The National Basketball Association (NBA) has renewed its partnership with The Walt Disney Company and signed new agreements with NBCUniversal and Amazon for telecasts of league games beginning in the 2025-26 season and running through the 2035-36 campaign. Within this new media rights agreement, the reach of NBA telecasts will be augmented through the utilization of linear and digital means of distribution, including on streaming services such as Prime Video, Peacock and the forthcoming ESPN direct-to-consumer product.
The NBA App will serve as a universal access point through which fans will be able to find national games on platforms for all three media rights partners. Various reports have indicated that the media rights deals are worth a collective $77 billion over 11 years, which nearly triples the remuneration from the league’s existing contract with The Walt Disney Company and Warner Bros. Discovery, which expires after the 2024-25 season.
On Wednesday afternoon, the NBA officially rejected Warner Bros. Discovery’s exercise of its backend rights provision, deeming that it did not match the offer set forth by Amazon’s Prime Video. As a result, Warner Bros. Discovery will no longer broadcast games for the league after next season, ending a partnership with associated entities that dates back to 1984.
“Our new global media agreements with Disney, NBCUniversal and Amazon will maximize the reach and accessibility of NBA games for fans in the United States and around the world,” Adam Silver, commissioner of the National Basketball Association, said in a statement. “These partners will distribute our content across a wide range of platforms and help transform the fan experience over the next decade.”
The Walt Disney Company (ABC/ESPN)
The Walt Disney Company (ABC/ESPN) will distribute 80 regular-season NBA games per year, which includes more than 20 games on ABC and up to 60 games on ESPN. Games airing on ABC will generally take place on Saturday nights with an NBA Saturday Primetime broadcast and on Sunday afternoons with NBA Sunday Showcase. The games that will air on ESPN will generally take place on Wednesday nights and occasionally on Friday nights as well. Both ABC and ESPN will continue to telecast the five NBA games on Christmas Day and provide exclusive national coverage on the final day of the regular season as well.
“Disney and ESPN have been part and parcel of the growth and coverage of the NBA over the past 22 years,” Adam Silver, commissioner of the NBA, said in a statement. “And we are eager to build on this terrific partnership, which is one of the league’s most extensive and longest-standing relationships.”
ABC has carried the NBA Finals since 2003 and will continue to do so under the new media rights contract. The Disney-owned networks of ABC and ESPN will telecast approximately 18 games in the first two rounds of the playoffs and one of the two Conference Finals for 10 of the 11 years in the deal. All games from ABC and ESPN will be available on the upcoming ESPN direct-to-consumer streaming service, which also includes the NBA All-Star Celebrity Game, NBA Draft and NBA Draft Lottery, plus half of all NBA Summer League games.
“We look forward to building upon our incredible legacy of innovation and growth with our longstanding partners at the NBA,” Jimmy Pitaro, chairman of ESPN, said in a statement. “The NBA is a vibrant, ascendant league and through this premium collection of rights, including every NBA Finals on our platforms, we will continue to evolve together while successfully navigating the global digital transition and delivering the highest quality coverage for fans.”
“As the media landscape continues to evolve, this forward-thinking agreement represents a significant and bold step in our mission to serve sports fans, anytime, anywhere, including opportunities to successfully navigate the global digital transition,” Pitaro added in a separate statement. “Through a premium collection of regular- and post-season game rights, culminating with the NBA Finals and WNBA Finals, plus studio and original content initiatives, we look forward to building upon our legacy of innovation with the NBA and continuing to play an important role in the extraordinary growth trajectory of the WNBA.”
Through the new NBA media rights deal, the company has the right to launch a new NBA studio show with whiparound coverage on game nights. This will include more game access, player arrivals and interviews, along with rights to include real-time highlights and live cut-ins to games. This program will also implement segments focused on other aspects of the game, such as culture and fashion, player arrivals, produced features and breakdowns. ESPN will continue to air its NBA Countdown and NBA Today studio programs under this new agreement with the league as well.
