The NBA may not be leaving TNT Sports after all, as the network announced plans to use its equivalent rights to continue broadcasting league games.
According to multiple reports, TNT Sports will match Amazon Prime Video's 11-year media rights deal.
“We are proud of how we have delivered for basketball fans by providing best-in-class coverage throughout our four-decade partnership with the NBA,” TNT Sports said in its statement. “In an effort to continue our long-standing partnership, during both the exclusive and non-exclusive negotiation periods, we acted in good faith to present strong offers that were fair to both parties.
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TNT analysts Brian Anderson, Stan Van Gundy and Reggie Miller look on during the game between the Indiana Pacers and the New York Knicks during Game 2 of Round 2 of the 2024 NBA Playoffs on May 8, 2024 at Madison Square Garden in New York City, New York. (Jesse D. Garrabrant/NBAE via Getty Images)
“Regrettably, the league notified us of its intent to accept offers for the games in our current rights package, leaving us to proceed under the equivalent rights provision, which is an integral part of our current agreement and the rights we have paid under it.
“We have reviewed the offers and have matched one of them. This will allow fans to continue to enjoy our unrivalled coverage, including the industry's best live gaming productions and our iconic in-studio shows and talent, while continuing our proven 40-year commitment for many years to come.”
“We have submitted the necessary documentation to the league today. We look forward to the NBA signing our new contract.”
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While TNT Sports expects the league to enforce the contract, The Athletic's Andrew Marchand reports that “the NBA is expected to reject the network's right to accept the agreed-upon Amazon package.”
The report added that the NBA would rather stick to its deal with Amazon, which was valued at $1.8 billion a year, which could lead to a legal battle.
With TNT targeting Amazon, NBC is expected to join ABC/ESPN, which has been partnered with the NBA for years, as a new partner whenever the league officially announces new media rights deals.
NBC will air regular-season games exclusively on Peacock on Mondays, while NBC broadcasts will be seen on Tuesdays and Sundays, according to The Athletic. NBC will also air the NBA All-Star Game as well as playoff games.
TNT's Shaquille O'Neal, Ernie Johnson, Kenny Smith and Charles Barkley speak as part of State Farm All-Star Saturday Night on Saturday, Feb. 17, 2024, at Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis, Indiana. (Brandon Todd/NBAE via Getty Images)
ESPN, meanwhile, will retain its rights to the NBA Finals each year under its deal, as well as the conference finals matchups in each of the 11 seasons.
In addition, ESPN, NBC and Amazon or TNT will pay a total of $2.2 billion over 11 years for the WNBA broadcast rights.
Amazon's deal with the NBA is expected to include six conference finals in its full playoff package, which includes the NBA Play-In tournament. It also includes a regular-season package and “Thursday Night Basketball,” which would begin after “Thursday Night Football” concludes during the NFL season.
But a battle looms over how the league moves forward. Basketball fans were excited on social media at the idea that TNT Sports would match Amazon’s deal, especially considering the popular “Inside the NBA” pre- and postgame studio show featuring Ernie Johnson, Shaquille O’Neal, Charles Barkley and Kenny “The Jet” Smith.
Barkley, a Naismith Basketball Hall of Famer and outspoken analyst, earlier this year questioned the structure of the NBA's media rights deal, expressing his displeasure with league owners.
“Well, I think there are greedy players and owners,” Barkley told CNBC.
A view of the NBA on TNT logo on a broadcast camera before the start of the third quarter of Game 4 of the Western Conference Second Round Playoffs between the Denver Nuggets and the Minnesota Timberwolves at Target Center on May 12, 2024 in Minneapolis, Minnesota. The Nuggets defeated the Timberwolves 115-107. (David Berding/Getty Images)
“They don't really care about anything other than how to make as much money as possible. We should never put money above the regular fan. Not everyone can afford streaming. There's nothing wrong with streaming, but when you start going to the highest bidder and you're not on traditional television, I think you're doing the fan a disservice.”
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The NBA commissioner told TMZ before a White House state dinner in May: “Who knows how this is going to work?” when asked about media rights deals.
The ball is now officially in the league's court, no pun intended.
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