The NBA has entered a new era with the announcement of a groundbreaking national television deal valued at $76 billion. This monumental agreement, set to commence in the 2025-26 season and run for 11 years, introduces new partnerships that promise to enhance the reach and engagement of NBA content like never before.
"Throughout these negotiations, our primary objective has been to maximize the reach and accessibility of our games for our fans," the NBA stated. With this clear goal in mind, the league has secured agreements with Disney, NBCUniversal, and Amazon, marking a shift in its media strategy that embraces both traditional broadcasting and modern streaming services.
New Partnerships and Broadcasters
Under the new deal, ABC and ESPN are set to continue their long-standing relationship with the NBA. They will air NBA Finals games, broadcast one of the two conference finals series in ten out of the eleven years, and feature marquee matchups on Christmas Day, Saturday, and Sunday regular-season games. These networks will also televise approximately 18 games in the first two rounds of the postseason each year.
A second broadcasting company will join the partnership, providing coverage of one conference finals series in six of the eleven years, as well as the NBA All-Star Game, All-Star Saturday night, opening night, and Sunday night primetime games. This broadcaster, alongside its streaming service, will offer around 28 games in the first two rounds of the playoffs each season.
Prime Video's Role
Amazon’s Prime Video will also play a significant role in the new media landscape. The streaming giant will stream one of the conference finals series in six out of the eleven years, carry NBA Cup games, and feature Play-In Tournament games. Notably, Prime Video will stream about one-third of the first and second rounds of the postseason each year, ensuring that fans have more options for catching every playoff moment.
Financial Implications
This new deal represents a substantial increase from the current nine-year agreement, which is valued at $24 billion and will expire at the end of the 2024-25 season. The new agreement not only significantly boosts the NBA's revenues but also increases the league's annual national media income by approximately 2.6 times. With national television revenue being the largest contributor to the NBA's combined earnings, this deal is poised to impact franchise values and player salaries positively.
The salary cap, which cannot increase by more than 10% per year, is expected to rise by the maximum allowed starting in the 2025 offseason. As a result, the financial landscape of the league is set to undergo a considerable transformation.
Commissioner Adam Silver's Vision
NBA Commissioner Adam Silver articulated his vision for the future by 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."
Farewell to Turner Sports
One notable absence from the new deal is Warner Bros. Discovery. Turner Sports, a part of Warner Bros. Discovery, began broadcasting NBA games in 1989 and has been a staple of NBA coverage for decades. The upcoming season is expected to be the last for "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," expressed the NBA, acknowledging Turner's significant contribution to the league's media presence over the years.
As the new deal ushers in a period of exciting change, fans can look forward to enhanced access to NBA content across traditional and digital platforms. The agreement cements the NBA’s commitment to providing an unparalleled viewing experience and sets the stage for a thriving future both on and off the court.