TNT to match Amazon's media rights deal with NBA
The NBA is expected to decline TNT Sports' right to simply take the agreed upon Amazon package, sources briefed on the NBA's plans said.
TNT Sports has informed the NBA that it intends to exercise its matching rights to retain the broadcasting rights for the league's games. Sources familiar with the matter have revealed that TNT is specifically targeting the 11-year package that was recently signed by Amazon Prime Video. While TNT does possess the contractual right to match any competing offer, as per their current contract, the NBA is expected to decline TNT's attempt to retain the rights held by Amazon, according to sources briefed on the NBA's strategy. The league prefers to honor the agreement made with Amazon, valued at $1.8 billion per year.
This disagreement is likely to result in further discussions, with the possibility of legal action looming over the future of broadcast and streaming deals. TNT's pursuit of the Amazon package means that NBC is now expected to join ABC/ESPN as a new partner when the deals are officially announced. NBC will have exclusive rights to regular-season games on Mondays, which will be streamed on Peacock, along with broadcasts on NBC on Tuesdays and Sundays, with the Sunday package commencing after the Super Bowl. NBC will also feature the All-Star Game and a full slate of playoff games, including six conference finals. Their deal is expected to be worth around $2.5 billion per season over the 11-year period.
ESPN will continue to retain the NBA Finals every year and conference finals for each of the 11 seasons, except for one, with a yearly payment of around $2.6 billion, slightly less than their current $2.7 billion per season deal with the NFL. Collectively, ESPN, NBC, and Amazon or TNT will pay an additional $2.2 billion in total over the 11-year period for the rights to broadcast these games.
TNT Sports released a statement expressing their pride in delivering exceptional coverage to basketball fans during their four-decade partnership with the NBA. They confirmed that they have acted in good faith during negotiations and presented strong bids that were fair to both parties. However, as the league intends to accept other offers, TNT has proceeded to exercise its matching rights, an integral part of their current agreement. TNT has matched one of the offers, ensuring that fans can continue to enjoy their coverage, including live game productions and iconic studio shows. They have submitted the necessary paperwork to the league and await the execution of their new contract.
In response, an NBA spokesperson acknowledged the receipt of the proposal and stated that they are reviewing it. Amazon declined to comment on the matter.
The NBA's agreement with Amazon's Prime Video service includes six conference finals, a full playoff slate, Play-In games, and a regular-season package featuring the In-Season Tournament and Thursday night basketball, following Amazon's conclusion of its Thursday night football commitments.
The outcome of the dispute between TNT and the NBA raises numerous questions. TNT, known for its studio show, will attempt to enforce its matching rights and maintain its partnership with the league. TNT Sports' parent company, Warner Bros. Discovery, led by CEO David Zaslav, has been vocal about this possibility for months, allowing the league to strategize accordingly.
To find a compromise, the two parties could explore an agreement that either extends TNT's involvement in some capacity or provides a financial settlement. If no agreement can be reached, the matter could end up in court, with TNT suing to preserve its relationship with the NBA. This scenario would create the unusual situation of the courts potentially forcing the NBA to continue a partnership it seeks to terminate.
It is important to note that the exact matching rights language in the deals remains undisclosed, and the package secured by Amazon differs from TNT's current arrangement. For instance, TNT's present contract includes conference finals every year, whereas Amazon's package offers conference finals every other year. Additionally, the NBA and Amazon may have agreed to other rights that TNT is unable to provide.
Looking ahead, the NBA will not encounter this matching rights issue in future negotiations, as reported by The Athletic last week. The league had hoped to announce the new deals before the start of the NFL season, which will be broadcast on NBC this Friday. However, if the situation remains unresolved within the next week, these plans may need to be adjusted.
It is worth mentioning that the NBA, ESPN, and TNT Sports are currently in the final year of their existing contracts, ensuring that the games will be televised as usual during the upcoming season. The new agreements will take effect starting with the 2025-26 season.
This evolving story between TNT and the NBA certainly warrants further attention as it unfolds.
This disagreement is likely to result in further discussions, with the possibility of legal action looming over the future of broadcast and streaming deals. TNT's pursuit of the Amazon package means that NBC is now expected to join ABC/ESPN as a new partner when the deals are officially announced. NBC will have exclusive rights to regular-season games on Mondays, which will be streamed on Peacock, along with broadcasts on NBC on Tuesdays and Sundays, with the Sunday package commencing after the Super Bowl. NBC will also feature the All-Star Game and a full slate of playoff games, including six conference finals. Their deal is expected to be worth around $2.5 billion per season over the 11-year period.
ESPN will continue to retain the NBA Finals every year and conference finals for each of the 11 seasons, except for one, with a yearly payment of around $2.6 billion, slightly less than their current $2.7 billion per season deal with the NFL. Collectively, ESPN, NBC, and Amazon or TNT will pay an additional $2.2 billion in total over the 11-year period for the rights to broadcast these games.
TNT Sports released a statement expressing their pride in delivering exceptional coverage to basketball fans during their four-decade partnership with the NBA. They confirmed that they have acted in good faith during negotiations and presented strong bids that were fair to both parties. However, as the league intends to accept other offers, TNT has proceeded to exercise its matching rights, an integral part of their current agreement. TNT has matched one of the offers, ensuring that fans can continue to enjoy their coverage, including live game productions and iconic studio shows. They have submitted the necessary paperwork to the league and await the execution of their new contract.
In response, an NBA spokesperson acknowledged the receipt of the proposal and stated that they are reviewing it. Amazon declined to comment on the matter.
The NBA's agreement with Amazon's Prime Video service includes six conference finals, a full playoff slate, Play-In games, and a regular-season package featuring the In-Season Tournament and Thursday night basketball, following Amazon's conclusion of its Thursday night football commitments.
The outcome of the dispute between TNT and the NBA raises numerous questions. TNT, known for its studio show, will attempt to enforce its matching rights and maintain its partnership with the league. TNT Sports' parent company, Warner Bros. Discovery, led by CEO David Zaslav, has been vocal about this possibility for months, allowing the league to strategize accordingly.
To find a compromise, the two parties could explore an agreement that either extends TNT's involvement in some capacity or provides a financial settlement. If no agreement can be reached, the matter could end up in court, with TNT suing to preserve its relationship with the NBA. This scenario would create the unusual situation of the courts potentially forcing the NBA to continue a partnership it seeks to terminate.
It is important to note that the exact matching rights language in the deals remains undisclosed, and the package secured by Amazon differs from TNT's current arrangement. For instance, TNT's present contract includes conference finals every year, whereas Amazon's package offers conference finals every other year. Additionally, the NBA and Amazon may have agreed to other rights that TNT is unable to provide.
Looking ahead, the NBA will not encounter this matching rights issue in future negotiations, as reported by The Athletic last week. The league had hoped to announce the new deals before the start of the NFL season, which will be broadcast on NBC this Friday. However, if the situation remains unresolved within the next week, these plans may need to be adjusted.
It is worth mentioning that the NBA, ESPN, and TNT Sports are currently in the final year of their existing contracts, ensuring that the games will be televised as usual during the upcoming season. The new agreements will take effect starting with the 2025-26 season.
This evolving story between TNT and the NBA certainly warrants further attention as it unfolds.