No one does “multiplatform” like ESPN. Its latest announcement is a good example.
The sports network, majority-owned by Disney, has announced a nine-year deal with the NBA; as part of that big announcement it highlighted the impact on ESPN Audio in a separate press release.
The organization says the contract expands ESPN Audio’s rights and opportunities, and makes it “the exclusive Spanish-language national rights holder through ESPN Deportes Radio on terrestrial radio, satellite and all forms of radio devices including digital and third party platforms.” ESPN Audio includes ESPN Radio, which launched in 1992, ESPN Deportes Radio, ESPNRadio.com and ESPN Podcasts.
The announcement quoted Traug Keller, ESPN senior vice president, production business divisions, saying the addition NBA content for ESPN Deportes Radio and expansion of its distribution platforms “only strengthens our ability to serve NBA fans.”
The new and enhanced rights include exclusive Spanish-language rights, including the playoffs and Finals, across terrestrial radio, satellite and all forms of radio devices, as well as exclusive English-language rights for satellite and all forms of radio devices. ESPN Audio will continue to provide English broadcast coverage on terrestrial radio and broadcast the NBA draft.
The deal runs 2016 to 2025.
