NBA TO HOP TO SKY SPORTS
The NBA will be screened on Sky Sports in the UK and Ireland for the next four years., MVP can reveal.
The league, which moves over from BT Sport, was previously screened by the broadcaster a decade ago.
Sky’s coverage will debut with an opening night double header in the early hours of Wednesday, featuring the Boston Celtics against the Philadelphia 76ers and the Oklahoma City Thunder meeting the Golden State Warriors, part of 48 hours of continuous National Basketball Association action on a special Sky Sports Arena takeover.
The package includes more than 170 live games and a record number of live weekend primetime games starting from 8.30pm UK time, principally taking the US feed.
“We are thrilled to be partnering with Sky Sports in the UK and Ireland,” said NBA EMEA vice president for Global Media Distribution, Elsa Memmi.
“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 Mix will show one game every Saturday with full-season coverage across Sky Sports Action, Sky Sports Arena, Sky Sports Main Event and Sky Sports News.
The NBA’s UK website will also be hosted by Sky after the league recently ended their website partnership with Give Me Sport.
The deal will also see live games and highlights of the WNBA, which will gain a regular broadcast home here for the first time, starting with the 2019 season that tips off in May.
Additionally, Sky Sports will broadcast four back-to-back games on Christmas Day, totalling over 10 hours of live coverage, as well as January’s game in London between the New York Knicks and the Washington Wizards at The O2.
They will also show the NBA All Star Game, the Playoffs and Finals, theDraft, as well as NBA Hardwood Classic games.
Barney Francis, Sky Sports Managing Director said: “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.”
The new agreement, league officials confirmed, will not bring any blackouts on streaming service, NBA League Pass.
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