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.