The NBA has entered a transformative era with the announcement of a groundbreaking new national television deal. The league has secured an 11-year agreement valued at a staggering $76 billion, guaranteeing an unprecedented increase in revenue and visibility. Commencing with the 2025-26 season and extending through the 2035-36 season, this deal marks a significant leap from the current nine-year, $24 billion contract set to expire at the end of the 2024-25 season.
Strategic New Partnerships
This lucrative agreement introduces new broadcasting and streaming partners into the NBA’s media landscape. Alongside enduring agreements with ABC and ESPN, who will continue to air the coveted NBA Finals games, the deal now includes a prominent media company, a broadcasting company, and the streaming giant Prime Video. ABC/ESPN will also showcase one of the two conference finals series in 10 of the 11 years, as well as Christmas Day games, marquee weekend regular-season matchups, and approximately 18 games from the first two rounds of the postseason each year.
Another broadcasting company will assume coverage of one conference finals series in six of the 11 years, in addition to providing extensive coverage of the All-Star Game, NBA All-Star Saturday night, opening night, and Sunday night primetime games. This broadcaster, or its affiliated streaming service, will broadcast around 28 games in the first two rounds of the playoffs each season. Prime Video, further diversifying the NBA's broadcast portfolio, will stream one of the conference finals series in six out of the 11 years, NBA Cup games, Play-In Tournament games, and about one-third of the first and second postseason rounds annually.
A Tech-Driven Fan Experience
NBA Commissioner Adam Silver emphasized the importance of this diversified platform approach, stating, "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."
This deal not only enhances the league's visibility but also significantly boosts its revenue streams. The new contract ramps up the NBA's annual national media income by roughly 2.6 times, setting the stage for substantial increases in franchise values and player salaries. The NBA's salary cap cannot escalate by more than 10% per year, and it is anticipated to rise by the maximum allowable amount each year starting in the 2025 offseason.
Standing on the Shoulders of Giants
While the introduction of new media partners signals a new chapter, the NBA has expressed deep appreciation for its long-standing relationship with Turner Sports. "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 league noted. Turner Sports, a staple in NBA broadcasting since 1989, is expected to end its current form of "Inside the NBA" after the upcoming season.
A Landmark Deal for the League
This historic media deal underscores the NBA's commitment to expanding its reach and improving accessibility. As the league stated, "Throughout these negotiations, our primary objective has been to maximize the reach and accessibility of our games for our fans." The combined earnings of the 30 NBA teams amounted to approximately $10.6 billion in 2023, with national television revenue being the largest contributor. This dynamic new agreement is poised to further amplify these earnings, creating unprecedented growth opportunities across the league.
As the NBA prepares to step into this new era with its innovative media partnerships, fans can look forward to an enriched viewing experience that leverages the power and diversity of modern broadcasting and streaming technologies. With the strategic vision articulated by its leadership, the league is set to redefine how basketball is consumed and celebrated around the world.