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The NBA has selected Amazon over Warner Bros. Discovery for its new media rights deal, partnering with ESPN and NBCUniversal in an 11-year, $77 billion agreement.
Key Points
- The NBA has decided against Warner Bros. Discovery, opting for Amazon as its third media partner.
- The new 11-year media rights deal, worth about $77 billion, includes ESPN and NBCUniversal alongside Amazon.
- Warner Bros. Discovery’s proposal did not meet the terms of Amazon’s offer.
- Warner Bros. Discovery disputes the NBA’s interpretation of its matching rights and may pursue legal action.
- Amazon Prime Video’s broader global reach influenced the NBA’s decision.
In a significant shift in the sports media landscape, the NBA has chosen Amazon Prime Video over longtime media partner Warner Bros. Discovery for its new media rights deal. The decision is part of an expansive 11-year agreement worth approximately $77 billion, which also includes ESPN and NBCUniversal as key partners.
Warner Bros. Discovery, which has enjoyed a nearly 40-year partnership with the NBA through its TNT network, attempted to exercise its matching rights to retain the package earmarked for Amazon. However, the NBA concluded that Warner Bros. Discovery’s rights did not extend to the all-streaming package designated for Amazon, leading to the current impasse.
“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 NBA stated on Wednesday.
The Battle Over Matching Rights
Warner Bros. Discovery contends that it has the contractual right to match any offers for NBA games, including those on streaming platforms like Amazon. However, the NBA cited a provision that restricts the exercise of matching rights to the same form of combined audio and video distribution as the original agreement. According to this provision, if the original distribution is internet-based, the incumbent cannot match it with television distribution.
“We think they have grossly misinterpreted our contractual rights with respect to the 2025-26 season and beyond, and we will take appropriate action,” Warner Bros. Discovery said in a statement.
Strategic Shifts and Future Plans
The NBA’s move to include Amazon in its media rights portfolio highlights the league’s strategy to maximize the reach and accessibility of its games. Amazon Prime Video, with over 200 million global customers, offers a broader platform compared to Warner Bros. Discovery’s Max, which has around 100 million subscribers.
“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 NBA said. The league emphasized that all three partners have committed substantial resources to promote the NBA and enhance the fan experience.
Comprehensive Coverage and Enhanced Fan Experience
Disney and NBCUniversal will contribute significantly to the new media rights deal, providing extensive coverage across various platforms. Disney will broadcast 80 NBA regular-season games per season, including more than 20 games on ABC and up to 60 games on ESPN. NBCUniversal will air 100 NBA games each regular season, with about 50 exclusive to its streaming platform, Peacock.
The NBA’s new global media agreements are designed to transform the fan experience over the next decade. Commissioner Adam Silver highlighted that the distribution across a wide range of platforms will maximize the reach and accessibility of NBA games for fans in the United States and around the world.
Looking Ahead
While Warner Bros. Discovery may pursue legal action to assert its matching rights, the NBA is moving forward with its new media partners. The inclusion of Amazon Prime Video, alongside Disney and NBCUniversal, marks a new era for the league’s media coverage, promising a more comprehensive and accessible viewing experience for basketball fans globally.
As the NBA continues to innovate and expand its reach, the impact of this landmark media rights deal will be closely watched by stakeholders across the sports and media industries.
