John Tesh is complicating negotiations with NBC to bring back his famous theme song “Roundball Rock” when the NBA’s new media rights deals begin in the 2025-26 season, according to CNBC Sport.
Tesh — whose song became beloved by fans when it was played for more than a decade on “The NBA on NBC” — reportedly is “asking for a lot” in the new deal.
NBC Sports has yet to finalize a deal to bring back Tesh’s song, despite announcing the tune would be returning in 2025.
Both sides are still in talks, but NBC Sports isn’t married to the the song as part of its new chapter with the NBA, according to CNBC Sports’ Alex Sherman.
NBC execs reportedly only agreed to negotiate with for the rights in good faith.
Tesh, NBC Sports, Disney and Amazon all declined to comment to CNBC Sports.
Tesh reportedly has considered licensing the song to another media company — and he’s had talks with a venture capital firm that could acquire the rights from him and could determine the tune’s future home.
In July, the NBA secured 11-year agreements to air games on Amazon Prime Video and NBC, while also airing games across Disney platforms, ESPN and ABC.
The deals will bring the league about $76 billion.
NBC will replace TNT — whose parent company is Warner Bros. Discovery is in limbo with a bid for the NBA’s media rights — as the home of the NBA’s All-Star weekend starting in 2026.
NBCU, which is NBC and Peacock, will air up to 100 regular season games during each season of its deal with the NBA — including the league’s opening night doubleheader.
That will include the All-Star Game and Rising Stars, All-Star Saturday Night, which features the dunk, 3-point and skills competitions.
Fox Sports has licensed “Roundball Rock” to use for its Big East basketball games.
