The NBA this weekend during All-Star Game festivities in Toronto will begin a beta test of a natural-language search function on its official statistics destination, NBA.com/Stats. Working with the league’s official business analytics software partner SAP, the NBA will use the HANA platform to allow for easier queries and faster response times, including through voice-activated mobile devices, to sort through the 4.5 quadrillion statistical combinations available on NBA.com/Stats. The NBA’s work on natural-language search with SAP parallels a similar effort by S.F.-based artificial intelligence outfit StatMuse in which it is providing statistical content during the current NBA season for ESPN. StatMuse investors include former NBA Commissioner David Stern (Eric Fisher, Staff Writer).
BACK FOR MORE: espnW has re-signed Kate Fagan to a multiyear extension in which she will continue as a featured reporter and columnist. Fagan makes appearances on ESPN TV shows and will soon have two national radio shows. The weekly program "Will & Kate" launches Sunday on ESPN Radio featuring Fagan and ESPN contributor Will Cain. She also co-hosts "espnW's The Trifecta," which debuted last month. Fagan, who was repped by MAXX Sports' Michael Klein in her negotiations, is the third espnW contributor to re-sign after Julie Foudy and Jane McManus re-upped in '15 (THE DAILY).
RUN IT BACK: In L.A., David Wharton notes NBC yesterday announced Bob Costas "will return" as the net's primetime Olympic host for the Rio Games, "extending his unprecedented run as the face of the Games." This "will be Costas' 11th time in the top seat, dating back" to the '92 Barcelona Games. No other U.S. commentator -- "not even the venerable Jim McKay -- comes close to that record" (L.A. TIMES, 2/11).
LEADING THE PACK: Fox Sports topped all sports broadcasters in engagement around Super Bowl-related videos posted to Facebook this past Sunday, according to data by Shareablee. Fox Sports delivered 6 million Facebook video views on Super Bowl Sunday, up 54% over last year, including nine live video chats with Cowboys QB Tony Romo before, during and after the game that drove 2.2 million video views. Fox' @TheBuzzer, a short-form video series, garnered 3 million video views on game day (Fox Sports).
