ESPN Africa Lands Exclusive NBA Finals Rights for Sub-Saharan Africa
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Sub-Saharan Africa's basketball fans now have a home for the NBA's biggest stage. ESPN Africa has secured exclusive multiyear English pay TV broadcast rights to the NBA Finals across the region - starting with this year's series, which tips off on 3 June.
The New York Knicks have already punched their ticket to the Finals, sweeping the Cleveland Cavaliers in the Conference Finals. They'll face either the Oklahoma City Thunder or the San Antonio Spurs, with that series still ongoing. Should it go the distance, the Finals will run through to 19 June.
The rights package goes beyond the NBA Finals. ESPN Africa will also carry both Conference Finals each season and exclusive NBA Sunday Night regular season games. All games air live on ESPN (DStv 218, StarSat 248) and ESPN2 (DStv 219, StarSat 249), with Disney+ in South Africa also streaming the action. Repeat airings are scheduled throughout the day for fans who can't catch the 02:30 CAT tip-offs live.
Kyle De Klerk, Director of Sports at The Walt Disney Company Africa, called it a landmark moment for the region's fans:
"The NBA is one of the biggest and most celebrated sports properties in the world, with an incredibly passionate fan base across Africa. We are thrilled to bring audiences exclusive access to the NBA Finals over the next three seasons, alongside the Conference Finals and Sunday Night games. From superstar players and unforgettable rivalries to dramatic playoff moments, this is world-class basketball entertainment at its very best."
The continent has plenty of skin in the game too. African stars including Cameroon's Pascal Siakam and Joel Embiid, South Sudan's rookie Khaman Maluach, and Victor Wembanyama - who has ties to the Democratic Republic of Congo - have all helped fuel the NBA's growing African fanbase. Wembanyama in particular has become one of the league's most electrifying young talents, dazzling fans worldwide with his skill and athleticism.
It's a timely deal. Last season, the Oklahoma City Thunder were crowned NBA champions after edging the Indiana Pacers 4-3 in the Finals, with Shai Gilgeous-Alexander taking Finals MVP honours. This year, a new champion will be crowned - and African fans will have a front-row seat to witness it.
The Walt Disney continues to push basketball viewership across Africa, recently the company Africa brought collegiate basketball March Madness To South Africa audiences via Disney+.
*ESPN: DStv 218, StarTimes 248 | ESPN2: DStv 219, StarTimes 249 | Also available on Disney+ in South Africa. All times CAT/SAST. Schedule subject to change.
Source: ESPN
