Warner Bros. Discovery (WBD), the parent company of TNT Sports, has stepped up to the plate in the latest round of NBA television rights negotiations. Reports have surfaced indicating that WBD matched the bid made by Amazon, a newcomer in the game, for a whopping $1.8 billion per year over an 11-year period.
With the NBA receiving proposals from NBC and Amazon, it was Disney-owned ABC/ESPN that secured the rights to the coveted “A package,” which includes broadcasting the NBA Finals. The “B package” was slated to go to NBC, while Amazon had plans to stream the “C package” on Prime Video. The NBA Board of Governors gave the green light to these deals, totaling a staggering $76 billion.
Turner, a longtime NBA partner renowned for its studio show “Inside the NBA,” is eager to reclaim its spot in the spotlight. In a statement, TNT Sports expressed its commitment to maintaining a strong partnership with the NBA by submitting competitive bids during the negotiation process. Despite the league’s decision to explore other offers, TNT Sports exercised its matching rights provision and ultimately matched one of the bids.
This move by WBD ensures that fans will continue to enjoy the unparalleled coverage provided by TNT Sports, including top-notch live game productions and iconic studio shows featuring top talent. The statement concluded by emphasizing WBD’s 40-year commitment to the NBA and expressing eagerness for the league to finalize the new contract.
As it stands, WBD currently pays $1.4 billion per season under a nine-year agreement set to expire after the 2024-25 season. The ball is now in the NBA’s court to execute the new contract submitted by WBD, signaling a potential continuation of their longstanding partnership in bringing NBA action to fans around the world.