NBA TV, the 24-hour basketball-only network started in 1999, is about to be run by an unidentified media partner, and with that, the National Basketball Association is offering to buyout the 68 full-time employees of the network based on service time in preparation for the take over. As reported by Bloomberg News:

The NBA's entertainment division offered producers buyouts "in preparation of the transition of the operation of NBA TV to an outside media partner,'' NBA spokesman Mike Bass said.

He wouldn't identify the new media partner.

The NBA signed eight-year contract extensions in June with Time Warner's Turner Sports and Walt Disney Co.'s ABC and ESPN to broadcast games and expand digital services.

"We have nothing to announce at this time,'' said Turner spokesman Jeff Pomeroy.

Currently, Comcast Corp., Cox Communications Inc., and Time Warner Inc. carry on cable, while DirecTV carries the network as a satcaster. The network is available in 12 million U.S. digital households and available in 73 countries.

Maury Brown is the founder and president of the Business of Sports Network, which includes The Biz of Basketball, The Biz of Baseball, and The Biz of Football (The Biz of Hockey will be launching shortly). He is also a contributor to Baseball Prospectus.

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