Warner Bros. Discovery Faces Off with NBA in High-Stakes Legal Battle

Warner Bros. Discovery (WBD) has taken legal action against the NBA after the league turned down its offer to match a $1.8 billion annual bid from Amazon. This lawsuit, filed in the New York County Supreme Court, marks the end of a 40-year relationship between WBD and the NBA.

The NBA has opted for new 11-year deals with Amazon, NBCUniversal, and Disney, starting in the 2025-26 season, which collectively amount to $76 billion. These deals will see NBA games broadcast on Amazon Prime Video, NBC, Peacock, and ESPN.

WBD, which operates TNT and Max, argues that its offer should have been accepted as it matched Amazon's bid for the NBA’s cable rights. WBD claims the NBA has breached their contract by not honoring this matching offer.

NBA Commissioner Adam Silver said the new agreements will enhance global reach and fan experience. However, WBD disputes this, asserting that the NBA's rejection is a misinterpretation of their contractual rights.

Mike Bass, an NBA spokesperson, dismissed WBD’s lawsuit as baseless. Meanwhile, Charles Barkley, a prominent figure on TNT’s "Inside the NBA," criticized the NBA for prioritizing money over fans, accusing the league of intentionally breaking away from TNT.

As media companies face challenges retaining audiences, with many shifting to streaming services, this legal clash highlights the ongoing tension in sports broadcasting rights.