NBA News Wire
NBA roundup: Lucrative media rights deal will affect bargaining
Alan is an expert gambling writer who works as one of the chief editors for Basketball Insiders. He has been covering online gambling and sports betting for over 8 years, having written for the likes of Sportlens, Compare.bet, The Sports Daily, 90min, and TopRatedCasinos.co.uk. His particular specialisms include US online casinos and gambling regulations, and soccer and basketball betting. Based in London, Alan holds an MA in English Literature and is a passionate supporter of Chelsea FC.
All posts by Alan DraperUpdated9 hours ago on April 18, 2024
New media rights deals with Turner and ESPN could bring the NBA as much as a 186 percent revenue increase over its existing broadcasting rights deal, which runs through 2015-16.
“I’m sure both sides will be studying this new deal and seeking to assure that it remains a fair deal to both sides,” NBA commissioner Adam Silver said Monday.
The Sports Business Journal reported the eight-year deal confirmed by the league Monday would be worth $2.66 billion per year, increasing the number of games televised exponentially and adding elements of digital streaming and exclusive content to partners under the ESPN and Turner Sports umbrella.
The rights deal begins with the 2016-2017 season and is widely expected to impact the next round of collective bargaining talks with players. LeBron James, for example, is on record as saying he preferred short-term deals until the next CBA is ratified. It is likely maximum contract levels will be greatly adjusted or eliminated.
Silver said he is already engaged in conversation with the players’ association and was scheduled to meet Monday night with new director Michele Roberts.
The current eight-year deals ends in June 2016. ESPN pays $485 million per year and Turner pays $445 million per year on average in the current agreement.
Projections based on current figures indicate the 2015-16 salary cap could increase from $58.7 million last season to $91 million in 2016-17.
—Dallas Mavericks coach Rick Carlisle said Jameer Nelson will get the first crack at earning the starting point guard job.
Nelson averaged 12.6 points and 5.4 assists in 10 seasons with the Orlando Magic before joining the Mavericks this offseason. Dallas also has veteran point guards Devin Harris and Raymond Felton.
—Los Angeles Lakers guard Nick Young underwent successful surgery to repair a torn radial collateral ligament in the thumb. The surgery was performed by Dr. Steven Shin of the Kerlan-Jobe Orthopaedic Clinic.
Young is expected to miss approximately eight weeks.
