With a new 11-year agreement, the NBA and Warner Bros. Discovery have announced the renewal of their partnership following the resolution of a legal dispute. The deal outlines mutual benefits for both parties as they continue their collaboration in delivering basketball content to fans.
As part of the newly finalized agreement, Warner Bros. Discovery secured licensing rights to feature NBA highlights across its platforms. In return, the NBA gained access to Warner Bros. Discovery’s basketball footage, including NCAA content, for use on its own platforms. The deal also grants Warner Bros. Discovery the opportunity to broadcast select international NBA games, supporting the global expansion of TNT Sports, along with enhanced clip rights to promote league content effectively.
The parent company of TNT Sports, Warner Bros. Discovery, had previously filed a lawsuit against the NBA in New York state court, challenging the league’s decision not to accept its matching offer for a media rights package. Following the resolution of the legal dispute, the NBA and Warner Bros. Discovery have announced a new 11-year media rights agreement, set to commence with the 2025-26 season.
Notably, beginning with the 2025 season, TNT Sports, which has held NBA broadcasting rights since 1984, will also gain additional coverage from ESPN, including 13 Big 12 football games and 15 men’s basketball games per season.
David Zaslav, CEO of Warner Bros. Discovery, said, “Together these agreements ensure fans will continue to enjoy TNT’s Inside the NBA and create tremendous value for our entire portfolio as we accelerate the growth of TNT Sports, Bleacher Report, House of Highlights and our global sports business. We are pleased to partner with the NBA and Disney/ESPN, and to have solidified long-term rights and revenue for WBD.”
Furthermore, as TNT Sports secures a global license to develop, produce, and distribute both new and existing NBA content across its platforms Warner Bros. Discovery will broaden the global presence of its sports digital brands, including Bleacher Report and House of Highlights. This agreement includes opportunities for promotion, sales, and creative collaborations across NBA and WBD platforms.
NBA commissioner Adam Silver said, “The opportunity to continue the iconic and Emmy Award-winning Inside the NBA is a huge win for basketball fans everywhere. We look forward to building on our longstanding partnership with TNT Sports and working together to promote NBA content across key WBD and NBA platforms.”