
NBA Dunk the halls
01.
Objective
The NBA and ESPN approached Beyond Sports to deliver the league’s first-ever animated broadcast—airing live during one of the most high-profile slots of the year: Christmas Day. The goal was to introduce the next generation of basketball fans to the sport in a fun and engaging way using beloved Disney characters and playful storylines to spark curiosity and excitement. Strategically placed after the nationally televised Christmas morning parade on ABC, the NBA aimed to capture family audiences during peak holiday viewing and deliver a virtual experience that blended the magic of Disney with the thrill of live basketball.
02.
The solution
Beyond Sports delivered the NBA Dunk The Halls alternative broadcast, building a 3D world in ‘Disney World’s Main Street’’ that stayed true to the brand and the live-action. The live alternate broadcast of the San Antonio Spurs vs New York Knicks game took place in a custom-made environment and with bespoke characters using Disney IP. The main stars of the show were the original ‘Sensational Six’ Disney characters, who through the use of our groundbreaking player modelling technology participated in the game. Subbing in for the respective athletes, we were able to showcase the realistic and dynamic movements of Mickey & Friends accounting for the differences in dimensions in comparison to the NBA players. Dunk the Halls included educational elements about the sport and fun content for young fans, such as spotting hidden Mickeys, seeing how many churros Goofy can eat and the characters participating in a halftime slam dunk contest.
03.
Impact
The NBA Dunk The Halls broadcast was an instant sensation, seeing over 100 million people actively engaged on social media and amassing over 5 million likes on related posts within 24 hours of the game. Additionally, our technology powered the first fully animated professional basketball game, a milestone achievement in sports technology. This success culminated in a nomination for the prestigious George Wensel Technical Achievement Award at the 2025 Sports Emmys.