When the NBA Playoffs begin, the stakes go up—not just for teams, but for advertisers too. MediaRadar’s latest data reveals a surge in NBA playoff advertising rates across ABC, ESPN, and TNT. Ad rates more than double during postseason broadcasts, and the networks reap the rewards.
We examined how ad spend and average rates shifted from the NBA regular season to the playoffs (Oct 22, 2024–May 31, 2025), excluding replays and encore airings across three major TV players: ABC, ESPN, and TNT.
Regular Season: ESPN Leads in Revenue
Here’s what advertisers spent before the playoffs:
- ESPN: $281M in estimated ad revenue | Avg. ad rate: $42.5K
- TNT: $274M | Avg. ad rate: $46K
- ABC: $106M | Avg. ad rate: $57.3K
While ABC had the highest cost-per-ad, ESPN and TNT earned more thanks to the volume of games aired.
Regular Season vs. Postseason Revenue
NBA Playoff Ad Rates Explode
During the postseason, all three networks saw big jumps:
- TNT: $486M in revenue | Avg. ad rate: $117.7K
- ABC: $142M | Avg. ad rate: $157.2K
- ESPN: $217M | Avg. ad rate: $128.6K
ABC’s 175% rate increase shows the power of Finals broadcast reach. TNT earned the most revenue overall, driven by exclusive rights and playoff volume.
Average NBA Ad Rates by Network
Why Marketers Should Care
As brands look ahead to future NBA seasons, one thing is clear: when the game gets serious, so does the ad spend. Playoff basketball offers:
- Massive reach on national broadcasts
- Culturally resonant, appointment viewing
- High engagement and CPM justification
For marketers planning 2025 media buys, aligning with postseason sports content can mean greater ROI and attention.
Final Buzzer: Key Takeaways
- ESPN won the regular season in total ad revenue.
- ABC had the most expensive postseason inventory.
- TNT led in total playoff ad revenue.
FAQs: NBA Ad Spend Insights
Q: Why do ad rates increase during the NBA Playoffs?
A: National reach and viewer engagement spike, letting networks charge premium CPMs.
Q: Which network had the most NBA playoff ad revenue?
A: TNT, with $486M in postseason revenue.
Q: What was the most expensive network for NBA ads?
A: ABC, with a postseason average ad rate of $157.2K per spot.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR | Lauren Amira
Lauren Amira is the Vice President of Product Marketing at MediaRadar, where she leads with over 12 years of experience translating complex offerings into clear, compelling go-to-market strategies. A seasoned product marketing leader, Lauren has successfully guided both startups and established brands to craft resonant narratives that align with strategic objectives and drive market impact.
