ESPN secures NBA rights deal

ESPN has secured a multi-year deal to show live NBA games, programming and classic content in the UK and Ireland.

Under the multi-channel arrangement, ESPN will show up to three live matches per week during the season in standard and high definition, including one game at Sunday primetime. It will also carry NBA All-Star Games and action from the season playoffs and final.

ESPN and ESPN America will also broadcast studio shows NBA Fastbreak and NBA Action, with vintage NBA content coming to ESPN Classic.

Live pre-season coverage will commence on ESPN on October 6 at 7.30pm when the Utah Jazz take on the Chicago Bulls at London's O2 arena as part of NBA Europe Live 2009.

The coverage continues on October 8 for Utah Jazz versus Euroleague Basketball's Real Madrid at 7.45pm. The new NBA season officially gets under way on October 27.

"We are thrilled to be expanding our global relationship with ESPN and bringing fans increased coverage of the NBA," said NBA EMEA managing director Sophie Goldschmidt.

"Through ESPN's multiple channels, NBA games and highlights will now be available to a broader audience in the UK and Ireland."

ESPN EMEA vice president TV channels Jeroen Oerlemans added: "The NBA is one of the world's top sports properties, with some of the greatest athletes on the planet.

"This agreement allows us to deliver all of the action and excitement of the NBA to sports fans in the UK and Ireland. ESPN continues to build a fantastic offering of local and international sport."