As Bankruptcy Knocked on Canadian Broadcaster’s Doorstep, $2.76 Trillion Co. Set to Steal More NBA Coverage From ESPN and TNT

The NBA is still in discussion about its streaming rights. Among bidders, Disney’s ESPN and Warner Bros Discovery’s TNT are the frontrunners when it comes to streaming NBA games. But there is a high chance it might not be the case this time.

ESPN and TNT, owing to their long-term contracts with the NBA, had an exclusive negotiation window. But now, it’s anybody’s game. Especially with more players on the court and the NBA looking to secure an enormous increase in media rights.

Tech Giant joins the race to secure NBA media rights

Apple made giant strides earlier in the year as a trillion-dollar company. Still, on its way to increasing annual earnings, Apple has moved to the next best thing – NBA. The tech giant is not new to the field. It already has a decade’s worth of experience in streaming Major League Soccer games.

The current media outlets, ESPN and TNT, which hosts First Take featuring Stephen A. Smith and Inside the NBA hosted by Shaquille O’Neal have high ratings. As reported by the Wall Street Journal, “If ESPN and TNT buy fewer games, that would allow the league to create a package for a streaming video player. Amazon and Apple already have expressed interest—and are looking for much more than a small slice of NBA games.”

A recent change in its course was two seasons of MLB streaming. And now, NBA. Exclusively American, the NBA has now become a global emotion. Keeping that in mind, the league wants to reach more fans. In order to do so, they want to broadcast the games on free stations like ABC, NBC, Fox or CBS. Right now, what’s keeping cable channels alive are these sports.

With this move, cable TV gets to survive another year, and the NBA gets a host of loyal customers. Bloomberg.com reported that NBA Commissioner Adam Silver said, “the next go-round will “most likely be some sort of hybrid,” mixing broadcast, cable and streaming options.” 

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Clearly, the NBA is set on its decision to take its streaming to the next level.

NBA’s decision could affect the local broadcasting network negatively

Diamond Sports Group, the parent group of Bally Sports is the largest owner of regional sports networks. It is also on the brink of bankruptcy. They had missed a $140 million interest payment, following which their dire circumstances were announced to the world.

Bally Sports Group owns 19 networks under its banner and has the rights to broadcast games from 42 professional teams. They include the NBA as well. But in light of its current situation, whether the games of the 16 teams of the NBA will be aired or not is debatable.

Apple and Amazon are in step with all the latest trends and interests of the public. According to the Wall Street Journal, tech giants are looking to acquire both national and local media rights.

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But many fans are still in love with the traditional way of watching sports. And that might just be the only saving grace for Diamond.