Warner Bros. Discovery is considering matching an offer for the media rights to a package of National Basketball Association games as the league looks to finalize terms — but its focus could be on a potential Amazon package rather than games slated for Comcast’s NBCUniversal, according to people familiar with the matter.
It’s the latest turn in what’s been a relatively messy renegotiation for Warner Bros. Discovery, one of two incumbent holders of NBA rights, along with Disney. Warner’s Turner Sports has carried NBA games for nearly 40 years.
Warner Bros. Discovery continues to consider ways to partner with the NBA to broadcast a package of games as the league plans its next media partners, said the people, who asked not to be named because the discussions are private.
The league is close to signing agreements with Disney, NBCUniversal and Amazon for three different packages of games, said the people, who asked not to be named because the discussions are private. If that happens without a side agreement with Warner Bros. Discovery, its CEO, David Zaslav, will have a chance to leverage matching rights that were secured — and paid for — as part of its previous deal with the league.
Under the terms of that agreement, which runs out after the 2024-25 season, Warner Bros. Discovery can match a competing bid for the games it currently licenses from the NBA. Warner Bros. Discovery hasn’t yet seen the three potential packages because the league hasn’t officially signed agreements with any of its potential media partners. It also hasn’t communicated any plans on matching or not matching with the league, said the people.
Still, the company has been working with its lawyers to determine how matching would work if the league carves up Warner Bros. Discovery’s current package into deals for both NBCUniversal and Amazon.
Amazon…
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