NBC Is A 'Player' To Potentially Broadcast NBA Games Including "Sunday Night Basketball" After Sunday Night Football

Source: The NBA’s current media deals expire after the 2024-25 season and the league is expecting a significant increase in annual payouts from their broadcasting partners.

According to a 2021 report, the NBA is looking to triple its rights fees from $2.6 billion annually to between $7 and $8 billion annually.

As for how that’s going to happen, it remains to be seen. ESPN/ABC is almost certainly going to remain in the mix, though not without stiff competition. NBC reportedly wants back in while Warner Bros. Discovery has waffled on its interest. And then there’s all of the requisite interest from streamers like Amazon.

“I would say TNT goes to Tuesday,” said Marchand, speculating about how the next media deal might shake out. “Thursday is Amazon. Possibly Apple, but Thursday Amazon. ESPN cuts down on the amount of games they have in terms of regular season, but still a lot… The in-season tournament, not sure yet.”

I can hear that Roundball Rock NBA on NBC song in my head just looking at this picture. If this happens and they don't bring that theme song back, we unfortunately will not be watching. Love this move though. This is the definition of reject modernity, embrace tradition. Having a Sunday Night Basketball is a little insane for us coastal elites, but imagine Lakers/Warriors at like midnight EST going right into a Monday? Pure scenes, especially for the gamblers of the world. 

If we're not going to get Roundball Rock back, at least let us get the Carrie Underwood hook singing some intro about playing some hoops on a Sunday night. This is of course all speculation, considering Amazon might just flex their muscle yet again and take all the fun out of this potential story. Or we'll just get some Apple TV+ NBA game like those dumb Friday nights in the MLB this season and they say to hell with nostalgia. Take us home: