ESPN expressing interest in NBA regional broadcast rights

The bidding for the NBA’s future local broadcast platform may already be heating up.

After Sports Business Journal reported that YouTube has emerged as the leading candidate to host the league’s planned local streaming hub beginning in 2027-28, ESPN has now publicly confirmed its interest as well.

According to Awful Announcing, ESPN chairman Jimmy Pitaro said the network wants to be involved in the NBA’s long-term local media plans and is open to carrying in-market games on a non-exclusive basis.

“It does not have to be exclusive,” Pitaro said during a CNBC conference attended by NBA commissioner Adam Silver. “We have never once said that we require exclusivity for local, in-market rights. We’re perfectly comfortable with doing something non-exclusive.”

The NBA has been working toward creating a centralized destination for local broadcasts after the collapse of the regional sports network model. Silver has said the league hopes to launch the platform for the 2027-28 season.

Teams impacted will continue using individual local broadcast arrangements for the upcoming season.

Earlier this week, Sports Business Journal reported YouTube is considered the early favorite to land the streaming hub, which could eventually include more than 20 NBA teams.

One of the biggest remaining questions is whether clubs with lucrative local television deals — such as the Lakers and Knicks — would participate, Awful Announcing noted. Pitaro’s comments suggest ESPN would be willing to carry those teams on a non-exclusive basis while allowing them to maintain existing regional agreements.

Silver has acknowledged the league is still evaluating multiple options before settling on a long-term solution for local broadcasts.