Fans of the Dallas Mavericks and New Orleans Pelicans are in for a change when it comes to watching their favorite teams play in the upcoming NBA season. Both teams are parting ways with their regional sports networks owned by Diamond Sports, as revealed in a recent bankruptcy court filing. This move raises questions about where local games will be aired for these teams, with the NBA season set to kick off on Oct. 22.
While official announcements are yet to be made by the Mavericks and Pelicans regarding their local game broadcasts, there are hints of new partnerships on the horizon. The Pelicans, for instance, have reportedly reached an agreement with Gray Television to broadcast their games this season. This potential deal follows previous collaborations where the Pelicans aired 10 matchups on Gray’s local stations. On the other hand, the Mavericks have a history of televising their games with Tegna’s Dallas-Fort Worth stations, but details of their upcoming broadcasting arrangements remain undisclosed at this time.
The Mavericks and Pelicans are among a growing list of teams opting to move away from their Diamond-owned regional sports networks, which operate under the Bally Sports brand. As Diamond Sports continues to navigate through bankruptcy, various NBA, WNBA, and NHL teams have chosen to shift their regular-season games to local broadcasters. This shift signifies a broader trend in the sports broadcasting industry, as teams seek out alternative ways to reach their fanbase and secure sustainable broadcasting agreements.
The terminations of broadcasting agreements with the Mavericks and Pelicans come with financial settlements outlined in the court filing. Diamond Sports is set to receive $1.3 million and over $297,000 in repayments from the Mavericks and Pelicans, respectively, as part of the split. These payments highlight the complexities involved in transitioning broadcasting rights and the financial ramifications for both parties involved.
Diamond Sports’ journey through bankruptcy has been marred by the challenges posed by the changing media landscape, particularly the decline of traditional cable services. Despite efforts to adapt, including the launch of a sports-only streaming service, Diamond Sports’ substantial debt ultimately led to the filing for bankruptcy protection. The company’s recent agreements with the NBA and NHL for broadcast and streaming rights signal a step forward in its restructuring efforts, pending court approval. CEO David Preschlack acknowledges these deals as significant milestones towards the company’s eventual emergence from bankruptcy.
As the NBA and NHL seasons approach, Diamond Sports faces mounting pressure to demonstrate a viable plan for its operations and meet its financial obligations. With the recent deal to bring its networks back to Comcast’s cable TV customers, Diamond is navigating a rapidly evolving media landscape where traditional distribution models are being upended by digital streaming services. This transformation underscores the importance of adaptability and innovation in the sports broadcasting industry as companies strive to remain competitive and sustainable in the long run.