Why Australian Open live streams look like Wii tennis — and what it means for sports
That could include animated versions of highlight reels for social media and condensed games to air on weekend mornings, he says, “sort of the new version of Saturday morning cartoons for kids.” The technology could be used to turn players into avatars of themselves or entirely different animated characters, insert “crazy landscapes” behind them or […]
That could include animated versions of highlight reels for social media and condensed games to air on weekend mornings, he says, “sort of the new version of Saturday morning cartoons for kids.” The technology could be used to turn players into avatars of themselves or entirely different animated characters, insert “crazy landscapes” behind them or “make the hockey puck look like a cookie.”
Reid told the AP he doesn’t think animation will become the primary way to watch sports, at least not in his lifetime.
The leagues have partnered with rights holders to incorporate characters, settings and animation styles from popular cartoon franchises into specially themed games since 2023.
“What we’ve seen is that side-by-side viewing was occurring,” he said. “And that’s what happened in my house. We had the traditional live game on ESPN, and on an iPad we were watching the animated version. And part of the allure of the experience is actually seeing the two side-by-side — holy cow, it’s like, this is a real hockey game.”
“Even longer term, I think what you’re going to get is some ability for fans to create their own experience,” Lehanski added. “But until then, we’re going to rely on world-class producers to create experiences that are customized for audiences.”
The NFL, CBS Sports and Nickelodeon teamed up to bring SpongeBob and plenty of slime to a “kids-centric” telecast of the 2024 Super Bowl, for example. ESPN and Disney presented a “Funday Football”Toy Story animated game in 2023, and another with The Simpsons in December, featuring the canonical yellow characters on the field and sidelines, pre-recorded segments and the show’s theme song and jingles.
The fact that rebroadcasting rights are separate would explain why concluded matches and highlight reels show the players in their human form, he added.
Lehanski says the NHL has gotten “overwhelmingly positive” audience feedback and is currently in the process of testing in the hopes of offering animated broadcasts on a more regular basis.
The Australian Open isn’t the only — or first — sports entity trying to figure that out.
“By integrating skeletal tracking data with animated characters, this mixed-reality experience is designed to captivate a new generation of tennis fans, making the sport more accessible and engaging, particularly for kids and families,” Tennis Australia Chief Content Officer Darren Pearce said in a statement.
The real-life players have also signaled their approval.
Lehanski told NPR in an interview that while average broadcasts typically draw an audience that’s about 60% male and 40% female, the animated broadcasts “basically flipped that.” He said they also “lowered the average by like 25 years,” with a much smaller than typical percentage of viewers above the age of 35. Lehanski said it didn’t take traffic away from the regular live broadcast, either.
“It’s obviously really different from watching a tennis match with humans,” he said, pointing to the lack of facial expressions and other human qualities. “It seems like it sparks curiosity, but is this sustainable?”
It’s those technological developments that open up even more possibilities — like maybe, one day, giving tennis avatars fingers with which to hold their racquets, as Reid hinted.
It also presented the MultiVersus NHL Face-Off, a partnership with TNT Sports and Warner Bros. Games that brought beloved characters from the MultiVersus video game — including Bugs Bunny, Batman, Superman, Wonder Woman and Steven Universe — to an animated matchup between the Colorado Avalanche and Vegas Golden Knights, officiated by the Tasmanian Devil.
Looney Tunes on ice, the Simpsons take the field
The NHL has done several such projects dating back to February 2023, when it collaborated with ESPN and Disney for the NHL Big City Greens Classic — a live, animated telecast of a Washington Capitals-New York Rangers faceoff, with players modeled after characters from the animated comedy adventure series, which it reprised the following year.
Tennis Australia says the streams during the first four days of the tournament got 950,000 views, compared to roughly 140,000 in the same window last year, the AP reports. NPR has reached out to Tennis Australia for more information.
