Warner Bros. Discovery (WBD), the parent company of TNT, has filed a lawsuit against the NBA after the league rejected its matching offer to Amazon's winning bid for NBA broadcasting rights. WBD argues that the NBA's decision was "unjustified" and says the move is in the best interest of fans who want to continue watching NBA games on TNT and other WBD platforms.
The ongoing saga over the NBA's broadcasting rights took a legal turn on Friday as Warner Bros. Discovery (WBD), the parent company of TNT, filed a lawsuit against the league. The dispute stems from the NBA's decision to reject WBD's matching offer to Amazon's winning bid for the exclusive rights to broadcast NBA games starting after the 2024-25 season.
In its lawsuit, filed under seal in New York County Supreme Court, WBD argues that the NBA's rejection of its offer was "unjustified" and violated the terms of their existing contract. The company says it is taking legal action to enforce its rights and protect the interests of fans who want to continue watching NBA games on TNT and other WBD platforms.
NBA Rights Dispute Spills into Legal Battle as Warner Bros. Discovery Sues League After Losing Bid to Amazon
"Given the NBA’s unjustified rejection of our matching of a third-party offer, we have taken legal action to enforce our rights," WBD said in a statement. "We strongly believe this is not just our contractual right, but also in the best interest of fans who want to keep watching our industry-leading NBA content with the choice and flexibility we offer them through our widely distributed WBD video-first distribution platforms – including TNT and Max."
The NBA responded to the lawsuit with a statement of its own, saying that WBD's proposal fell short of the terms of Amazon's offer. The league emphasized that its primary objective has always been to maximize the reach and accessibility of NBA games for fans.
NBA Rights Dispute Spills into Legal Battle as Warner Bros. Discovery Sues League After Losing Bid to Amazon
"Warner Bros. Discovery’s most recent proposal did not match the terms of Amazon Prime Video’s offer and, therefore, we have entered into a long-term arrangement with Amazon," the NBA said. "Throughout these negotiations, our primary objective has been to maximize the reach and accessibility of our games for our fans. Our new arrangements with Amazon supports this goal by complementing the broadcast, cable and streaming package that are already part of our new Disney and NBCUniversal arrangements."
The NBA's decision to reject TNT's matching offer has been met with disappointment from some fans and analysts. Longtime TNT NBA analyst Charles Barkley, who recently announced his departure from the network, criticized the league for putting "money over the fans."
NBA Rights Dispute Spills into Legal Battle as Warner Bros. Discovery Sues League After Losing Bid to Amazon
"Clearly the NBA has wanted to break up with us from the beginning. I'm not sure TNT ever had a chance," Barkley wrote in a statement. "TNT matched the money, but the league knows Amazon and these tech companies are the only ones willing to pay for the rights when they double in the future. The NBA didn't want to p--s them off."
"It's a sad day when owners and commissioners choose money over the fans. It just sucks."
The NBA's new media rights agreements will see games broadcast on Disney's ABC and ESPN platforms, NBC's broadcast network and Peacock streaming service, and Amazon Prime Video. The 11-year deal is worth a reported $76 billion.
The legal battle between WBD and the NBA is expected to continue in the coming weeks and months. The outcome of the case could have significant implications for the future of NBA broadcasting rights and the relationship between the league and its longtime partners.
