Alibaba Cloud and NBA China Team Up to Revolutionize Fan Experience with AI

Oct 9, 2025 at 1:46 PM

Alibaba Cloud, the digital technology division of Alibaba Group, has entered into a significant multi-year collaboration with NBA China. This partnership is poised to fundamentally redefine how basketball enthusiasts in China interact with the sport, promising a more immersive and personalized experience through cutting-edge artificial intelligence and cloud-based solutions.

Details of the AI-Powered Fan Experience Revolution

The groundbreaking alliance between Alibaba Cloud and NBA China was officially unveiled just before The NBA China Games 2025, an event that will showcase the Brooklyn Nets and Phoenix Suns. Alibaba Group Chairman Joe Tsai and NBA Deputy Commissioner Mark Tatum jointly announced this strategic initiative. Under the terms of this agreement, Alibaba Cloud has been designated as the Official Cloud Computing and AI Partner for NBA China. The core objective of this collaboration is to co-create advanced fan experiences, integrating AI tools and robust cloud infrastructure. This will lead to significant improvements in live game broadcasts and interactive content delivery during major events like the NBA All-Star, the Playoffs, and the Finals. A key element of this partnership is the development of AI-driven products designed to make viewing and interaction more dynamic and engaging. Fans will gain access to real-time game data, highlight reels, and digital content across various platforms. Specifically, Alibaba Cloud plans to develop a proprietary AI model for NBA China, built upon its Qwen foundational models. This model will deliver real-time highlights, player statistics, and interactive content directly to Chinese users of the NBA app. Furthermore, Alibaba Cloud will introduce its innovative Real-Time 360 Replay Solution during the China Games, providing fans with AI-generated, multi-angle replays that capture pivotal moments in spherical detail. Beyond broadcast enhancements, fans attending NBA House will have the unique opportunity to generate personalized NBA avatars and voice-cloned commentary clips using Alibaba's advanced AI tools. To further strengthen the digital infrastructure, NBA China will transition its entire digital ecosystem, including its official website, mini-programs, and the NBA app, to Alibaba Cloud's robust infrastructure, promising enhanced scalability and advanced data analytics capabilities. Consumer AI applications such as Quark and Tongyi will also serve as vital marketing partners within this comprehensive agreement.

This collaboration between Alibaba Cloud and NBA China represents a visionary step forward, merging the thrill of sports with the power of advanced technology. It underscores the potential of artificial intelligence and cloud computing to not only enhance entertainment but also to forge deeper, more personalized connections between global sports leagues and their dedicated fan bases, setting a new benchmark for digital engagement in the sports industry.