Editors' Note: Many Fast News images are stylised illustrations generated by Dall-E. Photorealism is not intended. View as early and evolving AI art!
ESPN's big play,
NBA rights secured,
Fans win the day.
ESPN secures 11-year extension on NBA and WNBA media rights in Australia and New Zealand
ESPN has extended its media rights with the National Basketball Association (NBA) and Women’s National Basketball Association (WNBA) for 11 years, starting from the 2025-26 season through the 2035-36 season.
This deal solidifies ESPN's position as the primary NBA rights holder in Australia and New Zealand. ESPN will exclusively broadcast around 240 regular season NBA games, an enhanced game package for the First and Second Round of the NBA Playoffs, all NBA Conference Finals and NBA Finals games.
The WNBA coverage will include the WNBA regular season and WNBA Playoffs, including WNBA Semi Final and WNBA Finals series. ESPN will also provide full coverage of the NBA and WNBA All-Star Weekends, as well as the NBA Draft and WNBA Draft. ESPN noted the WNBA has seen unprecedented recent growth with the emergence of Indiana Fever superstar Caitlin Clark, along with local heroes Ezi Magbegor, Bec Allen, Nyadiew Puoch, Isobel Borlase and Jaz Shelley.
The rights agreement allows ESPN to expand its NBA studio coverage via new whip-around programming on nights that ESPN is televising games, including enhanced game access, player arrivals, and interviews.
"ESPN remains the Home for Hoops in Australia and New Zealand and our continued strength in basketball is a big win for fans," said Kylie Watson-Wheeler, Senior Vice President and Managing Director, The Walt Disney Company Australia and New Zealand and Head of ESPN, APAC.
NBA Commissioner, Adam Silver, also commented on the partnership, "ESPN has been part and parcel of the growth and coverage of the NBA over the past 22 years. And we are eager to build on this terrific partnership, which is one of the league’s most extensive and longest-standing relationships."
ESPN and ESPN2 is available on Foxtel, Kayo Sports, Fetch TV and Sky NZ.