YouTube TV to be first-ever presenting partner of the NBA Finals
The NBA announced a multi-year partnership with YouTube TV for the video site to be the first ever presenting partner of the NBA Finals, WNBA Finals, and developmental G League finals.
The NBA announced a multi-year partnership with YouTube TV to broadcast the NBA Finals / NBA/JC Gellidon via Unsplash
Throughout the partnership, “The Finals presented by YouTube TV” logo will be featured prominently during all Finals games, including on the court and in-arena. Additionally, YouTube TV will be featured in ABC commercial spots and in-game call outs, along with having a major presence across the NBA’s digital and social media assets.
Earlier this month, the NBA, which has over 4.6bn views on its YouTube channel, expanded its relationship with service with the addition of NBA TV, the league’s 24-hour network, for YouTube TV members base package at no additional cost. It has also been announced that content from NBA League Pass, the league’s premium out-of-market live game service, will be available for YouTube TV members for an extra fee.
The NBA was the first professional sports league to partner with YouTube, over 10 years ago. This new expansion of their partnership has allowed the sports league to be part of the over 50 networks using the streaming platform, which has been a new extension of YouTube in 2017.
“Our presenting partnership of The Finals marks another first in our longstanding and innovative history with YouTube,” said Dan Rossomondo, NBA senior vice president, global media and business development. “The NBA Finals on ABC, as well as the WNBA Finals and NBA G League Finals, are pinnacle events, and with YouTube TV we are excited to provide fans with new ways to experience the excitement of these championship series.”
Angela Courtin, YouTube's global head of YouTube TV & Originals marketing, added: “Partnering with the NBA is a slam dunk for YouTube TV members, with more basketball content and the first-ever presenting partner of the NBA Finals,” “YouTube TV was built for fans, and we are excited to bring to life our cable-free live TV service during one of the most watched sports events of the year.”
Wendell Scott, senior vice president of multimedia sales at ESPN said, “The NBA and ESPN have a history of creating innovative sponsorships, and this certainly qualifies,” “YouTube TV is a next generation partner for an ascendant league and we look forward to working with them to maximize the impact of their investment across ABC and the ESPN platform.”
The NBA and Youtube TV had already partnered with ESPN’s Creativeworks division (ESPN also has a YouTube TV channel) on a spot featuring Golden State Warriors’ forward Draymond Green. Using the NBA Champion, the commercial highlighting the ability to watch live programming on any device without need for a cable subscription in a spot that seemingly bookended live footage with the previously-recorded spot.
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