NBA rejects Warner Bros. Discovery’s matching offer to retain games, setting up potential legal showdown
“Warner Bros. Discovery’s most recent proposal did not match the terms of Amazon Prime Video’s offer and, therefore, we have entered into a long-term arrangement with Amazon,” the NBA said in a statement.
The league noted that its new partnership with Amazon will complement its broadcast, cable, and streaming packages, which it says are part of its new contracts with NBC and Disney’s ESPN.
“All three partners have also committed substantial resources to promote the league and enhance the fan experience,” the NBA said. “We are grateful to Turner Sports for its award-winning coverage of the NBA and look forward to another season of the NBA on TNT.”
The announcement, which comes less than 48 hours after WBD, CNN’s parent company, notified the league of its intention to match Amazon’s bid to retain the right to broadcast games, posing a hurdle to the media company’s cable and streaming ambitions.
WBD did not immediately respond to requests for comment.
In recent weeks, WBD executives have suggested that if the NBA declines to accept its matching offer, it could bring a lawsuit.
The NBA's decision to continue its partnership with Amazon Prime Video instead of Warner Bros. Discovery might impact Warner's business strategies in the cable and streaming sectors. This long-term arrangement includes significant investments from all partners to promote the league and enhance the fan experience.
