ESPN Used Laser Arrays for NHL Media Tour
The network employed motion-control cameras and 80 lasers to capture footage of 36 players in Las Vegas.
Updated on Sept. 22, 2026 in Hockey
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ESPN utilized a sophisticated setup involving motion-control robots and laser arrays to film NHL stars during the annual media tour. The production team used specialized lighting technology to capture visual assets for use in upcoming season broadcasts and promotional features.
Why it matters
The high-tech production approach allows ESPN to generate high-quality, in-camera visual effects that will serve as a foundation for promotional content throughout the entire professional hockey season.
The production utilized 80 total lasers and 2.5 kilowatts of power, including a 500-watt center tunnel, to capture content from 36 players. These assets were filmed using a motion-control camera robot on a track.
The players
ESPN
The American international basic cable sports channel provides extensive coverage of professional hockey and league events.
NHL
The National Hockey League is a professional ice hockey organization consisting of teams in the United States and Canada.
Precision Lasers
This production firm specializes in synchronizing laser lighting arrays with advanced camera systems for live action and broadcast media.
The details
Precision Lasers coordinated the shoot, which features a 360-degree ring of laser beams synchronized with camera movements to create visual effects floating around the athletes. All effects were created in-camera without the need for computer-generated imagery.
Timeline
The NHL Player Media Tour began in 2008.
Las Vegas has hosted the annual tour for five years starting in 2021.
The most recent media tour occurred in September 2026.
Roadmap
This production follows a trend of using motion-control camera robots on tracks to achieve professional, cinema-quality visuals in sports broadcasting. By integrating specialized laser effects, networks are moving away from traditional static interviews to create more dynamic visual packages for fans.
Viewers can expect to see these custom laser-effect visuals integrated into promos, broadcast intros, and player features throughout the entire 2026-2027 season. The footage will serve as a primary visual asset for the league as it markets its star players to the national audience.
The takeaway
The implementation of in-camera laser effects highlights a broader shift toward cinematic production values in professional sports broadcasts. Fans should expect these high-production-value visuals to become a standard element of player promotion in future media campaigns.
Further reading
Explore the latest Hockey news for more updates on player coverage and league events.
Source note: This article includes information reported by Sports Video Group.
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