NBA to have centralized replay center for 2014-15 season

By Bryan Rose | May 18, 2014

December 18, 2012; Denver, CO, USA; NFL referees Bill Kennedy (55) and Derek Richardson (left) review a play using instant replay on the sidelines during the second half between the San Antonio Spurs and the Denver Nuggets at the Pepsi Center. The Nuggets won 112-106. Mandatory Credit: Chris Humphreys-USA TODAY Sports /

Banking off the success of Major League Baseball (if you want to call it that), the NBA has decided to have their own centralized replay center for the 2014-15 season and beyond, this according to Ira Winderman.

The NBA of course has used replay for a handful of seasons and even implemented more reviewable plays in recent years, though did all replay reviews in-arena. That will no longer be the case as replays will seemingly go to the new replay center, much how MLB sends replay to their New York based command center.

Just been informed the NBA WILL have a centralized replay center for next season's games. So these playoffs last games with on-site review.
— Ira Winderman (@IraHeatBeat) May 18, 2014

Currently NBA referees must use in-house camera feeds and make a determination on the call using relatively small screens (though they’re far better than they were even just a season or two ago). That said, having a set of officials based in the replay center will assist everybody.

It’s possible that the NBA/teams may also add additional cameras in arenas to get better views of plays in need of review, though that’s speculation at this point.

There has been no official comment from the NBA nor has there been any mention of how many referees will be placed in the command center. There has also been no mention of any of the rules (time limits, etc) much like Major League Baseball.

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