ESPN has been broadcasting the NBA since 2002. (Ethan Miller/Getty Images)

The National Basketball Association's (NBA) exclusive media rights negotiating period with incumbents Walt Disney and Warner Bros Discovery (WBD) is likely to end without a new deal on Monday (April 22), it has been reported.

From the start of next week, the league will be able to engage prospective new broadcast partners, according to CNBC.

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The NBA’s current domestic rights deals with Disney-owned ESPN and WBD’s TNT, worth $24 billion in total, will end after the 2024-25 campaign.

The broadcasters have had a long-term relationship with the league, with those close ties granting them the exclusive window to extend these deals.

Warner has been airing NBA games since 1984, while ESPN began broadcasting the league in 2002.

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The NBA told Reuters: “We continue to have productive discussions with Disney and Warner Bros Discovery on a renewal of our media deals.”

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Despite the ongoing talks, the duo are now set to face competition from rival broadcasters and major streaming services expected to enter the mix.

The likes of NBCUniversal, Apple, Amazon, and YouTube TV have been linked to bids for the next cycle of domestic rights and have all reportedly had preliminary talks with the league expressing potential interest.

CNBC previously reported that the NBA is likely to want to bring more media partners on board and open the rights beyond ESPN and TNT.

The top basketball league could sell its new in-season tournament package of games to a separate media company.

CNBC reports that the league is looking to double its current rights fees by adding new partners and charging more for the rights.

However, it is understood that Disney and WBD are reluctant to carry the full burden of paying significantly more for what they already have.