The NBA is poised for a transformative era in sports broadcasting with the announcement of its new national television deal. Valued at a staggering $76 billion, this agreement brings new partners into the fold and is set to significantly boost the league's revenues over the next 11 years. The new deal will commence with the 2025-26 season and extend through the 2035-36 season, superseding the current nine-year, $24 billion agreement slated to expire at the end of the 2024-25 season.
Emphasizing the importance of fan reach and accessibility, the NBA's latest contracts include diverse platforms from a media company, a broadcasting company, and a streaming service. "Our new global media agreements with Disney, NBCUniversal, and Amazon will maximize the reach and accessibility of NBA games for fans in the United States and around the world. These partners will distribute our content across a wide range of platforms and help transform the fan experience over the next decade," remarked NBA Commissioner Adam Silver.
Significant Financial Growth
Under the new agreement, the NBA will see its annual national media income increase by approximately 2.6 times. This boost is expected to influence various aspects of the league, including a rise in franchise values and player salaries. With the salary cap set to increase by up to 10% per year, starting in the 2025 offseason, the financial landscape of the NBA is set for significant change. Notably, the combined earnings of the 30 NBA teams were about $10.6 billion in 2023, with national television revenue being the largest contributor.
Expanded Coverage and Accessibility
ABC and ESPN, staples of NBA broadcasting, will continue to air the NBA Finals and will broadcast one of the two conference finals series for 10 out of the 11 years. Christmas Day games, marquee regular-season matchups on Saturdays and Sundays, and approximately 18 games in the first two rounds of the postseason each year will also be featured on ABC/ESPN.
The broadcasting company, a new partner, will cover one of the conference finals series in six of the 11 years. They will also provide coverage of signature NBA events such as the All-Star Game, NBA All-Star Saturday night, opening night, and Sunday night primetime games. Their combined coverage, along with that of their streaming service, will include around 28 games in the first two rounds of the playoffs each season.
Additionally, Prime Video will stream one of the conference finals series in six out of the 11 years and will carry NBA Cup games alongside Play-In Tournament games. The streaming giant is also set to broadcast about one-third of the first and second postseason rounds annually, marking a significant expansion of the NBA's digital footprint.
A Nod to Turner Sports
As the league looks forward to this new chapter, it also acknowledges the legacy of Turner Sports, which began broadcasting NBA games in 1989. The upcoming season will be the final one for "Inside the NBA" in its current form. "We are grateful to Turner Sports for its award-winning coverage of the NBA and look forward to another season of the NBA on TNT," the NBA expressed, highlighting the impactful partnership that spanned decades.
Maximizing Reach and Fan Engagement
The NBA's strategic move to partner with diverse media entities underscores its commitment to expanding the game’s reach. "Throughout these negotiations, our primary objective has been to maximize the reach and accessibility of our games for our fans," the NBA stated. With this new deal, the league is poised to enhance fan engagement through innovative and varied broadcasting platforms, ensuring that more viewers can experience the excitement of NBA basketball.
As the new agreement takes effect in the 2025-26 season, the NBA is not just negotiating television rights but forging a path to greater accessibility and enhanced viewer experience. With Disney, NBCUniversal, and Amazon now in the mix, the future of NBA broadcasting looks brighter than ever, promising a new era of sports entertainment that seamlessly intertwines tradition with innovation.