The NBA has recently finalized a groundbreaking national television deal that marks a significant shift in its media landscape. The new agreement, which introduces a slew of new broadcasting partners, is valued at a staggering $76 billion and extends over 11 years. This deal represents a hefty upgrade from the current nine-year, $24 billion contract set to expire at the end of the 2024-25 season.
The fresh pact will commence with the 2025-26 season and bring to an end the contributions of Warner Bros. Discovery, whose subsidiary Turner Sports began broadcasting NBA games in 1989. This season is expected to be the last for the iconic "Inside the NBA" in its current form as the league transitions to new partnerships.
New Broadcast Partners
Diversifying its media footprint, the NBA has welcomed Disney, NBCUniversal, and Amazon as new partners in this monumental deal. ABC and ESPN, under the Disney umbrella, will continue their extensive coverage, including airing NBA Finals games and broadcasting one of the two conference finals series in 10 out of the 11 years. Their commitment also extends to covering 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, NBCUniversal, will cover one of the conference finals series in six of the 11 years. NBCUniversal's offerings will include the highly anticipated All-Star Game, NBA All-Star Saturday night, opening night, and Sunday night primetime games. NBCUniversal and/or its streaming service will also broadcast around 28 games in the first two rounds of the playoffs each season, ensuring extensive coverage for NBA fans.
Prime Video, Amazon's streaming service, will stream one of the conference finals series in six out of the 11 years. Prime Video is set to carry NBA Cup games, Play-In Tournament games, and about one-third of the first and second postseason rounds each year. This move underscores the growing importance of streaming platforms in sports media.
Impact on NBA Revenue and Team Finances
The new deal significantly boosts the NBA's revenues, increasing its annual national media income by roughly 2.6 times. This surge in income is anticipated to positively affect franchise values and player salaries. In 2023, the combined earnings of the 30 NBA teams were estimated at approximately $10.6 billion, with national television revenue being the largest contributor. The new agreement is expected to further elevate these figures.
Given the new financial landscape, the NBA anticipates the salary cap to rise by the maximum 10% each year starting in the 2025 offseason. While this increase will offer teams more flexibility in player salaries, it also emphasizes prudent financial planning to maintain competitive balance across the league.
Statements from NBA Leadership
NBA Commissioner Adam Silver expressed enthusiasm about the new partnerships, 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."
The NBA acknowledged the contributions of Turner Sports, which will conclude its longstanding relationship with the league. "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 organization expressed.
Enhancing Fan Engagement
Throughout these negotiations, the NBA has maintained a focus on enhancing fan engagement and accessibility. "Throughout these negotiations, our primary objective has been to maximize the reach and accessibility of our games for our fans," the NBA stated. The strategic inclusion of diverse media partners aims to ensure that fans can enjoy games across various platforms, ranging from traditional broadcast networks to cutting-edge streaming services.
As the 2025-26 season approaches, the NBA is poised for a new era of media collaboration. This historic deal not only augments the league's financial stability but also promises to elevate the overall fan experience, heralding a transformative decade for both the NBA and its global audience.