Fiba seals key IMG Media deal for 3×3 distribution

The International Basketball Federation (Fiba) has struck a long-term deal with IMG Media for the agency to distribute rights to the governing body’s 3×3 competitions, which feature three players per team.

The worldwide deal covers FIBA’s 3×3 World Tour, 3×3 All Stars city-based events and 3×3 World and Zone Championships for national teams.

The 2014 season will feature a six-stop 3×3 World Tour, the 3×3 All Stars from June 5-8 in Doha, Qatar and the 3×3 World Championships for men and women in Moscow, Russia.

The partnership with IMG Media represents a major step for the 3×3 format of the sport, which has been developed by Fiba over the past five years in an effort to boost grassroots interest in basketball.

Fiba secretary general Patrick Baumann said: “While we are pleased with the television presence in Brazil, Europe or the Middle East for example, we are keen to extend 3×3's live and delayed content into new markets. We have also secured deals to offer a new TV magazine and provide all broadcasters with tailor-made video content, profiling 3×3 stars and flagship events more prominently.”