The NBA announced on Wednesday that it has declined Warner Bros. Discovery’s $1.8 billion per year offer to extend their long-standing partnership with the league. Instead, the NBA has entered into an agreement with Amazon Prime Video, marking the end of nearly four decades of games being aired on TNT.
This decision also indicates that the media rights deals approved by the league’s Board of Governors with Disney, NBC, and Amazon Prime Video are nearing finalization. These 11-year agreements, valued at approximately $76 billion, are set to reshape the broadcasting landscape of NBA games.
Warner Bros. Discovery had the opportunity to match aspects of these deals within a five-day window but their offer was not deemed competitive enough by the NBA. As a result, the 2024-25 season will be TNT’s final season as an NBA broadcaster.
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“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 NBA stated on Wednesday. The league emphasized its commitment to maximizing the reach and accessibility of games for fans through this new partnership.
Amazon Prime Video will showcase games on Friday nights, select Saturday afternoons, and Thursday night doubleheaders. The streaming service will also take over the NBA League Pass package from Warner Bros. Discovery.
NBA Commissioner Adam Silver praised the digital potential of Amazon’s platform, citing it as a strategic fit for the league’s global audience. The new agreement with Prime Video includes premium events like games on Black Friday and the NBA Cup playoffs.
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Chief of Sports at Prime Video, Jay Marine, expressed excitement about adding the NBA to their sports lineup and enhancing the viewing experience for fans. The partnership with Amazon Prime Video is set to commence in 2025.
ESPN and ABC will retain the rights to broadcast the NBA Finals, continuing their long-standing coverage of the championship series. ESPN/ABC will air nearly 100 regular-season games, with ABC hosting games on weekends and ESPN focusing on weeknight matchups.
NBC’s return as a broadcasting partner marks a significant development, as the network will air up to 100 regular-season games, including Sunday night matchups post-NFL season. NBC and Amazon will share coverage of conference finals in alternating seasons.
