NBA's potential media deals with Disney, Amazon and NBC gaining traction
The NBA's media rights potential shift from Warner Bros. Discovery has sparked considerable interest this week, with news of formal written contracts with Disney, NBC and Amazon regarding media rights negotiations potentially reaching their final stages, as the Sports Business Journal reported.
If Warner Bros. Discovery were to lose the NBA's media rights, the 2024-25 season could be its final season under the current contract.
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Details of contracts with ESPN, NBC and Amazon
As per the Sports Business Journal, ESPN's potential annual payment of $2.8 billion for the league's top package includes the NBA Finals, a conference final, weekly primetime games, and some WNBA and international rights.
The NBC package, which could feature a show called 'Basketball Night in America,' airing on Sunday nights and potentially becoming a flagship program for the network, two primetime windows a week, a conference semifinals, and a conference final estimated at $2.5 billion, also holds substantial implications.
Amazon is reportedly considering a deal worth between $1.8 and $2 billion, which would cover the Emirates In-Season Tournament, the Sofi Play-In Tournament, first-round playoff games, as well as some WNBA and International rights.
Warner Bros. Discovery chance to match bid
The Sports Business Journal has also revealed that the league plans to present the NBC contract to Warner Bros. Discovery. This move will give CEO David Zaslav an opportunity to match the proposal at 'total value, 'indicating a potential counteroffer from the media company.
Zaslav paid $1.2 billion for the NBA media rights a decade ago and has indicated that he would be interested in spending between $1.8 to $2.1 billion for the same package that NBC is willing to pay $2.6 billion for, which Zaslav has refused to meet.
Could this be the end of 'Inside the NBA' show?
It appears that the NBA is considering a significant change, potentially ending its partnership with TNT and joining NBC for the 'B' package coverage. This move could have a profound impact on the future of the beloved postgame studio show, 'Inside the NBA'.
The popular show featuring Charles Barkley, Shaquille O'Neal, Kenny Smith, and Ernie Johnson has been on air since 1989 and has hand a handful of basketball legends behind the desk. It is a fan favorite, blending humor with basketball coverage.
'Inside the NBA' has been considered one of the best sports analysis shows and has won 18 Sports Emmy Awards.
The future of the show has not been disclosed.
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: NBA media rights move to final stages with Disney, NBC and Amazon
