NBL strikes media deal for NBL25 season

The National Basketball League will be accessible to more sports fans after the competition, which features five-time champions Sydney, extended its partnership with ESPN and secured a new free-to-air broadcast deal with Network 10.

The deal with the latter will see games played on its main channel (in high definition).

Further to that, the NBL renewed its deal with News Corp Australia (NCA,  to deliver deeper basketball coverage throughout the 2024/25 season.

ESPN is widely regarded as the home of the NBL and basketball and remains the only place to watch every game including finals, live. ESPN will also continue to provide strong coverage for fans with weekly news and shows, including on digital channels.

REGISTER YOUR INTEREST FOR NBL25 MEMBERSHIPS NOW

ESPN’s NBL programming will also be available via Foxtel, Kayo Sports and Fetch TV.   

The marquee 2:30pm Sunday afternoon game will also be shown on Network 10’s main channel, and marks the first time the NBL has been on a main channel in a decade.   

“This broadcast and media deal with ESPN, Network 10 and News Corp Australia is a major endorsement of the League’s rapid growth and growing stature on the sporting landscape,” NBL CEO David Stevenson said.

“ESPN has been a fabulous partner of the NBL for the past three years, and we are thrilled to continue our close relationship. ESPN is undoubtedly the largest and best-known sports media network globally, and has played an integral role in growing the NBL and basketball in Australia.”

The NBL's broadcast audience has increased by 26 per cent this season, off the back of a similar rise last season.

The NBL has come off a landmark year for attendances with 40 sell-outs across the campaign, more than a million attendees at games for the first time in League history, and crowds increased by 11 per cent.

Watch Jason Spurgin's hype video via the Sydney Kings' YouTube channel above. While you're there, be sure to hit subscribe, to ensure you never miss out on any of our great videos. 

Stevenson expects that audience number to keep growing off the back of this new deal.

“We are thrilled to partner with organisations that share a strong passion for the NBL and basketball, and we have that with ESPN, Network 10 and News Corp Australia,” Stevenson said.

“Combined with ESPN’s extensive coverage, returning the NBL to a main free-to-air channel in HD on 10 is a huge step forward and means we will be seen by even more sports fans around the country.

“We want to thank Network 10 for having the confidence in the NBL and helping solidify our standing as a major player on the sporting landscape.

“News Corp Australia’s platform is the biggest news organisation in the country and provides the NBL with incredible coverage and we look forward to more stories being shared about the League, our clubs and players.

“This new deal wouldn’t be possible without ESPN’s Kylie Watson-Wheeler, Network 10’s Beverley McGarvey and News Corp Australia’s Michael Miller and their respective teams, so we thank them for their ongoing support.”

Under the competition's new broadcast deal, all games will be available on ESPN, available on Foxtel, Kayo Sports and Fetch TV.