GoKawiil
Tech News
Researchers examined brain tissue from 338 former NFL players who died recently and found that the vast majority showed signs of chronic traumatic encephalopathy, a degenerative brain disease linked to repeated head trauma. The new findings suggest the condition is more widespread among professional football players than previously estimated.
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.
ESPN is increasing subscription costs across nearly all its streaming tiers, with ESPN Unlimited rising to $32 monthly and $320 annually, and ESPN Select climbing to $14 monthly and $140 annually. Several Disney+ and Hulu bundles that include ESPN Select will also see price hikes, though bundles featuring ESPN Unlimited remain unaffected for now.
NFL running back Christian McCaffrey has taken an ownership and co-founder stake in a footwear startup, letting his nine-year Nike deal lapse to do so. The partnership, formed with entrepreneur Todd Meleney, has produced a training shoe called The CMC, designed around McCaffrey's own feedback after he criticized an early prototype for lacking support and stability.