NBA Gets A New Arena With Sky Sports
The NBA and Sky Sports today announced a new four-year broadcast and multi-platform partnership that will see Sky Sports become the NBA’s exclusive broadcast partner and official website operator in the UK and Ireland.
As part of the NBA’s most extensive UK and ROI partnership ever, Sky Sports will broadcast extensive season-long games and programming including more than 170 live games and a record number of live weekend primetime games starting from 8.30pm UK time.
The partnership will also see live games and highlights of the WNBA (Women’s National Basketball Association) starting with the 2019 season that tips off in May.
Sky Sports will also become the NBA’s new online destination for fans in the UK with video highlights, news, stats, scores and original digital content.
Speaking on the partnership, NBA EMEA vice president, global media distribution, Elsa Memmi said: “We are thrilled to be partnering with Sky Sports in the UK and Ireland.
“With a record number of weekend primetime games, a season-long schedule of live games and programming, and extensive highlights available online and on mobile, Sky Sports will be the true home of the NBA for fans.”
Sky Sports managing director, Barney Francis added: “This is great news for our customers and for NBA fans in the UK and Ireland.
“We’re partnering with a really exciting sport that has a fascinating history and an even more compelling future.
“With some of the biggest stars in world sport we know the NBA will bring drama and entertainment to our customers week after week, available across our many different platforms.”
News of Sky Sports rights acquisition comes after BT Sport announced in the summer it had stepped away from negotiations ending its five-year association with the NBA.
