The NBA signed an 11-year media rights deal with Disney, NBC, and Amazon on Wednesday after saying it was not accepting the offer that former partner Warner Bros. Discovery had put forward, an offer to the tune of $1.8 billion dollars a year.
“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 NBA said in a statement 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 NBC Universal arrangements. All three partners have also committed substantial resources to promote the league and enhance the fan experience.
With WBD being ousted from its seat at the streaming table, the 2024-25 season will be the final season for the famous “Inside the NBA” show, starring Charles Barkley, Ernie Johnson Jr., Kenny Smith, and Shaquille O’Neal.
A show loved by many, outcry has already begun on social media hoping the show continues. Whether that happens or not, Charles Barkley has said that next season will be his last season on television.
That being said, there has been growing hope for the show to continue. TNT Sports put out a statement Wednesday that claims the NBA cannot reject their offer to match Amazon due to their contract.
“We have matched the Amazon offer, as we have a contractual right to do, and do not believe the NBA can reject it. … We think they have grossly misinterpreted our contractual rights with respect to the 2025-26 season and beyond, and we will take appropriate action.”
With what will definitely be a lengthy courtroom battle for TNT and the NBA, it is still likely that Amazon will still have their NBA rights by the start of the 2025-26 season.
