SportyTV, the African sports media platform, has secured free-to-air broadcast rights to North American basketball’s NBA in several markets for the next three seasons.
Under the agreement, the broadcaster will show NBA coverage across Nigeria, Ghana, Kenya, and South Africa, on its linear television channel, OTT platform, and mobile app.
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Coverage began last week with game two of the Eastern Conference semi-finals between the Cleveland Cavaliers and the Detroit Pistons.
For the remainder of the current season, SportyTV will broadcast eight playoff games, including up to three NBA Finals matchups.
From next season, and through September 2028, SportyTV’s NBA broadcast package across the four territories includes weekly NBA Saturday games, NBA Christmas Day matchups, the NBA All-Star game, selected Play-In Tournament games, and NBA Playoffs coverage through the finals.
Beyond live games, SportyTV will air daily highlights programming and classic NBA content featuring iconic figures, including former African players Hakeem Olajuwon and Dikembe Mutombo.
A growing portion of the NBA’s player base hails from Africa, most prominently Philadelphia 76ers star Joel Embiid (who was born in Cameroon but represents the US).
Other prominent names include Pascal Siakam (Cameroon), Jonathan Kuminga and Bismack Biyombo (DR Congo), Adem Bona and Josh Okogie (Nigeria), Mouhamed Gueye (Senegal), and Khaman Maluach and Duop Reath (South Sudan).
Media giant Canal Plus holds rights to the NBA in the English and Portuguese-speaking areas in Africa through a deal secured last November.
Through that agreement, games are shown on Supersport after Canal Plus took control of the channel through its acquisition of African TV heavyweight Multichoice.
The NBA deal bolsters SportyTV’s basketball offering in the region, adding to its coverage of the EuroLeague, the continent's top club competition.
Elias Gallego, vice president of media, marketing, and business development at Sporty Group, said: “There’s a difference between content being available and it being accessible. This deal closes that gap, with free NBA games across mobile, smart TVs, and digital platforms, built around how people actually watch today.”
In terms of recent deals, SportyTV acquired pay-TV rights to international soccer’s showpiece 2026 FIFA World Cup in South Africa last month.
Meanwhile, the Sacramento Kings have unveiled healthcare company Sutter Health as their new jersey patch sponsor.
Beginning in the 2026-27 season, Sutter Health’s logo will appear on all Kings jerseys. The company will replace Phoong Law, the local personal injury law firm that held rights this season.
Phoong Law signed a one-year deal with the franchise in October 2025.
As part of the collaboration, Sutter Health will also become the team’s official healthcare partner, with physicians serving as the team's doctors, and a community impact partner.
In addition, the Northern California-based firm will serve as the official healthcare partner and jersey patch partner of the Kings' NBA G-League affiliate, the Stockton Kings.
Sutter Health will also be the presenting partner of the Kings' practice facility, fan fest, training camp, and the Kings dancers.
