NBA Expected To Add New Media Partners

As expected, the NBA’s exclusive negotiating window with their long-time media partners Disney (ESPN/ABC) and Warner Bros. DiscoveryWarner Bros. Discovery (TNT) to renew their media rights agreement expired on April 22 with no announcement. 

As a result, other media companies can begin negotiating media rights agreements with the NBA. The current Disney, WBD agreement expires at the end of the 2024-25 season, Forbes reports.

Disney’s ABC/ESPN began televising live NBA games in 2002 and TNT started in 1988 (sister network TBS began in 1984). CNBC reported the current NBA media rights agreement was negotiated in 2014 and finalized five months prior to the expiration of the exclusive negotiating window. At that time, the NBA had negotiated a nine-year $24 billion agreement or nearly $2.7 billion annually, doubling the cost from the previous agreement. It’s been reported the NBA is, once again, looking to double its media rights fee via rate increases fees and additional partners.

Despite having the exclusive negotiating window expire, both WBD and Disney remain interested in continuing their relationship with the NBA. Both are expected to continue their partnership. WBD just rebranded its sports unit as TNT Sports and Max has begun streaming NBA games. 

An NBA spokesperson told Reuters, “We continue to have productive discussions with Disney and WBD on a renewal of our media deals." Also, WBD and Disney account for two-thirds (along with Fox) of an announced streaming sports consortium which, if all goes well, could be launched by yearend.

Besides the two incumbents there are several other media companies that have expressed an interest in bidding on the NBA media rights. The league is looking to expand its with at least a third media partner and a strong streaming partner. 

Besides the two incumbents among the potential landing spots for the NBA include: Comcast’s NBC, which had previously televised NBA games from 1990 to 2002 covering the Michael Jordan-led Chicago Bulls dynasty, is expected to have discussions with the NBA. In 2002 NBCU had made a four-year $1.3 billion bid to retain NBA rights, losing out to ESPN, ABC and TNT which made a six-year $4 billion bid. NBA games can be televised on NBC, cable networks such as USA and streamed on Peacock. Last January, Peacock streamed an NFL post season and will be the hub of this summer’s Paris Olympics. Brian Roberts, Comcast chairman and CEO told Front Office Sports, “We’re always interested in acquiring great content, and the NBA certainly offers great content.”