The Switch, a leading provider of production services and global live video delivery, created a unique configuration and workflow for the SlamBall Summer Series after being chosen to curate, produce and deliver all live coverage of the event.
Hosted at the University of Nevada Las Vegas’ Cox Pavilion throughout July and August, the 4-on-4 contact sports league put its trust in The Switch’s award-winning live production team.
The Switch packaged 17 days of broadcast and livestreamed games.
The SlamBall Summer Series was broadcast and streamed on ESPN, ESPN2, and the ESPN+ over-the-top (OTT) platform.
To capture the rapid gameplay of this distinctive sport in an immersive way, The Switch curated a bespoke production and delivery set-up, employing 14 cameras – including two on courtside telescopic camera cranes – bringing viewers even closer to the action.
The Switch assembled an experienced production team for coverage of each game, including the executive producer, producer, technical director, associate director, camera operators, replay operators, audio engineers and assistants, and other personnel.
The production set-up included a 50-foot expandable Outside Broadcast (OB) truck, two 27-foot stabilized head Techno-Jib mounted cameras to capture the rapid flow of the game, two long lens cameras providing high and wide shots, two hand-held cameras courtside, two robotic pan-tilt-zoom cameras behind the backboards, as well as mini-cameras under the court to provide unique -angles of all the action near the hoop.
Mason Gordon, the creator and CEO of SlamBall, said: “The concept we’ve crafted for SlamBall sets it apart from any other sport today, including its innovative broadcasting approach.
“Combining the finest aspects of diverse sports coverage with a truly distinctive broadcast curation, we sought a production and transmission partner capable of bringing our imaginative and ambitious vision to life.
“Switch proved to be the perfect collaborator, providing the ingenuity, expertise, and experience needed to give our audience an unforgettable viewing experience.”
Jerry Cole, Vice President of Live Production Services at The Switch, said: “The set-up we have created with the SlamBall team delivers an unparalleled sports viewing experience – there is nothing like it.
“It involves a blend of different camera angles and production concepts to fully capture the bruising, in-the-air game action. The complexity and originality of SlamBall’s production configuration set it apart from any major or minor league sport today.
“We’re incredibly proud to be the chosen production and transport services partner, and to be asked to bring this awesome sport to life on the screen for fans everywhere.