This effect is most likely made with a powerful remote strobe aimed down at a specific spot on the court, often from the ceiling or a support near the basket. The photographer then exposes for that flash-lit area, which makes the ambient-lit background go much darker.

That means your basic idea is right: it’s a controlled flash setup creating a localized pool of light, not a continuous spotlight.

At larger venues, remote strobes may already be installed or permitted for official photographers, but lighting rules vary by arena and event. It’s generally not something any photographer can set up casually without approval.

It usually won’t look strange on TV because flash duration is extremely brief. It’s more like a very fast burst than a sustained light source, so viewers typically won’t notice it the way they would a continuous spotlight or lightning.

Could it affect other photographers? In theory yes, but because the burst is so short, it’s less disruptive than you might think. Remote strobes are also often triggered selectively, so they fire only when intended.