The National Basketball Association (NBA) has secured a groundbreaking new national television deal, valued at an eye-watering $76 billion. This substantial agreement introduces new broadcasting partners and is set to reshape the media landscape of the league for the next decade and beyond.
New Era, New Partners
This transformative deal, which will commence with the 2025-26 season and extend through the 2035-36 season, incorporates a mix of traditional and modern media platforms. In a bid to maximize fan engagement and accessibility, the NBA has partnered with established and emerging media giants. Disney's ABC and ESPN will continue their long-standing tradition of broadcasting NBA Finals games. They will also take on the rights to one of the two conference finals series in all but one of the 11 years, broadcast Christmas Day games, and televise significant Saturday and Sunday regular-season matchups. Furthermore, ABC/ESPN will cover approximately 18 games in the first two rounds of the postseason each year.
Joining ABC and ESPN are two new heavyweight partners: a major broadcasting company and a leading streaming service. The broadcaster will provide comprehensive coverage of one of the conference finals series in six out of the 11 years. Additionally, they will deliver extensive coverage of the All-Star Game events, opening night, and Sunday night primetime games. Their streaming service will supplement this by broadcasting around 28 games in the first two rounds of the playoffs annually. Meanwhile, Prime Video will step into the fray by streaming one of the conference finals series in six out of the 11 years, as well as carrying NBA Cup games, Play-In Tournament games, and roughly a third of the first and second postseason rounds each year.
A Transformative Deal
The new agreement marks a significant shift for the NBA, not only in the breadth of coverage but in its financial impact. The contract represents a leap from the current nine-year, $24 billion deal, which is set to expire at the end of the 2024-25 season. As the new deal supersedes it, the league's annual national media income is poised to increase by approximately 2.6 times. This influx of revenue is expected to elevate the salary cap by the maximum allowed 10% per year, starting in the 2025 offseason, eventually benefiting franchise values and player salaries.
NBA Commissioner Adam Silver expressed optimism about the new partnerships, saying, "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."
Reflecting on Legacy and Looking Forward
As the NBA prepares to embark on this new chapter, it also acknowledges the legacy of its current partners. "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 in a statement. Turner Sports, which began broadcasting NBA games in 1989, has been a staple in the league's media distribution, with the upcoming season expected to be the last for "Inside the NBA" in its current form.
The sweeping changes introduced by this deal are indicative of the NBA's strategic vision for the future. By expanding its media connections and leveraging the strengths of both traditional broadcasting and digital streaming, the league aims to broaden its audience and enhance viewer experience. "Throughout these negotiations, our primary objective has been to maximize the reach and accessibility of our games for our fans," the NBA stated, underscoring its commitment to the fans who remain at the heart of these monumental decisions.
The combined earnings of the 30 NBA teams were approximately $10.6 billion in 2023, with national television revenue identified as the largest contributor. This new deal is set to amplify the league's financial footprint even further, reinforcing its position as a dominant force in sports entertainment.
As the NBA enters this exciting new phase, the infusion of fresh partnerships and increased revenue is expected to usher in an era of unprecedented growth and innovation, setting the stage for thrilling experiences for players and fans alike.