WBD Files Lawsuit Against NBA Over Broadcast Rights Rejection
NEW YORK, NY – Warner Bros. Discovery (WBD) has initiated legal action against the NBA after the league dismissed its matching offer for broadcasting rights, thereby ending a four-decade-long partnership.
The lawsuit, filed Thursday under seal in New York County Supreme Court, follows the NBA’s decision to reject WBD’s $1.8 billion per year bid, favouring new 11-year contracts with Amazon, NBCUniversal, and Disney, set to begin in the 2025-26 season.
“Given the NBA’s unjustified rejection of our matching of a third-party offer, we have taken legal action to enforce our rights,” a WBD spokesperson stated. “We believe this is not only our contractual right but also in the best interest of fans who want to continue enjoying NBA content through our platforms, including TNT and Max.”
NBA spokesperson Mike Bass responded to the claims on Friday, asserting that the lawsuit is “without merit” and that the league’s lawyers will address the issue.
The new agreements, collectively valued at $76 billion, will see national games broadcast on Amazon Prime Video, NBC’s broadcast network and Peacock streaming service, and Disney’s ABC and ESPN platforms, including 75 regular-season games on TV.
“Our new global media agreements with Disney, NBCUniversal, and Amazon will maximize the reach and accessibility of NBA games for fans in the United States and around the world,” said NBA Commissioner Adam Silver.
WBD’s lawsuit follows recent indications from company executives that legal action was likely to enforce their matching rights. However, the NBA claimed WBD “did not match the terms” of the Amazon deal.
“Warner Bros. Discovery’s most recent proposal did not match the terms of Amazon Prime Video’s offer, and therefore, we have entered into a long-term arrangement with Amazon,” the NBA stated.
WBD criticized the NBA’s decision, accusing the league of misinterpreting contractual rights and pledging to take “appropriate action.”
“We have matched the Amazon offer, as we have a contractual right to do, and do not believe the NBA can reject it,” said a TNT spokesperson. “The league has grossly misinterpreted our rights with respect to the 2025-26 season and beyond, and we will take appropriate action.”
This dispute arises as legacy media companies struggle to retain audiences amid the rise of on-demand streaming services. Despite this, live sporting events have remained popular, providing a significant draw for traditional television viewers.
WBD retains broadcasting rights for events like the NCAA March Madness tournament, MLB, NHL, and NASCAR. However, the NBA is vital to its programming, particularly TNT’s highly rated “Inside the NBA” show.
On Friday, Charles Barkley condemned the NBA’s rejection of WBD’s offer, criticizing the league for prioritizing financial gain over fan loyalty.
“Clearly the NBA has wanted to break with us from the beginning. I’m not sure TNT ever had a chance,” Barkley wrote on Instagram. “The NBA didn’t want to piss off tech companies willing to pay for future rights. It’s a sad day when owners and commissioners choose money over the fans.”
