Is TNT going to lose the NBA? Yes, TNT will officially lose the rights to broadcast live domestic NBA games after the 2024-2025 season. However, following a legal settlement, the iconic show "Inside the NBA" will continue to be produced by TNT Sports but will air on ESPN and ABC starting in the 2025-2026 season.
Is TNT Going to Lose the NBA? The End of an Era
The question on every basketball fan's mind is finally answered: Is TNT going to lose the NBA? After nearly four decades of partnership, the landscape of professional basketball broadcasting is shifting dramatically. To understand the future of the NBA on TV, you must look at the massive new media rights deal involving Amazon, NBC, and Disney. This transition marks a historic turning point that changes how fans access games, aiming to modernize viewership through streaming while maintaining traditional cable access.
You need to prepare for a new viewing schedule that prioritizes digital platforms. The NBA has secured a staggering $76 billion deal over 11 years, which effectively prices out Warner Bros. Discovery (the parent company of TNT) from the live game packages. While this seems like a total loss, the situation is nuanced. Understanding the settlement details is key to knowing where to find your favorite analysts and matches next year.
The Lawsuit and The Settlement
The separation was not amicable initially. Warner Bros. Discovery sued the league, claiming they had the contractual right to match Amazon's offer. However, to avoid a drawn-out legal battle that could damage the sport, a settlement was reached. When asking is TNT going to lose the NBA entirely, the answer is no—they are keeping a foothold in the ecosystem, just not with live games in the US.
Below are the critical components of the resolution that dictates the future of TNT Sports:
- The "Inside the NBA" studio show will continue production at TNT's Atlanta studios but will be licensed to air on ESPN and ABC.
- TNT Sports receives a global license to use NBA highlights for its digital platforms, including Bleacher Report and House of Highlights.
- Warner Bros. Discovery secures the rights to broadcast NBA games in several international territories, maintaining a global presence.
- TNT will broadcast Big 12 football and basketball games, which were sub-licensed from ESPN as part of the compensation package.
- The lawsuit is officially dismissed with prejudice, meaning the legal battle is permanently over.
- The NBA avoids a "lame-duck" final season (2024-25), ensuring TNT continues to promote the league enthusiastically until the rights transfer.
In short, while the live games depart, the creative spirit and the digital footprint of TNT remain embedded in basketball culture. This strategic pivot allows the network to monetize its best asset—the studio show—without the massive cost of live game rights fees.
Where Will Games Air in 2025?
With TNT exiting the live broadcast arena, fans must adapt to new platforms. The NBA media strategy has diversified to catch cord-cutters and traditional viewers alike. Here is the new distribution map for the league.
- Amazon Prime Video 🏀 Streaming Giant: Amazon takes a significant slice of the pie, including the Emirates NBA Cup, the Play-In Tournament, and regular Thursday night games. This is the league's biggest step into exclusive streaming.
- NBC and Peacock 🏀 The Return of Roundball Rock: NBC returns to the NBA after 20 years. They will host "Basketball Night in America" on Sundays and stream exclusive games on Peacock on Mondays, bringing the NBA back to broadcast network television.
- Disney (ESPN/ABC) 🏀 The Finals Home: Disney remains the primary partner, retaining the exclusive rights to the NBA Finals and a robust slate of regular-season games. They also become the new home for "Inside the NBA."
- Regional Sports Networks 🏀 Local Games: While national rights have shifted, local team broadcasts remain largely on regional networks, though this model is also facing bankruptcy challenges and restructuring.
- NBA League Pass 🏀 Out-of-Market: League Pass remains the go-to option for hardcore fans wanting to watch out-of-market games, with improved integration into the Amazon Prime interface.
By understanding these channels, you ensure you never miss a tip-off. The answer to is TNT going to lose the NBA live games is yes, but the viewing options for fans have actually expanded, albeit requiring more subscriptions.
The Fate of 'Inside the NBA'
The biggest fear regarding the headline "Is TNT going to lose the NBA?" was the potential cancellation of "Inside the NBA." This show, featuring Charles Barkley, Shaquille O'Neal, Kenny Smith, and Ernie Johnson, is widely considered the greatest sports studio show in history. The settlement has saved the show, but with a twist.
- Ernie Johnson's Role Ernie Johnson is a TNT employee for life. There was concern he would not move to another network, but the deal allows the show to be produced by TNT, so he stays in Atlanta while the signal goes to ESPN.
