The NBA has struck a groundbreaking new national television deal valued at an eye-popping $76 billion over 11 years, set to commence with the 2025-26 season and concluding at the end of the 2035-36 season. This monumental agreement features new media collaborations that aim to elevate the league’s reach and accessibility in unprecedented ways.
New Partners and Platforms
The fresh partnership roster includes a high-profile media company, a renowned broadcasting company, and a major streaming service. The league's current nine-year deal, valued at $24 billion, will expire at the end of the 2024-25 season, marking a significant leap in annual revenue from the forthcoming agreement.
“Throughout these negotiations, our primary objective has been to maximize the reach and accessibility of our games for our fans," the NBA stated. Indeed, the new deal is poised to do just that, with Disney, NBCUniversal, and Amazon poised to distribute NBA content across a diverse array of platforms. "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," remarked NBA Commissioner Adam Silver. "These partners will distribute our content across a wide range of platforms and help transform the fan experience over the next decade."
Broadcast Rights and Coverage
Under the new deal, ABC and ESPN will continue their roles as key NBA broadcasters, airing Finals games and marquee matchups. ABC/ESPN will also handle one of the two conference finals series in 10 out of the 11 years, televise Christmas Day games, and provide coverage for high-profile Saturday and Sunday regular-season games. Additionally, ABC/ESPN will cover approximately 18 games in the initial two rounds of the postseason annually.
A second broadcasting company will emerge as a pivotal player by broadcasting one conference finals series in six of the 11 years. This broadcaster will feature the All-Star Game, NBA All-Star Saturday night, opening night, and Sunday night primetime games. Alongside its streaming service, the broadcaster will air around 28 games in the early rounds of the playoffs each year.
Prime Video, another newcomer in the NBA media landscape, will stream one of the conference finals series during six out of the 11 years included in the deal. Prime Video will also cover NBA Cup games, Play-In Tournament games, and approximately one-third of the first and second rounds of the postseason annually.
Strategic Implications and Financial Impact
This sweeping agreement is poised to dramatically boost the NBA's revenues. The league's annual national media income is expected to rise by roughly 2.6 times, providing an impactful surge that could reshape team finances and player salaries alike. The combined earnings of the 30 NBA teams, which stood at approximately $10.6 billion in 2023, may see notable growth, as national television revenue remains the largest contributor to the league's overall earnings.
Franchise values and player salaries are projected to escalate in tandem with this influx of media revenue. One key financial caveat does exist: the salary cap cannot increase by more than 10% each year. However, with this new deal fueling league growth, the salary cap is anticipated to rise by the maximum allowable amount annually starting in the 2025 offseason.
Farewell to Turner Sports
A notable absence in the new agreement is Turner Sports. Warner Bros. Discovery, the parent company of Turner Sports, will not be part of this new venture. Turner Sports has been a longstanding partner since 1989, providing fans with iconic moments and cherished programming like "Inside the NBA." As the new chapter unfolds, the upcoming season is expected to be the last for "Inside the NBA" in its current format.
"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, signaling a respectful yet bittersweet farewell to a valued partner.
With these transformative media deals, the NBA is not just stepping into the future but leaping into it. As new platforms, partners, and unprecedented levels of coverage become integral to the league’s operations, fans can expect a richer, more accessible NBA experience that pushes the boundaries of sports entertainment.