Warner Bros. Discovery CEO Claims Network Doesn’t Need The NBA’s TV Rights

The CEO of Warner Bros. Discovery has said that that the network will not prioritize retaining NBA TV rights.

3 Min Read

Credit: Fadeaway World

The NBA is one of the fastest-growing sports leagues in the world. The popularity of basketball is increasing every year worldwide, and this is the perfect time for people looking to make money by associating themselves with basketball. In terms of TV rights, the league is making billions from ESPN and TNT and will continue to do so until the end of next season.

After that, the existing TV contracts will have to be renegotiated. This will also give other networks the opportunity to get the NBA on their channel. It seems that TNT won’t be giving much of a fight, with parent company Warner Bros. Discovery CEO claiming that ‘sports is hard.’ 

Warner Bros. saying they don’t need the NBA can’t mean positive things for the long-standing relationship they have with the sport. This would mean Inside the NBA would also cease to exist, arguably the most notable basketball show on TV. Considering the crew of Ernie, Shaq, Chuck, and Kenny just extended their contracts and Jamal Crawford signed with TNT, this could just be a tactical statement from WB. 


Would Turner Sports Lose The NBA From Their Portfolio?

The NBA is a legacy product that has been available on Turner for generations. Warner Bros. understands the value the sport brings them but doesn’t want to fall victim to sky-rocketing prices for TV deals around the world. The investment going out of Warner can never be greater than what they’re getting back, so this could just be a tactical move.

ESPN is bound to fight and keep its share of the broadcasting agreement. Not having NBA games on offer is inexcusable for ESPN, so could they try and become the sole broadcaster for a massive sum of money? They could, but it is still more likely that Warner Bros. or a new partner comes in and splits the game load with ESPN. 

The next TV deal will also let everyone know whether the league will remain with 30 teams or whether 2 expansion teams will be added to make the field of competition even wider.  

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Ishaan Bhattacharya is a content manager for Fadeaway World from New Delhi, India. With his expertise in NBA content creation, Ishaan brings a wealth of experience to his role, contributing to the site's authority and reach within the basketball community. Over the last year, Ishaan has interviewed Ray Allen and Mark Tatum, while also covering the 2023 NBA Abu Dhabi Games which saw the Dallas Mavericks take on the Minnesota Timberwolves.Since joining Fadeaway World in March 2022, Ishaan Bhattacharya has become known for his unique perspective on the NBA. He consistently delivers this insight through his daily news coverage and detailed opinion pieces on the most significant topics in the league.Before his tenure at Fadeaway World, Ishaan worked in corporate communications, where he serviced prominent sports brands, including NBA India, Sports18, Amazon Prime Sports, and Royal Challengers Bangalore. This experience in strategic communications for leading sports entities has enhanced his ability to craft impactful narratives and connect with a global audience.A true MFFLer (Mavs Fan for Life, for the uninitiated), Ishaan is a massive fan of the Dallas Mavericks. When he is not upset about Jalen Brunson walking in free agency, you can see Ishaan as an avid gamer and content creator. His passion for basketball extends beyond the Mavericks, as evidenced by his thoughtfully curated NBA Mount Rushmore, featuring LeBron James, Michael Jordan, Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, and Bill Russell—each representing distinct eras and bringing their unique qualities to the game.Featured On: ESPN, Sports Illustrated, Bleacher ReportYahoo Sports, NBA, Fox Sports, The Spun
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