Such an initiative would potentially carry the NBA games currently shown on cable networks TNT and TBS, both of which are owned by AOL Time Warner, although under the plan being discussed TNT would still show some live action.
According to the reports, the proposed NBA-branded network would replace an existing one on the AOL Time Warner platform - the most likely candidate being CNN/SI which has about 20 million cable subscribers.
The new venture could also expand upon NBA.com TV, the league's 24-hour digital satellite news channel which is currently available to 10 million homes on the DirecTV platform.
Neither the NBA or TBS would comment on the specifics of the negotiations.
The NBA is in the middle of an exclusive negotiating window over its new TV rights contracts with existing rights holders, NBC and TNT/TBS. Both deals are in their final year and this latest twist to the proceedings is a further indication of the league's desire not to sign a traditional rights-fee contract at a time when it may not get increased monies from its broadcast partners with many predicting that the sports rights market is beginning to hit a peak.
Should an agreement with NBC and TNT/TBS not be reached, the contract can be opened up to all bidders with Disney-owned networks ABC and ESPN reputedly interested in tying up the NBA coverage.
