• Loading stock data...
Tuesday, February 18, 2025

NBA Media Rights Likely Headed for Open Market Next Week

  • Apple, Amazon and Netflix are just a few of the streamers who have expressed interest in getting part of the NBA’s media rights deal.
  • League could negotiate with WNBA, or see them seek their own path.
Michael McLoone-USA TODAY Sports

The NBA is expected to let the exclusivity window with media partners Disney and Warner Brothers Discovery close Monday “without a new deal” as the league seeks a new one, according to CNBC

The move makes sense as the league hopes to increase the $24 billion from its last media deal in an open-market bidding war.  The league will have no shortage of interest. Apple, NBC, YouTube TV, Amazon and Netflix are just some of the companies that are reportedly interested in getting in on the league’s new media rights deal, which would start for the 2025-26 season. NBC previously had the NBA’s rights from 1990 to 2002. 

The league could be seeking a whopping $50 to $75 billion in this deal, Front Office Sports reported in late 2022.

While negotiations with Disney, which owns ESPN, and Warner Brothers Discovery, owner of Turner Broadcasting, will continue, the league is looking to add at least one new partner to serve as the league’s primary streamer, according to CNBC. 

The WNBA is also looking for a new media rights deal and hopes to double its own revenues of $60 million in its next package. That deal expires in October 2025. NBA commissioner Adam Silver has said it makes sense for both leagues to go to the table together, but Front Office Sports has previously reported that the WNBA could break off and get its own deal. Speaking to reporters on Monday at the draft, WNBA commissioner Cathy Engelbert didn’t dismiss the idea to negotiate alone. 

“Where it makes sense to go together, we will,” Engelbert says. “Where it makes sense not to, we’ll evaluate that and work with Adam and his team on that.”

Linkedin
Whatsapp
Copy Link
Link Copied
Link Copied

What to Read

ESPN Is Treating 4 Nations Finale Like a Stanley Cup Final

The in-season 4 Nations tournament made waves over the weekend.
Suns

Suns Arena Will Be Unbranded as Team Looks for Naming Deal

Some Footprint Center signage has already been removed.

Several NBA All-Stars Support One-on-One Competition: “Hell Yeah” 

Respondents included Anthony Edwards, Kyrie Irving, and Giannis Antetokounmpo.

NBA Looking to Women’s Basketball to Fix All-Star Malaise

The league is floating a one-on-one tournament days after Unrivaled wrapped theirs.

Featured Today

Feb 15, 2025; Montreal, Quebec, CAN; [Imagn Images direct customers only] Team United States forward Matthew Tkachuk (19) and Team Canada forward brandon Hagel (38) fight in the first period during a 4 Nations Face-Off ice hockey game at the Bell Centre.

Inside the Push for the NHL’s Next Era of International Competition

Players have been clamoring, and the league is all in.
Aug 11, 2024; Paris, France; Medals are carried out on Louis Vuitton trays after the women's volleyball gold medal match during the Paris 2024 Olympic Summer Games at South Paris Arena
February 16, 2025

LVMH’s New Push: World’s Most Powerful Luxury Group Is Coming for Sports

LVMH is making long-term deals—and they’re not done.
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.
February 15, 2025

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.
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
February 11, 2025

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

“The stars have been lobbying the league for an event like this.”

Tiger Woods Signs First PGA Tour Player to Wear Sun Day Red

Karl Vilips will wear Sun Day Red at his season debut at the Mexico Open.
Jul 30, 2022; Pasadena California, USA; Juventus forward forward Dusan Vlahovic (9) and Real Madrid forward Vinicius Jose Paixao (20) battle for the ball in the first half during an international friendly at the Rose Bowl.
February 14, 2025

‘Make Juventus Great Again’: Crypto Firm Tether Buys Stake in Soccer Club

Tether is just one of many crypto firms making sports investments.
Teammates embrace during matchup in The Hundred cricket league
February 15, 2025

Google, Microsoft, Adobe CEOs Buy Stakes in Cricket League

The England and Wales Cricket Board raised £520m by selling team stakes.
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.
exclusive
December 5, 2024

Talor Gooch Using LIV Golf Fortune to Start Building Sports Empire

The golfer has made more than $43 million individually from LIV.
December 4, 2024

U.S. Firm Makes $310M Bet on Soccer by Forming Superagency

The U.S.-based investment company makes a significant play in international soccer.
November 13, 2024

Why Liberty Media Spun Off Assets, Shook Up Leadership

Longtime CEO Greg Maffei is stepping down at the end of the year.
Oct 27, 2024; Seattle, Washington, USA; Buffalo Bills quarterback Josh Allen (17) passes against the Seattle Seahawks during the second quarter at Lumen Field.
October 30, 2024

Buffalo Bills in Talks to Sell Stake to PE Firm Arctos: Report

Arctos already has a slice of Paris Saint-Germain and the PGA Tour, among other assets.