- Charles Barkley's Contract
This unique arrangement is a win for fans. While TNT loses the NBA games, they retain the cultural relevance of the league through its most popular voices.
Why Did the NBA Leave TNT?
Understanding the business logic is crucial. The NBA didn't leave TNT because of poor performance; they left because of the changing economics of media. The league sought three main pillars: maximum revenue, streaming reach, and broadcast network exposure.
Warner Bros. Discovery, burdened by debt, was initially hesitant to pay the premium asking price. By the time they attempted to match Amazon's offer, the NBA had already tailored a package specifically for a digital-first partner. The NBA argued that TNT's linear cable model could not match the global digital reach and advertising technology that Amazon brings to the table.
Furthermore, NBC offered something TNT could not: a broadcast network (NBC) available in every home in America without a cable subscription. This "over-the-air" reach is vital for the NBA to grow its casual audience. Therefore, the decision was strategic. Is TNT going to lose the NBA? They lost the bidding war because the war was fought on new battlegrounds—streaming and broadcast capability—where TNT was weakest.
Comparison: Old Deal vs. New Deal
To visualize the magnitude of this change, we must compare what we are leaving behind with what is coming. The breakdown below highlights why the answer to is TNT going to lose the NBA has such a massive impact on the industry.
| Feature | The TNT Era (Ending 2025) | The New Era (Starting 2025) |
|---|---|---|
| Primary Partners | ESPN & TNT | ESPN, NBC, & Amazon |
| Total Value | Approx. $24 Billion (9 Years) | $76 Billion (11 Years) |
| Streaming Focus | Minimal (HBO Max simulcast added late) | Heavy (Peacock & Amazon Exclusive) |
| Inside the NBA | Exclusive to TNT | Produced by TNT, Airs on ESPN |
This table illustrates that while TNT is losing the NBA games, the league is gaining massive financial stability and technological reach.
Financial Impact on WBD
Warner Bros. Discovery faces a double-edged sword. On one hand, losing the NBA removes a massive prestige asset that allowed them to command high carriage fees from cable providers. Cable operators pay TNT a premium because they carry live sports. Without the NBA, TNT's leverage in negotiations decreases significantly.
- Stock Volatility Investors have reacted nervously to the news. The uncertainty surrounding the lawsuit initially caused stock dips, though the settlement brought some stability.
- Rights Fees Savings The silver lining is the cash flow. WBD is saving nearly $1.2 billion annually that would have gone to the NBA. This capital can be reinvested into other sports properties or original content.
- New Sports Acquisitions To fill the void, TNT has already been aggressive, acquiring rights to the French Open (Roland-Garros), Big East basketball, and sub-licensing College Football Playoff games.
- Digital Growth By securing the international and digital highlight rights in the settlement, WBD is betting that short-form content on "House of Highlights" is the future of youth engagement, rather than full 3-hour games.
FAQ: Your Questions Answered
As the transition looms, many fans are confused about the specifics. Here are the most frequently asked questions regarding is TNT going to lose the NBA.
1. Is Inside the NBA cancelled?
No. The show will continue to be produced by TNT but will air on ESPN and ABC starting with the 2025-26 season.
2. Can I watch NBA games on Max in 2026?
No live domestic games will be on Max. However, Max may carry the international feeds or highlight packages based on the new digital rights settlement.
3. Why did TNT sue the NBA?
TNT sued to enforce a "matching rights" clause in their old contract, believing they had the legal right to match Amazon's offer and keep the games. They eventually settled.
4. Who are the new broadcasters?
The new partners are Disney (ABC/ESPN), NBCUniversal (NBC/Peacock), and Amazon Prime Video.
5. When is the last game on TNT?
TNT will broadcast games throughout the 2024-2025 season, likely concluding with the Western Conference Finals in May 2025.
6. Will Charles Barkley retire?
No. Charles Barkley has committed to continuing with "Inside the NBA" despite the network change, honoring his contract.
Conclusion: In conclusion, the answer to "Is TNT going to lose the NBA?" is a definitive yes regarding live domestic game broadcasts. After the 2024-25 season, the 40-year relationship of airing games ends. However, the brand survives through a smart legal settlement that keeps "Inside the NBA" alive on ESPN and grants WBD valuable digital and international rights.
For the fans, this means investing in streaming services like Peacock and Amazon Prime is now mandatory to follow the league. While we say goodbye to the games on TNT, the spirit of the coverage lives on, proving that while contracts expire, the culture built by TNT is too valuable to disappear completely.