The NBA has officially announced a groundbreaking national television deal set to commence from the 2025-26 season. Valued at a staggering $76 billion, this 11-year agreement is poised to significantly boost the league’s revenues and reshape the broadcasting landscape for NBA fans across the globe.
Adding New Partners
In a historic move, the NBA has brought on board a media company, a broadcasting company, and a streaming service as new partners. This trio will complement existing stalwarts ABC and ESPN, who will continue their tradition of airing the NBA Finals games.
"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.
Details of the New Agreement
This agreement, nearly tripling the value of the current nine-year, $24 billion deal set to expire at the end of the 2024-25 season, represents a pivotal step for the NBA. The deal ensures that ABC/ESPN will broadcast one of the two conference finals series in 10 out of the 11 years, alongside their coverage of Christmas Day games, marquee matchups on Saturday and Sunday regular-season games, and approximately 18 games in the first two rounds of the postseason each year.
Meanwhile, another broadcasting company will step in to cover one of the conference finals series in six of the 11 years. Additionally, this broadcaster will provide coverage of premiere events such as the All-Star Game, NBA All-Star Saturday night, opening night, and Sunday night primetime games. Notably, this broadcaster and its streaming service will handle around 28 games in the first two rounds of the playoffs every season.
Beyond traditional broadcasting, Prime Video will stream one of the conference finals series in six out of the 11 years and is set to carry NBA Cup games and Play-In Tournament games. Prime Video will also stream about one-third of the first and second postseason rounds each year.
Impact on NBA Revenue and Team Finances
The new deal provides a massive surge in NBA's annual national media income, increasing it by roughly 2.6 times. This influx is projected to elevate franchise values and player salaries, underscoring the financial health and growth potential of the league. With the combined earnings of the 30 NBA teams reaching approximately $10.6 billion in 2023, national television revenue remains the largest driver of the league’s overall earnings. Consequently, the salary cap is expected to rise by the maximum allowable rate of 10% each year starting in the 2025 offseason.
"Throughout these negotiations, our primary objective has been to maximize the reach and accessibility of our games for our fans," the NBA stated, emphasizing the importance of broadening the game’s visibility and engagement among its diverse audience.
A Fond Farewell to Turner Sports
As the NBA looks ahead, it also marks the end of an era with Warner Bros. Discovery stepping out of the new agreement. Turner Sports, which has been broadcasting NBA games since 1989, will conclude its coverage with the upcoming season. In what is expected to be the last season for the beloved "Inside the NBA" in its current form, the NBA expressed its gratitude: "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."
Enhanced Fan Experience
The expanded suite of media partners is set to enrich the viewing experience for fans. From traditional broadcasts to cutting-edge streaming, the NBA’s new deal underscores its commitment to delivering top-tier content across multiple platforms. Prime Video's inclusion, for instance, promises a modern touch with exclusive streaming of pivotal games and tournaments, thereby catering to a tech-savvy audience.
With this landmark agreement, the NBA solidifies its position at the forefront of sports entertainment, blending tradition with innovation to deliver unparalleled access and engagement for its fans. As the 2025-26 season approaches, fans can eagerly anticipate a new era of NBA broadcasting that promises to redefine how they connect with the game.