As the NBA looks to reshape its broadcasting landscape for the 2025-2026 season and beyond, it’s set to welcome new partners while saying goodbye to a long-standing one. The league is reportedly finalizing groundbreaking deals with Disney’s ESPN/ABC, NBCUniversal, and Amazon, which could nearly triple its current broadcast rights revenue. This shift would mark a significant change from its previous association with Warner Bros. Discovery’s TNT.
Sources indicate that The Walt Disney Company, already a broadcasting home for the NBA since the early 2000s, will secure the premier “A” package, priced at $2.8 billion annually. This package will include the NBA Finals, one conference final, and highly coveted weekly primetime games, along with shared rights to WNBA and international content. This move continues Disney’s storied relationship with the league, promising an even richer viewing experience for basketball fans.
Meanwhile, NBCUniversal is set to make a triumphant return to the NBA arena with a $2.6 billion annual deal. For the first time since the 2001-02 season, NBC will broadcast marquee matchups including a conference final, semifinals, and a regularly scheduled prime-time slot. The introduction of a “Basketball Night in America” after the NFL season reflects a nostalgic yet strategic play, poised to capture a broad audience.
In an unprecedented move, Amazon is entering the fray with a deal valued between $1.8 billion and $2 billion, making it the league’s first foray into streaming service partnerships. This package is set to cover WNBA games, international rights, key playoff matches, and special in-season tournaments. This step is a significant leap for the NBA into the ever-expanding digital streaming space, aiming to reach a younger, tech-savvy audience.
The agreements mark a critical pivot as the NBA modernizes its media strategy, turning a new page in its broadcasting narrative. The deals are anticipated to be finalized within days, following approvals from the respective boards. Warner Bros. Discovery, unable to match NBCUniversal’s extensive offer, is expected to exit the broadcast lineup, signifying the end of an era.
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