• Loading stock data...
Saturday, February 15, 2025
exclusive
Tuned In

Draymond Green Exploring NBA Media Options As Warriors Struggle

“He looks at media as a big part of his future—and is excited about the opportunities that exist out there for him,” Green’s agent tells FOS.

Kyle Terada-Imagn Images

Warriors star Draymond Green is preparing for a potential media career after his time as an NBA player ends.

Sources tell Front Office Sports that the four-time NBA champion has held exploratory talks with one or more of the league’s incoming media partners—NBC Sports, Amazon Prime Video, and ESPN.

Josh Pyatt, Green’s agent at WME Sports, confirmed several NBA media partners are expressing interest in his client.  

“He looks at media as a big part of his future—and is excited about the opportunities that exist out there for him,” Pyatt tells FOS about Green.

The big question now: When will the 34-year-old power forward retire? The 2016–2017 Defensive Player of the Year has two years left on his current contract that will pay him $25.9 million in 2025–2026 and $27.7 million in 2026–2027 if he chooses to exercise a player option. That’s a lot of money to walk away from.

But Green has already made $202 million during his 12-year career, according to Spotrac. And the impulsive star has always done things his way. Green said on his podcast that he weighed retirement during his indefinite suspension from the league in late 2023, but that league commissioner Adam Silver talked him out of it. “I told him I don’t want to do this anymore. This doesn’t serve me anymore,” recalled Green in an interview with ESPN. “It wasn’t that I was contemplating to do it right then. But I was [thinking] I probably got a year left and I’m done.”

Green could also try to juggle two careers, making appearances for his new media employer while finishing his career with the Warriors, just as he’s done sporadically on TNT Sports. It’s not unheard of for stars to pave the way for a second career in media while still active as a player. Super Bowl–winning quarterback Drew Brees lined up a multiyear contract with NBC while still playing for the Saints. On the day he retired from the NFL, Brees and NBC announced his new analyst role.

During the same interview with ESPN, Green, the Warriors’ emotional leader, expressed his frustration with the former dynasty’s fall from its greatest heights. The aging Warriors rank 12th in the Western Conference, with a 19–20 record. Green is averaging 8.7 points and 6.2 rebounds per game. “I hate losing,” he told ESPN.

The four-time NBA All-Star would enter the media with more experience than most players. He hosts his own eponymous podcast/YouTube show with Baron Davis. On TV, he’s made many paid appearances on TNT Sports’ Inside the NBA, where he’s been viewed as a potential successor to 61-year-old Charles Barkley. Green is said to love the Emmy Award–winning cast—and they love him. Green could stay with TNT, which loses domestic NBA broadcast rights in the U.S. after this season. But when he retires, he’ll enter the sports media world as a free agent, Pyatt said. With NBC and Prime planning their hoops coverage, Green could have multiple options as Inside the NBA moves over to ESPN.

One sports media executive I spoke to about Green said he is excited about his potential. “He would be great. He’s interesting—and he could take his podcast to whoever hires him.”

Green is clearly keeping track of hires in the new NBA TV gold rush. On his Instagram feed, he shouted out Jamal Crawford for landing a role as an NBC game analyst. Green posted a picture of the former Warriors star with a two-word caption, “Yesssirrr Ma!!!” Green also has ties to ESPN. Bob Myers, Green’s former GM with Golden State, joined the network as a studio analyst in 2023. 

Pyatt and WME are representing Green for his TV/entertainment endeavors, while Rich Paul’s Klutch Sports represents him on the court and for endorsements.

Last week, Prime Video announced it was hiring Taylor Rooks, Blake Griffin, and Dirk Nowitzki to lead its inaugural studio coverage of the NBA from Los Angeles. Ex-Knicks star Carmelo Anthony is also interested in making a move to TV once the NBA’s new rights agreements lock into place. 

As part of the NBA’s $77 billion media-rights agreement, Disney, NBCUniversal and Amazon Prime Video are splitting up domestic game rights starting in the 2025–2026 season. Incumbent ESPN/ABC will retain the lead TV package, including exclusive coverage of the NBA Finals.

