Will TNT Get the NBA Back? The Latest Updates on the Media Rights Battle
No, TNT will not broadcast regular NBA games in the United States after the 2024-25 season. Following a massive legal dispute, Warner Bros. Discovery (WBD) and the NBA reached a settlement in late 2024. While TNT loses its domestic game rights to Amazon, NBC, and ESPN, the network secured a 10-year deal for global rights and a unique licensing agreement for "Inside the NBA."
For over three decades, TNT has been the home of the NBA. Fans have grown to love the banter, the deep analysis, and the unique culture of the network. However, the media landscape is changing fast. Streaming giants are now competing with traditional cable networks. This shift led to a historic $77 billion deal that left TNT on the outside looking in. To understand will TNT get the NBA back, we must look at the legal settlement that changed sports television forever.
The Legal Battle and the Settlement Explained
The drama began when the NBA rejected Warner Bros. Discovery’s attempt to match Amazon’s $1.8 billion annual offer. WBD claimed they had a legal right to match any third-party bid. The NBA disagreed, arguing that Amazon’s global streaming reach was something TNT’s cable-focused model could not replicate. After months of lawsuits, both sides finally shook hands on a settlement.
- Inside the NBA Lives On: The most popular sports show in history will move to ESPN and ABC starting in the 2025-26 season.
- Global Rights Secured: WBD will broadcast NBA games in international markets like Latin America, Poland, and parts of Europe for the next 11 years.
- Digital Expansion: Bleacher Report and House of Highlights will keep their extensive social media rights to NBA content.
- No Domestic Games: TNT will no longer air live regular-season or playoff games in the United States once the current contract ends.
- Cost Savings: By not paying the massive $1.8 billion annual fee, WBD avoids adding more debt to its balance sheet.
- Big 12 and French Open: To fill the gap, TNT is investing in other sports, including college football and major tennis tournaments.
In short, the answer to will TNT get the NBA back is "partially." They kept the brand and the talent, but they lost the live games that made them a Tuesday and Thursday night staple.
Will TNT get the NBA back? This authoritative guide analyzes the $77 billion NBA media rights deal and the legal settlement between Warner Bros. Discovery and the league. We explore how "Inside the NBA" is moving to ESPN, the rise of Amazon Prime Video and NBC as new broadcast partners, and what this means for fans. Discover the details of WBD's 11-year international rights agreement and the future of sports on TNT.
The New NBA Media Landscape (2025-2036)
The new media rights deal is the largest in the history of the NBA. The league prioritized reach and technology over tradition. Below is a comparison of who will be showing the games and what fans can expect from each partner.
| Partner | Annual Cost | Primary Platform | Key Coverage |
|---|---|---|---|
| Disney (ESPN/ABC) | $2.6 Billion | ABC, ESPN, ESPN+ | NBA Finals, Conference Finals |
| NBCUniversal | $2.5 Billion | NBC, Peacock | Sunday Night Basketball, All-Star Game |
| Amazon (Prime Video) | $1.8 Billion | Prime Video | Thursday Night Games, In-Season Tournament |
| Warner Bros. (TNT) | $0 (Settlement) | Max (International) | International Games, Digital Highlights |
This table shows that the NBA has moved toward a "triple-threat" model. They have the traditional broadcast power of ABC/NBC and the modern streaming power of Amazon. Unfortunately, TNT could not find a way to fit into this new structure without a massive financial overreach.
The Fate of "Inside the NBA"
The biggest question fans had was not about the games themselves, but about the people. What happens to Charles Barkley, Shaquille O'Neal, Kenny Smith, and Ernie Johnson? The settlement provided a surprising answer that shocked the sports world.
- A Licensing Miracle: TNT will continue to produce "Inside the NBA" from its Atlanta studios. However, the show will air on ESPN and ABC.
- The Full Cast Returns: All four members of the legendary crew have agreed to stay together, ensuring the show's chemistry remains intact.
- More Visibility: By moving to ABC, the show will reach a much larger audience during the NBA Finals and major holiday games.
- Ernie Johnson Stays Home: While the show airs on ESPN, Ernie Johnson will remain a TNT employee, showing the depth of the partnership.
- Barkley's U-Turn: After announcing his retirement, Charles Barkley decided to stay, citing his love for the crew and the fans.
This arrangement is unprecedented. It is rare for one network to produce a show that airs on its direct competitor's channel. This proves how valuable the "Inside the NBA" brand is to the league and the fans.
Why the NBA Chose Amazon Over TNT
The core of the dispute was the definition of "matching." WBD CEO David Zaslav believed that matching the dollar amount of Amazon's bid was enough. The NBA argued that the "terms" of the deal were different. This section breaks down the technical reasons why TNT lost its grip on the league.
The NBA wanted a partner that could offer seamless global streaming. Amazon Prime has over 200 million subscribers worldwide. While TNT has the Max streaming service, its global footprint is much smaller. The NBA’s strategy is to grow the game in India, China, and Europe. Amazon’s infrastructure makes that much easier than a traditional cable network.
