NBA’s In-Game Wearables Push Hinges on How Data Is Used

NBA Commissioner Adam Silver expressed his desire for players to wear wearable technology during games, but this will require a deal with the players' union. Silver noted that players are already wearing such devices for 22 hours a day, aside from game time. The current collective bargaining agreement prohibits wearable use during games, and the league and union have not discussed this issue recently.

Silver acknowledged that everyone, including the league, wants the valuable data that can be gathered from player wearables, but he also recognized the players' concerns about how that information could be used. In particular, the biggest sticking point is contract negotiations, as the players worry this data could be misused in those talks.

However, the union's concerns extend beyond bargaining, according to sources close to the NBPA. They believe players should have primary ownership and control over their health data, and the league should not dictate how the data is used.

While players do wear wearables off the court for their own use, the union sees this as an opportunity for players to make informed decisions about their long-term well-being. The union remains open to discussing in-game wearable use. The NBA has previously tested on-court wearables, though not on actual players. Referees wore wrist devices during Summer League games this year to communicate with the league's replay center for reviews, scoring changes, and clock malfunctions. However, this pilot program will not be carried out in the regular season.

Silver emphasized that the league and union must reach an agreement on exactly how the information from wearable devices will be used before they can be implemented in games. However, he remains confident that a deal will be reached. The NBA did not provide a comment on the matter.