NBA 2025-26 Season: $76 Billion Media Deal, Franchise Growth & Rising Stars

The new NBA season gets under way on Tuesday, 21 October (00:30 BST Wednesday, 22 October) with 30 teams from across North America hoping this will be their year.

The NBA’s 80th season is opening with significant changes, including new media agreements that affect the league’s financial landscape, alongside a fresh wave of optimism among fans for the 2025-26 campaign. As the season kicks off, teams and supporters alike are looking forward to both established stars and rising talents contributing to what promises to be a competitive and exciting year in basketball.

• The NBA’s new $76 billion 11-year media deal increases team TV revenues to $143 million this season, pushing the league’s economic model closer to that of the NFL.
• NBA franchises averaged a value of $5.51 billion in 2024-25, with the lowest valued teams now worth $4 billion, reflecting massive growth over recent years.
• Fan optimism varies widely across the league, with the Oklahoma City Thunder leading in supporter hope at 9.6/10, whereas Brooklyn Nets’ fans show the least optimism at 2.8/10.
• Atlanta Hawks made a high-profile acquisition of Kristaps Porziņģis, recovering from a serious health issue, as part of their rebuilding effort led by new GM Onsi Saleh.
• Brandon Ingram, traded to the Toronto Raptors and battling through injury challenges, is set to prove his value and impact this season with his third team in the NBA.

Media deals and economic transformation of the NBA

The NBA begins its 80th season amid a remarkable growth in its media and financial landscape. With a historic new $76 billion, 11-year media deal, the league’s TV revenues are getting a significant boost, increasing payments to teams from $103 million to $143 million this season and projected to grow to $281 million by the 2034-35 season. This agreement, involving partners ESPN, NBC, and Amazon streaming, signals the NBA’s shift towards a model that more closely resembles the economic footprint of the NFL.

This media deal plays a key role in central revenue, which represented 38% of total NBA revenue last season and would have been 44% if the new contract had already been in place. The deal also supports shared revenues from sponsorships, international markets, retail, and other league operations, underpinning the economic transformation the league is undergoing.

Franchise valuations and diverse revenue streams

Sportico’s valuations place the average NBA franchise at $5.51 billion, representing a 20% increase from 2023 and an impressive 113% rise since 2022. Even the league’s lowest valued team, the Memphis Grizzlies, has seen its worth more than double to $4 billion. This elevation in franchise value reflects the league’s global ambitions, highlighted by efforts to establish new leagues in Africa and Europe.

The second largest revenue source comes from seating and luxury suites, totaling $3.4 billion or 28% of total revenue. Premium seating attracts significant interest, exemplified by the Los Angeles Clippers’ new Intuit Dome arena with $2 million-a-year courtside cabanas and the Warriors’ $2.5 million per game from suites. Sponsorships account for $1.7 billion, including arena naming rights such as the Phoenix Suns’ new Mortgage Matchup Center deal. Local media revenues have slightly declined due to broadcaster bankruptcies, but remain substantial, with teams like the Los Angeles Lakers earning nearly $200 million solely from local TV contracts.

Non-NBA events including concerts contribute $1.15 billion in revenue, mainly through concessions and merchandise, illustrating the diversified income sources available to NBA teams.

The 2025-26 NBA Hope-O-Meter: Fan optimism survey

A fan survey conducted among 2,706 respondents from all 30 teams reveals the varying levels of optimism for the current NBA season. Oklahoma City Thunder tops the list with a 9.6/10 optimism score, buoyed by their recent championship and the hope of continued success. Other highly optimistic fan bases include the Denver Nuggets, Orlando Magic, and Houston Rockets, showing faith in new talent and team chemistry.

In contrast, the Brooklyn Nets and Sacramento Kings register among the lowest optimism scores, reflecting frustrations over recent team performance and instability. Other fan bases such as the Boston Celtics, Toronto Raptors, and Miami Heat exhibit moderate optimism tempered by skepticism about roster depth or injuries.

This spectrum of fan sentiment highlights the diversity of expectations across the NBA landscape, from championship hopefuls to rebuilding franchises.

Atlanta Hawks and Kristaps Porziņģis: A pivotal season ahead

The Atlanta Hawks enter a new phase with the addition of Kristaps Porziņģis, acquired from the Boston Celtics. Porziņģis is overcoming postural orthostatic tachycardia syndrome (POTS), a condition that severely affected his energy and performance during the 2025 playoffs. Now healthy and on a high-salt diet regime to manage POTS, he aims to prove his value in the final year of his contract.

The Hawks, under new general manager Onsi Saleh, are building a young, dynamic roster around four-time All-Star Trae Young. The acquisition of Porziņģis offers a unique weapon—his combination of rim protection and perimeter shooting creates new offensive spacing for the high-paced Hawks offense. The team also recently added sharpshooter Luke Kennard and feisty guard Nickeil-Alexander Walker to bolster their depth.

