Leading streaming service DAZN has acquired the exclusive rights to broadcast the newly formed UK Super League Basketball (SLB).
All games will be available to DAZN’s global audience for free with the inaugural season’s opening game commencing 27 September. DAZN will create a dedicated on-platform environment for SLB which will house live and on-demand content from across the competition.
This is a pivotal deal for the newly formed SBL after rebranding from the British Basketball League last summer. DAZN affords the league an opportunity to garner viewers from not just its UK domestic market, but in new territories in a bid to maximise its visibility in its first season.
Vaughn Millette, Interim Chair of SLB said: “We are delighted to partner with DAZN for our global broadcast media rights. From our earliest conversations, we’ve been impressed by DAZN’s unwavering passion to promote and grow the sport of basketball. Bringing innovation and imagination to enable us to best serve our fans, the teams and continuous broadcast coverage of the league.
“Over the last few years, DAZN has demonstrated its commitment to growing the sport by securing numerous international basketball rights. SLB’s addition to this line-up means that fans will find a broadcast home for basketball on DAZN.
“Super League fans will be able to watch every game live and free to air as we take our place alongside the likes of France and Italy’s elite national basketball leagues. We can’t wait to get started.”
The debut SBL season will commence this September and introduce four competitions; the Championship, Cup, Trophy and Playoffs, with the Trophy format kicking off the 2024/25 season.
The nine teams competing in the inaugural SBL season are the British Flyers, Caledonia Gladiators, Cheshire Phoenix, Leicester Riders, London Lions, a team based out of Manchester, Newcastle Eagles, Sheffield Sharks, and the Surrey 89ers.
SBL compliments DAZN’s growing portfolio of basketball content. The streaming service already has broadcast deals in place with FIBA, for matches at the FIBA World Cup and FIBA Continental Cup.
DAZN users can also watch live and on-demand regional club competitions, such as the Basketball Champions League, the Intercontinental Cup, the EuroLeague Women and the East Asia Super League.
Shay Segev, CEO of DAZN Group, added: “We want to use our reach and industry-leading technology to bring these competitions to existing and new audiences, fostering a truly fan-centric global community.
“SBL is at a turning point in its history and is a property with exceptional potential for commercial growth – we are delighted to add it to our growing international portfolio of basketball and to join them in building an exciting future. DAZN is rapidly becoming the global Home of Basketball and SLB will form an important part of this.”
