Sky Sports picks up a two-year deal to show the highest level of professional basketball in the country.
Sky Sports will show 30 live British Basketball League (BBL) matches a season, including the BBL Trophy Final, BBL Cup Final and the BBL Playoffs. It comes after the broadcaster secured a two-year agreement with the league.
Kieron Achara MBE (who was part of the London 2012 Olympics basketball squad) and Newcastle star Drew Lasker will be part of the Sky Sports team covering the content.
The opening night featuring Newcastle Eagles v London Lions and B. Braun Sheffield Sharks v Cheshire Phoenix coming live from Eagles Community Arena.
It will air on Sky Sports Arena and Sky Sports Main Event at 4.30pm.
Buzz16 Productions will produce all the BBL coverage for Sky Sports. The production company says it will commit to including Mama Youth graduates on the production team for BBL coverage.
Sky Sports managing director Rob Webster said: “We are delighted to welcome the BBL back to Sky Sports. We look forward to showcasing the best of basketball from across the country in what promises to be a busy but exciting period with the 2022 Commonwealth Games on the horizon. We hope an event of that magnitude on UK shores will enable what is a big participation sport to continue its growth.”
BBL Chairman Sir Rodney Walker added: “It is fantastic to be teaming up again with Sky Sports to bring the excitement and action of the BBL to basketball fans at home. We are going to see some excellent games this season as there are incredible British and international players at all 11 clubs. We look forward to working with Sky Sports and Buzz16 to showcase the best of British basketball over the next two years.”
Kieron Achara MBE said: “Although I may have stopped playing, I’m still part of the BBL family so it’s great to see this partnership with Sky Sports giving BBL the attention it deserves. I’m looking forward to working with Sky Sports to share the sport I love and grow our community.”
PICTURED: Andreas Kapoulas Bristol Flyers vs Surrey Scorchers BBL, SGS College Arena, Bristol, 20th September 2019
The British Basketball League
The BBL is the highest level of the professional game in the UK. There are currently 11 franchises in the League:
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Bristol Flyers
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Cheshire Phoenix
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Glasgow Rocks
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Leicester Riders
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London Lions
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Manchester Giants
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Newcastle Eagles
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Plymouth Raiders
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B. Braun Sheffield Sharks
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Surrey Scorchers
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Worcester Wolves