The NBA has struck a monumental new national television deal, marking a significant shift in the league's media landscape. This 11-year, $76 billion agreement introduces new media partners and brings a substantial increase in revenue for the league.
New Partnerships and Financial Surge
Kicking off from the 2025-26 season and extending through the end of the 2035-36 season, the deal significantly enhances the NBA’s financial position compared to the current nine-year agreement, which is valued at $24 billion and expires after the 2024-25 season. The new deal catapults the NBA's annual national media income by roughly 2.6 times, reflecting an aggressive growth strategy.
"Throughout these negotiations, our primary objective has been to maximize the reach and accessibility of our games for our fans," the NBA stated. The league’s new media partners include Disney, NBCUniversal, and Amazon, all set to diversify and extend the reach of NBA games.
Continued and New Broadcast Relationships
ABC and ESPN will maintain their position as key NBA broadcasters, continuing their tradition of airing NBA Finals games and other high-profile matches. Over the span of this agreement, ABC/ESPN will broadcast one of the two conference finals series in 10 out of the 11 years, along with providing coverage for Christmas Day games, marquee Saturday and Sunday regular-season matchups, and approximately 18 games in the first two rounds of the postseason each year.
Another broadcasting giant will cover one of the conference finals series in six of the 11 years. This broadcaster, which was not named explicitly, will also broadcast the All-Star Game, NBA All-Star Saturday night, opening night, and Sunday night primetime games. Additionally, they, along with their streaming service, will broadcast around 28 games in the first two rounds of the playoffs every season.
Streaming Takes Center Stage
Prime Video emerges as a significant player under the new deal, taking on the responsibility of streaming one of the conference finals series in six out of the 11 years. The streaming service will also play vital roles in carrying NBA Cup games and Play-In Tournament games, along with streaming about one-third of the first and second postseason rounds each year.
"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.
End of an Era
Notably absent from this new arrangement is Warner Bros. Discovery. Having begun their association with the NBA in 1989, Turner Sports is set to conclude broadcasting NBA games. 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," the NBA expressed.
Economic Ramifications
The new media deal’s financial implications are profound. It is anticipated to propel the salary cap upward by the maximum allowable 10% per year, starting in the 2025 offseason. Franchise values and player salaries are also expected to surge, driven by increased national television revenue, which remains the largest contributor to the NBA's combined earnings. In 2023, the combined earnings of the 30 NBA teams were approximately $10.6 billion, a figure poised to rise under the new agreement.
As the NBA embarks on this lucrative new media venture, the league is set to continue enhancing its global reach and maintaining its status as a premier sports entertainment entity. The strategic engagements with traditional broadcasting networks and innovative streaming platforms underscore its commitment to evolving with the media landscape and catering to a diverse fan base around the world.