The NBA has secured a groundbreaking new national television deal that is set to reshape the landscape of how basketball fans consume their favorite sport. Valued at a staggering $76 billion, this agreement spans over 11 years and will commence with the 2025-26 season, running through the 2035-36 season. This new deal marks a significant shift from the current nine-year, $24 billion agreement that concludes at the end of the 2024-25 season.
Under this lucrative new pact, the NBA will welcome several new partners, including a prominent media company, a major broadcasting company, and a leading streaming service. ABC and ESPN will continue to play a pivotal role, maintaining their coverage of NBA Finals games and being the primary broadcasters for the Christmas Day games, marquee Saturday and Sunday regular-season matchups, and approximately 18 games in the first two rounds of the postseason each year. Additionally, ABC/ESPN will broadcast one of the two conference finals series in 10 out of the 11 years covered by the deal.
An additional broadcasting company will join the mix, covering one of the conference finals series in six of the 11 years and providing comprehensive coverage of the All-Star Game, NBA All-Star Saturday Night, opening night, and Sunday night primetime games. This broadcaster and its affiliated streaming service are also set to televise around 28 games in the first two rounds of the playoffs every season. Amazon's Prime Video will also play a significant role, streaming one of the conference finals series in six out of the 11 years, as well as carrying NBA Cup games, Play-In Tournament games, and about one-third of the first and second postseason rounds each year.
Notably absent from the new agreement is Warner Bros. Discovery, which historically played a vital role in broadcasting NBA games through Turner Sports since 1989. The upcoming season is anticipated to be the last for the iconic "Inside the NBA" in its present form.
The implications of this new deal are immense for the NBA’s financial health. By expanding its media partnerships and leveraging the reach of both traditional and streaming platforms, the NBA is poised to significantly boost its annual national media income by approximately 2.6 times. This surge in revenue is expected to have far-reaching consequences, particularly in terms of franchise values and player salaries, both of which are anticipated to rise steadily. The NBA's combined earnings stood at roughly $10.6 billion in 2023, with national television revenue being the largest contributor. Under this new deal, these figures are certainly set to grow.
"Throughout these negotiations, our primary objective has been to maximize the reach and accessibility of our games for our fans," the NBA highlighted in an official statement, emphasizing the league’s commitment to its fan base. NBA Commissioner Adam Silver remarked, "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 transformation extends beyond just increased revenues; the new media agreements are likely to introduce innovative ways for fans to engage with NBA content. With various platforms tapping into modern technologies and diverse content delivery methods, fans can expect an enriched viewing experience that goes beyond traditional broadcasts. From interactive features to enhanced live streams, the way basketball is consumed will undoubtedly evolve.
The league has also expressed gratitude towards its longstanding partner Turner Sports. "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, acknowledging the pivotal role Turner has played in shaping NBA broadcasts over the decades.
One of the practical implications of this deal is how it will affect the NBA's salary cap. The salary cap, which cannot increase by more than 10% per year, is expected to meet this maximum increment annually starting in the 2025 offseason. This continuous growth ensures a stable and predictable rise in player salaries and team budgets, fostering a more competitive and financially healthy league.
As the NBA prepares to embark on this new era, the importance of media partnerships is more prominent than ever. The integration of diverse platforms and the expansion of coverage underscore the league's vision of becoming a truly global sport, accessible to fans everywhere. The NBA's future looks brighter than ever, with monumental growth and innovation on the horizon, driven by this transformative media deal.