The Return Of The NBA On NBC: 7 Reasons Fans Are Celebrating The New $76 Billion Deal
The iconic "NBA on NBC" is officially back, marking the end of a 23-year hiatus that left a nostalgic void in the hearts of basketball fans. As of today, December 10, 2025, the new era of the NBA on NBCUniversal is in full swing, ushering in a revolutionary new media rights deal that promises to reshape how we watch the league. The return is not just a simple re-acquisition of rights; it is a massive, 11-year, multi-platform commitment worth billions that brings the league back to its spiritual home while simultaneously embracing the future of streaming through Peacock.
This landmark agreement, which began with the 2025-2026 season, has already delivered on its promise of blending beloved nostalgia with cutting-edge production. From the return of a legendary theme song to the assembly of a star-studded broadcast team featuring an unprecedented lineup of Hall of Fame talent, here are the seven biggest reasons why the return of the NBA on NBC is the most important story in sports media right now.
The New Era: Key Details of the NBA on NBCUniversal Deal
The original "NBA on NBC" run from 1990 to 2002 is widely regarded as the golden age of basketball broadcasting, coinciding perfectly with the rise of Michael Jordan and the Chicago Bulls dynasty. After more than two decades, NBCUniversal successfully wrestled a significant portion of the league’s media rights away from long-time partner TNT, securing an 11-year deal alongside incumbents ESPN/ABC and new streaming partner Amazon Prime Video.
This new agreement is a massive financial commitment, part of the NBA’s overall $76 billion media rights package, and it positions NBC and its streaming service, Peacock, as central pillars of the league's national coverage.
- Partnership Duration: 11 years, beginning with the 2025-2026 season.
- Total Games: Approximately 100 regular-season games per season, plus playoff coverage.
- Broadcast Platforms: NBC (broadcast network), Peacock (streaming), Telemundo, and Sky Sports (international coverage).
- Marquee Nights: The package is built around three dedicated nights of national coverage: "Peacock NBA Monday," "Coast 2 Coast Tuesday," and "NBC Sunday Night Basketball."
1. The Glorious Return of 'Roundball Rock'
For millions of fans, the sound of the NBA is not the squeak of sneakers or the roar of the crowd—it is the iconic, driving saxophone and synth melody of "Roundball Rock." The theme song, composed by John Tesh, was synonymous with the original NBA on NBC era and its absence was deeply felt after 2002.
NBC Sports confirmed that "Roundball Rock" has made its long-awaited return, serving as the official theme music for the new broadcasts on both NBC and Peacock. This move is the ultimate nod to nostalgia, instantly linking the new era to the magic of the 1990s and creating an immediate emotional connection with the fanbase. The return of the anthem was one of the most celebrated announcements of the entire media rights negotiation.
2. A Dream Team of Broadcast Talent: From Mike Tirico to Michael Jordan
NBCUniversal has assembled a staggering roster of on-air talent, blending established voices with NBA legends, creating a broadcast team designed to appeal to every generation of fan.
The new line-up is arguably the most star-studded in television history, featuring a mix of play-by-play experts, Hall of Fame analysts, and dynamic courtside reporters.
The New NBA on NBC Broadcast Roster
- Lead Play-by-Play: Mike Tirico, the network's top voice, anchors the coverage.
- Co-Lead Analyst: Reggie Miller, known for his long tenure with TNT, has moved to NBC as a co-lead color commentator.
- Game Analysts: A deep bench of analysts including Grant Hill, Jamal Crawford, Austin Rivers, Robbie Hummel, and Brian Scalabrine.
- Studio Analysts (The Legends): In a move that shocked the industry, NBC secured an unbelievable cast of all-time greats for its studio show, including Michael Jordan, Vince Carter, Carmelo Anthony, and Tracy McGrady. This concentration of legendary players in one studio is a major coup, providing unparalleled insight and topical authority.
- Play-by-Play Team: Noah Eagle, Terry Gannon, and Michael Grady round out the play-by-play duties.
- Courtside Reporters: Zora Stephenson, Ashley ShahAhmadi, and Jordan Cornette.
3. The Streaming Revolution: Peacock NBA Monday
The new deal is a clear sign of the NBA's embrace of streaming. While the original run was purely broadcast, the 2.0 version heavily leverages Peacock, NBCUniversal’s streaming platform.
The network is dedicating a significant portion of its package to the new "Peacock NBA Monday" slate. This move ensures that fans have access to a high volume of games—100 regular-season games in total—and positions Peacock as a must-have service for basketball enthusiasts. The platform is also set to feature "unprecedented product features" tailored for the NBA fan, including alternate broadcasts and enhanced viewing options.
4. The New Marquee Nights: Coast 2 Coast Tuesday & Sunday Night Basketball
NBC is strategically programming its games to maximize viewership, creating new appointment viewing nights for the league.
- Coast 2 Coast Tuesday: This night will feature two national games, often a doubleheader, with one game airing on the NBC broadcast network and both streaming on Peacock.
- NBC Sunday Night Basketball: The return of Sunday night games to broadcast television, a concept that will debut in 2026, is a key component of the package, providing a dedicated weekend slot for top matchups.
5. The Legacy of the Golden Age: Why the Original Run Was So Iconic
The initial "NBA on NBC" era (1990-2002) was a perfect storm of cultural relevance and broadcast excellence. It coincided with the peak of the Chicago Bulls’ six championships and the global explosion of Michael Jordan’s fame.
The network’s presentation, led by executive Dick Ebersol, was cinematic, energetic, and helped transform the league into a global entertainment powerhouse. Iconic moments broadcast during this time include Jordan’s "Last Shot" against the Utah Jazz in the 1998 Finals and the rise of rivalries like the Bulls vs. Knicks and Bulls vs. Pistons.
The original broadcast teams, featuring legendary voices like Bob Costas, Ahmad Rashad, and Mike Fratello, set a high standard for sports commentary, one that the new team is clearly aiming to match.
6. The End of the TNT Era and the Rise of New Competition
The return of NBC is inextricably linked to the end of the long-running "NBA on TNT" era. The new deal sees TNT lose its broadcast rights, a major shake-up that eliminates the beloved Inside the NBA studio show in its current form.
This shift means the new NBCUniversal package, along with the deals signed by ESPN/ABC and Amazon Prime Video, now defines the national landscape. The competition between these three partners will drive innovation, with NBC blending nostalgia with bench-level innovation to capture the attention of a new generation of fans.
7. WNBA and International Expansion
The NBCUniversal deal is not limited to the NBA. The agreement also includes a significant commitment to the WNBA, providing more national visibility for the women's league across NBC and Peacock.
Furthermore, the inclusion of Telemundo and Sky Sports ensures that the coverage is immediately global, reaching Spanish-speaking audiences in the US and international viewers in key markets. This multi-platform, multi-language approach underscores the comprehensive nature of the new partnership, solidifying the NBA's position as a truly global sport.
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