The exclusive media rights negotiating window between the NBA and current partners Disney and Turner is open until April 22, and sources recently told Tom Friend of Sports Business Journal they believe the parties entered those negotiations roughly three-quarters of the way toward an agreement based on their preliminary talks in recent months.
According to Friend, those sources also expect the in-season tournament – now known as the Emirates NBA Cup – to be part of the Disney and Turner packages rather than going to a streaming service such as Apple or Netflix.
Once the current exclusive negotiating window closes on April 22, Amazon and Apple are expected to talk to the NBA, with Amazon considered the favorite for the league’s national streaming rights and Apple viewed as likelier to pursue a smaller “singular” event, such as perhaps the play-in tournament, says Friend. The SBJ report also suggests that NBC is a candidate to regain some broadcast rights.
NBA team executives think the overall media rights deal will end up being worth about $60-72 billion, with negotiations potentially concluding in June or July, Friend reports. The league’s previous media rights deal was worth $24 billion over nine years.
- Former NBA big man Jordan Bell is leaving the Indiana Mad Ants – the Pacers‘ G League affiliate – with a few weeks remaining in the NBAGL season. According to Scott Agness of Fieldhouse Files, Bell agreed to a buyout with the Mad Ants and is pursuing an international opportunity. Bell’s destination isn’t yet known, but Agness believes he’s likely headed back to the Chinese Basketball Association, where he played in 2022/23.
- In an Insider-only story for ESPN.com, Jonathan Givony and Jeremy Woo preview this week’s NCAA conference tournaments, posing 15 burning questions to be answered, including what version of UConn’s Stephon Castle will show up in the Big East tournament and whether Isaiah Collier‘s stock, which has bounced back since he returned from a hand injury in February, will continue to rise in the Pac-12 tourney.
- Kentucky freshman Reed Sheppard ranks second overall on the newest 2024 big board from Kevin O’Connor of The Ringer and is the No. 1 pick in O’Connor’s mock draft (to San Antonio).
- Law Murray of The Athletic takes a look at how all 30 NBA teams have adjusted their rotations and depth charts since the start of the season.
Mark my words, Reed Shepard will NOT be a productive NBA player. At best hes gonna be a roleplayer or ride the bench
The NBA Media Rights deals ….. If you want to know the REAL reason for rule changes ….. Ask ESPN ….. They are the mastermind …. Oh … you want us to pay how many billions $$$$ … ok …. Here is what we need to make it worth our while with advertising sales if we can increase viewership.
Reed Shepherd the #1 overall pick. LMAO! This is where we are folks. This is where we are with American basketball. That “gang life” many NBA players like to affiliate with, and the music that they all listen to that glorifies it has made the inner cities a different place. Places like Chicago, which used to be the Mecca for young basketball talent are completely dry. Kids can’t play basketball outside anymore … you will get shot …. Many others never play the game because it is now a video game world …. And the kids ain’t playing NBA2k anymore. When was the last time you saw an NBA player talking about NBA2k …. They are playing everything EXCEPT that …. Rule changes have completely taken the balance out of the game. “Fake” superstars are created because their is no physical play, and NO big man in the lane clogging it up. It’s just one big lane to drive through now. Got to get those stats!! No rule changes were done to improve the game …. They thought it would draw in more viewers. They are driving away hard core fans, and are left with Youngins who ain’t never watched nothing but highlights.
This is where we are …
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I really don’t care if you like my opinion or not. I speak the truth on the game. It’s truly a shame. Just another thing that Corporate Greed has ruined.
Absolute Facts that kids don’t play ball outside in Chicago any longer. Used to be the bread and butter of developing talent. Kids would literally play all day and night every day. No longer. Now the talent is dry and gene pool is completely changed. Derrick Rose #1 overall, Anthony Davis #1 overall, Jabari Parker #2 overall, Evan Turner #2 overall, Jahlil Okafor #3 overall …… These kids ALL came from the city of Chicago. All literally at the same time….. Chicago only has 1 player ranked in the top 100 in the country this year. Last year, had none.