Amanda Knapp
The TNT Basketball Tournament, also known as The Basketball Tournament (TBT), is an annual open-invitation, single-elimination tournament played during the summer in the United States. Founded in 2014 by real estate developer and TV producer Jonathan Mugar, the tournament features a mix of current and former NBA and WNBA players, with a $1 million prize for the winning team. The tournament has been broadcast by TNT Sports, along with other networks, providing live coverage of the intense basketball action.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Name | The Basketball Tournament (TBT) |
| Type | Open-invitation, single-elimination tournament |
| Frequency | Annual |
| Location | United States |
| Date | Summer |
| Prize | Cash prize ($1 million in 2024) |
| Number of Teams | 64 (has varied in the past, from 24 to 97 teams) |
| Rules | Modified version of NCAA men's basketball rules |
| Quarters | 9 minutes |
| Foul Outs | 6th personal foul |
| Bonus Free Throws | Two free throws on the 5th and subsequent non-shooting fouls by the defense in a quarter |
| Overtime | None due to the adoption of the Elam Ending |
| Notable Participants | Current and former NBA players, including Hakim Warrick, Jason Williams, Rudy Gay, Carmelo Anthony, Chris Paul, DeMarcus Cousins, etc. |
| Founding Year | 2014 |
| Founder | Real estate developer and TV producer Jonathan Mugar |
| Broadcasters | Fox and Fox Sports 1 (FS1) |
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What You'll Learn
The Basketball Tournament (TBT)
The Basketball Tournament, commonly abbreviated to TBT, is an annual open-invitation, single-elimination basketball tournament held each summer across the United States. The tournament was founded in 2014 by real estate developer and TV producer Jonathan Mugar.
The number of teams participating in the tournament has varied since its inception, ranging from 24 teams in 2020 to a high of 97 teams in 2015. In recent years, the tournament has typically featured a 64-team field, with these teams divided across eight regions. The winners from each region then advance to the championship venue.
TBT uses a modified version of the NCAA men's basketball rules. Some of the key differences include playing in 9-minute quarters instead of 20-minute halves, players fouling out after their 6th personal foul, and following FIBA rules on basket interference (except on free throws). Due to the adoption of the Elam Ending, there is no overtime.
The tournament has attracted current and former NBA and WNBA players, including Hakim Warrick, Jason Williams, Dahntay Jones, Mike Bibby, Nikki Teasley, and Greg Oden. The 2019 tournament was expected to feature an active female professional, Megan Gustafson, but she was ultimately unable to participate.
The winning team of TBT receives a cash prize, which in recent years has amounted to $1 million. Notable champions include the Notre Dame Fighting Alumni, who won the inaugural tournament in 2014, and Overseas Elite, who claimed the title in 2015, 2016, and 2017.
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NBA on TNT
TNT's NBA coverage includes the Emmy Award-winning Inside the NBA studio show, hosted by Ernie Johnson, with analysts Shaquille O'Neal, Kenny Smith, and Charles Barkley. The program features weekly doubleheaders throughout the regular season on Tuesdays and Thursdays, with Thursday games airing in the winter to avoid clashing with the National Football League's Thursday Night Football. During the regular season, TNT also airs games on Wednesday nights.
TNT airs many of the NBA's marquee games, including the NBA All-Star Game, Opening Night games, and games on Martin Luther King Day. During the playoffs, TNT typically broadcasts a majority of games during the first two rounds, and one conference finals series. TNT also simulcasts select NBA games on truTV.
In the 2023-24 season, TNT broadcast Tuesday games during the NBA's in-season tournament, later known as the NBA Cup. The network also aired the quarterfinal and semifinal games of the tournament. In July 2024, TNT announced plans to invoke a clause in its contract with the NBA, allowing it to match offers for future media rights and maintain its position as a broadcaster of NBA games.
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TNT's Emmy award-winning studio show
Inside the NBA provides in-depth game analysis, with the crew discussing topics like the James Harden-Ben Simmons trade and guessing basketball terms from picture clues. The show has been a staple of TNT's NBA coverage, along with weekly doubleheaders on Tuesdays and Thursdays, coverage of a majority of games during the early playoff rounds, and broadcasting one conference finals series.
TNT's coverage of the NBA also includes simulcasting select games on truTV and streaming on its Max platform. TNT has held the rights to broadcast NBA games since 1989, making it the network's longest-running regular program. In 2023, TNT introduced an in-season tournament, later known as the NBA Cup, with TNT broadcasting games on Tuesdays and during the quarterfinals and semifinals.
TNT's involvement with basketball extends beyond the NBA, as they also provide live coverage of the NCAA Men's Division I Basketball Championship. TNT Sports collaborates with other networks like CBS Sports, ensuring that fans can watch all 67 games across multiple platforms and television networks. TNT's dedication to bringing basketball to its audience, along with its entertaining and insightful studio show, has earned it a place in the hearts of basketball fans across the country.
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TNT's NBA coverage
The TNT cable network has been broadcasting National Basketball Association (NBA) games since 1989, making it the network's longest-running regular program and sporting event. TNT Sports, formerly known as Turner Sports and later Warner Bros. Discovery Sports, produces the games. In addition to broadcasting rights, TNT also manages NBA Digital, which includes NBA.com and NBA TV, and has a long-term license to distribute NBA-related content via digital properties such as Bleacher Report and House of Highlights.
TNT also broadcasts a majority of games during the first two rounds of the playoffs and one conference finals series. During the 2023-24 season, TNT broadcast the Tuesday games of the NBA Cup, the in-season tournament introduced by the NBA, followed by the quarterfinal and semifinal games. For the first round of the playoffs, TNT's coverage is not exclusive, and regional sports networks can still carry a local call and presentation of their team's games. After the first round, only national coverage from TNT or ESPN/ABC is produced.
In addition to "Inside the NBA," TNT also simulcasts select NBA games on truTV and has had its graphics featured on Cartoon Network's weekly basketball program, "Run It Back." TNT also provides live coverage of the NCAA Men's Division I Basketball Championship, partnering with CBS Sports to broadcast all 67 games across four national television networks: TBS, CBS, TNT, and truTV.
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TNT's graphics
TNT Sports, formerly known as Turner Sports and later Warner Bros. Discovery Sports, has been broadcasting National Basketball Association (NBA) games in the United States since 1989. This makes it TNT's longest-running regular program and sporting event. TNT's Emmy award-winning studio show, Inside the NBA, is hosted by Ernie Johnson, with analysts Shaquille O'Neal, Kenny Smith, and Charles Barkley. The show provides in-depth game analysis and is known for the chemistry and banter between the hosts.
One notable aspect of TNT's graphics is their use of player tracking data. By incorporating advanced statistics and analytics, TNT can provide viewers with in-depth insights into player performance, shot charts, and team strategies. This adds a layer of depth to the broadcast, catering to the increasingly sophisticated analytical interests of modern basketball fans.
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Frequently asked questions
TNT is Turner Network Television, an American TV channel that has broadcast National Basketball Association (NBA) games since 1989.
The TNT basketball tournament is the NBA Cup. It was introduced in the 2023-24 season and is played on Tuesdays and Fridays in November.
The NBA Cup uses a round-robin format, with TNT broadcasting the Tuesday games, the quarterfinal games, and one semifinal game.
The current NBA on TNT commentating roster includes Kevin Harlan, Brian Anderson, Ian Eagle, and Spero Dedes for play-by-play.
The NBA Cup takes place in November, with the quarterfinals and semifinals in early December.
