The International Basketball Federation (FIBA) has signed an agreement with ESPN for coverage of basketball to US viewers between now and 2021.
The agreement will see ESPN broadcast all of FIBA’s Men’s and Women’s Continental Cups during that time, as well as the FIBA Basketball World Cup 2019 qualifiers and the FIBA Women’s Basketball World Cup 2018.
Burke Magnus, ESPN’s executive vice-president for programming and scheduling, said: “ESPN is excited to continue our partnership with FIBA as the popularity of international basketball continues to ascend.
“This is our largest deal to date with FIBA, which will expand our year-round basketball presence exponentially.”
The agreement, which was brokered by FIBA Media, a strategic partnership between FIBA and Perform which is responsible for securing multi-year agreements, related to FIBA’s new calendar of events.
This sees specific international windows factored in around club competitions, but has led to disputes with organisations such as Euroleague.
Frank Leenders, director-general of FIBA Media, said: “The USA is FIBA’s top ranked country and the home of basketball and our agreement with ESPN means that fans will get to see the very best of international basketball on a regular basis.
“Following the conclusion of this summer’s Continental Cups, the next games in November will see the USA men’s team playing in their qualifiers for the FIBA Basketball World Cup 2019 as they aim to be among the 32 teams playing in China come August 2019.
“In addition, the USA women’s team will be fighting to retain their Basketball World Cup title in Spain in September of next year.”
By Declan McSweeney
Republished with permission from insidethegames.biz.