GoKawiilESPN details tech behind Disney-Pixar animated NFL alt-casts
ESPN executive Michael Szykowny and Pixar's Jay Ward described at Disney's D23 convention how the network builds its animated alternate broadcasts, which recast real athletes as characters like Toy Story figures or Simpsons cast members. The system combines NFL Next Gen Stats player-tracking data, Sony's Beyond Sports engine and Hawk-Eye optical tracking to animate characters in real time, while commentator Drew Carter now uses a VR headset instead of a full motion-capture suit to sync his live calls with his on-screen avatar.
GoKawiil's interpretation of the reporting above, not reported fact.
The project shows how sports broadcasters are using real-time tracking and animation to reach younger or non-traditional viewers without altering the underlying live game. It also signals deepening collaboration between ESPN and Disney's broader IP and entertainment technology divisions, including Pixar, to extend franchise characters into live sports content.
- ESPN's animated alt-casts use NFL Next Gen Stats, Sony Beyond Sports, and Hawk-Eye tracking to mirror live player movement.
- Commentator Drew Carter transitioned from a motion-capture suit to a VR headset to voice and animate his avatar live.
- Pixar collaborated on the Toy Story-themed Funday Football broadcast, blending its animation expertise with ESPN's live sports tech.
Meta Quest 3S VR Headset — ESPN's animated alt-casts lean on VR headsets and motion tracking to turn commentators into cartoon characters in real time — and the Meta Quest 3S is the easiest way to try that kind of head-and-hand tracking yourself. It's a standalone headset, so you can jump into mixed-reality apps, virtual sports viewing and games without a PC.
See Meta Quest 3S VR Headset on Amazon → Affiliate link — we may earn a commission on purchases, at no extra cost to you. Product picked by AI based on this article; it is not a tested recommendation.Source: cnet.com — Corinne Reichert, 2026-08-24
Published there as: “Behind the Scenes of ESPN’s Animated Sports Alt-Casts”
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