DAZN close to Spanish NBA deal, claims report

Sports streamer DAZN is reportedly close to usurping Telefónica as the rights holder to the NBA in Spain.

According to Palco23, DAZN is in advanced talks with the basketball league to become its principle rights holder. The outlet estimates the value of DAZN’s offer at approximately €9 million per season, an increase from Telefónica’s €7.8 million annual deal.

This would be a serious change to the status quo in Spain, where Telefónica has broadcast the competition on its Movistar+ pay TV service for 25 years.

The NBA would be a crown jewel in DAZN’s basketball portfolio in Spain, where it is the exclusive broadcaster of the Fiba World Cup, Giba Intercontinental Cup, EuroLeague Basketball and Basketball Champions League.

Elsewhere, IBF featherweight champion Josh Warrington has signed a multi-fight deal with promoter Matchroom Boxing USA, and will compete exclusively on DAZN in the US and Sky Sports in the UK.

The fighter said: “It’s great to be back with Matchroom, Sky, and now DAZN , and I’m very excited about the future. I have enjoyed my time at BT Sport, but now I’m looking forward to going on to achieve my dreams of both fighting in the USA and unifying the division.”