The NBA on Wednesday rejected an offer that would allow WBD to exercise its right to accommodate an offer from Amazon for a portion of the league’s $76 billion, 11-year media rights deal.
The NBA released a statement saying WBD’s proposal did not meet the terms of Amazon’s rival offer.
“Warner Bros. Discovery’s most recent proposal did not align with the terms of Amazon Prime Video’s offer and, as a result, we have entered into a long-term agreement with Amazon,” the league said. “Throughout those negotiations, our primary goal has been to maximize the success and accessibility of our games for our fans. Our new agreements with Amazon are intended to complement the broadcast, cable and streaming offerings that are already part of our new programming agreements from Disney and NBCUniversal”.
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TNT’s Shaquille ONeal, Ernie Johnson, Kenny Smith and Charles Barkley speak as part of the State Farm All-Star Game on Saturday night, Saturday, February 17, 2024, at Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis, Indiana. (Brandon Todd/NBAE Getty Images)
The league also said that each of the media partners with whom it made the decision to move forward is committed to selling the NBA. “All three partners have also committed really extensive resources to publicize the league and decorate the fan experience,” he said.
In late May, Sports Business Journal reported that the NBA is expected to begin formalizing deals with Disney, Amazon and NBC. However, before the contracts get final approval, WBD executives would have the option to cover the “full value” of the other bids, according to the report.
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But the announcement of the deal doesn’t mean the saga is over. This sets up a high-stakes war between the NBA, WBD, and indeed TNT Sports. Mediation may be just the next step, but if the parties fail to reach an agreement, things can end up in court.
“If TNT files a lawsuit, it may lead to further discussions and an imaginable compromise with other NBA rights or other monetary possibilities,” The Athletic reported.
A basketball is placed on the court next to the NBA logo in a timeout in the first half of a game in Las Vegas, Nevada. (Ethan Miller/Getty Images)
TNT Sports issued a statement rejecting the claim that it did not respond to Amazon’s offer.
“We matched Amazon’s offer, as we have the contractual right to do, and we don’t believe the NBA can refuse it. In doing so, they reject the many enthusiasts who continue to show their unwavering will to offer the best. Classy coverage, delivered through the all-round combined success of WBD’s video distribution platforms, adding TNT, which is home to our four-decade partnership with the league, and Max, our leading streaming service.
“We have grossly misinterpreted our contractual rights as it relates to the 2025-26 season and beyond, and we will take appropriate action. However, we’re looking forward to another wonderful NBA season on TNT and Max, adding our iconic ‘Inside the NBA. ‘
An NBA view of the TNT logo on a broadcast camera before the start of the third quarter of Game 4 of the Western Conference second-round playoffs between the Denver Nuggets and Minnesota Timberwolves at the Target Center on May 12, 2024 in Minneapolis, Minn. (David Berding/Getty Images)
In May, NBA Commissioner Adam Silver said he was confident that at least two of the “Inside the NBA” stars will continue to headline the NBA for years to come, regardless of which network owns the broadcast rights.
“We’ll never lose Charles and Kenny,” Silver said. They will cover the NBA. . . I can’t believe those guys [on ‘Inside the NBA’] don’t act and advertise together in the future, and we all love them. “
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Barkley reportedly has a clause in his contract that allows him to move on once TNT’s contract with the NBA expires, but earlier this month, Barkley made the shocking announcement that he will retire from television next year.
“I’ve been thinking about it, guys. I mean it because you are my family. I love TNT, all the other people who work here, NBA Television; They’ve been wonderful to me for 24 years. “I just need to thank my entire NBA family, I love you,” Barkley said.
“There has been a lot of noise around our network in recent months. And I just need to say that I have spoken to each and every other network, but I wouldn’t go anywhere else but TNT. But I made the decision myself “No matter what happens, next year will be my last year on television. ”
The league’s existing press rights agreement is set to expire at the end of the 2024-25 season.
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Chantz Martin is editor of Fox News Digital.
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