When Utah Jazz All-Star Rudy Gobert tested positive for the coronavirus last Wednesday, it triggered the NBA and other sports leagues to suspend play. If those postseasons happen, the leagues will able to preserve most, if not all, of those rights fees,” says media rights expert Chris Bevilacqua, who has negotiated dozens of sports media rights deals. The current deal, signed with ESPN and TNT in 2014, pays the NBA $24 billion over nine years, tripling the prior deal. Leagues and their media partners are used to this negotiating dance for missed games. The season is about 80% complete, which would cost the average player roughly $1.5 million if the regular season doesn’t resume and owners trigger the provision.

Source: Forbes March 17, 2020 18:57 UTC