NBC is making a strong push to pry NBA media rights away from TNT, and many have wondered if that will signal the return of one of the most famous sports introduction songs of all time. We now have our answer.
John Tesh, the composer who is responsible for creating the NBA on NBC’s famous “Roundball Rock” theme song, confirmed on Tuesday that the network has reached out to him about reviving his musical score. Tesh told “The Dan Le Batard Show with Stugotz” that an orchestra is planning to record an updated version of the song next month. NBC may also use “Roundball Rock” at the 2024 Summer Olympics in Paris.
“They have, actually. It’s nothing firm, but they said, ‘Hey, can you stay frosty on this? We’d love to talk to you about it.’ We’re actually talking right now about licensing it to them for the Olympics in Paris,” Tesh said. “At the end of June, we’re heading to Nashville and we’ve got a full orchestra on hold and we’re gonna re-record it. The recording, I think it still sounds great, but I wanted to make a few changes.”
BREAKING: NBC has contacted John Tesh about reviving the iconic NBA on NBC theme song 'Roundball Rock' amid NBA rights dealnegotiations.
"At the end of June, we're heading to Nashville, we've got a full orchestra on hold & we're going to re-record it."https://t.co/J2Tb1XxPY9 pic.twitter.com/F6YUXSRpk4
— Dan Le Batard Show with Stugotz (@LeBatardShow) May 21, 2024
NBA games were broadcast on NBC from 1954-1962 and then again from 1990-2002, which was one of the league’s most popular eras. Many fans grew up watching some of the biggest games of those seasons on NBC, which always kicked off with “Roundball Rock.” You can see one of the classic intros:
The NBA’s current media rights deals with ESPN and TNT expire after the 2024-25 season. It is not a guarantee that NBC will secure a package, but the network has reportedly offered a massive sum of money to make it happen.
Fans would be thrilled to have “Roundball Rock” back, but it might come at a serious cost.
