Warner Bros. Discovery, which shows NBA games on TNT, is reportedly matching Amazon’s $1.9 billion-per-season offer|@NBASummerLeague|X
The NBA’s new broadcast deals are grabbing attention after the league secured $76 billion in new contracts with ESPN (owned by Disney), NBCUniversal and Amazon. These latest deals would begin in the 2025-26 season and last 11 years.
However, current rights holder Warner Bros. Discovery (WBD), which shows NBA games on TNT under a $1.2 billion annual package, doesn’t want to part with the NBA’s broadcasting rights that lasts through 2025 and is matching Amazon’s $1.9 billion-per-season offer.
The other new contracts are hefty. ESPN is offering $2.8 billion annually for the top-tier “A” package, including the NBA Finals. NBC proposes $2.6 billion for the “B” package, featuring the All-Star Game. Amazon’s “C” package includes some conference finals.
A big deal
TNT, which has aired NBA games for over 30 years, faces competition as streaming becomes more popular. TNT would simulcast games on its Max streaming platform but not exclusively. In contrast, Amazon and NBCU’s deals include exclusive streaming.
NBA Commissioner Adam Silver stresses the need for games on multiple streaming platforms.
If the NBA rejects Warner’s bid, legal action might follow. Meanwhile, TNT has secured deals for other sports, including the College Football Playoff and the French Open.