ESPN/ABC is expected to keep the NBA Finals on its networks for the duration of its deals.
The NBA, Amazon and ESPN all declined to comment.
The NBA is finishing nine-year deals that pay it $2.6 billion on average from ESPN and TNT Sports.
The advancement in the Amazon and ESPN talks leaves incumbent Warner Bros.
Discovery has the right to match deals, but NBC could structure an agreement in a way that makes it difficult.
With ESPN, Amazon and the NBA all under the impression that they will complete deals, this puts the onus on TNT Sports, which has had the NBA since 1984.
It is in a fight with NBC, which was the lead partner of the NBA before losing its rights in 2002.
Required reading What to expect in the NBA’s next media deal: Amazon, NBC contenders to join (Photo: David Dow / NBAE via Getty Images)
The NBA and Amazon Prime Video have the basis of a deal that will make the streaming service one of the primary homes for the league’s games, according to executives with direct knowledge of the negotiations, who told The Athletic. This will be a historic step in the history of sports media.
Prime Video’s package is anticipated to feature important regular-season and post-season games, possibly even a few conference finals. The final deal is expected to start in 2025–2026 and last for at least ten years.
ESPN/ABC is also in the process of completing an agreement, based on information obtained by the website Puck on Thursday. For the term of their contracts, ESPN/ABC is anticipated to carry the NBA Finals on its networks. Similar to Amazon, it is anticipated that ESPN’s new contract will last for at least ten years.
Although not all the details have been decided upon, everyone is expecting the job to be completed. ESPN, Amazon, and the NBA all declined to comment.
While it is preferable for new deals to involve three companies, the NBA has not ruled out adding a fourth.
ESPN and TNT Sports are giving the NBA nine-year contracts worth an average of $2.66 billion. Following the 2024–2025 season, those contracts expire.
Warner Bros., the current leader, is left out of the Amazon and ESPN talks. TNT Sports’ parent company, Discovery, will compete against Comcast-owned NBC for the final package of games. Warner Brothers. Although NBC might draft an agreement in a way that makes it difficult for Discovery to match deals, Discovery still has the right to do so.
To make room for the third partner, the current packages will be slightly reduced, even though the final arrangements still need to be finished. Executives briefed on the discussions said that under one arrangement, ESPN will reduce the number of games from roughly 100 to about 80.
Thursday night, when the NFL is already available on Amazon from September to early January, would be a logical place for regular-season games. To avoid playing the NFL head-to-head, the NBA has shifted its Thursday games off in recent years. At that point, a sizable playoff inventory is anticipated. Amazon has expressed interest in global rights, which is noteworthy because the NBA lined up all of its domestic and international contracts to expire after the 2024–2025 season as a key component of its negotiating strategy.
With streaming at the forefront, the NBA has made it clear that it wants to establish itself for the next frontier of viewing.
TNT Sports, who has owned the NBA since 1984, is put in a difficult position because ESPN, Amazon, and the NBA all believe they will close deals. NBC, which was the NBA’s primary partner until losing its rights in 2002, is the opponent in this dispute. Warner Bros. is being challenged by NBC, which is attempting to reenter the market with its Peacock streaming service. Discovery Sports at a discounted price.
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Amazon and NBC as potential participants in the NBA’s upcoming media deal are to be expected.
(Image courtesy of Getty Images; David Dow / NBAE).
