NBA reaches record TV deal; windfall of cash coming in 2016-17

NEW YORK - The richest television deal in NBA history carries a significant windfall for the league - and for teams like the Bucks.

The NBA and ESPN/TNT have worked out a new television contract that will begin in the 2016-17 season. The nine year deal is valued by the New York Times at $2.66 billion per year.

ESPN will televise 100 regular season games under the new arrangement, and ABC will retain the NBA Finals. TNT's number of broadcasts in the regular season will rise as well.

NBA Commissioner Adam Silver says the extra cash means the salary cap will spike in the 2016-17 season. Silver also says players and agents have been trying to time their own contracts to take advantage of the windfall of cash. The current TV deal pays the NBA roughly $930 million annually.

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