The NBA and Warner Bros. Discovery (WBD), the parent company of TNT Sports, are reportedly in discussions to settle a lawsuit filed by WBD.
The conflict arose after the NBA advanced its new media rights agreements with ESPN (Disney), NBCUniversal, and Amazon, totaling billions in contracts and scheduled to begin in the 2025–26 season. WBD claims it had the right to match the terms of Amazon’s deal but was unfairly denied.
Amazon’s “C” package agreement is valued at approximately $1.8 billion per year, while Disney’s “A” package is worth $2.6 billion annually, and NBCUniversal’s “B” package sits close to $2.45 billion.
Sources indicate that both sides are eager to resolve the dispute quickly to avoid a drawn-out legal battle. “I know [both sides] want to solve this,” shared one insider, while another source added, “It has to be soon. They don’t want to let it drag on.”
Settlements in such cases typically involve financial compensation, but speculation is also building around the possibility of a fourth broadcast package being offered to TNT.
This would allow them to continue airing the NBA’s popular Inside the NBA program, retaining a strong presence in the league’s media landscape. Both parties are motivated to reach an agreement that sidesteps an extensive and potentially damaging trial.
In response to WBD’s claims, the NBA argues that TNT’s attempt to match Amazon’s offer did not comply with matching rights, calling it a counteroffer rather than a direct match.
The legal proceedings have set key hearings for November 22 and December 17, dates that will be pivotal if the settlement talks are unsuccessful.
NBA, TNT Reportedly In Settlement Talks https://t.co/J9iMlZTWiP
— RealGM (@RealGM) November 14, 2024
