Italy: Eleven Sports heightens basketball content
Jessie Sale
Eleven Sports has joined the Euroleague Basketball family in becoming the OTT platform broadcaster for its competitions in Italy, consisting of coverage for the Turkish Airlines EuroLeague and 7DAYS EuroCup.
As the seasons begin on September 30 and October 19, Eleven will bring more than 500 fixtures to all Italian fans until 2024, which marks the 25th anniversary of Euroleague basketball.
Alex Ferrer Kristjansson, Euroleague Basketball Marketing and Communication Senior Director, commented: “Italy, a traditional basketball market, has experienced renewed interest in our sport over the last years, and it is our intention to bring our games as close as possible to all our tifosi.”
All games with AX Armani Exchange Milan, Dolomiti Energia Trento, Umana Reyer Venice and Virtus Segafredo Bologna will have Italian commentators calling the action.
Founded in 2015, the company makes a well-timed move as fan interest for Euroleague basketball has jumped 36% and TV audience has grown 390% over the last three seasons.
“We have a big focus on premium rights, maintaining an important space for lower level championships,” stated Giovanni Zurleni, Delegate Administrator of Eleven Sports Italy. “We want to involve, satisfy and entertain all the fans on a global sports community.”
“Not only with the live broadcasting but also explaining with passion all the stories that make sport something unique.”
The tournament previously aimed to further improve its fan interest in 2020, when it entered a four year partnership with sports and entertainment platform IQONIQ. IQONIQ became Euroleague Basketball’s fan engagement and loyalty platform for the continent’s two men’s competitions, in order to utilise the potentially profitable market.
Zurleni added: “The appointment for all fans is next September 30, we expect the moment to start this new adventure together with all participating clubs and especially with AX Armani Exchange Milan, Virtus Segafredo Bologna, Umana Reyer Venice and Dolomiti Energia Trento representing Italy on both competitions.”
