The NBA has chosen Amazon as its new media partner, rejecting Warner Bros. Discovery’s attempt to extend its longstanding relationship beyond the upcoming season. The league informed Warner Bros. Discovery that it does not believe the company holds the legal right to match the terms of Amazon Prime Video’s offer for a comprehensive media deal. Consequently, the NBA has finalized a long-term agreement with Amazon, marking the tech giant as its third major partner alongside ESPN and NBCUniversal in a lucrative 11-year, approximately $77 billion deal.
In a statement released on Wednesday, the NBA clarified its decision, stating, “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.” Warner Bros. Discovery had sought to exercise its matching rights under the terms of its expiring agreement with the NBA, attempting to replicate the terms of Amazon’s streaming-focused package. However, the NBA asserts that these rights do not extend to a purely streaming arrangement like the one negotiated with Amazon.
The league conveyed its position to Warner Bros. Discovery in a letter addressed to Luis Silberwasser, Chairman and CEO of TNT Sports, citing specific contractual language that restricts the exercise of matching rights to the form of distribution outlined in the original agreement.
The NBA emphasized its strategic goal of expanding the accessibility and viewership of its games in collaboration with Amazon, Disney, and NBCUniversal. “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 NBCUniversal arrangements,” the league stated.
In response to the NBA’s decision, Warner Bros. Discovery expressed disappointment, asserting its belief in its contractual right to match the terms of Amazon’s offer. The company highlighted its long-standing partnership with the NBA through TNT and its streaming service Max, underscoring its commitment to providing comprehensive coverage across its platforms.
The future of TNT’s iconic NBA coverage, including the popular program “Inside the NBA,” remains uncertain pending further negotiations between Warner Bros. Discovery and the NBA for the upcoming seasons beyond the current agreement’s expiration.
Warner Bros. Discovery’s Turner Sports has been a broadcast home for NBA games for nearly four decades, with TNT serving as the cornerstone of its NBA coverage, including high-profile studio programming featuring renowned analysts.
Moving forward, the NBA’s decision to align with Amazon reflects its strategy to leverage multiple media platforms to enhance fan engagement and extend the reach of its content globally.
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