Newsletter
Not too long ago, it seemed like TNT and Inside the NBA was going to be ending after next season, with the NBA moving to new media rights partners. But, Warner Bros Discovery informed the NBA on Monday that it is going to match the $1.8 billion per year offer from Amazon Prime Video.
In a statement, the company said, “We have reviewed the offers and matched one of them. This will allow fans to keep enjoying our unparalleled coverage, including the best live game productions in the industry and our iconic studio shows and talent while building on our proven 40-year commitment for many more years.”
If the NBA accepts the TNT offer, Inside the NBA will likely continue. Which is the most popular studio sports show on TV right now, thanks to Ernie, Kenny, Chuck and Shaq. Turner has had NBA games on their networks since 1984, with games on TNT since 1988. So if the NBA doesn’t accept this offer, it would be the first time in 40 years that the Turner networks don’t broadcast any NBA games, truly the end of an era.
The new NBA Media Rights total around $76 billion
The new media rights for the NBA would start with the 2025-26 season and are estimated to be worth around $76 billion. This includes having a game aired or streamed nationally every night during the second half of the season. Amazon was planning to broadcast games on Thursday nights after Thursday Night Football is finished for the season, as well as on Friday and Saturday throughout the first half of the season. TNT would likely continue to carry games on Thursday, as it does currently. And other nights would be streamed on Max.
The NBA is expected to announce the finalized deals sometime this week. However, don’t be surprised if Amazon ups its offer, as it does have a lot of cash to burn compared to WBD.