Fans who can’t make it to Barclays Center for the 2017 Atlantic Coast Conference Men’s Basketball Tournament this week can still feel like they’re in the arena.
Virtual reality company EON Sports VR and creative agency Twelfthman partnered with Raycom Sports and the ACC to launch the ACC Virtual Reality experience (presented by Citi), which fans can download for free in the Apple and Google Play stores. Technology company Sports Labs also played an integral role in the newly-launched app, which will now include a live stream of the men’s tournament that fans can access without having to provider their service provider.
“The Atlantic Coast Conference is proud to launch ACC Virtual Reality presented by Citi,” ACC Commissioner John Swofford said in a statement. “The ACC continues to look at ways to provide fans with unique experiences, and ACC VR is an innovation that allows our content to be showcased in a new way.”
Added Brendan Reilly, CEO of EON Sports in a statement: “We wanted to find a way to deliver ultra compelling content centered around the live broadcast, and give fans unique experiences of their favorite teams in Virtual Reality. EON Sports continues to push the boundaries of what is possible with our Virtual and Augmented Reality platform. This experience will provide ACC fans deeper access and richer experiences they will truly enjoy.”
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The ACC VR app will carry the ACC Network broadcast, which will include statistics, scores and highlights. Exclusive content via the app will also include virtual reality experiences, front row views, locker room tours, behind-the-scenes footage and other content, either for fans to view with or without a headset.
“We are delighted to have worked with ACC and EON on the design and development of the virtual experience. Sports VR has seen a shift in focus from tech to content over the last year or so and it’s great to work with a partner in ACC embracing that change” Ed Reynolds, Partner at Twelfthman said in a statement.
Like the ACC, the Big East will be live streaming its men’s basketball tournament this week in virtual reality via the FOX Sports VR app. Additionally, EON Sports VR launched similar exclusive virtual reality college athletics channels last Fall with Penn State and Miami (Fla.).