This would be a game changer.
The German company ASB GlassFloor is looking to replace wooden basketball courts with glass ones — shattering hoops’ hardwood tradition.
To create the floorboards, layers of safety glass are fused together, covering LED panels, which not only allow for customized playing lines, logos and color changes, but the projection of real-time game stats, replays and interactive activities for fans.
Naturally, the idea sounds ludicrous to some, who envision players literally crashing through the glass during a game.
“Oh my gosh, it’s going to break, it’s harder, people are going to break the glass, they’re going to fall through it,’” managing director of the Americas division of ASB GlassFloor Chris Thornton explained of the concerns he often hears.
“It’s actually quite the opposite.”
These high-tech floors already made their debut at All-Star events at Lucas Oil Stadium in 2024, which included a riveting 3-point challenge between Stephen Curry and Sabrina Ionescu.
When the NBA broke the news on X, fans expressed their concerns for the safety of the players.
“Anybody sitting here wondering about players safety, glass cracking, and playing on blinding LED surface?” one wrote.
“Truly crazy but looks like it’ll be incredibly distracting to players,” another added.
Thornton explained there is an aluminum and steel skeleton below the LED paneling and that the glass has more give and flexibility than its wood predecessor.
The courts, which come with a higher price tag, were also used at the University of Kentucky at the start of their basketball team’s 2024 season.
“I love everything about the versatility of this floor,” head coach of the Kentucky Wildcats mens basketball coach Mark Pope said in a video captured by ASB.
“I don’t know what I was expecting, but it squeaks like a real basketball court,” women’s player Cassidy Rowe added in the clip.
Thornton said the NBA has bought a minority stake in the company and over 100 players and coaches have already tested their courts.
“As we integrate with the other data providers in both the NCAA and NBA, we are only going to get better and better with what improving what you can do on an ASB GlassFloor,” he said. “The focus now up to today has been getting a surface that is comfortable for the athletes to play on, and we’ve done that.”
They’ve already been installed overseas — in the home stadiums for Bayern Munich in Germany and Panathinaikos Athens in Greece.
Although some remain dubious, others on X praised the innovation.
“This is insane. Should make for some cool moments,” one marveled.
“This the stuff we used to dream of as kids,” another said.
With Post wires
