Exclusive | Ian Eagle in serious talks to join Amazons NBA coverage in whopping media move
Amazon has its sights set on an elite NBA play-by-play broadcaster.Ian Eagle is in serious talks to join Amazon when its Prime Video streaming service adds NBA rights next season, The Post has learned.Sources said a deal has not been finalized.Eagle currently calls national NBA games on TNT and the Nets on YES Network.He is also the lead play-by-play voice for CBS and WBD’s NCAA Tournament coverage, and calls NFL games for CBS.An Amazon spokesperson declined to comment and a rep for Eagle did not immediately respond to a request for comment.Next season, the NBA is returning to NBC after more than two decades away.Mike Tirico and Noah Eagle — Ian’s son — are expected to be the two lead play-by-play broadcasters for the NBA on NBC.
The NBA has also agreed to terms with Amazon for a third package to join Disney/ESPN and NBC, but TNT’s parent company WBD has sued the NBA, saying that the league did not abide by matching rights in the previous contract.Nevertheless, it is the widespread expectation in sports media circles that one way or another Amazon will indeed be an NBA rightsholder next season.
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