The NBA and TNT Sports’ parent company Warner Bros. Discovery are rumored to be in settlement talks. WBD filed a lawsuit against the NBA after the league moved forward with their new round of media deals with ESPN, NBC and Amazon. WBD argued that they had match rights for the Amazon deal.
“I know [both sides] want to solve this,” says one source. “It has to be soon. They don’t want to let it drag on,” adds another source.
While settlements are generally financial, there has been speculation of a fourth rights package being granted to TNT that would allow Inside the NBA to continue. Both companies would like to avoid a lengthy, expensive and potentially embarrassing trial.
The NBA countered that TNT Sports’ attempt to match Amazon’s offer was actually a counteroffer. Amazon is paying an estimated $1.8 billion per year for the NBA’s “C” package. Disney (A package, $2.6 billion per year) and NBCUniversal (B package, $2.45 billion per year) are slated to be the league’s other broadcast partners starting in 2025-26.
The NBA and WBD have upcoming hearings on Nov. 22 and Dec. 17.
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November 14, 2024 | 1:30 pm
