The NBA announced a landmark 11-year media rights deal with Disney, NBC, and Amazon Prime Video, rejecting Warner Bros. Discovery’s $1.8 billion per year offer. This agreement, ratified by the league’s Board of Governors, is set to generate approximately $76 billion over its duration.
Despite Warner Bros. Discovery’s attempt to match parts of the new deals, the NBA did not consider their offer a true match. Consequently, the 2024-25 season will mark the end of TNT’s nearly four-decade association with the NBA. Warner Bros. Discovery has stated it will take “appropriate action” against the NBA’s decision.
NBA Commissioner Adam Silver highlighted the benefits of partnering with Amazon, citing its global reach and vast subscriber base. “The digital opportunities with Amazon align perfectly with the global interest in the NBA,” Silver stated.
Turner Sports, however, disagreed with the NBA’s decision, asserting that they had matched Amazon’s offer and had the contractual right to do so. “We do not believe the NBA can reject it,” TNT Sports declared, adding that they would continue to deliver their coverage for the upcoming season, including the iconic ‘Inside the NBA.’
Under the new deal, Amazon Prime Video will broadcast games on Friday nights, select Saturday afternoons, and Thursday night doubleheaders post-NFL season. Amazon will also take over the NBA League Pass package.
The NBA emphasized that Warner Bros. Discovery’s proposal did not meet Amazon Prime Video’s terms, thus necessitating the new partnership. The league’s goal was to enhance the reach and accessibility of its games, supported by substantial promotional resources from all three partners.
Amazon’s package includes exclusive broadcasts on Black Friday and the NBA Cup’s quarterfinals, semifinals, and championship game. Jay Marine, global head of sports for Prime Video, expressed excitement about adding the NBA to their sports lineup, which includes the NFL, UEFA Champions League, and more.
ESPN and ABC will retain the league’s premier package, featuring the NBA Finals. They will combine for nearly 100 regular-season games, including over 20 on ABC and up to 60 on ESPN. Their coverage extends to five Christmas Day games and exclusive national coverage of the season’s final day. The playoffs will feature approximately 18 games in the first two rounds and one conference final series annually, except for one year.
NBC’s return to NBA broadcasting marks the league’s partnership with two broadcast networks for the first time. NBC will air up to 100 regular-season games, primarily on Sunday nights post-NFL season, Tuesdays, and exclusive Monday night doubleheaders on Peacock. NBC will also broadcast the All-Star Game and All-Star Saturday Night, and up to 28 playoff games in the first two rounds, with at least half on NBC.
NBC and Amazon will rotate the conference finals series coverage, starting with NBC in 2026-27. “The return of NBA basketball to the NBC Sports family comes with enormous benefits and excitement for our fans,” Silver noted, praising NBCUniversal’s multiple platforms and resources.
This new media rights deal positions the NBA to expand its global reach and enhance fan engagement through diverse platforms and innovative broadcasting strategies.
