The NBL and Fox Sports have today announced a broadcast deal which will see all games shown Live and in High Definition for the first time ever.
The deal, which can be considered a coup for basketball fans, also includes a provision to screen one weekly Live game on a Free-to-Air channel; Larry Kestelman is said to be in “high profile” talks to arrange a FTA provider as we speak.
This provision is a game changer, and a testament to the negotiating power of Kestelman and the new NBL team. It means that the NBL can continue to extend its reach outside of the relatively modest FOXTEL viewer-base and into the mainstream once more.
Furthermore, the deal is for five-years. This will afford the NBL some stability, and will allow the league to grow much as the now-lucrative A-league did in the mid 00’s while on the network.
The deal is set to be reviewed at the end of the 2015/16 season, so it is paramount that the NBL faithful vote with their eyes and wallets. This is a great opportunity for the sport, and as fans, we must get behind it where we can. Poor ratings could spell a quick death for the promising proposal.
Given the circumstances, this is the best deal possible for the league. It offers the NBL some leniency with the FTA clause, (hopefully) some stability with its five-year length, and some love and care with the full HD production. From Wednesday through to Sunday, for nineteen weeks a year, over five years, we will be treated to the nations very best basketball on a broadcaster that cares about its product – what is there not to like?
Check out the announcement here:
Jarrad Hurley's professional basketball aspirations led him to the dizzying heights of the Adelaide social league circuit. After an epiphany that his hoop dreams would go unrealised, he put the ball down and picked up a pen. Jarrad lives vicariously through the successes of Australian basketball, is a mad 36ers fanatic, and might just cry if the Boomers ever medal.