Turner Broadcasting Systems (TBS) is close to a deal that would give the network NBA cable TV rights, according to The Hollywood Reporter.
Published reports say Turner has already re-signed with the NBA for an estimated $1.2 billion over four more years, a more than 16% increase over his current four-year $840 million contract that expires at the end of the 2001-02 basketball season.
The NBA is also in negotiations with NBC and ABC over the league?s broadcast rights. According to sources close to the talks, Turner wants a deal that calls for airing NBA games on Turner Network Television and a new cable network to be jointly-owned by Turner parent AOL Time Warner and the NBA.