NBA Signs Broadcasting Deal With Disney, NBCUniversal, and Amazon Worth $77 Billion
The NBA has inked a massive $77 billion deal with Disney, NBCUniversal, and Amazon, marking the end of its 40-year partnership with Warner Bros. Discovery.
The new agreements, which span 11 years starting from the 2025-26 season, will distribute NBA games across various platforms including ABC, ESPN, NBC, Peacock, and Prime Video.
This shift represents a significant expansion in broadcast coverage, with about 75 regular-season games set to air on broadcast TV each season, a considerable increase from the current 15 games.
NBA Commissioner Adam Silver expressed enthusiasm about the new deals in a statement, saying, "These partners will distribute our content across a wide range of platforms and help transform the fan experience over the next decade."
The agreements are expected to improve the accessibility of NBA games, both in the United States and internationally, and will also cover an unprecedented number of WNBA games.
Walt Disney Company
Disney's ESPN will broadcast 80 NBA regular-season games per season, including 20 on ABC and up to 60 games on ESPN. ABC will continue to be the exclusive home of the NBA Finals, a position it has held since 2003.
NBC Universal
NBCUniversal will televise up to 100 regular-season games, with NBC hosting games on Sunday and Tuesday nights and Peacock streaming Monday night doubleheaders. NBC will also become the home of NBA All-Star events and will share the Conference Finals coverage with Amazon on a rotating basis.
Amazon
Amazon Prime Video will broadcast 66 regular-season NBA games each season, including special events like a Black Friday game. Prime Video will also air the NBA's Play-In Tournament and a portion of the playoffs.
Mike Hopkins, head of Prime Video and Amazon MGM Studios, highlighted the growing influence of streaming, noting, "Our streaming base is becoming larger than a lot of cable networks in the U.S."
Warner Bros fall short of Amazon proposal
The decision to leave Warner Bros. Discovery behind came after the company’s last-minute bid fell short of Amazon's proposal. This marks a major shift in sports broadcasting, as Warner has been a significant player in NBA coverage for decades.
Warner CEO David Zaslav had previously expressed hope for an agreement, but ultimately, the NBA chose to pursue new opportunities with its current partners.
New deals reflect increasing interest in women’s sports
The new deals will also see Disney, NBCU, and Amazon expanding their coverage of WNBA games, reflecting a surge in interest in women’s sports. The contracts will allow these companies to broadcast over 125 WNBA regular-season and playoff games, significantly increasing the visibility of women's basketball.
The shift to new broadcast partners is expected to bring significant changes to how fans consume NBA content. NBCU, for example, will distribute NBA games in several European markets through Sky Sports and in the Caribbean and sub-Saharan Africa. Amazon will stream NBA games globally as part of Prime Video, with expanded coverage in countries like Mexico, Brazil, and the UK.
Warner Bros. Discovery, facing a major hole in its sports portfolio, may pursue legal action, claiming the NBA misinterpreted its contractual rights. However, analysts suggest that suing could damage future relationships with other sports leagues and complicate Warner's standing in the competitive sports broadcasting market.
Overall, the NBA’s new media agreements promise to enhance the viewing experience for fans, broaden the league's global reach, and leverage the strengths of Disney, NBCUniversal, and Amazon to deliver comprehensive coverage of the league's games.
