ESPN, TNT can match any new deal NBA reaches with third party

NBA media rights incumbents ESPN and TNT have the right to match any new deal that the league may strike with a third party, according to a source familiar with the existing contract terms. This could manifest itself in two key ways. One, should the NBA look to bring in a third party like Amazon, NBC/Peacock or otherwise on a streaming package, ESPN or TNT would have the right to match that sort of deal. Second, should another company like NBC look to take over an existing linear TV deal held by ESPN or TNT, those incumbents also would have the right to match that deal. The NBA’s exclusive negotiating window with ESPN and TNT expired last night. While no formal deal was struck before the window closed, SBJ has reported the sides were already 75% of the way to a new deal when the period opened last month. The NBA didn’t directly comment on the right to match, telling SBJ, "Although the exclusive negotiating period has ended, we are still in discussions with Disney and Warner Bros. Discovery regarding our media deals.”

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