The conflict between the NBA and TNT has progressed further in the ongoing dispute over media rights, which the NBA has claimed to have resolved. However, Warner Bros. Discovery, the parent company of TNT, has responded differently, indicating that the matter is not settled yet.
What’s noteworthy is that TNT will continue to broadcast NBA games this season. However, this is likely to be the last involvement, as the league has decided to transfer its media rights to NBC and Amazon Prime, while still maintaining a partnership with ESPN/ABC, which is owned by Disney.
As you’re likely aware, the NBA has bid farewell to TNT, expressing gratitude for its consistent coverage over the years. In response, TNT has filed a lawsuit against the league, claiming that the NBA did not honor its right to match the terms of the deal, particularly regarding Amazon’s agreement.
This situation has resulted in both TNT and the NBA submitting legal documents in court. Initially, the NBA sought to dismiss TNT’s lawsuit. Following that, TNT has filed its own motion, as reported by Mike McCann of Sportico.
“The 33-page memorandum, filed on September 20, aims to persuade New York Judge Joel M. Cohen to reject the NBA’s motion to dismiss, which was analyzed by Sportico last month,” McCann noted. “The crux of the case revolves around the NBA’s assertion that TBS did not match Amazon’s offer to air games from the 2025-26 season through 2035-36. The plaintiffs argue that TBS had the right to match the Amazon proposal, contend that they did indeed match it, and accuse the NBA of acting in bad faith to falsely ‘circumvent TBS’s matching rights.'”
The dispute continues to unfold, but the outcome seems somewhat predictable. It appears that TNT’s chances of making significant headway are limited, leading to a prolonged legal process.
Nevertheless, McCann indicated that this case might eventually go to trial.
“If the situation progresses, court documents suggest a trial could take place around April 2025,” McCann stated. “While battling the NBA in court, TBS and WBD (via TNT) will continue to air NBA games during the 2024-25 season.”
While it seems unlikely for this case to escalate, similar to events on an NBA court, the future remains unpredictable.