The “animated feeds” quietly debuted during last year’s Australian Open, according to the Associated Press. This year, it expanded to more matches — and seems to have made a much bigger impression.
Spain’s Carlos Alcaraz, a four-time Grand Slam winner, called it “amusing” and “a good option for people who want to watch tennis and can’t.” Canada’s Leylah Fernandez, who said she stumbled upon the animation by accident, called it “hilarious.” Animation could become a more regular feature in certain sporting events, depending on audience interest, technological capability and licensing availability.
“The usual use of this practice is not to get around a broadcasting restriction, but instead to import intellectual property into a broadcast and hope to attract a broader base of viewers,” McCann explained.
Tennis fans worldwide can stream Australian Open matches online, with a catch: The players on screen aren’t real human beings, but video game-like avatars on a computer-generated court.
“We’re scratching the surface with this,” he said. “I mean, there’s so much more that’s going to come.”
The tournament — which runs through Jan. 26 — sold its broadcast rights to media companies around the world, limiting its live coverage capabilities. Instead, it is using animation to transmit the action live on its YouTube channel. Organizers hope the creative workaround will bring the first Grand Slam of the year even more viewers, and win over new fans.
One thing the players don’t have? Fingers. Machar Reid, director of innovation at Tennis Australia, told The Guardianthat the system — which involves 12 cameras and 29 tracking points in the skeleton — is “not as seamless as it could be … but in time you can begin to imagine a world where that comes.”
On social media, tweets and TikToks of the cartoon-like players and standout moments — including Russia’s Daniil Medvedev smashing a net camera with his racquet — have garnered tens of thousands of likes.
Are animated sports the future?
A screenshot of a livestreamed Australian Open match between Madison Keys and Elena-Gabriela Ruse on Thursday. The Open’s use of animation is making a splash online. (Australian Open TV/Screenshot by NPR)
And, he says, it worked.
During live gameplay, however, the players — and the general contours and colors of their outfits — are animated in a Nintendo Wii-esque style, as are the court, racquets, balls, umpires, ball people and spectators. The sounds, commentary and action are real, just on a roughly two-minute delay.
“The whole premise for what we did the first two seasons was to create an experience that reached beyond the avid, if not even sort of semi-avid, NHL fan base to try to pull in a younger, more family-oriented audience,” said David Lehanski, the NHL’s executive vice president of business development and innovation.
Michael McCann, the director of the Sports and Entertainment Law Institute at the University of New Hampshire, told NPR that while animated characters could certainly help bring in younger fans, they are “at least in part a way of providing the coverage of the event in the absence of a broadcasting right.”
“But who knows?” he said. “The world of sport and entertainment is moving so, so quickly.”
He says the technology involved in the animation — which includes light emitters inside the puck and the back of players’ jerseys — has improved since the NHL started using it, rendering players’ movements and strides even more accurately.
“It’s a way of making a product that might be more geared towards young adults and up to younger folks and also parents, parents that might not watch an NHL game but will with their children if there are characters on it that the children are interested in.”
McCann, the law professor, says it remains to be seen whether animation will play a bigger role in sports streaming going forward.
American organizations, including the National Hockey League and National Football League have been experimenting with animated broadcasts for years, albeit in a slightly different format.
WAIMEA — A celebration of the top Hawaii Preparatory Academy senior athletes was held early last week in Waimea, as five soon-to-be graduates inked their letters of intent to their future collegiate programs. Headlining the group was track and field phenom Elaina Head, who will join Babson College’s track and field program this fall. Babson […]
WAIMEA — A celebration of the top Hawaii Preparatory Academy senior athletes was held early last week in Waimea, as five soon-to-be graduates inked their letters of intent to their future collegiate programs.
Headlining the group was track and field phenom Elaina Head, who will join Babson College’s track and field program this fall. Babson is an NCAA Division III program located in Wellesley, Mass.
For Head, the school’s close community on and off the track played a major role in her decision.
