ESPN Chairman Jimmy Pitaro declared the network's interest in partnering with the NBA. He spoke at the CNBC Sport x Boardroom Game Plan Summit. ESPN aims to develop a centralized local broadcast product with the league. Pitaro's comments follow reports that named YouTube as a front-runner for a similar local rights streaming package. This positions ESPN as a potential solution for the NBA's challenged local media landscape.
Pitaro stated ESPN intends to be "part of the solution" for the NBA and other leagues. These leagues navigate the decline of the traditional regional sports network model. He also indicated ESPN is open to a non-exclusive arrangement. This could involve sharing the product with other partners. This move highlights ESPN's strategy to deepen its relationship with major league partners. This strategy responds to media consumption shifts towards streaming.