The sports media world is about to get flipped upside down and at the center of it all? Adam Silver’s massive $76 billion media rights deal. Starting in the 2025-26 season, NBC and Amazon Prime Video are jumping in alongside ESPN to broadcast NBA games. It’s a huge shift in how fans watch basketball. While this is a win for the league, it also creates major uncertainty for some of ESPN’s biggest on-air personalities—like Brian Windhorst and Malika Andrews. With both entering media-free agency, their futures are suddenly up in the air.

For years, ESPN and TNT had NBA coverage locked down. But now, things are changing fast. NBC is making a comeback, and Amazon is stepping in as a major streaming player. This means ESPN is facing real competition for the first time in decades. To stay ahead, the network is making aggressive moves—like securing Inside the NBA from TNT.

For Windhorst, this shift couldn’t have come at a more critical time. He’s not just an NBA insider—he’s one of ESPN’s most trusted analysts. His ability to break down front-office moves, trades, and team dynamics is unmatched. If you’ve seen him on First Take or listened to The Hoop Collective podcast, you know how valuable he is. Now, with his contract expiring this summer, NBC and Amazon could see him as the perfect addition to establish credibility.

Then there’s Malika Andrews. At just 30, she’s already the face of ESPN’s NBA coverage. Hosting NBA Today and NBA Countdown has cemented her as one of the network’s brightest stars. Her polished reporting and commanding presence make her an ideal choice for any network looking to boost its NBA coverage. Since her contract is set to expire in the fall, she too could be at the center of a major bidding war.

Will ESPN’s Power Move Be Enough to Keep Windhorst & Andrews?

Of course, ESPN isn’t going down without a fight. Locking in Inside the NBA was a huge win, helping to keep its reputation as the go-to network for basketball. However, there’s a problem. In recent years, ESPN has been dealing with financial constraints, leading to high-profile talent departures. Now, with NBC and Amazon aggressively entering the scene, keeping Windhorst and Andrews could be an uphill battle.

NBC, for one, has history on its side. If you watched NBA games in the ’90s and early 2000s, you remember their iconic coverage. They’re now looking to recapture that success, and adding big names like Windhorst and Andrews would instantly give them credibility. Meanwhile, Amazon has money to spend. They’ve already signed Taylor Rooks, and if they manage to bring in Windhorst and Andrews, they could establish themselves as a serious contender in NBA media.

Windhorst’s deep knowledge of salary caps, trades, and team strategies makes him a must-have for any network. If ESPN wants to keep its dominance, they’ll have to do everything possible to hold onto him. On the other hand, Andrews is one of the most marketable NBA anchors out there. Whether she stays or goes, she’ll be a game-changer.

As ESPN fights to keep its biggest stars, NBC and Amazon are working to build their NBA brands. One thing’s for sure—NBA media free agency is heating up, and the next few months could completely shift the balance of power in sports broadcasting. Buckle up.