The NBA and its current rights deal with ESPN and TNT doesn’t end until 2025, but that hasn’t stopped the league from plotting out its media future.
Per a report from Front Office Sports, the league is already planning a streaming exclusive package, hoping to secure $1 billion from the likes of Amazon, Apple, and others.
“Amazon is locked and loaded for a shot at the NBA,” said a source quoted in the story.
The deal would be for roughly 20-40 games during the NBA regular season. Amazon Prime Video pays the NFL $1 billion for Thursday Night Football, which features 15 regular season games, growing to 16 games next season after a Black Friday game is added. Apple is paying $85 million per year for its Friday Night Baseball package with MLB.
“We value our media rights partnerships with Disney and Warner Bros. Discovery and we know our fans have come to expect us to deliver content through both traditional and emerging methods,” the NBA told Front Office Sports senior writer Michael McCarthy.
The NBA is reportedly seeking $50-$75 billion in its next media rights package, which would triple the $24 billion it currently brings in from ESPN and TNT.
