Bill Simmons has publicly claimed that the NBA Media Rights negotiations are wrapped up already, with Warner Brothers Discovery (TNT) having lost out to ’90s rights holder, NBC Universal. Simmons claims the deal has been done for a few weeks but the league is likely waiting for the end of the playoffs to announce it.
“One of the funniest things ever is that we’re all pretending the TV deal wasn’t done like a week-and-a-half ago… I think it’s done. I think Warner already lost it. I don’t know why we’re waiting til after the playoffs. Maybe that’s how they have to do it, but it’s a wrap. NBC’s getting it.”
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This is massive news, as NBA fans of the last 20 years are intimately familiar with TNT’s programming. The biggest factor to consider in all of this is the beloved show ‘Inside the NBA’, a television staple for over two decades with host Ernie Johnson and panelists Shaquille O’Neal, Kenny ‘The Jet’ Smith, and Charles Barkley.
The show is considered one of the most entertaining television products in general, not just for basketball. The banter and chemistry of the quartet is unmatched, but it seems like we won’t be seeing them continue together for much longer. While people like Barkley will likely leave the network if they lose the NBA media rights, Johnson is expected to remain with Warner, splitting up the group for good.
The Status Of The Media Rights Deal
The NBA hasn’t officially revealed any of the progress made in the media rights deal, which is expected to kick in from 2025-26 onwards. But it has been credibly reported that ESPN/ABC are expected to continue holding media rights with parent company Disney securing the same.
The NBA media rights are usually shared between two parties, but a third party is expected to join the group in the next deal to focus on streaming. Amazon Prime Video is expected to be the one to shepherd the NBA into their streaming era, though how this partnership will work alongside NBA League Pass remains to be seen.
With Disney and Amazon expected to be a part of the group, the battle for the final spot in the media rights deal is being contested between WBD and NBC. Warner Brother’s reportedly antagonized the NBA by openly complaining about the price of the last media rights deal, something which is expected to double this time around.
Those comments not only soured their relationship with the NBA but opened up the willingness to end a 20+-year partnership to consider reuniting with NBC, who held the rights from 1990 to 2002. The iconic ‘Roundball Rock’ song is expected to return with NBC but the status of their experts and commentators will be revealed over the next season.
A switch away from TNT means next season will be the final year for Inside The NBA, one of the most iconic TV shows ever. It’ll be heartbreaking to see the crew split up. While Shaq, Barkley, and Smith can be reunited on another network, the show will not be the same without Johnson, who won’t be leaving Warner.
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