Sirius XM Radio just boosted the BEST OF programming option by adding the full NBA line-up. Whether you subscribe to Sirius or XM, you will now have access to the full NBA schedule this season. The announcement comes just one day prior to the beginning of the 2008-2009 NBA schedule.

In an announcement from the National Basketball Association and SIRIUS XM Radio we learned toady that satellite radio will deliver live NBA games to subscribers around the country throughout the 2008-09 season. The NBA and has been involved with satellite radio since 2003, when the NBA became the first major professional sports league to provide live games on SIRIUS.

SIRIUS XM broadcasts more live NBA games than any other radio outlet. Starting with the Opening Night games tomorrow, XM listeners will have access to more than 1,000 regular season games, plus every game of the NBA Playoffs and The Finals. For most SIRIUS listeners, select NBA games will be available through the “Best of XM” programming package.

“Since 2003 the NBA has been one of the premier programming elements on satellite radio,” said Steve Cohen, SIRIUS XM’s SVP of Sports Programming. “The merger of SIRIUS XM gives us the opportunity to deliver NBA games to more listeners than ever before. XM and SIRIUS subscribers from coast to coast will have access to live NBA action every night, from the tip-off of the regular season through every second of the playoffs.”

“As the first major professional sports league to provide live games on satellite radio, we have always embraced all forms of media to reach our fans, wherever they may consume our game,” said Danny Meiseles, Senior Vice President, Production, Programming, and Broadcasting, NBA. “Now with NBA games available to both XM and SIRIUS subscribers, even more fans will be able to follow our game throughout the season.”

Beginning tomorrow, XM and SIRIUS subscribers will have access to the Opening Night tripleheader featuring the reigning NBA Champion Boston Celtics hosting the Cleveland Cavaliers at 8:00 pm ET (XM channel 231, SIRIUS channel 215), plus the Milwaukee Bucks @ the Chicago Bulls at 8:30 pm ET (XM channel 232, SIRIUS channel 216) and the Portland Trailblazers @ the L.A. Lakers at 10:30 pm ET (XM channel 233, SIRIUS channel 217).

SIRIUS XM will utilize NBA team radio broadcasts to air regular season games from every NBA team. Throughout the regular season, SIRIUS XM will, in most cases, provide the home team’s local radio broadcast. During the NBA Playoffs and The Finals, home team, visiting team and national radio broadcasts will be offered.

For a schedule of upcoming NBA games on XM visit www.xmradio.com. For more information on adding “The Best of XM” channels to a SIRIUS subscription and a schedule of NBA games on SIRIUS visit www.sirius.com.

Position: Long SIRI, Proud Celtic Fan.