Moreover, the network will continue to provide broad coverage on ESPN Radio and ESPN Deportes, including the NBA Finals, NBA Conference Finals, NBA Playoffs, regular-season games and the NBA Draft. ESPN will also develop an official documentary regarding the 2020 NBA Bubble when the NBA Playoffs and NBA Finals took place at the Walt Disney World Resort in Orlando, Fla. More alternate broadcasting opportunities utilizing the depth of Disney’s global brands and platforms are also within this new media rights agreement. By the end of this media rights deal, The Walt Disney Company will have a partnership with the league that has lasted for 34 years, dating back to the 2002-03 season.
Disney is reportedly paying $2.62 billion per year for this new package of NBA rights, which also includes a package of WNBA and NBA G League regular-season and postseason games. Within its WNBA media rights package, its platforms will be the home of the WNBA Finals exclusively for five out of the 11 seasons and also carry an exclusive WNBA Semifinals series in eight of 11 seasons. There will also be comprehensive packages for regular season and postseason WNBA games for both ESPN and ABC, along with annual exclusive WNBA Draft and WNBA Draft Lottery broadcasts and expanded WNBA Countdown. This extends the partnership between ESPN and the WNBA, which began during the league’s inaugural 1997 season.
“Our partnership with Disney has been instrumental to the growth of the WNBA and women’s basketball, as Disney networks have been the home of the WNBA since the league launched 28 years ago,” Cathay Engelbert, commissioner of the WNBA, said in a statement. “We look forward to building on the incredible momentum we have accomplished together to enhance the visibility of the players and teams and providing more engaging experiences for our fans in the years to come.”
NBCUniversal (NBC/Peacock)
NBCUniversal (NBC/Peacock) will present live NBA game broadcasts for the first time since 2002, bringing back the NBA on NBC property and its “Roundball Rock” theme song. The company will distribute up to 100 NBA regular-season contests per league year, more than half of which will air on NBC, primarily on Sunday and Tuesday nights. NBCUniversal will air the league’s opening night doubleheader on NBC each year and at least two games on Martin Luther King Jr. Day on NBC and/or Peacock each season.
“The return of NBA basketball to the NBC Sports family comes with enormous benefits and excitement for our fans,” Adam Silver, commissioner of the NBA, said in a statement. “And through its multiple platforms – especially NBC and Peacock – and its expansive resources, NBCUniversal promises to build on the deep tradition and history of the NBA on NBC.”
Peacock, NBCUniversal’s OTT streaming service, will present an exclusive doubleheader on Monday nights during the regular season. NBC will then telecast two games across certain NBC affiliate broadcast stations in different regions of the United States. The first of these games will begin at 8 p.m. EST and be available on NBC affiliate stations in the Eastern and Central time zones. Three hours later, the second contest will commence at 8 p.m. PST, available on NBC affiliate stations across the Pacific and Mountain time zones. All games taking place on Tuesday nights will be available on Peacock nationally, and certain affiliate stations may decide to televise both games on the night as well.
“We are proud to once again partner with the NBA and WNBA, two iconic brands and the home of the best basketball in the world,” Mike Cavanagh, president of Comcast Corporation, said in a statement. “We look forward to presenting our best-in-class coverage of both leagues with our innovative programming and distribution plan across NBC and Peacock to entertain fans and help grow the game.”
NBC will acquire the media rights for the NBA All-Star Game, which it had previously broadcast under its prior media rights deal with the league. Furthermore, the company will be the home of State Farm All-Star Saturday Night, which includes the AT&T Slam Dunk, Starry 3-Point Contest and Kia Skills Challenge. During the playoffs, NBC and/or Peacock will telecast approximately 28 games in the first two rounds, half of which will air on NBC. These games will be exclusive in all markets for both national and local broadcasts. The NBC television network will also broadcast one of the two Conference Finals series in six of the 11 years, rotating with Amazon. The total media rights package will reportedly result in NBCUniversal paying $2.45 billion per year.
