The NBA has secured a new media deal, setting a record with an 11-year agreement worth $76 billion, it emerged overnight.
Reports suggest the networks have received the terms sheets, and the next step is for the NBA’s board of governors to approve the contracts.
The deal, starting in the 2025-26 season, will continue to air games on Walt Disney Co's (NYSE:DIS, ETR:WDP) ESPN and ABC, while adding NBC and Amazon Prime as new broadcasters. TNT Sports, a long-time NBA broadcaster, has five days to match one of the deals once contracts are finalised.
ESPN and ABC retain the top package, including the NBA finals and a conference finals series. ABC will air games on Saturday nights and Sunday afternoons post-NFL season, with ESPN focusing on Wednesday, Friday, and Sunday games.
NBC returns to air Sunday night games after the NFL season, and games on Tuesday. A Monday night package will be streamed on Peacock. Prime Video will carry Thursday games and alternate Friday and Saturday games with NBC. They will also share broadcasting the other conference final.
This deal is expected to increase the NBA salary cap by 10% annually, potentially leading to top players earning close to $100 million per season by the mid-2030s. It also paves the way for NBA expansion, with Las Vegas and Seattle as top candidates, along with potential interest from Montreal, Vancouver, and Kansas City.