ESPN Is ‘Evaluating’ An AI-Generated Moving Image Of Tony Parker Shared During NBA Finals

ESPN said it was “evaluating” a promotional image of Tony Parker that was created using AI.

Front Office Sports reported that an AI-generated moving image of Parker, a former San Antonio Spurs player, was shown during ESPN’s broadcast of Game 1 between the New York Knicks and San Antonio Spurs. The image, which depicted Parker during the Spurs’ 2003 NBA championship season, sparked controversy online.

“One of the most bewildering uses of AI to me is when we just generate an image of something that already exists. There are approximately 7 bazillion photos available of Tony Parker. Surely one of those fits your purpose, fellas,” wrote reporter David Ecker on X.

One X user wrote, “I genuinely wondered who that was.”

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A spokesperson for ESPN told Front Office Sports that AI was used to create the image of Parker, as well as two other moving portraits shown during the broadcast. The images were intended to amplify key moments from previous playoffs. This also included a photo of Bill Russell from the 1980 NBA Finals, which was shown in the second quarter of the game, according to the outlet.

ESPN views the use of technology as “an experiment,” per the outlet. The network also said it was evaluating whether to use it for Game 2, which took place on Friday, June 5.

ESPN’s embrace of AI is nothing new. ESPN partnered with Microsoft, Accenture, Meta, and WSC Sports through the ESPN Edge Innovation Center in 20203, according to a blog post. In 2024, ESPN Chairman Jimmy Pitaro noted that working with WSC Sports had led to more AI-powered highlights being created for niche sports.

Accenture worked with ESPN to build a generative AI solution that helps create summaries for a professional sports league, which are edited by ESPN editors before publication on ESPN.com and the ESPN app, according to a blog post.

“Gen AI has the power to deliver more sports to more fans,” said Accenture Managing Director Beth Keating in a blog post. “With the ability to provide more content faster, we’re enhancing fan engagement and reinventing what sports coverage covers.”

The post ESPN Is ‘Evaluating’ An AI-Generated Moving Image Of Tony Parker Shared During NBA Finals appeared first on AfroTech.

The post ESPN Is ‘Evaluating’ An AI-Generated Moving Image Of Tony Parker Shared During NBA Finals appeared first on AfroTech.