Part 4/10:
Such figures paint a challenging picture. While the NBA may see this as a fantastic financial opportunity—bargaining for billions over the rights—the network's perspective is starkly different. NBC’s diversified portfolio of programming makes the league less critical for its survival, unlike ESPN which is intertwined with NBA content. If the NBA deal becomes a money pit for NBC, it could jeopardize future partnerships and negotiations.
This scenario stands in contrast to TNT and ESPN, which historically have more leverage—either due to their longstanding relationships or their dependence on NBA content for their core audience. NBC’s risk emphasizes that the league cannot take such partnerships for granted, especially when a network's immediate financial interests are at stake.