ESPN’s high-tech experiment failed on national television.
The global sports leader has decided to bench its controversial AI-generated ‘moving portraits’. The piece appeared during the NBA Finals and immediately drew backlash online.
The digital misfire occurred during Game 1 of the championship series between the New York Knicks and San Antonio Spurs.
As ABC headed to a commercial break, viewers were treated to what was expected to be an animated version of the classic footage featuring Spurs legend Tony Parker.
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Instead, many fans witnessed an uncanny valley-like nightmare.
NBA legend Tony Parker watches the Oklahoma City Thunder vs. San Antonio Spurs game at AT&T Center on March 16, 2022 in San Antonio, Texas. (Michael Gonzalez/NBAE via Getty Images)
The network used AI to animate a photo of Parker celebrating after winning the 2003 NBA Championship.
However, the results sparked criticism online, with viewers saying the technology distorted the former Spurs star’s facial features.
Social media users quickly superimposed ESPN on top of the graphic.
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Many wondered why the network, which has access to decades of NBA footage and photos, chose to use AI-generated animation in the first place.
“Why use AI when you literally have the photo?” one fan wrote to X.
Another posted: “As soon as I saw this last night I thought it was Tony Parker. Who is this?”
Former narrator Jim Fagan’s AI-generated voice will be featured in next NBA season, NBC Sports reports.
Parker wasn’t the only NBA icon to receive AI treatment.
ESPN also used the technology to animate footage of Boston Celtics legend Bill Russell and Los Angeles Lakers great Kobe Bryant.
On June 5, 2026, thousands of New York Knicks fans gathered in and around Madison Square Garden to celebrate across New York City after the Knicks’ Game 2 victory over the San Antonio Spurs in the NBA Finals. Several fans who climbed telephone poles and other structures during the celebration were arrested. (Selcuk Achar/Anadolu via Getty Images)
The animated portrait disappeared during Game 2 and did not reappear for the remainder of the NBA Finals.
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ESPN executives quietly called off the experiment.
Network Resources confirmed that the graphics were created using AI tools and said management is considering whether to continue using the technology in future broadcasts.
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