Amazon was allowed to negotiate with the NBA on their media rights deal during the exclusive negotiating window of ESPN and TNT, which was an idea broached by TNT. The NBA then secured permission from ESPN for Amazon to join the discussions.
Amazon ultimately agreed to the $1.8 billion per year streaming only deal with the NBA that TNT attempted to use their match rights upon. Reports have indicated that TNT wasn't expecting NBC to bid $2.6 billion per year on the NBA's "B" package.
Amazon will broadcast Thursday night games after the NFL season as well as the knockout round of the NBA Cup, all the Play-In game, a third of the overall postseason, and alternate Conference Finals.
TNT may attempt to resolve the issue via litigation.
