The game isn’t over for Warner Bros. Discovery, as the media conglomerate has officially announced that it plans to retain NBA games, according to a new report from Variety. After that, the NBA officially confirmed that it had received the offer.
WBD CEO David Zaslav has decided that his company will look to retain rights to the NBA and match an offer made by Amazon as part of the professional basketball league’s new 11-year, $76 billion rights agreement, with WBD stating the following:
“Regrettably, the league notified us of its intention to accept other offers for the games in our current rights package, leaving us to proceed under the matching rights provision, which is an integral part of our current agreement and the rights we have paid for under it,” Warner Bros. Discovery said in a statement. “We have reviewed the offers and matched one of them. This will allow fans to keep enjoying our unparalleled coverage, including the best live game productions in the industry and our iconic studio shows and talent, while building on our proven 40-year commitment for many more years. Our matching paperwork was submitted to the league today. We look forward to the NBA executing our new contract.”
WBD had five days to match the offer after the league voted on it during last Tuesday’s board of governors meeting. As part of the new media agreement, it was reported that The Walt Disney Company (ESPN/ABC), NBCUniversal, and Amazon would annually spend 2.6 billion, $2.5 billion, and $1.8 billion, respectively, to broadcast NBA games. With WBD’s TNT Sports having a four-decade relationship with the NBA and Zaslav looking to remain fiscally responsible, matching the Amazon offer was ideal. Plus, keeping the NBA benefits Max subscribers who want to continue streaming live sports.
Amazon declined to comment and the NBA could not be reached to comment on the Variety report.
With Venu Sports, a streaming service that features live sports from ESPN, Fox, and WBD in the works, maintaining NBA games via TNT Sports could be crucial for future subscribers. The more games available on the platform, the bigger the portfolio, and that would make it seem more valuable to many customers.
WBD could argue that fans have familiarity with their networks being associated with the NBA, which makes it easier to find for those who aren’t familiar with Amazon. However, the NBA could see Amazon as a more beneficial partner in the digital space due to having nearly double the subscribers worldwide as Max.
With the new NBA media rights deal, it was reported WNBA games were also at play as part of negotiations. Like the NBA, the sister league had agreed to air games on Amazon, ESPN, and NBC. As far as WBD matching Amazon’s NBA offer, it has not been reported if the league is also looking into WNBA games or not. However, currently, TNT Sports does not air any WNBA games.
It remains to be seen what NBA Commissioner Adam Silver and the league’s governors will do in regards to keeping games on WBD’s networks.
For hoop fans who want to watch some NBA action, you can stream the 2024 NBA2K25 NBA Summer League Championship Game tonight.