I asked whether the NBA experience would stay free, and Shaw didn’t rule it out. “I think the business model can be redefined,” he explained. “It’s not necessarily going to have to be pay-per-view but an economy that can be built around the viewership experience.” He added that if the VR experience can truly evolve to mimic being courtside, “I can see them wanting to put a price point on a ticket. But that’s a decision to be made by the league and media company.” Ultimately, it’s up to the NBA whether to charge consumers. The league didn’t make an official available to CNBC to discuss it.