• Loading stock data...
Saturday, February 8, 2025

NBA Eyes Midseason Tourney, $75B Media Deal

  • The NBA is pushing the idea of a midseason tournament as it seeks to triple the value of its broadcast rights.
  • The league is currently on a nine-year deal with Disney and WarnerMedia.
Kyle Terada-USA TODAY Sports/Design: Alex Brooks

The NBA wants to triple the value of its media rights — and hopes a midseason tournament will spice up the package.

The league is drawing inspiration from European soccer as it outlines the midseason contest.

  • Current discussions revolve around an eight-team tournament with three single-elimination rounds.
  • Players would be incentivized with a reward of $1 million per player on the winning team
  • The WNBA is piloting the concept this season with a $500,00 prize pool. The tournament will be sponsored by Google and broadcast by Amazon.

On the cusp of its next set of broadcast deals, the NBA is targeting a $75 billion price tag over nine years, an impressive leap from the $24 billion in deals it’s currently locked into with Disney and WarnerMedia. The league is also in the midst of a five-year, $1.5 billion deal with Tencent to stream games in China.

NBA broadcasts on ABC, ESPN, and TNT averaged 1.32 million viewers this season, down 25% from the 1.75 million average of the 2018-2019 season.

A midseason tournament could raise the stakes and help reverse that downward trend, but the league will need buy-ins from 20 of its 30 teams and the NBPA to proceed. This year’s play-in tournament — another format experiment — was a runaway ratings success.

However, teams are wary of trimming the regular season to 78 games from 82 to accommodate the midseason contest. Pre-pandemic regular season games each brought in $2.5-$4 million for the home team.

Linkedin
Whatsapp
Copy Link
Link Copied
Link Copied

What to Read

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.

How the Eagles Reinvented Championship Roster Construction

Philadelphia is one of the most innovative franchises in the NFL.
Donald Trump

Trump Threatens to Eliminate Tax Breaks for Sports Owners

Amortization and other strategies have saved sports owners millions.
Maverick Carter

Singapore, Saudi PIF Among Investors in Int’l Basketball League

The league is advised by Maverick Carter, a longtime friend of LeBron James.
Feb 4, 2025; El Segundo, CA, USA; Los Angeles Lakers guard Luka Doncic is introduced at UCLA Health Training Center.

With Luka Trade, Lakers Are Locked In As NBA Ratings Star

The Lakers are built to be a staple for the NBA’s new media-rights deal.

Featured Today

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

Nostalgia and street cred have driven a consistent frenzy for merch.
January 20, 2024; Santa Clara, CA, USA; Kristin Juszczyk, wife of San Francisco 49ers fullback Kyle Juszczyk (44), before a 2024 NFC divisional round game against the Green Bay Packers at Levi's Stadium.
February 1, 2025

The New WAGs: Sports Wives Building Business Empires

Athletes’ wives and girlfriends are bucking stereotypes and cashing in.
Feb 3, 2019; Berkeley, CA, USA; California Golden Bears mascot dances on the court during a stoppage in play in the second half against the Stanford Cardinal at Haas Pavilion.
January 31, 2025

The Toll of Bicoastal Travel on New ACC Members Cal and Stanford

Cal and Stanford face missed flights, chaotic sleep schedules, and academic demands.
January 28, 2025

It’s Starting to Pay to Be Good at Cornhole

American Cornhole League players made $7.7 million in 2024.

UFC’s Vegas Sphere Fight Should Set Records

The MMA fight has big aspirations and a budget to match.
August 13, 2024

Duael’s One-On-One Racing Brackets Are Yet Another Stab at Saving Track

Duael will debut in March 2025 with the inaugural Duael 100.
September 8, 2024

Guardian Caps Make NFL Debut

Multiple NFL players wore Guardian Caps over their helmets Sunday.
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.
August 11, 2024

Guardian Caps Have Arrived in the NFL—Ahead of Schedule

Colts star Jonathan Taylor strapped one on for Sunday’s preseason game.
August 5, 2024

How Omega Timing Determined Noah Lyles Won Olympic Gold

Omega touches every corner of the Olympics.
The Adidas ball has changed over the years.
July 25, 2023

The Most Advanced Tech at the Women’s World Cup Might Surprise You

This year’s OCEAUNZ introduces connected ball technology to the women’s game.
Sponsored

Rewriting the Sports Media Playbook

WSC’s highlight automation improved Clemson’s content strategy and overall growth.