The exclusive negotiating window between the NBA and ESPN/TNT has come to an end, according to a source familiar with the current contract terms. Under the existing agreement, ESPN and TNT have the right to match any potential new media deal that the league may strike with a third party. This means that if the NBA were to bring in a new streaming service like Amazon or NBC/Peacock for a package, ESPN or TNT would have the opportunity to match that deal. Similarly, if another company were to attempt to take over an existing linear TV deal held by ESPN or TNT, the incumbents would also have the right to match that offer.
Before negotiations closed, Sports Business Journal reported that the NBA, ESPN, and TNT were already 75% of the way towards reaching a new deal. While no formal agreement was reached before the deadline, sources close to both sides indicate that progress had been made in discussions regarding how content will be distributed in future media deals. The NBA is looking for ways to alter its current delivery system and signal a potential shift in how fans will consume NBA content in the future.
Despite this development, Disney and Warner Bros Discovery continue their efforts to secure exclusive rights for NBA games on their respective streaming platforms. It remains unclear what impact this may have on existing deals between these companies and other networks like ESPN and TNT. The league’s ultimate goal is to ensure that its fans can access NBA content in a way that is convenient for them while also generating revenue for itself and its partners.
