FIBA Sign Major New Rights Deal with ESPN

FIBA, the world’s governing body for basketball, have announced a new rights agreement with ESPN that will see over 400 games covering six tournaments across ESPN networks from 2013-2015.

The deal covers the FIBA Americas Championships (2013, 2015), the EuroBaskets (2013, 2015), the FIBA Basketball World Cup (2014) and the FIBA World Championship for Women (2014). The Basketball World Cup was previously called the FIBA World Championships, but is being rebranded to improve popularity.

“ESPN’s commitment to International basketball continues to intensify as the sport’s global popularity soars,” said Leah LaPlaca, vice-president, programming and acquisitions. “This agreement expands our year-round basketball presence while serving the passionate and growing Spanish-speaking audience in the US.”

FIBA Secretary General Patrick Baumann said: “Following a great collaboration over the past three years, we are delighted to announce that ESPN have once again decided to partner with us and our events, including the 2014 FIBA Basketball World Cup which is set to be the biggest basketball event of all time.?

“International basketball is as exciting as sport gets and it is great that the US audience can continue to follow our competitions thanks to a coverage that is second to none,” he added.

ESPN’s television rights will result in telecasts in both English and Spanish, extending throughout the United States and its territories, excluding Puerto Rico. Overall, ESPN, ESPN2, ESPN3 and ESPN Deportes will combine to televise every game. All Team USA and Gold Medal Games will air live on ESPN or ESPN2, and ESPN Deportes.