ESPN and FIBA Reach Three-Year Multimedia Pact Beginning in 2009
Most Comprehensive U.S. Distribution Ever for FIBA World Championship
Up to 268 Games Available Live Across ESPN Platforms
ESPN and FIBA, the world governing body for basketball, have reached a comprehensive three-year agreement (2009-11) making ESPN the exclusive English-language distributor of live games in the United States for the following premiere international men’s basketball tournaments, highlighted by extensive coverage of the 2010 FIBA Men’s World Championship from Turkey. Events include:
- 2009 FIBA Americas Championship (Aug. 19-30 in Mexico);
- 2009 FIBA EuroBasket Championship (Sept. 7-20 in Poland);
- 2010 FIBA World Championship (Aug. 28-Sept. 12 in Turkey);
- 2011 FIBA Americas Championship (July/Aug in TBD location);
- 2011 FIBA EuroBasket Championship (Aug/Sept in Lithuania).
ESPN, ESPN2 and ESPN360.com will provide the following coverage for each championship event:
2009 and 2011 FIBA Americas Championship for Men
- All 40 games per event live on ESPN360.com;
- All U.S. National Team games, plus both semifinals, bronze and gold medal games on ESPN or ESPN2.
2009 and 2011 FIBA EuroBasket Championship for Men
- Up to 54 games per event live on ESPN360.com;
- Gold medal game on ESPN or ESPN2.
2010 FIBA World Championship for Men
- Up to 80 games live on ESPN360.com;
- All U.S. National Team games, plus both semifinals, bronze and gold medal games on ESPN or ESPN2.
ESPN, Inc. is the world’s leading multinational, multimedia sports entertainment company featuring a portfolio of over 50 multimedia sports assets. The company is comprised of six domestic television networks (ESPN, ESPN2, ESPN Classic, ESPNEWS, ESPN Deportes, ESPNU), ESPN, ESPN2, ESPNEWS and ESPNU HD simulcast services, ESPN Regional Television, ESPN International (45 networks, syndication, radio, web sites), ESPN Radio, ESPN.com, ESPN The Magazine, ESPN Enterprises, ESPN PPV, ESPN Zones (sports-themed restaurants), and other growing new businesses including ESPN360.com (Broadband), ESPN Mobile Properties, ESPN on Demand and ESPN Interactive. Based in Bristol, Ct., ESPN is 80 percent owned by ABC, Inc., which is an indirect subsidiary of The Walt Disney Company. The Hearst Corporation holds a 20 percent interest in ESPN.
ESPN360.com
ESPN360.com is ESPN’s broadband sports network that gives fans a 24/7 online destination delivering more than 3,000 live, global sports events annually. It is available at no cost to fans who receive their high-speed Internet connection from an affiliated service provider. ESPN360.com is currently available in nearly 25 million homes via approximately 45 Internet service providers (ISPs) nationwide, up 40 percent in the past 12 months and more than triple its distribution just 2 years ago. Among the affiliated ISPs are AT&T, Verizon, RCN, Insight, Frontier, Cavalier, Charter, Mediacom, Conway, Grande Communications and many more. In addition, ESPN360.com is also available at no cost to approximately 18 million U.S. college students and U.S.-based military personnel via computers connected to on-campus educational networks and on-base military networks (those with “.edu” and “.mil” domains).
Consumers wanting more information about ESPN360.com, which Internet services currently provide it, and how they can get it should go to www.espn360.com.
About FIBA
FIBA (www.fiba.com), the world governing body for basketball, is an independent association formed by 213 National Federations of basketball throughout the world. It is recognized as the sole competent authority in basketball by the International Olympic Committee (IOC). Its main upcoming events are the 2009 FIBA Zone Continental Championships that qualify for the 2010 FIBA World Championships for Men and Women, to take place in Turkey and in the Czech Republic respectively.
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Gus says
Hi . I am a big fan of both ESPN and FIBA. i have to say it was about time you guys got together. May i suggest espndeportes ,the spanish espn, carry some games from the Tournament of the americas. Iam sure a lot of spanish speaking audience would appreciate that because there is great expectations in Mexico,Puerto rico,Dominicana,Brazil and Argentina to see this event. Also Eurobasket is a major event full of NBA player’s and just the final on t.v. is too little. I am sure if you put second round games and quarter-final,semi-final on even pay-per view that would be great. I would be willing to pay a fee to watch these games. Nothing against espn360 but i would like to record these games and watch them again and again in the comfort of my living room. I am sure the copy right prohibits espn360 fans from owning this piece of history.
thank you, Gus
Watch Fiba Americas says
Talk about lucky US basketball fans have it good. Just image the indepth coverage on ESPN 360 other hoop fans from other countries could only wish that and I’m not kidding.