IMG Media Secures Distribution Rights to FIBA’s 3×3 Competitions

The International Basketball Federation (FIBA) have signed a long term deal with IMG Media, capsule a division of IMG, symptoms for the distribution of the worldwide rights of FIBA’s 3×3 official competitions.

As aprt of the agreement, IMG will distribute the FIBA 3×3 World Tour and the FIBA 3×3 All Stars (city-based events) as well as the FIBA 3×3 World and Zone Championships both Open and U18 (national-team events). 

The deal which comes into effect immediately will help FIBA boost its worldwide TV presence. 

Media interest has steadily increased throughout the last series of 3×3 events, with the FIBA 3×3 All Stars broadcast in over 80 countries last December. 

“3×3 is one of the four pillars of FIBA’s development strategy. We are excited to work with IMG whose strong experience in sports events distribution should help us achieve our ambitious goals for the high-rising discipline,” said FIBA Secretary General and IOC member Patrick Baumann. 

“The interest for the FIBA 3×3 All Stars was immediately confirmed in Brazil in the beginning of 2014 with the Copa América de Basquete 3×3 generating a 50 percent audience share. 3×3 has also found a wide and young audience on its YouTube channel, which tallies over 3,5 million views with fans already watching close to 8 million minutes of 3×3. 

“While we are pleased with the TV presence in Brazil, Europe or the Middle East for example, we are keen to extend 3×3’s live and delayed content into new markets. We have also secured deals to offer a new TV magazine and provide all broadcasters with tailor-made video content, profiling 3×3 stars and flagship events more prominently.” 

The 2014 season will feature a 6-stop FIBA 3×3 World Tour which culminates with a final staged in Tokyo, the FIBA 3×3 All Stars held in Doha and as soon as June (5-8) the FIBA 3×3 World Championships (for Men and Women) in Moscow. 

“We firmly believe the 3×3 format has huge potential to grow the sport of basketball on a global basis and are delighted to enter into a long-term partnership with FIBA,” said IMG Media Executive VP Ioris Francini.