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In 2024, the NBA signed an 11-year deal with ESPN/ABC, NBC, and Amazon Prime Video, threatening its long-standing partnership with TNT. This led to a lawsuit filed by TNT against the NBA, which was settled in November 2024, with TNT retaining some involvement in the NBA. TNT's contract with the NBA will end after the 2024-25 season, with ESPN set to air TNT's Inside the NBA starting in the next season. This has sparked discussions about the future of basketball broadcasting and the potential impact on fans and networks.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| TNT's parent company | Warner Bros. Discovery |
| TNT's contract with the NBA | Ends after the 2024-25 season |
| TNT's offer to the NBA | Billion-dollar, yearly |
| TNT's lawsuit against the NBA | Settled in November 2024 |
| TNT's settlement with the NBA | TNT will manage NBA Digital and broadcast in Nordic Europe and Latin America |
| TNT's shows | Inside the NBA, Run It Back |
| TNT's shows' accolades | Emmy Award-winning |
| TNT's shows' hosts | Ernie Johnson Jr., Charles Barkley, Kenny Smith, Shaquille O'Neal |
| TNT's shows' format | Pregame, halftime, and postgame coverage of the NBA Finals, conference finals, and the NBA Playoffs |
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What You'll Learn
TNT lost NBA media rights to NBC
In July 2024, the NBA signed new 11-year media deals with ESPN/ABC, NBC, and Amazon Prime Video. This brought an end to the NBA's 35-year partnership with TNT, with the current contract set to expire at the end of the 2024-25 season. TNT filed a lawsuit against the league, arguing that their yearly billion-dollar offer matched the deal made by Amazon. The case was settled in November 2024, with TNT's parent company, Warner Bros. Discovery, remaining involved in the NBA.
As part of the settlement, ESPN agreed to air Inside the NBA, with TNT continuing to produce the program. TNT Sports will also show a number of college basketball and football games through a sublicense with ESPN.
The shift from traditional media partners like Disney and Warner Bros. Discovery to streaming services like Amazon Prime Video reflects the changing media landscape. The rise of streaming services has made it more challenging for traditional cable networks to secure broadcast agreements.
The loss of the NBA could have significant implications for Warner Bros. Discovery's negotiations with cable companies to carry networks like TNT. TNT may now focus on alternative programming, such as AEW Wrestling, NASCAR, and March Madness.
While the settlement allows TNT's parent company to remain involved in the NBA, the loss of exclusive broadcasting rights to NBC and other streaming services marks a significant change in the NBA's media landscape.
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TNT filed a lawsuit against the NBA
In July 2024, TNT filed a lawsuit against the NBA over media rights, challenging a potential deal with Amazon. The lawsuit was filed by TNT's parent company, Warner Bros. Discovery (WBD), and its subsidiary Turner Broadcasting System (TBS). The lawsuit accused the NBA of breach of contract, alleging that they had carefully crafted the Amazon offer to thwart TNT's attempt to retain the NBA broadcast rights. TNT has broadcast NBA games since 1989 and argued that it matched Amazon's offer, as it had the right to do under its existing agreement. The NBA rejected this claim, stating that TNT did not satisfy the matching terms.
The dispute highlighted the complexities of media rights in the digital age, with the NBA emphasizing the importance of streaming platforms and future-proofing its media deals. The lawsuit was a significant moment in the sports media landscape, pitting legacy TV against streaming giants and reshaping how sports are broadcast. With billions of dollars at stake, the outcome of the case was eagerly anticipated by the sports and entertainment world.
The NBA was eager to embark on an 11-year, $77 billion deal with Disney, NBCUniversal, and Amazon Prime Video, which would increase the number of games available on streaming services and broadcast television. In contrast, TNT argued that losing the NBA rights would irreparably harm its business. The lawsuit sought unspecified monetary damages and an injunction to prevent the NBA from signing with Amazon.
The case was settled in November 2024, with TNT's parent company, WBD, maintaining its involvement in the NBA by retaining NBA TV and licensing "Inside the NBA" to ESPN. This settlement allowed the two parties to resolve their dispute and preserve their long-standing relationship.
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TNT's contract with the NBA will end after the 2024-25 season
TNT has been airing NBA games since the network's launch in 1988, featuring superstar matchups and its Emmy Award-winning studio show, "Inside the NBA." During the regular season, TNT broadcasts games on Tuesday and Thursday nights, avoiding competition with the NFL's Thursday Night Football. In the playoffs, TNT splits games with ESPN and airs a full Conference Final. TNT also airs marquee games such as the NBA All-Star Game, Opening Night games, and Martin Luther King Day games.
