In a major shakeup of the NBA's media rights landscape, industry insiders are predicting that Warner Bros. Discovery's TNT may be left out of the league's next media rights deal. The speculation comes as reports suggest that Amazon and NBC are poised to become new media partners for the NBA, along with Disney retaining a portion of the rights.

Bill Simmons, founder of The Ringer, shared his insights on the upcoming media rights deal during an appearance on The Town with Matthew Belloni. Simmons predicted that the NBA's partnership with TNT, a fixture since 1989, is coming to an end. He envisioned the league entering into agreements with three partners instead of two, with ESPN securing the Finals coverage and Amazon likely obtaining League Pass rights. Simmons also noted that NBC, including its streaming platform Peacock, may have a significant role in broadcasting NBA games, including the playoffs and potentially the In-Season Tournament.

While nothing has been officially confirmed, if TNT is indeed left without a media rights contract, there could be significant repercussions, including the uncertain future of popular show, Inside the NBA. Simmons hinted at potential revelations arising from the negotiations, labeling the possible exclusion of TNT as a seismic event that could lead to intriguing stories emerging.

Adding to the uncertainty, Simmons pondered the fate of NBA analysts and personalities such as Charles Barkley and Kenny Smith, should TNT no longer be a part of the media rights deal. He questioned whether ESPN might swoop in and offer them a lucrative deal, much like what was done with Joe Buck and Troy Aikman. The potential move of beloved NBA personalities from TNT to ESPN would undoubtedly become a captivating story in its own right.

As fans and industry experts await the NBA's official announcement regarding the new media rights deal, the notion that TNT, with its long-standing history of broadcasting NBA games, could be excluded seemed unimaginable even just a year ago. However, with the emergence of new players such as Amazon and the aggressive pursuit of NBC, the league's media landscape is set for a significant transformation.

In the coming weeks, all eyes will be on the NBA as they finalize their media rights deal, which will undoubtedly shape how fans consume the game for years to come. Whether the league's 35-year partnership with TNT comes to an end remains to be seen, but the winds of change are certainly blowing through the NBA's media landscape.