The NBA has reached a significant milestone by securing a new national television deal. This groundbreaking agreement, set to commence in the 2025-26 season and run for 11 years, introduces new partners including a media company, a broadcasting company, and a streaming service. Valued at a staggering $76 billion, this deal notably eclipses the current nine-year agreement worth $24 billion, which will expire at the end of the 2024-25 season.
Major Networks and Streaming Services Onboard
ABC and ESPN will continue their long-standing relationship with the NBA, maintaining the broadcast of the NBA Finals and covering one of the two conference finals series in 10 out of the 11 years. Additionally, these networks will air Christmas Day games, marquee Saturday and Sunday regular-season matchups, and approximately 18 games in the first two rounds of the postseason each year.
Another major broadcasting company will step in to cover one of the conference finals series in six out of the 11 years. This broadcaster will also handle the All-Star Game, NBA All-Star Saturday night, opening night, and Sunday night primetime games. Both the broadcasting company and its streaming service are slated to televise around 28 games during the first two rounds of the playoffs every season.
Prime Video, a fresh entrant in the NBA broadcasting arena, will stream one of the conference finals series in six out of the 11 years. In addition, Prime Video will carry NBA Cup games, Play-In Tournament games, and about one-third of the first and second postseason rounds annually. This marks a significant shift towards digital streaming in the NBA's broadcasting strategy.
A Leap in Revenue and Accessibility
This monumental deal marks a 2.6-fold increase in the NBA's annual national media income, leading to expectations of substantial growth in franchise values and player salaries. The salary cap is projected to rise by the maximum of 10% each year starting from the 2025 offseason, reflecting the financial boost from the new agreement.
The NBA's primary goal throughout these negotiations has been to "maximize the reach and accessibility of our games for our fans," the organization stated. NBA Commissioner Adam Silver echoed this sentiment, saying, "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."
The End of an Era for Turner Sports
Amid the celebration of the new deal, the NBA also expressed gratitude to Turner Sports for its decades of coverage, starting from 1989. "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 conveyed. Notably, this upcoming season is anticipated to be the last for "Inside the NBA" in its current form, marking the end of an era for the beloved sports show.
Impact on the NBA's Financial Landscape
The new television deal significantly enhances the NBA's revenue stream, which already makes national television revenue the largest contributor to the league's combined earnings. In 2023, the combined earnings of the 30 NBA teams were approximately $10.6 billion, a figure expected to rise substantially under the new agreement. The substantial increase in media income is set to benefit not only franchises but also the players, with salaries projected to rise in accordance with the escalating salary cap.
This landmark agreement not only ensures financial growth for the NBA but also promises to enhance the viewing experience for fans across multiple platforms. As the league continues to evolve in the digital age, this deal marks a significant step towards securing its future while honoring its rich broadcasting history.