NBA takes over operation of NBA TV from TNT Sports

The NBA has officially taken over control of NBA TV from TNT Sports, according to Austin Karp of Sports Business Journal.

The league will now handle all programming, with original content set to launch on Oct. 13.

For now, the network will feature a mix of preseason games, season previews and hosted studio shows.

TNT Sports had operated NBA TV since the 2008-09 season, producing playoff games each year — including its final batch this past postseason. 

The two sides exchanged proposals earlier this year, but sources told SBJ the economics didn’t work for either party.

Several employees at both NBA TV and NBA.com, previously operated by Turner, had told Hoops Wire they were uncertain of their futures with the outlets. But that was back in June.

It seems those questions have been answered, at least for now, as the league is expected to keep most, if not all, of the Turner employees for the upcoming season.

That said, you do have to wonder about the future of the network if it’s no longer going to air live games.

Instead, all national NBA games will air or stream on ESPN/ABC, NBC, Amazon Prime, or League Pass.