Hangzhou, China – NBA China has entered a multiyear collaboration with Alibaba Cloud, the digital technology and intelligence division of Alibaba Group, aimed at transforming how basketball fans in China experience the game through advanced AI and cloud computing technologies.
Under the partnership, Alibaba Cloud is designated as the official cloud computing and AI partner of NBA China, where both organisations will work together to develop a range of technology-driven applications designed to elevate live game viewing and digital fan engagement across key NBA events such as the NBA all-star, playoffs, and finals.
The collaboration will utilise Alibaba Cloud’s AI and cloud computing capabilities to build a proprietary AI model tailored for NBA China, based on Alibaba’s Qwen large model series.
This customised model will be trained using the league’s digital assets to deliver interactive and data-rich content on the NBA App in China, including real-time highlights, historical statistics, player insights and discussion features centred on trending basketball topics.
Joe Tsai, chairman of Alibaba Group and governor of the Brooklyn Nets, shared that it is an exciting time with the intersection of sports and AI technology innovations.
“By collaborating with NBA China and introducing Alibaba’s latest innovations, we are here to excite NBA fans through exceptional experiences they’ve never seen before,” Joe shared.
He added, “AI and cloud technologies are enablers of connection between player and fan, brand and consumer, global vision, and local culture.”
Alibaba Cloud will also introduce a Real-Time 360 Replay Solution at the NBA China Games 2025. The system, powered by AI-based motion tracking and visual enhancement algorithms, will reconstruct pivotal moments from multiple camera angles, generating immersive, high-definition replays that enable fans to explore the game from a full 360-degree perspective.
At the same event, Alibaba Cloud’s generative AI tools will support new interactive fan experiences. Visitors to NBA House will be able to create personalised digital avatars and generate basketball commentary clips using AI voice replication technologies powered by the Qwen model.
Mark Tatum, deputy commissioner and chief operating officer of the NBA, mentioned how the partnership with Alibaba Cloud reflects how the organisation is committed to using advanced technologies to elevate fan engagement.
“We look forward to working with Alibaba Cloud to transform how fans across the country watch and experience the game in the years to come,” Mark commented.
Beyond fan-facing applications, NBA China will also migrate its key digital platforms—including the NBA App, official website in China, and NBA China mini-programs—onto Alibaba Cloud’s infrastructure.
This will enable the league to optimise performance, reliability and scalability while integrating intelligent data analytics to better understand and enhance fan engagement behaviour.
Additionally, Alibaba’s consumer AI platforms, Quark and the Tongyi App, will serve as Official Marketing Partners of NBA China, expanding the collaboration’s reach through nationwide fan engagement initiatives.
The partnership underscores the growing role of AI and cloud technologies in redefining sports entertainment, with NBA China and Alibaba Cloud combining their technological and media expertise to deliver new forms of interactive and immersive fan experiences.
