

After Decade Apart, ESPN and Big East Rekindle Media Rights Relationship

After a decade-plus apart, the network will stream hundreds of conference events.
Jul 6, 2025; Houston, Texas, USA; Mexico forward Marcel Ruiz (14) heads the ball in front of United States midfielder Brenden Aaronson (11) in the second half during the 2025 Gold Cup Final at NRG Stadium.
July 7, 2025

USMNT Struggles Still Produce Big Gold Cup Ratings for Fox

The U.S. team’s recent issues culminated in a loss to Mexico.
July 2, 2025

Paramount Settles Trump Suit Ahead of NFL Season, Skydance Merger

The deal likely allows the much larger Skydance merger deal to proceed.
Leo Messi
June 27, 2025

TNT, Club World Cup Ride Messi to Surprisingly Solid Debut Ratings

TNT Sports carries about a third of matches in the U.S.