Basketball

Spain’s leading sports associations back Madrid 2016 Olympic Bid - 7 May 08

Associations for six of the most popular sports in Spain joined together to pledge their support for the Madrid 2016 Olympic bid. A manifesto outlining their commitment was signed by representatives from the Spanish football, basketball, handball, futsal, athletics and cycling associations.

Basketball to form World Club Championship - 28 Apr 08

The inaugural Basketball World Club Championship will take place in October 2009.

NBA's Bobcats strike naming rights and TV deal - 8 Apr 08

NBA team the Charlotte Bobcats agreed a deal with Time Warner Cable for naming rights to the Charlotte Bobcats Arena and for TV distribution.

Final Four to go live online - 4 Apr 08

CBSSports.com, in partnership with CBS Sports, CBS College Sports Network and the NCAA are set to provide a live online broadcast of the Final Four and NCAA Championship game for the first time via their NCAA March Madness on Demand video player.

Paragon, new sports management agency launched - 25 Mar 08

Hugh Dodson, former COO of The Gersh Agency, launched a new sports and entertainment management firm, Paragon.

IOC Member to Speak at Sport and Technology: The Conference 2008 - 19 Mar 08

Sport and Technology: The Conference 2008, in association with BT Media and Broadcast, is delighted to announce that IOC member Patrick Baumann, Secretary-General of FIBA (the International Basketball Federation), will be joining the 'Maximising Digital Sports Rights: Show Me the Money' panel discussion at the must-attend event on 13 June 2008 at BT Centre in London.

March Madness scores record ad sales - 17 Mar 08

Total advertising spend around this year’s ‘March Madness’ NCAA basketball tournament could reach around $545 million, according to analysts.

Eurosport renews ULEB Cup rights - 13 Mar 08

The Eurosport Group and the Euroleague Basketball, the organisers of the ULEB Cup, extended Eurosport’s existing TV rights agreement through the 2010-2011 season.

Advertising revenue for CBS basketball coverage soars - 12 Mar 08

Coverage of the NCAA Men's Basketball Championship is expected to generate $450 million in advertising revenue for American network CBS.

EuroCup Final Four Cyprus bound - 10 Mar 08

FIBA Europe appointed Proteas EKA AEL as the host club for the 2008 EuroCup Final Four in Limassol, Cyprus.

NBA launches inaugural event in India - 24 Jan 08

The National Basketball Association (NBA) will stage its first-ever event in India with Basketball without Borders, the league’s global basketball development and community outreach programme.

US naming rights firm sets up new division - 23 Jan 08

Brooklyn Sports & Entertainment, an affiliate of Nets Sports and Entertainment and the Nets basketball team, is launching a new venues, properties and consulting division.

NBA TV to be managed by Turner - 17 Jan 08

Turner Sports and the National Basketball Association are set to announce that Turner will manage the NBA's digital properties, including the 24-hour cable channel NBA TV.

Infront signs CBA mobile website agreement - 15 Jan 08

Infront, the exclusive commercial partner to the Chinese Basketball Association (CBA) and internet operator KongZhong Corporation, have signed a multi-year cooperation agreement and launched the official CBA mobile website.

Kia Motors signs up with the NBA - 14 Jan 08

Kia Motors America, Inc and the National Basketball Association agreed a new multi-year marketing partnership that includes designating Kia as the Official Automotive Partner of the NBA.

New alcohol ad ban prevents Lithuanians watching Euroleague basketball - 4 Jan 08

Lithuanian TV broadcasters were forced to cancel live coverage of Euroleague basketball matches due to a new law banning prime-time advertising of alcohol.

2007-08 NBA season offers broadest ever global TV distribution - 13 Nov 07

Through new partnerships and key renewals, the 2007-08 NBA season will offer its broadest global television distribution in league history. Overall, NBA games and programming will be seen in 215 countries in 41 languages.

Starbucks nixes Seattle sports sponsorships - 29 Oct 07

Seattle, the home of Starbucks, will no longer have the global coffee company brand as a sponsor of its NBA and baseball team fanchises.

Starbucks ends Sonics sponsorship - 26 Oct 07

Starbucks Corp. ended its long-term sponsorship of the NBA’s Seattle Sonics a year after its chairman, Howard Schultz, sold the team.

Doubts surround Dolan family bid for Cablevision - 24 Oct 07

Charles and James Dolan, the chairman and CEO of New York-based Cablevision, could have their $10.6 billion offer to buy out the cable company rejected by shareholders because of differences in the valuation of assets such as the MSG sport network.

