NBA Reclaims Its Media Empire

The NBA is officially taking operational control of its NBA TV channel and NBA App from Warner Bros. Discovery, ending a 17-year partnership, as reported by The Hollywood Reporter. The move transforms the platforms into a unified, 24/7 global basketball hub, timed to coincide with the start of the league’s new $76 billion media rights deals.

• A new association: With its former partner largely out of the picture, the league is installing its own flagship studio show, The Association, featuring a panel that includes MJ Acosta-Ruiz, David Fizdale, and John Wall. The new program takes the place of the previous broadcast produced by TNT Sports, cementing the operational takeover.

• The global playbook: The reimagined service will air 60 regular-season games, but the real expansion is in the sheer volume of content. Through a deal with Sportradar, the NBA is opening up the entire basketball universe, streaming hundreds of live games from international leagues in Australia, China, and Spain, and showcasing its own developmental pipeline from the G League to top high school competitions.

• For the diehards: The goal is to create a one-stop shop for basketball fans, giving the league complete ownership of its relationship with its audience. "NBA TV and the NBA App are designed to be a connected, global hub for basketball coverage, delivering nonstop access to live games, original programming and exclusive behind-the-scenes-content," said Sara Zuckert, the NBA's Head of the NBA App. The league is also taking back direct control of its NBA League Pass streaming service from WBD.

By bringing its media operations in-house, the NBA is no longer just a sports league that licenses content; it's building its own global media company to own its fan relationships directly.

• Also on our radar: While the NBA builds its own platform, its new broadcast partners are also making moves, with NBC reviving its sports network to carry games. For those looking to understand the full scope of the league's new media landscape, SportsPro has a complete explainer on the new TV rights era. Meanwhile, Warner Bros. Discovery, the company on the other side of this transition, is reportedly being eyed by Paramount for a potential acquisition.