The NBA announced on Wednesday that it has declined Warner Bros. Discovery’s $1.8 billion per year offer to extend its long-standing partnership with the league. Instead, the NBA has struck a deal with Amazon Prime Video, marking the end of a nearly four-decade era of games being broadcast on TNT.
This development indicates that the series of media rights deals recently approved by the league’s Board of Governors with Disney, NBC, and Amazon Prime Video are close to being finalized. These 11-year agreements, valued at roughly $76 billion, mark a significant shift for the NBA.
Warner Bros. Discovery had the opportunity to match aspects of these deals within a five-day window, but the NBA ultimately found their offer to be insufficient. As a result, the upcoming 2024-25 season will be the final one aired on TNT after nearly 40 years.
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The NBA explained its decision to partner with Amazon by stating, “Warner Bros. Discovery’s most recent proposal did not match the terms of Amazon Prime Video’s offer and, therefore, we have entered into a long-term arrangement with Amazon.” The league aims to enhance fan access and viewership through this new collaboration.
Amazon Prime Video will now broadcast games on Friday nights, select Saturday afternoons, and Thursday night doubleheaders following the conclusion of their “Thursday Night Football” schedule. Additionally, Prime Video will take over the NBA League Pass package from Warner Bros. Discovery.
NBA Commissioner Adam Silver expressed enthusiasm for the partnership, citing Amazon Prime Video’s global reach and vast subscriber base as valuable assets for expanding the league’s audience and engagement.
The agreement with Amazon Prime Video includes broadcasting at least one game on Black Friday, as well as coverage of the NBA Cup quarterfinals, semifinals, and championship game.
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Amazon’s Global Head of Sports, Jay Marine, highlighted the NBA’s addition to their sports lineup, which includes prestigious events like the NFL, UEFA Champions League, and Wimbledon. The partnership is set to commence in 2025 and promises to deliver an enhanced viewing experience for fans.
ESPN and ABC will retain the rights to broadcast the NBA Finals, with ABC having carried the finals since 2003. The networks will air nearly 100 regular-season games collectively, with ABC showcasing games mainly on weekends and ESPN featuring mid-week matchups.
With NBC making a return to NBA broadcasting, the league now has two broadcast network partners. NBC will air up to 100 regular-season games, including a Sunday night slot following the conclusion of the NFL season. NBC’s coverage will also extend to the All-Star Game and certain playoff rounds.
In conclusion, the NBA’s new media partnerships with Amazon, NBC, Disney, and others mark a significant shift in the league’s broadcasting landscape, offering fans more viewing options and expanding global reach.
