The National Basketball Association (NBA) and Setanta Sports have announced a new partnership that will offer UK fans expanded 2009 NBA Play-off and Finals coverage.
Setanta Sports will televise two live Play-off games per week and comprehensive coverage of The Finals. This marks the first time Setanta will televise NBA post-season action.
Setanta’s broadcasts will add to the league’s global audience reach, as NBA games and programming during the Play-offs will be televised in 215 countries and territories in 41 languages.
In addition, Setanta, who televised NBA Europe Live 2008 in which the New Jersey Nets defeated the Miami Heat at The O2, will air daily NBA highlights on Setanta Sports News.
"The NBA Playoffs continue to deliver amazing and historic basketball moments as teams compete for the championship" said Sophie Goldschmidt, NBA EMEA Managing Director.
"The NBA's partnership with Setanta will enable more people in the UK to watch the best of the NBA in their quest to reach the NBA Finals."
Trevor East, Setanta’s Director of Sport, said: “We’re absolutely thrilled to have the opportunity to broadcast one of the world’s biggest sporting events for our subscribers. This is further evidence that Setanta is committed to providing top-class programming for our viewers.”
Excitement around the NBA Conference Semifinals continues to build, following a historic seven-game, first-round series that saw the Chicago Bulls nearly knockout the defending Champion Boston Celtics. With only eight teams left, including the Cleveland Cavaliers with 2009 NBA MVP LeBron James, Denver Nuggets, Los Angeles Lakers, and Orlando Magic, teams are battling to reach the NBA Finals, which begins on June 4. All NBA Finals games will be live on Setanta Sports 2.
The 2009 NBA Play-offs have featured 39 international players from 22 countries including the Dallas Mavericks’ Dirk Nowitzki (Germany), San Antonio Spurs’ Tony Parker (France), and the Lakers’ Pau Gasol (Spain).
TV DETAILS
Houston Rockets v LA Lakers - Sunday May 10th, 8.30pm (SS2)
Two live matches per week from the NBA Playoffs throughout May
Every match of the best-of-seven NBA Finals live, starting June 4th