ESPN to tip off new FIBA basketball deal

US cable-television broadcaster ESPN is close to a media rights deal with the International Basketball Federation (Fiba) for coverage of six of the governing body’s national team tournaments, according to the SportsBusiness Daily website.

The report said the deal, which will run for three years, from 2013 to 2015, will cover all US territories excluding Puerto Rico.

The deal will include coverage of the 2013 and 2015 Fiba Americas Championships, the 2013 and 2015 EuroBasket tournaments, the 2014 Fiba Basketball World Cup and the 2014 Fiba World Championship for Women.

ESPN will be able to exploit the rights on its English- and Spanish-language channels.

The broadcaster previously had rights for the Fiba Americas Championship and EuroBasket tournament in 2009 and 2011, and the Fiba World Championship – the previous name for the Fiba Basketball World Cup – in 2010.