If sources are to be believed, then the NBA is all set to sell a streaming-only package that is worth a billion dollars. The league has possibly decided to sell streaming-only games as part of its media rights package. This package will most likely garner interest from several big streaming companies, including Amazon and Apple. Sports media consultant Patrick Crakes said that the starting bid for the package might begin at $1 billion per year.
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In 2014, the league signed a nine-year deal with ESPN that was worth about $24 billion. The amount was approximately three times more than the league’s previous deal, which expired after the 2015-16 season. Evidently, the current deal will most likely significantly surpass the previous amount.
Compared to the $24 billion deal, the upcoming package will bring about $50 billion -$75 billion to the league. Several sports league has preferred to get in business with big names in the technology industry. The NFL had previously joined forces with Amazon in a billion-dollar deal that will end after 2033. The National Football League had moved their ‘Thursday Night Football’ to Amazon Prime Video. NBA superstar LeBron James will be one of the hosts for Amazon during the Green Bay Packers vs Tennessee Titans game that is scheduled for November 17, 2022.
As of now, the main competitors for the deal might be Apple and Amazon. In fact, founder Jeff Bezos’ multi-billion dollar worth company might be a little too interested.
Amazon and Apple battles for NBA deal
According to Front Office Sports, Amazon has already expressed its wish to acquire the NBA package. Amazon is already under a multi-year contract with the NBA to stream live games in Brazil during the 2022-23 season. According to the new agreement, 87 live matches and about 24 playoffs will be broadcasted on Amazon Prime Video.
BREAKING: The NBA is poised to sell a billion-dollar package of streaming-only games under its next media rights deal, sources tell FOS.@MMcCarthyREV’s story ⤵️
— Front Office Sports (@FOS) October 31, 2022
On the other hand, Apple has been gradually slipping into live sports streaming. Apple has already signed a $2.5 billion worth contract for one year with Major League Soccer. Additionally, the company has also grabbed a package of Friday Night Baseball from MLB, which is worth $85 million a year. NBA fans are speculating on the possible outcome of this new development. Some believe that the Amazon-Apple clash will possibly jack up the price to $3 billion. Others are not so happy about NBA’s decision. Let’s take a look at some of the tweets.
It's going to be more than that. A battle between Amazon and Apple will jack it up to $2-3b. Tencent will maintain the Chinese rights at $1b. The NBA TV rights will be similar to the NFL's in average value
— lennox cadore (@lennoxc) October 31, 2022
I don’t have $1billion to spend on NBA im sorry
— Bradley (@bdunn6) October 31, 2022
So the fact that nobody wants streaming only games and ratings suck just don’t matter?
— jwwalter (@jwwalter1) October 31, 2022
Yeah I'll never pay extra for NBA games. Pass.
— Kansas Kingdom (@TylerSoeken) November 1, 2022
Bro this is getting more expensive than cable
— Hollandaise Sauce. (@jjetsjetsjets) November 1, 2022
NBA needs to offer a media deal to one company to stream all games, no blackouts. Would help league immensely
— Ethan Price (@Paradox_EP) November 1, 2022
Will be interesting if you shrink the pool of games each team keeps locally means teams that control games – Knicks, wizards, nuggets, Raptors become key and expansion becomes closer to reality
— CAP Sports Group (@CAPSportsGroup) November 1, 2022
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They all better not be asking the taxpayers to pay for the stadium upkeep and whatnot.
— Carissa Rae (@Starfizh) November 1, 2022
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It is pretty evident through the tweets that only some people are on board with the news. Therefore, it’s hard to speculate if the package deal will bring a significant profit or not. As of now, it’s just a matter of waiting and watching how things turn out for the league.