“I chose Babson College for its amazing business program and its close-knit community,” Head told West Hawaii Today. “I wanted to go to a college that was on the smaller side, and their track and field team is very close to one another.”
Over the past four years with Ka Makani, Head has specialized in a variety of field events, including triple jump, high jump, discus throw and long jump. Head finished high school with 73 total individual wins across her events, including 23 wins in 2025 alone. She additionally broke a stadium record in the high jump at the BIIF Championships on May 3, where she launched 1.70 meters (5-07.00). Head also placed fifth in the high jump (5-03.00) and sixth in the triple jump (34-11.50) at states last weekend.
Now stepping on to the collegiate stage, Head believes she has the right mindset to excel at the next level.
I believe I will be able to bring my strong and competitive spirit, in addition to my ability to compete at the next level that is required of me for collegiate track,” she said. “I also hope that I will be able to bring my leadership and willingness to learn and grow to the team as well.”
Head also played volleyball, often cited as one of the leaders on the squad. She helped HPA win multiple BIIF Division II titles and reach multiple state tournament appearances. Head thanked the school for helping her reach the point she is at today.
“HPA has helped to mould me into the athlete I am through every opportunity to work with other amazing athletes who show true dedication to their sports,” she said. “By attending HPA, I was able to go to the HHSAA meets all four years of high school. My marks got me to the competitions, but my school backed me up.”
Head also pointed to the guidance of her coaches and parents as a catalyst in becoming one of the top athletes in Hawaii.
“I would really like to thank all of the coaches I have had over the year — Coach Melissa, Coach Jim, Coach Jed, Coach Meagan, Coach Ka‘ai and Coach Jacob — my dad,” Head said. “I would also like to thank my parents — Jolene and Jacob Head — for their ever consistent support and guidance throughout my life, and especially in my sports endeavors.
“Next, I would like to thank my coach at Babson College for recruiting me and giving me the opportunity to pursue the sport I love at this next level. I am excited for what is to come and for how far I will be able to go beside my team.”
Ka Makani baseball star Nishiki Iwai also signed, planning to play baseball for Hawaii Pacific University next year. Iwai was a central contributor in the red and white’s 8-6 season, leading the team in hits, RBI, home runs, innings pitched, wins and strikeouts. A notable pitching performance from the senior came on Feb. 19 against Honoka‘a, when Iwai struck out 12 batters.
Maile Imonen signed with Chapman University in Orange, Calif., to play water polo for the Panthers. Imonen logged 129 goals across her four years for the red and white, including 31 in her senior season. She posted a career-high 53 goals in her junior season in 2024. Imonen helped HPA win the BIIF title this past spring with a 10-2 league record, while also reaching the state tournament.
Rounding out the rest of the signees were volleyball stars Margot Lewis and Mya Pinkert. Lewis, who led the team in aces during her senior season, signed with Denison University in Granville, Ohio. Pinkert, who led HPA in digs and kills, will play for Concordia University in Irvine, Calif. Pinkert led Ka Makani with 11 kills in her final match with the red and white against Kapa‘a in the consolation bracket of the DII state tournament.
Community rallies to honor Berks swimmer headed to Special Olympics | Berks Regional News
The community is rallying around a young athlete who was selected to compete in the U.S. Special Olympic games. Kylah Schlott is the first swimmer chosen from Berks County in more than two decades. State Rep. Jacklyn Rusnock (D-126) presented the Muhlenberg School District water polo alumna with a House citation Wednesday. Schlott will travel […]
Mike Anderson Breaks Hurdles Record Again as Men’s Track and Field Takes 15th at AARTFC Championships
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Williamstown, Mass. – May 15, 2025 – Sophomore Mike Anderson (Cromwell, Conn.) solidified his spot at the NCAA outdoor championships and once again broke his own school record in the 110-meter hurdles this afternoon at the AARTFC championships held at Williams College as Springfield finished 15th overall as a team. Anderson finished […]
Williamstown, Mass. – May 15, 2025 – Sophomore Mike Anderson (Cromwell, Conn.) solidified his spot at the NCAA outdoor championships and once again broke his own school record in the 110-meter hurdles this afternoon at the AARTFC championships held at Williams College as Springfield finished 15th overall as a team.
