Warner Bros. Discovery (WBD) and the NBA have resolved their legal dispute, reaching a settlement with Disney that includes licensing the popular TNT show Inside the NBA, featuring Charles Barkley and Shaquille O’Neal, to ESPN and ABC starting next season. This licensing agreement is a central component of the settlement.
As part of the deal, WBD’s digital platforms, Bleacher Report and House of Highlights, will continue to feature NBA content. Additionally, WBD will maintain its role in managing the NBA’s digital operations, including NBA TV, for several years.
The agreement also allows WBD to create new NBA-related programming within the United States and internationally. Furthermore, WBD will retain international NBA broadcasting rights in parts of Northern Europe and Latin America, excluding Mexico and Brazil.
The settlement resolves a lawsuit in which WBD claimed the NBA violated a matching-rights clause with TNT by agreeing to broadcast games on Amazon Prime Video.
The legal issue arose after the NBA struck an $80 billion, 11-year deal with ESPN, NBC, and Amazon for game broadcasts. To align with these agreements, WBD’s settlement also spans an 11-year term, ensuring continuity across all major partnerships.
This resolution positions WBD to remain a significant player in NBA content distribution while allowing Disney to leverage the Inside the NBA brand across its networks.
The deal underscores the evolving dynamics of sports media rights and the value of marquee content in a competitive landscape.
WBD, NBA Settle Lawsuit; ‘Inside The NBA’ To Air On ESPN/ABC Beginning In 25-26 https://t.co/D4L2cYefJY
— RealGM (@RealGM) November 17, 2024
