The NBA has officially signed a monumental national television deal set to dramatically reshape the landscape of basketball broadcasting. This historic agreement, which includes new partners such as a media company, a broadcasting company, and a streaming service, is valued at a staggering $76 billion and spans 11 years. Set to commence in the 2025-26 season, the deal will extend through the 2035-36 season, marking a significant upgrade from the current nine-year, $24 billion contract, which will expire at the end of the 2024-25 season.
"Throughout these negotiations, our primary objective has been to maximize the reach and accessibility of our games for our fans," stated the NBA, reinforcing their commitment to broadening the audience for basketball across the globe.
New Broadcasting Dynamics
Under the new agreement, the well-established duo of ABC and ESPN will continue their tradition of broadcasting the NBA Finals games. In addition, they will handle one of the two conference finals series for 10 out of the 11 years and televise staple events like Christmas Day games, marquee Saturday and Sunday regular-season matchups, and approximately 18 games during the first two rounds of the postseason each year.
As for the new partners, another broadcasting company will cover one of the conference finals series in six of the 11 years, further diversifying the NBA’s media exposure. Moreover, this broadcaster will provide comprehensive coverage of the All-Star Game, NBA All-Star Saturday night events, opening night festivities, and Sunday night primetime games. They, along with their streaming service, will also broadcast around 28 games in the first two rounds of the playoffs every season.
Prime Video’s Significant Role
Prime Video, emerging as a major player in the new media mix, will stream one of the conference finals series in six out of the 11 years. Alongside this, Prime Video will carry NBA Cup games and Play-In Tournament games, ensuring fans have a myriad of ways to consume their favorite sport. The streaming giant is also set to stream about one-third of the first and second postseason rounds each year, significantly expanding their sports programming portfolio.
"Our new global media agreements with Disney, NBCUniversal, and Amazon will maximize the reach and accessibility of NBA games for fans in the United States and around the world. These partners will distribute our content across a wide range of platforms and help transform the fan experience over the next decade," remarked NBA Commissioner Adam Silver.
Turner Sports’ Legacy and Transition
Notably absent from the new deal is Warner Bros. Discovery and its sports division, Turner Sports, which began broadcasting NBA games in 1989. This shift signifies an end of an era for Turner Sports, with the upcoming season anticipated to be the last for the beloved show "Inside the NBA" in its current form. "We are grateful to Turner Sports for its award-winning coverage of the NBA and look forward to another season of the NBA on TNT," the NBA expressed, acknowledging Turner Sports’ longstanding contributions.
Financial Implications
The financial ramifications of this new agreement are profound. The NBA’s annual national media income is set to increase by roughly 2.6 times under the terms of the new deal. This substantial boost in revenue is expected to influence key economic areas within the league. The salary cap, which cannot increase by more than 10% per year, is predicted to rise by the maximum allowed starting in the 2025 offseason, reflecting the league's enhanced financial standing.
In 2023, the combined earnings of the 30 NBA teams amounted to approximately $10.6 billion, with national television revenue standing as the largest contributor to this figure. With the new deal in place, both franchise values and player salaries are expected to see significant increases, fortifying the financial health of the league and its players.
This historic agreement marks a new chapter for the NBA, promising greater accessibility and diversity in how fans engage with the sport. The convergence of traditional broadcasting and streaming services under the new deal exemplifies the NBA’s strategic vision to adapt and thrive in a rapidly evolving media landscape.