With WBD Back In Discussion For NBA TV Rights, How Does That Effect AEW?

In a surprising turn of events, Warner Bros Discovery has reportedly gotten back in the mix at securing some NBA television rights after WBD CEO David Zaslav almost let his deal slip through his fingers, but what does that mean for AEW?

However, there is a caveat to this new potential deal. According to Front Office Sports, WBD, specifically TNT, would be in negotiation for a smaller fourth package that would include regular season and potential playoff games. Turner Sports has a 40-year relationship with the NBA so them not longer being associated with one another would be a historic change.

Speaking on OutKick, NBA legend Charles Barkley expressed his biggest concern if the league were to leave the platform and touches upon his "barely there" relationship with Zaslav.

"200 people are gonna lose their jobs. They got families and things like that. Bills and everything so I feel bad for them, and it really sucks.

I think our network has done an awful job as far as like keeping people abreast of what's happening. It really is a crazy situation. The worst thing about it is we got another year no matter what happens so I hope we don't have a lame duck year cause that would really be unfair to all the people we work with and those are the main people I'm concerned with.

We really don’t have any type relationship with the new people. That’s the truth of the matter. I’ve only met the new boss twice for a couple minutes."

While Turner Sports has a longer relationship with the NBA, their ties to pro wrestling is also pretty historic. With a potential smaller package on the forefront, this could open WBD up to have the best of both worlds as it keeps providing two live products for its viewers. However, that could also mean AEW has less leverage at securing a better deal or finding one on the open market if the negotiation window expires.