The biggest media deal in sports in 2024 will be the NBA media contract as they seek a new ten years at $110 billion dollar package. It is very clear that the NBA ranks just behind the NFL in the category of must have sports in the United States.
Disney/ESPN and the gang at Discovery/Warner Sports (formally Turner Sports) will get the first crack at keeping the NBA contracts they have had since 2014. It is very likely the duo will keep a small part of the package moving forward.
The NBA wants new partners as they look to expand not only their wallets but also their exposure on TV and streaming in the future. They know that the future is a number of partners all paying fees to get both exposure and the cash they want.
So who will be joining the NBA team in their new media deal?
Comcast/Universal has made it clear to anyone who will listen that they want to return to NBA coverage both on NBC and of course Peacock. You can’t talk about new media deal without Amazon and Apple entering into the conversation so of course they both have interest. Amazon Prime Video would like a once-a-week package to go with their Thursday Night Football deal, while Apple but the tech giant wants worldwide rights and are rumored to be more interested in landing the total rights to Formula 1.
At the moment I would not rule out Fox as a possible player. They have been quiet, but I think when a property like the NBA comes on the market they will be interested, we know that Fox will make a big run at the College Football Playoffs, but they have the cash to do both.
We can’t overlook both Netflix and Google/YouTube because the NBA could be a super product for both streamers to have. As for CBS/Paramount and Fox they are not likely to join the bidding.
Best guess, ABC/ESPN/ESPN+, Warner/Discovery/Max, NBC/Peacock and Amazon will be the winners.in the end. We will have a mix of broadcast, cable and streaming to keep everyone happy.
Washington based CEO & Founder of LJC. Media covering politics, sports, & entertainment A seven-time Emmy Award-winning TV producer, director, and podcast host. Digital Director and Washington Bureau Chief at News Talk Florida & The Daily Cable
