A strategic partnership that will revolutionize the world of VR games: the NBA and META team up! META shares up a whopping 2.8%!

Meta announced the extension of a multi-year partnership with the National Basketball Association (NBA) to deliver enhanced virtual reality (VR) games via Meta Quest. According to the announcement, Meta Quest – the official VR headset of the NBA and WNBA – will offer live NBA League Pass games in virtual reality throughout the season. As a result, basketball fans will be able to watch live NBA Arena games in Meta Horizon worlds.

After the announcement, META shares gained about 2.8 percent Monday to close the day at $143.27. Up about 20% year to date, META shares have had a profitable start to the year after falling more than 53% last year.

Meta and the NBA enter into a multi-year partnership

Meta’s extended partnership with the NBA will allow fans to purchase NBA-licensed apparel in the Meta Avatars Store and authenticated access to NBA League Pass in Xtadium, a VR sports hub app that offers shared high-definition viewing experiences. The partnership has already scheduled some NBA games to be featured in Meta’s VR headset.

Among the expected games are Denver Nuggets vs. New Orleans Pelicans, which will be played today; Denver Nuggets vs. Milwaukee Bucks, scheduled for tomorrow; Cleveland Cavaliers vs. Oklahoma City Thunder, which will be played on Jan. 27; and LA Clippers vs. Cleveland Cavaliers, which will be played on Jan. 29.

“Our expanded partnership with Meta will provide more immersive and innovative ways to experience the NBA” said Jennifer Chun, NBA executive vice president and head of content partnerships. “Meta’s digital world opens up exciting opportunities for NBA fans to virtually attend our games and interact with other fans around the world.“

Notably, the NBA’s partnership with Meta will allow for 52 live NBA League Pass games – including five 180-degree monoscopic immersive VR games in 2880 resolution – to be broadcast at NBA Arena on Meta’s Horizon Worlds.

“Meta’s immersive VR technology opens up new opportunities for sports fans to engage and interact with their favorite NBA teams ” said Rob Shaw, Meta’s director of sports media and league partnerships. “The NBA always pushes us to innovate and leverage the latest technologies to open the door to new experiences for fans, and this chapter of our partnership accomplishes just that.“

Through this partnership, NBA apparel purchased from the Meta Avatars Store will be able to be featured on Instagram, Facebook, Meta Quest and Messenger. In addition, Meta will be advertised at NBA live events to showcase the VR technology center.

As a result, the $370 billion technology company will have future growth prospects assured in a competitive market.