Sal's NBL broadcast partner Sky Sport has announced a commentary crew of 15 lead callers and experts to cover this year's 262 games, which includes 137 games in the Sal's NBL and 132 games in the NBL's Sky Broadband Rapid League.
Entering its seventh year as the competition's exclusive broadcaster, Sky continues to work with the league to forge new ground in innovations, including a raft of added elements in the coverage of the popular and rapidly growing Kiwi pro league.
This years crop of broadcasters will give voice to every game live on Sky Sport across Aotearoa from the opening tip off to the final whistle in July. Viewers in the United States can catch games on ESPN (check local listings) while our international viewers outside those countries can find us on FIBA YouTube. Viewers across New Zealand can catch a game on Sky Open every Sunday at 3pm and we're bringing back the surging in popularity Tik Tok livestreams, which can be found on the Sky Sport Tik Tok page @skysportnz every Friday night throughout the regular season
Many familiar faces and voices will return for season 2025, including lead callers Andrew Mulligan, Justin Nelson, Taylah Johnson, Glen Larmer, Nick Bewley and Huw Beynon, while rising talent Maia Williamson moves from an expert role into the lead caller chair.
An elite line-up of experts will again be spearheaded by Casey Frank, Krystal Leger-Walker and Casyn Buchman, while new faces include current Tall Blacks coach and four-time champion coach Judd Flavell, former Sal's NBL star Lindsay Tait, recently retired Giants guard Tom Ingham and former league head coaches Natu Taufale (Jets) and Brent Matehaere (Nuggets).
For Lindsay Tait, possibly the most who has commentated the odd game here and there in previous seasons, a step-up to weekly duties as a key member of the commentary team can't come soon enough.
“I’m grateful for the opportunity to reconnect with a league I grew up watching and playing in. To now see and commentate the next crop of talent from Aotearoa compete with and against international talent from around the globe is a blessing," said Tait.
"Sky's coverage of the league continues to grow every year. I’m excited to share my knowledge gained over a lifetime in our game and join an experienced commentary team to help bring the game insights to the fans."
In particular, access to three coaches in Flavell, Taufale and Matehaere, who all coached in the league last season, is set to provide viewers with an exciting and modern analysis into team tactics and game strategies.
Sky's Justin Nelson said the 2025 line-up marked the most experienced commentary crew the competition has seen across sits 42 years.
"Bringing these games to the fans in an entertaining, exciting and informative way is what drives us to recruit experienced lead callers and exceptionally knowledgeable and respected experts, and this year's commentary team represents this," said Nelson.
"We are really excited to gain the talents and incredible playing experience of Lindsay, his record in this league speaks for itself, and the recently retired Tom Ingham is an exciting addition. And then you have the infectious talent that is Casey Frank, who without doubt is a master of his craft and another former champion of the Sal's NBL.
"To also have current Tall Blacks coach Judd Flavell join us as a regular commentator is a real coup. Judd is very personable and has some recent experience behind the microphone having previously worked with us at the 3X3 Cup in 2022."
The 2025 Sal's NBL season tips off on Wednesday March 12 when the Hawke's Bay Hawks host newcomers the Indian Panthers.
2025 Sal's NBL Sky Commentary Team
Lead Callers: Andrew Mulligan, Justin Nelson, Taylah Johnson, Glen Larmer, Nick Bewley, Maia Williamson, Huw Beynon.
Experts: Casey Frank, Judd Flavell, Lindsay Tait, Krystal Leger-Walker, Natu Taufale, Casyn Buchman, Tom Ingham, Brent Matehaere.
All games live on Sky in New Zealand
All games live on ESPN in the United States
All games live on FIBA YouTube in other international markets
Sunday 3pm games live on Sky Open
Friday Night 7:30pm games livestreamed on Sky Sport Tik Tok @skysportnz
