NBA signs $2.7b US TV deal

The NBA's latest rights deal has netted the world's richest basketball competition a $2.7 billion dollar windfall.

Officials during the announcement of NBA TV contract extensions

The NBA has announced nine-year TV contract extensions worth a reported $US2.5 billion a year. (AAP)

The National Basketball Association has announced nine-year television contract extensions with the US ABC network as well as ESPN and TNT, deals worth a reported $US2.5 billion ($A2.7 billion) a year.

The new deal, whose value was not announced but reported by the New York Times, starts with the 2016-17 season and keeps games on the networks through the 2024-25 campaign and replaces an eight-year contract that expired in 2016.

"They have been terrific partners and have helped continue the growth of our game," NBA commissioner Adam Silver said. "Our game has never been better. We can't wait until opening week."

ESPN will add 15 regular-season telecasts, rising to 85 games, obtain greater digital media and audio rights plus additional regular-season and playoff games and NBA-themed programs for the Pacific Rim, Latin America and Caribbean regions.

"This has been a key deal for us given the ascendant nature of the league," ESPN's John Skipper said. "We're quite content we have done an outstanding deal."

The deal would enhance potential offerings of live games on mobile telephones.

The NBA's union deal will send just over half of the new income to players under union contract rules.

"The lion's share of this money will be paid directly to the players," Silver said.


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