In the upcoming National Basketball Association season, fans of the Dallas Mavericks and New Orleans Pelicans are eagerly awaiting news on how they will be able to watch their local games. Both teams are departing from their regional sports networks owned by Diamond Sports, as revealed in a recent bankruptcy court filing. With the NBA season scheduled to kick off on October 22, the timing of this transition is crucial for fans who are accustomed to tuning in to their favorite teams’ games through these networks.
Shift Towards Local Broadcasters
While official announcements have not been made by either the Mavericks or the Pelicans regarding the new broadcasters for their local games, both teams have a history of working with local broadcast partners. The Pelicans have reportedly reached a preliminary agreement with Gray Television to broadcast their games for the upcoming season. This information comes from a source close to the team, who confirmed earlier reports in the media. However, representatives from Gray Television and the Pelicans have chosen not to comment on this development at this time.
Implications for Fans
Last season, the Pelicans aired 10 of their matchups on Gray’s local stations, indicating a preexisting relationship between the team and the broadcaster. On the other hand, the Mavericks, who were featured in the NBA Finals last season, had a 13-game deal with Tegna’s Dallas-Fort Worth stations. It remains unclear who will take over the broadcasting rights for the Mavericks’ games in the upcoming season, as neither the team nor Tegna has responded to media inquiries on this matter. This uncertainty may leave fans wondering about the accessibility of Mavericks games this season.
Industry Trends
The decision by the Mavericks and Pelicans to part ways with Diamond-owned regional sports networks reflects a broader trend in the industry. Diamond Sports has been grappling with bankruptcy for the past 18 months, prompting various NBA, WNBA, and NHL teams to seek alternative broadcasting arrangements. Several Major League Baseball teams have also shifted away from these networks, opting to have their games produced by the league itself. This changing landscape indicates a shift in how sports content is delivered to fans.
According to the court filing, Diamond Sports will receive compensation of $1.3 million from the Mavericks and over $297,000 from the Pelicans as part of the termination of their agreements. These payments mark the conclusion of the teams’ affiliations with Diamond and signify a new chapter for local broadcasting partnerships. As Diamond moves forward with broadcast and streaming rights agreements with the NBA and NHL, the company is seeking court approval for these deals as part of its bankruptcy reorganization efforts.
The struggles faced by Diamond Sports, including its massive debt load and the decline of cable television, highlight the challenges in the broadcasting industry. Despite launching a dedicated sports streaming service in 2022, the company’s financial woes were insurmountable, leading to the bankruptcy filing. As the NBA and NHL seasons approach, Diamond is under increased pressure to demonstrate a viable business plan and meet its financial obligations.
In a statement, Diamond Sports CEO David Preschlack expressed gratitude for the partnerships with the NBA and NHL, emphasizing that the new agreements mark a significant milestone in the company’s journey out of bankruptcy protection. The return of Diamond’s networks to Comcast cable TV customers represents another positive development for the company, following an earlier blackout of Bally Sports networks on Comcast.
As the Dallas Mavericks and New Orleans Pelicans navigate the transition to new broadcasting partners, fans are hopeful for seamless access to their favorite teams’ games in the upcoming season. The evolving landscape of sports broadcasting underscores the importance of adaptability and innovation in the face of industry challenges.
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