Warner Bros. Discovery has informed the NBA that it is exercising its contractual right to match one of three bids for an NBA package. It did not say which one in a statement today, but Deadline understands it is Amazon's package, worth $1.8 billion a year.
Warner Bros. Discovery offers to match Amazon's bid for NBA rights
“We reviewed the offers and matched one of them,” WBD said, “to ensure fans can continue to enjoy our unparalleled coverage, including the industry’s best live gaming productions and our iconic studio shows and talent, as we build on our proven 40-year commitment for many years to come.
“Our matching papers were filed with the league today. We look forward to the NBA executing our new contract.”
There was no word on that in today’s statement, of course, but Amazon may have offered to put up a large cash sum, The Ringer’s Bill Simmons told Puck, locking the deal into escrow for several years. Deadline understands that WBD has a signed letter of credit from banks that would allow it to do so.
