Folks, hold onto your gavels because we’ve got a legal showdown brewing that’s hotter than a courtside seat at the NBA Finals! Warner Bros. Discovery (WBD), the powerhouse behind AEW’s broadcast, is taking the NBA to court over a streaming deal that’s causing more drama than a WrestleMania main event.
The Lawsuit Slam Dunk
Here’s the play-by-play: The NBA decided to ink an 11-year streaming deal with Amazon, which didn’t sit well with WBD. They filed a lawsuit on July 26, alleging their contractual right to match Amazon’s offer was sidelined faster than a benched rookie. Initially, the NBA had until August 15 to respond, but both parties agreed to push the deadline to August 23. The Judge, in a move worthy of a ref’s whistle, approved this new date.
The Legal Layup
If the NBA opts to dismiss the complaint, WBD has until September 20 to counter, and the NBA can respond by October 2. It’s a legal dance-off, folks, and the stakes are as high as a slam dunk contest.
Big Bucks Broadcasting
Meanwhile, the NBA isn’t just cozying up with Amazon. They’ve also scored new deals with ESPN and NBC, each worth a cool $2 billion. This broadcast bonanza is more than just a footnote for AEW fans. With AEW’s media rights up for grabs, Tony Khan’s wrestling empire could be impacted by the outcome of this legal rumble.
Tony Khan’s European Escapade
Speaking of Tony Khan, he’s been jet-setting around Europe, meeting with WBD CEO David Zaslav in Paris. Khan took to social media to gush about the trip, but the details of AEW’s future broadcast home remain as elusive as a masked luchador. AEW is reportedly out of its exclusive negotiating window with WBD, meaning they can chat up other broadcasters.