A significant deal between FIBA and ESPN has been renewed for a further four year period, with ESPN expanding its market coverage and reach by becoming the exclusive broadcast partner in New Zealand and the Pacific Islands, building on its existing presence in Australia.
With ESPN also extending its status as the 'Home for Hoops' in Australia, the move will see FIBA's valued broadcast partner continuing to play a prominent role in driving the exciting growth of basketball right across the region. This includes live coverage of every game from the FIBA Women's Basketball World Cup 2026 and the FIBA Basketball World Cup 2027.
During the previous cycle in Australia, ESPN was heralded for its extensive coverage of the FIBA Women’s Basketball World Cup 2022 in Sydney, contributing to a record-breaking engagement and the most successful edition of the flagship tournament ever.
Fans will now be able to stream FIBA games live on Disney+ via the ESPN tile, making it easier than ever before to access FIBA action. This is expected to have a significant positive impact in terms of deepening the reach of FIBA basketball, since Disney+ is available in millions of homes in Australia and New Zealand.
Games will also continue to be distributed via ESPN services and channels on Foxtel, Kayo Sports, and Fetch TV in Australia, with FIBA rights complementing other top-tier basketball properties such as domestic NBL competition, as well as NBA and WNBA.
Frank Leenders, Director General of FIBA Media and Marketing Services, commented: "It's great to not only be continuing our existing partnership with a renowned global broadcaster like ESPN, but to have also secured market expansion.
"This is excellent news for fans in the region who will benefit from increased opportunities to consume the kind of quality basketball content that ESPN delivers via a multitude of platforms.
"The appetite for the sport in the likes of the Pacific Islands is growing rapidly, and so expanding the reach of FIBA basketball into even more homes will play its part in fuelling the ever-growing global popularity of the sport."
Meanwhile, Kylie Watson-Wheeler, Senior Vice President and Managing Director of The Walt Disney Company Australia and New Zealand and Head of ESPN Asia-Pacific, said: "We're excited to continue our programming relationship with FIBA. This deal reinforces ESPN as 'Home for Hoops' and adds to our strong lineup of NBA, WNBA, NBL, WNBL and NCAA programming for Australian and New Zealand audiences.
"There's some great international basketball ahead with the FIBA Women's Basketball World Cup 2026 and FIBA Basketball World Cup 2027 secured, so hoops fans can follow all the action on our ESPN network, including ESPN on Disney+, as the Australian Opals and Australian Boomers take on the world."
