KINGSTON, Jamaica – Digicel and the National Basketball Association (NBA) announced today a new multiyear partnership that will deliver live games and extensive NBA programming to more than 30 Caribbean territories.
As Digicel becomes an Official Partner of the NBA in the region, Digicel SportsMax will broadcast up to 48 NBA regular-season games and as many as eight playoff games each season.
The sports channel will also offer fans content-rich programming including the highlights show NBA Action, NBA TV, the league’s 24-hour channel, and select classic games. The partnership will include NBA broadcasts in Spanish on the CDN SportsMax channel in the Dominican Republic.
By the 2015-16 NBA season, Digicel will launch NBA.com/Caribbean, the first official NBA online destination for Caribbean fans, which will offer extensive and localised NBA editorial and video content. NBA.com/Caribbean will be the league’s 19th international web destination.
“We are thrilled to be announcing this deal with the NBA which is the perfect addition to our already top-class line-up of sports programming,” said Digicel SportsMax President and CEO Olly McIntosh. “For fans, this is a real treat with Digicel SportsMax bringing a true Caribbean feel to the programming and basketball fans closer to courtside than ever before.”
As part of the deal, the NBA, in partnership with Digicel SportsMax parent company, Digicel Group will also establish a grassroots development programme in the Caribbean, beginning with a tip-off event in 2015.
NBA coaches, players and legends will participate in the programme, sharing valuable lessons that are useful both on and off the court and teach the core NBA values to young fans of the sport. In addition, the programme will give aspiring young players the opportunity to get up close and personal with the big stars of the NBA with training clinics and games in the USA.
“We are excited to bring our passionate fans in the Caribbean more live games and content through this new strategic partnership with Digicel,” said NBA Senior Vice President, Latin America Philippe Moggio. “Digicel is one of the Caribbean’s leading operators, and its extensive reach will give our fans more ways than ever to experience the excitement of our game.”
Since its launch in Jamaica in 2001, Digicel has time and again demonstrated its commitment to making sports and sport stars more accessible to its customers across the region and further afield.
Digicel Play CEO, Caribbean, John Suranyi, said; “This landmark new partnership with the NBA, coupled with our acquisition of SportsMax last year – further cements Digicel’s position as the home of top sporting content in the region – and marks a significant step in our evolution from a pure mobile operator to a total communications and entertainment provider.”
Along with the NBA rights, Digicel SportsMax is the regional rights holder of premium content such as Barclays Premier League, UEFA Champions League, The Women’s Tennis Association, The Ashes, Australia and England cricket, IAAF Grand Prix Meets and more.
For full broadcast schedule, visit digicelsportsmax.com.
