Warner Bros. Discovery Files Lawsuit Against NBA Over Media Rights
Mass media company says it matched Amazon’s offer; NBA spokesman says ‘claims without merit’
Warner Bros. Discovery Files Lawsuit Against NBA Over Media Rights On Friday, Warner Bros. Discovery (WBD) announced it is suing the National Basketball Association (NBA) following the league’s recent media rights agreements with other companies.
In a statement, TNT Sports, the sports television channels and broadcast divisions under Warner Bros. Discovery, explained, “The NBA’s unjustified rejection of our offer to match a third-party bid has compelled us to take legal action to uphold our rights.”
WBD believes that enforcing their rights is not only a contractual obligation but also serves the interests of fans who value the choice and flexibility provided by their platforms, including TNT and Max.
The lawsuit comes after the NBA turned down Warner Bros. Discovery’s proposal of $1.8 billion annually. On Wednesday, the NBA announced a new 11-year media rights deal with The Walt Disney Company, NBCUniversal, and Amazon Prime Video, which is projected to generate approximately $76 billion over the contract’s duration.
Warner Bros. Discovery claims it matched Amazon’s offer but was rejected. The company is now seeking to block the NBA from awarding the media rights to Amazon or to secure financial damages through the lawsuit filed in Manhattan’s New York court.
In response, NBA spokesman Mike Bass stated, “Warner Bros. Discovery’s claims are without merit, and our legal team will address them.”
Charles Barkley, an NBA Hall of Famer and television analyst for TNT and CBS Sports, criticized the NBA’s decision on Instagram. He suggested that TNT’s bid was undermined by the league’s preference for tech companies like Amazon, which he believes are more likely to pay for future rights increases.
Barkley lamented, “It’s a sad day when owners and commissioners prioritize money over the fans. It just sucks.”
Barkley, known for his role on TNT’s “Inside the NBA” alongside fellow Hall of Famer Shaquille O’Neal, former NBA player Kenny Smith, and sportscaster Ernie Johnson, continues to express his disappointment over the NBA’s move.
