Making the Right Call: How AI Is Reshaping Officiating Across Pro Sports

Moderator: Saj Cherian

Panelists: Monty McCutchen, Joe Martinez, Evan Wasch, Daryl Morey

The NBA and MLB are actively testing and deploying AI-driven systems that are fundamentally changing how games are officiated and played. In this panel, we dive into the mechanics of automating sports adjudication. The discussion will cover real-world case studies including MLB's Automated Ball-Strike (ABS) system, the NBA's Court iQ system, and the feedback loop of testing rule changes in the G League and Minor Leagues. Panelists will unpack the technical challenges of replacing human judgment with algorithms, the impact on game flow and strategy, and what specific rules are next in line for automation.