NBA in final stages of deal with Disney, Amazon, NBC; Will Warner Bros. Discovery sue?
The Sports Business Journal reports the NBA is “formalizing written contracts” with Disney, NBC and Amazon this week to wrap up the league’s next media right deal.
However, citing sources, SBJ states it the move “may inevitably lead“ to Warner Bros. Discovery to take legal action.
The Sports Business Journal reports industry sources believe ESPN will pay $2.8B annually for the NBA Finals, a conference final, weekly primetime games, the WNBA and likely shared international rights.
NBC’s package would be worth $2.6B annually would include a “Basketball Night in America” on Sunday nights after the NFL season, a total of two primetime windows a week, conference semifinals and a conference final.
Meanwhile, Amazon’s deal is worth between $1.8B and $2B and include the Emirates In-Season Tournament, the SoFi Play-In Tournament, first-round playoff games, the WNBA and international rights.
The NBA, per the report, would then go back to Warner Bros. Discovery to give the company a chance to match in “total value.”
The Sports Business Journal points out Warner Bros. Discovery would argue the league’s stance on the definition of “match,” meaning is it dollar-for-dollar or does it include ad revenue, broadcast windows and more.
Check out the full report at The Sports Business Journal.
Mark Heim is a reporter for The Alabama Media Group. Follow him on Twitter @Mark_Heim. He can be heard on “The Opening Kickoff” on WNSP-FM 105.5 FM in Mobile or on the free Sound of Mobile App from 6 to 9 a.m. daily.