In a potential shakeup for the NBA broadcasting landscape, Comcast's NBC Universal is said to be preparing a massive bid to take over the role of the NBA national broadcaster currently held by TNT. The news, originally reported by The Wall Street Journal on Monday, has sparked speculation about the future of NBA coverage.

Turner has been broadcasting NBA games since 1988, initially starting with random prime-time games on TBS before eventually moving them to TNT for marquee matchups. However, NBC Universal's reported bid of $2.5 billion could result in a significant change in the broadcasting landscape.

The proposed bid comes at a time when Warner Brothers Discovery, the parent company of Turner, is facing financial challenges, potentially limiting their ability to match NBC Universal's offer. While NBC Universal aims to secure the NBA broadcasting rights, the league has already reached initial agreements with Disney (ESPN and ABC) and Amazon (Prime streaming) for game broadcasts.

NBC Universal's plans for NBA coverage, if successful, remain unclear. It is uncertain whether exclusive games would be featured on NBC's streaming service, Peacock, or on their linear channels such as local networks and USA, or even both. It is worth noting that if the deal follows a similar structure to those made with Disney and Amazon, it could span a decade.

The potential shift in broadcasting rights raises questions about the future of Turner's flagship show, "Inside the NBA." Should Turner lose the NBA coverage, the fate of the popular show remains uncertain.

Interestingly, musician John Tesh has publicly stated that NBC's old NBA theme song, "Roundball Rock," is available for licensing. This iconic theme song from NBC's previous era of NBA coverage could potentially make a comeback if NBC Universal secures the rights.

As negotiations progress, the NBA broadcasting landscape could see significant changes with the potential entry of NBC Universal. Time will tell whether the reported bid proves successful and how it will shape the future of NBA coverage for millions of basketball fans around the world.