Like the NBA, the WNBA is getting a big increase in rights fees next year. In other news, TNT’s acclaimed NBA postgame show is getting another honor, and NBC has extended its deal to cover cycling’s Tour of California.
ESPN Doubling WNBA Rights Fees Next Year
- ESPN will pay the WNBA $25 million per year under a new television deal that begins next season, Sports Business Journal reported Monday, more than double the current rights fee of $12 million. While the TV deal itself is old news, having been announced with the NBA’s new contract in 2014, the SBJ report marks the first time financial terms have been revealed. The 108% increase corresponds with a 143% increase in ESPN’s NBA rights fees. (Sports Business Journal)
B&C Honors Inside the NBA
- TNT’s Inside the NBA studio show will be inducted into the Broadcasting & Cable Hall of Fame later this year, joining ESPN’s SportsCenter and Monday Night Football as the only other sports shows to be so honored. The news was announced on-the-air during Wednesday’s edition of the show. (Sports Business Daily)
NBC Extends Tour of California Deal
- NBC Sports has reached a three-year media rights extension to continue carrying cycling’s Tour of California, it was announced Thursday. Under the extension, which runs from next year through 2019, NBC and NBCSN will carry up to 16 hours of coverage per year. After ESPN carried the inaugural edition in 2006, each successive Tour of California has aired on Comcast-owned networks. (NBC Sports Group Press Box)
