By Cesare Milanti/ info@eurohoops.net
As officially stated by FIBA in a press release, “FIBA and ESPN have announced a rights agreement for the FIBA Basketball World Cup 2023, with all 92 games available on ESPN platforms, including ESPN2 and ESPN+”. The most anticipated International event of 2023 is set to begin on August 25 and end on September 10.
“Six games will air exclusively on ESPN2, including three in the first round featuring Team USA. All other 86 games will be carried by ESPN+ while also being available on FIBA’s official streaming service, Courtside 1891. FIBA will produce a dedicated USA broadcast feed for the linear games on ESPN featuring specialist US commentators and US-dedicated content and analysis in order to deliver a highly engaging broadcast experience for fans in the USA”, the official press release continued.
“This is excellent news for basketball fans in the USA. We are excited to join hands again with ESPN with this partnership that will showcase all 92 games of the FIBA Basketball World Cup 2023. This will bring with it more new synergies that will make basketball more accessible and enjoyable for fans leading up to our biggest event which is to be co-hosted for the first time across three countries this August and September”, FIBA Media and Marketing Services Director General Frank Leenders said.
“Most recently, the FIBA Women’s Basketball World Cup 2022 saw ESPN distribute the entire Women’s World Cup. Six games were aired exclusively in the US on ESPN2 and ESPNU, which was the most Women’s World Cup games to ever air on live television in the USA, resulting in viewership tripling across the country”, the official press release also stated. Moreover, right before the event in Kaunas, ESPN also acquired the broadcasting rights for the whole 2023 EuroLeague Final Four, as well as the whole 2023-24 EuroLeague season.
Team USA is set to participate in the 2023 FIBA World Cup in Manila, Philippines. They will take on Greece, New Zealand, and Jordan in Group C. Their first game is scheduled on August 26 against the so-called Tall Blacks. “ESPN is excited to once again partner with FIBA and showcase this global event as well as all of the tremendous international talent. We’re proud to serve basketball fans with live event coverage of the sport on a year-round basis”, ESPN Sr. Director, Programming and Acquisitions Ashley O’Connor.
PHOTO CREDIT: 2023 FIBA World Cup