Anderson finished second overall in the 110-meter hurdles breaking his own school record with a time of 14.23. His time currently sits 15th nationally with the NCAA set to make selections for the outdoor national championships tomorrow. Isaiah Hannah (Ballston Spa, N.Y.) finished 15th overall in the event in 15.44.
The 4×400-meter relay team of Tyler Fabbri (Andover, Mass.), Sam Polley (Feeding Hills, Mass.), Michael Scott (Shoreview, Minn.) and Colin Hansen (Ipswich, Mass.) wrapped up their season with a third place finish in 3:13.10. Hansen went on to take eighth in the 400-meter dash in 47.98, while Scott took tenth in the 200-meter dash in 21.86.
Seth Twarog (Hubbardston, Mass.) also claimed 29th in the 400-meter dash in 49.81 to wrap up his outdoor campaign.
In the field events, Cristian Roman-Koenig (Wallingford, Conn.) threw the javelin 50.88-meters for 17th overall, while Daniel McGlashan (Haverhill, Mass.) leapt 13.18-meters for 22nd in the triple jump.
For the latest on Springfield College Athletics, follow the Pride on social media on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram. Be sure to tune into all Springfield College Athletic events by subscribing to FloSports.
Friday 16th May, 2025 08:48 AM| By BBC Portugal and Al-Nassr forward Cristiano Ronaldo. PHOTO/@Cristiano/X Cristiano Ronaldo has topped the Forbes list of highest-paid athletes for the third consecutive year, while NBA star Stephen Curry has moved up to second. The business magazine, external says Ronaldo, who has topped the list fives times during his career, has […]
Portugal and Al-Nassr forward Cristiano Ronaldo. PHOTO/@Cristiano/X
Cristiano Ronaldo has topped the Forbes list of highest-paid athletes for the third consecutive year, while NBA star Stephen Curry has moved up to second.
The business magazine, external says Ronaldo, who has topped the list fives times during his career, has increased his estimated total earnings by $15m to $275m (approx £206m).
That figure has only been surpassed by former world champion boxer Floyd Mayweather, who earned $300m in 2015 (then £194m) and $275m in 2018 (then £205m).
Portugal forward Ronaldo, 40, moved to the lucrative Saudi Pro League with Al Nassr in December 2022 and has generated greater income through off-field endorsements and sponsorship deals backed by his social media followers, which currently total 939m.
Christiano Ronaldo celebrates after scoring for Portugal PHOTO/@Cristiano/x
Women’s Track and Field Finishes 17th at AARTFC Outdoor Championships
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Williamstown, Mass. – May 15, 2025 – The Springfield College women’s track and field team finished 17th overall at the 2025 AARTFC Outdoor Track and Field Championships held on the campus of Williams College today. Samantha Paul (Albany, N.Y.) had the best finish for the Pride as she took third in […]
Williamstown, Mass. – May 15, 2025 – The Springfield College women’s track and field team finished 17th overall at the 2025 AARTFC Outdoor Track and Field Championships held on the campus of Williams College today.
Samantha Paul (Albany, N.Y.) had the best finish for the Pride as she took third in the triple jump with a mark of 11.74-meters. Katherine DeFosse (Worcester, Mass.) crossed the line fourth in the 100-meter hurdles in 14.36, Jillian Scott (Westhampton, Mass.) cleared 3.59-meters for fifth in the pole vault and Kristina Kyle (Watertown, Conn.) clocked a 2:17.62 for eighth in the 800-meter run. Autumn Bacik (Watertown, Conn.) finished the day 26th in the long jump with a mark of 4.80-meters.
