NBA Commissioner Adam Silver is not yet ready to name a winner in the race to secure the league's media rights. Multiple reports have emerged in recent days suggesting that TNT's parent company, Warner Bros. Discovery (WBD), is about to lose its broadcast rights deal to its competitors.
TNT and the NBA have been partners for the past few decades. However, a potential new media deal could include Disney/ESPN, NBC and Amazon, possibly leaving TNT on the sidelines.
Earlier this week, Sports Business Journal reported that the NBA is expected to begin formalizing deals with Disney, Amazon and NBC. However, before the contracts receive final approval, WBD leaders will have the opportunity to match the “full value” of other offers, according to the report.
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NBA commissioner Adam Silver speaks to the media before the start of the Oklahoma City Thunder's game against the Memphis Grizzlies in Game 4 of the Western Conference quarterfinals during the 2014 NBA Playoffs at FedExForum on April 26, 2014, in Memphis, Tennessee. (Andy Lyons/Getty Images)
No official announcement has been made regarding the future venue for NBA games, and Silver cautioned that negotiations for broadcast packages are ongoing with the outcome unknown.
CHARLES BARKLEY DOWNLOADS ON TNT BRASS AS NETWORK ABOARD LOSING NBA RIGHTS
“Who knows,” Silver told TMZ before a state dinner at the White House. “We're still talking. Who knows how it will turn out.”
A basketball on the court next to an NBA logo during a break in the first half of a game in Las Vegas, Nevada. (Ethan Miller/Getty Images)
The status of the league's television rights has been a hot topic in part due to the popularity of the former “Inside the NBA” studio, which features Ernie Johnson and former NBA greats Charles Barkley, Shaquille O'Neal and Kenny Smith.
Johnson has already stated his decision to remain with the network, regardless of what happens with the NBA's media rights in the future. However, Barkley reportedly has a clause in his contract that allows him to go elsewhere if TNT loses the NBA package.
Charles Barkley, Ernie Johnson, Kenny Smith and Shaquille O'Neal announce the game between the Boston Celtics and the Miami Heat during Game 6 of the Eastern Conference Finals of the 2023 NBA Playoffs on May 27, 2023, at the Kaseya Center in Miami, Florida. (Eric Espada/NBAE via Getty Images)
Silver expressed confidence that at least two of the show's stars will continue to cover the NBA for years to come, regardless of which network has the broadcast rights.
“We're never going to lose Charles and Kenny,” Silver said. “They will always be covering the NBA… I can't imagine those guys [on ‘Inside the NBA’] “We will not perform or advertise together in the future, and we all love you.”
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The league's current media rights agreement expires at the end of the 2024-25 season.
Separately, WBD recently strengthened its overall sports offering by signing a five-year sublicensing agreement with Disney/ESPN. The deal gives WBD the rights to first-round and quarterfinal games of the College Football Playoffs beginning next postseason.
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