Warner Bros. Discovery, NBA settle with new deal; ‘Inside the NBA’ to ABC: Reports

[CRAIG NIGRELLI]

WARNERS BROS DISCOVERY IS BACK IN THE GAME WHEN IT COMES TO THE NBA. THOUGH THE COMPANY WILL NO LONGER BE AIRING GAMES ON ITS TNT NETWORK AFTER THIS SEASON, THE WALL STREET JOURNAL AND OTHER OUTLETS REPORT THE TWO SIDES HAVE COME TO AN AGREEMENT TO KEEP NBA PROGRAMMING IN THE WARNER BROS FAMILY.

THE REPORTS SAYS THE NEW DEAL WILL SETTLE WARNER BROTHERS DISCOVERY’S BREACH OF CONTRACT LAWSUIT FILED AGAINST THE LEAGUE AFTER THE NBA SIGNED RIGHTS DEALS WITH DISNEY’S ESPN, COMCAST’S NBC, AND AMAZON.

THIS 11-YEAR AGREEMENT WILL SEE NBA CONTENT REMAIN ON WARNER BROS DISCOVERY’S DIGITAL PLATFORMS BLEACHER REPORT AND HOUSE OF HIGHLIGHTS.

IT ALSO GIVES WBD THE RIGHT TO DISTRIBUTE GAMES OVERSEAS IN PLACES SUCH AS NORTHERN EUROPE AND PARTS OF LATIN AMERICA, EXCLUDING MEXICO AND BRAZIL.

REPORTS SAY WARNER BROS DISCOVERY ALSO STRUCK A DEAL WITH DISNEY TO LICENSE ITS POPULAR TNT SHOW “INSIDE THE NBA” FEATURING FORMER PLAYERS TURNED COMMENTATORS SHAQUILLE O’NEAL AND CHARLES BARKLEY STARTING NEXT SEASON. THE SHOW WILL AIR THROUGHOUT THE SEASON ON ABC AND ESPN.

THE DEALS ARE EXPECTED TO BE OFFICIALLY ANNOUNCED THIS WEEK.