The National Basketball League (NBL) has extended its broadcast agreement with ESPN, in a multi-year deal that will see every game of the Hungry Jack’s NBL26 season streamed live on Disney+ for the first time.
The 2024-25 season concluded just days before the addition of ESPN to Disney+ in Australia.
The new arrangement strengthens ESPN’s position as the “home for hoops” in Australia and New Zealand, with coverage across Disney+, Foxtel, Kayo Sports, Fetch TV, and Sky NZ. Free-to-air games will continue on Network 10 each Sunday afternoon, following a renewed agreement.
David Stevenson, NBL Group CEO, said the extension reflected the league’s growth and expanding fan base. “This new agreement reflects the NBL’s remarkable evolution and increasing popularity, and marks another big step forward in the growth of our League. Our Broadcast audiences have grown by 106% over the past three seasons, and we are confident this new deal will ensure that trend continues as we continue to be the fastest growing professional sporting league in the country.”
The agreement introduces the new Ignite Cup, an in-season tournament featuring 21 Wednesday night games, lifting the total schedule to 166 fixtures. The pre-season Blitz tournament will also stream live on ESPN via Disney+.
Kylie Watson-Wheeler, Senior Vice President and Managing Director of The Walt Disney Company Australia and New Zealand and Head of ESPN Asia-Pacific, said: “We are thrilled to continue our relationship with the NBL as principal broadcast partner. We are a longstanding supporter of the NBL, Larry and the executive team, and believe the league will continue its strong upward trajectory.
“ESPN on Disney+ has provided a material boost to the NBL audience, adding millions to our ESPN ecosystem which includes Foxtel, Kayo Sports, Fetch, and Sky in New Zealand.
“The NBL is key to our Home for Hoops offering, with NBL26 set to be the biggest season yet. Every single game will be available live on ESPN, in addition to our unrivalled coverage of the US major leagues, ensuring that sports fans can get the best of local and world basketball, all in one place.”
The NBL also extended its deal with Network 10 for another year, confirming free-to air basketball will remain on Sundays at 2:30pm (AEDT) on Channel 10, and 4:30pm (AEDT) on the recently rebranded 10 Drama.
“We thank Network 10 for their support to continue the strong momentum we’ve built together over the last four seasons and look forward to another amazing season of hoops across all 10’s platforms,” Stevenson said.
Adam Cush, Sports Production Director, Paramount Australia said: “We are pleased to announce the renewal of our partnership with the National Basketball League (NBL) for a fifth consecutive year, demonstrating our ongoing commitment to delivering premier sporting content to Australians, live and free.
“This strategic alliance not only underscores the enduring appeal and dynamism of the NBL but also guarantees that fans nationwide will have access to two live games each week, regardless of their location.
“This collaboration enables us to further engage audiences with the excitement of the game, highlight the remarkable talent of the athletes, and share the compelling stories that continue to elevate the sport in this country.”
The NBL26 season tips off on 18 September, with all games available live on ESPN via Disney+, Foxtel, Kayo, Fetch and Sky in New Zealand, and select matches free-to-air on Network 10.