Euroleague Basketball introduces Euroleague.TV channel - 24 Oct 07

Euroleague Basketball is to launch Euroleague.TV, a new official on-line broadcast platform/service offering both live and on-demand coverage.

LeBron James adviser debunks promotional deal - 19 Oct 07

A legal adviser to NBA star LeBron James has labelled a personal promotional tour reportedly planned by marketing consultancy Maven Strategies as ‘an unauthorised project that LeBron James is not and will not be involved with in any way’.

NBA Commissioner applauds 02 Arena - 11 Oct 07

NBA Commissioner David Stern heralded London’s 02 Arena as a potential venue for regular pre-season NBA games.

New Jersey Nets to play at Izod Center - 5 Oct 07

Clothing company brand Izod has won the naming rights to the Meadowlands arena, home the NBA’s New Jersey Nets.

Euroleague Basketball in Shanghai talks - 1 Oct 07

Following in the footsteps of the NBA, executives from Euroleague Basketball have met with city and sporting officials from Shanghai to forge sporting and business ties.

NBA seeks management role in Chinese basketball - 27 Sep 07

The NBA wants to take a role in the management of the Chinese Basketball League, according to a leading NBA official.

New Jersey Nets accepting bids for arena name - 24 Sep 07

The New Jersey Sports and Exposition Authority will find out today which companies are interested in buying the naming rights to the New Jersey Nets basketball team's 20,000 seat Continental Airlines Arena, at the Meadowlands sports complex.

NBA names Tim Chen CEO of NBA China - 19 Sep 07

The NBA has named Tim Chen, CEO of Microsoft Greater China, as CEO of NBA China - a new enterprise being created to encapsulate all of the league’s businesses in Greater China.

Samsung and EOC team up to combat youth obesity - 14 Sep 07

The European Olympic Committees and Samsung launched “Get up & Go” - an anti-obesity campaign for European youth - at the CONI Olympic Park.

2007 WNBA finals to reach over 200 countries - 4 Sep 07

The 2007 WNBA Finals will reach a record 203 countries in 31 languages courtesy of a record 74 television partners.

Viagogo wins ticketing deal for London NBA game - 31 Aug 07

Secondary ticketing company viagogo will act as the official secondary ticketing partner for the NBA game between the Boston Celtics and Minnesota Timberwolves on October 10 at The O2 in London.

Sonics co-owner nets fine over move comments - 24 Aug 07

The man who helped spearhead the takeover of the NBA’s SuperSonics has been hit with a hefty fine from the league.

US SPONSORS LINE UP FOR NBA EUROPE LIVE - 14 Aug 07

NBA Europe Live, the seven-game European tour featuring four NBA teams in exhibition matches, will be sponsored by some 20, mostly American, brands.

NOKIA LAUNCHES FIBA MOBILE SERVICES - 6 Aug 07

Nokia is to launch internet-based mobile phone services for FIBA, the international basketball federation.

TSA ACQUIRES CLASSIC NCAA BASKETBALL GAME RIGHTS IN JAPAN - 6 Aug 07

Total Sports Asia acquired the DVD distribution rights for the 1982 NCAA Division I Men’s Basketball Championship Game in Japan. The game involved the University of North Carolina v Georgetown University and featured two of the greatest basketball players of all time, Michael Jordan and Patrick Ewing.

WNBA EXTENDS TV RIGHTS DEAL WITH ESPN AND ABC - 18 Jul 07

The WNBA has expanded its TV rights agreement with ESPN and ABC for eight years, until the end of the 2016 season.

PACERS PARTNER PUBLICIS AND OPTIMEDIA - 17 Jul 07

The Indiana Pacers have signed up Publicis Indianapolis and Optimedia to handle the NBA franchise’s advertising, strategic planning and communications.

2007 WNBA ALL-STAR TO BE TELEVISED IN 198 COUNTRIES - 16 Jul 07

The 2007 WNBA All-Star Game, which will showcase the most talented female basketball players from around the world, will be televised in 198 countries with commentary in 30 languages.

GOVERNING BODIES SAY THERE IS MUCH WORK TO BE DONE ON EU WHITE PAPER - 12 Jul 07

The International Olympic Committee and FIFA published a joint statement, later echoed by the International Rugby Board, acknowledging the publication of the EU White Paper on Sport. While welcoming the concept of the paper they stressed that they feel the content of the final version represents a missed opportunity. Other European sporting federations including UEFA, FIBA Europe, and the European Handball Federation all also publicly expressed concerns with the White Paper.

