The NBA is reportedly finalizing a significant media rights deal with ESPN, NBC, and Amazon Prime Video as its TV partners, according to a report by Andrew Marchand of The Athletic. The deal is said to be worth $76 billion and will secure TV rights to the league for the next 11 seasons.
NEWS: The NBA has finalized contracts with NBC, Amazon, and ESPN as its TV partners, The Athletic reports.
* TNT’s future plans, changes to the NBA schedule, and ESPN’s retention of The Finals are among the details.
Details: https://t.co/oGHh0Ygp5L
— Andrew Marchand (@AndrewMarchand) July 10, 2024
Although TNT Sports has been a longtime host network for the NBA, there is a possibility that TNT’s parent company Warner Bros. Discovery, led by CEO David Zaslav, could match the deal, as per The Athletic. The NBA and its media partners have reached agreements on the contract terms, pending signatures. If TNT decides to stay involved, they may target Amazon’s package.
The finalized deal will be presented to the NBA board of governors during meetings in Las Vegas next Tuesday for approval. Following board approval, the contracts will be sent to TNT, giving them five days to match the offer. If TNT declines, the NBA is expected to officially announce the TV deal before the end of the month, just in time for the Olympics.
As per The Athletic, the new TV deal will include national broadcasts almost every day of the week, with special arrangements during the NFL season to air NBA games on NBC after Sunday Night Football and on Amazon after Thursday Night Football.