The NBA has struck a landmark national television deal, securing a monumental agreement valued at $76 billion. This new 11-year pact introduces fresh partnerships with a media company, a broadcasting company, and a streaming service, starting from the 2025-26 season and concluding at the end of 2035-36. This deal represents a substantial financial leap from the current nine-year, $24 billion agreement, which wraps up at the close of the 2024-25 season.
"Throughout these negotiations, our primary objective has been to maximize the reach and accessibility of our games for our fans," stated the NBA, emphasizing a commitment to enhancing fan experience through expansive media coverage.
The media landscape for NBA coverage is set to significantly evolve. ABC and ESPN are set to continue their traditions of broadcasting the NBA Finals, a role they have held with excellence for years. In the scope of the new agreement, ABC/ESPN will maintain broadcasting rights to one of the two conference finals series for 10 out of the 11 years, in addition to ensuring coverage of the much-anticipated Christmas Day games. The network will also showcase marquee Saturday and Sunday regular-season matchups and televise around 18 games in the first two rounds of the postseason each year.
Another broadcasting company is set to deliver comprehensive coverage of one conference final series in six of the 11 years, while also handling the All-Star Game, NBA All-Star Saturday night, opening night, and Sunday night primetime games. This broadcaster, along with its streaming service, will also cover approximately 28 playoff games in the first two rounds each season, underlining the robust accessibility for fans.
Meanwhile, Prime Video makes its significant entrance into NBA media rights, streaming one of the conference finals series in six out of the 11 years. Additionally, Prime Video will carry NBA Cup games, Play-In Tournament games, and about one-third of the first and second postseason rounds each year. NBA Commissioner Adam Silver highlighted the transformative impact of these arrangements, 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."
One notable absence in this new media framework is Warner Bros. Discovery, whose subsidiary Turner Sports has been a cornerstone of NBA broadcasting since 1989. With this new era, the upcoming season is anticipated to be the last for the beloved "Inside the NBA" in its current format. The NBA expressed its gratitude, stating, "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 financial ramifications of this deal are profound. The new agreement is poised to exponentially increase the NBA's annual national media income by approximately 2.6 times. Consequently, franchise values and player salaries are expected to climb, buoyed by this revenue surge. The NBA's salary cap, which regulates team expenditures on player wages, is expected to rise by the maximum allowable 10% per year starting from the 2025 offseason, reflecting the anticipated financial boost.
The significance of national television revenue is evident. In 2023, the combined earnings of the NBA's 30 teams were roughly $10.6 billion, with national television revenue as the leading contributor. This new deal not only underpins the league's financial strength but also promises to enhance the overall sustainability and growth of the sport.
This strategic media partnership marks a new chapter for the NBA, ensuring comprehensive coverage across a multitude of platforms and innovating the fan experience for the coming decade. It underscores the NBA's commitment to broadening its reach and delivering unparalleled basketball action to fans around the globe, setting the stage for an era of unprecedented growth and engagement.