NBA’S $7.4 BILLION TV DEALS FOR DIGITAL AGE - 29 Jun 07

The NBA agreed a new eight-year $7.4-billion deal with Walt Disney and Time Warner that includes online and mobile rights.

2007 NBA DRAFT DRAWS INCREASED GLOBAL INTEREST - 27 Jun 07

The 2007 NBA Draft will be televised in 115 countries in 18 languages.

NBA NETS NEW E-COMMERCE PARTNER - 22 Jun 07

The NBA has signed a long-term agreement with e-commerce specialists GSI Commerce.

INFRONT AND EXCEL SPORTS FORM BASKETBALL REPRESENTATION PARTNERSHIP - 20 Jun 07

Infront Sports & Media agreed a a joint-venture deal with Excel Sports Management, to develop an athlete representation basketball business in China.

NBA FINALS RATINGS SLUMP - 19 Jun 07

TV ratings for the NBA final between San Antonio Spurs and the Cleveland Cavaliers hit an all-time low, according to Nielsen Media Research.


HELVETIA INSURANCE RENEWS WITH SPANISH BASKETBALL FEDERATION - 12 Jun 07

Helvetia Insurance agreed a sponsorship deal with the Spanish Basketball Federation.

INFRONT SIGNS PEARL RIVER AS THE OFFICIAL BEER OF TEAM CHINA BASKETBALL - 4 Jun 07

Infront Sports & Media agreed a new commercial partnership for China’s national basketball team with The Pearl River Brewery.

FIBA AND SPORTINGO TEAM UP FOR FAN-GENERATED CONTENT - 4 Jun 07

FIBA agreed a partnership deal with online sports media company Sportingo, a leading fan-generated website.

FIBA THREAT TO ENGLISH BASKETBALL - 23 May 07

Basketball’s world governing body, FIBA, is threatening to suspend all English players from its competitions unless the UK government withdraws plans to take more control of the sport.

NBA TO OPEN NEW OFFICE IN LONDON - 17 May 07

National Basketball Association Commissioner David Stern announced that the league will open an office in London as part of its ongoing effort to bring the NBA closer to its growing fan base throughout Europe.

WNBA INCREASES INTERNATIONAL EXPOSURE - 14 May 07

The Women’s National Basketball Association (WNBA) season will reach fans in more than 200 countries and territories for the first time in the league’s history when it tips-off this weekend.

FAST TRACK APPOINTED BY BRITISH BASKETBALL - 10 May 07

UK agency Fast Track has been appointed by the recently-formed British Performance Basketball Ltd as its commercial and event partner with a view to transforming the sport’s fortunes ahead of the 2012 Olympics.

INFRONT SETS UP CHINA-GERMANY BASKETBALL CLASH - 9 May 07

Infront Sports & Media, the exclusive global marketing partner of the Chinese Basketball Association (CBA) and the German Basketball Federation, has set up two exhibition games between Germany and China to take place this summer.

EUROLEAGUE FINAL FOUR BREAKS MEDIA RECORD - 3 May 07

Euroleague Basketball’s 2007 Final Four in Athens this weekend will break records for media coverage.

NBA OF CHINA EDGES EVER CLOSER - 1 May 07

David Stern says he is close to confirming an NBA sponsored and branded league in China.

BOCOG, FIBA AND NBA FORM OLYMPIC COOPERATION - 26 Apr 07

The Beijing Olympic Games Organising Committee (BOCOG) FIBA and the NBA formed a joint cooperation to develop and execute all aspects of Olympic sports presentation for the Beijing 2008 Olympic Games.

EUROPE’S BASKETBALL CLUBS DISCUSS WHITE PAPER - 12 Apr 07

Europe's basketball clubs and leagues met yesterday to discuss the EU white paper on sport.

NBA CHINA GAMES SET FOR OCTOBER - 30 Mar 07

It has been confirmed the NBA China Games will return in October.

LITNER APPOINTED COMCAST SPORTSNET PRESIDENT - 30 Mar 07

Comcast SportsNet has appointed Jon Litner its new president to oversee the day-to-day management of its eight regional sports networks.

BEIJING TO HOST TOURNAMENT - 15 Mar 07

The first fruits of a marketing partnership deal between Euroleague Basketball and the Chinese Basketball Association (CBA) will be a new tournament in Beijing in October.

NCAA UNDER PRESSURE OVER COKE SPONSORSHIP - 15 Mar 07

US union Teamsters has called on the NCAA to drop key sponsor Coca-Cola.

