The NBA has unveiled a pivotal national television deal valued at a staggering $76 billion, set to reshape the league's media landscape for the next decade. This groundbreaking 11-year agreement introduces new partnerships with a media company, a broadcasting company, and a streaming service, broadening the visibility and accessibility of NBA games from the 2025-26 season through to the 2035-36 season.
Currently, the NBA is operating under a nine-year agreement worth $24 billion, which will expire at the end of the 2024-25 season. The new deal not only dwarfs the previous contract in value but significantly boosts the league’s revenues, promising a financially brighter future for both the franchises and the players. As NBA Commissioner Adam Silver noted, "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."
Enduring Collaborations and Fresh Ventures
Among the enduring collaborations, ABC and ESPN will continue their critical roles, broadcasting NBA Finals games and one of the two conference finals series in 10 out of the 11 years. They will also televise marquee events such as Christmas Day games, key Saturday and Sunday regular-season matchups, and approximately 18 games during the first two rounds of the postseason each year.
Meanwhile, another broadcasting company will take on the mantle of covering one of the conference finals series in six of the 11 years, along with presenting the All-Star Game, NBA All-Star Saturday night, opening night, and primetime Sunday night games. This broadcaster, along with its streaming service, is set to broadcast around 28 games in the first two rounds of the playoffs every season.
Extending its digital reach, Prime Video is also a key player in the new agreement. The streaming giant will stream one of the conference finals series in six out of the 11 years and carry NBA Cup games, Play-In Tournament games, and about one-third of the first and second postseason rounds each year.
One notable omission from the roster of partners is Warner Bros. Discovery, marking the end of an era since Turner Sports first started broadcasting NBA games in 1989. “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, signaling a farewell to a long-standing partnership. The upcoming season is expected to be the last for "Inside the NBA" in its current form.
Financial Upswing
The financial implications of this new agreement are profound. The deal is set to increase the NBA's annual national media income by roughly 2.6 times, a substantial uplift. The salary cap, a crucial element for team operations and player salaries, is expected to rise by the maximum of 10% each year starting in the 2025 offseason, given the terms of the new deal. This cap increase will undoubtedly highjack franchise values and player salaries, reflecting the enriched financial state of the league.
In 2023 alone, the combined earnings of the 30 NBA teams reached approximately $10.6 billion, with national television revenue being the largest contributor. The influx of capital from this deal will ensure franchise prosperity and offer lucrative compensation packages for players.
Maximizing Reach and Accessibility
At the heart of these negotiations, the NBA's strategy has centered on enhancing the reach and accessibility of its games. "Throughout these negotiations, our primary objective has been to maximize the reach and accessibility of our games for our fans," stated an NBA representative. The vast array of platforms covered by Disney, NBCUniversal, and Amazon promises not only extensive domestic coverage but also a significant global footprint.
This new media deal embarks on an era of increased revenue and expanded reach for the NBA, setting the stage for a dynamic next decade. With this high-profile agreement, the NBA stays committed to evolving the fan experience and reinforcing its position as a global sports leader.