Even two decades ago, television was the only source for watching live games from the comfort of one’s home. However, the 21st century’s technological advances have dramatically altered the viewing experience. With the rise of streaming services and the increase in cable-cutting, NBA Commissioner Adam Silver sees a different future. Hence, beginning with the 2025-26 season, TNT will end its 35-year-long partnership with the NBA.

In the NBA’s game-changing $76 billion deal, Amazon will pay $1.8 billion annually, while NBC will contribute $2.5 billion each year. However, the situation may become complex if TNT decides to intervene, which they have 5 days to do following the NBA Board of Governors’ approval of the deal.

From July 17, TNT will have the right to match the offer on the table from NBC and Amazon. Reports indicate that Turner Sports is considering matching Amazon’s “C package” deal, worth $1.88 billion. This package would give TNT the rights to broadcast the In-Season Tournament, henceforth known as the Emirates Cup, starting next season. This event saw a viewership increase of 8% from the previous year’s November, with the Lakers vs. Pacers game in December drawing nearly 4.6 million viewers. This is the highest for a non-Christmas day sporting event in the past 5 years.

However, Adam Silver has expressed concerns that TNT’s involvement could lead to “complex legal issues.” This is primarily because Warner Bros. Discovery, which owns TNT, is not a streaming platform. Silver reportedly opposes TNT creating a fourth package to secure the rights to broadcast alternative conference finals games.

Adam Silver might get sued due to TNT’s involvement

Adam Silver is committed to transitioning NBA broadcasts to streaming platforms. “Adam 100% believes he’s getting sued. Everybody [in the NBA] is preparing for a lawsuit,” a league source confirmed. But why is that? The biggest issue with TNT matching the right will be its ability to broadcast games rather than stream. TNT also has its channel owned by Warner Bros. Discovery. However, it does not have the number of subscriptions to match Amazon’s tally. In the USA alone, Amazon has over 170 million subscribers as of 2023.

Should TNT match Amazon’s bid, it could complicate the NBA’s strategic shift to a different streaming platform starting from the 2025-26 season. Charles Barkley, set to retire after the next season from his analyst duties, expressed mixed feelings: “Well, I really feel bad for everybody at TNT, all the people I’ve been working with for the last 24 years, they’re like family to me. I really hope we match. Honestly, in my heart, I think we have lost the package. That’s my honest opinion. But I really hope we get a last-minute reprieve for the people at Turner,” Barkley told CNBC.

Barkley also pointed out the affordability issues associated with streaming: “Everybody can’t afford streaming.” But that shouldn’t stop the league or Adam Silver from making the leap. “I think it’s the idea of where the next generation — my kids, my kids’ kids — are someday going to be,” said Craig Sloan, president of Playfly Sports, in a Sports Business Journal interview. “They are already conditioned to engage with video through platforms like Amazon Prime. They go into Amazon Prime all the time or Netflix or whoever. So I’m a believer that you have to have a foot in that world as a sports entity,” Sloan concluded.

For TNT, timing will be crucial as they have just 5 days to match Amazon’s deal. If they opt to do so, Adam Silver may face significant legal and operational challenges for some time to come.

What do you think about TNT’s potential decision to match Amazon’s bid? Do you believe this move could benefit the network in the long run, or might it lead to more complications for TNT and the NBA’s broadcasting strategy? Share your thoughts below!

Stay tuned for more such updates, and to follow what brand maker, Leonard Armato, had to say about the deadly duo, Shaq and Kobe, check out this video