NBC, Prime, and ESPN declined to comment for this story.

Linkedin
Whatsapp
Copy Link
Link Copied
Link Copied

What to Read

Dec 29, 2024; Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA; FOX broadcaster and former NFL quarterback Tom Brady looks on before the game between the Minnesota Vikings and the Green Bay Packers at U.S. Bank Stadium.

Tom Brady and CEOs of Google, Microsoft, Adobe Buy Stakes in Cricket..

The England and Wales Cricket Board raised £520m by selling team stakes.
Feb 18, 2024; Indianapolis, Indiana, USA; Eastern Conference guard Damian Lillard (0) of the Milwaukee Bucks reacts after a play during the second half of the 73rd NBA All Star game at Gainbridge Fieldhouse.

The NBA’s Latest Attempt To Solve the All-Star Game Conundrum

A new mini-tournament on a lame-duck network may not solve the problem.
Feb 13, 2025; Montreal, Quebec, CAN; [Imagn Images direct customers only] Team USA forward Brady Tkachuk (7) celebrates with his teammates his goal against Team Finland in the third period during a 4 Nations Face-Off ice hockey game at Bell Centre

NHL 4 Nations Face-Off Viewership Outstrips ESPN All-Star Games

In Montréal and on their TVs, hockey fans are buying in.

Featured Today

Jan 9, 2025; Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA; Edmonton Oilers center Connor McDavid (97) checks Pittsburgh Penguins center Sidney Crosby (87) during the third period at PPG Paints Arena

‘Important’ 4 Nations Face-Off Can Be NHL’s All-Star Antidote

“The stars have been lobbying the league for an event like this.”
Brady and Mahomes
February 8, 2025

Chiefs Fatigue Is Real. It’s Nowhere Near Patriots Hate Yet

People who have covered both teams say the difference is stark.
Nov 24, 2024; Inglewood, California, USA; Philadelphia Eagles quarterback Jalen Hurts (1) celebrates with running back Saquon Barkley (26) after the Eagles defeat the Los Angeles Rams during the first half at SoFi Stadium.
February 7, 2025

How the Eagles Reinvented Championship Roster Construction

Philadelphia is one of the most innovative franchises in the NFL.
February 3, 2025

‘Ultimate Throwback’: The Unimpeachable Cool of Hartford Whalers Gear

Nostalgia and street cred have driven a consistent frenzy for merch.
exclusive

Shaquille O’Neal, TNT Agree to Extension Worth Over $15M/Year

Shaq’s Inside the NBA will be licensed to ESPN next season.
Dan Orlovsky and Ryan Clark
February 10, 2025

Dan Orlovsky’s ESPN Deal Expiring As He Explores NFL Options

The analyst’s three-year deal expires this summer, but he has “options.”
hanson_smiling
exclusive
February 13, 2025

Scott Hanson in Talks With NBC As NFL Network Negotiations Stall

The NFL RedZone host hosted NBC’s Olympics ‘Gold Zone’ coverage last summer.
Sponsored

How UBS Crafts Impactful Partnerships Across Sports, Arts, and Culture

As UBS continues to expand its impressive array of sports and entertainment partnerships, the company solidifies its position as a leader in wealth management.
opinion
February 10, 2025

Super Bowl Broadcast Review: Brady Steps Up, But Room to Grow

After a rocky rookie season, Brady needed to quickly establish himself in the biggest game he would call. He did so immediately.
Tom Brady
February 7, 2025

Tom Brady Calls Chiefs Conspiracy Theories ‘BS’

The Fox analyst defended NFL refs ahead of Super Bowl LIX.
exclusive
February 6, 2025

Greg Olsen: Fox Relationship Is Positive, but ‘My Aspirations Have Not Changed’

Olsen stood by his Fox colleagues but said his “aspirations have not changed.”
February 6, 2025

ESPN’s Laura Rutledge on Juggling NFL, SEC, and Motherhood

Rutledge has myriad responsibilities at ESPN—to go along with two young kids.