FIBA and ESPN agree broadcast partnership for FIBA World Cup 2023
June 29, 2023
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 global event tips off on August 25, and continues through to 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.
Team USA is aiming to return to the top and will start their World Cup 2023 campaign in Manila, Philippines, when they take on New Zealand on August 26.
“ESPN is excited to once again partner with FIBA and showcase this global event as well as all of the tremendous international talent,” said Ashley O’Connor, ESPN Sr. Director, Programming and Acquisitions. “We’re proud to serve basketball fans with live event coverage of the sport on a year-round basis.”
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.
Frank Leenders, FIBA Media and Marketing Services Director General, said: “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 that is to be co-hosted for the first time across three countries this August and September.”
Additionally, with this agreement, all FIBA Basketball World Cup 2023 games will also be available on the ESPN App.