YouTube to Stream NBA D-League Games | News & Opinion | PCMag.com

The National Basketball Association (NBA) has kicked off its 2012-13 season, leaving behind the drama of last season's crippling lockout and returning to its role as America's third most popular sports league behind the NFL and the MLB. Now, moving to broaden its footprint on the national and international scene, the NBA has just announced a deal with Google that will see its NBA Development League games streamed for free on YouTube.
Much like baseball's minor leagues, the NBA D-League grooms talented basketball players hoping to make it onto the main NBA stage. Consisting of 16 teams, previously NBA D-League were primarily available via limited local cable television agreements and on the NBA's own Futurecast website. YouTube's involvement with the NBA D-League will give hardcore basketball fans better access to some of the up and coming NBA stars as they earn their stripes.

"The NBA's latest initiative with YouTube marks another milestone in our partnership and a great way to tip off the 12th season of the NBA Development League," NBA Deputy Commissioner Adam Silver said in a statement. "By turning to our longtime partner, YouTube, we are able to bring the NBA D-League to basketball fans around the world, further expanding the league's growth and showcasing future NBA stars."

Viewers will be treated to 350 NBA D-League games via the YouTube website, the league's Center Court mobile app (available on iOS and Android), and through a streaming video player on the league's website.

"With our broad global delivery across all platforms and devices, providing live and catch up NBA D-League games and highlights will make this exciting content easily accessible to a whole new generation of basketball fans," said Google's global head of sports, Claude Ruibal.

In addition to the YouTube partnership, the league has also secured a deal with the CBS Sports Network to broadcast 12 regular season games, as well as the 2013 NBA D-League playoffs and finals, starting in January 2013. NBA D-League fans can begin watching the YouTube games starting this Friday, Nov. 23.
I mentioned a few days ago how serious they are taking the D-League now. With NBA teams actually purchasing D-League teams and now this, things are looking good.