Nationally, Paul ranks 13th in the triple jump, Scott ranks 30th in the pole vault and DeFosse ranks 31st in the 100-meter hurdles.
The NCAA is slated to release selections for the outdoor national championship tomorrow.
For the latest on Springfield College Athletics, follow the Pride on social media on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram. Be sure to tune into all Springfield College Athletic events by subscribing to FloSports.
Three Penn State wrestling connections are picked to win at the World Team Trials this weekend
Penn State wrestling is already set to be represented by Luke Lilledahl and Mitchell Mesenbrink at Final X. The June event will feature 20 men’s and women’s freestyle matches to determine the 2025 U.S. Senior team, which will compete at the World Championship later this year. Before that, the U.S. World Team Trials will be […]
Penn State wrestling is already set to be represented by Luke Lilledahl and Mitchell Mesenbrink at Final X. The June event will feature 20 men’s and women’s freestyle matches to determine the 2025 U.S. Senior team, which will compete at the World Championship later this year. Before that, the U.S. World Team Trials will be held this Friday and Saturday in Louisville. That’s where PSU and Nittany Lion Wrestling Club connections can punch their ticket to join Lilledahl and Mesenbrink, and Kyle Snyder in New Jersey. And, one national writer thinks that more than a few will.
Writing for FLO Wrestling, Jon Kozak predicts three Penn State connections will take first this weekend. He projects that senior Levi Haines will win the 79 kilogram (174.1 pounds) bracket while redshirt sophomore Josh Barr claims the 92 kilogram (202.8 pounds) division. He picked the Nittany Lion to do so before Jacob Cardenas dropped from the bracket. Now, Barr might be an even bigger favorite. And, beyond current members of Cael Sanderson’s team, Kozak also has NLWC member and two-time Olympic bronze medalist Kyle Dake taking the 86 kilogram (189.5 pounds) title.
Learn more about the Penn State wrestling connections competing at the U.S. World Team Trials by watching the latest BWI wrestling show below!
“The 79 kg bracket at the WTT is essentially a smaller version of the 79 kg bracket from the US Open,” Kozak writes. “In Vegas, DJ Hamiti finished as the runner-up with a tech fall over Kennedy Monday while losing to Evan Wick in the finals 9-1. Simon Ruiz finished in third place at the US Open, also only losing to Evan Wick (9-5) but defeating Carson Kharchla (twice, 3-2 and 7-7) and Muhamed McBryde (6-4). From these results, Hamiti should be considered a slight favorite, but Ruiz and Kharchla are interesting challengers capable of making a run to the finals.
“Levi Haines is the only wrestler in this bracket who didn’t wrestle at the US Open. While Haines lost to Hamiti at the NCAA Tournament, Haines is capable of winning this bracket in Louisville. Haines hasn’t competed much in freestyle, but he notably finished 4th at the 2024 World Team Trials at 79 kg. There, Haines lost to Jordan Burroughs and David Carr but defeated US Open winner Evan Wick (by pin) and Keegan O’Toole (6-0). Haines’ wrestling translates well to freestyle, and he has incredible potential to win in Louisville and at Final X.”
The action begins 10 a.m. ET on Friday with preliminary round action. The first session closes by 2:30 p.m. ET following the quarterfinal round. The semifinals and consolation bracket action run 4-7:30 p.m. ET on Friday. And, the finals are at 2 p.m. ET on Saturday. FLO is streaming the event. Here’s the list of Penn State connections:
Penn State signee Marcus Blaze and program alum Beau Bartlett – 65 kilograms (143.3 pounds)
Nittany Lion signee PJ Duke – 70 kilograms (154.3 pounds)
Penn State senior Levi Haines – 79 kilograms (174.1 pounds)
Nittany Lion alum Carter Starocci and NLWC member Kyle Dake- 86 kilograms (189.5 pounds)
Penn State redshirt sophomore Josh Barr – 92 kilograms (202.8 pounds)