Get updates delivered to you daily. Free and customizable.
Yardbarker
TNT hints at taking legal action against NBA after having 'matching' TV rights proposal rejected
By Mike Santa Barbara,
16 hours ago
May 1, 2024; Los Angeles, California, USA; From left: TNT analysts Reggie Miller and Jamal Crawford, play-by-play announcer Kevin Harland and reporter Allie LaForce during game five of the first round for the 2024 NBA playoffs at Crypto.com Arena. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports
The NBA rejected Turner Sports' final proposal to retain broadcasting rights on Wednesday. While the news ends a fruitful, decades-long partnership, the situation may be far from over.
TNT released a statement responding to the NBA, insinuating that it may feel that the league pulled the wool over its eyes.
"We think they have grossly misinterpreted our contractual rights with respect to the 2025-26 season and beyond, and we will take appropriate action," read a statement from TNT Sports .
On July 22, TNT announced that it had submitted paperwork to the league matching one of the bids . However, per the NBA's statement, the latest proposal "did not match the terms of Amazon Prime Video's offer," which is reportedly $1.8 billion.
The language used by the league could play an essential role in how things unfold in the future. If TNT can prove that it did indeed deliver a matching offer and the NBA still rejected it, things could get messy fast.
According to Ben Strauss of the Washington Post, legal action is a given.
"Warner can now mull its options, including suing the league," Strauss wrote . "One thing is certain: There will be lawyers and likely a lot of billable hours."
When the 2024-25 NBA campaign begins, TNT, with a season of broadcasting rights remaining, may be suing the league while it also promotes its games. But, as Andrew Marchand and Ben Pickman of The Athletic surmised, the NBA may want to avoid that ugly possibility, which could benefit the network.
"Neither side would likely want to enter a legal case, where private conversations could become public during discovery," Marchand and Pickman's column read . "If TNT does file a suit, it could lead to more talks and a possible compromise with other NBA rights or financial possibilities being the outcome."
Shortly after revealing its decision to reject TNT's latest offer, the NBA formally announced a new 11-year, $77 billion broadcasting rights agreement . Effective at the start of the 2025-26 season, the deal sees the league retain its existing partnership with the Walt Disney Company and ESPN while adding NBC and now Amazon Prime to the mix.
Get updates delivered to you daily. Free and customizable.
Welcome to NewsBreak, an open platform where diverse perspectives converge. Most of our content comes from established publications and journalists, as well as from our extensive network of tens of thousands of creators who contribute to our platform. We empower individuals to share insightful viewpoints through short posts and comments. It’s essential to note our commitment to transparency: our Terms of Use acknowledge that our services may not always be error-free, and our Community Standards emphasize our discretion in enforcing policies. We strive to foster a dynamic environment for free expression and robust discourse through safety guardrails of human and AI moderation. Join us in shaping the news narrative together.
Comments / 0