The Foxtel Group announced a three-year agreement with the National Basketball League which will see every game of the NBL season and finals live on ESPN broadcast on Foxtel and streamed on Kayo.
Commercial details haven't been revealed but the deal is reported to be worth 45 million.
Patrick Delany, Foxtel CEO, says there is no doubt audience interest in the NBL is at a tipping point.
“We have a long and rich history with the NBL and over the years have seen the players, coaches, clubs and national participation in the sport go from strength to strength," he says.
"Our partnership with ESPN allows us to use the growing scale of our Foxtel and Kayo sports platform to significantly build audience engagement.
“With 2.4 million households now watching sport on Foxtel and streaming Kayo, the Foxtel Group provides the largest audience of sports fans in the country. As a key broadcast partner of ESPN in Australia, we are pleased to be bringing all NBL games of this world-class competition to fans live and on demand this season.
“And to take reach of the NBL even further, we will be streaming two games from every round on Kayo Freebies. With almost 90% of Australian households with internet access, this will unlock even more opportunities to grow basketball in Australia.”
TV audiences of NBL grew 72% between 2014 and 2020.
Larry Kestelman, NBL owner and executive chairman, says Foxtelp’s coverage on Foxtel as well as Kayo Sports completes the best broadcast deal in the history of the NBL.
“I want to thank ESPN and Foxtel Group for their continued support, and for having the belief and confidence in us as a competition and organisation,” he says.
“With more than 1.1 million people playing basketball nationally each year, our sport is exploding in popularity and we cannot wait to work together to attract and entertain a legion of new members, fans and supporters, and show them what our league has to offer.
“This media deal is a game changer in every sense and shows we are a league that continues to rise in stature, reputation and popularity. Our fans are at the heart of everything we do and there is something for everyone in this exciting new deal and it serves as a huge vote of confidence in our clubs, players and the path we’re on together.”
Every game of the new NBL season will be available on Foxtel and streamed on Kayo from October 2021.
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