In a groundbreaking move set to reshape the broadcasting landscape, the NBA has finalized an 11-year national television deal valued at a staggering $76 billion. This landmark agreement introduces new media partners and promises to significantly enhance the league’s revenue streams while increasing the accessibility of games to fans worldwide.
Commencing with the 2025-26 season and extending until the end of the 2035-36 season, the new deal ushers in an era where Disney, NBCUniversal, and Amazon take center stage as the principal broadcasters and streaming services for the NBA. Notably, ABC and ESPN, mainstays in basketball coverage, will continue their tradition of airing NBA Finals games, with one of the two conference finals series being broadcast on their platforms in 10 out of the 11 years of the new deal. These networks will also feature Christmas Day games, marquee Saturday and Sunday matchups during the regular season, and approximately 18 games in the first two rounds of the postseason each year.
NBCUniversal brings a diversified approach to its coverage, set to broadcast one of the conference finals series in six of the 11 years of the deal. Their coverage portfolio will extend to include the All-Star Game, NBA All-Star Saturday night, opening night, and Sunday night primetime games. Furthermore, NBCUniversal and/or its streaming service will broadcast around 28 games in the first two rounds of the playoffs every season.
Prime Video, representing Amazon's significant entry into NBA broadcasting, will stream one of the conference finals series in six out of the 11 years. Additionally, Prime Video will assume responsibility for streaming NBA Cup games and Play-In Tournament games while ensuring that about one-third of the first and second postseason rounds are accessible on its platform.
Absorbing this multi-billion dollar deal is a marked increase in the NBA’s annual national media income, expected to rise roughly 2.6 times from the previous figures. The current nine-year agreement, valued at $24 billion, is set to expire at the end of the 2024-25 season. With the jump in media revenue, franchise values, and player salaries are poised for significant growth. This financial upsurge is expected to impact the salary cap, which, under the new contract, cannot increase by more than 10% per year. Projections predict the salary cap will rise by the maximum allowed each year starting in the 2025 offseason.
The NBA’s new deal underscores its commitment to broadening the visibility of its games. As NBA Commissioner Adam Silver remarked, "Throughout these negotiations, our primary objective has been to maximize the reach and accessibility of our games for our fans. 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."
This transformative pact signals a departure for Turner Sports, which has been a staple in NBA broadcasting since 1989. The current season is anticipated to be the last for "Inside the NBA" in its existing format. Expressing gratitude towards Turner Sports, the NBA stated, "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 implications of this deal extend beyond just revenue. The infusion of fresh media partnerships with a dynamic blend of traditional and digital platforms is likely to invigorate fan engagement across various demographics. Prime Video's integration, for example, highlights the growing trend toward streaming services and their role in the future of sports broadcasting. The inclusion of NBA Cup games and Play-In Tournament games on Prime Video, along with a significant portion of early-round postseason games, suggests a strategic pivot toward flexible and accessible viewership options.
The combined earnings of the NBA’s 30 teams, which stood at approximately $10.6 billion in 2023, find their largest contributor in national television revenue. As the cornerstone of financial stability and growth for the league, the new deal casts a wider net, promising to enhance viewership while delivering substantial economic benefits.
With this bold move, the NBA is set to redefine its broadcasting reach and financial trajectory, ensuring the sport’s presence across multiple platforms well into the next decade. The structured integration of Disney, NBCUniversal, and Amazon stands as a testament to the league’s strategic vision, promising a richly woven tapestry of basketball coverage that will captivate audiences worldwide. As the new era dawns, fans and stakeholders alike can look forward to the expanded horizons this historic deal promises to unveil.