Coach Quin Snyder emphasizes the Hawks’ strategy of aggressive defense and fast breaks, aiming to translate their league-leading preseason pace into regular-season success. Porziņģis’ impact is crucial to alleviating defensive pressure on Young and enhancing the team’s overall versatility.

Brandon Ingram aims to reset with Toronto Raptors

Brandon Ingram’s recent move to the Toronto Raptors marks a fresh start after injury setbacks and uncertainty with the New Orleans Pelicans, where he had challenges with both availability and expectations. Ingram, who suffered a severe ankle injury and knee past issues, documented his recovery journey privately and is now set to play his first game for the Raptors after a platelet-rich plasma injection accelerated his healing.

Despite skepticism about his impact, Raptors General Manager Bobby Webster praises Ingram’s approach, calling him a “hooper’s hooper” who focuses on basketball rather than hype. Ingram is viewed as a key player expected to contribute 20 points, 5 rebounds, and 5 assists when healthy.

Under new Raptors coach Darko Rajaković, Ingram faces the challenge of adapting to a read-and-react offensive system that emphasizes quicker decisions, while also adjusting defensively to the team’s high-energy pressure style. His teammates see him as a social and playful presence who fits well within the squad.

The Raptors banking on Ingram’s evolution reflects a broader ambition to transition from lottery contention to a playoff team, leveraging his pace of play and scoring ability to support young stars like Scottie Barnes.

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As the NBA embarks on the 2025-26 season, the convergence of economic growth, team rebuilding, and fan enthusiasm sets the stage for a vibrant year of basketball. From media deals transforming franchise values to inspiring personal comebacks like those of Porziņģis and Ingram, the league faces a future ripe with challenges and opportunities. Fans across North America and beyond watch with hope as their teams strive for glory in one of the world’s premier sports competitions.

Questions and answers

Q: 2025-26 NBA season start date

A: The 2025-26 NBA season is expected to start in mid to late October 2025, following the league's traditional schedule. The exact date will be confirmed closer to the start of the season, but it typically begins the third week of October, featuring opening night games across NBA arenas.

Q: NBA $76 billion media deal details

A: The NBA's $76 billion media deal refers to a landmark agreement encompassing broadcasting rights for the league’s games over several years, significantly boosting its revenue streams. This deal includes partnerships with major networks like ESPN and TNT, expanding digital streaming options and global distribution. It reflects the growing popularity of the NBA worldwide and aims to enhance fan engagement through more accessible content.

Q: Atlanta Hawks Kristaps Porziņģis update

A: Kristaps Porziņģis, playing for the Atlanta Hawks, has been contributing as a versatile big man known for his scoring and shot-blocking ability. Recent updates indicate he has been active and integral to the Hawks' rotation, with health and performance closely monitored by the team and fans. His presence adds depth to Atlanta's frontcourt and helps balance their offensive and defensive strategies.

Q: Brandon Ingram Toronto Raptors performance

A: Brandon Ingram joined the Toronto Raptors bringing his scoring and playmaking skills to the team. His performance has been noted for improving the Raptors' offensive versatility and floor spacing. Ingram's ability to create his own shot and contribute on both ends has made him a key player in Toronto's lineup, boosting their competitiveness in the league.

Q: NBA fan optimism rankings 2025

A: NBA fan optimism rankings for 2025 reflect how hopeful or positive fans are about their teams’ prospects for the upcoming season. These rankings typically consider team performance, player acquisitions, and off-season moves. In 2025, teams with strong rosters and recent success like the Milwaukee Bucks, Denver Nuggets, and Phoenix Suns often top the optimism charts, while rebuilding teams tend to rank lower.

Key Entities

Atlanta Hawks: The Atlanta Hawks are a professional NBA basketball team based in Atlanta, Georgia. They have a strong presence in the Eastern Conference and are known for developing young talent.

Kristaps Porziņģis: Kristaps Porziņģis is a Latvian professional basketball player known for his height and shooting ability as a power forward/center. He has played for several NBA teams, contributing significantly with his versatile skill set.

Brandon Ingram: Brandon Ingram is an American professional basketball player recognized for his scoring and playmaking skills as a small forward. He has been a key player for the New Orleans Pelicans and has shown considerable growth since entering the NBA.

Toronto Raptors: The Toronto Raptors are a Canadian NBA team based in Toronto, Ontario, and are the only Canadian franchise in the league. They won their first NBA Championship in 2019, marking a significant achievement in the team's history.

Onsi Saleh: Onsi Saleh is a professional basketball player, known for playing in the Israeli Basketball Premier League. His contributions as a versatile player have been noted in competitive international leagues.

External articles

• Adam Silver talks expansion, dynasties and the All-Star ...
• 2025-26 NBA season preview: Rankings, predictions, odds
• How NBA Teams and Owners Make Their Money

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YouTube Video

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URL: https://www.youtube.com/shorts/2zeRiizoOkY