NBA Games Broadcast In Empty Arenas May Use 'NBA 2K' For Crowd Noise

When the NBA returns to action, the games will likely be held in mostly-empty arenas. The league is concerned about how the quiet arenas will sound on television and is working on a plan to pump in crowd noise using sound effects from the video game NBA 2K.

The NBA is not the only professional sports league to considering piping in crowd noise from video games to fill the silence of an empty arena. SkySports is planning to use ambient crowd noise from FIFA 20 for their broadcasts when they resume on June 17.

According to The Athletic's Shams Charania, the league and the players have not committed to pumping in crowd noise and are "still discussing creative opportunities."

The NBA is planning to return to action on July 31 at Walt Disney World, where 22 teams will compete for the 16 available playoff spots. 

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