AMAECHI IN LANDMARK ENDORSEMENT DEAL - 13 Mar 07

Former NBA star John Amaechi has signed an endorsement contract with a brand which is proclaiming the deal the first time a mainstream company has sponsored an openly gay male athlete.

NASH EXPRESSES INTEREST IN SPURS STAKE - 22 Feb 07

NBA ace Steve Nash has been linked with a possible investment move in English Premiership soccer club Tottenham Hotspur.

NBA CONFIRM ANOTHER EUROPEAN JAUNT - 19 Feb 07

The NBA’s profile push in Europe is set for another giant shove forward after commissioner David Stern confirmed plans for four teams to play exhibition games on the continent later this year.

NBA ALL-STAR GAME BROADCAST BY A RECORD 110 TV PARTNERS - 16 Feb 07

The NBA said its All-Star Game in Vegas will reach 215 countries in 43 languages through a record 110 broadcast partners.

LEAGUE CONFIRMS EXPANSION TALKS - 31 Jan 07

The British Basketball League has confirmed it is in talks to expand the league to 16 clubs for next season – with all ten of the current teams signed up for the expansion season.

FIBA PARTNERS WITH SPORTFIVE IN ASIA - 16 Jan 07

The Fédération Internationale de Basketball agreed a deal with the Sportfive agency for the sale of its media rights throughout Asia and the Middle East for the FIBA World Championships and FIBA Asia Championships from 2009 until 2011.

KIA MOTORS ENHANCES SPORTS SPONSORSHIP - 16 Jan 07

Kia Motors Corporation said it would enhance its association with tennis and sport in 2007, as it enters its sixth consecutive year as the major sponsor of the Australian Open grand slam tennis tournament.

GERMAN HANDBALL AND BASKETBALL TEAM UP ONLINE - 11 Jan 07

Germany’s top domestic handball and basketball leagues the Handball Bundesliga (HBL) and Basketball Bundesliga (BBL) have joined forces online.

CARS.COM SPONSORS ESPN COLLEGE BASKETBALL - 11 Jan 07

The Cars.com website agreed sponsorship deal for ESPN and ESPN2 Saturday Afternoon College Basketball from February 2007.

AMERICA CHANNEL IN NCAA PARTNERSHIP - 21 Dec 06

Network the America Channel has secured a multi-year broadcast deal with a host of NCAA Division I conferences.

THG NETS EUROLEAGUE HOSPITALITY CONTRACT - 14 Dec 06

Euroleague Basketball has signed a hospitality programme for VIP guests and fans at the 2007 Final Four.

NBA CONFIRM SWITCH OVER BALLS-UP - 13 Dec 06

The NBA has been forced into an embarrassing u-turn over the type of ball used in the league.

INFRONT BROKERS CBA AND EUROLEAGUE PARTNERSHIP - 12 Dec 06

Infront, Euroleague Basketball and the Chinese Basketball Association (CBA) have reached a partnership agreement to bring the best of European professional basketball to fans in Asia.

KIA NETS MAJOR NBA MARKETING DEAL - 11 Dec 06

Kia Motors America has unveiled a multi-tiered marketing programme which includes sponsorships of nine NBA teams.

NIELSEN EXTENDS SPONSORSHIP SCORECARD TO BASKETBALL - 17 Nov 06

Nielsen Sports has extended its Sponsorship Scorecard to NBA basketball, signing up the Phoenix Suns for the system to measure brand exposure.

NBA ADDS RECORD 24 BROADCAST PARTNERS - 2 Nov 06

The National Basketball Association added 24 broadcasters, including 19 in Greater China, for the 2006-07 season, marking the largest season to season growth in league history.

CHINESE BASKETBALL’S MOST COMPREHENSIVE SPONSORSHIP DEAL TO DATE - 23 Oct 06

Infront Sports & Media and the Chinese Basketball Association signed a groundbreaking sponsorship agreement with China Mobile Communications Corporation (China Mobile/CMCC) for basketball in China.

HEAT IS ON FOR THE BAHAMAS - 17 Oct 06

NBA side Miami Heat has signed a three-year deal to make the Islands of the Bahamas the club’s ‘preferred destination’.

FIBA AMERICAS GIVES VENEZUALA EXTRA TIME - 11 Oct 06

FIBA Americas has given Venezuela until Monday to come up with a suitable financial package to beat Las Vegas or San Juan in order to host the Beijing 2008 Olympic qualifying tournament next August.

AUSTRALIA KEEN TO HOST 2010 BASKETBALL WORLD CHAMPS - 26 Sep 06

Australia wants to host the 2010 women's basketball world championships as the sport tries to capitalise on the team’s rise to the top of the international game.

