NBA Rejects TNT Sports’ Bid, Chooses Amazon for National Media Rights

NEW YORK, NY – In a major shakeup to the sports media landscape, the National Basketball Association (NBA) has announced that it has chosen Amazon as its new national media rights partner, rejecting a bid from longtime partner TNT. This landmark deal, valued at a staggering $7 billion over seven years, marks a significant shift in the league’s broadcast strategy and signals the growing influence of streaming giants in the sports world.

The decision comes after a highly competitive bidding process that saw several major players vying for the rights, including ESPN and Apple. While TNT’s long history with the NBA and its well-established presence in sports broadcasting gave it an edge, Amazon’s aggressive bid and its commitment to investing in live sports ultimately swayed the league.

“This is a historic moment for the NBA,” said NBA Commissioner Adam Silver. “Amazon’s innovative platform and global reach will allow us to connect with fans in unprecedented ways. We’re excited to partner with them to bring our game to a wider audience.”

The deal includes the rights to broadcast regular season games, playoffs, and the NBA Finals. While Amazon’s exact plans for broadcasting the games remain unclear, the company has signaled its intent to leverage its Prime Video platform and potentially offer live games to subscribers at no extra cost. This could potentially disrupt the traditional cable television model and further accelerate the shift towards streaming for sports content.

The decision has left many wondering about the future of TNT’s involvement in NBA broadcasting. While the network will retain the rights to certain games, the loss of its flagship NBA package represents a significant blow to the Turner Broadcasting company.

“While we’re disappointed not to be selected as the primary broadcast partner, we remain committed to delivering high-quality NBA coverage to our viewers,” said Turner Sports President Lenny Daniels. “We’re proud of our longstanding relationship with the league and look forward to continuing to work with them in the years to come.”

This historic deal signifies a turning point in the relationship between traditional sports networks and streaming giants. The NBA’s decision to choose Amazon as its partner highlights the growing influence of streaming services in the sports media landscape and suggests that more significant shifts are likely to come in the years ahead.