Basketball
NBA Signs 11-Year Media Rights Deal with Amazon After Rejecting TNT’s Offer
by privatebet.com - 2024/07/26
TNT Sports had held the media rights to the NBA for almost four decades, but their partnership is coming to a dramatic conclusion. NBA bosses signed a new 11-year deal with Amazon Prime Video, Disney, and NBC, reportedly worth $76 billion. NBA commissioner Adam Silver announced their new deal, saying, “The digital opportunities with Amazon align perfectly with the global interest in the NBA. And Prime Video’s massive subscriber base will dramatically expand our ability to reach our fans in new and innovative ways.” Amazon Prime Video, Disney, and NBC emerged as winners in this deal, but their partnership with the NBA came at the loss of several major rivals. TNT Sports released a statement claiming that the league "grossly misinterpreted" their contractual rights because they have matched Amazon’s offer, adding they’re planning to take appropriate action. TNT’s parent company Warner Bros. Discovery reportedly offered $1.8 billion per year to continue its longtime relationship with the league. Even before their deal with Amazon was finalized, the NBA released a statement saying they rejected TNT’s most recent proposal because it did not match the terms of Amazon Prime Video’s offer. Amazon Prime Video is now expected to carry games on Friday nights, select Saturday afternoons and Thursday night doubleheaders. ESPN and ABC will still keep the league's top package, nearly 100 games during the regular season, which includes the NBA Finals.