Nine has secured the free-to-air rights for the National Basketball League (NBL) for the next two seasons, taking them over from Network 10, who held the rights for the most recent campaign.
B&T understands that Network 10 did not bid for the rights.
The commercial broadcaster had only locked in a one-season extension last August for the 2025–26 season before Nine entered the frame.
Under the new two-year deal, two NBL games will air free-to-air each week across the 9Network, delivering a boost for Aussie basketball fans.
The partnership builds on the NBL’s growth across attendance, digital engagement and free-to-air audiences. Average broadcast audience across all platforms increased by 33 per cent in the Finals, with average reach also growing by 41 per cent. The Hungry Jack’s NBL Championship Series decider (Game 5) reached more than 630,000 viewers across all broadcast platforms.
A total of 1,135,135 people attended games throughout the regular season and finals, which surpassed the previous record that stood for 31 years. It was achieved in 40 less games. There were also 55 sell-outs throughout the campaign with clubs attracting more and more people through the gates.
Nine’s NBL coverage will sit alongside the WNBL, where top level Australian basketball joins the 9Network’s runway to the Los Angeles 2028 Olympics, where the Boomers and Opals will take on the world.
As part of the agreement, two games a week will be broadcasted on 9Network and 9Now, as well as every finals games and an NBL Overtime show.
“The NBL is without a doubt one of Australia’s most engaging and fastest growing sports competitions. The standard of the game has never been higher, passion from the fans has never been stronger and an innovative broadcast approach from all stakeholders makes this a perfect addition to Nine’s suite of sport assets,” said Nine’s director of Sport, Brent Williams.
“We are thrilled to be entering this partnership and excited about the opportunities that will come from having NBL content on Nine’s platforms.”
“This is a significant moment for the NBL and for basketball fans right across Australia. Following a record-breaking season across attendance, digital and Free to Air audiences, this partnership with Nine is about building on that momentum and making our game more accessible than ever before,” added NBL Group CEO, David Stevenson.
“Having two games live and free every week is a major win for fans and a powerful platform to continue growing the game.
“We’re incredibly excited to partner with Nine, whose scale and storytelling capability will help bring the energy of the NBL to more homes, create new fans, and elevate the visibility of our clubs and players.”
“Network 10 has enjoyed a wonderful partnership with the NBL and we wish them all the very best for the future,” a Network 10 spokesperson told B&T.
The news follows Nine securing a five-year partnership with Netball Australia, securing all broadcast and streaming rights to Suncorp Super Netball, all Australian Diamonds matches and the Netball World Cup Sydney 2027, from 1 January 2027.
Nine adds the NBL to its sport portfolio that spans across the Netball, NRL, State of Origin, Wallabies and Super Rugby, Premier League, UEFA Champions League, premium year-round Grand Slam tennis, and the Olympic Games.
Primary rights to the NBL are held by ESPN under a three-year deal that sees it air every match live, as well as games from the new in-season tournament, the Ignite Cup, each Wednesday night, and the pre-season tournament, ‘The Blitz’.