“We are excited to once again become long-term partners with the NBA and WNBA, as well as USA Basketball,” Mark Lazarus, chairman of NBCUniversal Media Group, said in a statement. “With a unique presentation plan across NBCUniversal platforms during the regular season and postseason, as well as the midseason tentpole All-Star Game and events of All-Star Saturday, we have a strong slate that will help supercharge our overall content strategy across the portfolio.”
NBCUniversal will present at least 50 WNBA games in the regular season and early postseason under this new deal, with five of those games being broadcast on NBC. USA Network and Peacock will split the remaining games during the regular season slate of play. NBCUniversal will also present three WNBA Finals series (2026, 2030, 2034) and games from seven of the WNBA Semifinals series over the 11-year broadcast deal.
“Returning to NBCU at a time when momentum around the WNBA and women’s basketball has never been higher presents numerous opportunities to engage with new fans and grow the league’s core audience,” Cathy Engelbert, commissioner of the WNBA, said in a statement. “We look forward to bringing WNBA games to NBCU’s vast audiences on its networks and platforms, which will not only help elevate the league but also enhance the storytelling of the WNBA’s incredible athletes.”
NBCUniversal will also broadcast USA Basketball men’s and women’s games leading into the Olympic Games in 2028, 2032 and 2036. Additionally, the company has the broadcast rights to women’s pre-FIBA World Cup games in 2026, 2030 and 2034 and men’s pre-FIBA World Cup games in 2027, 2031 and 2035, the majority of which are going to be exclusive to Peacock. NBC Sports will also present the Nike Hoop Summit featuring men’s and women’s international all-star games for players who are 19 years old and younger, which will be televised on USA Network every April starting in 2025.
Telemundo Deportes will present 10 games each season, including the NBA All-Star Game, which will also be available to stream on Peacock. Sky Sports will distribute all NBCUniversal NBA and WNBA game broadcasts in its marketplaces. Additionally, Xfinity has become a marketing partner as the official TV service of the NBA, WNBA and USA Basketball. This partnership will involve collaboration for marketing and storytelling opportunities, along with virtual signage during game telecasts and activation for signature NBA, WNBA and USA Basketball events.
Amazon Prime Video
Following the rejection of matching rights from Warner Bros. Discovery, Amazon’s Prime Video has become an official league partner with a streaming-focused package as the means of viewership continues to increase in the United States. According to the latest Gauge Report from Nielsen Media Research, streaming accounted for 40.3% of total day viewership among P2+, its highest share of television usage ever recorded by the company.
“The digital opportunities with Amazon align perfectly with the global interest in the NBA,” Adam Silver, commissioner of the NBA, said in a statement. “And Prime Video’s massive subscriber base will dramatically expand our ability to reach our fans in new and innovative ways.”
Amazon will distribute 66 NBA regular-season games on Prime Video each year, which includes Thursday night doubleheaders in January after the conclusion of its Thursday Night Football package of NFL games. Friday evening doubleheaders and select Saturday afternoon games are also part of this media rights deal, granting the company exclusive inventory on its platform. The OTT streaming provider will also add to its Black Friday programming with at least one game broadcast on the day after Thanksgiving. Prime Video will also broadcast an opening week doubleheader at the start of the 2025-26 season. The company will present live pregame, postgame and halftime shows within its coverage, with more details surrounding talent and production to be announced at a later date.
Emirates NBA Cup games in the quarterfinals and semifinals of the Knockout Round will be broadcast by Amazon’s Prime Video. The platform will also present the Championship Game of the in-season tournament, which the Los Angeles Lakers won last year over the Indiana Pacers. Prime Video will also distribute all six SoFi NBA Play-In Tournament games, broadcasting the playoff round that was introduced in 2020, albeit in a slightly different iteration. The company will also stream one of the two Conference Finals in six of the 11 years of the deal, rotating with NBCUniversal starting in the 2026-27 season. Prime Video will also stream half of all NBA Summer League games and a package of WNBA and NBA G League regular-season and postseason games.