IEC TAKES ON THE NEW SUPER SERIES IN BADMINTON - 25 Sep 06

The International Badminton Federation announced the launch of the Super Series starting 2007.

MOLTEN SECURES SPONSORSHIP OF BRITISH BASKETBALL LEAGUE - 25 Sep 06

Molten, the world’s leading manufacturer of inflatable sports balls, is to sponsor the British Basketball League (BBL) in a three-year deal.

SLAM DUNK BY IEC IN CHINA - 22 Sep 06

IEC in Sports, the Sweden-based agency, has been appointed to market and distribute the worldwide TV rights for basketball’s 2007 FIBA Stankovic Continental Champions Cup.

BRITISH BASKETBALL LEAGUE SIGNS NEW TV DEAL - 22 Sep 06

The British Basketball League signed a 10-year deal with new broadcaster MKTV, which is due to launch early next year.

EUROLEAGUE BASKETBALL TO RE-LAUNCH WEBSITE - 14 Sep 06

Euroleague Basketball is to re-launch its official website, Euroleague.net after a 66 per cent jump in Euroleague.net traffic last season.

NBA TO EXPAND FEATURES OF NBA.COM/CHINA - 6 Sep 06

The National Basketball Association is enhancing the broadband features and content of its Chinese web destination, NBA.com/China, through new expanded partnerships with internet media companies NuSports and Sohu.

ELPHINSTON IS NEW FIBA PRESIDENT - 30 Aug 06

Bob Elphinston has been elected as the new president of basketball world governing body FIBA.

SPORTELMONACO 2006 EXHIBITION SPACE SELLING OUT - 14 Aug 06

With more than 2 months to go before the opening of SPORTELMonaco 2006, exhibitors have committed to more than 85% of the expanded floor space in the Grimaldi Forum.

GERMAN SPORTS TO GET NEW MEDIA INCREASE - 11 Aug 06

German football, basketball and handball leagues are set to get a significant boost to revenues from internet and mobile rights.

USA BASKETBALL SIGNS UP NEW MARKETING PARTNERS - 4 Aug 06

USA Basketball agreed deals with five companies: Chevrolet, The Coca-Cola Company, McDonald’s, Gatorade, and Molten – to promote their brands and products through USA Basketball exhibitions, games, media and special events.

MASN CHANNEL TO GO 24-HOUR - 2 Aug 06

The Mid-Atlantic Sports Network said it would expand to a 24-hour programming line-up that will eventually feature NCAA basketball, football and lacrosse games.

NORWICH CITY OPENS FLAGSHIP SPACES FOR SPORTS - 31 Jul 06

Norwich City manager Nigel Worthington, England goalkeeper Robert Green and Delia Smith visited Carrow Road, in Norwich, to officially open the new ‘flagship’ sports site Carrow Park on behalf of Barclays Spaces for Sports.

PROPOSED BEIJING SCHEDULE CHANGES CREATE KNOCK ON EFFECTS - 7 Jul 06

Proposed extensive changes to the scheduling of events at the 2008 Beijing Olympics to suit the television schedules of US network NBC could have a knock on effect on other events held in the lead up to the Olympics.

SPALDING UNVEILS NEW NBA BALL - 28 Jun 06

The NBA has confirmed it will be introducing a new official game ball next season for the first time in over 35 years.

JORDAN AND JOHNSON FORM INVESTMENT TEAM - 18 Jun 06

The majority owner of the NBA’s Charlotte Bobcats – BET founder Robert L Johnson - has entered into a venture with the legendary Michael Jordan to see the two jointly invest in a range of future business opportunities.

WASSERMAN COMPLETES SPORTSNET TAKEOVER - 5 Jun 06

The Wasserman Media Group has completed the acquisition of US soccer player management company SportsNet.

NBA'S BOBCATS CEO QUITS - 24 May 06

The CEO and president of the NBA’s Charlotte Bobcats, Ed Tapscott, has resigned with immediate effect from the club to ‘pursue other interests’.

ESPN NETS NEW EUROLEAGUE CONTRACT - 2 May 06

ESPN has reached a new multi-year agreement for European basketball’s top club competition – the Euroleague.

SAINTS STARS UNVEIL COMMUNITY SITE - 20 Apr 06

Manager George Burley and players from Championship side Southampton will today open another 'flagship' sports site on behalf of Barclays Spaces for Sports.

NBA IN SILVER APPOINTMENT - 20 Apr 06

Adam Silver has been appointed NBA deputy commissioner and chief operating officer.