The NBA is seeking a long-term media rights deal with ESPN and Turner having the inside track to continue as its primary partners. 

Turner now falls under the Warner Bros. Discovery umbrella run by CEO David Zaslav.

Zaslav said that the slumping ad market is hurting their bottom line. Zaslav also said they will stay disciplined in their negotiations with the NBA.

“We don’t have to have the NBA,” Zaslav said. 

Zaslav reiterated they would like to do a new deal with the NBA and even mentioned HBO Max as a possible home for streaming games. 

“It has to be a deal for the future. It can’t be a deal for the past,” Zaslav also said.

Turner recently signed Charles Barkley to a 10-year extension though he could leave if the network doesn't keep the NBA.