Key Points
- Warner Bros Discovery settled its breach of contract lawsuit with the NBA, ensuring a decade-long partnership.
- The settlement grants Warner Bros Discovery extensive rights to NBA content domestically and internationally.
- Through the settlement, the NBA avoids a prolonged court fight. Starting next season, the NBA will be licensed to ESPN and ABC.
- Warner Bros Discovery claimed the NBA breached their agreement by not honoring its right to match third-party broadcast offers.
Warner Bros Discovery has resolved its breach-of-contract lawsuit against the National Basketball Association (NBA). According to a report by The Wall Street Journal, the settlement ensures a decade-long partnership between the media giant and the league, and an official announcement is expected early next week.
The settlement grants Warner Bros Discovery substantial rights to broadcast NBA content both domestically and internationally, avoiding a potentially lengthy legal battle for the NBA. Representatives for Warner Bros Discovery and the NBA have not commented publicly.
The dispute arose after the NBA signed an 11-year, $77 billion broadcasting deal with Disney’s ESPN, Comcast’s NBCUniversal, and Amazon.com earlier this year. Warner Bros Discovery, which owns Turner Broadcasting System, claimed the league violated their agreement by not honoring its right to match third-party offers for broadcasting rights.
In addition to the settlement, Warner Bros Discovery has struck a separate agreement with Disney. Starting next season, Warner Bros Discovery’s Emmy-winning program Inside the NBA will be licensed for broadcast on Disney’s ESPN and ABC platforms.
This resolution signals Warner Bros Discovery’s commitment to maintaining its strong sports broadcasting portfolio. The company’s partnership with the NBA remains a cornerstone of its sports division, providing access to premier basketball content.
The deal highlights the competitive landscape of sports media rights as major players vie for access to premium live sports content that drives viewership and subscriptions. Warner Bros Discovery’s settlement underscores the importance of preserving valuable partnerships while adapting to evolving market dynamics.
