ESPN will continue to be the “Home of Hoops” in Australia, having signed a significant multi-year extension of its media rights deal with the National Basketball League (NBL). This agreement ensures that ESPN remains the destination for every Hungry Jack’s NBL26 game, including finals, live. The renewed partnership highlights the NBL’s remarkable growth and reflects a joint commitment with The Walt Disney Company’s ESPN to make the league accessible to a broad and deeply engaged audience across Australia and New Zealand.
In a groundbreaking move, fans will now be able to stream every NBL game live on Disney+ via the ESPN tile, delivering significantly expanded access to all the thrilling action. This development follows Disney+’s substantial growth in reach, making it easier than ever for new and existing fans to watch. With Disney+ available in millions of Australian and New Zealand homes, the NBL will be exposed to a broader mainstream audience than ever before.
Expanding the Reach of NBL
In addition to ESPN on Disney+, ESPN’s NBL programming will continue to be included on the ESPN networks available through Foxtel, Kayo Sports, and Fetch TV in Australia, and Sky in New Zealand. Furthermore, Free-to-Air games will continue on Sunday via a renewed deal with Network 10. This multi-platform approach ensures that the NBL reaches fans across various viewing preferences and platforms.
“We are thrilled to extend our distribution agreement with ESPN and will continue to work closely together to ensure even more people can connect and access live NBL games,” said NBL Group CEO, David Stevenson. “We’re extremely grateful to ESPN for their partnership and loyalty, which has been instrumental in us being able to achieve another record-breaking year for basketball across Australia and New Zealand,” Stevenson added.
The Role of Disney+ in Sports Broadcasting
The inclusion of Disney+ as a streaming platform for the NBL marks a significant shift in how sports content is distributed. By leveraging Disney+’s extensive subscriber base, the NBL can tap into a new audience segment that may not have been reached through traditional broadcast methods. This move aligns with global trends in sports broadcasting, where digital platforms are increasingly becoming key players.
Kylie Watson-Wheeler, The Walt Disney Company Australia and New Zealand Senior Vice President and Managing Director, and Head of ESPN Asia-Pacific, commented: “We are thrilled to continue our relationship with the NBL as principal broadcast partner. We are a longstanding supporter of the NBL, Larry and the executive team, and believe the league will continue its strong upward trajectory.”
“The NBL is key to our Home for Hoops offering, with NBL26 set to be the biggest season yet. Every single game will be available live on ESPN, in addition to our unrivalled coverage of the US major leagues, ensuring that sports fans can get the best of local and world basketball, all in one place.” – Kylie Watson-Wheeler
Implications for the Future
The NBL26 season tips off on September 18, 2025, and with the new broadcast deal, the league is poised to reach unprecedented levels of viewership. This partnership not only enhances the visibility of the NBL but also sets a precedent for other sports leagues looking to expand their reach through digital platforms. The collaboration between ESPN, Disney+, and the NBL could serve as a model for future sports broadcasting agreements.
As the NBL continues to grow in popularity, the league’s ability to adapt to changing media landscapes will be crucial. The integration of streaming services like Disney+ into its broadcast strategy demonstrates a forward-thinking approach that could influence how other leagues approach their media rights deals.
With the first game of the season just around the corner, fans are eagerly anticipating the start of what promises to be an exciting season of basketball. Don’t miss a single moment of the Round 1 action – watch every game live on ESPN, available on Disney+, Foxtel, Kayo, Fetch TV, and Sky in New Zealand.
