The National Basketball Association wants to double the value of its domestic media rights deals in the next cycle, according to the Wall Street Journal newspaper.
The league has entered preliminary discussions with media company Walt Disney and Time Warner’s Turner Broadcasting about extending deals beyond the conclusion of the 2015-16 season, the report said.
The broadcasters currently have eight-year deals in place. Walt Disney’s deal is worth about $485m (€357m) per year, while Turner’s agreement is worth $445m per year.
The newspaper said that the league may share coverage of the NBA finals between the two media companies on a non-exclusive basis in the next cycle. The finals are currently only shown on Disney’s ABC network, but Turner would like to secure coverage.
NBA team owners were due to meet today (Tuesday) to discuss media-rights deals and other matters.