Multiple music publishers are suing 14 NBA teams for alleged unauthorized use of copyrighted music, with cases moving toward consolidation and an initial pre-trial conference scheduled for October.

The lawsuits target teams including the Phoenix Suns, New York Knicks, Orlando Magic, Cleveland Cavaliers, and others, with publishers seeking $150,000 in damages per infringement. Key publishers involved include Kobalt Music Publishing, Artist Publishing Group, and Prescription Songs.

The alleged unauthorized music usage includes songs from prominent artists like Cardi B, Jay-Z, Migos, OutKast, Busta Rhymes, DJ Khaled, and Shaquille O'Neal. While the Phoenix Suns case will proceed separately, the remaining 13 cases show signs of consolidation in the US District Court for the Southern District of New York.

This legal action comes as the NBA secured a $2.5 billion annual broadcast package with Comcast and NBCUniversal. Though the NBA itself isn't named in the suits, proper licensing would be required for any videos uploaded to the NBA website.

Similar legal actions have recently emerged in the entertainment industry, including Sony Music's lawsuit against Marriott International for alleged copyright infringement in social media posts, involving over 900 infringements of recordings from major artists.

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