TNT Sports and FIBA Strike Landmark U.S. Broadcast Deal Through 2029

FIBA and TNT Sports (a division of Warner Bros. Discovery) have announced a long-term partnership Basketball USA. The agreement, which runs through 2029, will see elite international competitions broadcast across the TNT, TBS, and truTV networks, alongside comprehensive streaming on HBO Max.

The deal effectively positions TNT Sports as the primary U.S. home for the world’s most prestigious basketball events, including the FIBA Women’s Basketball World Cup 2026 in Germany and the FIBA Basketball World Cup 2027 in Qatar.

The collaboration will also leverage TNT’s massive digital ecosystem, including Bleacher Report, House of Highlights, and B/R W, to maximize the reach of FIBA events among younger, digitally native audiences.

Strategic Alignment and Women’s Sports Growth

For TNT Sports, the acquisition bolsters an already robust basketball portfolio that includes the BIG EAST, Big 12, and the NCAA Men’s Tournament.

Noting that the deal further strengthens their leadership position in women’s sports, VP of Content Acquisitions at TNT Sports, Anthony D’Inverno, said: “We’re excited to showcase these events across all of TNT Sports networks and platforms, bringing fans closer to the players and stories that define international basketball.” 

Emphasising the importance of high-quality broadcast access in a market as basketball-centric as the United States, director general of FIBA Media, Frank Leenders, added: “This deal will take the profile of international basketball to a whole new level in the USA.”

High-Stakes Debut in Puerto Rico

The partnership officially tips off this week with the FIBA Women’s Basketball World Cup 2026 Qualifying Tournament in San Juan, Puerto Rico, running from March 11 to 17. This tournament is expected to generate significant viewership as it marks the highly anticipated senior world-stage debuts for American stars Caitlin Clark, Paige Bueckers, and Angel Reese.

Key FIBA Events Included in the Agreement:

• March 2026: Women’s World Cup Qualifying Tournament (Puerto Rico).
• September 2026: FIBA Women’s Basketball World Cup (Berlin, Germany).
• July 2027: Men’s World Cup Americas Qualifiers (USA vs. Dominican Republic).
• 2027: FIBA Basketball World Cup (Qatar).

With the U.S. Men’s team currently holding a 3-1 record in their Americas Qualifiers and the Women’s team preparing for a title defense in Berlin, the timing of the deal provides fans with a seamless “all-access” pass to the national teams’ journeys over the next four years.