The NBA has signed new 11-year TV agreements with Amazon Prime Video, sparking a potential legal dispute with TNT Sports. The upcoming agreements with Amazon won’t start until the 2025-26 season, leaving TNT in a position to potentially sue the league they are currently covering. The NBA said Wednesday that it is not accepting Warner Bros. Discovery’s $1.8 billion per year offer to continue its longtime relationship with the league. Therefore, the league has entered into a deal with Amazon Prime Video, a move that would mean this coming season would end a nearly four-decade run of games being on TNT.
“Warner Bros. Discovery’s most recent proposal did not match the terms of Amazon Prime Video’s offer and, therefore, we have entered into a long-term arrangement with Amazon,” the league said. “Throughout these negotiations, our primary objective has been to maximize the reach and accessibility of our games for our fans. Our new arrangement with Amazon supports this goal by complementing the broadcast, cable, and streaming packages that are already part of our new Disney and NBC Universal arrangements. All three partners have also committed substantial resources to promote the league and enhance the fan experience.”
Amazon Prime Video will carry games on Friday nights, select Saturday afternoons and Thursday night doubleheaders, which will begin after the conclusion of Prime Video’s “Thursday Night Football” schedule. Prime Video will also take over the NBA League Pass package from Warner Bros. Discovery, Inc.
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“The digital opportunities with Amazon align perfectly with the global interest in the NBA,” NBA Commissioner Adam Silver said in a statement. “And Prime Video’s massive subscriber base will dramatically expand our ability to reach our fans in new and innovative ways.” The package also includes at least one game on Black Friday and the quarterfinals, semifinals and championship game of the NBA Cup.
Did Adam Silver just ruin Inside the NBA with this $1.8 billion Amazon deal? React!
What does this mean for “Inside the NBA”?Viewers are wondering if ‘Inside the NBA’ is ending soon. The popular basketball post-game show is reportedly at risk of cancellation. Aired by TNT, the talk show features a lineup with basketball legends Kenny Smith, Charles Barkley, and Shaquille O’Neal rounding off the analyst panel. Renowned sportscaster Ernie Johnson has been hosting Inside the NBA since its second season, which premiered in 1989.
Inside the NBA is known for being quite a wild show, as anyone who has watched it can attest. The quartet of hosts offers insightful commentary and analysis of basketball. As a result, it has gained many fans who are currently on the edge of their seats not knowing the fate of the show.
Amazon will take over NBA coverage starting from the 2025-2026 season, which means Warner Bros is out. As a result, TNT will no longer have the broadcasting rights because it’s owned by Warner Bros. Discovery, Inc. So, Inside the NBA might come to an end by the end of this year. What do you think about all this? Leave your comments below and let us know!
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Source : EssentiallySports