Furthermore, the NBA was looking for "platform stability." Cable television is losing millions of subscribers every year (cord-cutting). The NBA did not want to be tied to a declining business model for the next 11 years. By choosing NBC and Amazon, they secured a future in both broadcast TV and digital streaming.
How Fans Will Watch the NBA in 2025
The transition away from TNT will be confusing for many fans at first. For decades, "TNT Tuesday" and "TNT Thursday" were a part of the basketball calendar. Here is how the weekly schedule will look starting in late 2025.
- Monday Nights: Local coverage and occasional national games on ESPN.
- Tuesday Nights: NBC and Peacock will take over as a primary broadcaster for mid-week action.
- Thursday Nights: Amazon Prime Video will become the exclusive home of Thursday night games, mirroring their NFL "Thursday Night Football" strategy.
- Friday/Saturday: ESPN and ABC will dominate the weekend coverage, especially as the season approaches the playoffs.
- Sunday Nights: NBC's "Sunday Night Basketball" will return, bringing back the iconic "Roundball Rock" theme song.
- In-Season Tournament: Amazon will hold the primary rights to the Emirates NBA Cup games.
While fans might miss the TNT graphics and the familiar music, the addition of NBC and Amazon brings more games to more people. The NBA is betting that the convenience of streaming will outweigh the nostalgia of cable.
The Impact on NBA Players and Teams
The $77 billion deal isn't just about who broadcasts the games; it’s about the money flowing into the league. This deal will have a massive impact on player salaries and team valuations.
- Salary Cap Spike: With the influx of media money, the NBA salary cap is expected to rise by 10% every year. This could lead to $100-million-per-year contracts for superstars.
- Team Values: NBA teams are now more valuable than ever. The average team value could soon exceed $5 billion thanks to the guaranteed media income.
- Expansion: The massive revenue from this deal makes it almost certain that the NBA will expand to 32 teams, with Seattle and Las Vegas as the top candidates.
- Global Exposure: Players will have more exposure in international markets through Amazon and WBD's international deal, leading to bigger shoe deals and global brand status.
- Production Quality: NBC is known for its high-level production (Olympics, NFL). Players can expect their games to be presented with a more "cinematic" feel.
The Bottom Line: The loss for TNT is a massive win for the NBA's wallet. The league is now financially secure for the next decade, ensuring that the game continues to grow globally.
What’s Next for Warner Bros. Discovery?
Losing the NBA is a blow to WBD’s prestige, but the company is already pivoting. They are using the money they saved to diversify their sports portfolio. This is a survival strategy in a world where content is king but costs are rising.
WBD has recently signed deals with the French Open (tennis) and the Big 12 Conference (college football and basketball). They are also expanding their coverage of the NHL (hockey) and MLB (baseball). By spreading their investment across multiple sports, they hope to keep subscribers on their Max streaming service without relying on a single, expensive league like the NBA.
However, many industry experts wonder if TNT can maintain its identity as a "sports leader" without the NBA. The NBA account for a large percentage of TNT's ad revenue during the spring. Replacing that revenue will be the biggest challenge for David Zaslav in the coming years.
Quick FAQ: TNT and the NBA
Q: When is TNT’s last NBA game?
A: TNT will finish its current coverage at the end of the 2024-25 NBA Playoffs.
Q: Will Charles Barkley be on ESPN?
A: Yes, "Inside the NBA" will air on ESPN/ABC, but it will still be produced by TNT Sports.
Q: Can I watch the NBA on Max?
A: In the US, no. Internationally, yes, depending on your region.
Q: Is TNT suing the NBA again?
A: No, the legal battle ended with the November 2024 settlement.
Q: Who will host the NBA Finals?
A: ABC/ESPN will remain the exclusive home of the NBA Finals.
The Importance of "Inside the NBA" Legacy
The settlement proves that "Inside the NBA" is more than just a show; it is a cultural institution. The NBA realized that removing Barkley and Shaq from the airwaves would upset the fanbase. By allowing the show to move to ESPN, the league found a way to bridge the gap between the old era and the new.
- Humor: The show proved that sports analysis can be funny.
- Honesty: Barkley’s willingness to criticize stars is rare.
- Chemistry: You cannot manufacture the bond between the four hosts.
- Impact: The show often trends on social media more than the games themselves.
Final Advice: If you are a fan of the crew, don't worry. You will still see them. You just might have to change the channel from TNT to ESPN to find them.
Final Conclusion:
The question of will TNT get the NBA back has been answered with a complex "yes and no." While the era of live NBA games on TNT in the US is coming to an end, the spirit of the network lives on through "Inside the NBA" and its new international deals. The media rights landscape has shifted toward streaming, but the league was careful not to destroy the traditions that fans love. As we look toward the 2025-26 season, the NBA is healthier than ever, even if the TNT logo is missing from the scoreboard.
Ultimately, the settlement is a win-win for everyone involved. The NBA gets its $77 billion, WBD gets to keep its digital and international presence, and most importantly, the fans get to keep the "Inside the NBA" crew for another decade. The game is changing, but the conversation remains as loud and entertaining as ever.