The NBA, Twitter and Turner Sports have announced a multiyear partnership extension, bringing more live game and on-demand content to the social media platform.
Through the extended partnership, a live streaming option for the second half of at least 20 games will be offered on the @NBAonTNT Twitter handle. It’s the second consecutive season the NBA, TNT and Twitter are presenting this digital partnership. Prominent regular season matchups, the All-Star contest and at least 16 playoff games, including the Western Conference Finals will be featured on the #NBATwitterLive stream.
“As early adopters of the social platform, it is exciting to see the #NBATwitter community grow into one of the largest and most active social media fan bases in the world,” Sam Farber, NBA Vice President, Digital Media said in the press release. “As part of our extended partnership, #NBATwitter will drive interest in live NBA games, inform fans where to watch the action and bring fans closer to the league, teams and players through the NBA on TNT second-screen streaming experience.”
#NBATwitter has played a vital role in assisting the league’s growing popularity. Turning into a community of its own, #NBATwitter serves as a place where thousands of fans gather to watch and analyze games together. Even as television ratings have declined recently, the NBA’s social media presence continues to prove the league’s prominence.
In an attempt to increase #NBATwitter fan participation, the league has offered more on-demand content via the @NBA Twitter handle, including game highlights, behind-the-scenes content, interactive Q&A’s and polls.
As part of the extended partnership between the league, Turner Sports and Twitter, 13-year NBA veteran Channing Frye has been named the lead analyst for their #NBATwitterLive stream.
“#NBATwitter is in a league of its own, as one of the most engaged and influential sports communities on Twitter. We’re excited to deepen our partnership with the NBA by bringing new and improved LIVE game streams, interactive voting polls, as well as the best of the best NBA video content to further ignite #NBATwitter conversation,” said TJ Adeshola, Head of U.S. Sports Partnerships at Twitter. “This partnership is a perfect match. Not only does it give fans more of what they want to see, it provides an ideal canvas for marketers to connect with what’s happening in the NBA, on Twitter.”
Brandon Contes is a freelance writer for BSM. He can be found on Twitter @BrandonContes. To reach him by email click here