The NBA could use a sensor-equipped "smart ball" in games as soon as 2027, according to Commissioner Adam Silver. The league and Wilson are testing a Bluetooth sensor weighing about one gram inside a regulation basketball to track movement, spin and trajectory.
The idea has two possible markets: better officiating for the league and performance data for consumers. Neither opportunity has a disclosed revenue estimate, so investors should treat the project as product development rather than a financial forecast.
What the NBA has tested
The league said select exhibition games used Wilson-developed connected basketballs for research. The data did not affect calls in those games. Silver said players tested balls with and without the chip in the G League, Summer League and preseason without detecting a difference.
For officiating, a change in spin could help determine whether a player touched the ball before it went out of bounds. Trajectory data could also provide another signal on deflections. The system would still need reliable calibration, clear rules and integration with human review.
The consumer opportunity
A retail version could help players analyze release angle, rotation and shooting consistency. That would turn the ball from equipment into a data product and could support apps, coaching services or premium pricing.
Wilson is owned by Amer Sports. The company's Ball & Racquet segment grew 14% in the fourth quarter of 2025, led by softgoods and baseball, while Amer Sports said Wilson Tennis 360 helped drive second-quarter 2026 momentum. Those results show that Wilson is financially relevant to the group, but they do not isolate basketball revenue or quantify the smart-ball opportunity.
Data rights are another constraint. The NBA is also discussing wearables with the players' union, and Silver acknowledged concern that performance data could affect contract bargaining. A ball creates less personal data than a body-worn sensor, but ownership, access and use still need clear rules.
BTI conclusion
The smart ball could improve calls and create a new training category, yet the investment case remains early. The next milestones are formal approval for game use, disclosed consumer timing and evidence that connected basketballs can generate recurring revenue rather than one-time hardware sales.