NBA jilts TNT Sports in new $76bn TV deal with ESPN, NBC and Amazon
The NBA has secured an 11-year, $76 billion media rights package with Disney/ESPN, NBC and Amazon Prime Video, ending Warner Bros. Discovery's TNT broadcast after 35 years. The deal reshapes game distribution across broadcast, cable and streaming, while raising questions about the future of "Inside…
The National Basketball Association announced Wednesday that it has locked in an 11‑year media rights agreement worth roughly $76 billion with three new partners: Disney’s ESPN/ABC, NBCUniversal and Amazon Prime Video. The deal, approved by the league’s Board of Governors, will replace Warner Bros. Discovery’s long‑standing arrangement that saw TNT broadcast NBA games for 35 seasons.
What the new deal includes
Under the agreement, ESPN and ABC will retain the league’s premier package, including the NBA Finals, which have aired on ABC since 2003. The two networks will share about 100 regular‑season games, with ABC handling roughly 20‑plus games on Saturday nights and Sunday afternoons, while ESPN covers up to 60 games, primarily on Wednesday nights and some Fridays. Both networks will also co‑produce the annual Christmas Day slate and the final day of the regular season.
NBC, returning to NBA coverage for the first time since 2002, will broadcast up to 100 regular‑season games, including a Sunday night slot once the NFL season concludes, Tuesday night games throughout the year, and a Monday night double‑header streamed exclusively on Peacock. NBC will also air the All‑Star Game, All‑Star Saturday Night, and a rotating share of conference‑final series.
Amazon Prime Video will enter the mix with a focus on digital distribution. The streaming service will air Friday night games, select Saturday afternoon matchups and Thursday night double‑headers after its Thursday Night Football schedule ends. Prime Video will also assume control of the NBA League Pass package from Warner Bros. Discovery and will feature at least one Black Friday game, as well as the quarter‑finals, semi‑finals and championship of the NBA Cup.
Why TNT’s era ends
Warner Bros. Discovery (WBD) submitted a $1.8 billion‑per‑year proposal and exercised a five‑day matching right, but the NBA determined the offer did not meet the terms set by Amazon. As a result, the 2024‑25 season will be the final year for TNT’s NBA broadcasts, ending a partnership that began in 1990. The network’s flagship studio program, Inside the NBA, anchored by Charles Barkley, Shaquille O’Neal, Kenny Smith and Ernie Johnson, has become a cultural touchstone. Its future is now uncertain, and WBD is reportedly considering legal action over the league’s decision.
NBA Commissioner Adam Silver emphasized that the new arrangement aims to broaden the league’s reach and accessibility. He highlighted Amazon’s massive subscriber base and its “digital opportunities” as a catalyst for expanding the NBA’s global audience.
Financial and strategic implications
The $76 billion package translates to an average of about $6.9 billion per season, dwarfing previous deals and setting a new benchmark for sports media rights. In addition to the men’s league, the agreement bundles rights to the Women’s National Basketball Association (WNBA), projected to generate roughly $2.2 billion over the same period.
By diversifying distribution across broadcast (ABC, NBC), cable (ESPN) and streaming (Amazon, Peacock), the NBA hopes to capture both traditional viewers and younger, cord‑cutting audiences. The partnership with Amazon also aligns the NBA with other major sports properties on the platform, such as the NFL, UEFA Champions League and NHL, potentially creating cross‑promotional opportunities.
What comes next
With the new contracts set to commence in the 2025‑26 season, the league will begin transitioning production assets, advertising sales and promotional strategies to the three partners. The fate of Inside the NBA remains a key question; while the show could migrate to a new network or streaming platform, no official plan has been announced.
Warner Bros. Discovery’s potential legal challenge could add uncertainty, but the NBA has indicated that its decision was final and driven by the goal of maximizing fan access. Fans can expect a blend of familiar broadcast experiences on ABC and NBC, alongside innovative streaming options on Prime Video and Peacock, reshaping how NBA basketball is consumed in the coming decade.
Why it matters
The deal reshapes the NBA’s media landscape, ending a 35‑year TNT partnership and expanding the league’s reach through broadcast, cable and streaming platforms.
Key points
- NBA secures an 11‑year, $76 billion media rights deal with ESPN/ABC, NBC and Amazon
- TNT’s 35‑year NBA broadcast run ends after the 2024‑25 season
- Amazon will stream games and take over NBA League Pass, boosting digital reach
- NBC returns to NBA coverage, adding a second broadcast network partner
- Future of "Inside the NBA" is uncertain; Warner Bros. Discovery may sue
Frequently asked questions
When does the new NBA media rights deal take effect?
The agreements begin with the 2025‑26 NBA season and run for 11 years.
Which networks will broadcast the NBA Finals under the new deal?
ABC, part of Disney’s ESPN/ABC partnership, will continue to air the NBA Finals.
What happens to TNT’s "Inside the NBA" show?
The future of the show is unclear; it may move to another network or platform, but no official decision has been announced.
How much will Amazon Prime Video pay for NBA rights?
Amazon’s exact payment was not disclosed, but its offer was deemed superior to Warner Bros. Discovery’s $1.8 billion‑per‑year proposal.
Will the WNBA be part of the new media rights package?
Yes, the deal includes WNBA broadcast rights, projected to generate about $2.2 billion over the 11‑year term.
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