NBA COMMISSIONER ADAM SILVER COULD BE LEAGUE'S HERO AS LATE CHANGE TO $76BN DEAL EMERGES
NBA commissioner Adam Silver has the chance to be the sport's hero, as recent reports suggest there could be a last-minute U-turn in the ongoing TV rights negotiations.
Networks and streaming sites across America have been engaged in a bidding war for the right to broadcast NBA games and for specific packages, with the biggest storyline being the future of TNT and Warner Media. Inside the NBA is arguably the biggest pre-game show in sports, but it is set to end next summer at the end of the current contract.
That deal has serious ramifications, with Charles Barkley set to retire from broadcasting after 2024-25 rather than enter free agency and sign elsewhere. With Amazon, ESPN/Disney and NBC set to agree a deal worth an astronomical $76billion, Warner/Discovery simply doesn't have the money to compete for any of the available packages, especially when considering NBC will pay the NBA a reported $2.5bn per-year for its selection of games.
The deal, when completed, will see the NBA's salary cap jump to previously-unheard levels, and will see player salaries go through the roof. But now, however, reports have emerged that there could be a fourth package in play, with TNT reported to be still in the mix for a currently-unspecified amount of games.
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While extremely unlikely, it's been claimed TNT Sports was in the mix for a 'smaller, less-expensive fourth package'. The package would have reportedly included regular season and playoff games. It was also reported in Front Office Sports, that there was a scenario in which the NBA would take a smaller package of locally-televised games from teams and create a new national package specific for TNT.
The chances of TNT being involved in a bidding war for games or making an 11th-hour pitch to the NBA is extremely, extremely unlikely, but does provide Silver with the chance to earn some positive PR. The TNT debacle brought NBA fans together against the league, with viewers furious that the pre-game show would be coming to an end.
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The combination of Barkley, Shaquille O'Neal, Kenny Smith and Ernie Johnson has been incredibly popular, and fans didn't hide their displeasure at learning the panel would be broken up next year. With TNT leaving the NBA, it's unclear what will happen to O'Neal, Smith and Johnson, who could all become free agents and join a new show on as part of the new network deals.
If TNT was to agree an extension with the NBA, it's also unclear whether Barkley would reverse his retirement, but the mere agreement would earn Silver some more positive PR and improve his standing with fans. He's already one of the most popular commissioners ever, and will have to decide whether to be sentimental with the biggest deal of his life.
2024-07-04T20:21:58Z dg43tfdfdgfd