NBA, WBD extend partnership
November 19, 2024

The NBA and Warner Bros Discovery (WBD) have reached an agreement that will extend their long-standing media partnership an additional 11 years.
Per the terms of the agreement, the NBA and WBD will expand their business partnership including several components that will promote NBA content and accelerate the growth and reach of TNT Sports and its sports digital brands Bleacher Report and House of Highlights. The deal also includes an enhanced NBA Digital partnership between the NBA and TNT Sports and a full package of live game rights in a number of territories outside the US, strengthening WBD’s global portfolio.
TNT Sports and its portfolio of brands will receive a global licecse to create, produce and distribute new and existing NBA content across its platforms. The agreement includes expanded global content and highlight rights for TNT Sports, Bleacher Report and House of Highlights, with the ability to produce and distribute NBA content across the WBD portfolio, along with meaningful promotion, sales and creative commitments across both NBA and WBD platforms.
Concurrent with this agreement, WBD and ESPN have agreed to enter a partnership. TNT Sports will continue to fully create and produce Inside the NBA, with its studio show being distributed on ESPN and ABC. Beginning with the 2025-26 season, Inside the NBA will air on ESPN and ABC in the US throughout the regular season and NBA Playoffs. TNT Sports will also continue to develop new content for air on its WBD platforms featuring TNT’s Inside the NBA studio talent including innovative programs such as an Inside Sports show currently in development for next season.
Associated with the agreement between WBD and ESPN, TNT Sports will now televise an exclusive slate of Big 12 football (13 games each season) and men’s basketball (15 games each season) starting with the 2025 season. This builds on TNT Sports’ agreement with ESPN to present the College Football Playoffs with TNT showcasing a pair of First Round games beginning this December.
Additionally, WBD has been granted live NBA game telecast rights in the Nordics (Denmark, Finland, Norway and Sweden), along with Poland and Latin America (excluding Brazil and Mexico) for the next 11 years. In connection with this live game telecast package, WBD will provide local language commentary and promotional opportunities for the NBA’s marketing partners.
“Together these agreements ensure fans will continue to enjoy TNT’s Inside the NBA and create tremendous value for our entire portfolio as we accelerate the growth of TNT Sports, Bleacher Report, House of Highlights and our global sports business,” said David Zaslav, CEO of WBD. “We are pleased to partner with the NBA and Disney/ESPN, and to have solidified long-term rights and revenue for WBD.”