The loss of the NBA could impact Warner Bros. Discovery's negotiations with cable companies for carrying networks like TNT, which has been a key revenue driver. TNT's chances of a new deal were affected by the rise of streaming services securing more broadcast agreements. However, TNT maintains its involvement in sports programming through its sublicensing deal with ESPN for college basketball and football games and its NBA TV rights.
The settlement allows TNT's parent company to retain a presence in the NBA, and fans will continue to enjoy "Inside the NBA" on ESPN, ensuring long-term rights and revenue for WBD. While the NBA has shifted some games to NBC and Amazon, TNT's settlement ensures its continued connection with the league, albeit in a reduced capacity.
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ESPN will air 'Inside the NBA'
In 2024, the NBA signed new 11-year media deals with ESPN/ABC, NBC, and Amazon Prime Video. This resulted in TNT losing its media rights to the NBA, which prompted the network to file a lawsuit against the league. TNT's contract with the NBA will end after the 2024-25 season.
However, TNT's parent company, Warner Bros. Discovery (WBD), reached a settlement with the NBA in November 2024. As part of this agreement, ESPN will broadcast "Inside the NBA" in conjunction with its own NBA coverage. The show will continue to be produced by TNT with its existing on-air personalities, including Ernie Johnson Jr., Charles Barkley, Kenny Smith, and Shaquille O'Neal.
TNT Sports will retain the rights to air NBA games in select international markets, such as Latin America (excluding Brazil and Mexico) and Europe. Additionally, as part of the settlement, TNT Sports will sublicense a package of Big 12 Conference college basketball and football games from ESPN.
The move to ESPN marks a significant change for "Inside the NBA," which has been a staple on TNT since its inception in 1989. The show has garnered 21 Sports Emmy Awards and is known for its casual and likable vibe. On ESPN, the show is expected to air during key moments in the NBA calendar, such as opening night, Christmas Day, the playoffs, and the NBA Finals.
ESPN has expressed excitement about adding "Inside the NBA" to its lineup, stating that it "further solidifies ESPN as the preeminent destination for sports fans." The network also plans to continue producing its in-house studio shows, "NBA Countdown" and "NBA Today," alongside "Inside the NBA."
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TNT will air college basketball games
In 2024, TNT lost the NBA media rights to NBC. TNT's contract with the NBA will end at the conclusion of the 2024-25 season. However, TNT will continue to manage NBA Digital, which includes NBA.com and NBA TV. TNT will also continue to license Inside the NBA to ESPN.
Despite losing the NBA media rights, TNT will continue to air basketball games. On 27 June 2024, TNT Sports announced a six-year agreement with the Big East Conference to air men's and women's college basketball games. This marks the first time TNT Sports will hold the rights to air college basketball games for a specific conference. Over the course of the six-year deal, TNT will air more than 65 games, including more than 50 men's basketball games and at least 15 women's basketball games.
In addition to the Big East Conference, TNT Sports also holds the rights to air games from the NCAA Division I men's basketball tournament, Acrisure Classic, Acrisure Holiday Invitational, and Players Era Festival. As part of the agreement with the Big East Conference, TNT will also air select games from the Big 12 Conference beginning in 2025.
TNT's coverage of college basketball will be produced for TNT, TBS, TruTV, and NBA TV. While most games will air on TNT, select games will air on TBS and TruTV, with all games available on the Max platform.
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Frequently asked questions
Yes, in 2024, TNT lost the NBA media rights to NBC. TNT's contract with the NBA will end at the conclusion of the 2024-25 season.
In July 2024, the NBA signed new 11-year media deals with ESPN/ABC, NBC, and Amazon Prime Video. TNT filed a lawsuit against the league, arguing that their yearly billion-dollar offer matched the deal made by Amazon. The case was settled in November 2024, with ESPN agreeing to air "Inside the NBA" in conjunction with its own NBA coverage.
As part of the settlement, TNT's parent company will remain involved in the NBA by maintaining NBA TV and licensing "Inside the NBA" to ESPN. TNT Sports will also show 13 Big 12 football and 15 men's basketball games in the 2024-25 season under a sublicense with ESPN.
