Part 2/10:
For years, insiders have argued that networks are not turning a profit solely from NBA broadcasts. This suspicion is supported by the fact that TNT, a former NBA partner, was willing to let the league walk, signaling that the league might not be as lucrative as believed. ESPN, on the other hand, depends heavily on NBA content, especially from October through June, which includes regular season games, playoffs, the draft, free agency, and summer league coverage. The league essentially fuels ESPN’s programming calendar, making it almost indispensable to their content lineup.