Plain English with Derek Thompson Why the New NBA Deal Is So Weird. Plus, How Sports Rights Actually Work.
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May 28, 2024 
John Ourand, a sports correspondent with Puck News, delves into the NBA's incredible new $76 billion media rights deal despite declining viewership. He tackles the paradox of rising revenue in a fragmented media landscape, contrasting it with the NFL's stable influence. Ourand discusses the complexities of sports contracts in the age of cord-cutting and highlights the growing prominence of the WNBA and other women's sports, emphasizing the need for new broadcasting agreements to harness their surging popularity.
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Exclusive Broadcasting Rights
- The NBA's new media rights deal involves selling broadcasting rights to companies like ESPN, Amazon, and NBC.
- These companies will control all NBA games, making them exclusive to their platforms.
Evolving Revenue Streams
- Traditionally, broadcasters profited from sports rights through advertising.
- Cable companies changed the game with dual revenue streams: ads and subscriber fees from cable operators.
Streaming's Impact
- Streaming further shifts the model by driving subscriptions.
- Exclusive streaming of games attracts subscribers to services like ESPN+ and Peacock.