Nov 18, 2024 - Business

Warner Bros. Discovery ends NBA lawsuit

Kerry Flynn

Giannis Antetokounmpo #34 of the Milwaukee Bucks dunks the ball during the second half of a basketball game against the Charlotte Hornets at Spectrum Center on November 16, 2024 in Charlotte, North Carolina. — Giannis Antetokounmpo. Photo: David Jensen/Getty Images

Warner Bros. Discovery has ended its lawsuit against the NBA and agreed to license TNT's "Inside the NBA" to Disney, the companies announced on Monday.

Why it matters: The deal is a major boost to WBD after what was seen as a brutal loss and precarious future without the NBA.

Catch up quick: In July, WBD sued the NBA over the league's decision to reject its matching rights in its new TV deal. The NBA had announced new deals with Disney, Comcast and Amazon.

Zoom in: WBD and the NBA have resolved their legal dispute and agreed to extend their partnership an additional 11 years, per WBD's and the NBA's announcements.

As part of the deal, WBD has rights to promote NBA content in TNT Sports and its digital brands, Bleacher Report and House of Highlights. It also secured a live games rights package for some non-U.S. territories, including the Nordics, Poland and parts of Latin America.
In a separate partnership with Disney-owned ESPN, "Inside the NBA" — its long-running studio show hosted by Charles Barkley, Ernie Johnson, Kenny Smith and Shaquille O'Neal — will air on ESPN and ABC. WBD also plans to develop new content with the talent of "Inside the NBA" for its own platforms.
The ESPN deal also grants TNT Sports exclusive rights to 13 games of Big 12 football and 15 games of men's basketball each season.

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Warner Bros. Discovery ends NBA lawsuit

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