The NBA Digital division of the NBA basketball league has partnered with daily fantasy sports operator FanDuel to develop a mobile game that will seek to provide fans with a second-screen experience during television broadcasts of matches.
NBA InPlay will use FanDuel-powered technology to synchronise with live national broadcasts of NBA games across the TNT, NBA TV, ESPN and ABC networks.
During broadcasts of games, fans will be able to launch NBA InPlay and join public contests or start private matches with friends. Users must select their preferred team in each game and then choose one player per quarter, with points to be accumulated based on the player’s performance.
Users will also receive a ‘turbo boost’ during each quarter of the game. The boost will last 48 seconds and multiply points totals for the selected players.
The game is available for free to download via the App Store and Google Play. Online automotive marketplace Autotrader will serve as its presenting partner.
Prizes will be awarded to top point-scorers and later in the season fans will be able to compete for grand prizes such as a $35,000 (€33,000) Autotrader credit and tickets to the NBA Finals.
“We are always looking at ways to enhance the viewing experience, drive people to tune in to our broadcasts and increase the time spent watching live games,” Melissa Rosenthal Brenner, NBA senior vice-president of digital media, said. “NBA InPlay has the potential to meet these objectives while offering our fans an engaging, new way to experience the game.”
The app launched with yesterday’s (Thursday’s) televised double-header of fixtures, which saw the Los Angeles Lakers lose 115-107 to the Miami Heat and the San Antonio Spurs fall to a 106-101 defeat against the LA Clippers.