The NBA is poised to enter a new era of broadcasting as it secures a monumental national television deal valued at $76 billion. This 11-year agreement, which kicks off during the 2025-26 season and runs through the 2035-36 season, significantly expands the league's media outreach and financial prospects. With the current nine-year, $24 billion deal expiring at the end of the 2024-25 season, the new contract marks a transformative leap forward, aimed at maximizing the reach and accessibility of NBA games for fans globally.
"Throughout these negotiations, our primary objective has been to maximize the reach and accessibility of our games for our fans," the NBA stated. To that end, the league has brought in new media partners: a prominent broadcasting company, a leading media company, and a streaming giant, Prime Video. The trio joins ABC and ESPN, the stalwarts that will continue to air NBA Finals games and a hefty slate of other marquee matchups.
Key Tenets of the Deal
As part of the new agreement, ABC and ESPN will consistently deliver premier NBA content to fans. In addition to broadcasting the NBA Finals, these networks will air one of the two conference finals series in 10 out of the 11 years, televise Christmas Day games, and highlight marquee matchups on Saturdays and Sundays during the regular season. The duo will also cover approximately 18 games during the first two rounds of the postseason each year, ensuring that fans stay engaged well into the playoffs.
Another broadcasting company steps in to further enhance coverage, especially with its focus on the All-Star Game, NBA All-Star Saturday night, opening night, and Sunday night primetime matchups. This broadcaster will also air one conference finals series in six of the 11 years and contribute to postseason coverage by broadcasting around 28 games in the early playoff rounds each season. Its streaming service will complement this effort, ensuring that fans have multiple platforms to catch the action.
Prime Video, making a significant entry into NBA coverage, will stream one of the conference finals series in six of the 11 years. Additionally, the service will broadcast NBA Cup games, Play-In Tournament games, and around one-third of the first and second postseason rounds each year. This move reflects the NBA's commitment to embracing streaming platforms, consistent with their strategy to broaden reach and accessibility.
Impact on the NBA and its Partners
NBA Commissioner Adam Silver captured the essence of the league's strategy succinctly: "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 substantial increase in national media income—approximately 2.6 times the previous deal—sets the stage for significant growth in franchise values and player salaries.
Not everything remains the same; notable absences include Warner Bros. Discovery, ending a longstanding partnership dating back to 1989 when Turner Sports began broadcasting NBA games. The upcoming season is expected to be the last for the famed "Inside the NBA" in its current form, closing a chapter on one of sports broadcasting's most iconic shows.
Financial Ramifications
The new deal is more than just a broadcasting contract; it's a harbinger of financial growth for the league and its players. National television revenue is the largest contributor to the NBA's combined earnings, which were approximately $10.6 billion in 2023. With the influx of revenue from the new deal, the salary cap is expected to rise by the maximum allowable 10% each year starting in the 2025 offseason, reflecting the league's robust economic health. This financial uptick is likely to spark an increase in franchise values and player salaries, creating a more competitive and lucrative environment for all stakeholders.
"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 NBA expressed, acknowledging the end of an era while clearly looking forward to an innovative future shaped by its new media partners.
As the NBA embarks on this new media journey, fans can anticipate an unprecedented level of access to games across various platforms, enhancing their viewing experience and solidifying the league's position as a global sports powerhouse.