2024-07-26 20:33:52| Engadget
Warner Bros. Discovery followed through on its threat to take appropriate action against the NBA for rejecting its broadcasting rights offer. Variety reported on Friday that the media company sued the league in the New York State Supreme Court after the NBA turned down its bid to match Amazons streaming package that kicks in starting in the 2025-26 season.
The conflict stems from Warners belief that its current contract gives it the right to match any offer that would replace Warners TNT as a home for NBA games (and the iconic Inside the NBA) in the upcoming deal. As for the leagues stance, The Athletic reported that since the current agreements were signed when streaming was on the horizon, but not part of the deals, the NBA disagrees with Warners matching claim.
The lawsuit was expected as soon as the league announced its new broadcasting and streaming package, which also includes Disney (ABC and ESPN) and Comcast (NBC). The NBA reportedly told Warner it rejected its matching offer because it wanted to put all its games on its streaming service, Max, in addition to TNT. Amazon also allegedly offered to pay its first three years in full, whereas Warner offered a three-year line of credit. Finally, the NBA reportedly believed Amazons reach was simply greater.
Warner Bros. Discoverys most recent proposal did not match the terms of Amazon Prime Videos offer and, therefore, we have entered into a long-term arrangement with Amazon, the NBAs statement on Wednesday read.
Charles BarkleyTNT / Warner Bros. Discovery
Unless Warner can force the NBAs hand, the new agreement will almost certainly mean the end of Inside the NBA. The decades-old sports show, starring Ernie Johnson, Kenny Smith, Charles Barkley and Shaquille ONeal, has harnessed a rare blend of comedy, chemistry and (sometimes taking a backseat to the first two) sports analysis. The beloved program, which has won 19 Sports Emmy Awards, began in 1989 as a Johnson solo effort before fleshing out its tight-knit cast through the following years and (in the case of Shaq) decades.
Turner has partnered with the NBA since the 1984-85 season, which coincided with Barkleys (and Michael Jordans) entrance into the league out of college.
Barkley lashed out at the NBA after hearing about the new rights package, accusing it of wanting to break up with us from the beginning in a statement on X. Adding, Im not sure TNT ever had a chance, the Hall of Famer described it as a sad day when owners and commissioners choose money over the fans.
It just sucks, Barkley wrote before thanking Turners fans for the last 24 years hes been on the show. Inside the NBA will return next season, perhaps its last, along with the networks standard lineup of NBA games, before the new deal begins in the 2025-26 season.This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/warner-bros-discovery-sues-the-nba-in-a-last-ditch-effort-to-block-amazons-new-streaming-package-183352404.html?src=rss
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