The NBA basketball league has entered into a partnership with secure identity company Clear, whose Health Pass technology will be made available to teams for in-arena health screening.
Clear’s Health Pass solution securely connects a user’s verified identity to multiple layers of COVID-19-related health information. The technology is designed to reduce public health risk and aid the safe return of fans to NBA arenas in the US.
As part of the agreement, fans will be able to securely access and verify their health information before entering an arena on game day. As COVID-19 vaccination roll-out continues in the US, guests will soon be able to link vaccination records to their Health Pass account.
A third of NBA teams have already started using the Health Pass technology for their in-arena employee or fan safety protocols. The technology is currently used by more than 50 organisations across the US, including teams across all major leagues, MGM Resorts and the state of Hawaii.
Clear chief executive Caryn Seidman-Becker said: “Trust and transparency are Clear’s number one priority, and with Health Pass, our goal is to get people back to what they love while ensuring they are always in control of their health information. As states reopen sports venues to fans in the US, we are thrilled to team up with the NBA to help create safer fan experiences and reimagine the future of sports.”
Dan Rossomondo, NBA’s senior vice-president of media and business development, added: “Clear’s Health Pass is an innovative technology that can further enhance the league’s health and safety protocols at arenas and the wellbeing of those who attend NBA games. We are grateful to Clear for their partnership and commitment to creating safe environments and experiences for our fans.”
ESPN, citing league sources, reported that the NBA is expecting all arenas to be at full capacity for the 2021-22 season, with the Clear partnership designed to aid the swift return of fans. More than two thirds of teams are currently welcoming a limited number of fans to their arenas.
Meanwhile, public health and disinfection company Clorox has enhanced its presence in the NBA by signing partnerships with the Golden State Warriors, Atlanta Hawks and New York Knicks. Clorox will provide disinfecting products to the teams’ arenas as part of the agreements.
Clorox signed a league-wide deal with the NBA and WNBA last month and will supply disinfecting products to games and events.
Image: Tony Wasserman/CC BY-SA 2.0/Edited for size
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