The long rumored NBA/Turner digital rights agreement has been finalized.
The NBA and Turner Broadcasting System will jointly manage several of the league’s key digital assets, including the NBA.com network (NBA.com, WNBA.com, D-League.com), NBA League Pass, and NBA TV. Turner will “assume responsibility for programming, marketing and technical operations” of NBA TV, and will join the league in selling advertising for all of the digital properties.
The agreement will begin in full next season, and will run through the 2015-16 season.
While New Jersey-based NBA Entertainment will “continue to provide content for all of the NBA?s digital businesses,” NBA on TNT personalities — presumably including Ernie Johnson, Kenny Smith and Charles Barkley — will make appearances on NBA TV. Currently, NBA TV re-runs episodes of Inside the NBA.
Turner Sports president David Levy and NBA Deputy Commissioner Adam Silver will manage the joint venture.
