NBA to Return to UK Screens after ESPN Deal

ESPN have inked a new deal to air the NBA in the UK until the end of the season concluding a blackout for British fans.

The coverage begins on Thursday night with New York Knicks versus Miami Heat and will include three live games per week, check NBA All Star Game, doctor First and Second Round NBA Play-off coverage, cough Western Conference Finals, and NBA Finals.

It comes after Commissioner David Stern took a personal interest in ending the blackout. It is understood the league also held talks with Sky Sports but have, so far, been unable to reach an agreement.

“Through our continued partnership with ESPN, fans in the UK and Ireland can look forward to weekly games and an array of NBA programming for the remainder of the 2012-13 NBA Season,” said Dan Markham, Vice President, NBA Media Distribution & Emerging Markets.

Simon Potter, head of programming and production, ESPN EMEA, added: “We’re very pleased to have the NBA returning to ESPN this season, and are looking forward to getting straight into the action and bringing UK and Ireland fans the world’s top basketball league with some great early match-ups.”