The day after the officialization of the new contract on TV rights for 76 billion dollars over 11 years, the NBA is being sued by Warner Bros. Discovery, and according to documents obtained by ESPNthe league has 20 days to respond to the complaint from TNT's parent company, the big loser in the negotiations.
“In light of the NBA's unjustified rejection of a partner's offer, we have initiated legal action to assert our rights.”TNT Sports wrote in a statement Friday. “We firmly believe that this is not only in keeping with our contractual rights, but also in the best interest of fans who want to continue to watch our industry-leading NBA content with the choice and flexibility we offer through our widely distributed WBD video distribution platforms – including TNT and Max.”
A legal tug of war
As a long-standing partner of the NBA, Warner Bros. had the option to match Amazon's offer to retain one of the three packages offered by the NBA. But the league rejected the proposal.
“We matched Amazon's offer, as we had the contractual right to do, and we do not believe the NBA can reject it,” TNT reacted on Wednesday. “In doing so, they are rejecting the many fans who continue to show their unwavering support for our best coverage, delivered across the combined reach of WBD’s video distribution platforms.”
On the NBA side, it is estimated that “Warner Bros. Discovery's allegations are unfounded” and “the lawyers will answer it”.
In its complaint, Warner Bros. management points out that the NBA had always publicly stated that it was committed to “not to enter into any agreement or agreements with one or more partners” regarding future NBA broadcast rights “without first giving” to TNT a chance to do so.
Charles Barkley disgusted
What Warner Bros. Discovery is criticizing the NBA for is announcing that a deal had been reached with Amazon before even giving TNT the opportunity to match it. That's what Charles Barkley said on Friday.
“It's clear the NBA wanted to break up with us from the beginning. I'm not sure TNT ever had a chance.”wrote Charles Barkley in a statement. “TNT matched the offer, but the league knows that Amazon and companies in that industry are the only ones willing to pay for the rights when they double in the future. The NBA didn’t want to upset them. It’s a sad day when the owners and the league boss choose money over the fans. It sucks.”
