On the same day TNT Sports Chair and CEO Luis Silberwasser
reiterated the network’s desire to retain NBA media rights, sources tell SBJ that Warner Bros. Discovery and NBCUniversal will
not share a package -- meaning WBD has no choice but to outbid NBC’s reported $2.5 billion offer.
With the framework of deals currently in place with Disney and Amazon -- and with NBC in pursuit of a third major package -- there was speculation the league might consider a fourth, smaller deal with WBD that would perhaps allow TNT to broadcast Thursday night games only and maintain its popular studio show, "Inside the NBA."
Although it was widely presumed NBC would be against that scenario -- considering it would water down their package and hefty bid -- sources for the first time Wednesday confirmed it would be either NBC or TNT that end up with NBA media rights, not both.
While WBD has not yet been formally apprised of NBC's bid, sources continue to insist NBC is the frontrunner for a third package that would likely include a "Basketball Night in America" on Sundays following the NFL season on broadcast TV and two primetime weekly windows (alongside Peacock coverage). That potential reach, with a broadcast net like NBC, is above what WBD's universe has on cable. Sources also tell SBJ that WBD likely cannot match NBCU’s bid in total value. “NBC plus Peacock is a different animal," a source said.
The only factor in Turner’s favor, sources said, is its sentimental partnership with the league going back close to 40 years. "If you're WBD, there's the fact that you have been the home of the NBA for 40 years -- so what's that worth [to the NBA]?" the source said. "There's a name association among every sports fan when you ask them what network carries the NBA. They're probably going to say ESPN and TNT. But the most interesting things here on the NBC side is the broadcast piece, and how this helps propel Peacock to being a major service. Right now, they don't really have the critical mass. ... But for Turner, losing something you've had for 40 years will hurt a lot more than [NBC] not getting something they haven’t had for 20 years."
Other sources familiar with negotiations said Wednesday that WBD has had recent productive conversations with the league and expects those to continue.
However, in an interview with ESPN Chicago Wednesday, TNT studio host Charles Barkley described the tenuous situation at Turner. "It's 50-50 that we lose our part to NBC,'' Barkley told the show. "Am I concerned? 100% because as much as we have been partners with the NBA, for I think 40 years, you would think if it was close in a bidding war, we would get the benefit of the doubt. But clearly that's not happening...They're scared to death over here right now.
If NBC gets it, the Tuesday and Thursday night games that TNT is known for would be on Peacock instead?
