Euroleague Unveils Micro-camera Plans
Euroleague Basketball will fit its officials with micro-cameras for the first time when Spanish rivals Real Madrid and Barcelona face one another this week.
The cameras will be worn on the referee’s shirts and transmit live images giving fans the same visual perspective as the officials.
French broadcaster Canal Plus and wearable camera technology company First V1sion have collaborated with Euroleague on the initiative, while Barcelona stars have tested jersey cams with the intention of them being rolled out for players in the near future.
Jordi Bertomeu, president and chief executive of Euroleague Basketball, said: “Euroleague Basketball’s continuing objective in embracing avant-garde technology is to give fans every possible means to enjoy our sport.
“The debut of the jersey cam this week shows that our clubs, players and partners are equally committed to putting fans first.”
Barcelona center Maciej Lampe said after testing the camera: “I felt pretty good with the camera, no restrictions, feels like you are wearing a regular protection and it feels good.
“It´s not heavy, it didn´t complicate anything. It´s like wearing a tight undershirt. It will give the fans the chance to watch the fouls and action from a different angle. I have never seen anyone playing with a camera on his chest: it is definitively interesting.”
Barcelona guard Edwin Jackson added: “It feels good I didn’t have to change anything I do regularly. I keep playing my game, it is not heavy. It is pretty convenient. It can provide the fans different images and give a closer look at the game for the fans and even for the players.”
Thursday’s jersey cam debut continues Euroleague’s embrace of technology, after they were one of the first in pro sports to use Google Glass technology in a live game last season.
