The NBA’s television rights have been a topic of discussion lately, especially with the beloved show “Inside the NBA” featuring Ernie Johnson, Charles Barkley, Shaquille O’Neal, and Kenny Smith. Despite being a long-time media partner, TNT’s parent company Warner Bros. Discovery (WBD) lost its broadcasting rights deal to competitors. The NBA rejected WBD’s bid to match an offer from Amazon for a portion of the league’s $76 billion media rights deal.
The league stated that WBD’s proposal did not meet the terms of Amazon’s offer, leading to a long-term arrangement with Amazon to maximize the reach and accessibility of NBA games for fans. The NBA emphasized that their new partnerships with Amazon, Disney, and NBCUniversal aim to enhance the fan experience and promote the league.
While the NBA is moving forward with deals involving Disney, Amazon, and NBC, the saga is not over. There could be a high-stakes battle involving the NBA, WBD, and TNT Sports. Mediation might be the next step, but a courtroom showdown could also be possible if a resolution isn’t reached.
TNT Sports disputed the claim that they failed to match Amazon’s offer, stating that they have the contractual right to do so. They expressed confidence in their coverage and distribution platforms, including TNT and Max, and emphasized their commitment to delivering top-notch NBA content.
NBA Commissioner Adam Silver expressed optimism that the stars of “Inside the NBA” will continue to cover the league for years to come, regardless of the broadcasting rights holder. Charles Barkley, who announced his retirement from broadcast television next year, has been a staple of the show for 24 years. Despite rumors of a network change, Barkley confirmed that he will remain with TNT for his final year on television.
As the NBA’s current media rights deal expires at the end of the 2024-25 season, the landscape of NBA broadcasting is evolving. Fans can expect changes in how they access and enjoy NBA games, with new partnerships and platforms coming into play. The future of NBA coverage remains dynamic and full of possibilities as the league continues to prioritize fan engagement and accessibility.
