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Now that the NBA is getting $77 billion over the next 11 years for broadcasting rights, could I just have just … $10 million? That’s like someone who makes $100,000 a year giving me $140.
NBA Goes Prime
League rejects TNT’s attempt to match
There’s never a dull moment in the NBA. (Unless it’s like two-plus days into 2024 free agency. By then, the cupboard got pretty bare quite quickly.) As we enter the doldrums of the summer schedule and patiently await Olympic hoops to begin, the NBA threw some drama, intrigue and possible litigation into the mix. The league recently agreed to a new “landmark” media rights deal with ESPN/ABC, NBC and Amazon Prime. Warner Bros. Discovery had the opportunity to match one of the offers and announced intentions to do just that.
It was assumed WBD/Turner Sports would match Amazon Prime’s offer. Yesterday, the NBA confirmed WBD/Turner’s intentions but explained why TNT’s league broadcasting could end after the 2024-25 season:
“Warner Bros. Discovery’s most recent proposal did not match the terms of Amazon Prime Video’s offer and, therefore, we have entered into a long-term arrangement with Amazon.”
If you expected WBD/Turner to just accept that, I have two words and an exclamation mark for you: You fool! Turner Sports put out its own statement, saying it doesn’t believe the NBA has the right to reject its offer to match Amazon. Then, Turner did some remarkable PR lawyering by saying the NBA is rejecting the many fans who consume TNT’s stellar hoops coverage. Turner also said it will “take appropriate action.” I smell a lawsuit (and maybe a Beef Court session later this summer)!
We’re experiencing basically the same thing with Glen Taylor and the Alex Rodriguez/Marc Lore partnership fighting over purchasing terms for the Minnesota Timberwolves. Even if WBD/Turner Sports won its own battle, Amazon could come in and “take appropriate action” to justify its own deal. I bet Jeff Bezos has no problem delivering subpoenas with free two-day shipping.
WBD/Turner Sports did not attempt to go after NBC’s portion of the deal, which makes sense when you read how big a hit it could be. NBC will try to craft its NBA coverage in the same mold as its NFL broadcasting. Ultimately, even if WBD/Turner Sports takes this to court, I don’t see how it comes close to getting a deal done. The company has only itself to blame. WBD/Turner Sports tried to treat these negotiations like teams treat restricted free agents who can simply have offers negotiated elsewhere matched by their original squad – they could’ve simply done what was necessary to keep NBA rights. Or maybe this is all one big show just to not look bad for losing the NBA to Amazon Prime.
Gold, Jerry! Gold!
Can the world ruin the men’s team’s summer?
In 1992, the Dream Team set the United States basketball standard for winning only gold. The 2004 team’s failure set up the redemption arc of USA men’s basketball. The C and D teams the U.S. has sent during recent FIBA World Cup action (including last year) have allowed for hope amongst other countries in the Olympics. Now, we get to see if the world has truly closed the gap with America’s men’s talent, or if the A team can love when a plan comes together by still taking home the gold. Here is your men’s Olympic basketball primer!
Who is the biggest challenge to Team USA? According to the betting odds at BetMGM, Canada (+1000), France (+1400) and Serbia (+1600) are the United States’ (-650) biggest competitors. Three years ago, France lost the gold medal game to Team USA in the previous Olympics with a close 87-82 contest. This time, the French will have Victor Wembanyama in the mix. Canada last qualified for the Olympics in 2000. More than half its roster wasn’t in kindergarten yet. The country hasn’t medaled since 1936! And Serbia has a good roster led by Nikola Jokić, who remains the best player in the world. Australia and Germany are also good threats. Greece has Giannis Antetokounmpo. Spain is done as a threat, though.
Who stands to benefit the most from the Team USA experience? Anthony Edwards is the easy and correct answer. The 22-year-old is quickly becoming the face of the NBA, and we’ve seen a great history of young players learning another level of professionalism from this experience.
Who wins Group A? Australia and Canada should get out of this group with Canada leading the way. That leaves Spain and Greece trying to be one of the wild-card teams.
Who wins Group B? France and Germany should be the top two teams, and it would be shocking if France isn’t 3-0 in group play. I don’t think Brazil or Japan can grab a wild-card spot.
Who wins Group C? Team USA should win the group, and Serbia should make it out as well. Puerto Rico and South Sudan might be battling for that last wild-card spot.
What’s the official Bounce prediction? Team USA over France for the gold medal. Serbia over Canada for the bronze.
Team USA’s opening game: Sunday at 11:15 a.m. ET vs. Serbia.
Listen! Jared Weiss and Joe Vardon break down their Olympic basketball preview.
We Love Gold!
Team USA’s women have one ideal outcome
There is a lot less potential drama when it comes to the women’s side of Olympic basketball. Other countries are developing talent and programs to attempt to catch up, but we’re a long way from Team USA truly being challenged. Here’s everything you need to know for the women’s tournament for Olympic hoops.
Who is the biggest challenge to Team USA? Itself? An asteroid careening toward Earth that only a team of oil drillers can dismantle? Maybe some Batman villains could pose a threat, but I’m not remotely certain they could give the USA women any trouble. Team USA is favored at -1400. France and Australia have the next best odds at +2200. Outside of that, the challengers against the American women aren’t nearly as deep a pool as the men’s side.
Who stands to benefit the most from the Team USA experience? Sabrina Ionescu (26 years old) and Jackie Young (also 26) are the youngest players on the squad. They should both benefit tremendously from this veteran international group.
Who wins Group A? Spain and China are the two best teams in Group A, with Serbia and Puerto Rico both pulling long odds for the tournament overall.
Who wins Group B? Australia and France are the two favorites outside of Team USA, so they should definitely advance from this group. Maybe Canada can pull an upset or steal a wild-card spot. Nigeria likely won’t move on, no matter what.
Who wins Group C? Team USA will take the group. Then, it’s between Belgium and Japan (both at +2500 for the tournament) to grab the other advancing spot. The one who doesn’t is good enough to grab a wild card, if the numbers shake out that way. Germany probably goes home.
What’s the official Bounce prediction? Team USA over Australia for the gold medal. France over Spain for the bronze.
Team USA’s opening game: Monday at 3 p.m. ET vs. Japan.
Bounce Passes
John Hollinger has the biggest disappointments from summer league.
Law Murray breaks down how every pick in the 2024 draft did in summer league action. Yes, even Bronny James!
Will this really be Victor Wembanyama’s signature shoe?
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(Top photo: Joe Murphy / Getty Images )
