The NBA has received 11-year, $75.9 billion proposals that would grant broadcasting rights to NBC and Amazon Prime Video starting with the 2025-26 season, according to multiple media reports on Wednesday.
ABC/ESPN, owned by Disney, would retain certain broadcast rights, including the NBA Finals. TNT would not be included in the framework submitted on Wednesday. The new deal, which runs through the 2035-36 season, would set league records for length and total value. The current broadcasting package, for nine years and $7.4 billion, expires after next season.
TNT, which has been broadcasting NBA games since the 1980s, was unable to agree to a renewal with the NBA this spring while it had exclusive negotiation rights. TNT, which is owned by Warner Bros. Discovery, would have the right to match the proposal if the league’s board of governors gives its approval.
That approval could happen early next week, according to sports business website Sportico.com, and Warner Bros. Discovery would have five days to match one of the non-Disney packages when the NBA sends the finished contracts to TNT.
The Athletic reported in late April that proposals to change the league’s broadcast structure were in the works, and revisions have been made in the meantime.
–Field Level Media