Dallas Mavericks and New Orleans Pelicans fans are eagerly awaiting updates on how they will be able to watch their favorite teams’ local games in the upcoming NBA season. Both teams are making a significant transition by moving away from their regional sports networks owned by Diamond Sports. This shift was detailed in a recent Friday bankruptcy court filing, setting the stage for a new era of local game broadcasts for these franchises.
While specific details about the new broadcasting arrangements have not been officially announced by either team, there have been reports suggesting potential partnerships. The Pelicans, for instance, are said to have come to an agreement in principle with Gray Television to air their games this season. This move marks a departure from their previous arrangement with Diamond-owned regional sports networks under the Bally Sports brand. On the other hand, the Mavericks had a 13-game agreement with Tegna’s Dallas-Fort Worth stations last season, but it remains unclear who will broadcast their local games moving forward.
The decisions by the Mavericks and Pelicans to shift their regular-season games away from Diamond-owned networks are part of a larger trend in the sports broadcasting industry. Over the past 18 months, Diamond Sports has been working through a complex bankruptcy process, leading to several NBA, WNBA, and NHL teams opting to work with local broadcasters instead. This shift reflects the changing landscape of sports media consumption and the challenges faced by traditional cable networks.
As part of the termination of their agreements with Diamond Sports, the Mavericks and Pelicans will be making payments to the company. According to the court filing, Diamond Sports will receive $1.3 million from the Mavericks and over $297,000 from the Pelicans. These financial transactions underscore the complexities of the transition process and the financial implications for both teams and the network. Additionally, Diamond Sports has entered into broadcast and streaming rights agreements with the NBA and NHL, pending court approval, as part of its bankruptcy proceedings.
Diamond Sports has faced numerous challenges as a result of the changing media landscape and the decline of cable TV. Despite launching a sports-only streaming service in recent years, the company’s substantial debt load ultimately led to its bankruptcy filing. With the upcoming NBA and NHL seasons approaching, Diamond is under increasing pressure to establish a viable business plan and demonstrate its ability to meet its obligations. The recent agreement to restore its networks on Comcast’s cable TV platform marks a significant step forward, but the company still has hurdles to overcome in order to secure its long-term future.
The transition away from Diamond-owned networks represents a pivotal moment for the Dallas Mavericks and New Orleans Pelicans, as they seek to forge new partnerships and navigate the evolving media landscape. The decisions made by these teams reflect broader trends in the sports broadcasting industry and underscore the challenges faced by traditional cable networks in the digital age. As fans anticipate the start of the upcoming NBA season, the future of local game broadcasts remains a topic of interest and intrigue for all stakeholders involved.