The NBA has rejected TNT Sports’ bid to match Amazon’s media rights deal with the league. The league has now officially announced an 11-year, $77 billion television deal with the streaming service, ESPN and NBC.
TNT Sports responded to the news on Wednesday evening, stating that the NBA has no right to reject the network’s offer to match Amazon’s bid.
“We have matched Amazon’s offer, as we are contractually entitled to do, and do not believe the NBA can reject it,” TNT Sports representatives said in a statement to DailyMail.com.
TNT Sports matched Amazon’s $1.9 billion bid this week, but the NBA rejected that offer, likely resulting in a legal battle.
The WNBA is also part of the new media rights deal with ESPN, Amazon Prime and NBC that will see its games broadcast by all three conglomerates beginning with the 2026 season.
NBA Commissioner Adam Silver appears to see a future for the NBA without TNT Sports
Charles Barkley and the Rest of ‘Inside the NBA’ Appear to Have One More Season on TNT
With TNT Sports ceasing broadcast of the NBA, the popular pre-game program, “Inside the NBA,” will be ending.
Amazon Prime could also try to lure four actors, consisting of Shaquille O’Neal, Charles Barkley, Ernie Johnson and Kenny Smith, to the airwaves.
NBC Sports announced the move on its social media feeds, with John Tesh’s familiar instrumental “Roundball Rock” playing in the background. It was later popularized in a sample on Nelly’s “Heart of a Champion.”
NBA representatives have not yet responded to requests for comment from DailyMail.com.
TNT Sports released a statement on Wednesday evening.
“We have matched Amazon’s offer, as we are contractually entitled to do, and do not believe the NBA can reject it,” TNT Sports representatives said in a statement to DailyMail.com.
“In doing so, they reject the many fans who continue to show their unwavering support for our world-class coverage, delivered across the full combined reach of WBD’s video-first distribution platforms – including TNT, the home of our 40-year partnership with the league, and Max, our leading streaming service.”
“We believe they have grossly misinterpreted our contractual rights with respect to the 2025-26 season and beyond, and we will take appropriate action. However, we look forward to another great season of the NBA on TNT and Max, including our iconic Inside the NBA.”
Both the NBA and WNBA In-Season Tournaments are expected to be available to stream on Amazon Prime.
“The partnership with Disney, Amazon and NBCU marks a monumental chapter in the history of the WNBA and clearly demonstrates the significant increase in value and historic level of interest in women’s basketball,” WNBA Commissioner Cathy Engelbert said in a press release.
“These agreements allow the league to continue building a sustainable, long-term growth model for the future of women’s basketball and sports, benefiting WNBA players, teams and fans.”
Oddly enough, TNT will have a busy broadcast schedule for the upcoming NBA season, while potentially taking the league to court.