After the 2025-26 season, the NBA is set to switch broadcasting partners, as reported by Sports Business Journal.
The league is finalizing contracts with Disney, NBC, and Amazon. However, this move might prompt legal action from Warner Bros. Discovery (WBD), the current rights holder through TNT, as negotiations reach their final stages.
ESPN is expected to shell out $2.8 billion annually for the league’s premier “A” package, which includes broadcasting rights for the NBA Finals, a conference final, weekly primetime games, the WNBA, and potentially shared international rights.
NBC’s “B” package, reportedly valued at $2.6 billion, is likely to feature a new “Basketball Night in America” on Sunday nights post-NFL season. This package would also cover two primetime slots per week, the conference semifinals, and a conference final.
Amazon’s deal, estimated between $1.8 billion and $2 billion, is expected to cover the Emirates In-Season Tournament, the SoFi Play-In Tournament, first-round playoff games, the WNBA, and international rights.
Once the proposals are solidified, each network will present them to their respective boards. The NBA will then offer WBD the opportunity to match NBC’s offer, though Sports Business Journal suggests it will be “virtually impossible” for WBD to do so.
Charles Barkley, commenting on the developments, also discussed Ernie Johnson’s future and his own career prospects.
Charles also previously mentioned that he has a clause in his contract allowing him to become a free agent if WBD loses the NBA rights.
This shift could end the iconic TNT program “Inside the NBA,” known for its cast including Ernie Johnson, Charles Barkley, Shaquille O’Neal, and Kenny Smith, following the 2024-25 season.
