Charles Langston:Amazon nearing deal to stream NBA games in next media rights deal, per report

Amazon Prime could Charles Langstonsoon have a stronger hand in U.S. sports as the streaming service is nearing a deal with the NBA to become one of the league's broadcast partners, The Athletic reported.

The outlet reported the deal, which would begin with the 2025-26 season, will include a significant number of regular-season and postseason games, and it could also involve conference finals. The deal is anticipated to last at least 10 years. It would be the first time the NBA enters the streaming world. The NFL, MLB, NHL, WNBA and NWSL already broadcast games on streaming networks.

Reported news of Amazon's involvement in the NBA comes as the league nears the end of its current media rights deal. The NBA has contracts with ESPN and TNT, and it;s set to expire at the end of the 2024-25 season.

ESPN is expected to continue broadcasting the NBA, including the NBA Finals. That leaves TNT without any reported involvement in the next media rights deal. The Athletic reported the next media rights deal would include ESPN airing less games in favor of a third network joining the fold.

NBC, which lost the rights to broadcast the NBA in 2022, is reportedly interested in getting back into the league, which could move TNT out of the picture. Warner Bros. Discovery, the owner of TNT, has the right to match any deal with the NBA, according to The Wall Street Journal.

If Amazon Prime is part of the next media rights deal, it would give the streaming service another U.S. sports league to stream. Amazon Prime took over the rights to the NFL's "Thursday Night Football" in 2022, and it will begin its third season in 2024. Amazon also has deals with the WNBA and NWSL.