NBA could use sensor-equipped basketballs for officiating in 2027

NBA Commissioner Adam Silver said sensor-equipped basketballs could begin helping officials in 2027. In an interview with CNBC, he described trials of Wilson’s technology while presenting next year as a possibility rather than a confirmed rollout date.

A Bluetooth sensor weighing about one gram is placed inside a basketball weighing roughly 620 grams. It collects information about movement, spin and changes in trajectory. Silver said balls with and without the chip had been tested in the G League, Summer League and selected preseason games. Players could not distinguish between them, he said.

One proposed use is determining the last touch before a ball goes out of bounds. A change in spin could help officials identify contact. Silver also mentioned detecting whether a shot’s trajectory had been altered.

The NBA previously said data from experimental balls in selected preseason games would be used only for research and would not affect referees’ calls. Those trials are therefore separate from a possible officiating rollout next year. Silver did not announce an approved start date.

For recreational players, the technology could provide information about shooting angles and ball rotation, helping them compare successful and unsuccessful attempts. Silver said a consumer version was likely several years away.

Separately, the league is discussing wearable devices for players during games. It has not reached an agreement with the players’ union. Silver said athletes were concerned that information showing declining physical performance could be used in contract negotiations.

That discussion is distinct from trials of wrist devices for officials. In selected preseason and Summer League games, they helped referees communicate with the replay center about reviews, scoring changes and clock malfunctions. The NBA described its summer pilot as successful but said the technology would not extend into the regular season.