WBD Announces Decision to Match NBA Rights After Submitting Paperwork to League

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Warner Bros. Discovery and TNT Sports took a step toward maintaining their relationship with the NBA for the foreseeable future.

TNT Sports announced Monday that it exercised its matching-rights provision in its deal with the league in an effort to continue broadcasting NBA games in the future.

“We’re proud of how we have delivered for basketball fans by providing the best in-class coverage throughout our four-decade partnership with the NBA,” the announcement read. “In an effort to continue our long-standing partnership, during both exclusive and non-exclusive negotiation periods, we acted in good faith to present strong bids that were fair to both parties.

“Regrettably, the league notified us of its intention to accept other offers for the games in our current rights package, leaving us to proceed under the matching rights provision, which is an integral part of our current agreement and the rights we have paid for under it.

“We have reviewed the offers and matched one of them. This will allow fans to keep enjoying our unparalleled coverage, including the best live game productions in the industry and our iconic studio shows and talent, while building on our proven 40-year commitment for many more years.

“Our matching paperwork was submitted to the league today. We look forward to the NBA executing our new contract.”

TNT has consistently aired multiple regular-season NBA games every week, as well as plenty of postseason action.

It broadcast this past season’s Western Conference Finals in their entirety and will once again be a primary broadcaster for the NBA during the upcoming 2024-25 campaign.

Today’s announcement comes after recent announcements from Warner Bros. Discovery revealing its properties will air the inaugural 2025 NHL 4 Nations Face-Off, the French Open for 10 years starting in 2025, Big East men’s and women’s basketball for six years starting with the 2025-26 season, and Mountain West Conference football starting this year.

What’s more, TNT reached a five-year agreement with ESPN to sublicense select College Football Playoff games. TNT Sports also came to terms on a seven-year agreement with NASCAR that starts in 2025 and will allow the network to broadcast NASCAR Cup Series races.

TNT Sports’ portfolio also includes partnerships with MLB, the NCAA Division I Men’s Basketball Championship, the NHL and the United States Soccer Federation, among others.

*Disclaimer: Bleacher Report and TNT Sports are owned by Warner Bros. Discovery.

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