ESPN Pulls AI NBA Finals Portraits After 1 Game of Backlash

1 articles · Updated · Fox News · Jun 9

Game 1 of the NBA Finals was the only outing for ESPN's AI-generated “moving portraits”; the network removed them for Game 2 and the rest of the series.
Tony Parker's animated image drew the sharpest criticism after viewers said the AI distorted his face, turning a 2003 championship photo into an uncanny on-air graphic.
ESPN also used AI animations of Bill Russell and Kobe Bryant, prompting fans to question why the broadcaster relied on synthetic imagery despite having extensive archival footage and photos.
A network source confirmed AI tools made the graphics, and management is now reviewing whether to use the technology in future broadcasts.