After its exercise of a matching rights provision in an existing media rights deal with the National Basketball Association was declined, Warner Bros. Discovery’s TNT Sports has officially announced that it is pursuing legal action against the league. Earlier in the week, the NBA revealed new 11-year media rights deals with The Walt Disney Company, NBCUniversal and Amazon’s Prime Video worth a reported $77 billion. Shortly before the official announcement, the league released a statement in which it expressed that the most recent proposal from Warner Bros. Discovery “did not match the terms of Amazon Prime Video’s offer,” leading it to enter into an agreement with the latter.
“Given the NBA’s unjustified rejection of our matching of a third-party offer, we have taken legal action to enforce our rights,” TNT Sports said in a statement. “We strongly believe this is not just our contractual right, but also in the best interest of fans who want to keep watching our industry-leading NBA content with the choice and flexibility we offer them through our widely distributed WBD video-first distribution platforms – including TNT and Max.”
The lawsuit, which was filed under seal in the New York County Supreme Court, pertains to the league’s decision that Warner Bros. Discovery is unable to match the 11-year deal with Amazon. The NBA has 20 days to respond to the summons upon its receipt. Warner Bros. Discovery is looking to obtain performance and declaratory and injunctive relief within the lawsuit that would enforce the contractual matching rights.
Warner Bros. Discovery is scheduled to broadcast NBA games through next season, after which its relationship with the league will presumably end. Entities currently owned by Warner Bros. Discovery have been in partnership with the Association since 1984. Five years later, TNT began airing games with its award-winning Inside the NBA studio show, which currently features Ernie Johnson, Charles Barkley, Kenny “The Jet” Smith and Shaquille O’Neal.
“Warner Bros. Discovery’s claims are without merit and our lawyers will address them,” NBA spokesperson Mike Bass told Barrett Media.
Warner Bros. Discovery has argued that its matching rights provision applies to the Amazon package of games because of the assets involved in the deal, according to John Ourand of Puck News. Beginning in the 2025-26 season, Amazon will receive rights to broadcast one of the NBA conference finals series and Thursday night prime time games, both of which are currently held by Warner Bros. Discovery’s TNT Sports division.
The NBA reportedly replied to the company by explaining that Amazon’s package is entirely streaming-focused, whereas Warner Bros. Discovery would presumably place games on cable television and Max OTT streaming platform. Moreover, the league also is said to have conveyed that the line of credit held by Warner Bros. Discovery to match the rights did not equate to Amazon agreeing to place payments for the first three years of the deal.
This is a developing story. More information will be added as it is learned.
