The NBA's exclusive negotiating period with ESPN (Disney) and TNT (Warner Bros. Discovery) concluded without reaching an agreement on new broadcast deals. Despite this, both networks remain in strong positions due to their rights to match any offers from competing entities such as Amazon and NBC. ESPN and Turner executives met with the NBA on the last day of their exclusive negotiating window and discussions are ongoing, with both sides reportedly close to finalizing deals. The ability of ESPN and TNT to match outside bids is pivotal in the ongoing negotiations for national rights.
ESPN, Turner have a secret move to keep NBA broadcasting rights https://t.co/9Ghr3Igdlq
ESPN and TNT have the right to match outside bids in the NBA’s ongoing national rights negotiations, industry sources confirm to FOS. Both networks are making progress on possible renewals with the league. @AEricFisher has more ⬇️
Handicapping the NBA media rights race https://t.co/WV5MFQNi3K https://t.co/oMQvKbWzyB
If NBC does win back NBA rights, would the door should be open for the return of Roundball Rock to its rightful home? 🔽 https://t.co/3jnO2GHXzo
NBC needs to win some NBA rights so we can get Roundball Rock back on something other than a goddamn DraftKings commercial.
The NBA’s exclusive period for discussing a new broadcast deal with Disney's ESPN and Warner Bros. concluded Monday without an agreement https://t.co/vVf77Wl0lb
ESPN might end up with the NBA booth it needs, not the one it wanted https://t.co/hsY6CaGb2S
According to sources, ESPN and TNT have the right to match any new media deal the league might strike with a third party 📺 Read more from @AustinKarp ⬇️ https://t.co/P2UAxzrXjK
ESPN, TNT Sports reportedly have matching rights in NBA negotiations https://t.co/25X6siIpq7 https://t.co/Z6Kr051hKF
ESPN, Turner in good position with NBA despite pressure from Amazon, NBC https://t.co/HI5Pf1JdIg
NEWS: Sources tell @SBJ that @ESPN and @NBAonTNT both have the right to match an offer on any media rights package struck by a new party (i.e. @PrimeVideo, @peacock/@NBCSports). This could be for streaming or linear TV. https://t.co/a5jwuHmY1D
Official word from the NBA: "“Although the exclusive negotiating period has ended, we are still in discussions with Disney and Warner Bros. Discovery regarding our media deals.” Puck's story from last night: https://t.co/6wC0l6DJOa
ESPN and Turner execs met with the NBA on the last day of their exclusive negotiating window and inched closer to deals. The Varsity: https://t.co/CM8nN2ZTJy
While new NBA deals with current rights holders ESPN (Disney) & TNT (Warner Discovery) have not been struck as exclusive negotiating window deadline expires, both have strong matching rights should other parties swoop in with big proposed deals, per person the familiar matter.