TNT Sports could take legal action against the NBA as it believes the league doesn't have the right to reject its latest offer to continue holding TV rights.
On Wednesday, the NBA announced a new 11-year rights agreement that sees NBC and Amazon join as new broadcast partners while ESPN will continue its relationship with the league, leaving no room for TNT Sports . The 11-year deal is worth a reported $77 billion, but TNT claims it matched Amazon's offer and isn't being considered fairly.
TNT has held NBA rights since 1988 but its current contract with the league expires in 2025, meaning the upcoming 2024-25 season could be the last. TNT's "Inside the NBA" show has become one of the most popular sports shows on TV, and Warner Bros. Discover, TNT's parent company, believes the NBA doesn't have the authority to reject it as per the terms of the current contractual agreement.
"We have matched the Amazon offer, as we have a contractual right to do, and do not believe the NBA can reject it," a statement from TNT Sports read. "In doing so, they are rejecting the many fans who continue to show their unwavering support for our best-in-class coverage, delivered through the full combined reach of WBD's video-first distribution platforms including TNT, home to our four-decade partnership with the league, and Max, our leading streaming service.
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"We think they have grossly misinterpreted our contractual rights with respect to the 2025-26 season and beyond, and we will take appropriate action. We look forward, however, to another great season of the NBA on TNT and Max including our iconic Inside the NBA."
The NBA doesn't agree and claims that the offer made by Warner Bros. Discovery did not match what Amazon submitted to the league. "Warner Bros. Discovery’s most recent proposal did not match the terms of Amazon Prime Video’s offer and, therefore, we have entered into a long-term arrangement with Amazon," the league said Wednesday.
"Throughout these negotiations, our primary objective has been to maximize the reach and accessibility of our games for our fans. Our new arrangement with Amazon supports this goal by complementing the broadcast, cable, and streaming packages that are already part of our new Disney and NBCUniversal arrangements.
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"All three partners have also committed substantial resources to promote the league and enhance the fan experience. 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."
Due to the stances held by both parties, it's possible that TNT could engage in legal action against the NBA while benefitting from league coverage next season. Court proceedings could change current TV rights plans, but for now, ESPN will continue to broadcast games and will do so through 2036.
NBC will have two primetime slots per week and also air "Basketball Night in America" each Sunday, which will begin immediately after "Sunday Night Football" concludes through the NFL season. Amazon's capture is significant, as the digital platform now holds exclusive rights to the NFL, NBA, and NASCAR from 2025.
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