NBCUniversal has made a bold move by offering an average of $2.5 billion per year to regain the rights to air NBA games, potentially bringing back the iconic theme song “Roundball Rock” composed by John Tesh. This bid comes after losing the rights 22 years ago to Disney, and it signifies NBCUniversal’s eagerness to re-enter the world of NBA broadcasting.
The NBA is looking for three media partners this time around, with Disney and Amazon already in advanced negotiations for two of the packages. The third package could potentially go to either Warner Bros. Discovery or NBCUniversal, but not both. Warner Bros. Discovery, currently paying $1.2 billion for NBA rights, may find NBCUniversal’s offer of $2.5 billion to be too steep. This move highlights the vast difference in market capitalization between the two companies, with Comcast’s NBCUniversal dwarfing Warner Bros. Discovery.
Warner Bros. Discovery’s CEO, David Zaslav, has been focused on financial discipline since taking over the company. This has included cutting costs, reducing debt, and increasing free cash flow. Zaslav’s approach emphasizes long-term sustainability over short-term gains, which may influence the company’s decision on whether to pursue the NBA rights at a significantly higher cost.
“Roundball Rock” holds a special place in the hearts of nostalgic NBA fans who remember its association with “The NBA on NBC” during an era of Michael Jordan’s dominance and iconic basketball moments. The song’s cultural impact is evident in its ranking as the greatest sports TV theme by USA Today and its featured history in publications like The Ringer and even on “Saturday Night Live.”
If NBC Sports secures the rights to air NBA games once again, they will have the opportunity to license “Roundball Rock” from John Tesh, the song’s composer. Despite Fox Sports’ temporary acquisition of the theme for college basketball, the true essence of the song remains tied to its NBA origins. With the potential return of NBA games to NBC, fans can look forward to hearing “Roundball Rock” once more, invoking a sense of nostalgia and excitement for the future.
NBCUniversal’s ambitious bid for NBA rights not only represents a significant financial investment but also a cultural and emotional connection with basketball fans. The potential return of “Roundball Rock” serves as a testament to the enduring legacy of sports themes and the impact they can have on audiences across generations. Whether NBCUniversal ultimately secures the rights or not, the bid signifies a symbolic gesture towards rekindling the magic of NBA broadcasting and the beloved tune that accompanied it.