The International Federation has just formalized its partnership with Two Circles and the creation of Courtside 1891, “a long-term strategic venture that will revolutionize the market for direct-to-consumer basketball content worldwide”.
Eager to disrupt codes and significantly improve the way the basketball community can access the sport they love, the International Federation has announced that it has partnered with Two Circles until 2029 to “develop new digital platforms and create a dedicated team covering product strategy, sales, marketing, data management and basketball analytics”. Thus was born Courtside 1891, a company that aims to provide the global basketball community with live and on-demand streams, schedules and scores from around the world.
Note that the matches available live are accessible through an annual or event subscription. A free subscription also exists, allowing fans to access video clips, scores, schedules and statistics. FIBA hopes, through this service, to help its broadcast partners to transmit its actions to as many people as possible.
The press release from the International Basketball Federation:
“FIBA, the International Basketball Federation, and sports marketing and data technology company Two Circles today announced the creation of a long-term, strategic company that will revolutionize the retail market. direct to consumers of basketball content around the world.
In line with FIBA’s vision of making basketball the most popular sporting community in the world and the strategic goal of expanding the FIBA family, the partnership will see FIBA and Two Circles develop, market and bring to market a whole new direct-to-consumer offering under the Courtside 1891 brand.
The new Courtside 1891 product aggregates scores, streams and schedules from a wide variety of basketball events and leagues around the world. This comprehensive content offering, combined with a fresh and unique new brand, represents a bold and innovative departure from the usual digital offerings of sports federations.
The initial Courtside 1891 launch product was made available in limited release for the recent second qualifying window of the FIBA Basketball World Cup 2023, played in February across all FIBA Regions.
The Courtside 1891 business will allow FIBA to develop direct and long-term relationships with fans around the world and better understand the behaviors and attitudes of basketball fans around the world in order to create new products and new strategies. It will also increase the exposure and visibility of FIBA competitions alongside pan-regional and national leagues around the world. »
“We are delighted to embark on this adventure with Two Circles. Developing the global profile of basketball and unifying the basketball community is fundamental to our vision. With Two Circles’ expertise in digital strategies that engage audiences and develop direct relationships with fans, this partnership has already delivered a new digital platform that all members of the FIBA Family will benefit from and that will create levels of unprecedented engagement with our basketball fanbase. »
Andreas Zagklis, FIBA General Secretary
“Direct fan relationships have become valuable currency as sports properties transition from the analog age of broadcast television to the age of digital consumption and distribution. As an international federation, FIBA has a proven track record of innovation, and we are excited about the impact our data-driven approach can have in pushing the boundaries and initiating the next phase of media distribution and digital FIBA fan engagement. »
Gareth Balch, PDG de Two Circles
Photo : Courtside 1981
