NBA Commissioner Adam Silver is in the midst of negotiating new media rights deals for the league, with multiple reports suggesting that TNT’s parent company, Warner Bros. Discovery (WBD), may be losing its broadcasting rights deal to competitors like Disney/ESPN, NBC, and Amazon. While no official announcement has been made, it is expected that the NBA will formalize deals with Disney, Amazon, and NBC, giving WBD the opportunity to match their offers before final approval. Silver emphasized that negotiations are ongoing and the outcome is still unknown.
The potential loss of the NBA rights by TNT has sparked concern over the future of the popular studio show “Inside the NBA,” featuring Ernie Johnson, Charles Barkley, Shaquille O’Neal, and Kenny Smith. Johnson has expressed his commitment to staying with the network regardless of the media rights outcome, while Barkley reportedly has a clause in his contract that allows him to leave if TNT loses the NBA package. Silver remains confident that at least two of the show’s stars, likely referring to Barkley and Smith, will continue to cover the NBA for years to come, regardless of which network holds the broadcasting rights.
The league’s current media rights deal expires at the end of the 2024-25 season, prompting discussions about potential new partnerships with Disney, Amazon, and NBC. WBD, however, has recently secured a five-year sublicensing deal with Disney/ESPN, giving them the rights to first round and quarterfinal College Football Playoff games. While the future home of NBA games has yet to be determined, the possibility of new media deals with different networks has raised speculation over the future of basketball broadcasting and beloved shows like “Inside the NBA.”
Speaking to TMZ, Commissioner Silver acknowledged ongoing negotiations and uncertainties, stating, “Who knows how it’s gonna work out.” While TNT and the NBA have been longstanding partners, the emergence of potential new broadcasting rights holders like Disney, Amazon, and NBC has added complexity to the discussions. Silver’s reassurance that key figures like Charles Barkley and Kenny Smith will continue to cover the NBA suggests a commitment to maintaining familiar faces and voices in the world of basketball broadcasting, regardless of any changes in media partnerships.
As the NBA inches closer to finalizing media rights deals, the landscape of basketball broadcasting is set to undergo potential changes with new players like Disney, Amazon, and NBC in the mix. While negotiations are ongoing and no official announcements have been made, the possibility of TNT losing its NBA broadcasting rights has prompted speculation and concern over the future of programs like “Inside the NBA.” Commissioner Silver’s confidence in the continued presence of key personalities like Barkley and Smith suggests a commitment to maintaining familiar voices in the world of basketball broadcasting, regardless of any shifts in media partnerships.
