Statement regarding the independent broadcasting of Great Britain basketball games

Following a period of review, GB Basketball has taken the decision not to allow independent filming during any of our home games for the foreseeable future.

As we are broadcasting games via the FIBA YouTube Channel (available through the FIBA website) and actively signposting streams on our own social media channels as well as those of Basketball England, Scotland and Wales, we feel that games are highly accessible for anyone wishing to follow our teams online. There is no restriction on any website or media outlet linking to these game broadcasts. Once a game has concluded, highlights as well as full game footage is also available to view for free from the FIBA website. This is common practice for the majority of games that our teams play.

As a Federation, we have contracted sponsors who provide beneficial support across the whole GB Programme.  When a game is televised on any medium in Britain, these sponsors and partners require recognition of their product, support and name. This is mainly done via courtside adverts being visible on screen as well as the use of specified on-screen FIBA competition graphics during a live game. These graphics clearly identify our (and FIBA’s) supporters as well as the context of the game being played e.g. EuroBasket 2019. These graphics also reassure viewers that what is being shown is from an official broadcast. We cannot guarantee these requirements will be met through independent filming.

As the home nation, we hold the broadcast rights (subject to FIBA regulations and approval) for each game that we host. Whilst we must meet the substantial costs required to produce and air these broadcasts, we are pleased we are able to do so and ensure that so many GB fans can follow our teams no matter where they are in the world. Part of that responsibility is making sure we meet the contractual expectations of our partners and supporters at all times.

As has been stated, our games are free to view to the world-wide basketball family and free for future viewing once each game has finished. We also wish to state that we do not want to restrict any media filming during pre-game, during intervals of play and post-game, just the live games themselves.