• Loading stock data...
Monday, September 15, 2025
One Day till Tuned In! Get a Last Second Ticket!

Zaslav: NBA Exit a ‘Great Decision’ As WBD Prioritizes Other Sports

Last summer, Warner Bros. Discovery was actively trying to retain NBA game rights, even suing the league. Now, the company says it was “great” that those rights went elsewhere. 

Ron Chenoy-Imagn Images

Warner Bros. Discovery is continuing to reframe its relationship with the NBA, with CEO David Zaslav now saying it was a “great decision” to not retain live rights with the league.

Speaking at the Morgan Stanley Technology, Media, & Telecom Conference, Zaslav said not renewing live NBA game rights has allowed the TNT Sports parent to reconstruct its sports rights portfolio with other properties such as the French Open, NASCAR, and simulcasts of the College Football Playoff. Perhaps most importantly to WBD, that retooled set of rights now comes at a much lower aggregate cost to the company.

“Our job is to make sure we have enough quality sports so that we’re creating real value for the distributors. And it turns out not doing the NBA was a great decision for us,” Zaslav said. “We picked up the College Football Playoff, we picked up NASCAR in the summer, we have a great lineup globally, and we saved a huge amount of money.”

Zaslav’s comments at the conference amplified those he made last week with the release of WBD’s fourth-quarter earnings. There, he said, “We don’t need any more sports anywhere in the world to support our business.”

Indeed, WBD has been able to retain key distribution agreements and at better rates, in part through the strength of its non-sports content.

“We’re getting [subscription] fee increases across the board,” Zaslav said. 

The latest NBA comments, however, differ significantly from the prior position of Zaslav and WBD regarding the league. After the NBA elected last summer to strike deals instead with Amazon, NBCUniversal, and ESPN, WBD sued the league, alleging breach of contract. The legal matter quickly grew bitter, and was seemingly headed toward trial before a large-scale settlement was ultimately struck

That deal, also heavily involving ESPN, will see WBD retaining U.S. highlight rights for the NBA, and it will license out the famed Inside the NBA show to the Disney-owned network.

“A lot of the young generation don’t want to watch the whole game,” Zaslav said. “They want to go to one place. [Our highlights] are almost like a RedZone for basketball. So we think that’s a great growth engine.”

Measured on Sports

Zaslav, meanwhile, reiterated several other points from last week’s earnings report, namely that he views sports as often a lesser priority compared to other intellectual property that it can fully own and monetize over a long-term period. 

“Sports is a rental business. And so you, you’ve got to look and say, ‘Are we going to be able to make money on this?’ We’re money-good on virtually all of our sports,” Zaslav said. “We’re not going to pay more than we think we can afford or we can make money on. We’d rather invest. If we saved a huge amount of money by not doing the NBA [live rights], it’s more money that we could spend on the quality content that we can make global, that we think can strategically help us.”

Linkedin
Whatsapp
Copy Link
Link Copied
Link Copied

What to Read

Jul 27, 2025; Chicago, Illinois, USA; Injured Indiana Fever guard Caitlin Clark (22) looks on from the bench during the first half of a basketball game against the Chicago Sky at United Center.

WNBA Ratings Rise 3% in 2025 Despite Clark’s Absence

Caitlin Clark played in just 13 of 44 regular-season games.

US Open Set Attendance Record, Men’s Final Ratings Surged 82%

Attendance and television viewership of the tennis major again reach historic levels.
Sep 14, 2025; Las Vegas, Nevada, USA; Las Vegas Aces guard Jewell Loyd (24) gestures to a teammate after scoring against the Seattle Storm in the first quarter during game one of round one for the 2025 WNBA Playoffs at Michelob Ultra Arena.

Aces Surge From Collapse to Contention With Dynasty at Stake

The turnaround started after a 53-point loss to the Minnesota Lynx.
Las Vegas Aces

WNBA Playoffs Face ESPN Fall Crunch For Final Time

The games will be spread across three networks next year.

Featured Today

PHILADELPHIA, PENNSYLVANIA - APRIL 19: A detailed view of the MLB Debut patch on the jersey of Patrick Monteverde #44 of the Miami Marlins prior to game against the Philadelphia Phillies at Citizens Bank Park on April 19, 2025 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.

The Tiny Jersey Patch at the Center of the MLB Rookie Card..

Autographed cards containing a piece of baseball history have upended the market.
September 11, 2025

Eagles-Chiefs Super Bowl Rematch Could Set More NFL Ratings Records

Fox will nationally televise Sunday afternoon’s matchup.
September 10, 2025

ESPN’s ‘MNF’ Ratings Up 8% As NFL Surges to Strong Start

ESPN posts its second-best Week 1 “Monday Night Football” audience.
Sep 7, 2025; Orchard Park, New York, USA; Buffalo Bills fans react during the fourth quarter against the Baltimore Ravens at Highmark Stadium.
September 9, 2025

As Bills Ascend, Their Next Frontier Lies in Canada

Buffalo and the powerful Canadian entity MLSE come together in a new pact.

Tush Push Debate Heats Up in Eagles Win, Ex-NFL Rules Chief Sounds..

The Eagles are continuing to run the quarterback-sneak play.
September 14, 2025

Crawford-Alvarez Bout Draws Biggest Crowd in Vegas Boxing History

Record attendance, a big gate, and growing ambitions mark the high-profile bout.
September 14, 2025

Most NFL Home Teams Opt to Honor Charlie Kirk Before Games

Several NFL teams playing at home on Sunday recognized the late activist. Some did not.
Sponsored

How World Series Champ Dexter Fowler Became a Premier League Team Owner

Dexter Fowler discusses navigating retirement and embracing new roles as an owner & investor.
September 14, 2025

Low-Payroll Brewers Buck the Math, Clinch First MLB Playoff Berth

Milwaukee continues to defy its market size and economic constraints.
Premier Lacrosse League
September 14, 2025

‘The Circus Is Coming to Town’: Why Upstart Leagues Start on Tour

In their ambitious plans, a traveling schedule is only temporary.
Sep 11, 2025; Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA; Minnesota Lynx forward Napheesa Collier (24) dribbles past Golden State Valkyries forward Janelle Salaun (13) in the second half at Target Center.
September 12, 2025

As WNBA Grows, Engelbert Says Its Playoff Field Won’t for a While

Eight of thirteen WNBA teams made the playoffs this year.
September 12, 2025

UEFA Delays Overseas Matches Ruling As LaLiga Miami Game Looms

Barcelona-Villarreal is scheduled for late December at Hard Rock Stadium.