Priority to leavers! The NBA has just started discussions with Disney (ABC/ESPN) and TNT for the renewal of the TV rights contract, and the negotiation window is open until April 22. In 2014, the league extended this contract for the first time for nine years and $24 billion. A contract which will end in a year, at the end of the 2024/25 season.
According to Sports Business JournalDisney and TNT want to extend the agreement on the same basis, and they would like to include exclusivity on the Emirates NBA Cup, the new name of the “In-Season Tournament”. The new thing is that Apple, Netflix and/or NBC should also obtain lots on TV rights.
Amazon spoils party
Amazon would position itself on a streaming offering, undoubtedly on the model of “Thursday Night Football” (NFL), but also on the broadcasting market in local markets, where the financial difficulties of Bally Sports open up possibilities. On Apple's side, we could position ourselves on the broadcast of the “play-in”, and another “unique” event linked to the NBA (Draft? Trophy ceremony?). For its part, NBC would complement Disney and TNT with the regular broadcast of regular season matches on the national network.
This multiplication of broadcasters and media could allow the NBA to recover between 60 and 72 billion dollars over nine years! This is two to three times what was concluded ten years ago. An unknown: the future of League Pass in the United States if broadcasters multiply.
