The National Basketball Association (NBA) has ushered in a new era with a groundbreaking national television deal that sets the stage for the upcoming decade. This historic agreement marks a significant transformation in the way fans will experience NBA games, involving new media partners, an impressive financial valuation, and an extended timeline.
A Monumental Deal
The NBA's new national television arrangement features media giants Disney, NBCUniversal, and Amazon as its cornerstone partners. The deal, valued at a staggering $76 billion, spans 11 years and is set to commence with the 2025-26 season, running through the 2035-36 season. This is a substantial increase from the current nine-year contract worth $24 billion, which expires at the end of the 2024-25 season.
With this new agreement, the NBA's annual national media income is expected to rise roughly 2.6 times, reflecting the league's escalating market value and popularity. The combined earnings of the 30 NBA teams were approximately $10.6 billion in 2023, with national television revenue being the largest contributor. Franchise values and player salaries are also anticipated to see a significant boost under the new deal, although the league's salary cap cannot increase by more than 10% per year.
Expanding Media Partnerships
ABC and ESPN, longstanding partners of the league, will continue to play pivotal roles in NBA broadcasting. They hold exclusive rights to air NBA Finals games and will broadcast one of the two conference finals series in 10 out of the 11 years covered by the agreement. Additionally, ABC/ESPN will televise marquee games on Christmas Day, as well as coveted Saturday and Sunday regular-season matchups. Their coverage extends to approximately 18 games in the first two rounds of the postseason each year.
Another broadcasting company will join the fray, covering the other conference finals series in six of the 11 years. This network is poised to deliver comprehensive coverage of the All-Star Game, NBA All-Star Saturday night, opening night, and Sunday night primetime games. They, along with their streaming service, will broadcast around 28 games each year during the first two rounds of the playoffs.
Prime Video, in a groundbreaking move, will stream one of the conference finals series in six out of the 11 years. The streaming service will also broadcast NBA Cup games, Play-In Tournament games, and about one-third of the first and second postseason rounds annually.
A Farewell to Turner Sports
While the new deal indicates progression, it also marks the end of a significant era. Warner Bros. Discovery, under which Turner Sports operates, will not be part of the new agreement. Turner Sports has been a staple in NBA broadcasting since 1989. The upcoming season is expected to be the last for "Inside the NBA" in its current form, drawing a close to an iconic chapter in sports television.
Statements from the NBA
The NBA has clearly articulated its intent to maximize the reach and accessibility of its games through these new partnerships. "Throughout these negotiations, our primary objective has been to maximize the reach and accessibility of our games for our fans," the league stated. Reflecting on the departure of Turner Sports, the NBA expressed its gratitude: "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."
NBA Commissioner Adam Silver highlighted the transformative nature of the new media agreements, stating, "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."
The NBA's forward-thinking approach in securing this extensive media deal reaffirms its commitment to enhancing fan engagement while leveraging the accessibility and reach of diverse broadcast and streaming platforms. This monumental agreement is set to transform the viewer experience, elevate franchise values, and create substantial financial growth for the league.