In a high-stakes showdown for NBA media rights, TNT Sports has stepped up to match Amazon’s impressive $1.8 billion bid. The battle for broadcasting supremacy is heating up, and the league now faces a crucial decision.
As reported by Legion Hoops (@LegionHoops),
The Tweet reads,
“BREAKING: TNT will match Amazon’s $1.8B NBA media package bid. The NBA now must decide which network to move forward with.”
BREAKING: TNT will match Amazon’s $1.8B NBA media package bid.
The NBA now must decide which network to move forward with. pic.twitter.com/hjFQOpoOBK
— Legion Hoops (@LegionHoops) July 22, 2024
This sets the stage for a high-stakes decision for the NBA as they weigh their options between the two media giants.
The Bid Match
Warner Bros. Discovery (WBD), the parent company of TNT, made a bold move by exercising its right to match Amazon’s offer. The bid, which covers a package of NBA games, amounts to approximately $1.8 billion per year. While WBD didn’t explicitly mention Amazon, it’s clear they are targeting the tech giant’s proposal.
In a statement, TNT Sports expressed their commitment to the partnership: “We acted in good faith during negotiations, presenting strong bids that were fair to both parties. Regrettably, the league notified us of its intention to accept other offers, triggering our matching rights provision. We have reviewed the offers and matched one of them.”
Amazon’s Streaming-Only Package
Amazon’s deal is unique—it’s a streaming-only package. In contrast, TNT Sports televises NBA games on TNT and also streams them on Max. The difference in delivery methods adds complexity to the decision. Additionally, sports commentator Bill Simmons revealed that Amazon will pay the NBA three years of rights payments upfront, totaling around $5.4 billion. This move may have been designed to thwart WBD’s match.