Oct 16, 2024 - Business

TNT signs deal with 3-on-3 women's hoops league

TNT Sports struck a multiyear media rights deal with Unrivaled, the 3-on-3 women's basketball league launched by two WNBA stars.

Why it matters: Warner Bros. Discovery, TNT's parent, continues to gobble up sports rights in preparation for losing its NBA contract.

Zoom in: TNT Sports will air 45 games in primetime across three nights each week, beginning in January, the companies said.

Two games a week will air on TNT, with truTV carrying a third game. All games will also be streamed on Max.
The inaugural season tips off Jan. 17, 2025.
The agreement includes an undisclosed stake TNT will take in the league.

Catch up quick: The offseason women's league was founded by Brianna Stewart and fellow WNBA star Napheesa Collier.

The league, which will use a 3-on-3 format, was formed to give WNBA players a domestic league to play in during their offseason, while seeking to bridge the pay gap between them and NBA counterparts.
Unrivaled will feature 30 players across six teams and already has commitments from Stewart, Collier, Chelsea Gray, Arike Ogunbowale, Kelsey Plum and Angel Reese to play in the inaugural season.
All players will get equity in the league.

Between the lines: Unrivaled's media rights were negotiated by former ESPN chief John Skipper and David Levy, who spent 30 years at Turner.

Both Skipper and Levy's firm Horizon Sports & Experiences are also investors in the league.