In a groundbreaking move for sports media, the National Basketball Association (NBA) is edging closer to signing landmark streaming deals with Amazon Prime Video and ESPN, according to executives familiar with the talks. The agreements are set to revolutionize the way NBA games are broadcasted, with both services expected to become key platforms for the league's content.

Under the proposed deal, Amazon Prime Video would secure a significant package of regular season and postseason games, potentially including some conference finals. The contract, expected to span at least a decade, would commence from the 2025-2026 season. Similarly, ESPN/ABC is also finalizing a framework agreement that would extend for at least a decade, with plans to retain the Finals on their networks throughout the duration of the deal.

While the exact details are still being ironed out, all parties involved are optimistic about reaching a successful agreement. The NBA, Amazon, and ESPN declined to comment on the ongoing negotiations. The NBA is aiming to involve three companies in its new deals, but hasn't ruled out the possibility of adding a fourth.

These prospective deals mark the culmination of the NBA's existing nine-year contracts with ESPN and TNT Sports, which have collectively paid the league an average of $2.6 billion. Those contracts are set to conclude after the 2024-2025 season.

As discussions with Amazon and ESPN progress, Warner Bros. Discovery, the owner of TNT Sports, finds itself in competition with Comcast-owned NBC for the final bid. While Warner Bros. Discovery possesses the right to match any offers, NBC, armed with its streaming service Peacock, aims to structure an agreement that could pose a challenge.

As part of the negotiation process, adjustments to the current packages are anticipated in order to accommodate the addition of a third partner. ESPN, for instance, is expected to reduce its number of games from around 100 to approximately 80, per executives briefed on the talks.

Thursday nights could emerge as a prime slot for Amazon's regular-season NBA games, considering its existing NFL coverage during September to early January. In recent years, the NBA has deliberately avoided scheduling games on Thursdays to avoid direct competition with the NFL. Consequently, it is likely that Amazon would secure a significant portion of the NBA playoffs inventory.

Amazon's interest in global rights aligns with the NBA's strategy of concluding all of its domestic and international deals by the end of the 2024-2025 season, signifying the league's vision to position itself at the forefront of the streaming era.

With ESPN, Amazon, and the NBA all indicating confidence in finalizing their agreements, the spotlight now turns to TNT Sports, which has been broadcasting NBA games since 1984. The network faces stiff competition from NBC, the NBA's former lead partner until 2002. NBC, leveraging its Peacock streaming service, is eager to reclaim its place in the NBA broadcast landscape and is currently vying with Warner Bros. Discovery Sports for a deal.

The impending NBA streaming alliances with Amazon Prime Video and ESPN reflect the league's drive to embrace the future of sports media consumption. As the negotiations near their conclusion, basketball fans can anticipate a new era of viewing experiences for their favorite sport.

(Disclaimer: This article is based on the information provided by executives familiar with the talks and does not reflect official statements from the NBA, Amazon, or ESPN.