Fox deal a boon for basketball

AUSTRALIAN basketball has taken another leap forward with Fox Sports securing exclusive rights to broadcast FIBA national team competitions featuring the Boomers and Opals.

In a significant boost for the surging popularity of basketball, Fox has entered an unprecedented agreement with FIBA to telecast both men’s and women’s tournaments.

The deal is in place for the FIBA World Cup in China in 2019, including qualifiers.

As part of the launch of FIBA’s new competition, the live coverage will also include the Boomers’ home-and-away games and next year’s FIBA women’s World Cup.

Fox Sports will also broadcast FIBA Olympic qualifying tournaments, the FIBA Asia Cup and FIBA Women’s Asia Cup as well as the FIBA Continental Cups qualifiers.

Fox Sports CEO Patrick Delany said he couldn’t be happier to team up with Australian basketball.

“Basketball in Australia is booming thanks to the success of Australia’s NBA stars, and our homegrown competitions, the NBL and WNBL,” he said.

“The next couple of years are crucial for our national teams, as they prepare to take on the world’s best in a range of tournaments as part of FIBA’s new competition system, and Fox Sports will be the only place to follow their progress live. This deal reaffirms Fox Sports’ commitment to providing a platform for Australian athletes and exposure for one of Australia’s most popular sports.”

FIBA secretary-general Patrick Baumann believes Fox Sports will provide a powerful platform for basketball.

“We are thrilled to team up with Fox Sports in bringing the very best of national team basketball to fans right across Australia,” Baumann said.