MIES, Switzerland (3x3) - The International Basketball Federation (FIBA) and IMG Media, a division of IMG, the global sports, fashion and media company, have agreed a long-term contract for the distribution of the worldwide rights of FIBA's 3x3official competitions: the FIBA 3x3 World Tour and the FIBA 3x3 All Stars (city-based events) as well as the FIBA 3x3 World and Zone Championships both Open and U18 (national-team events).

The deal which comes into effect immediately will help FIBA as the world's basketball governing body continues to boost its worldwide TV presence.

Media interest has steadily increased throughout the last series of 3x3 events, with the FIBA 3x3 All Stars broadcast in over 80 countries last December.

"3x3 is one of the four pillars of FIBA's development strategy. We are excited to work with IMG whose strong experience in sports events distribution should help us achieve our ambitious goals for the high-rising discipline," said FIBA Secretary General and IOC member Patrick Baumann.

"The interest for the FIBA 3x3 All Stars was immediately confirmed in Brazil in the beginning of 2014 with the Copa America de Basquete 3x3 generating a 50 percent audience share. 3x3 has also found a wide and young audience on its YouTube channel, which tallies over 3.5 million views with fans already watching close to 8 million minutes of 3x3.

"While we are pleased with the TV presence in Brazil, Europe or the Middle East for example, we are keen to extend 3x3's live and delayed content into new markets. We have also secured deals to offer a new TV magazine and provide all broadcasters with tailor-made video content, profiling 3x3 stars and flagship events more prominently."

The consolidation of FIBA's 3x3 media rights means IMG Media will have exclusive rights to distribute all of the best 3x3 action worldwide. The 2014 season will feature a six-stop FIBA 3x3 World Tour which culminates with a final staged in Tokyo, the FIBA 3x3 All Stars held in Doha and as soon as June (5-8) the FIBA 3x3 World Championships (for Men and Women) in Moscow.

"We firmly believe the 3x3 format has huge potential to grow the sport of basketball on a global basis and are delighted to enter into a long-term partnership with FIBA," said IMG Media Executive VP Ioris Francini.

"3x3 is the basketball of the streets. It is exciting to watch and is attracting an expanding fan base wherever it is played or seen. The whole package of non-stop action, urban sounds, street dancing and shows, played against a backdrop of some of the most iconic cityscapes make for compelling programming on all forms of media."

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