NBA's $2.6 Billion TV Deals A 'Game-Changer' For Timberwolves
MINNEAPOLIS (WCCO) - The NBA announced a contract extension Monday--new TV deals with ESPN and TNT that will affect not only the games you see on television, but the entire economic model of the league itself.
And possibly the makeup of the Timberwolves roster in the near future.
The new deals nearly triple the league's annual TV revenue, from $930 million a year to $2.6 billion.
"It's a game-changer for the league," Timberwolves coach and president of basketball operations Flip Saunders said. "I mean, basically, you're going to get so much money."
Where exactly all that money will go when it kicks in two years from now is yet to be determined.
"No one knows how they're going to cut the pie or anything else," said Saunders, who also has a small ownership stake in the Wolves. "So I guess you kind of have to wait and see the dynamics."
The money could complicate attempts at reaching long-term contracts with players in the meantime. Some, like LeBron James, signed shorter deals so they'll be free agents in 2016--to take advantage of what's expected to be a large increase in the salary cap. There's a lot unknown until that gets figured out.
"When everyone knows what the full dynamics is, then they can deal with it," Saunders said.
Trouble is, the Wolves have a contract situation looming with Ricky Rubio that needs to be addressed. They have until end of the month to negotiate a new deal, or he'll be a restricted free agent at the end of the season.
"With guys [whose contracts] are up right now, you're always dealing with living in the present," Saunders said. "That's how it always works. And any type of situation, if [players] are looking to sign deals, they're looking for security, is what it boils down to."
Rubio says he hasn't thought about how it could affect him.
"No," he said. "I mean, it's good for the players, more money. But I just play basketball because I love basketball."