Dallas Mavericks and New Orleans Pelicans fans are eagerly anticipating a new way to watch their local games in the upcoming NBA season. This transition comes as both teams are departing from their regional sports networks owned by Diamond Sports, as stated in a recent bankruptcy court filing. With the NBA season slated to commence on Oct. 22, there is yet to be an official announcement from either franchise regarding where their local games will be broadcast. Nevertheless, both teams have a track record of airing their games through local broadcasters.
Sources have revealed that the Pelicans have reached a preliminary agreement with Gray Television to broadcast their games this season, as confirmed by a source close to the team. While Gray and the Pelicans’ representatives have refrained from commenting on the matter, it is noteworthy that the Pelicans aired 10 of their matchups on Gray’s local stations in the previous season. On the other hand, the Mavericks, who were contenders in last season’s NBA Finals, had a 13-game agreement with Tegna’s Dallas-Fort Worth stations. However, the Mavericks and Tegna have not yet provided any comments regarding the broadcasting arrangements for the upcoming season.
The Mavericks and Pelicans are the latest additions to the list of teams moving the majority of their regular-season games from Diamond-owned regional sports networks, operating under the Bally Sports brand. Over the last 18 months, Diamond Sports has been navigating its way through bankruptcy, causing several NBA, WNBA, and NHL teams to shift from regional sports networks to local broadcasters. Additionally, some MLB teams that have departed from these networks will now have their games produced by the league itself.
According to the court filing, Diamond Sports will receive $1.3 million from the Mavericks and over $297,000 from the Pelicans as part of the termination agreements. These developments coincide with Diamond’s negotiations for broadcast and streaming rights agreements with the NBA and NHL for the upcoming season under its bankruptcy reorganization process, pending court approval. Diamond Sports CEO, David Preschlack, expressed gratitude for the collaborations with the leagues, citing the agreements as significant milestones toward emerging from bankruptcy protection.
Challenges in the Broadcasting Industry
Diamond Sports is just one of many companies that have been adversely affected by the diminishing popularity of cable television. Despite introducing a sports-only streaming service for some of its teams in 2022, the company’s overwhelming $8 billion debt ultimately led to its bankruptcy filing. As the NBA and NHL seasons draw near, Diamond faces mounting pressure to devise a sustainable business strategy and demonstrate its capability to meet the required rights payments. Moreover, Diamond recently achieved a breakthrough by reinstating its networks on Comcast’s cable TV service, after the Bally Sports networks went offline for Comcast customers – one of Diamond’s primary distributors – in early May.
This comprehensive restructuring in local broadcasting reflects the evolving dynamics within the sports media landscape, as teams seek alternative avenues to connect with their fans and ensure the continued accessibility of live game coverage. As the Dallas Mavericks and New Orleans Pelicans embark on their new broadcasting partnerships, fans can anticipate a fresh viewing experience that aligns with the changing trends in sports broadcasting.