WBD Settles with NBA; 'Inside the NBA' with Barkley and O'Neal Moves to ESPN/ABC

Nov 17, 2024, 03:08 AM

Warner Bros. Discovery (WBD) has settled its breach of contract lawsuit against the National Basketball Association (NBA), reaching an agreement that will keep the company in business with the league for at least the next decade. As part of the settlement, WBD will license its popular basketball studio show, "Inside the NBA," to ESPN and ABC starting next season. The show's hosts, including Charles Barkley, Shaquille O'Neal, Ernie Johnson, and Kenny Smith, will remain employees of WBD but will appear on ESPN/ABC during key moments of the NBA season. Additionally, WBD will continue operating NBA TV and has gained new digital and international rights to develop NBA content, particularly in parts of Northern Europe and Latin America, excluding Mexico. This agreement resolves the months-long legal dispute between WBD and the NBA over television rights, which included WBD's challenge to the NBA's awarding of a rights package to Amazon. The settlement positions both companies for future collaboration.