NBA launches virtual reality app with Google Daydream – USA Today – USA TODAY

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The NBA launched the league's first official virtual reality app.(Photo: NBA)

Four months ago, the NBA became the first professional sports league to offer regularly scheduled virtual reality broadcasts, ushering in a new era of basketball entertainment.

On Friday, the NBA, along with Daydream by Google, launcheditsfirst official virtual reality app yet another example of the league's ability to stay ahead of the technological curve.

The app's first episodic VR series, "House of Legends," brings fans to a virtual sports lounge with former NBA players such as James Worthy, Chauncey Billups, Robert Horry, Baron Davis and Bruce Bowen, who discuss everything from pop culture to their greatest career moments.

Over the past few seasons, the NBA has explored a variety of virtual reality offerings that have the potential to bring fans closer to their favorite teams and players, said Jeff Marsilio, NBA vicepresident of global media distribution. House of Legends is the latest step in that journey and we are eager to see the response.

The app will also include on-demand video, NBA highlights and features, and player and team statistics.

We're proud that Daydream gives sports fans new, immersive ways to connect to the leagues, teams and players they care about most," said Aaron Luber, head of entertainment partnerships at Google VR/AR. "Launching the NBA VR app is another step toward bringing the best in sports VR experiences across the biggest leagues and events to our platform.

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