“We are honored that the NBA has entrusted Prime Video to deliver its one-of-a-kind action and excitement to viewers around the world,” Mike Hopkins, head of Prime Video and Amazon MGM Studios, said in a statement. “We look forward to continuing to innovate and evolve live sports coverage for our customers, and are fully committed to building an incredible video experience for millions of NBA fans starting in 2025.”
“NBA and WNBA basketball will serve as yet another cornerstone of the robust sports business our Prime Video team has built in just the last six years,” Hopkins added in a separate statement. “When combined with our original films and shows; partner streaming services; licensed content; and rent or buy titles – our sports offering is a major driver of Prime Video’s evolution into a genuine one-stop shop for everything our customers want in video.”
Amazon will reportedly pay $1.93 billion per year for the media rights deal, which also includes global distribution rights for the NBA. There will be an expanded package of games in select territories, some of which include Mexico, Brazil, France, Italy, Spain, Germany, the United Kingdom and Ireland. Rights in Canada within the international games package will begin in the 2026-27 season. Within this package, there are a minimum of 20 additional prime time regular season games each year, along with a Conference Finals series each year and the NBA Finals for six of the 11 years.
Prime Video also becomes the NBA’s strategic partner and third-party global destination of NBA League Pass, the league’s in-game subscription service, and also has expanded distribution rights for the property in the U.S. and internationally. At the moment, NBA League Pass is operated through a partnership between the NBA and Warner Bros. Discovery’s TNT Sports. NBA TV has been airing from TNT Sports’ Atlanta studios, and Warner Bros. Discovery has a partial ownership stake in the network as well.
“We are proud to be the first exclusive streaming partner for the NBA, bringing Prime members across the globe one of the most exciting and most popular sports in the world,” Jay Marine, global head of sports for Prime Video, said in a statement. “With 66 regular season games, the NBA Cup, the Play-In Tournament, more than 20 playoff games every year, and NBA League Pass, we’re giving basketball fans around the world more ways than ever to watch the action.
“Over the past few years, we have worked hard to bring the very best of sports to Prime Video and to continue to innovate on the viewing experience. We’re thrilled to now add the NBA to our growing sports lineup, including the NFL, UEFA Champions League, NASCAR, NHL, WNBA, NWSL, Wimbledon, and more. We are grateful to partner with the NBA, and can’t wait to tip-off in 2025.”
The company will continue to broadcast the WNBA in which Prime Video will exclusively stream 30 WNBA regular-season games worldwide each year. This includes the rights to the Championship Game of the WNBA Commissioner’s Cup and three WNBA Finals. Prime Video will have other exclusive WNBA postseason games as well, including one first-round series per year and seven Semifinal series over the 11-year term of the deal.
“Elevating our partnership with Amazon allows us to provide more games and access to fans who subscribe to Prime Video around the world at a time of historic interest in the WNBA and women’s basketball,” Cathy Engelbert, commissioner of the WNBA, said in a statement. “Amazon has demonstrated its dedication to the growth of our sport throughout our current partnership and will now be a significant contributor to the long-term sustainability of the WNBA for the players, leagues and teams.”
Prime Video channels will also be the home of WNBA League Pass, the league’s subscription service, to stream live and on-demand games both in the United States and internationally. Amazon has broadcast WNBA games since the 2021 season and will be expanding its role with this new media rights deal.
“The WNBA is soaring in popularity, and we’re so gratified to continue our relationship and to have the chance to showcase these incredible athletes to even more Prime members around the world,” Marine said in a separate statement. “This is an incredibly exciting moment for the league as more fans discover just how fun and thrilling WNBA action is – we’re proud to have been their partner over the past four seasons, and to re-affirm our commitment to the W and its fans, both old and new, for years to come.”
