TSN2 and Canada Basketball have reached a comprehensive agreement making TSN2 the exclusive broadcaster for the upcoming 2010 FIBA World Championship. As part of the two-year agreement, TSN2 will also be the exclusive Canadian broadcaster for the 2010 FIBA WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP FOR WOMEN, 2011 FIBA AMERICAS CHAMPIONSHIP and the 2011 FIBA AMERICAS CHAMPIONSHIP FOR WOMEN.

TSN2’s 2010 FIBA World Championship coverage will feature all Team Canada games along with the playoffs and finals. Coverage begins on Saturday, Aug. 28 with Canada vs. Lebanon at 11:30 a.m. ET live from Turkey.

“The FIBA World Championship is one of the premiere international basketball events featuring many of the world’s best players,” said Stewart Johnston, Vice-President, Programming, TSN. “We are thrilled that TSN2 will have all of the action from Team Canada as it looks to put its mark on the international stage.”

“Following on the heels of our recent domestic series, this is a major step as we continue to build the profile of Canada Basketball, our national teams and the international game across the country,” said Wayne Parrish, Executive Director and CEO of the sport’s national governing body. “Canada has a strong and vibrant basketball community, and we couldn’t be more delighted than to have TSN2 recognize that with a multi-year commitment to broadcast our major championships. Now, basketball fans from coast to coast can experience the passion, pride and excitement of international basketball starting with the biggest global basketball events of 2010 – the FIBA WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP and the FIBA WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP FOR WOMEN.”

TSN2’s broadcast schedule for the 2010 FIBA World Championship is as follows:
· Saturday, Aug. 28 – Canada vs. Lebanon at 11:30 a.m. ET
· Sunday, Aug. 29 – Canada vs. Lithuania at 9 a.m. ET
· Tuesday, Aug. 31 – Canada vs. France at 11:30 a.m. ET
· Wednesday, Sept. 1 – Canada vs. New Zealand at 9 a.m. ET
· Thursday, Sept. 2 – Canada vs. Spain at 9 a.m. ET

Additional games to be confirmed.

Team Canada’s journey to the 2010 FIBA World Championship began on home soil with a rigourous schedule including training camp and domestic exhibition games. The Senior Women’s National Team (SWNT) tipped off the season in July with a four-game friendly featuring two matches versus national teams from Sweden and Chile, respectively. The Senior Men’s National Team (SMNT) followed up in August with the Jack Donohue International Classic. Canada’s SMNT hosted the Chinese National Team for one game in Vancouver, BC. and played a two-game series against Team France in Toronto, ON. Both the SWNT and SMNT successfully swept all their respective matches and remain undefeated in 2010 domestic competition.

TSN and TSN2 are also official broadcasters of the Toronto Raptors and the NBA in Canada with more live games than any other Canadian broadcaster.