The NBA could expand to as many as five rights partners in its new deal, per a report. Plus: ESPN and Major League Baseball have a previously unreported mutual opt-out after the 2025 season; Austin Rivers is joining his dad Doc Rivers on ESPN’s NBA coverage this season.
NBA could seek as many as five partners in new deal, per report
The NBA could seek as many as five partners in its next media rights deal, Front Office Sports reported Sunday. The league has never had more than three rights partners at any given time — CBS, ESPN and USA Network held rights in from 1982-84 — and has had the same two, ESPN/ABC and Warner Bros. Discovery, since the 2002-03 season.
The Front Office Sports piece follows a report in the Wall Street Journal that both ESPN and TNT are exploring reduced rights packages in their new deals. Expanding to as many as four or five partners would presumably allow the league to more-than make up for any reduction in rights fees or inventory on the part of its incumbents.
As has been reported numerous times, Amazon is believed to be a leading contender for NBA rights. Per the Front Office Sports report, the company is interested in a Tuesday or Thursday night package in the mold of Thursday Night Football. (Front Office Sports 10.22)
ESPN, MLB, can opt-out of deal after 2025
ESPN can opt-out of its Major League Baseball rights deal after the 2025 season, the New York Post reported Monday, an aspect of the company’s seven-year rights deal that apparently had not been previously disclosed. ESPN currently pays $560 million per year for an MLB package featuring Sunday night and Wild Card playoff games, a reduction in money and inventory from the prior deal.
Per the report, MLB can also choose to opt out of the ESPN deal at that time. It was not clear whether there is a similar opt out in Fox Sports or Warner Bros. Discovery’s respective deals.
News of the opt-out clause comes as ESPN prepares to bid on rights to the NBA and College Football Playoff. (NYP 10.23)
ESPN adds a second Rivers, Iguodala, for NBA coverage
ESPN has hired former NBA players Austin Rivers and Andre Iguodala as NBA analysts, it was announced Monday. Rivers will work at least one game with his father, new ESPN lead NBA analyst Doc Rivers. Additional newcomers include former New York Knicks GM Scott Perry, who will work in the studio, and WNBA Sun coach Stephanie White — who has been a college basketball analyst for ESPN. WNBA Aces coach Becky Hammon will also return to her role on ESPN’s NBA coverage. (ESPN conference call)
