Miami Heat vs UEFA

NBA.com News Updates: Season Previews, Player Extensions, and Media Day Coverage

The NBA.com homepage has been updated with new content for the 2026-27 season, including season previews for multiple teams, player contract extensions (Ausar Thompson, Keyonte George, Pelle Larsson, Kawhi Leonard), a trade (Dorian Finney-Smith to Hawks), and media day coverage. Also, the Clippers named John S. Gibson as interim CEO and governor after Steve Ballmer's NBA ban.

DAZN Secures Memphis Grizzlies Streaming Rights with Free Games

DAZN has entered a multi-year partnership with the NBA's Memphis Grizzlies, becoming the team's exclusive local broadcaster across a seven-state region. The deal covers the 2026-27 season, including all preseason games and 78 of 80 regular-season games, with 15 games available free to account holders. DAZN will produce games in 1080i and offer various subscription plans, including multiview features. The agreement allows fans to watch without cable, and selected games will be simulcast over-the-air. DAZN will also stream Grind City Media programming. This move strengthens DAZN's position in local sports streaming, expanding its NBA portfolio.

• DAZN becomes exclusive local broadcaster for Memphis Grizzlies across seven states.
• Deal covers 2026-27 season, including 78 of 80 regular-season games.
• 15 games will be available free to anyone with a DAZN account.

Michael Jordan Likely to Skip Peacock NBA Coverage

Michael Jordan is reportedly not expected to return as a "special on-air contributor" for NBC Sports' NBA coverage in the 2026-27 season, according to Front Office Sports; NBC declined to comment. Jordan’s on-air role last season consisted of a single sit-down interview with Mike Tirico split into five taped segments titled “MJ: Insights to Excellence.” NBC Sports and Peacock will carry more than 100 NBA games across NBC, Peacock and NBCSN in 2026-27, with every game streaming live on Peacock. Peacock raised prices for all three subscription tiers on August 18 and is testing a membership program with partner perks (including Instacart+ and Pizza Hut offers). Peacock Premium Plus is also now available through YouTube Primetime Channels, and Netflix has reportedly discussed offering third-party subscriptions such as Peacock.

• Michael Jordan is reportedly not expected to return to NBC Sports' NBA coverage for the 2026-27 season (per Front Office Sports).
• Jordan’s NBC on-air role last season was a single sit-down interview with Mike Tirico split into five taped segments called “MJ: Insights to Excellence.”
• NBC Sports has announced more than 100 NBA games for the 2026-27 regular season across NBC, Peacock and NBCSN; every game will stream live on Peacock.

Hisense Extends UEFA Partnership as Official EURO 2028 Partner

Hisense announced at IFA 2026 that it will continue as Official Partner of UEFA EURO 2028, marking its fourth consecutive UEFA European Championship sponsorship. The company has been involved in football since UEFA EURO 2016 and also sponsored FIFA World Cups in 2018, 2022, and 2026. Catherine Fang, Vice President of Hisense Group, highlighted the evolution from brand sponsorship to technology partner for UEFA screens. UEFA Marketing Director Guy-Laurent Epstein expressed enthusiasm for the continued collaboration. At IFA 2026, Hisense will feature a UEFA EURO 2028 activation zone with interactive football challenges.

• Hisense announced at IFA 2026 that it will continue as Official Partner of UEFA EURO 2028.
• This is Hisense's fourth consecutive UEFA European Championship sponsorship.
• Hisense has sponsored UEFA EURO since 2016 and FIFA World Cups 2018, 2022, and 2026.

Hisense Extends UEFA Partnership as Official Partner of EURO 2028

Hisense, a global consumer electronics and home appliance brand, announced at IFA 2026 that it will continue its partnership with UEFA as an official partner of UEFA EURO 2028, marking its fourth consecutive UEFA European Championship. The collaboration, which began with UEFA EURO 2016, makes Hisense the first Chinese sponsor of the tournament, and also includes sponsorship of the FIFA World Cup 2026. At IFA, Hisense will feature a UEFA EURO 2028 activation zone with football challenges and auto-generated photos, offering immersive fan experiences. Hisense Vice President Catherine Fang and UEFA Marketing Director Guy-Laurent Epstein expressed enthusiasm, highlighting the partnership's growth beyond branding into display technology and immersive fan experiences. Additionally, Hisense is ranked first globally in TVs 100 inches and above, according to Omdia, underscoring its leadership in premium display technology.

• Hisense extended its partnership with UEFA as official partner of UEFA EURO 2028.
• This is Hisense's fourth consecutive UEFA European Championship sponsorship.
• Hisense is the first Chinese sponsor of UEFA EURO.

FIFA’s World Cup Reputation Damaged Sponsors' Trust

An opinion piece in The Drum argues FIFA — positioned as a B2B brand that sells trust to sponsors — damaged that trust during the recent World Cup. The article cites multiple incidents: Gianni Infantino’s informal presentation style, FIFA’s reversal of a referee’s automatic suspension for USA striker Folarin Balogun following a phone call from Donald Trump, FIFA creating and awarding a newly invented 'Peace Prize' to Trump, dynamic/surge ticket pricing, and a short-lived plan to sell a 20% stake in FIFA’s commercial arm to private investors (reported buyers included the Kushners). The stake announcement triggered revolts from confederations, public criticism from UEFA, the resignation of senior adviser Carlos Cordeiro, and the later sacking of COO Kevin Lamour. The author frames these events as eroding the core commercial asset FIFA offers sponsors: trust.

• FIFA reported a record $12bn in World Cup revenue before announcing a plan to sell a 20% stake in its commercial arm valued at $20bn.
• FIFA announced the planned sale to private investors (the article says the Kushners were among the buyers); the plan lasted three days amid confederation revolt and criticism from UEFA.
• Carlos Cordeiro, a senior adviser, resigned in protest after the stake announcement; FIFA later sacked its chief operating officer, Kevin Lamour.